bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continuous flow (Sulfated) Zirconia Catalysed Cascade Conversion of Levulinic Acid to γ‐Valerolactone
Authors: Merenda Andrea , Orr Samantha A. , Liu Yang , Hernández Garcia Blanca , Osatiashtiani Amin , Morales Gabriel , Paniagua Marta , Melero Juan A. , Lee Adam F. , Wilson Karen
Published: December 2022

γ‐Valerolactone (GVL) is a renewable and versatile platform chemical derived from sustainable carbon feedstocks. The cascade conversion of levulinic acid into GVL requires Brønsted and Lewis acid catalysed reactions. Here, a dual‐catalyst bed configuration is demonstrated that promotes synergy between Brønsted acid sites in sulfated zirconia (SZ) and Lewis acid sites in ZrO2/SBA‐15 for the liquid phase, continuous flow esterification and subsequent catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) of levulinic acid to GVL. A saturated surface sulfate monolayer, possessing a high density of strong Brønsted acid sites, was optimal for levulinic acid esterification to isopropyl levulinate over SZ (>80 % conversion). A conformal ZrO2 bilayer, deposited over a SBA‐15 mesoporous silica and possessing mixed Brønsted:Lewis acidity, catalysed CTH of the levulinate ester and subsequent dealcoholisation/cyclisation to GVL (>60 % selectivity). Maximum stable productivity for the dual‐bed was 2.2 mmolGVL.gcat.h−1 at 150 °C, significantly outperforming either catalyst alone or a physical mixture of both. Flow chemistry is a versatile approach to achieve spatial control over cascade transformations involving distinct catalytically active sites.
Convolutional neural network based object detection system for video surveillance application
Authors: Bhimavarapu John Philip , Ramaraju Sriharsha , Nagajyothi Dimmita , Rao Inumula Veeraraghava
Published: December 2022

Video surveillance is emerging as a promising solution for the humans to lead a peaceful and independent life in their homes. The recognition and localization of moving objects plays a central role in the video surveillance. The manual surveillance is time consuming and tedious. Therefore, novel object detection via optimized deep learning model is developed in this work that supports the video surveillance application. In the initial phase, proposed angle and distance based Local Binary Pattern (LBP) features are extracted. Subsequently, these extracted features are subjected to object detection phase, where optimized Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) will expose the information about the detected object. Further, the learning quality of CNN is decided by the weight parameter, which is responsible to distinguish the objects with high accuracy. Therefore, a hybrid optimization concept referred as Sealion Leader Update with Particles (SLUP) is introduced in this research work to fine‐tune the weight of CNN. Finally, a comparative analysis is made between the proposed and the extant approaches in terms of “positive, negative, and other measures.”
Social big data applications and challenges
Authors: Erol Salih Erdem , Aksoy Çağla , Sağıroğlu Şeref
Published: December 2022

Lifestyles of individuals have changed drastically in the last two decades with the impact of social media platforms which transforms individuals from being users into an asset of social media. The assets now become very precious and seriously attract who can generate useful or harmful values. In this context, studies conducted in the last 5 years are analyzed based on the methodology covering implementation areas, data sources, data size, methods and tools. The studies were classified and summarized under nine main “research fields,” and a “purpose‐based” classification under three main purposes was investigated. The results have shown that even if data obtained from social media platforms are often preferred in the studies, issues such as compliance with legal regulations, data processing, confidentiality and privacy of data also bring difficulties; collection and processing of social big data are a serious obstacle to the realization of many studies; not enough data sources provided by public or private enterprises; most of the studies carried out on text data, and the rest focused on location and image data; mostly machine learning methods are preferred in applications. This study differs from previous literature reviews by revealing comprehensively how social big data can be transformed into practice with a holistic perspective.
Sexual offense victims' responses to the question #WhyIDidntReport? Examining restorative justice as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism
Authors: Peleg‐Koriat Inbal , Klar‐Chalamish Carmit
Published: December 2022

The aim of the present study was to examine barriers to reporting sexual offenses as reflected in texts by victims who participated in the #WhyIDidntReport protest that revolved around the reasons for not reporting sexual offenses. Content analysis was used to analyze 95 public posts of Israeli victims published on social media. The findings revealed two main barrier dimensions—personal and social—each comprising several main themes. The most common barrier in the personal dimension was difficulty naming or labeling the experience as a sexual offense to begin with. The most prominent barriers in the social dimension were the power gap between offender and victim, and concern with others' reactions. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our findings from the perspectives of alternative dispute resolution, with focus on restorative justice as an optional platform for victims.
Multi‐omics integration reveals a core network involved in host defence and hyperkeratinization in psoriasis
Authors: Deng Jingwen , Leijten Emmerik , Nordkamp Michel Olde , Zheng Guangjuan , Pouw Juliëtte , Tao Weiyang , Hartgring Sarita , Balak Deepak , Rijken Rianne , Huang Runyue , Radstake Timothy , Lu Chuanjian , Pandit Aridaman
Published: December 2022

Objectives

The precise pathogenesis of psoriasis remains incompletely explored. We aimed to better understand the underlying mechanisms of psoriasis, using a systems biology approach based on transcriptomics and microbiome profiling.

Methods

We collected the skin tissue biopsies and swabs in both lesional and non‐lesional skin of 13 patients with psoriasis, 15 patients with psoriatic arthritis and healthy skin from 12 patients with ankylosing spondylitis. To study the similarities and differences in the molecular profiles between these three conditions, and the associations between the host defence and microbiota composition, we performed high‐throughput RNA‐sequencing to quantify the gene expression profile in tissues. The metagenomic composition of 16S on local skin sites was quantified by clustering amplicon sequences and counted into operational taxonomic units. We further analysed associations between the transcriptome and microbiome profiling.

Results

We found that lesional and non‐lesional samples were remarkably different in terms of their transcriptome profiles. The functional annotation of differentially expressed genes showed a major enrichment in neutrophil activation. By using co‐expression gene networks, we identified a gene module that was associated with local psoriasis severity at the site of biopsy. From this module, we found a ‘core’ set of genes that was functionally involved in neutrophil activation, epidermal cell differentiation and response to bacteria. Skin microbiome analysis revealed that the abundances of Enhydrobacter, Micrococcus and Leptotrichia were significantly correlated with the genes in core network.

Conclusions

We identified a core gene network that associated with local disease severity and microbiome composition, involved in the inflammation and hyperkeratinization in psoriatic skin.
Blockchain‐based secure deduplication of encrypted data supporting client‐side semantically secure encryption without trusted third party
Authors: Qin Guiyun , Li Limin , Liu Pengtao , Hu Chengyu , Guo Shanqing
Published: December 2022

To accommodate the new demand for the deduplication of encrypted data, secure encrypted data deduplication technologies have been widely adopted by cloud service providers. At present, of particular concern is how deduplication can be applied to the ciphertexts encrypted by semantically secure symmetric encryption scheme. Avoiding disadvantages of the existing methods, in this article, we propose a blockchain‐based secure encrypted data deduplication protocol supporting client‐side semantically secure encryption. In the proposed protocol, the smart contracts are deployed by the first file uploader, and then the subsequent uploaders implement an interactive proof of ownership for the same file with the help of the smart contracts executing a cloud data integrity auditing protocol. The smart contracts play the role of the trusted third party and therefore make up for the poor feasibility for the existence of a trusted third party in real scenario. In addition, in the proposed protocol, there is no need for other clients who have uploaded the same file to be online to help the current uploader obtain the encryption key. We also prove its security and evaluate its performance.
Analysis of adolescents' perception and awareness level for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights in Pakistan
Authors: Khan Muhammad Danyal , Daniyal Muhammad , Abid Khadijah , Tawiah Kassim , Tebha Sameer Saleem , Essar Mohammad Yasir
Published: December 2022

Background

Awareness of rights is a precondition to establishing rule of law in society. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) are closely knitted in the human rights framework as they overlap with other human rights such as the right to health and life. However, awareness about these rights remains a challenge. Considering the importance of these rights this study has measured the awareness of adolescents about SRHR in Bahawalpur (Division) of Pakistan.

Methodology

We conducted a cross‐sectional study in the Divison of Bahawalpur, Pakistan from October 2019 to December 2019. The study included a sample size of 500 respondents which included 250 young females of age 15–19 and 250 their parents (mother). The reasoning behind including only females in this study was the increased vulnerability and greater impact of SRHR in their life compared to males. The age range 15–19 was primarily selected as females this age will better understand and respond to the questionnaire compared to females in their early adolescent years. The quantitative research was conducted using two‐stage cluster sampling. Detailed structured questionnaires were distributed among the respondents to obtain their points of view on the awareness of SRHR. The population was divided into multi‐clusters with 25 households comprising 250 households for the division of Bahawalpur. The information was also gathered from the doctors and the teachers through interviews. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.

Results

The study explored the knowledge and understanding of adolescent SRHR thereby highlighting the key restrictions in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, which prohibit adolescents from gaining access to SRHR and exercising it. There is a significant portion of adolescents who strongly agreed with the importance and awareness level and think they should be more aware of information regarding SRHR. However, they are of the view that they are less independent in practicing them.

Conclusion

The study found a low level of awareness about SRHR among young female and their parents in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. It is a need of time and responsibility of the local government of the Bahawalpur region to devise clear and proper policies which give access to these rights. This can be done by including the information on these rights in the course curriculum and teachers keeping in view the cultural and regional restrictions that guide the young female about SRHR.
Why do corporate social responsibility‐oriented companies opt for bond debt? Evidence from crisis periods
Authors: Abbassi Wajih , Boubaker Sabri , Louhichi Wael
Published: December 2022

Using a large panel of 19,208 listed companies across 40 countries, we investigate the relation between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and bond debt issuance through two main channels: information asymmetry and monitoring. The information asymmetry channel supports that CSR helps firms exhibit more transparency and thereby opt for bond debt. On the other side, the monitoring channel stipulates that CSR makes managers less inclined to engage in value‐diverting activity which makes worthless the scrutiny of banks' monitoring. Results hold after conducting a series of robustness tests and a cross‐sectional heterogeneity analysis at the country level. In addition, the positive relationship between CSR and bond debt is tested in the pre‐ during‐ and post‐ global financial crisis. The relation is more pronounced (i) during periods of uncertainty, (ii) for countries with better informational environment and (iii) for countries with higher levels of agency costs. Overall, our findings are of interest to managers, investors, and policymakers as they show the benefits of CSR commitment during crisis periods marked by a strong need for trust and for more responsible finance.
Laparoscopic redo pyeloplasty with a buccal mucosal graft
Authors: Shimizu Nobuhiko , Naya Yukio , Sekine Keita , Hou Kyokushin , Okato Atsushi , Suyama Takahito , Araki Kazuhiro , Masuda Hiroshi , Kojima Satoko
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Redo pyeloplasty can be difficult due to scar tissue or fibrosis. Ureteral reconstruction with a buccal mucosal graft is performed safely and successfully, but most reports of ureteral reconstruction using a buccal mucosal graft are of robot‐assisted surgery, with few reports of laparoscopic‐assisted surgery. A case of laparoscopic‐assisted redo pyeloplasty using a buccal mucosal graft is presented.

Case presentation

A 53‐year‐old woman was diagnosed with ureteropelvic junction obstruction, and a double‐J stent was placed to relieve backache. She visited our hospital 6 months after double‐J stent placement. Three months later, laparoscopic pyeloplasty was performed. At 2 months postoperatively, anatomic stenosis occurred. Holmium laser endoureterotomy and balloon dilation were performed; however, the anatomic stenosis recurred, and laparoscopic redo pyeloplasty with a buccal mucosal graft was performed. After redo pyeloplasty, obstruction was improved, and her symptoms disappeared.

Conclusion

This is the first case of using a buccal mucosal graft for laparoscopic pyeloplasty in Japan.
Circ_0000284 upregulates RHPN2 to facilitate pancreatic cancer proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis through sponging miR‐1179
Authors: Zhang Jian , Li Jiangwei , Xiong Yongqiang , Li Ren
Published: December 2022

Background

Circular RNA (circRNA) has been confirmed to be a key regulator for pancreatic cancer (PC) progression, but the role of circ_0000284 in PC development remains unclear.

Methods

Quantitative real‐time PCR was used to measure the expression of circ_0000284, microRNA (miR)‐1179, and rhophilin 2 (RHPN2). PC cell proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and apoptosis were assessed by EdU assay, transwell assay, tube formation assay, and flow cytometry. Relative protein expression was determined by western blot analysis. The interaction between miR‐1179 and circ_0000284 or RHPN2 was confirmed by dual‐luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull‐down assay.

Results

Circ_0000284 was significantly upregulated in PC tissues and cells, and its knockdown inhibited PC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis while promoting apoptosis. MiR‐1179 was downregulated in PC tissues and cells, and it could be sponged by circ_0000284. Moreover, the miR‐1179 inhibitor reversed the regulation of circ_0000284 knockdown on PC cell progression. The highly expressed RHPN2 was found in PC tissues and cells, and it could be targeted by miR‐1179. Also, circ_0000284 sponged miR‐1179 to regulate RHPN2 expression. Overexpressed RHPN2 could reverse the regulation of circ_0000284 knockdown on PC cell progression. In addition, interference of circ_0000284 was discovered to repress PC tumor growth by regulating miR‐1179/RHPN2.RHPN2.

Conclusion

To sum up, our data confirmed that circ_0000284 facilitated PC malignant progression depending on the regulation of miR‐1179/RHPN2 axis, suggesting that circ_0000284 might be a potential target for PC treatment.
Predicting the prognosis of esophageal cancer based on extensive analysis of new inflammatory response‐related signature
Authors: He Hongbo , Zhang Peng , Li Feng , Zeng Cheng , Liu Donglei , Wu Kai
Published: December 2022

The prognosis of esophageal cancer (ESCA) is very poor, with a 5‐year survival rate of less than 20%. On the other hand, inflammation is the characteristic hallmark of ESCA; however, the prognostic relationship between inflammatory response‐related genes and ESCA has not been clarified yet. Therefore, in the present manuscript, we intend to investigate the correlation and specific signature of inflammation for the prediction of the prognosis of ESCA. A total of 173 samples were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, including 162 tumors and 11 normal specimens. The prognostic signature was established by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression analysis. The transcription factor regulatory network with genes of the prognostic signature was analyzed from the transcriptional regulatory relationships unravelled by sentence‐based text‐mining database. Chemotherapy sensitivity and immunotherapy analysis were also performed. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that the signature was an independent prognostic risk factor. The low‐risk group had poorer outcomes than the high‐risk group. In the high‐risk group, the infiltration of most immune cells was high and strongly correlated with the riskScore. In chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity analysis, OSM, AHR, and BTG2 were significantly correlated with the current chemotherapeutic drugs of ESCA. We have demonstrated a valid prognostic signature of inflammatory response‐related genes and found strong associations with immune cells, targeted genes, and chemotherapeutic agents.
Zika virus alters osteogenic lineage progression of human mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Mumtaz Noreen , Dudakovic Amel , Nair Asha , Koedam Marijke , van Leeuwen Johannes P. T. M. , Koopmans Marion P. G. , Rockx Barry , van Wijnen Andre J. , van der Eerden Bram C. J.
Published: December 2022

Arboviruses target bone forming osteoblasts and perturb bone remodeling via paracrine factors. We previously reported that Zika virus (ZIKV) infection of early‐stage human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) inhibited the osteogenic lineage commitment of MSCs. To understand the physiological interplay between bone development and ZIKV pathogenesis, we employed a primary in vitro model to examine the biological responses of MSCs to ZIKV infection at different stages of osteogenesis. Precommitted MSCs were infected at the late stage of osteogenic stimulation (Day 7) with ZIKV (multiplicity of infection of 5). We observe that MSCs infected at the late stage of differentiation are highly susceptible to ZIKV infection similar to previous observations with early stage infected MSCs (Day 0). However, in contrast to ZIKV infection at the early stage of differentiation, infection at a later stage significantly elevates the key osteogenic markers and calcium content. Comparative RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) of early and late stage infected MSCs reveals that ZIKV infection alters the mRNA transcriptome during osteogenic induction of MSCs (1251 genes). ZIKV infection provokes a robust antiviral response at both stages of osteogenic differentiation as reflected by the upregulation of interferon responsive genes (n > 140). ZIKV infection enhances the expression of immune‐related genes in early stage MSCs while increasing cell cycle genes in late stage MSCs. Remarkably, ZIKA infection in early stage MSCs also activates lipid metabolism‐related pathways. In conclusion, ZIKV infection has differentiation stage‐dependent effects on MSCs and this mechanistic understanding may permit the development of new therapeutic or preventative measures for bone‐related effects of ZIKV infection.
A nomogram and risk classification system predicting esophageal stricture after endoscopic submucosal dissection of a large area for early esophageal cancer
Authors: Li Xue , Xing Jie , Li Peng , Xie Sian , Lin Qianyun , Zhang Qian , Zhang Shutian
Published: December 2022

Background and Objectives

Esophageal stricture is a troublesome adverse effect of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early esophageal cancer. However, risk factors of post‐ESD esophageal stricture formation are incomprehensive. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of independent risk factors and provide predictive tools.

Methods

Patients who underwent ESD for early esophageal cancer between 2014 and 2021 at the Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, were recruited. A nomogram and risk classification system was established based on Cox proportional hazards analyses and validated using the concordance index (C‐index), calibration curves, decision curve analysis (DCA), and Kaplan–Meier (K–M) curves.

Results

Stricture formed in 36 patients, while stricture was not observed in the remaining 112 patients. Operative time (odds ratio [OR]: 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–1.01; p < 0.01); lesions >3/4 circumferential range of esophagus (OR: 3.82; 95% CI: 1.90–7.66; p < 0.01), and tumor infiltration to the mucosal lamina propria (m2) or deeper (OR: 2.40; 95% CI: 1.24–4.66; p = 0.01) were independent predictive factors for post‐ESD esophageal stricture. The nomogram and risk classification system was developed and validated with 0.79 C‐index, good calibration curves, good DCA results, and good K–M curves.

Conclusions

We developed a nomogram and risk stratification system to predict post‐ESD esophageal stricture using three independent risk factors.
A Two‐Stage Method for Adult Congenital Microtia: The Essentials of 15‐Year Experience
Authors: Li Hanbo , Wang Yue , Qian Jin , Wang Bingqing , Liu Tun , Zhang Qingguo
Published: December 2022

Hypothesis

Treatment of congenital microtia in adults remains challenging due to the unique physiological characteristics of the costal cartilages and retroauricular skin, which interfere with obtaining a satisfactory aesthetic result; thus, different perspectives and technical modifications during treatment are warranted. This article aims to present complementary new information and essential tips to refine the surgical technique in adult microtia reconstruction.

Methods

A total of 346 adult microtia patients underwent surgical intervention at the Auricular Reconstruction Center of Plastic Surgery Hospital (Beijing, China) between 2006 and 2021. Each patient underwent a rigorous preoperative evaluation and stages one and two surgeries.

Results

Patients were followed in our clinic for 6 months to 10 years (average: 15.3 months). The postoperative complication rate was 8.1%, which included cartilage exposure, broken helix, local hematoma, infection, poor skin graft survival, and scar hypertrophy.

Conclusions

Our results showed that the two‐stage treatment strategy for adults is versatile, reliable, and effective for the treatment of congenital microtia.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 133:2148–2153, 2023
Self‐care in coronary heart disease patient and caregiver dyads (HEARTS‐IN‐DYADS)—Protocol of a multicenter longitudinal study
Authors: Simonelli Niccolò , Bolgeo Tatiana , Iovino Paolo , Di Matteo Roberta , Maconi Antonio , Vellone Ercole
Published: December 2022

Self‐care performed by patients and the caregiver contribution to this self‐care are essential for improving cardiovascular outcomes; however, so far, no studies have sufficiently investigated this field in Italy. This paper describes a research protocol of a multi‐center longitudinal study designed to investigate the self‐care of patients affected by coronary heart disease (CHD), the caregiver's contribution to this self‐care, the predictors of patient and caregiver self‐care, the mediating role of self‐efficacy, and the self‐care outcomes. Data collection will be performed across seven Italian inpatient settings at baseline and 3 and 6 months from enrollment. Multilevel modeling and actor partner interdependence models will be implemented on a sample of 330 patient–caregiver dyads to adjust for the interdependence of measurements. The study received approval from an ethics committee in Italy and was financed in January 2021 by a grant from the Solidal Foundation in Alessandria. This research will advance the knowledge about the self‐care process in CHD. The results will guide research and clinical practice by identifying variables sensitive to educational interventions.
Effect of soap bubbles technique, coughing and distraction cards on reducing pain and anxiety during phlebotomy in children
Authors: Balliel Nükhet
Published: December 2022

This study aims to compare three techniques (soap bubbles, distraction cards, coughing) to reduce pain and anxiety in children during phlebotomy and collection with the use of a control group. Pain levels of children were assessed with the Wong‐Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale and anxiety levels of children were assessed with the Children's Fear Scale. This randomized controlled study involved intervention groups and a control group. The population of this study consisted of 120 Turkish children (30 subjects in each of the four groups soap bubbles technique, distraction cards, coughing, and control groups) between the ages of 6 and 12. The study found that pain and anxiety levels of the children in intervention groups were lower than those of the children in the control group during phlebotomy procedure and this difference was statistically significant (P < .05). No difference was found among the three techniques (Soap bubbles, distraction cards, and coughing) to reduce pain and anxiety in children during the phlebotomy procedure (P > .05). Soap bubbles, distraction cards and coughing techniques were found to reduce pain and anxiety in children during phlebotomy. Nurses can play an effective role in reducing pain and anxiety by using these techniques.
COVID‐19 in patients with persistent tachypnea of infancy
Authors: Marczak Honorata , Chruściel Joanna , Kulus Marek , Krenke Katarzyna
Published: December 2022

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has raised substantial concern for patients with chronic lung diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in children with persistent tachypnea of infancy (PTI).

Methods

Data on the history of COVID‐19, including diagnosis and clinical course of the infection, were collected during the regular follow‐up visits of children previously diagnosed with PTI. The diagnosis of COVID‐19 was based on laboratory criteria recommended by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Results

Between January 1, 2021, and February 28, 2022, 62 patients with PTI (median age 3.7 years; 42 boys, 20 girls) were evaluated. COVID‐19 was diagnosed in 38 patients (61.3%). Sixteen patients (42.1%) were asymptomatic, and 22 (57.9%) were symptomatic. The most common symptoms were rhinorrhea or nasal congestion, cough, and sore throat. Sixteen patients (42.1%) were classified as having a mild course of COVID‐19, three children (7.9%) as moderate, and three children (7.9%) as severe. Follow‐up performed after a median of 6 months (range 3–12 months) revealed that, after COVID‐19, nearly all PTI patients returned to their prior status (32/38, 84.2%); 4 children (10.5%) suffered from exacerbating symptoms of PTI for 1 month. Two children (5.3%) became asymptomatic after COVID‐19.

Conclusion

The course of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in children with PTI is usually mild, and the risk of hospitalization is low. The course of PTI did not change after COVID‐19 in most children, and only a few patients experienced an exacerbation.
The structure and matrix dynamics of bacterial biofilms as revealed by antimicrobial peptides' diffusion
Authors: Vieira‐da‐Silva Beatriz , Castanho Miguel A. R. B.
Published: December 2022

From the biological point of view, bacterial biofilms are communities of bacteria embedded in a self‐produced gel matrix composed of polysaccharides, DNA, and proteins. Considering the biophysical point of view, the biofilm matrix is a highly dense, crowded medium that imposes constraints to solute diffusion, depending on the size, conformational dynamics, and net charge. From the pharmacological point of view, biofilms are additional difficulties to drug development as heterogeneity in oxygen and nutrient distribution, and consequently, heterogeneity in bacterial metabolic status leads to recalcitrance. For peptide scientists, biofilms are both a challenge and an opportunity. Biofilms can be intruded by peptides, revealing important biological, biophysical, and pharmacological insights. Peptides can be engineered for different sizes, flexibilities, and net charges, unravelling the determinants of diffusion; they kill bacteria by lysis, overcoming the hurdles of metabolic status heterogeneity, and they are able to kill bacteria in the biofilm core, leaving the matrix intact, that is, without causing bacterial biofilm dispersion as side effect. This concise review addresses the knowledge reached while interrogating bacterial biofilms with peptides and other reporter molecules, and the advances therefrom in biology, biophysics, and drug development.
Robust complete synchronization control design for non‐collocated nonlinear master–slave system over delayed communication network
Authors: Yang Yana , Jiang Huixin , Li Junpeng , Hua Changchun
Published: December 2022

In this article, a predictor‐based robust synchronization control scheme is proposed for a non‐collocated nonlinear master–slave system with any large networked communication time delays. In contrast to traditional collocated teleoperation systems, enhanced flexibility, and operation capacity will be obtained under the non‐collocated system structure in this article. Yet, due to the introduced input delays, existing control strategies for teleoperation systems are no longer applicable. Aiming at this problem, the terminal sliding mode (TSM) admittance control approach is proposed for the master robot to improve system transparency by receiving the contact force from the slave robot to the local side, first. Moreover, complete position synchronization performance is realized by developing a predictor‐based TSM control method for the slave robot while the closed‐loop system is subject to time‐variant large delays. It is mathematically proved that the synchronization errors between the master and the slave will converge to zero completely in finite time by compensating the effect of time delays. Finally, numerical simulations and comparisons are executed to illustrate the superior performance of the posed control algorithms.
Nanoliter Scale Parallel Liquid–Liquid Extraction for High‐Throughput Purification on a Droplet Microarray
Authors: Wiedmann Janne J. , Demirdögen Yelda N. , Schmidt Stefan , Kuzina Mariia A. , Wu Yanchen , Wang Fei , Nestler Britta , Hopf Carsten , Levkin Pavel A.
Published: December 2022

In the current drug discovery process, the synthesis of compound libraries is separated from biological screenings both conceptually and technologically. One of the reasons is that parallel on‐chip high‐throughput purification of synthesized compounds is still a major challenge. Here, on‐chip miniaturized high‐throughput liquid–liquid extraction in volumes down to 150 nL with efficiency comparable to or better than large‐scale extraction utilizing separation funnels is demonstrated. The method is based on automated and programmable merging of arrays of aqueous nanoliter droplets with organic droplets. Multi‐step extraction performed simultaneously or with changing conditions as well as handling of femtomoles of compounds are demonstrated. In addition, the extraction efficiency is analyzed with a fast optical readout as well as matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐mass spectrometry on‐chip detection. The new massively parallel and miniaturized purification method adds another important tool to the chemBIOS concept combining chemical combinatorial synthesis with biological screenings on the same miniaturized droplet microarray platform, which will be essential to accelerate drug discovery.
Self‐Sensing Cementitious Composites with Hierarchical Carbon Fiber‐Carbon Nanotube Composite Fillers for Crack Development Monitoring of a Maglev Girder
Authors: Ding Siqi , Wang Xinyue , Qiu Liangsheng , Ni Yi‐Qing , Dong Xufeng , Cui Yanbin , Ashour Ashraf , Han Baoguo , Ou Jinping
Published: December 2022

In view of high‐performance, multifunctional, and low‐carbon development of infrastructures, there is a growing demand for smart engineering materials, making infrastructures intelligent. This paper reports a new‐generation self‐sensing cementitious composite (SSCC) incorporated with a hierarchically structured carbon fiber (CF)‐carbon nanotube (CNT) composite filler (CF‐CNT), which is in situ synthesized by directly growing CNT on CF. Various important factors including catalyst, temperature, and gas composition are considered to investigate their kinetic and thermodynamic influence on CF‐CNT synthesis. The reciprocal architecture of CF‐CNT not only alleviates the CNT aggregation, but also significantly improves the interfacial bonding between CF‐CNT and matrix. Due to the synergic and spatially morphological effects of CF‐CNT, that is, the formation of widely distributed multiscale reinforcement networks, SSCCs with CF‐CNTs exhibit high mechanical properties and electrical conductivity as well as excellent self‐sensing performances, particularly enhanced sensing repeatability. Moreover, the SSCCs with CF‐CNTs are integrated into a full‐scale maglev girder to devise a smart system for crack development monitoring. The system demonstrates high sensitivity and fidelity to capture the initiation of cracks/damage, as well as progressive and sudden damage events until the complete failure of the maglev girder, indicating its considerable potential for structural health monitoring of infrastructures.
Little brown Myotis roosts are spatially associated with foraging resources on Prince Edward Island
Authors: Balzer Evan W. , McBurney Tessa S. , Broders Hugh G.
Published: December 2022

Animal fitness is closely linked to accessing and capitalizing on local resources such as prey and shelter. Resources vary in quality, thus individuals may demonstrate selectivity for particular resource types. We examined resource selection in roost selection patterns of temperate bats on Prince Edward Island. To complement existing work examining roost structural characteristics, we evaluated whether roost selection by little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) could be explained by landscape characteristics. Given a sample of roosts identified through radio telemetry, community reports and a randomly selected sample of comparison structures, we determined that a combination of proximity to forest and open wetland best explained roost selection. Roost selection appears to reflect the optimization of time and energy budgets, and the proportion of maternity roosts within the sample suggests that these constraints may be more acute in reproductive females. Given the importance of roosts for reproductive success in females, future work should seek to quantify the role of physical characteristics on roost structure selection and the preservation of suitable roosting structures.
Total Domination on Tree Operators
Authors: Bermudo Sergio
Published: December 2022

Let G be a graph with vertex set V and edge set E, a set $$D\subseteq V$$

D
⊆
V

is a total dominating set if every vertex $$v\in V$$

v
∈
V

has at least one neighbor in D. The minimum cardinality among all total dominating sets is called the total domination number, and it is denoted by $$\gamma _{t}(G)$$

γ
t

(
G
)

. Given an arbitrary tree graph T, we consider some operators acting on this graph; $$\texttt {S}(T),\texttt {R}(T),\texttt {Q}(T)$$

S
(
T
)
,
R
(
T
)
,
Q
(
T
)

and $$\texttt {T}(T)$$

T
(
T
)

, and we give bounds of the total domination number of these new graphs using other parameters in the graph T. We also give the exact value of the total domination number in some of them.
Effects of baclofen on insular gain anticipation in alcohol-dependent patients — a randomized, placebo-controlled, pharmaco-fMRI pilot trial
Authors: Pelz Patricia , Genauck Alexander , Lorenz Robert C. , Wüstenberg Torsten , Wackerhagen Carolin , Charlet Katrin , Gleich Tobias , Geisel Olga , Heinz Andreas , Müller Christian A. , Beck Anne
Published: December 2022

Rationale

One hallmark of addiction is an altered neuronal reward processing. In healthy individuals (HC), reduced activity in fronto-striatal regions including the insula has been observed when a reward anticipation task was performed repeatedly. This effect could indicate a desensitization of the neural reward system due to repetition. Here, we investigated this hypothesis in a cohort of patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), who have been treated with baclofen or a placebo. The efficacy of baclofen in AUD patients has been shown to have positive clinical effects, possibly via indirectly affecting structures within the neuronal reward system.

Objectives

Twenty-eight recently detoxified patients (13 receiving baclofen (BAC), 15 receiving placebo (PLA)) were investigated within a longitudinal, double-blind, and randomized pharmaco-fMRI design with an individually adjusted daily dosage of 30–270 mg.

Methods

Brain responses were captured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during reward anticipation while participating in a slot machine paradigm before (t1) and after 2 weeks of individual high-dose medication (t2).

Results

Abstinence rates were significantly higher in the BAC compared to the PLA group during the 12-week high-dose medication phase. At t1, all patients showed significant bilateral striatal activation. At t2, the BAC group showed a significant decrease in insular activation compared to the PLA group.

Conclusions

By affecting insular information processing, baclofen might enable a more flexible neuronal adaptation during recurrent reward anticipation, which could resemble a desensitization as previously observed in HC. This result strengthens the modulation of the reward system as a potential mechanism of action of baclofen.

Trial registration

Identifier of the main trial (the BACLAD study) at clinical.gov: NCT0126665.
Study on the relationship between genetic polymorphism of reductive folic acid carrier and the risk of neural tube defects
Authors: Yang Xusen , Fan Guofeng , Wang Zengliang , Li Shaoshan , Qin Hu , Wang Yun , Ma Xiaohu , Ji Wenyu , Wang Yongxin
Published: December 2022

Background

To investigate the association of folate metabolism gene polymorphism with neural tube defects (NTDs) in Chinese population.

Methods

The subjects were divided into two groups, 495 children with NTDs (NTD group) and 255 healthy children (control group).

Results

The levels of folic acid, s-adenosine methionine (SAM), and Sam/s-adenosine homocysteine (SAH) in NTD group were lower than those in control group. There were significant differences in hey, SAH, and Sam levels between two groups, but there was no significant difference in folic acid content. High fever in early pregnancy, taking antiepileptic drugs, father’s exposure to organic solvents, folic acid deficiency, and mother’s diabetes were the important risk factors in NTDs. MTHFR 677C > T gene was a risk factor for NTD in children, while 1298A > C gene was a protective factor.

Conclusion

Folic acid metabolism markers were different in NTD children and their mothers, and the overall trend showed that folate, SAM, and SAM/SAH levels were decreased, while Hcy and SAH levels were increased; MTHFR 677C > T gene of SNPs was a risk factor for the occurrence of NTDs, and MTHFR 1298A > C gene was a protective factor, and the environmental risk factor had a synergistic effect on occurrence of NTDs.
Lower HLA-G levels in extravillous trophoblasts of human term placenta in gestational diabetes mellitus than in normal controls
Authors: Knabl Julia , Hüttenbrenner Rebecca , Mahner Sven , Kainer Franz , Desoye Gernot , Jeschke Udo
Published: December 2022

The non-classical human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecule HLA-G is widely known to play a major role in feto-maternal tolerance. We tested the hypothesis that HLA-G expression is altered in placentas of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a specific pattern that depends on fetal sex. HLA-G expression was analysed in a total of 80 placentas (40 placentas from women with GDM and 40 healthy controls) by immunohistochemistry using the semi-quantitative immunoreactive score (IRS). Double immunofluorescence staining identified the cells expressing HLA-G in the decidua and allowed evaluation of the expression pattern. We found a significant (p < 0.001) reduction of HLA-G expression in extravillous cytotrophoblasts (EVTs) in the placentas of women with GDM as compared to the healthy controls and were able to demonstrate that this downregulation was not due to a loss of cell number, but to a loss of expression intensity. A special change in the cell pattern of EVTs was observed, with these cells showing an obvious decrease in HLA-G expression on their cell surface. No significant differences according to fetal sex were found. These data show a possible association between decreased HLA-G expression and presence of GDM and provide new insights into altered placental function in women with GDM.
Inanspruchnahme des Rettungsdiensts bei Suizidversuchen im Verlauf der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie
Authors: Thate Stefan , Volmerg Julia S. , Leenderts Frank , Majeed Raphael , Grabenhenrich Linus , Röhrig Rainer , Seeger Insa
Published: December 2022

Hintergrund

Die Pandemie hat zu Veränderungen in der Notfallversorgung mit atypischen Schwankungen der Einsatzzahlen geführt. Dies wurde u. a. mit dem veränderten Verhalten und einem gesteigerten Belastungsempfinden der Bevölkerung erklärt. Bestehende Untersuchungen geben Hinweise auf das gesteigerte Auftreten von psychischen Krankheitsbildern in der Notfallversorgung bei fortwährender Pandemie.

Ziel

In diesem Beitrag wird ein Zusammenhang zwischen der COVID-19-Pandemie und dem Auftreten von Einsatzstichworten im Kontext Suizid in sechs unterschiedlich strukturierten Rettungsdienstbereichen untersucht.

Methodik

Es handelt sich um eine retrospektive Querschnittstudie basierend auf der Routinedokumentation einer integrierten Leitstelle mit deskriptiver und explorativer Datenanalyse. Die Daten werden anhand siedlungsstruktureller Kreistypen aufgeschlüsselt und mit dem vom Robert-Koch-Institut (RKI) dokumentierten Wert der COVID-19-Krankheitsfälle der letzten 7 Tage/100.000 Einwohner und Pandemiephasen ins Verhältnis gesetzt.

Ergebnisse

Es zeigt sich in Phase 1 und 2a ein Absinken des Einsatzaufkommens während der Pandemie. Zudem stellt sich eine Verschiebung der Dispositionsfälle mit Suizidkontext nach Strukturtypen in Phase 3 dar. Einer gesunkenen Einsatzrate im dünn besiedelten ländlichen Kreis steht eine Steigerung in der Großstadt gegenüber. Die Umstellung des Leitstellensystems zum 16.03.2021 zeigt eine deutliche Steigerung der Einsatzstichworte im Kontext Suizid.

Diskussion

Die Ausprägung der Resilienz der Landbevölkerung erscheint in Phase 3 stärker ausgeprägt. Eine kontinuierliche „mental health surveillance“ unter Einbeziehung auch rettungsdienstlich erhobener Daten kann wertvolle Erkenntnisse liefern. Die Studie zeigt zudem die Notwendigkeit einer Standardisierung von Leitstellendaten auf.
Effect of acupuncture on the energy metabolism of dogs with intervertebral disk disease and cervical disk herniation: A pilot study
Authors: Sawamura Megumi , Arai Toshiro , Kawasumi Koh
Published: December 2022

Thirteen dogs with intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) and 3 dogs with cervical disk herniation (CVDH) were examined to determine the effects of acupuncture on energy metabolism. Acupuncture points GV14, GV20-1, BL18, BL23, BL26, GB30, and ST36 were selected for IVDD, while GV14, GV20-1, GB20, and BL23 were selected for CVDH. All dogs except no.13 did not receive medication during acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture effects were evaluated based on the IVDD/CVDH evaluation scales in Oji 2015 and Tanaka and Nakayama 2015. Blood samples were taken before and 30 min after acupuncture treatment. Pyruvate and lactate concentrations, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) activity, the MDH/LDH ratio (M/L ratio), and LDH isozyme electrophoretic patterns served as energy metabolism markers. In IVDD/CVDH dogs that showed improvements, plasma pyruvate concentrations significantly decreased, the M/L ratio increased, and the plasma LDH isozyme pattern changed from predominantly LDH5 to predominantly LDH1. These data suggest that local redox potential is improved and energy metabolism is increased in dogs with IVDD/CVDH after acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture treatments may activate the citric acid cycle and increase ATP production, followed by improvement of the disease. Future studies with a large sample size are needed to clarify this hypothesis.
Planar Sections of a Surface Close to an Umbilic
Authors: Giblin Peter , Pukhlikov Aleksandr
Published: December 2022

We study the intersection between a smooth algebraic surface with an umbilic point and a plane parallel and close to the tangent plane at the umbilic. The problem has its origin in the study of isophote (equal illumination) curves in a 2-dimensional image. In particular, we study the circles which have exceptional tangency to this intersection curve: ordinary tangency at one point and osculating at another; ordinary tangency at three points; and 4-point tangency at a vertex. The centres of circles having ordinary tangency at two points trace out a curve whose closure is thesymmetry setof the intersection curve, and the exceptional circles above give respectively cusps, triple crossings and endpoints of this set. We analyse the curves traced out by the contact points and centres of the exceptional circles as the plane approaches the tangent plane at the umbilic. We also briefly discuss the global structure of the symmetry set by means of a typical example.
Price dependence among the major EU extra virgin olive oil markets: a time scale analysis
Authors: Panagiotou Dimitrios , Stavrakoudis Athanassios
Published: December 2022

The goal of this study is to assess the strength and mode of price dependence by time scale, among the extra virgin olive oil markets of Italy, Spain, and Greece. These three Mediterranean countries are responsible for 95% of olive oil production within the European Union and they account for more than 50% of the olive oil exports worldwide. For the empirical analysis, monthly prices from the aforementioned countries are utilized along with the tools of discrete wavelets and non-parametric copulas. Results indicate that (a) price linkages in the short run are significantly different from those in the longer run, with price dependence being stronger in the longer run, and (b) in the very long run, price shocks of the same sign but of different magnitude are transmitted from Italy to Spain with a higher probability than they are transmitted from Italy to Greece. Accordingly, the time scale affects the intensity as well as the pattern of dependence, pointing this way to asymmetric price co-movement. Regarding the integration of the three markets, the finding of asymmetric co-movement is not consistent with well-integrated markets.