bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A prospective longitudinal study of multidomain resilience among youths with and without maltreatment histories
Authors: Wang Sharon S. , Walsh Kate , Li James J.
Published: February 2023

The majority of children with maltreatment histories do not go on to develop depression in their adolescent and adult years. These individuals are often identified as being “resilient”, but this characterization may conceal difficulties that individuals with maltreatment histories might face in their interpersonal relationships, substance use, physical health, and/or socioeconomic outcomes in their later lives. This study examined how adolescents with maltreatment histories who exhibit low levels of depression function in other domains during their adult years. Longitudinal trajectories of depression (across ages 13–32) in individuals with (n = 3,809) and without (n = 8,249) maltreatment histories were modeled in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. The same “Low,” “increasing,” and “declining” depression trajectories in both individuals with and without maltreatment histories were identified. Youths with maltreatment histories in the “low” depression trajectory reported lower romantic relationship satisfaction, more exposure to intimate partner and sexual violence, more alcohol abuse/dependency, and poorer general physical health compared to individuals without maltreatment histories in the same “low” depression trajectory in adulthood. Findings add further caution against labeling individuals as “resilient” based on a just single domain of functioning (low depression), as childhood maltreatment has harmful effects on a broad spectrum of functional domains.
In the pandemic from the womb. Prenatal exposure, maternal psychological stress and mental health in association with infant negative affect at 6 months of life
Authors: Sacchi Chiara , De Carli Pietro , Gregorini Camilla , Monk Catherine , Simonelli Alessandra
Published: February 2023

For mother-infant health especially, the pandemic has brought multiple stressors inside a susceptible psychobiological system. We study the longitudinal associations between maternal prenatal and postpartum: (a) COVID-19 stressful events exposure, (b) pandemic psychological stress, and (c) mental health and infants’ negative affect. A sample of 643 Italian pregnant women completed a web-based survey from April 8th to May 4th, 2020 and a follow-up at 6 months after delivery. Maternal assessment covered prenatal and postpartum measures for: COVID-19 stressful events exposure, pandemic psychological stress, mental health symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder) and postpartum, social support and report of infants’ negative affect. Maternal mental health symptoms during pregnancy, at the peak of pandemic, is longitudinally associated with infant negative affect, with postpartum mental health mediating this association. Also, maternal COVID-19 stressful events exposure in postpartum is associated with negative affect at 6 months mediated by postpartum mental health symptoms. Maternal pandemic psychological stress during pregnancy predicted mental health symptoms in postpartum. The study supports the association between pandemic-related maternal health across pregnancy and postpartum and offspring’s development (i.e., negative affect). It also puts the spotlight on mental health risk in women experiencing lockdown during pregnancy, especially when feeling high psychological stress in pregnancy or when directly exposed to COVID-19 stressful events postpartum.
The Dialectics of Nationalism: Jaromír Weinberger'sSchwanda the Bagpiperand Anti-Semitism in Interwar Europe
Authors: Frühauf Tina
Published: February 2023

This article examines the conception and subsequent reception of Jaromír Weinberger's 1927 operaSchwanda the Bagpiperin the context of various expressions of nationalism, anti-Semitism and Jewish identity politics throughout the interwar period. It takes into consideration the many historical, political and musical junctures before and during the opera's trajectory. While remaining rooted in nineteenth-century Czech nationalism, Weinberger sought to blend a plurality of cultural expressions, thus responding to the transitory state of nationalism during the interwar period. This is evident in the dialectics of the work – including its music, its libretto by Miloš Kareš and the first production. In this way,Schwandaand its divergent reception represents young Czechoslovakia's liminalities in relation to nationalism and the complexities of the new multi-ethnic state, especially with regard to its minorities. The article thus offers insights into the phenomenon of nationalism, which at the time of the opera's conception was inescapably co-constructed with anti-Semitism, and demonstratesSchwanda's importance as part of larger histories of European music and opera.
Social Support: From Exclusion Criteria to Medical Service
Authors: Appel Jacob M.
Published: February 2023

One of the criteria used by many transplant centers in assessing psychosocial eligibility for solid organ transplantation is social support. Yet, social support is a highly controversial requirement that has generated ongoing debate between ethicists and clinicians who favor its consideration (i.e., utility maximizers) and those who object to its use on equity grounds (i.e., equity maximizers). The assumption underlying both of these approaches is that social support is not a commodity that can be purchased in the marketplace. This essay argues for the reconceptualization of social support as a product that can—and should—be purchased for transplant candidates to render them eligible for transplant.
Potential potato yield loss from weed interference in the United States and Canada
Authors: Ganie Zahoor A , Soltani Nader , McKenzie-Gopsill Andrew G , Felix Joel , Hutchinson Pamela J. S. , Dille J. Anita J. , Sikkema Peter H.
Published: February 2023

Potato is the third most important staple food crop globally following rice and wheat. In the United States, potato is grown on approximately 410,000 ha with a farm-gate value of US$1,032 million. In Canada, potato is grown on approximately 134,000 ha with a farm-gate value of US$235 million. The objective of this manuscript, compiled by the Weed Science Society of America Weed Loss Committee, was to estimate potato yield loss caused by weed interference. Potato yield data from weedy and weed-free plots (or plots with >95% weed control) was obtained from researchers working on weed management in potato in the United States and Canada or from published manuscripts from 2000 to 2018. Potato yield loss from weed interference was 12% to 61% when no weed management tactics were implemented. The average yield loss for all states/provinces (where data was obtained) due to weed interference was 44%. Weed interference would cause a farm-gate loss of approximately US$465 million and US$61 in the United States and Canada, respectively, if weeds are not controlled. These results indicate that weed management is critical for successful potato production, and that an ongoing need for research exists on weed management in this crop.
Steric Changes Associated With the Fast Sea Level Rise in the Upper South Indian Ocean
Authors: Qu Tangdong , Melnichenko Oleg
Published: February 2023

This study provides a quantitative assessment of steric changes associated with sea level rise in the upper (0–500 m) South Indian Ocean (SIO) during 1993–2017, using the latest ocean state estimate of Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean (ECCO) combined with in‐situ observations from Argo. Both the observations and ECCO estimate show a sea level rise in the low‐latitude (0°–30°S) SIO that is faster than its South Pacific and South Atlantic counterparts by a factor at least two. Much of this fast sea level rise is due to warming and freshening of the upper ocean, with no significant contribution from the deeper layers (>500 m). We emphasize the importance of halosteric effect, whose contribution to sea level rise is comparable with that of thermosteric effect in the eastern basin. On interannual time scale, up to 90% of the region's sea level variability can be explained by steric changes that in turn are dominated by upper ocean convergence.
A Snapshot on the Buildup of the Stable Water Isotopic Signal in the Upper Snowpack at EastGRIP on the Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: Zuhr Alexandra M. , Wahl Sonja , Steen‐Larsen Hans Christian , Hörhold Maria , Meyer Hanno , Laepple Thomas
Published: February 2023

The stable water isotopic composition in firn and ice cores provides valuable information on past climatic conditions. Because of uneven accumulation and post‐depositional modifications on local spatial scales up to hundreds of meters, time series derived from adjacent cores differ significantly and do not directly reflect the temporal evolution of the precipitated snow isotopic signal. Hence, a characterization of how the isotopic profile in the snow develops is needed to reliably interpret the isotopic variability in firn and ice cores. By combining digital elevation models of the snow surface and repeated high‐resolution snow sampling for stable water isotope measurements of a transect at the East Greenland Ice‐core Project campsite on the Greenland Ice Sheet, we are able to visualize the buildup and post‐depositional changes of the upper snowpack across one summer season. To this end, 30 cm deep snow profiles were sampled on six dates at 20 adjacent locations along a 40 m transect. Near‐daily photogrammetry provided snow height information for the same transect. Our data shows that erosion and redeposition of the original snowfall lead to a complex stratification in the δ18O signature. Post‐depositional processes through vapor‐snow exchange affect the near surface snow with d‐excess showing a decrease in surface and near‐surface layers. Our data suggests that the interplay of stratigraphic noise, accumulation intermittency, and local post‐depositional processes form the proxy signal in the upper snowpack.
Substorm Onset Prediction Using Machine Learning Classified Auroral Images
Authors: Sado P. , Clausen L. B. N. , Miloch W. J. , Nickisch H.
Published: February 2023

We classify all sky images from four seasons, transform the classification results into time‐series data to include information about the evolution of images and combine these with information on the onset of geomagnetic substorms. We train a lightweight classifier on this data set to predict the onset of substorms within a 15 min interval after being shown information of 30 min of aurora. The best classifier achieves a balanced accuracy of 59% with a recall rate of 39% and false positive rate of 20%. We show that the classifier is limited by the strong imbalance in the data set of approximately 50:1 between negative and positive events. All software and results are open source and freely available.
Utility of molecular subtypes and genetic alterations for evaluating clinical outcomes in 1029 patients with endometrial cancer
Authors: Asami Yuka , Kobayashi Kato Mayumi , Hiranuma Kengo , Matsuda Maiko , Shimada Yoko , Ishikawa Mitsuya , Koyama Takafumi , Komatsu Masaaki , Hamamoto Ryuji , Nagashima Minoru , Terao Yasuhisa , Itakura Atsuo , Kohno Takashi , Sekizawa Akihiko , Matsumoto Koji , Kato Tomoyasu , Shiraishi Kouya , Yoshida Hiroshi
Published: February 2023

Background

We investigated the utility of a molecular classifier tool and genetic alterations for predicting prognosis in Japanese patients with endometrial cancer.

Methods

A total of 1029 patients with endometrial cancer from two independent cohorts were classified into four molecular subtype groups. The primary and secondary endpoints were relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), respectively.

Results

Among the 265 patients who underwent initial surgery, classified according to immunohistochemistry, patients with DNA polymerase epsilon exonuclease domain mutation had an excellent prognosis (RFS and OS), patients with no specific molecular profile (NSMP) and mismatch repair protein deficiency had an intermediate prognosis, and those with protein 53 abnormal expression (p53abn) had the worst prognosis (P < 0.001). In the NSMP group, mutant KRAS and wild-type ARID1A were associated with significantly poorer 5-year RFS (41.2%) than other genomic characteristics (P < 0.001). The distribution of the subtypes differed significantly between patients with recurrence/progression and classified by sequencing (n = 764) and patients who underwent initial surgery (P < 0.001). Among patients with recurrence/progression, 51.4% had the opportunity to receive molecular targeted therapy.

Conclusions

A molecular classifier is a useful tool for determining prognosis and eligibility for molecularly targeted therapy in patients with endometrial cancer.
Regulation of the tumor immune microenvironment by cancer-derived circular RNAs
Authors: Guan Liping , Hao Qian , Shi Fenfen , Gao Bo , Wang Mengxin , Zhou Xiang , Han Tao , Ren Wenjie
Published: February 2023

Circular RNA (circRNAs) is a covalently closed circular non-coding RNA formed by reverse back-splicing from precursor messenger RNA. It is found widely in eukaryotic cells and can be released to the surrounding environment and captured by other cell types. This, circRNAs serve as connections between different cell types for the mediation of multiple signaling pathways. CircRNAs reshape the tumor microenvironment (TME), a key factor involved in all stages of cancer development, by regulating epithelial-stromal transformation, tumor vascularization, immune cell function, and inflammatory responses. Immune cells are the most abundant cellular TME components, and they have profound toxicity to cancer cells. This review summarizes circRNA regulation of immune cells, including T cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages; highlights the impact of circRNAs on tumor progression, treatment, and prognosis; and indicates new targets for tumor immunotherapy.
The association between dietary trajectories across childhood and blood pressure in early adolescence: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children
Authors: Cosier Denelle , Charlton Karen , Schoenaker Danielle A. J. M.
Published: February 2023

Background

Cardio-metabolic risk factors, including hypertension, are increasingly appearing in childhood. The aims of this study were to examine the associations between dietary trajectories across childhood and subsequent blood pressure (BP) at age 10/11, and to further determine whether these associations were explained by BMI or fat mass.

Methods

Data from 4360 participants from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children were analysed. Dietary scores were computed based on similarity of intake to the Australian Dietary Guidelines. Group-based trajectory modelling was used to identify distinct dietary trajectories based on participant’s individual dietary scores at up to four timepoints between age 4 and 11. Linear regression models examined the associations between dietary trajectories and BP measured at age 10/11. Models were adjusted for relevant covariates, and BMI or fat mass.

Results

Four dietary trajectories were identified: “never healthy” (4.3%); “moderately healthy” (23.1%); “becoming less healthy” (14.2%); and “always healthy” (58.4%). Children in the “always healthy” trajectory had a lower systolic (−2.19 mmHg; 95% CI −3.78, −0.59) and diastolic BP (−1.71; −2.95, −0.47), compared with children in the “never healthy” trajectory after covariate adjustment. These associations were attenuated after additional adjustment for BMI or fat mass, but remained significant for diastolic BP.

Conclusions

A dietary trajectory mostly aligned with the Australian Dietary Guidelines across childhood was associated with slightly lower BP at age 10/11, which was not fully explained by BMI or fat mass. These findings support the need to encourage and enable healthy dietary habits early in childhood to attenuate the increasing burden of cardio-metabolic disease.
Deep reinforcement learning-based pairwise DNA sequence alignment method compatible with embedded edge devices
Authors: Lall Aryan , Tallur Siddharth
Published: February 2023

Sequence alignment is an essential component of bioinformatics, for identifying regions of similarity that may indicate functional, structural, or evolutionary relationships between the sequences. Genome-based diagnostics relying on DNA sequencing have benefited hugely from the boom in computing power in recent decades, particularly due to cloud-computing and the rise of graphics processing units (GPUs) and other advanced computing platforms for running advanced algorithms. Translating the success of such breakthroughs in diagnostics to affordable solutions for low-cost healthcare requires development of algorithms that can operate on the edge instead of in the cloud, using low-cost and low-power electronic systems such as microcontrollers and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). In this work, we present EdgeAlign, a deep reinforcement learning based method for performing pairwise DNA sequence alignment on stand-alone edge devices. EdgeAlign uses deep reinforcement learning to train a deep Q-network (DQN) agent for performing sequence alignment on fixed length sub-sequences, using a sliding window that is scanned over the length of the entire sequence. The hardware resource-consumption for implementing this scheme is thus independent of the lengths of the sequences to be aligned, and is further optimized using a novel AutoML based method for neural network model size reduction. Unlike other algorithms for sequence alignment reported in literature, the model demonstrated in this work is highly compact and deployed on two edge devices (NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer Kit and Digilent Arty A7-100T, containing Xilinx XC7A35T Artix-7 FPGA) for demonstration of alignment for sequences from the publicly available Influenza sequences at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Virus Data Hub.
Non-invasive biomechanical assessment of the prolapsed vaginal wall: an explorative pilot study on cutometry and indentometry
Authors: Latul Yani P. , Kastelein Arnoud W. , de Graaf Boris C. , Guler Zeliha , Roovers Jan-Paul W. R.
Published: February 2023

The clinical assessment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and associated treatment strategies is currently limited to anatomical and subjective outcome measures, which have limited reproducibility and do not include functional properties of vaginal tissue. The objective of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of using cutometry and indentometry for non-invasive biomechanical assessment of the vaginal wall in women with POP. Both techniques were applied on the vaginal wall of 20 women indicated for surgical correction of POP stage two or higher. The primary outcome was the measurement success rate. Measurements were considered successful if biomechanical parameters were generated after a maximum of three attempts. Secondary outcomes included acquisition time, number of attempts to obtain a successful measurement, and biomechanical parameters. Measurements were successfully performed on the anterior vaginal wall of 12 women with cystocele and the posterior vaginal wall of eight women with rectocele. The success rate was 100% for both techniques and acquisition time was under 1 minute for all 20 measurements. Tissue fast elasticity of the posterior vaginal wall (rectocele) was significantly higher than that of the anterior vaginal wall (cystocele) and negatively correlated with age (r = − 0.57,P < 0.05). In women with POP, measuring the biomechanical properties of the vaginal wall using cutometry and indentometry is technically feasible. Objective evaluation of biomechanical properties may help to understand the pathophysiology behind surgical outcomes, providing an opportunity for the identification of patients at risk for (recurrent) prolapse, and individualized treatment decisions.
Long-term sentinel surveillance of enteroviruses in Gwangju, South Korea, 2011–2020
Authors: Kim Min Ji , Lee Ji-eun , Kim Kwang gon , Park Duck Woong , Cho Sun Ju , Kim Tae sun , Kee Hye-young , Kim Sun-Hee , Park Hye jung , Seo Mi Hee , Chung Jae Keun , Seo Jin-jong
Published: February 2023

Human enteroviruses (EVs) are associated with a broad spectrum of diseases. To understand EV epidemiology, we present longitudinal data reflecting changing EV prevalence patterns in South Korea. We collected 7160 specimens from patients with suspected EV infections in ten hospitals in Gwangju, Korea during 2011–2020. RNA extraction and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction using EV-specific probes and primers were performed. EV genotyping and phylogenetic analysis were performed; EVs were detected in 3076 samples (43.0%), and the annual EV detection rate varied. EV infection rates did not differ with sex, and children aged ≤ 4 years were the most prone to EV infection; this trend did not change over time. Overall, 35 different EV types belonging to four distinctive species and rhinoviruses were identified. Although serotype distribution changed annually, the most frequently observed EVs were EV-A71 (13.1% of the cases), CVA6 (8.3%), CVB5 (7.6%), CVA16 (7.6%), CVA10 (7.5%), E18 (7.5%), E30 (7.0%), and E11 (5.0%) during 2011–2020. The predominant EV genotypes by clinical manifestation were CVB5 for aseptic meningitis; EV-A71 for hand, foot, and mouth disease cases; and CVA10 for herpangina. These results will aid the development of vaccines against EV infection and allow comprehensive disease control.
Chitosan bead containing metal–organic framework encapsulated heteropolyacid as an efficient catalyst for cascade condensation reaction
Authors: Sadjadi Samahe , Abedian-Dehaghani Neda , Heydari Abolfazl , Heravi Majid M.
Published: February 2023

Using cyclodextrin and chitosan that are bio-based compounds, a novel bi-functional catalytic composite is designed, in which metal–organic framework encapsulated phosphomolybdic acid was incorporated in a dual chitosan-cyclodextrin nanosponge bead. The composite was characterized via XRD, TGA, ICP, BET, NH3-TPD, FTIR, FE-SEM/EDS, elemental mapping analysis and its catalytic activity was examined in alcohol oxidation and cascade alcohol oxidation–Knoevenagel condensation reaction. It was found that the designed catalyst that possess both acidic feature and redox potential could promote both reactions in aqueous media at 55 °C and various substrates with different electronic features could tolerate the aforementioned reactions to furnish the products in 75–95% yield. Furthermore, the catalyst could be readily recovered and recycled for five runs with slight loss of the catalytic activity. Notably, in this composite the synergism between the components led to high catalytic activity, which was superior to each component. In fact, the amino groups on the chitosan served as catalysts, while cyclodextrin nanosponge mainly acted as a phase transfer agent. Moreover, measurement of phosphomolybdic acid leaching showed that its incorporation in metal–organic framework and bead structure could suppress its leaching, which is considered a drawback for this compound. Other merits of this bi-functional catalyst were its simplicity, use of bio-based compounds and true catalysis, which was proved via hot filtration.
Anticancer evaluation and molecular docking of new pyridopyrazolo-triazine and pyridopyrazolo-triazole derivatives
Authors: Elmorsy Mohamed R. , Abdel-Latif Ehab , Gaffer Hatem E. , Mahmoud Samar E. , Fadda Ahmed A.
Published: February 2023

3-Amino-4,6-dimethylpyrazolopyridine was applied as a precursor for the synthesis of some new pyridopyrazolo-triazine and pyridopyrazolo-triazole derivatives through diazotization, followed by coupling with many 2-cyanoacetamide compounds, ethyl 3-(phenylamino)-3-thioxopropanoate, 3-oxo-N-phenylbutanethioamide, and α-bromo-ketone reagents [namely; 2-bromo-1-(4-fluorophenyl)ethan-1-one, 5-bromo-2-(bromoacetyl)thiophene, 3-(2-bromoacetyl)-2H-chromen-2-one and/or 3-chloroacetylacetone]. The prepared compounds were identified by spectroscopic analyses as IR, 1H NMR, and mass data. The anticancer activity of these pyrazolopyridine analogues was investigated in colon, hepatocellular, breast, and cervix carcinoma cell lines. The pyridopyrazolo-triazine compound 5a substituted with a carboxylate group gave a distinguished value of IC50 = 3.89 µM against the MCF-7 cell line compared to doxorubicin as a reference drug. Also, the pyridopyrazolo-triazine compound 6a substituted with the carbothioamide function gave good activity toward HCT-116 and MCF-7 cell lines with IC50 values of 12.58 and 11.71 µM, respectively. The discovered pyrazolopyridine derivatives were studied theoretically by molecular docking, and this study exhibited suitable binding between the active sides of pyrazolopyridine ligands and proteins (PDB ID: 5IVE). The pyridopyrazolo-triazine compound 6a showed the highest free binding energy (− 7.8182 kcal/mol) when docked inside the active site of selected proteins.
Effect of fluid overload on survival in patients with sepsis-induced acute kidney injury receiving continuous renal replacement therapy
Authors: Kim Il Young , Kim Suji , Ye Byung Min , Kim Min Jeong , Kim Seo Rin , Lee Dong Won , Kim Hyo Jin , Rhee Harin , Song Sang Heon , Seong Eun Young , Lee Soo Bong
Published: February 2023

The association between fluid overload and survival has not been well elucidated in critically ill patients with sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (SIAKI) receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). We investigated the optimal cutoff value of fluid overload for predicting mortality and whether minimizing fluid overload through CRRT is associated with a survival benefit in these patients. We examined 543 patients with SIAKI who received CRRT in our intensive care unit. The degree of cumulative fluid overload in relation to body weight was expressed as the percentage fluid overload (%FO). %FO was further subdivided into %FO from AKI diagnosis to CRRT initiation (%FOpreCRRT) and total fluid overload (%FOtotal). The best cutoff value of fluid overload for predicting the 28-day mortality was %FOpreCRRT > 4.6% and %FOtotal > 9.6%. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that patients with %FOpreCRRT > 4.6% and %FOtotal > 9.6% were 1.9 times and 3.37 times more likely to die than those with %FOpreCRRT ≤ 4.6% and %FOtotal ≤ 9.6%. The 28-day mortality was the highest in patients with %FOpreCRRT > 4.6% and %FOtotal > 9.6% (84.7%), followed by those with %FOpreCRRT ≤ 4.6% and %FOtotal > 9.6% (65.0%), %FOpreCRRT > 4.6% and %FOtotal ≤ 9.6% (43.6%), and %FOpreCRRT ≤ 4.6% and %FOtotal ≤ 9.6% (22%). This study demonstrated that fluid overload was independently associated with the 28-day mortality in critically ill patients with SIAKI. Future prospective studies are needed to determine whether minimizing fluid overload using CRRT improves the survival of these patients.
A mixed-methods study on impact of silicosis on tuberculosis treatment outcomes and need for TB-silicosis collaborative activities in India
Authors: Rupani Mihir P.
Published: February 2023

Globally, silicosis and tuberculosis (TB) have been targeted for elimination by 2030. The study’s objectives were to determine the association of silicosis with unfavorable TB treatment outcomes, as well as to explore experts’ perspectives on improving treatment outcomes among silico-tuberculosis patients. A retrospective cohort study evaluated TB treatment outcomes in Khambhat block, the western part of India, between 138 patients with silico-tuberculosis and 2610 TB patients without silicosis in February–March 2022. ‘Unfavorable TB treatment outcomes’ was defined as a patient stopping treatment for at least one month, a positive sputum smear at the end of treatment, or, a patient dying while on treatment. During April–July 2022, fifteen in-depth interviews with experts in the field of silicosis/tuberculosis were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to generate codes (thematic analysis). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, patients with silico-tuberculosis had a 2.3 (95% CI 1.6–3.4) times higher odds of unfavorable treatment outcomes. The experts recommended collaborative TB-silicosis activities for improving treatment outcomes of patients with silico-tuberculosis. I conclude from the study’s findings that silicosis is associated with unfavorable TB treatment outcomes in this study setting. All patients with silicosis should be screened for TB and treated according to national TB program guidelines. All patients with TB who have a history of occupational dust exposure should be evaluated for silicosis and provided appropriate pulmonary/vocational rehabilitation.
Nanodrug rescues liver fibrosis via synergistic therapy with H2O2 depletion and Saikosaponin b1 sustained release
Authors: Peng Mengyun , Shao Meiyu , Dong Hongyan , Han Xin , Hao Min , Yang Qiao , Lyu Qiang , Tang Dongxin , Shen Zhe , Wang Kuilong , Kuang Haodan , Cao Gang
Published: February 2023

Hypoxia and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation form the profibrogenic liver environment, which involves fibrogenesis and chronic stimulation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Catalase (CAT) is the major antioxidant enzyme that catalyzes H2O2 into oxygen and water, which loses its activity in different liver diseases, especially in liver fibrosis. Clinical specimens of cirrhosis patients and liver fibrotic mice are collected in this work, and results show that CAT decrease is closely correlated with hypoxia-induced transforminmg growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). A multifunctional nanosystem combining CAT-like MnO2 and anti-fibrosis Saikosaponin b1 (Ssb1) is subsequently constructed for antifibrotic therapy. MnO2 catalyzes the accumulated H2O2 into oxygen, thereby ameliorating the hypoxic and oxidative stress to prevent activation of HSCs, and assists to enhance the antifibrotic pharmaceutical effect of Ssb1. This work suggests that TGF-β1 is responsible for the diminished CAT in liver fibrosis, and our designed MnO2@PLGA/Ssb1 nanosystem displays enhanced antifibrotic efficiency through removing excess H2O2 and hypoxic stress, which may be a promising therapeutic approach for liver fibrosis treatment.
Impact of microbial genome completeness on metagenomic functional inference
Authors: Eisenhofer Raphael , Odriozola Iñaki , Alberdi Antton
Published: February 2023

Inferring the functional capabilities of bacteria from metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) is becoming a central process in microbiology. Here we show that the completeness of genomes has a significant impact on the recovered functional signal, spanning all domains of metabolic functions. We identify factors that affect this relationship between genome completeness and function fullness, and provide baseline knowledge to guide efforts to correct for this overlooked bias in metagenomic functional inference.
Conformational analysis of amphetamine and methamphetamine: a comprehensive approach by vibrational and chiroptical spectroscopy
Authors: Dobšíková Kristýna , Michal Pavel , Spálovská Dita , Kuchař Martin , Paškanová Natalie , Jurok Radek , Kapitán Josef , Setnička Vladimír
Published: February 2023

We present the first comprehensive structural study of amphetamine and its derivatives in aqueous solution performed by the methods of VCD, ROA, IR, and Raman spectroscopy including a successful conformational analysis of studied compounds.
Surface oxygen vacancy engineering on TiO2 (101) via ALD technology for simultaneously enhancing charge separation and transfer
Authors: Wu Wenbo , Peng Zhenbo , Wang Jun , Li Xiaoyu , Deng Ping , Zhou Yuhu , Jia Gan , Ye Wei , Gao Peng
Published: February 2023

Titanium oxide molecular layers containing extensive surface oxygen vacancies have been constructed by a precise ALD technique.
Shedding light on intrinsic characteristics and optical properties of novel selenite and tellurite crystals ZrSe2O6, HfSe2O6 and HfTe3O8
Authors: Lv Junai , Li Qi , Guan Xin , Lin Na , Zhang Jian , Jia Zhitai , Tao Xutang
Published: February 2023

This work describes the growth and property characterization of ZrSe2O6, HfSe2O6 and HfTe3O8 and reveals the intrinsic relationships between their optical properties and crystal structures.
Theoretical understanding of stability of mechanically interlocked carbon nanotubes and their precursors
Authors: Yumura Takashi , Sugimori Nobuyuki , Fukuura Shuta
Published: February 2023

DFT calculations were performed on nanotubes attached by a functional group consisting of p-xylene-linked double 9,10-di(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-9,10-dihydro anthracene terminated by alkyl chains, and their ring-closing macrocycles containing tubes.
Real-time observation of the Woodward–Hoffmann rule for 1,3-cyclohexadiene by femtosecond soft X-ray transient absorption
Authors: Sekikawa Taro , Saito Nariyuki , Kurimoto Yutaro , Ishii Nobuhisa , Mizuno Tomoya , Kanai Teruto , Itatani Jiro , Saita Kenichiro , Taketsugu Tetsuya
Published: February 2023

The stereochemistry of pericyclic reactions is explained by orbital symmetry conservation, referred to as the Woodward–Hoffmann (WH) rule.
The important role of surface charge on a new mechanism of nitrogen reduction
Authors: Wu Shuang , Liu Huijie , Qu Mengnan , Du Aijun , Fan Jianfen , Sun Qiao
Published: February 2023

This study provides valuable insights into the important role of Cu–N4-graphene surface charge for the mechanism of the NRR.
Modified BET theory for actual surfaces: implementation of surface curvature
Authors: Alinaghipour Behnaz , Falamaki Cavus
Published: February 2023

A general diagram showing the effectiveness of the modified theory in predicting the specific surface area of porous particles with spherical and cylindrical pores.
Preparation and characterization study of γ-Fe2O3/carbon composite nanofibers: electrospinning of composite fibers using PVP and iron nitrate as precursors
Authors: Havigh Roya Shokrani , Chenari Hossein Mahmoudi
Published: February 2023

A γ-Fe2O3/carbon nanofiber composite was prepared by electrospinning a mixed solution of iron nitrate nonahydrate (Fe(NO3)3·9H2O) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with subsequent treatment under an Ar atmosphere.
Fast carrier diffusion via synergistic effects between lithium-ions and polarons in rutile TiO2
Authors: Shen Shiyu , Jiang Xingxing , Zheng Yueshao , Xue Xiong-Xiong , Feng Yexin , Zeng Jiang , Chen Ke-Qiu
Published: February 2023

Carrier mobility in titanium dioxide (TiO2) systems is a key factor for their application as energy materials, especially in solar cells and lithium-ion batteries.
Direct measurement of the viscosity of ternary aerosol mixtures
Authors: Mahant Sunandan , Iversen Emil Mark , Kasparoglu Sabin , Bilde Merete , Petters Markus D.
Published: February 2023

The optical properties of particles change with change in their phase state. The optical change was exploited in this study to measure the transition temperature of sucrose, citric acid, and tartaric acid mixtures.
Hf4+-exchanged montmorillonite-boosted Pd-catalyzed reductive aminolysis of aryl ethers to efficiently synthesize cyclohexylamines
Authors: Xu Jiao , Zheng Bingxiao , Song Jinliang , Wu Haihong , Mei Xuelei , Zhang Kaili , Han Wanying , Li Chunyu , He Mingyuan , Han Buxing
Published: February 2023

A robust and completely heterogeneous catalyst, Pd/Hf-MMT, was highly efficient for reductive aminolysis of aryl ethers to producceN-cyclohexyl-substituted amines at a low H2pressure of 0.3 MPa without using any homogeneous acidic additives.
Modularized dynamic cell culture platform for efficient production of extracellular vesicles and sequential analysis
Authors: Kim Seo Yeon , Ha Seong Min , Kim Dong-Uk , Park Junhyun , Park Sunyoung , Hyun Kyung-A , Jung Hyo-Il
Published: February 2023

A modularized system is designed to replicate cellular environment and sequentially harvest extracellular vesicles released from cells. The system allows long-term culture under interstitial flow and simple metabolite collection via modularization.
Construction of a core–double-shell structured Si@graphene@Al2O3 composite for a high-performance lithium-ion battery anode
Authors: Zhou Fei , Shang Zhitong , Zhao Xiaoyu , Yu Qiang , Mu YiChen , Xu Haoran , Tang Xiaojun , Huang Siyuan , Li Xiaocheng
Published: February 2023

Adding glycerin in sol-gel process enables the uniform coating of Al2O3 on p-Si@G surface. The resulting p-Si@G@g-Al2O3 shows enhanced performance over p-Si and p-Si@G electrodes due to the formation of LiAlO2 layer during 1st discharging process.
MIL-88A derived CoFe-layered double hydroxides with optimized composition for the enhanced electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Taherinia D. , Hajilo M. , Mirzaee Valadi F.
Published: February 2023

This work demonstrates the fabrication of MIL-88A-derived CoFe-LDHs with variable Co/Fe molar ratio as efficient electrocatalysts toward the alkaline OER.
New application of resin macrospheres: preparation of Bi2O3/C photocatalysts from an inexpensive organic carbon source and their application in dye wastewater treatment
Authors: Wang Xiaoqing , Ren Yujie , Lu Hongjing , Song Zirui , Cui Yangdong , Jin Shiyao , Zhao Binhe , Wang Yongjiang , Zhao Junzi , Xiong Chunhua
Published: February 2023

The Bi2O3/C optimized band structure improved light absorption and electron transfer efficiency.
Water-based 2-dimensional anatase TiO2 inks for printed diodes and transistors
Authors: Kassem Omar , Pimpolari Lorenzo , Dun Chaochao , Polyushkin Dmitry K. , Zarattini Marco , Dimaggio Elisabetta , Chen Liming , Basso Giovanni , Parenti Federico , Urban Jeffrey J. , Mueller Thomas , Fiori Gianluca , Casiraghi Cinzia
Published: February 2023

TiO2 nanosheets are produced with a mass scalable and F-free bottom-up approach. The material is formulated into a stable water-based ink and exploited in printed diodes and transistors, showing very good dielectric properties.
ESIPT in the pyrrol pyridine molecule: mechanism, timescale and yield revealed using dynamics simulations
Authors: Ferté Anthony , Houssin Axel , Albouy Nina , Merritt Isabella C. D. , Vacher Morgane
Published: February 2023

ESIPT rate, yield and mechanism are revealed in pyrrol pyridine using non-adiabatic dynamics simulations.
An active tunable terahertz functional metamaterial based on hybrid-graphene vanadium dioxide
Authors: Qi Haonan , Tang Bin
Published: February 2023

An actively tunable terahertz functional metamaterial based on VO2 and graphene is proposed, which can be switched between tunable circular dichroism and dual-band perfect absorption in the terahertz region.
Magnetron sputtering of platinum on nitrogen-doped polypyrrole carbon nanotubes as an efficient and stable cathode for lithium–carbon dioxide batteries
Authors: Chen Zhaoyong , Yuan Mengming , Tang Zhuolin , Zhu Huali , Zeng Guang
Published: February 2023

An efficient cathode catalyst for Li–CO2batteries is fabricated by magnetron sputtering Pt on hollow N-doped carbon nanotubes, which demonstrate an ultrahigh discharge capacity of 29 614 mA h g−1and a low cut-off overpotential of 0.75 V.
Multistep synthesis and X-ray structures of carboxyl-terminated hybrid iron(ii) phthalocyaninatoclathrochelates and their postsynthetic transformation into polytopic carboranyl-containing derivatives
Authors: Chuprin Alexander S. , Pavlov Alexander A. , Vologzhanina Anna V. , Dorovatovskii Pavel V. , Makarenkov Anton V. , Ol’shevskaya Valentina A. , Dudkin Semyon V. , Voloshin Yan Z.
Published: February 2023

A multistep general synthetic strategy towards polytopic carboranyl-terminated (semi)clathrochelate metal complexes, based on the template synthesis, transmetallation, amide condensation and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions, is developed.
Impact of donor halogenation on reorganization energies and voltage losses in bulk-heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Wu Hongbo , Ma Zaifei , Li Mengyang , Lu Hao , Tang Ailing , Zhou Erjun , Wen Jin , Sun Yanming , Tress Wolfgang , Olsen Jógvan Magnus Haugaard , Meloni Simone , Bo Zhishan , Tang Zheng
Published: February 2023

The introduction of halogen atoms in the donor molecules in organic solar cells leads to a decrease in the reorganization energy, which in turn results in reduced non-radiative voltage losses and an improved open-circuit voltage in the devices.
Direct electrocatalytic conversion of crude syngas to ethylene via a multi-process coupled device
Authors: Zhang Mo , Chen Ruixue , Wang Suheng , Tu Yunchuan , Cui Xiaoju , Deng Dehui
Published: February 2023

The multi-process coupled device achieves direct electrolysis of crude syngas to produce ethylene with high efficiency and low energy consumption.
Photocatalyzed hydroxyalkylation ofN-heteroaromatics with aldehydes in the aqueous phase
Authors: Xu Jun , Liu Li , Yan Zhao-Cheng , Liu Yang , Qin Long , Deng Ning , Xu Hua-Jian
Published: February 2023

Photoredox-catalyzed hydroxyalkylation of azole derivatives with aldehydes as hydroxyalkylation reagents in the aqueous phase under an air atmosphere was developed.
Binuclear coordination complex of open merocyanine form of photochromic spiropyran with MnII(hfac)2 having high spin (S = 5) ground state
Authors: Osipov Nikita G. , Faraonov Maxim A. , Shestakov Alexander F. , Mikhailenko Maxim V. , Kuzmin Alexey V. , Khasanov Salavat S. , Otsuka Akihiro , Yamochi Hideki , Kitagawa Hiroshi , Konarev Dmitri V.
Published: February 2023

The interaction of 1,3,3-trimethylindolino-β-naphthopyrylospiran (TMI-NPS) with manganese(ii) hexafluoroacetylacetonate yields crystals of {MnII(hfac)2 (μ2-TMI-NPS)}2 (1) in which Mn(ii) atoms are bridged by oxygen atoms of ring-opened TMS-BPI into the dimer.
Recent developments in lead-free bismuth-based halide perovskite nanomaterials for heterogeneous photocatalysis under visible light
Authors: Wu Zehong , Tüysüz Harun , Besenbacher Flemming , Dai Yitao , Xiong Yujie
Published: February 2023

This mini-review presents a brief overview of recent progress in bismuth-based halide perovskite (BHP) nanomaterials for heterogeneous photocatalysis under visible light, including the synthesis and physical–chemical properties of advanced BHPs.
Correction: A scalable twin surface dielectric barrier discharge system for pollution remediation at high gas flow rates
Authors: Böddecker Alexander , Bodnar Arisa , Schücke Lars , Giesekus Jonas , Wenselau Katja , Nguyen-Smith Ryan T. , Oppotsch Timothy , Oberste-Beulmann Christian , Muhler Martin , Gibson Andrew R. , Awakowicz Peter
Published: February 2023

Correction for ‘A scalable twin surface dielectric barrier discharge system for pollution remediation at high gas flow rates’ by Alexander Böddecker et al., React. Chem. Eng., 2022, 7, 2348–2358, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2RE00167E.
The cellular dynamics of neural tube formation
Authors: van der Spuy Marise , Wang Jian Xiong , Kociszewska Dagmara , White Melanie D.
Published: February 2023

The vertebrate brain and spinal cord arise from a common precursor, the neural tube, which forms very early during embryonic development. To shape the forming neural tube, changes in cellular architecture must be tightly co-ordinated in space and time. Live imaging of different animal models has provided valuable insights into the cellular dynamics driving neural tube formation. The most well-characterised morphogenetic processes underlying this transformation are convergent extension and apical constriction, which elongate and bend the neural plate. Recent work has focused on understanding how these two processes are spatiotemporally integrated from the tissue- to the subcellular scale. Various mechanisms of neural tube closure have also been visualised, yielding a growing understanding of how cellular movements, junctional remodelling and interactions with the extracellular matrix promote fusion and zippering of the neural tube. Additionally, live imaging has also now revealed a mechanical role for apoptosis in neural plate bending, and how cell intercalation forms the lumen of the secondary neural tube. Here, we highlight the latest research on the cellular dynamics underlying neural tube formation and provide some perspectives for the future.
Potential therapeutic action of tauroursodeoxycholic acid against cholestatic liver injury via hepatic Fxr/Nrf2 and CHOP-DR5-caspase-8 pathway
Authors: Song Guochao , Weng Fengyi , Zou Bin , Zhao Jing , Jin Jingyi , Yan Dongming , Huang Kai , Sun Xin , Liu Chenghai , Hu Yiyang , Li Yue , Qiu Furong
Published: February 2023

Cholestasis is a pathophysiologic syndrome with limited therapeutic options. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) has been employed to treat hepatobiliary disorders and is as effective as UDCA in alleviating cholestatic liver disease in clinical trials. Until now, TUDCA’s mechanism of action toward cholestasis remains unclear. In the present study, cholestasis was induced with a cholic acid (CA)-supplemented diet or α-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT) gavage in wild-type and Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) deficient mice, using obeticholic acid (OCA) as control. The effects of TUDCA on liver histological changes, transaminase level, bile acid composition, hepatocyte death, expression of Fxr and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and target genes, as well as apoptotic signaling pathways, were investigated. Treating CA-fed mice with TUDCA markedly alleviated liver injury, attenuated bile acids retention in liver and plasma, increased Fxr and Nrf2 nuclear levels and modulated the expression of targets regulating synthesis and transportation of bile acids, including BSEP, MRP2, NTCP and CYP7A1. TUDCA, but not OCA, activated Nrf2 signaling and exerted protective effects against cholestatic liver injury in Fxr−/− mice fed with CA. Furthermore, in both mice with CA- and ANIT-induced cholestasis, TUDCA decreased expression of GRP78 and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), reduced death receptor 5 (DR5) transcription, caspase-8 activation, and BID cleavage, and subsequently inhibited activation of executioner caspases and apoptosis in liver. We confirmed that TUDCA protected against cholestatic liver injury by alleviating BAs burden of dually activating hepatic Fxr and Nrf2. Moreover, inhibiting CHOP-DR5-caspase-8 pathway contributed to the anti-apoptotic effect of TUDCA in cholestasis.
Vowel Acoustics as Predictors of Speech Intelligibility in Dysarthria
Authors: Thompson Austin , Hirsch Micah E. , Lansford Kaitlin L. , Kim Yunjung
Published: February 2023

Purpose:

This study sought to determine if alternative vowel space area (VSA) measures (i.e., novel trajectory-based measures: vowel space hull area and vowel space density) predicted speech intelligibility to the same extent as two traditional vowel measures (i.e., token-based measures: VSA and corner dispersion) in speakers with dysarthria. Additionally, this study examined if the strength of the relationship between acoustic vowel measures and intelligibility differed based on how intelligibility was measured (i.e., orthographic transcriptions [OTs] and visual analog scale [VAS] ratings).

Method:

The Grandfather Passage was read aloud by 40 speakers with dysarthria of varying etiologies, including Parkinson's disease (
n
= 10), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (
n
= 10), Huntington's disease (
n
= 10), and cerebellar ataxia (
n
= 10). Token- and trajectory-based acoustic vowel measures were calculated from the passage. Naïve listeners (
N
= 140) were recruited via crowdsourcing to provide OTs and VAS intelligibility ratings. Hierarchical linear regression models were created to model OTs and VAS intelligibility ratings using the acoustic vowel measures as predictors.

Results:

Traditional VSA was the sole significant predictor of speech intelligibility for both the OTs (
R
2
= .259) and VAS (
R
2
= .236) models. In contrast, the trajectory-based measures were not significant predictors of intelligibility. Additionally, the OTs and VAS intelligibility ratings conveyed similar information.

Conclusions:

The findings suggest that traditional token-based vowel measures better predict intelligibility than trajectory-based measures. Additionally, the findings suggest that VAS methods are comparable to OT methods for estimating speech intelligibility for research purposes.