bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advances and challenges in intravital imaging of craniofacial and dental progenitor cells
Authors: Yang Dongwook , Ortinau Laura , Jeong Youngjae , Park Dongsu
Published: August 2022

Craniofacial and appendicular bone homeostasis is dynamically regulated by a balance between bone formation and resorption by osteoblasts and osteoclasts, respectively. Despite the developments in multiple imaging techniques in bone biology, there are still technical challenges and limitations in the investigation of spatial/anatomical location of rare stem/progenitor cells and their molecular regulation in tooth and craniofacial bones of living animals. Recent advances in live animal imaging techniques for the craniofacial and dental apparatus can provide new insights in real time into bone stem/progenitor cell dynamics and function in vivo. Here, we review the current inventions and applications of the noninvasive intravital imaging technique and its practical uses and limitations in the analysis of stem/progenitor cells in craniofacial and dental apparatus in vivo. Furthermore, we also explore the potential applications of intravital microscopy in the dental field.
A Practical Approach for the Detection of Protein Tau with a Portable Potentiostat
Authors: Nur Sonuç Karaboğa Münteha , Kemal Sezgintürk Mustafa
Published: August 2022

Along with many factors, the change in protein tau isoforms, which has an obvious role in the function of microtubules, is an important biomarker of Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this study is to determine the protein Tau‐441 with a portable potentiostat using a practical approach. For this purpose, screen printed electrodes (SPCEs) were first hydroxylated and then functional self‐assembled monolayers were formed on the surface with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). Evidence of anti‐Tau being immobilized on to the surface was followed by techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The constructed immunosensor showed a linear response within the concentration range of 0.0064–0.8 ng/mL for the target analyte Tau‐441 and the limit of detection was found to be 0.0053 ng/mL. In addition, analytical behaviors such as reproducible measurements and storage life of the developed immunosensor with a portable potentiostat were also investigated. It has been demonstrated that Tau‐441 can be captured with the help of portable device with sensitivity in CSF environment.
Design and Fabrication of PEO‐HPMC@Ht Composite Solid‐state Electrolytes in All‐solid‐state Lithium Battery
Authors: Zhang Tao , Pei Xin , Zhou Zheng , Wang Li‐ting , Lu Yu , He Gang
Published: August 2022

All‐solid electrolyte instead of frequently‐used inflammable electrolyte can enhance the security and energy density of batteries effectively. However, the low ionic conductivity lead to increased lithium dendrites and increased resistance of the cell at 30 °C. In this work, non‐toxic and low‐cost hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) was introduced simultaneously with non‐polluting hectorite (Ht) into polyoxyethylene (PEO) to obtain novel composite solid‐state electrolytes (CSEs). The optimized CSEs has a high ionic conductivity (1.1×10−3 S/cm) at 30 °C. This work demonstrates that the novel PEO‐HPMC@Ht CSEs are extremely promising.
Anti‐seizure efficacy and retention rate of carbamazepine is highly variable in randomized controlled trials: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Olaciregui‐Dague Karmele , Weinhold Leonie , Hoppe Christian , Schmid Matthias , Surges Rainer
Published: August 2022

We sought to assess the anti‐seizure efficacy of carbamazepine (CBZ) and retention rate (RR) in randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) in epilepsy. Our analysis was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Inclusion criteria were monotherapy of CBZ in adequate dosage for epilepsy treatment and RCT duration of ≥3 months. Outcome measures were seizure freedom rate (SFR) and RR. Random‐effects meta‐analyses were performed to allow for comparison with other anti‐seizure medications (ASMs). Thirty RCTs of 734 were included. SFR at last follow‐up ranged from 11% at 36 months to 85% at 3 months. The aggregated SFR at 6 months was 58% (CI 49–66%) and 48% (CI 40–57%) at 12 months. The 6‐month SFR among blinded studies was 55% (CI 43–66%), compared with 61% (CI 50–71%) in unblinded studies. The 12‐month SFR was not significantly linked to the age of study participants. RR varied from 36% at 24 months to 81% at 6 months. When adjusting for blinding, the aggregated 6‐month RR in blinded studies was 59% (CI 52–66%) vs 76% (CI 71–81%) in unblinded studies. The point estimates of SFR of all RCTs showed an upward time trend, with an increase of approximately 15% between the years 1981 and 2018. In conclusion, the SFR and RR of CBZ were highly variable in RCTs and especially affected by study duration and blinding. These results underscore the impact of the design of RCTs investigating ASM and may challenge the wide use of CBZ as a comparator.
GABAB receptor agonist baclofen promotes central nervous system remyelination
Authors: Serrano‐Regal Mari Paz , Bayón‐Cordero Laura , Chara Ventura Juan Carlos , Ochoa‐Bueno Blanca I. , Tepavcevic Vanja , Matute Carlos , Sánchez‐Gómez María Victoria
Published: August 2022

Promoting remyelination is considered as a potential neurorepair strategy to prevent/limit the development of permanent neurological disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). To this end, a number of clinical trials are investigating the potential of existing drugs to enhance oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) differentiation, a process that fails in chronic MS lesions. We previously reported that oligodendroglia express GABAB receptors (GABABRs) both in vitro and in vivo, and that GABABR‐mediated signaling enhances OPC differentiation and myelin protein expression in vitro. Our goal here was to evaluate the pro‐remyelinating potential of GABABR agonist baclofen (Bac), a clinically approved drug to treat spasticity in patients with MS. We first demonstrated that Bac increases myelin protein production in lysolecithin (LPC)‐treated cerebellar slices. Importantly, Bac administration to adult mice following induction of demyelination by LPC injection in the spinal cord resulted in enhanced OPC differentiation and remyelination. Thus, our results suggest that Bac repurposing should be considered as a potential therapeutic strategy to stimulate remyelination in patients with MS.
Risk‐taking in the human brain: An activation likelihood estimation meta‐analysis of the balloon analog risk task (BART)
Authors: Wang Mengmeng , Zhang Shunmin , Suo Tao , Mao Tianxin , Wang Fenghua , Deng Yao , Eickhoff Simon , Pan Yu , Jiang Caihong , Rao Hengyi
Published: August 2022

The Balloon Analog Risk Task (BART) is increasingly used to assess risk‐taking behavior and brain function. However, the brain networks underlying risk‐taking during the BART and its reliability remain controversial. Here, we combined the activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta‐analysis with both task‐based and task‐free functional connectivity (FC) analysis to quantitatively synthesize brain networks involved in risk‐taking during the BART, and compared the differences between adults and adolescents studies. Based on 22 pooled publications, the ALE meta‐analysis revealed multiple brain regions in the reward network, salience network, and executive control network underlying risk‐taking during the BART. Compared with adult risk‐taking, adolescent risk‐taking showed greater activation in the insula, putamen, and prefrontal regions. The combination of meta‐analytic connectivity modeling with task‐free FC analysis further confirmed the involvement of the reward, salience, and cognitive control networks in the BART. These findings demonstrate the core brain networks for risk‐taking during the BART and support the utility of the BART for future neuroimaging and developmental research.
Impacts of rising, peak and receding phases of discharge events on erosion potential of a boreal meandering river
Authors: Kärkkäinen Marko , Lotsari Eliisa
Published: August 2022

Flow features of a meandering river can vary seasonally and widely in the boreal zone, as seasonal variation in discharges affect the properties of meander bends and the spatial location of flow magnitudes. However, a better understanding of the impacts of consecutive high‐discharge events in the boreal zone requires further analyses. Thus, the impacts of the fluvial processes and their magnitudes on different types of meander bends (e.g., sinuosity, symmetricity) were analysed throughout an open‐channel flow period, using accurate flow measurements and hydrodynamic (two‐dimensional) modelling. In particular, the research compared the impacts of different discharge events in magnitude and length of river evolution, and whether there is a difference in the erosion forces of the rising and falling phases of discharge hydrographs, and which of the phases has the greatest relevance to erosion forces. A case study was carried out in a middle boreal zone meandering river (Koitajoki in eastern Finland) during the 2020 open water season from May to October. Five different types of meander bends were considered in the study area. Flow magnitudes and shear forces were at their strongest during the spring flood peak, which is normally considered as the highest flow event during the hydrological year. Exceptionally, the largest summer discharge event reached a level that was close to the spring floods' maximum erosional capabilities. Bed shear stress values indicated the falling phases of the flood hydrographs are more important to river evolution than during the ascent stage, as the long duration of the flood downstage contributes more strongly to meander bend erosion and development. The smaller the curvature and larger the sinuosity of the bends, the more variation in erosional forces occurs between discharge stages. The study provides new insights into seasonal fluvial processes in boreal river meander bends as well as reinforces results from earlier river studies.
Internalization and cytotoxicity of polystyrene microplastics in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Lu Yan‐yang , Cao Meiyi , Tian Meiping , Huang Qingyu
Published: August 2022

Ubiquitous micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) are emerging environmental pollutants, which pose a potential threat to human health. When MNPs enter the blood circulatory system, vascular endothelium is one of the most important target organs that directly interact with the MNPs. However, little is known about the cytotoxicity of MNPs to vascular endothelial cells. In this study, we investigated the uptake and cytotoxic effects of polystyrene MNPs with a particle size of 1 μm (1‐μm PS‐MNPs) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. Our study found that interaction between HUVECs and 1‐μm PS‐MNPs was at a very low level. Even at the high exposure concentration of 25 μg/mL, the percentage of HUVECs combined with fluorescent 1‐μm PS‐MNPs was only 3.80% using flow cytometry analysis. Moreover, there were no significant differences in inflammation, autophagy, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and adhesion molecule expression following exposure to 1‐μm PS‐MNPs (5, 10, and 25 μg/mL) for 48 h, except for a remarkable decrease in cell viability at the extremely high concentration of 100 μg/mL. Herein, 1‐μm PS‐MNPs showed a low level of acute toxicity to HUVECs in vitro, and we expect these results contribute to the further risk assessment of MNPs on human health.
The NLRP3 inflammasome contributes to inflammation‐induced morphological and metabolic alterations in skeletal muscle
Authors: Eggelbusch Moritz , Shi Andi , Broeksma Bonnie C. , Vázquez‐Cruz Mariana , Soares Madu N. , de Wit Gerard M. J. , Everts Bart , Jaspers Richard T. , Wüst Rob C.I.
Published: August 2022

Background

Systemic inflammation is associated with skeletal muscle atrophy and metabolic dysfunction. Although the nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain‐like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome contributes to cytokine production in immune cells, its role in skeletal muscle is poorly understood. Here, we studied the link between inflammation, NLRP3, muscle morphology, and metabolism in in vitro cultured C2C12 myotubes, independent of immune cell involvement.

Methods

Differentiated C2C12 myotubes were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0, 10, and 100–200 ng/mL) to induce activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome with and without MCC950, a pharmacological inhibitor of NLRP3‐induced IL‐1β production. We assessed markers of the NLRP3 inflammasome, cell diameter, reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial function.

Results

NLRP3 gene expression and protein concentrations increased in a time‐dependent and dose‐dependent manner. Intracellular IL‐1β concentration significantly increased (P < 0.0001), but significantly less with MCC950 (P = 0.03), suggestive of moderate activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in cultured myotubes upon LPS stimulation. LPS suppressed myotube growth after 24 h (P = 0.03), and myotubes remained smaller up to 72 h (P = 0.0009). Exposure of myotubes to IL‐1β caused similar alterations in cell morphology, and MCC950 mitigated these LPS‐induced differences in cell diameter. NLRP3 appeared to co‐localize with mitochondria, more so upon exposure to LPS. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species were higher after LPS (P = 0.03), but not after addition of MCC950. Myotubes had higher glycolytic rates, and mitochondria were more fragmented upon LPS exposure, which was not altered by MCC950 supplementation.

Conclusions

LPS‐induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in cultured myotubes contributes to morphological and metabolic alterations, likely due to its mitochondrial association.
Balancing the scale
Authors: Kalafut Kathryn L. , Freestone David M.
Published: August 2022

Traditional discussions involving ‘basic’ and ‘applied’ behavioral research often focus on the differences, or gaps, between these areas. They take place in different environments, use different methods, ask different questions, and have different objectives. Applied animal behavior is no exception. Focusing on the differences in these areas is to the detriment of a cohesive and complete understanding of animal behavior. This paper instead focuses on the similarities between these two sides, and presents them as a matter of scale. A series of real‐life examples experienced by the authors is used to highlight how the skills and knowledge of both the applied and the basic sides are valuable and necessary to not only further both fields independently, but to develop a comprehensive understanding of animal behavior.
Serum‐derived extracellular vesicles: Novel biomarkers reflecting the disease severity of COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Tertel Tobias , Tomić Sergej , Đokić Jelena , Radojević Dušan , Stevanović Dejan , Ilić Nataša , Giebel Bernd , Kosanović Maja
Published: August 2022

COVID‐19 is characterized by a wide spectrum of disease severity, whose indicators and underlying mechanisms need to be identified. The role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in COVID‐19 and their biomarker potential, however, remains largely unknown. Aiming to identify specific EV signatures of patients with mild compared to severe COVID‐19, we characterized the EV composition of 20 mild and 26 severe COVID‐19 patients along with 16 sex and age‐matched healthy donors with a panel of eight different antibodies by imaging flow cytometry (IFCM). We correlated the obtained data with 37 clinical, prerecorded biochemical and immunological parameters. Severe patients’ sera contained increased amounts of CD13+ and CD82+ EVs, which positively correlated with IL‐6‐producing and circulating myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and with the serum concentration of proinflammatory cytokines, respectively. Sera of mild COVID‐19 patients contained more HLA‐ABC+ EVs than sera of the healthy donors and more CD24+ EVs than severe COVID‐19 patients. Their increased abundance negatively correlated with disease severity and accumulation of MDSCs, being considered as key drivers of immunopathogenesis in COVID‐19. Altogether, our results support the potential of serum EVs as powerful biomarkers for COVID‐19 severity and pave the way for future investigations aiming to unravel the role of EVs in COVID‐19 progression.
Sanctions against health system demonstrate that it's time to get serious about audit trail discovery
Authors: Keris Matthew P.
Published: August 2022

In the world of health care litigation it has become clear that medical malpractice cases now contain two claims—one on the medicine and one on the electronic health record (EHR). Two years of contentious discovery motions over the production of a complete copy of the EHR and audit trail in a case involving the delivery of a baby recently resulted in a nightmare scenario for a large health care system: sanctions in the form of an order entering judgment of liability in favor of the patient. The order was entered before depositions on the medicine were ever held. The decision in Prieto v. Rush University Medical Center (RUMC), et al. is the premiere example why patients’ lawyers are focused on the audit trail. In this case, they were able to secure a legal victory without even litigating the underlying facts of the case.
Ability of cereal species for nitrogen uptake from cover crop rhizodeposits is not related to domestication level
Authors: Paschen Blanca , Wrage‐Mönnig Nicole , Fritz Christian , Wichern Florian
Published: August 2022

Background

Cereal cultivars vary in root traits, and it can be proposed that wild forms and old cultivars are more adapted to using organic nitrogen (N) sources.

Aims

Investigating N uptake from cover crop (CC) rhizodeposits by wheat and barley of different domestication level and their wild relatives, we expected a more efficient N uptake by wild forms and old cultivars, indicated by higher N uptake from rhizodeposits per root biomass.

Methods

Eleven wheat and seven barley cultivars categorized into three domestication levels (wild, old, and modern) were grown under controlled conditions in pots with soil containing 15N‐labelled CC rhizodeposits. Shoot and root biomass, their 15N‐uptake, and a range of root traits were analyzed.

Results

Domestication level was a weak predictor of root architecture. N taken up from rhizodeposits was similar in all plants at 14% of plant N. Cultivars with largest values for most root traits (e.g., root length or volume) and root to shoot ratio also showed largest total N uptake and N uptake from rhizodeposits. However, N uptake efficiency (N uptake from rhizodeposits per root biomass) was smallest for these cultivars. Two modern wheat cultivars showed the largest N uptake efficiency from CC rhizodeposits, whereas in barley a wild and an old cultivar showed the largest efficiency.

Conclusions

In our study with a limited number of cultivars, domestication level is not related to the ability of cereals to take up N from CC rhizodeposits. The same proportion of N derived from rhizodeposits irrespective of cultivar or root traits indicates that the N provision from rhizodeposits was driven by other factors like mineralization. However, some cultivars had a larger N uptake efficiency.
Lateglacial and Holocene palaeoenvironments at Sierra La Madera, northwestern Mexico: Sharp signals of Younger Dryas and North American monsoon
Authors: Galaz‐Samaniego Carlos Alberto , Peñalba M. Cristina , Paz‐Moreno Francisco Abraham , Espinoza‐Encinas Iván Rosario , Flores‐Castro Kinardo , Monreal Rogelio , Lizárraga‐Celaya Carlos
Published: August 2022

During the last glacial termination, the climate system experienced intense global variations whose causes and impacts are not fully defined, particularly for low latitudes. The northwestern Mexico Sky Islands present a climate‐sensitive ideal setting to record palaeoecological and palaeoclimatic changes due to their physiographic complexity and location in the ecotone between temperate and tropical ecosystems. High‐resolution pollen analysis and a detailed sedimentological study were conducted at the Ciénega Tonibabi tropical thorn scrub site. The 15 540–0 cal abpnearly continuous record shows that the North Atlantic Ocean did have a cold and humid climatic influence during the glacial stages of the end of the Pleistocene, including a sharp pulse during the Younger Dryas. However, a shift to the Pacific Ocean influence occurred during the Holocene, which led to the development of the El Niño conditions prevailing today. Colder and warmer phases follow one another with higher or lower winter precipitation, including a sharp Bølling–Allerød and development and intensification of the North American monsoon. They are reflected in hydrological changes as well as in the advances, retreats and intermingling of coniferous forests and tropical thorn scrub.
Soft Magneto‐Responsive Shape Memory Foam Composite Actuators
Authors: Lalegani Dezaki Mohammadreza , Bodaghi Mahdi
Published: August 2022

Soft magnetic composites are exceptional because they can be controlled remotely, move quickly, conform to hard things, and interact with people safely. However, even with all these features, magnetic elastomers suffer a lack of stability due to the high softness of the elastomer. This issue affects their controllability and repeatability. This article introduces a novel conceptual design of magneto‐responsive shape memory polyurethane (SMP) foam composites with high stability and reversibility. The fabrication technique is based on the silicone resins filled with strontium ferrite magnetic particles and a thin SMP foam placed onto one side. Material properties, room‐temperature shape recovery features, and magnetization conditions necessary for the process are determined by experimental studies of composite actuators. As a result, a workable, light, stable, soft composite gripper with programmable magnetic patterns is created, which can carry out activities like grabbing, holding, and moving objects in horizontal and vertical directions when a low magnetic field is applied. The SMP foam increases the contact surface and decreases the weight by up to three times providing better stability compared to the magnetic elastomer without SMP foam. The shape‐recoverable gripper with a small contract area can lift objects eight times heavier than its weight.
Do business strategies vary across firms in the banking industry? New perspectives from the bank size–profitability nexus
Authors: Olaniyi Clement Olalekan , Ojeyinka Titus Ayobami , Vo Xuan Vinh , Al‐Faryan Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh
Published: August 2022

This study examines the roles of interdependence and policy variations across firms in the causality between bank size and profitability in Nigeria, using second‐generation estimators and the Dumitrescu–Hurlin panel Granger non‐causality test. The findings support different business strategies and policy variances across banks. Causality is found non‐existent in the cases of 11 banks. A unidirectional causality from size to profitability is established in two banks while evidence of a unidirectional causality is established from profitability to bank size in the other two banks. This study concludes that cross‐sectional dependence and policy variations across firms matter in the bank size–profitability nexus.
Uniqueness for fractional nonsymmetric diffusion equations and an application to an inverse source problem
Authors: Jiang Daijun , Li Zhiyuan , Pauron Matthieu , Yamamoto Masahiro
Published: August 2022

In this article, we discuss a solution to time‐fractional diffusion equation
with the homogeneous Dirichlet boundary condition, where an elliptic operator
is not necessarily symmetric. We prove that the solution
is identically zero if its normal derivative with respect to the operator
vanishes on an arbitrarily chosen subboundary of the spatial domain over a time interval. The proof is based on the Laplace transform and the spectral decomposition for a nonsymmetric elliptic operator. As a direct application, we prove the uniqueness result for an inverse problem on determining the spatial component in the source term by Neumann boundary data on subdoundary.
A shortened surface electromyography recording is sufficient to facilitate home fasciculation assessment
Authors: Crook‐Rumsey Mark , Musa Abdi Malik , Iniesta Raquel , Drakakis Emmanuel , Boutelle Martyn G. , Shaw Christopher E. , Bashford James
Published: August 2022

Introduction/Aims

Fasciculations are an early clinical hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), amenable to detection by high‐density surface electromyography (HDSEMG). In conjunction with the Surface Potential Quantification Engine (SPiQE), HDSEMG offers improved spatial resolution for the analysis of fasciculations. This study aims to establish an optimal recording duration to enable longitudinal remote monitoring in the home.

Methods

Twenty patients with ALS and five patients with benign fasciculation syndrome (BFS) underwent serial 30 min HDSEMG recordings from biceps brachii and gastrocnemii. SPiQE was independently applied to abbreviated epochs within each 30‐min recording (0–5, 0–10, 0–15, 0–20, and 0–25 min), outputting fasciculation frequency, amplitude median and amplitude interquartile range. Bland–Altman plots and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to assess agreement with the validated 30‐min recording.

Results

In total, 506 full recordings were included. The 5 min recordings demonstrated diverse and relatively poor agreement with the 30 min baselines across all parameters, muscles and patient groups (ICC = 0.32–0.86). The 15‐min recordings provided more acceptable and stable agreement (ICC = 0.78–0.98), which did not substantially improve in longer recordings.

Discussion

For the detection and quantification of fasciculations in patients with ALS and BFS, HDSEMG recordings can be halved from 30 to 15 min without significantly compromising the primary outputs. Reliance on a shorter recording duration should lead to improved tolerability and repeatability among patients, facilitating longitudinal remote monitoring in patients' homes.
Construction of antibacterial fabrics with polymer cationic broccolo‐shaped nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Duoxin , Li Xuemei , Liang Tingyu , Niu Shiquan , He Yufeng , Song Pengfei , Wang Rongmin
Published: August 2022

The cotton fabrics (CF) with durable and stable antibacterial function is very important in the field of medicine and public health, and it is still a challenge to explore highly efficient antibacterial materials. Herein, by using one‐pot method of soap‐free emulsion polymerization, a kind of polymer cationic broccolo‐shaped nanoparticles (PCBsNPs) with antibacterial activities was synthesized, and applied to coating CF, which afforded PCBsNPs coating CF (PCBsNPs@CF). It was characterized by Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact angle test. Their antibacterial efficiency against gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria was studied. It indicated PCBsNPs@CF presented efficient and long‐lasting antibacterial activities, and could effectively restrain bacterial adhesion. Its antibacterial and bacterial anti‐ adhesion mechanism was illustrated. Hence, PCBsNPs@CF had great application potential as clothing, medical dressings and home textiles.
Vertically interconnected network of graphene fluoride for highly thermoconductive and electrically insulating epoxy composites
Authors: Thieu Nhat Anh Thi , Mani Dineshkumar , Won Jong Chan , Yon Kyung‐Yol , Vu Minh Canh , Kim Sung‐Ryong
Published: August 2022

Graphene fluoride (GF), a new graphene derivative, is an excellent candidate for thermal management applications, given its exceptional thermal conductivity and superb insulation properties. However, the fabrication of the vertically aligned graphene fluoride (VA‐GF) sheet network is challenging due to its hydrophobic property and complicated surface modification process. In this work, the freeze‐casting method was used to create VA‐GF scaffolds incorporating polyethyleneimine (PEI) as the dispersing agent and binder. Benefiting from the vertical alignment of the GF scaffold, the epoxy composites exhibited the through‐plane thermal conductivity (TC) of 0.96 W m−1 K−1 at 15 vol% of GF loading, corresponding to 465% and 146% enhancement over pure epoxy and randomly distributed GF/epoxy composites, respectively. As a function of frequency, the electrical conductivity of VA‐GF/epoxy composites was also explored at different filler contents. With increasing GF content and frequency, the electrical conductivity of the composites rose from 10−9 to 10−8 S m−1 between 103 and 106 Hz, demonstrating an insulating property of materials. The vertical alignment of GF in a polymer matrix provides an opportunity for the creation of composites with exceptional thermal conductivity in a through‐plane direction and electrical insulation properties, which promotes the development of thermal management materials for electronic devices.
Development of luminescence composite materials from poly(lactic acid) and europium‐doped magnesium aluminate for textile applications and 3D printing process
Authors: Sukthavorn Kankavee , Nootsuwan Nollapan , Veranitisagul Chatchai , Laobuthee Apirat
Published: August 2022

This research aimed to develop luminescence composite materials (fibers and filaments) using polylactic acid (PLA) as a matrix and europium‐doped magnesium aluminate (MgAl2O4:Eu) as a filler. To create luminescent composite materials ranging from 5 to 20 phr for fibers and 10–40 phr for filaments, different amounts of a 10% MgAl2O4:Eu/PLA masterbatch were loaded into the PLA matrix. The morphology of luminescence composite materials as well as their thermal, mechanical, and luminescent properties, was examined. The surface and cross‐section of the luminescent fibers were slightly rough. However, the thermal properties were not significantly changed with increasing in the amount of MgAl2O4:Eu. Mechanical testing revealed that the strength and toughness of luminous fiber were improved when 10 phr masterbatch was loaded. The luminescence property displayed emission wavelengths between 570 and 710 nm and a strong emission peak at 615 nm under excitation at 240 nm, resulting in red or pink emission. Additionally, the fabrication of the luminescence filament for 3D printing was successfully done. The final products showed pink color under UV light as similar as that of luminescent fibers, while their mechanical properties were improved by modifying MgAl2O4:Eu with a silane coupling agent.
The binding of secondary chromophore for thermally stable rhodopsin makes more stable with temperature
Authors: Shim Jin‐gon , Choun Kimleng , Kang Kun‐Wook , Kim Ji‐Hyun , Cho Shin‐Gyu , Jung Kwang‐Hwan
Published: August 2022

Microbial rhodopsin is a transmembrane protein that functions with a chromophore and is regulated by light. In nature, regulation through the retinal chromophore plays an important role in physiological phenomena. However, living organisms in soil, sea, and freshwater synthesize carotenoids preferentially over retinal in the biosynthetic pathway. Evolution has extended the energy conversion photosystem with additional pigments that act as antennae. Previously, Gloeobacter rhodopsin and xanthorhodopsin have been reported to form secondary chromophores with carotenoids. In this study, we report that a thermophilic rhodopsin (TR) and Tara76 rhodopsin, the latter of which is classified as a blue light‐absorbing proteorhodopsin, can form secondary chromophores with canthaxanthin (CAN). Tara76 rhodopsin and TR were found to exhibit high thermal stabilities and photophysical properties following their interaction with CAN. Isothermal titration calorimetry analysis, spectral shift measurements, and exciton analysis were used to examine the interactions of these rhodopsins with CAN. It was found that these interactions increased the stability toward temperature and pH through highly efficient chromophore formation, in addition to rapidly recruiting the retinal at a rate approximately twice as high as that obtained in the absence of CAN.
Effectiveness of electric harps in reducing Vespa velutina predation pressure and consequences for honey bee colony development
Authors: Rojas‐Nossa Sandra V , Dasilva‐Martins Damian , Mato Salustiano , Bartolomé Carolina , Maside Xulio , Garrido Josefina
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND

Vespa velutina has become a species of concern in invaded regions of Europe and Asia, due to its impacts on biodiversity, apiculture and society. This hornet, a ferocious hunter of pollinating insects, poses a serious threat to biodiversity and pollination services. Despite ongoing efforts, its extermination in continental Europe is hampered by a lack of effective control methods, thus effective mitigation measures are primary concerns. The aims of this work were: (i) to study the effects of V. velutina predating on honey bee colonies, and (ii) to assess the effectiveness of electric harps in reducing hunting pressure and predation. We assessed the predation pressure and compared honey bee colony performance, body weight of workers, and winter survivorship for protected versus unprotected colonies in 36 experimental hives across three apiaries.

RESULTS

Electric harps protected honey bees by reducing predation pressure and therefore mitigating foraging paralysis. Consequently, foraging activity, pollen income, brood production and worker body weight were higher in protected colonies which in turn showed greater winter survivorship than those that were unprotected, especially at sites with intermediate to high levels of predation.

CONCLUSION

The predation of V. velutina affects foraging activity, breeding, body weight and colony survivorship of Apis mellifera. Electric harps contribute significantly to mitigate the impact of this invasive hornet on apiaries; however, they should be deployed in tandem with additional measures to preserve honey bee colony stocks, such as facilitating access to food sources for colonies during the periods of highest predation pressure. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Adaptive neural sliding mode control of uncertain robotic manipulators with predefined time convergence
Authors: Fang Haoran , Wu Yuxiang , Xu Tian , Wan Fuxi
Published: August 2022

In this article, a predefined time convergence adaptive tracking control scheme is designed for a class of uncertain robotic manipulators with input saturation. First, a novel auxiliary dynamic system is proposed to handle the influence of input saturation. Radial basis function neural networks are used to approximate the uncertainty of the closed‐loop system and the neural adaptive law is designed by using the given time constant so that the neural networks have a fast convergence rate. The adaptive tracking controller is constructed by utilizing a nonsingular terminal sliding mode surface. Different from the finite‐time and the fixed‐time sliding mode control methods where the upper bound of the convergence time is related to system parameters, the convergence time upper bound of the proposed sliding mode controller is a given constant. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to illustrate that the proposed control scheme possesses the advantages of fast convergence rate and input saturation elimination.
Photo/Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Peroxide Production by Manganese and Iron Porphyrin/Molybdenum Disulfide Nanoensembles
Authors: Perivoliotis Dimitrios K. , Stangel Christina , Sato Yuta , Suenaga Kazu , Tagmatarchis Nikos
Published: August 2022

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) 2e− pathway provides an alternative and green route for industrial hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. Herein, the ORR photo/electrocatalytic activity in the alkaline electrolyte of manganese and iron porphyrin (MnP and FeP, respectively) electrostatically associated with modified 1T/2H MoS2 nanosheets is reported. The best performing catalyst, MnP/MoS2, exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance towards selective H2O2 formation, with a low overpotential of 20 mV for the 2e− ORR pathway (Eons = 680 mV vs RHE) and an H2O2 yield up to 99%. Upon visible light irradiation, MnP/MoS2 catalyst shows significant activity enhancement along with good stability. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy assays suggest a reduced charge transfer resistance value at the interface with the electrolyte, indicating an efficient intra‐ensemble transfer process of the photo‐excited electrons through the formation of a type II heterojunction or Schottky contact, and therefore justifies the boosted electrochemical activities in the presence of light. Overall, this work is expected to inspire the design of novel advanced photo/electrocatalysts, paving the way for sustainable industrial H2O2 production.
TfR Aptamer Enhanced Blood‐Brain Barrier Penetration of Biomimetic Nanocomplexes for Intracellular Transglutaminase 2 Imaging and Silencing in Glioma
Authors: Su Juan , Yao Zhipeng , Chen Zixuan , Zhou Sisi , Wang Zhi , Xia Hongping , Liu Songqin , Wu Yafeng
Published: August 2022

Engineering a versatile nanocomplex integrating effective penetration of the blood‐brain barrier (BBB), accurate diagnosis, and boosting therapy has always been an intractable challenge in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Herein, biomimetic nanocomplexes (TMPsM) for single intracellular transglutaminase 2 (TG2)‐triggered self‐assembly imaging and RNAi therapy for GBM are subtly developed. To prove the concept, transferrin receptor (TfR) aptamer‐modified brain metastatic tumor cell membrane is prepared as the shell for dual BBB targeting capability and prolonged blood retention time. Upon targeting entering into GBM, hollow MnO2 is decomposed to release KKGKGQQ‐tetraphenylethene (Pep‐TPE) and siRNA. Owing to TG2 dependence, the non‐emissive Pep‐TPE would be self‐aggregated to induce the emission turn‐on in GBM that contain overexpressed TG2. The resulting aggregation‐induced emission fluorescence imaging with a high signal‐to‐noise ratio can achieve the precise localization of the tumor and dynamic detection of TG2 activity, thereby allowing the GBM accurate diagnosis. Notably, the TG2 can be silenced by the released siRNA to cause cell apoptosis and increase chemotherapeutic sensitivity, ultimately realizing excellent antitumor efficacy. In vitro and in vivo results demonstrate that the as‐prepared TMPsM indeed possess superior BBB penetration, precise diagnosis, and effective therapy of GBM. The proposed strategy may pioneer a new path for the theranostics of brain tumors.
Experimental and numerical investigations of the effectiveness of engineered cementitious composites and stainless steel plates in shear strengthening of reinforced concrete beams
Authors: Hamoda Ahmed , Ahmed Mizan , Sennah Khaled
Published: August 2022

This paper investigates the shear strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beams incorporating engineered cementitious composite (ECC) and stainless steel plates (SSPs). The use of ECC, characterized by strain‐hardening in conjunction with SSPs, was investigated in this study to improve the shear performance of RC beams. Total 10 RC beams were tested under static loading up to failure to investigate a few key parameters, namely: material of strengthening (ECC and SSPs), the thickness of ECC, and shape and configuration of SSPs. Experimental findings showed that the proposed strengthening methods can significantly improve the failure pattern and increase the ultimate shear capacity of the studied RC beams by 36%–97% compared to the unstrengthened beam. Experimental results were compared against the predicted ultimate shear strength of RC beams using design equations specified by various design codes. Nonlinear three‐dimensional finite element modeling was developed for beams strengthened with ECC layer and validated against the test results and found to be accurate. Based on the experimental and numerical results, new shear capacity formulae were proposed considering the ratio of ECC‐to‐concrete beam cross‐section (ρECC) and then verified against the numerical predictions.
Tissue-Specific CRISPR-Cas9 Screening in Drosophila
Authors: Port Fillip , Boutros Michael
Published: August 2022

Over the last century research in Drosophila has resulted in many fundamental contributions to our understanding of the biology of multicellular organisms. Many of these breakthroughs have been based on the identification of novel gene functions in large-scale genetic screens. However, conventional forward-genetic screens have been limited by the random nature of mutagenesis and difficulties in mapping causal mutations, while reverse-genetic RNAi screens suffer from incomplete knockdown of gene expression. Recently developed large-scale CRISPR-Cas9 libraries promise to address these limitations by allowing the induction of targeted mutations in genes with spatial and temporal control. Here, we provide a guide for tissue-specific CRISPR screening in Drosophila, including the characterization of Gal4 UAS-Cas9 lines, selection of sgRNA libraries, and various quality control measures. We also discuss confounding factors that can give rise to false-positive and false-negative results in such experiments and suggest strategies on how to detect and avoid them. Conditional CRISPR screening represents an exciting new approach for functional genomics in vivo and is set to further expand our knowledge of the molecular underpinning of development, homeostasis, and disease.
Planning Cities in Africa—Current Issues and Future Prospects of Urban Governance and Planning: An Introduction
Authors: Alem Gebregiorgis Genet , Namangaya Ally Hassan , Greiving Stefan , Kombe Wilbard Jackson
Published: August 2022

African urbanisation is at the crossroad. Despite the ever-growing urban challenges and rapid transformation of cities in Africa, there is a positive trend of knowledge production and dynamic policy reforms aiming at a better management of urbanisation and related development fields. The discourse on current African urban challenges and prospects is calling for a change of perspective in understanding urban Africa from its own sociocultural and historical context. Scholars, for instance, (Connell, Plan Theory 13:210–223, 2014), (Robinson, J. (2006) Ordinary cities: between modernity and development. London; New York: Routledge (Questioning cities); Robinson, Int J Urban Reg Res 35:1–23, 2011)) and (Watson, V. (2009) ‘Seeing from the South: Refocusing Urban Planning on the Globe’s Central Urban Issues’, 46(11), pp. 2259–2275; Watson, Plan Theory Pract 15:62–76, 2014b) argue that the diversity and uniqueness of each urban context developing at the intersection of local, regional and global challenges, threats and production of knowledge. In light of this, the chapter gives an insight into the conceptual framing of this book, including the key thematic areas; and an overview of topics covered by the chapters. The book has three thematic areas: planning theories and Models; the state of planning education and capacity; participatory and multi-governance approach towards current urban challenges. Under these themes, the chapter introduces several cases from various cities across Africa.
The State, Trust and Cooperation: Local Government-Residents’ Joint Neighbourhood Upgrading Initiatives in Addis Ababa
Authors: Woldetsadik Lia Gabremariam
Published: August 2022

Collaborative planning is acknowledged to enable several positive outcomes including the building of local knowledge and capacities. It is deemed to facilitate mobilisation of resources, support, acceptance, coordination of action and ownership. However, the collaborative planning literature’s focus on techniques to perfect the process design (i.e., regarding modalities for structuring participation, communication and deliberations) to transform social and political institutions pays little attention to the penetration of planning practices by the overall institutional environment that impede or enable operationalising these techniques. And based on Western liberal realities, it presumes that a minimum level of trust and at least democratic culture and cooperative norms needed for collaborative planning exist everywhere. As de Satgé and Watson (Urban planning in the global south: conflicting rationalities in contested urban space, Springer, 2018) argue, the “thin and instrumental assumptions” that planning theories make regarding the applicability of public participation or collaborative planning do not fit in with what is on the ground in other contexts, such as what is found in many parts of Africa. The chapter aims to bring the state back into the collaborative planning discourse by analysing how government systems affect the conceptions and actions of the different urban actors in collective action. Through local government-residents’ joint urban upgrading projects in two localities of Addis Ababa, it provides insight into the link between government systems, trust, planning practices and cooperation.
Revisiting Stokes’ Theory of Slums: Towards Decolonised Housing Concepts from the Global South
Authors: Beier Raffael
Published: August 2022

Recently, large-scale housing programmes have experienced a revival in many countries of the Global South. They are criticised for their top-down, standardised, and supply-driven nature, which hardly meets people’s demands. At the heart of the problem lies the concept of “material decency”—a normative and shelter-centric notion of housing, inspired by colonial planning and developmentalist thought. Many African housing programmes confuse “material decency” with the demand-driven, bottom-up concept, of adequate housing. Following this, the stigmatisation of autoconstructed neighbourhoods prevails and housing is primarily reduced to a question of material shelter. Adding to significant contributions about the need for southern perspectives on urban planning, this chapter offers an alternative entry point by revisiting Stokes’A Theory of Slumspublished in 1962. Interestingly, Stokes’ theory did not deal with housing directly but focused on “slum” dwellers’ socioeconomic integration and structural factors of exclusion. I argue to re-interpret Stokes’ notion of barriers to social escalation as a structural discrimination of “slum” dwellers. Such stigmatisation may be read as a major reason behind the proliferation of so-called slums. Based on the author’s fieldwork in Morocco and additional literature, the aim is to deconstruct the role of “material decency” and to offer pathways towards decolonised housing concepts from the Global South. For this purpose, the chapter suggests five cornerstones of adequate housing, namely subjectivity, non-materiality, flexibility, contextuality, and choice.