bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultra‐Thin and Conformable Electrodes Composed of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Networks for Skin‐Contact Dielectric Elastomer Actuators
Authors: Horii Tatsuhiro , Okada Kei , Fujie Toshinori
Published: June 2022

Skin‐contact dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) consisting of skin‐conformable, stretchable electrodes are fabricated using a roll‐to‐roll‐based gravure coating method. In this method, single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are continuously applied on a free‐standing ultra‐thin film (nanosheet) of poly(styrene‐b‐butadiene‐b‐styrene) (SBS) to produce an SWCNT‐SBS nanosheet of 101‐nm thickness. After the first SWCNT coating, the SWCNT‐SBS nanosheet shows a Young's modulus (i.e., 80.9 MPa) comparable to that of the SBS film and a sheet resistance of 4.6 kΩ sq−1. Using the free‐standing SWCNT‐SBS nanosheets as electrodes, a ten‐layered DEA is fabricated without glue or dielectric elastomer precursors on three substrates with different stiffness, namely glass, Ecoflex 00–30, and a urethane elastomer model skin. The low flexural rigidity of the ten‐layered DEA (105 nN m) ensures conformability to the shape of an index finger. Application of an actuation voltage of 2100 V produces a two‐fold larger displacement of the DEA on the Ecoflex 00–30 substrate compared with that on the glass substrate. The ability of the DEA to conform to the surface of skin will enable its application in skin‐contact haptic devices.
Pressure Sensitivity of Electron Emission from SiOx Tunneling Diodes and their Outstanding Emission Performance under Rough Vacuum
Authors: Zhan Fangyuan , Li Zhiwei , Yang Wei , Wei Xianlong
Published: June 2022

On‐chip electron sources with low pressure‐sensitivity and outstanding emission performances under rough vacuum are highly desired for developing miniature fully encapsulated vacuum electronic devices. Here, the sensitivity of electron emission from SiOx tunneling diodes formed in electroformed SiOx to the variation of ambient vacuum pressure from ≈10−4 to ≈102 Pa is explored. Electron emission from SiOx tunneling diodes is found to be insensitive to pressure variation when the pressure is lower than ≈10−1 Pa and exhibits fast degradation above the pressure, showing much lower pressure sensitivity than field emission sources. Despite emission current degradation above ≈10−1 Pa, SiOx tunneling diodes exhibit stable and reproducible electron emission under fixed rough vacuum up to 8 Pa, and good restorability after being repeatedly exposed to air pressure. By analyzing transport current of SiOx tunneling diodes under varying ambient vacuum pressure, the degradation of emission current above ≈10−1 Pa is attributed to the widening of insulating SiOx channel in the diode due to the transformation of Si conducting filament to SiOx with increasing oxygen partial pressure.
Consistency in the transabdominal ultrasound measurement of cervical length in mid‐pregnancy
Authors: Pedretti Michelle K. , Nathan Elizabeth A. , Doherty Dorota A. , Dickinson Jan E.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The Western Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Initiative recommends a transabdominal cervical length (TACL) measurement at the mid‐pregnancy ultrasound to screen low‐risk women for preterm birth risk. In view of this recommendation, we assessed the inter‐observer consistency of TACL screening in mid‐pregnancy.

Methods

Routinely collected mid‐pregnancy TACL ultrasound images were graded from 0 to 4 according to the anatomical landmarks identified by a single expert. A random selection of 10 images of each grade were disseminated in an electronic survey to determine inter‐ and intra‐observer variations in the classification of the cervical image.

Results

A total of 244 participants graded 50 TACL images. Six participants repeated the grading. Overall agreement to the exact initial grade for all images was 49.6%, highest for images at both ends of the spectrum (83% Grade 0 and 70.4% for Grade 4). Overall agreement to the initial diagnostic Grades 3 and 4 was 75.3% (95% CI 74.5–76.0%) and was higher when the maternal bladder was empty. There was moderate inter‐rater agreement (κ = 0.42) for Grades 3 and 4 (diagnostic) or Grades 1 and 2 (non‐diagnostic). The intra‐rater agreement was fair to good (κ = 0.59, 95% CI 0.49–0.70) for those who repeated the assessment (including the expert grader).

Conclusions

Sonographic CL screening is considered an important tool for the identification of women at high risk of preterm birth. Image classification of TACL performed poorly compared with previous studies assessing transvaginal cervical length. Improved reliability and measurement consistency may be achieved through high levels of quality assurance, ongoing training and image audit.
Morphine analgesia in male inbred genetic diversity mice recapitulates the among‐individual variance in response to morphine in humans
Authors: Yang Yin , Guan Bowen , Wei Qiang , Wang Wei , Meng Aimin
Published: June 2022

Morphine is a widely used analgesic, but its use in clinical precision medicine is limited by the variance in response among individuals. Although previous studies have shown that individual differences in morphine can be explained in terms of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, genetic polymorphisms also play an important role. However, the genetic basis of different sensitivity and tolerance susceptibility to morphine remains ambiguous. Using 15 strains of inbred Genetic Diversity (GD) mice, a new resource with wide genetic and phenotypic variation, we demonstrated great variance in sensitivity to morphine analgesia and susceptibility to morphine tolerance between different GD strains. Among‐individual variance in response to morphine analgesia in the population can be modeled in GD mice. Two loci respectively may be associated with the among‐individual variance in morphine sensitivity and tolerance, confirming the role of genetic factors in among‐individual different responses to morphine. These results indicate that GD mice may be a potential tool for the identification of new biomarkers to improve the clinical administration of morphine.
Highly Active Si Sites Enabled by Negative Valent Ru for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution in LaRuSi
Authors: Shen Shijie , Hu Zhiyun , Zhang Huanhuan , Song Kai , Wang Zongpeng , Lin Zhiping , Zhang Qinghua , Gu Lin , Zhong Wenwu
Published: June 2022

The discovery and identification of novel active sites are paramount for deepening the understanding of the catalytic mechanism and driving the development of remarkable electrocatalysts. Here, we reveal that the genuine active sites for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in LaRuSi are Si sites, not the usually assumed Ru sites. Ru in LaRuSi has a peculiar negative valence state, which leads to strong hydrogen binding to Ru sites. Surprisingly, the Si sites have a Gibbs free energy of hydrogen adsorption that is near zero (0.063 eV). The moderate adsorption of hydrogen on Si sites during the HER process is also validated by in situ Raman analysis. Based on it, LaRuSi exhibits an overpotential of 72 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline media, which is close to the benchmark of Pt/C. This work sheds light on the recognition of real active sites and the exploration of innovative silicide HER electrocatalysts.
PhyloHerb: A high‐throughput phylogenomic pipeline for processing genome skimming data
Authors: Cai Liming , Zhang Hongrui , Davis Charles C.
Published: June 2022

Premise

The application of high‐throughput sequencing, especially to herbarium specimens, is rapidly accelerating biodiversity research. Low‐coverage sequencing of total genomic DNA (genome skimming) is particularly promising and can simultaneously recover the plastid, mitochondrial, and nuclear ribosomal regions across hundreds of species. Here, we introduce PhyloHerb, a bioinformatic pipeline to efficiently assemble phylogenomic data sets derived from genome skimming.

Methods and Results

PhyloHerb uses either a built‐in database or user‐specified references to extract orthologous sequences from all three genomes using a BLAST search. It outputs FASTA files and offers a suite of utility functions to assist with alignment, partitioning, concatenation, and phylogeny inference. The program is freely available at https://github.com/lmcai/PhyloHerb/.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that PhyloHerb can accurately identify genes using a published data set from Clusiaceae. We also show via simulations that our approach is effective for highly fragmented assemblies from herbarium specimens and is scalable to thousands of species.
Analysing corporate forest disclosure: How does business value biodiversity?
Authors: Anthony Samuel Jack , Morrison‐Saunders Angus
Published: June 2022

Corporations are failing to account for their impact on biodiversity despite accelerating extinctions. The value of biodiversity to business can be explained by an environmental philosophy spectrum, where perspectives range from anthropocentric (humans are prioritised) to ecocentric (all life is equal), made up of paradigms and values linked to biodiversity protection. We explore the biodiversity values conveyed by the 40 largest corporations responding to the CDP Forest Questionnaire using 28 specific yes/no criteria aligned with the environmental philosophy spectrum. Strong anthropocentric perspectives focused on economic contribution dominated, conveying a desire to protect company reputation, thereby legitimising operations. Corporations seemingly only protect biodiversity that hold material benefits for humans. Some biocentric/ecocentric perspectives were conveyed in terms of extinction risk and sometimes intrinsic value. This could be a response to the accelerating global biodiversity crisis, offering hope corporations can protect all forms of biodiversity and could evidence ecocentric leadership informing business strategy.
Evaluation of health behaviors and overall quality of life in younger adult African American cancer survivors
Authors: Trendowski Matthew R. , Kyko Jaclyn M. , Lusk Christine M. , Ruterbusch Julie J. , Hastert Theresa A. , Harper Felicity W. K. , Thompson Hayley , Beebe‐Dimmer Jennifer L. , Schwartz Ann G.
Published: June 2022

Background

Epidemiological studies of cancer survivors have predominantly focused on non‐Hispanic White, elderly patients, despite the observation that African Americans have higher rates of mortality. Therefore, we characterized cancer survivorship in younger African American survivors using the Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors (ROCS) study to assess health behaviors and quality of life.

Methods

Five hundred and seventeen patients diagnosed with any cancer between the ages of 20–49 (mean age: 42 years; SD: 6.7 years) completed a survey to identify important clinical, behavioral, and sociodemographic characteristics, measures of health literacy, and experiences of discrimination. Quality of life outcomes were evaluated in patients using FACT‐G, FACT‐Cog, and PROMIS® Anxiety and Depression scales. Stepwise linear and logistic regression were used to assess the association between quality of life measures and participant characteristics.

Results

The mean FACT‐G score was 74.1 (SD: 21.3), while the FACT‐Cog was 55.1 (SD: 17.1) (FACT‐G range 0–108 with higher scores indicating better function; elderly cancer patient mean: 82.2; FACT‐Cog 18‐item range 0–72 points with higher scores indicating better perceived cognitive functioning; scores <54 indicating cognitive impairment). In addition, 27.1% and 21.6% of patients had a score indicative of moderate or severe anxiety and depression, respectively. Perceived discrimination and the number of discriminatory events were significantly associated with reductions in three of the four quality of life measures. Health literacy was positively associated with all four health measures, while total comorbidity count was negatively associated with three of the four measures.

Conclusion

Younger adult African American cancer survivors who report experiencing discrimination and suffer from multiple comorbid conditions have poorer mental and overall health. Understanding the unique clinical and socioeconomic stressors that influence this patient population is essential for reducing health disparities and improving long‐term survivorship.
Generation of cart‐pulling animation in a multiagent environment using deep learning
Authors: Wong Chien‐Chou , Cai Cheng‐En , Tsai Hao‐Ming , Liu Guan‐Ting , Wong Sai‐Keung
Published: June 2022

In this article, we propose a framework to generate cart‐pulling animation using deep learning in a multiagent environment. Mainly, two workers pull a cart using ropes and interact with crowd agents which exhibit following, wandering, and evasion behaviors. The main idea is to train a policy to learn an individual behavior of the workers and crowd agents. Furthermore, the challenge is that as the ropes are flexible, rewards are designed carefully so that the workers pull the ropes in a collaborative and consistent manner. Hence, the workers can pull the cart while avoiding collision with the crowd agents and surrounding static objects. In the stage of animation generation, we assign the policies deliberately to the workers and the crowd agents so that they interact with each other naturally. We conducted experiments on animal characters and the system could produce animations of characters with diverse behaviors.
Is there association of olanzapine and pulmonary embolism: A case report
Authors: Wang Lumin , Xu Yijiao , Jiang Weiwen , Liu Jiaxin , Cao Chang , Shen Yun , Xiao Xiong , Ye Yanrong
Published: June 2022

Olanzapine is a second‐generation antipsychotic drug that is often used to treat schizophrenia and manic attacks. An increasing number of cases in recent years have shown that olanzapine is associated with vascular thromboembolic disease (VTD). Here, we reported a case of patient with history of taking aripiprazole, benzhexol, olanzapine, and sertraline for 5 years. He was admitted because of aggravated chest tightness, chest pain, and shortness of breath sustaining for 3 days. Laboratory examination and computed tomography angiography of the chest revealed new pulmonary embolus which involved the main trunk of the pulmonary artery and bilateral pulmonary arteries, with pneumonic infiltration in the left upper lobe. After thrombolytic therapy, the patient was out of danger.
Do NGS‐based techniques represent a first‐line testing in suspected Duchenne muscular dystrophy?
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Mohammad , Alizadeh Nosratollah , Amini Abolfazl , Mohammadi‐Asl Javad
Published: June 2022

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, which mostly affects boys. The subject was an 8‐year‐old child who had typical symptoms of muscle weakness. The NGS may be used as an efficient and cost‐effective molecular diagnostic strategy for identifying patients with DMD.
Foreign accent syndrome post tonsillectomy: A case report
Authors: Corbett Mel , O’Shea John , Van Den Berg Nadia , Lang John
Published: June 2022

Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS) is a rare clinical entity in which affected patients experience a new pattern of speech resembling an unusual accent. Reported cases are scarce in published literature and are usually the result of a neurological insult. FAS as a complication from a general anesthetic or surgery has not been reported to date. We present the case of a healthy 27‐year‐old Australian woman who developed FAS following a tonsillectomy. Post operatively, speech patterns resembled an Irish accent. We discuss the potential mechanisms of the unusual complication as well as review the available literature surrounding FAS.
Delirium with delayed diagnosis of hereditary coproporphyria
Authors: Eroglu Seyma , Birsenogul Ilhan
Published: June 2022

We present a hereditary coproporphyria patient with acute psychiatric symptoms and skin lesions initially misdiagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and later developed hyperactive delirium and atrial fibrillation requiring intensive care unit admission. He recovered after administering glucose infusions and the discontinuation of porphyrinogenic medications.
Venlafaxine‐induced interstitial lung disease with COVID‐19 pandemic‐related depression
Authors: Okazaki Akihito , Kita Katsunao
Published: June 2022

Venlafaxine‐associated pulmonary toxicity is rare, with only a few reports of pneumonitis, eosinophilic pneumonia, and asthma. We report a case of venlafaxine‐induced interstitial lung disease in a patient with coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic‐related depression. Chest imaging findings improved after discontinuation of venlafaxine and treatment with corticosteroids.
Hepatectomy guided by indocyanine green fluorescent imaging for visualizing bile leakage (with video)
Authors: Hanaki Takehiko , Tokuyasu Naruo , Sakamoto Teruhisa , Fujiwara Yoshiyuki
Published: June 2022

Using indocyanine green (ICG), a standard reagent used in liver function tests, bile leaks from exfoliated liver sections can be detected with higher sensitivity than naked‐eye observation. This presentation will introduce the technique of using ICG to detect bile leaks that cannot be detected by the naked eye.
Enalapril‐induced angioedema: A forgotten adverse event
Authors: Manzur‐Barbur María Carolina , Mejia‐Sanjuanelo Ana Milena , Martínez‐Ávila María Cristina , Manzur‐Jattin Fernando , García‐Dominguez Juan Camilo , Orozco‐Sebá Beatriz
Published: June 2022

Angioedema is an edema of skin, mucosa, respiratory, and gastrointestinal tract, due to vascular permeability increase, resulting in plasma extravasation, which has been associated with multiple causes. We describe a case of a patient who was prescribed with enalapril and presented with symptoms suggestive of angioedema.
Catalytic Steam Reforming of Toluene as Model Tar Compound of Biomass Gasification over Cu/Ni/Olivine
Authors: Pan Yue , Tursun Yalkunjan , Guo Yao , Abduhani Hairat , Abulizi Abulikemu , Talifu Dilinuer , Zhong Mei
Published: June 2022

Bimetallic Cu/Ni/olivine catalysts with various Cu/Ni mass ratios were prepared for steam reforming of toluene as model tar compound. The effects of the Cu/Ni ratio, the reaction temperature, and the steam‐to‐carbon ratio (S/C) on the steam reforming of toluene were investigated in a fixed‐bed reactor. Among the catalysts, olivine coated with 3 wt % CuO and 12 wt % NiO (Cu3/Ni12/O) achieved higher catalytic performance and structural stability due to the synergistic effect of Ni and Cu. The appropriate S/C and a higher temperature were beneficial to steam reforming of toluene. The catalytic performance was not only affected by the amount but also by the types of carbon deposition. Compared with the amorphous carbon, the larger amount of graphitic carbon formed on the catalyst surface was more likely to lead to a decreased catalytic performance.
Redox‐Active Hydrocarbons: Isolation and Structural Determination of Cationic States toward Advanced Response Systems
Authors: Harimoto Takashi , Ishigaki Yusuke
Published: June 2022

Invited for this month′s cover is the group of Prof. Yusuke Ishigaki at Hokkaido University, Japan. The cover picture shows a cyclic voltammogram drawn in the style of an ink painting, along with the structures of cationic species composed of pure hydrocarbons. The sunrise, a metaphor for X‐rays irradiated on cations, is reminiscent of the dawn of redox chemistry of hydrocarbons. Elucidation of their redox properties should provide important insights into the development of organic electronic devices. The cover was designed by YAP Co., Ltd. More information can be found in the Review by T. Harimoto and Y. Ishigaki.
Construction and Activity of an All‐Organic Heterojunction Photocatalyst Based on Melem and Pyromellitic Dianhydride
Authors: Li Yuxin , Jiang Zeyu , Dong Guohui , Ho Wingkei
Published: June 2022

Invited for this month′s cover is the group of Wingkei Ho at The Education University of Hong Kong. The Cover shows the effect of the number of heterojunction knots in an all‐organic photocatalyst on the separation of photogenerated carriers. The heterojunction knots could improve the migration eﬃciency of carriers between Melem and the formed pyromellitic diimide. The oxygen adsorbed on the surface of the material can be reduced by electrons to the reactive oxygen species superoxide anion (⋅O2−), thereby achieving the purpose of removing pollutants. The Research Article itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.202200477.
ZPI prevents ox‐LDL‐mediated endothelial injury leading to inhibition of EndMT, inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress through activating Pi3k/Akt signal pathway
Authors: Zhang Xingxu , Li Zhiqiang , Liu Xiangdong , Qin Xiaoming , Luo Jiachen , Zhang Wenming , Liu Baoxin , Wei Yidong
Published: June 2022

Oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL)‐mediated endothelial dysfunction exerts an essential role in the development of atherosclerosis. Protein Z‐dependent protease inhibitor (ZPI), a member of the serine protease inhibitor superfamily, could inhibit the function of activated coagulation factor X (FXa) via interaction with protein Z (PZ). Studies have pointed out that ZPI was statistically related to atherosclerotic diseases, which may have a robust cardiovascular protective effect. However, the underlying mechanism of ZPI on ox‐LDL‐mediated endothelial injury requires further elucidation. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with ox‐LDL (100 μg/ml) and ZPI (10 μg/ml). Cell viability was measured by the Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay. Cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, and endothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EndMT) were analyzed by immunofluorescence (IF). Cell migration was measured using a wound‐healing assay. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were performed to determine messenger RNA and protein expression. Ox‐LDL (100 μg/ml, 48 h) significantly reduced cell viability and migration, increased EndMT, inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. The related protein expression of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B (Pi3k/Akt) signal pathway in HUVECs was also simultaneously decreased. We also discovered that ZPI treatment could prevent ox‐LDL‐mediated endothelial injury through the improvement of cell viability and alleviation of apoptosis, oxidative stress, EndMT, and inflammation. Thus, the protective effect of ZPI on HUVECs may be mediated by activation of the Pi3k/Akt signal pathway. ZPI may exert an important protective role in HUVECs dysfunction triggered by ox‐LDL via activation of the Pi3k/Akt signal pathway. Therefore, ZPI may possess potential therapeutic effects on atherosclerotic endothelial injury‐related diseases.
Phosphate moiety in FDA‐approved pharmaceutical salts and prodrugs
Authors: Fulmali Ameya , Bharate Sonali S.
Published: June 2022

The salification and prodrug approaches modulate the physicochemical properties and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity parameters of drugs and lead candidates. The “phosphate” is one of the key counterions/promoiety used in the salt formation and prodrug synthesis. Salification with phosphoric acid enhances the aqueous solubility and thereby facilitates the administration of a drug by the parenteral route. Phosphate moiety in prodrug synthesis mainly improves permeability by lipophilic substitution. Histamine phosphate is the first phosphate salt, and hydrocortisone phosphate was the first prodrug approved by FDA in 1939 and 1952, respectively. The orange book enlists 12 phosphate salts and 17 phosphate prodrugs. Phosphate prodrugs, namely combretastatin A‐4 diphosphate, combretastatin A‐4 phosphate, lufotrelvir, TP‐1287, pyridoxal phosphate, riboflavin phosphate, and psilocybin are clinical candidates. This review focuses on the FDA‐approved phosphate salts and prodrugs from 1939 to 2021. The biopharmaceutical advantage of phosphate salts and prodrugs over the parent molecule is also deliberated.
Generation of FLAG‐tagged Arx knock‐in mouse model
Authors: Lim Youngshin , Cho Il‐Taeg , Golden Jeffrey A. , Cho Ginam
Published: June 2022

The Aristaless‐related homeobox (ARX) is a paired‐like homeodomain transcription factor playing important roles in brain development. Patients with mutations in ARX have a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders such as epilepsy, intellectual disability, and autism spectrum disorder, with or without structural abnormalities of the brain such as lissencephaly (smooth brain), microcephaly (small brain), and/or agenesis of the corpus callosum. Mouse models have provided important clues on the pathophysiologic roles of ARX in these disorders. However, successfully isolating specific in vivo complexes of ARX, with DNA and proteins, has remained as a challenge. To facilitate in vivo detection of ARX complexes, we generated a mouse line containing one epitope of FLAG‐tag (1 × FLAG) targeted at the translational start site of the endogenous Arx gene using CRSPR/Cas9 strategy. Homozygous Flag‐Arx mice are viable and fertile without gross abnormality, suggesting that the FLAG‐tag does not perturb the normal function of ARX. Using a FLAG antibody, we successfully detected ARX with immunofluorescent staining and pulled down ARX in embryonic brain tissues. This Flag‐Arx mouse line will be a useful tool to isolate ARX complexes from mouse tissues for many applications.
Biological traits approaches in benthic marine ecology: Dead ends and new paths
Authors: de Juan Silvia , Bremner Julie , Hewitt Judi , Törnroos Anna , Mangano Maria Cristina , Thrush Simon , Hinz Hilmar
Published: June 2022

Biological traits analysis (BTA) links community structure to both ecological functions and response to environmental drivers through species’ attributes. In consequence, it has become a popular approach in marine benthic studies. However, BTA will reach a dead end if the scientific community does not acknowledge its current shortcomings and limitations: (a) uncertainties related to data origins and a lack of standardized reporting of trait information; (b) knowledge gaps on the role of multiple interacting traits on driving the organisms’ responses to environmental variability; (c) knowledge gaps regarding the mechanistic links between traits and functions; (d) a weak focus on the spatial and temporal variability that is inherent to the trait expression of species; and, last but not least, (e) the large reliance on expert knowledge due to an enormous knowledge gap on the basic ecology of many benthic species. BTA will only reach its full potential if the scientific community is able to standardize and unify the reporting and storage of traits data and reconsider the importance of baseline observational and experimental studies to fill knowledge gaps on the mechanistic links between biological traits, functions, and environmental variability. This challenge could be assisted by embracing new technological advances in marine monitoring, such as underwater camera technology and artificial intelligence, and making use of advanced statistical approaches that consider the interactive nature and spatio‐temporal variability of biological systems. The scientific community has to abandon some dead ends and explore new paths that will improve our understanding of individual species, traits, and the functioning of benthic ecosystems.
A Review on Wind Power Forecasting Regarding Impacts on the System Operation, Technical Challenges, and Applications
Authors: Depci Tolga , İnci Mustafa , Savrun Murat Mustafa , Büyük Mehmet
Published: June 2022

Wind power forecasting's (WPF) technical improvements exhibit that the smooth forecasting of wind power is essential in executing operational management like energy balance, grid reliability, scheduling maintenance, and selection of site location for investment. However, there seems to be a lack of detailed work to guide researchers working on WPF applications and technical challenges. In the current study, a significant number of scientific studies have been reviewed and evaluated as references to help and guide researchers working in this field. Detailed content about the development of WPF, power system operation, and sectorial contributions are presented in this article. In power system operation, the operations like day‐ahead operation and operation day are expressed in the event of WPF. The contributions and key factors of WPF in the energy sector are listed in trend technologies, employment, marketing, and power plants. Then, requirements and technical challenges affecting WPF are considered in terms of application requirements, regulatory requirements, atmospheric challenges, and operational difficulties. Subsequently, the process applications of WPF are handled to give detailed information for researchers and engineers working in WPF. Lastly, the applications like observing and tracking, technical planning, and investment issues are explained.
Optimal Dispatch of Water Source Heat Pump Regional Energy Systems Based on Neighborhood Adaptive Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Wang Wei , Wu Lianghong , Zhang Hongqiang , Li Jian
Published: June 2022

To achieve the global Carbon Neutral goal required by the Paris Agreement, considerable concerns are advanced regarding improving the efficacy of clean energy in recent years. Taking as the research object a ground‐source heat pump (GSHP), which is a recently developed, highly efficient, and energy‐saving air‐conditioning technology, herein, the optimization of operational strategies regarding GSHP systems from the perspective of its individual heat pump units is studied. To attain this aim, an optimal scheduling model of surface water source heat pump regional energy systems with energy storage devices is established and then solved by the neighborhood adaptive particle swarm optimization (NAPSO) algorithm proposed. A method is proposed to transform the mixed integer programming problem into a continuous optimization problem to address the energy storage device model difficulties with integer variables. The experimental results show that the NAPSO algorithm can save 8.65% in cooling conditions and 7.22% in heating conditions in terms of operating costs compared with the empirical operation method. In addition, it can save 11.13% and 9.66% of operating expenses on average compared with the five other intelligent optimization algorithms.
Effects of humic acid and kaolinite on copper transport in water‐saturated porous media
Authors: Meng Qingling , Xue Honghai , Jiang Yan , Jiang Di
Published: June 2022

Mobile organic macromolecules and inorganic particles may act as carriers of strongly sorbing contaminants in subsurface materials, posing a potential facilitated transport risk. This study examined the influence of humic acid (HA) and kaolinite colloid on copper ion transport in saturated porous media. Column experiments were conducted to investigate the migration behavior and interactions of HA, kaolinite and copper under different experimental conditions in saturated porous media. The results showed that the individual presence of HA promoted the transport of Cu. However, the mixture of kaolinite and HA has less effect on Cu migration than HA alone. The presence of Cu reduced the mobility of kaolinite through the saturated porous media sand column by increasing the deposition rate of kaolinite. The transport of kaolinite increased significantly in the presence of HA, while kaolinite slightly decreased HA transport in the sand column. Compared with kaolinite, HA has a stronger ability to desorb copper from copper‐bearing sand. Considering the presence of kaolinite and HA, this study provides a reference for the fate, migration and risk assessment of heavy metal pollutants.
The Tunneling Information Management System – A tool for documenting the tunneling process in NATM projects
Authors: Huymajer Marco , Operta Dzan , Mazak‐Huemer Alexandra , Huemer Christian
Published: June 2022

The documentation of the tunneling process is a crucial task of every tunnel construction project. It provides evidence of the work performed and thus, serves as a basis for invoicing and for several further analyses. Therefore, continuous digitalisation of this documentation is essential. For this purpose, we provide a digital Tunneling Information Management System (TIMS), which is a prototypically implemented software tool for replacing the still common paper‐based documentation process of tunneling projects using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM). The data model presented here defines the data structures managed by this tool. Based on this, the software architecture and the implementation of TIMS is shown.
Knowledge, practice, and associated factors towards postoperative wound care among nurses working in public hospitals in Ethiopia: A multicenter cross‐sectional study in low resource setting area
Authors: Gizaw Melkamu A. , Negawo Mulu K. , Bala Elias T. , Daba Derese B.
Published: June 2022

Background and Aim

Postoperative wound care is irrigating the surgical wound with normal saline solution and applying sterile gauze or bandage. Even though challenges related to postoperative wound care and its complications are high, information related to the knowledge and practice of nurses on postoperative wound care are minimal. Therefore, this study aimed to find levels of knowledge and practices of nurses on postoperative wound care management and contributing factors among nurses working at public hospitals of West Showa, Oromia region, Ethiopia, 2020.

Method

A facility‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted among 465 Nurses working in public hospitals in West Showa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, from June 15 to July 10, 2020. Data were collected using a self‐administered structured questionnaire that was adapted from previous studies. Descriptive statistics were performed and results were presented using tables and graphs. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was undertaken, and variables with p < 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval (CI) were considered statistically significant.

Result

Only 44.3% (95% CI = 39.5%, 48.9%) and 48.0% (95% CI = 43.4%, 52.4%) of nurses have good knowledge and practice in postoperative wound care, respectively. Male nurses (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.90 (1.25–2.89), working in gynecology ward (AOR = 0.42 [0.18–0.95]), experience of ≥2 years in surgical units (AOR = 2.97 [1.10–8.02]), working in secondary hospital (AOR = 1.94 [1.16–3.26]), and working in tertiary hospital (AOR = 3.31 [1.81–6.08]) were significantly associated with the knowledge of nurses. An adequate supply of personal protective equipment (AOR = 3.38 [1.29–8.84]), using infection prevention guidelines (AOR = 5.03 [2.16–11.7]) and the presence of an adequate wound care materials (AOR = 3.67 [1.71–7.88]) were significantly associated with the practice of nurses.

Conclusion

Less than half of nurses had good knowledge and practice in postoperative wound care and several factors contribute to its improvement. Upgrading the nurse's knowledge and practice towards postoperative wound care is essential in preventing postoperative wound infection.
Evaluation of effects-based methods as monitoring tools for assessing ecological impacts of metals in aquatic ecosystems
Authors: Brix Kevin V. , Blust Ronny , Mertens Jelle , Baken Stijn , Middleton Ellie T. , Cooper Chris
Published: June 2022

Effects-based methods (EBMs) are considered part of a more integrative strategy for regulating substances of concern under the European Union Water Framework Directive. In general, EBMs have been demonstrated as useful indicators of effects on biota, although links to population and community-level effects are sometimes uncertain. When EBMs are sufficiently specific and sensitive, and links between measured endpoints and apical or higher level effects are established, they can be a useful tool in assessing effects from a specific toxicant or class of toxicants. This is particularly valuable for toxicants that are difficult to measure and for assessing the effects of toxicant mixtures. This paper evaluates 12 EBMs that have been proposed for potential use in the assessment of metals. Each EBM was evaluated with respect to metal specificity and sensitivity, sensitivity to other classes of toxicants, and the strength of the relationship between EBM endpoints and effects observed at the whole organism or population levels of biological organization. The evaluation concluded that none of the EBMs evaluated meet all three criteria of being sensitive to metals, insensitive to other classes of toxicants, and a strong indicator of effects at the whole organism or population level. Given the lack of suitable EBMs for metals, we recommended that the continued development of mixture biotic ligand models (mBLMs) may be the most effective way to achieve the goal of a more holistic approach to regulating metals in aquatic ecosystems. Given the need to further develop and validate mBLMs, we suggest an interim weight-of-evidence approach that includes mBLMs, macroinvertebrate community bioassessment, and measurement of metals in key macroinvertebrate species. This approach provides a near-term solution and simultaneously generates data needed for the refinement and validation of mBLMs. Once validated, it should be possible to rely primarily on mBLMs as an alternative to EBMs for metals. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:24–31.  © 2022 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
A nationwide longitudinal study on risk factors for progression of anal intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 to anal cancer
Authors: Faber Mette T. , Frederiksen Kirsten , Palefsky Joel M. , Kjaer Susanne K.
Published: June 2022

Little is known about risk factors for progression of high‐grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) to anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC). In this large, population‐based study, we assess the role of factors related to immune status for the risk of ASCC among individuals from the general population with a diagnosis of AIN3. Individuals diagnosed with AIN3 during 1985‐2016 were identified in the Danish Pathology Registry and followed for subsequent development of ASCC. The study population was linked to the National Patient Registry, the Danish Prescription Registry and the Danish HIV Cohort Study for information on autoimmune disease, genital warts and HIV status. To study the progression rate, Cox regression models with hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were applied with time since AIN3 as the underlying time scale and with adjustment for age at AIN3 diagnosis, year of AIN3 diagnosis and sex. The study population comprised 1222 individuals with AIN3 contributing 12 824 person‐years of follow‐up. Ninety‐seven individuals (7.9%) developed ASCC. Individuals registered with an autoimmune disease or genital warts before and/or after the AIN3 diagnosis had an increased rate of progression to ASCC compared to individuals without these conditions. People living with HIV had a higher progression rate than HIV‐negative individuals (HR = 4.25; 95% CI: 1.87‐9.65) with the highest progression rate among those with CD4 count ≤200 cells/μL. These associations may be caused by an interplay between HPV infection and immunosuppression.
Integrin alpha 6 is upregulated and drives hepatocellular carcinoma progression through integrin α6β4 complex
Authors: Zheng Guixi , Bouamar Hakim , Cserhati Matyas , Zeballos Carla R. , Mehta Isha , Zare Habil , Broome Larry , Hu Ruolei , Lai Zhao , Chen Yidong , Sharkey Francis E. , Rani Meenakshi , Halff Glenn A. , Cigarroa Francisco G. , Sun Lu‐Zhe
Published: June 2022

Integrin α6 (ITGA6) forms integrin receptors with either integrin β1 (ITGB1) or integrin β4 (ITGB4). How it functions to regulate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression is not well‐elucidated. We found that ITGA6 RNA and protein expression levels are significantly elevated in human HCC tissues in comparison with paired adjacent nontumor tissues by RNA sequencing, RT‐qPCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Stable knockdown of ITGA6 with different ITGA6 shRNA expression lentivectors significantly inhibited proliferation, migration and anchorage‐independent growth of HCC cell lines in vitro, and xenograft tumor growth in vivo. The inhibition of anchorage‐dependent and ‐independent growth of HCC cell lines was also confirmed with anti‐ITGA6 antibody. ITGA6 knockdown was shown to induce cell‐cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase. Immunoprecipitation assay revealed apparent interaction of ITGA6 with ITGB4, but not ITGB1. Expression studies showed that ITGA6 positively regulates the expression of ITGB4 with no or negative regulation of ITGB1 expression. Finally, while high levels of ITGA6 and ITGB4 together were associated with significantly worse survival of HCC patients in TCGA data set, the association was not significant for high levels of ITGA6 and ITGB1. In conclusion, ITGA6 is upregulated in HCC tumors and has a malignant promoting role in HCC cells through integrin α6β4 complex. Thus, integrin α6β4 may be a therapeutic target for treating patients with HCC.
Amplified Ca2+ dynamics and accelerated cell proliferation in breast cancer tissue during purinergic stimulation
Authors: Henningsen Mikkel B. , McWhan Kezia , Dam Vibeke S. , Mele Marco , Hauerslev Katrine R. , Voss Ninna C. S. , Dabir Parag D. , Balling Eva , Pedersen Helene L. , Vahl Pernille , Johansen Tonje , Tramm Trine , Christiansen Peer M. , Boedtkjer Ebbe
Published: June 2022

Intracellular Ca2+ dynamics shape malignant behaviors of cancer cells. Whereas previous studies focused on cultured cancer cells, we here used breast organoids and colonic crypts freshly isolated from human and murine surgical biopsies. We performed fluorescence microscopy to evaluate intracellular Ca2+ concentrations in breast and colon cancer tissue with preferential focus on intracellular Ca2+ release in response to purinergic and cholinergic stimuli. Inhibition of the sarco‐/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase with cyclopiazonic acid elicited larger Ca2+ responses in breast cancer tissue, but not in colon cancer tissue, relative to respective normal tissue. The resting intracellular Ca2+ concentration was elevated, and ATP, UTP and acetylcholine induced strongly augmented intracellular Ca2+ responses in breast cancer tissue compared with normal breast tissue. In contrast, resting intracellular Ca2+ levels and acetylcholine‐induced increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations were unaffected and ATP‐ and UTP‐induced Ca2+ responses were smaller in colon cancer tissue compared with normal colon tissue. In accordance with the amplified Ca2+ responses, ATP and UTP substantially increased proliferative activity—evaluated by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation—in breast cancer tissue, whereas the effect was minimal in normal breast tissue. ATP caused cell death—identified with ethidium homodimer‐1 staining—in breast cancer tissue only at concentrations above the expected pathophysiological range. We conclude that intracellular Ca2+ responses are amplified in breast cancer tissue, but not in colon cancer tissue, and that nucleotide signaling stimulates breast cancer cell proliferation within the extracellular concentration range typical for solid cancer tissue.
The choice of performance measures, target setting and vesting levels in UK firms' Chief Executive Officer equity‐based compensation
Authors: Hameed Affan , Padgett Carol , Clements Michael P. , Ullah Subhan
Published: June 2022

This article analyses factors influencing the choice of performance measure in CEO equity‐based compensation, for a sample of 3,400 plans from 400 UK firms between 2007 and 2015. We examine the effect of the volatility of earnings per share (EPS) and of total shareholder returns (TSR) on the choice of performance measures, taking into account four categories of measure: EPS alone, TSR alone, EPS and TSR jointly, or neither EPS nor TSR. This allows us to utilize a comprehensive cross‐section of plans. The results are robust to controlling for plan types, the use of different compensation consultants, industry and time‐specific effects. We find that “EPS and TSR jointly” is the most common category of performance measure employed by firms. Our empirical results show that firms with higher EPS volatility and lower TSR volatility are more likely to choose TSR as a performance measure and that firms with higher EPS volatility are less likely to choose EPS alone; we argue that these results are consistent with optimal contracting theory. Second, we conduct a novel, detailed description of the performance measures, comparator groups, plan choices, threshold targets and vesting levels at minimum and maximum thresholds, used in CEO compensation contracts. We further argue that commonalities across firms in the elements of target‐setting are evidence of institutional isomorphism.
Risk‐reducing bilateral salpingo‐oopherectomy for BRCA mutation carriers via the transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery approach
Authors: Goldenberg Motti , Revivo Perry Eliassi , Gurevitch Sofia , Mashiach Roy , Mohr‐Sasson Aya
Published: June 2022

Risk‐reducing bilateral salpingo‐oopherectomy by transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery provides a feasible new approach for the treatment of BRCA mutation carriers.
Real‐time fiber‐optic recording of acute‐ischemic‐stroke signatures
Authors: Pochechuev Matvey S. , Bilan Dmitry S. , Fedotov Ilya V. , Kelmanson Ilya V. , Solotenkov Maxim A. , Stepanov Evgeny A. , Kotova Daria A. , Ivanova Alexandra D. , Kostyuk Alexander I. , Raevskii Roman I. , Lanin Aleksandr A. , Fedotov Andrei B. , Belousov Vsevolod V. , Zheltikov Aleksei M.
Published: June 2022

We present an experimental framework and methodology for in vivo studies on rat stroke models that enable a real‐time fiber‐optic recording of stroke‐induced hydrogen peroxide and pH transients in ischemia‐affected brain areas. Arrays of reconnectable implantable fiber probes combined with advanced optogenetic fluorescent protein sensors are shown to enable a quantitative multisite time‐resolved study of oxidative‐stress and acidosis buildup dynamics as the key markers, correlates and possible drivers of ischemic stroke. The fiber probes designed for this work provide a wavelength‐multiplex forward‐propagation channel for a spatially localized, dual‐pathway excitation of genetically encoded fluorescence‐protein sensors along with a back‐propagation channel for the fluorescence return from optically driven fluorescence sensors. We show that the spectral analysis of the fiber‐probe‐collected fluorescence return provides means for a high‐fidelity autofluorescence background subtraction, thus enhancing the sensitivity of real‐time detection of stroke‐induced transients and significantly reducing measurement uncertainties in in vivo acute‐stroke studies as inherently statistical experiments operating with outcomes of multiply repeated measurements on large populations of individually variable animal stroke models.