bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Size Exclusion Chromatography
Authors: Podzimek Stepan
Published: May 2022

Historical development of size exclusion chromatography is briefly outlined. The method is introduced as the only widely applicable analytical technique for the determination of molar mass distribution of synthetic and natural polymers. Different procedures of the molar mass determination including column calibration, universal calibration, and light scattering detection are provided. Various separation mechanisms, resolution, efficiency, selectivity, and secondary mechanisms are described. The effect of key operational parameters on the correctness of molar mass is discussed. In addition to the molar mass, the focus is on the characterization of long‐chain branching. Various applications of online viscometer are reviewed.
3D‐Printed Centrifugal Pump Driven by Magnetic Force in Applications for Microfluidics in Biological Analysis
Authors: Jo Byeongwook , Morimoto Yuya , Takeuchi Shoji
Published: May 2022

In recent years, microfluidic systems have been extensively utilized for biological analysis. The integration of pumps in microfluidic systems requires precise control of liquids and effort‐intensive set‐ups for multiplexed experiments. In this study, a 3D‐printed centrifugal pump driven by magnetic force is presented for microfluidics and biological analysis. The permanent magnets implemented in the centrifugal pump synchronized the rotation of the driving and operating parts. Precise control of the flow rate and a wide range and variety of flow profiles are achieved by controlling the rotational speed of the motor in the driving part. The compact size and contactless driving part allow simple set‐ups within commercially available culture dishes and tubes. It is demonstrated that the fabricated 3D‐printed centrifugal pump can induce laminar flow in a microfluidic device, perfusion culture of in vitro tissues, and alignment of cells under shear stress. This device has a high potential for applications in microfluidic devices and perfusion culture of cells.
Fabrication of Bragg Mirrors by Multilayer Inkjet Printing
Authors: Zhang Qiaoshuang , Jin Qihao , Mertens Adrian , Rainer Christian , Huber Robert , Fessler Jan , Hernandez‐Sosa Gerardo , Lemmer Uli
Published: May 2022

Bragg mirrors are widely applied in optical and photonic devices due to their capability of light management. However, the fabrication of Bragg mirrors is mainly accomplished by physical and chemical vapor deposition processes, which are costly and do not allow for lateral patterning. Here, the fabrication of Bragg mirrors by fully inkjet printing is reported. The photonic bandgap of Bragg mirrors is tailored by adjusting the number of bilayers in the stack and the layer thickness via simply varying printing parameters. An ultrahigh reflectance of 99% is achieved with the devices consisting of ten bilayers only, and the central wavelength of Bragg mirrors is tuned from visible into near‐infrared wavelength range. Inkjet printing allows for fabricating Bragg mirrors on various substrates (e.g., glass and foils), in different sizes and variable lateral patterns. The printed Bragg mirrors not only exhibit a high reflection at designed wavelengths but also show an outstanding homogeneity in color over a large area. The approach thus enables additive manufacturing for various applications ranging from microscale photonic elements to enhanced functionality and aesthetics in large‐area displays and solar technologies.
Morphology‐Tuned Pt3Ge Accelerates Water Dissociation to Industrial‐Standard Hydrogen Production over a wide pH Range
Authors: Mondal Soumi , Sarkar Shreya , Bagchi Debabrata , Das Tisita , Das Risov , Singh Ashutosh Kumar , Prasanna Ponnappa Kechanda , Vinod C. P. , Chakraborty Sudip , Peter Sebastian C.
Published: May 2022

The discovery of novel materials for industrial‐standard hydrogen production is the present need considering the global energy infrastructure. A novel electrocatalyst, Pt3Ge, which is engineered with a desired crystallographic facet (202), accelerates hydrogen production by water electrolysis, and records industrially desired operational stability compared to the commercial catalyst platinum is introduced. Pt3Ge‐(202) exhibits low overpotential of 21.7 mV (24.6 mV for Pt/C) and 92 mV for 10 and 200 mA cm−2 current density, respectively in 0.5 m H2SO4. It also exhibits remarkable stability of 15 000 accelerated degradation tests cycles (5000 for Pt/C) and exceptional durability of 500 h (@10 mA cm−2) in acidic media. Pt3Ge‐(202) also displays low overpotential of 96 mV for 10 mA cm−2 current density in the alkaline medium, rationalizing its hydrogen production ability over a wide pH range required commercial operations. Long‐term durability (>75 h in alkaline media) with the industrial level current density (>500 mA cm−2) has been demonstrated by utilizing the electrochemical flow reactor. The driving force behind this stupendous performance of Pt3Ge‐(202) has been envisaged by mapping the reaction mechanism, active sites, and charge‐transfer kinetics via controlled electrochemical experiments, ex situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, in situ infrared spectroscopy, and in situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy further corroborated by first principles calculations.
Patients with treated indolent lymphomas immunized with BNT162b2 have reduced anti‐spike neutralizing IgG to SARS‐CoV‐2 variants, but preserved antigen‐specific T cell responses
Authors: Beaton Brendan , Sasson Sarah C. , Rankin Katherine , Raedemaeker Juliette , Wong Alexander , Hastak Priyanka , Phetsouphanh Chansavath , Warden Andrew , Klemm Vera , Munier C. Mee Ling , Hoppe Alexandra Carey , Tea Fiona , Pillay Aleha , Stella Alberto Ospina , Aggarwal Anupriya , Lavee Orly , Caterson Ian D. , Turville Stuart , Kelleher Anthony D. , Brilot Fabienne , Trotman Judith
Published: May 2022

Patients with indolent lymphoma undertaking recurrent or continuous B cell suppression are at risk of severe COVID‐19. Patients and healthy controls (HC; N = 13) received two doses of BNT162b2: follicular lymphoma (FL; N = 35) who were treatment naïve (TN; N = 11) or received immunochemotherapy (ICT; N = 23) and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM; N = 37) including TN (N = 9), ICT (N = 14), or treated with Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi; N = 12). Anti‐spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) was determined by a high‐sensitivity flow‐cytometric assay, in addition to live‐virus neutralization. Antigen‐specific T cells were identified by coexpression of CD69/CD137 and CD25/CD134 on T cells. A subgroup (N = 29) were assessed for third mRNA vaccine response, including omicron neutralization. One month after second BNT162b2, median anti‐spike IgG mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) in FL ICT patients (9977) was 25‐fold lower than TN (245 898) and HC (228 255, p = .0002 for both). Anti‐spike IgG correlated with lymphocyte count (r = .63; p = .002), and time from treatment (r = .56; p = .007), on univariate analysis, but only with lymphocyte count on multivariate analysis (p = .03). In the WM cohort, median anti‐spike IgG MFI in BTKi patients (39 039) was reduced compared to TN (220 645, p = .0008) and HC (p < .0001). Anti‐spike IgG correlated with neutralization of the delta variant (r = .62, p < .0001). Median neutralization titer for WM BTKi (0) was lower than HC (40, p < .0001) for early‐clade and delta. All cohorts had functional T cell responses. Median anti‐spike IgG decreased 4‐fold from second to third dose (p = .004). Only 5 of 29 poor initial responders assessed after third vaccination demonstrated seroconversion and improvement in neutralization activity, including to the omicron variant.
Associations of maternal age at marriage and pregnancy with infant undernutrition: Evidence from first‐time mothers in rural lowland Nepal
Authors: Wells Jonathan C. K. , Marphatia Akanksha A. , Cortina‐Borja Mario , Manandhar Dharma S. , Reid Alice M. , Saville Naomi M.
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Maternal factors shape the risk of infant undernutrition, however the contributions of age at marriage versus age at pregnancy are rarely disentangled. We explore these issues in a population from lowland rural Nepal, where median ages at marriage and first pregnancy are 15 and 17 years respectively and marriage almost always precedes pregnancy.

Methods

We analyzed data on first‐time mothers (n = 3002) from a cluster‐randomized trial (2012–2015). Exposures were ages at marriage and pregnancy, categorized into groups. Outcomes were z‐scores for weight (WAZ), length (LAZ), head circumference (HCAZ), and weight‐for‐length (WLZ), and prevalence of wasting and stunting, for neonates (<8 days) and infants (6–12 months). Mixed linear and logistic regression models tested associations of marriage and pregnancy ages with outcomes, adjusting for parental education, household assets, caste, landholding, seasonality, child sex, intervention arm, randomization strata and cluster.

Results

For neonates, pregnancy <18 years predicted lower LAZ, and <19 years predicted lower WAZ and HCAZ. Results were largely null for marriage age, however early pregnancy and marriage at 10–13 years independently predicted neonatal stunting. For infants, earlier pregnancy was associated with lower LAZ and HCAZ, with a trend to lower WAZ for marriage 10–13 years. Early pregnancy, but not early marriage, predicted infant stunting.

Conclusions

Early marriage and pregnancy were associated with poorer growth, mainly in terms of LAZ and HCAZ. Associations were stronger for neonatal than infant outcomes, suggesting pregnancy is more susceptible to these stresses. Early marriage and pregnancy may index different social and biological factors predicting child undernutrition.
Effects of food material properties and embedded status on food processing efficiency in bearded capuchins
Authors: Chalk‐Wilayto Janine , Fogaça Mariana Dutra , Wright Barth W. , van Casteren Adam , Fragaszy Dorothy M. , Izar Patricia , Visalberghi Elisabetta , Strait David S. , Ross Callum F. , Wright Kristin A. , Laird Myra F.
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Capuchin monkeys (Cebusspp. andSapajusspp.) routinely extract food resources that are embedded in protective matrices. Features such as relative brain size, manual dexterity, and—in the case ofSapajusspp.—a robust feeding system are considered adaptations for accessing embedded foods. Compared with adults, juvenile capuchins exhibit reduced food processing efficiency when processing embedded foods. Although this reduced efficiency has been attributed to inexperience or lack of strength when processing embedded foods, little is known about how food material properties (FMPs) relate to age‐related changes in feeding efficiency.

Materials and methods

We used data collected from three groups ofSapajus libidinosusto test relationships between feeding efficiency and FMP variation when processing embedded and nonembedded foods. Feeding efficiency was defined in three ways: (i) duration, (ii) frequency, and (iii) variation in sequence of food processing behaviors.

Results

We found limited support for an effect of FMPs and age on feeding sequence durations or on processing behavior frequency. Number of unique behavioral patterns was negatively correlated with age. Embedded foods elicited longer durations, higher behavioral frequencies and more unique behaviors compared to nonembedded foods.

Discussion

Results indicate FMP variation impedes some measures of juvenile food processing efficiency. Foods with high stress‐limited indices reduced some measures of processing efficiency in juveniles. These data are consistent with prior studies of juvenile capuchin feeding competency when exploiting embedded foods and suggest skill development may be a relatively more important constraint for overall juvenile feeding efficiency than body size or strength.
Increasing Brain Gamma Activity Improves Episodic Memory and Restores Cholinergic Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Benussi Alberto , Cantoni Valentina , Grassi Mario , Brechet Lucie , Michel Christoph M. , Datta Abhishek , Thomas Chris , Gazzina Stefano , Cotelli Maria Sofia , Bianchi Marta , Premi Enrico , Gadola Yasmine , Cotelli Maria , Pengo Marta , Perrone Federica , Scolaro Maria , Archetti Silvana , Solje Eino , Padovani Alessandro , Pascual‐Leone Alvaro , Borroni Barbara
Published: May 2022

Objective

This study aimed to assess whether non‐invasive brain stimulation with transcranial alternating current stimulation at gamma‐frequency (γ‐tACS) applied over the precuneus can improve episodic memory and modulate cholinergic transmission by modulating cerebral rhythms in early Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

In this randomized, double‐blind, sham controlled, crossover study, 60 AD patients underwent a clinical and neurophysiological evaluation including assessment of episodic memory and cholinergic transmission pre and post 60 minutes treatment with γ‐tACS targeting the precuneus or sham tACS. In a subset of 10 patients, EEG analysis and individualized modelling of electric field distribution were carried out. Predictors to γ‐tACS efficacy were evaluated.

Results

We observed a significant improvement in the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning (RAVL) test immediate recall (p < 0.001) and delayed recall scores (p < 0.001) after γ‐tACS but not after sham tACS. Face‐name associations scores improved with γ‐tACS (p < 0.001) but not after sham tACS. Short latency afferent inhibition, an indirect measure of cholinergic transmission, increased only after γ‐tACS (p < 0.001).ApoEgenotype and baseline cognitive impairment were the best predictors of response to γ‐tACS. Clinical improvement correlated with the increase in gamma frequencies in posterior regions and with the amount of predicted electric field distribution in the precuneus.

Interpretation

Precuneus γ‐tACS, able to increase γ‐power activity on the posterior brain regions, showed a significant improvement of episodic memory performances, along with restoration of intracortical excitability measures of cholinergic transmission. Response to γ‐tACS was dependent on genetic factors and disease stage. ANN NEUROL 2022;92:322–334
Supramolecular assembly of an Au(III) complex of 2‐(3‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐yl)pyridine: Structure, biological studies and charge transportation
Authors: Shit Manik , Dey Arka , Das Mahapatra Ananya , Dutta Basudeb , Naskar Kaushik , Ray Partha Pratim , Sinha Chittaranjan
Published: May 2022

An Au(III) complex, [Au(2‐ptp)2]Cl (1) (2‐ptp = 2‐(3‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐yl)pyridine), has been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction technique and other spectroscopic data. Presence of different noncovalent interactions leads to the formation of 3D supramolecular structure. The complex 1 exhibits antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive (MIC) (Staphylococcus aureus [240 μg/ml], Bacillus subtilis [645 μg/ml]) and Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli [270 μg/ml], Enterococcus faecalis [820 μg/ml], Klebsiella pneumonia [785 μg/ml]) bacteria. Also, the toxicity of 1 has been checked by MTT assay. The complex shows promising anticancer activity against Vero cells and the CC50 is 405 μg/ml. The complex also shows improved conductivity (Λ) by one order difference on illumination (Λdark, 7.42 × 10−5 Sm−1 and Λillumination, 2.45 × 10−4 Sm−1).
Manufactures of bio‐degradable and bio‐based polymers for bio‐materials in the pharmaceutical field
Authors: Aziz Tariq , Ullah Asmat , Ali Amjad , Shabeer Muhammad , Shah Muhammad Naeem , Haq Fazal , Iqbal Mudassir , Ullah Roh , Khan Farman Ullah
Published: May 2022

In recent years, bio‐based polymers have emerged as an alternative to petroleum‐based polymers in various industries. The bio‐based materials are made from raw materials originating from natural sources, such as starch, cellulose, chitin, or bio‐degradable synthetic polymers (i.e., polycaprolactone and polylactic acid). In spite of several desirable properties of biodegradable polymers, for example, fully renewable, non‐toxic. Some properties like melt and impact strength, thermal stability, permeability, and so forth, still do not meet the demands for end‐use applications. One way to improve the properties of biopolymers and greatly enhance their commercial potential is to incorporate nanosized reinforcement in the polymer. The access of nano‐carriers to smart polymeric and bio‐materials are limited by polymerization methods. Bio‐polymers are considered an alternative to petroleum‐based fibers. These are directly produced by organisms. Smart nanoparticles are used in different medicines and their applications are size‐dependent. Among the different techniques used for sensitivity, selectivity, and interactions among the nanoparticles. More so, different approaches were found for polymerization. Methodologies such as the preparation of nano‐gels, bio‐degradable, and bio‐polymers manufacturing in the pharmaceutical field are discussed in detail. Their applications, properties in gene delivery, smart imaging, and multivalency approach are also highlighted.
Preparation of hydrophobic and high‐strengthpolymer microspheres based on constructing a “Functionalmonomer‐St‐DVB” copolymer structure:Ultra‐low‐densityproppants
Authors: Yin Jinrong , Gong Yunlei , Zheng Huaan , Yuan Hui , Zeng Zhen , Qin Wei , Li Chenghao , Zhou Yang , Ren Xianyan
Published: May 2022

Ultra‐low‐density proppants are of great significant in slick water fracturing system, but the polymer composite microspheres can hardly promise the quality of oil and gas due to their poor hydrophobicity. To address the issue, we prepared several types of modified styrene‐divinyl benzene copolymer microspheres (MSDBs) with long‐term durable hydrophobicity and high strength, including O‐MSDBs (hydrophobic MSDBs), LO‐MSDBs (long‐time hydrophobic MSDBs), and CO‐MSDBs (coated O‐MSDBs) on the basis of a molecular structure of “KH570‐styrene (St)‐divinyl benzene (DVB)” copolymer. In this article, the design concept and the structure of MSDBs was clarified, and performances of MSDBs are systematically discussed and compared with commercially available hydrophobic microspheres. The O‐MSDBs, a kind of nanoparticle patterned St‐DVB copolymer microspheres, were prepared by a one‐step suspension polymerization undergoing a sol–gel process, showing strong hydrophobicity with a water contact angle up to 140.7°, but short durability in strong hydrochloric acid or hydrofluoric acid; On the contrary, LO‐MSDBs perform better in the stability and durability of hydrophobicity with a slightly lower water contact angle about 135.9°. The LO‐MSDBs were designed by coating functionalized St‐DVB copolymer microspheres with fluororesin. Similarly, CO‐MSDBs from fluororesin‐coated O‐MSDBs were designed. As expected, CO‐MSDBs have a stronger hydrophobicity (139.0°) than LO‐MSDBs and longer durability than O‐MSDBs. Moreover, the MSDBs exhibit better properties than the commercially available hydrophobic polymer and ceramic microspheres.
Increased context adjustment is associated with auditory sensitivities but not with autistic traits
Authors: Randeniya Roshini , Mattingley Jason B. , Garrido Marta I.
Published: May 2022

Bayesian models of autism suggest that alterations in context‐sensitive prediction error weighting may underpin sensory perceptual alterations, such as hypersensitivities. We used an auditory oddball paradigm with pure tones arising from high or low uncertainty contexts to determine whether autistic individuals display differences in context adjustment relative to neurotypicals. We did not find group differences in early prediction error responses indexed by mismatch negativity. A dimensional approach revealed a positive correlation between context‐dependent prediction errors and subjective reports of auditory sensitivities, but not with autistic traits. These findings suggest that autism studies may benefit from accounting for sensory sensitivities in group comparisons.

Lay Summary

We aimed to understand if autistic and non‐autistic groups showed differences in their electrical brain activity measured by electroencephalography (EEG) when listening to surprising tones infrequently embedded in a statistical pattern. We found no differences between the autistic and the non‐autistic group in their EEG response to the surprising sound even if the pattern switched, indicating their ability to learn a pattern. We did find that, as subjective sensory sensitivities (but not autistic traits) increased, there were increasingly large differences between the EEG responses to surprising tones that were embedded in the different statistical patterns of tones. These findings show that perceptual alterations may be a function of sensory sensitivities, but not necessarily autistic traits. We suggest that future EEG studies in autism may benefit from accounting for sensory sensitivities.
Pencil Powered Faradaic Electrode for Lithium‐Ion Capacitors with High Energy and Wide Temperature Operation
Authors: Divya Madhusoodhanan Lathika , Lee Yun‐Sung , Aravindan Vanchiappan
Published: May 2022

Lithium‐ion capacitors (LICs) are considered next‐generation energy storage devices that combine the goodness of both Li‐ion batteries and electric double‐layer capacitors. In this work, LIC is assembled with electrochemically pre‐lithiated (LiC6) pencil graphite (PG, 1B&4H grades) as anode and activated carbon (AC) as the cathode. PG grades, naturally available graphite silica composite materials, are characterized, and the electrochemical performance is studied in half‐cell assembly for 14 grades. PG grades in the middle of the hardness scale demonstrated better electrochemical activity than the end compositions, representing the involvement of graphite and silica‘s role in overall performance. However, it is observed that SiO2/clay component in PG material is to provide only mechanical support to the system considering the inactiveness of SiO2 towards Li storage. The assembled LICs (AC/PG 1B LIC) & (AC/PG 4B LIC) delivered maximum energy density of ∼172 & ∼162 Wh kg−1, respectively, with long‐term stability under balanced mass loading conditions. Besides ambient temperature, the LICs exhibited stable performance at low (−5 and 10 °C) and high‐temperature (50 °C) conditions. The outstanding electrochemical performance of PG material in LIC assembly indicates the choice of pencil‘s aptness in energy storage devices.
MiR‐223‐3p alleviates trigeminal neuropathic pain in the male mouse by targeting MKNK2 and MAPK/ERK signaling
Authors: Huang Bixia , Guo Shaoyong , Zhang Yipan , Lin Pengxing , Lin Changgui , Chen Meixia , Zhu Shengyin , Huang Liyu , He Junwei , Zhang Lingfeng , Zheng Yanping , Wen Zhipeng
Published: May 2022

Background

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a neuropathic pain that occurs in branches of the trigeminal nerve. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been considered key mediators of neuropathic pain. This study was aimed to elucidate the pathophysiological function and mechanisms of miR‐223‐3p in mouse models of TN.

Methods

Infraorbital nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI‐ION) was applied in male C57BL/6J mice to establish mouse models of TN. Pain responses were assessed utilizing Von Frey method. The expression of miR‐223‐3p, MKNK2, and MAPK/ERK pathway protein in trigeminal ganglions (TGs) of CCI‐ION mice was measured using RT‐qPCR and Western blotting. The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines were evaluated using Western blotting. The relationship between miR‐223‐3p and MKNK2 was tested by a luciferase reporter assay.

Results

We found that miR‐223‐3p was downregulated, while MKNK2 was upregulated in TGs of CCI‐ION mice. MiR‐223‐3p overexpression by an intracerebroventricular injection of Lv‐miR‐223‐3p attenuated trigeminal neuropathic pain in CCI‐ION mice, as well as reduced the protein levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in TGs of CCI‐ION mice. MKNK2 was verified to be targeted by miR‐223‐3p. Additionally, miR‐223‐3p overexpression decreased the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 protein in TGs of CCI‐ION mice to inhibit MAPK/ERK signaling.

Conclusions

Overall, miR‐223‐3p attenuates the development of TN by targeting MKNK2 to suppress MAPK/ERK signaling.
Long noncoding RNA GK‐IT1 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by regulating MAPK1 phosphorylation
Authors: Yang Xin , Zeng Tianyang , Liu Ziyang , He Wanlun , Hu Mengting , Tang Ti , Chen Li , Xing Lei
Published: May 2022

Background

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in the oncogenesis and metastasis of multiple human cancers. Nonetheless, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the oncogenic role of lncRNA in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains to be clarified.

Methods

The expression of GK intronic transcript 1 (GK‐IT1) was analyzed using ESCC RNA‐seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Quantitative real‐time PCR was used to measure the expression of GK‐IT1 in ESCC clinical samples and cells. The correlation between GK‐IT1 expression and clinicopathological variables was examined using chi‐squared tests. Kaplan–Meier survival and Cox regression analyses were employed to generate the survival curve and assess the prognostic value of GK‐IT1. Functional experiments were utilized to explore the role of GK‐IT1 in promoting cell migration, invasion, proliferation, and suppressing apoptosis and autophagy in ESCC. To understand the mechanism, an RNA pulldown assay, RNA immunoprecipitation, agarose gel electrophoresis, immunofluorescence, and co‐immunoprecipitation assays were used.

Results

In this study we identified an unreported lncRNA, termed GK‐IT1 that was aberrantly overexpressed in ESCC tissues and cells. GK‐IT1 was closely associated with advanced clinical stage, and it was an independent prognostic indicator of ESCC. Functional assays verified that GK‐IT1 significantly promoted ESCC proliferation, invasion, and migration, and suppressed ESCC apoptosis and autophagy. Furthermore, tumorigenesis experiments in nude mice indicated that GK‐IT1 promoted ESCC tumor growth and metastasis. Mechanistically, GK‐IT1 competitively bound to mitogen‐activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) to prevent the interaction between dual specificity phosphatase 6 (DUSP6) and MAPK1, thereby controlling the phosphorylation of MAPK1 and promoting ESCC progression.

Conclusion

Our study revealed that GK‐IT1 competed with DUSP6 to attenuate the interaction between DUSP6 and MAPK1, leading to activation of the ERK/MAPK pathway, thereby promoting progression of ESCC. Our research indicated that GK‐IT1 served as a novel potential target for the diagnosis and treatment of ESCC.
Identification of unique transcriptomic signatures and key genes through RNA sequencing and integrated WGCNA and PPI network analysis in HIV infected lung cancer
Authors: Wu Liwei , Chen Yongfang , Wan Laiyi , Wen Zilu , Liu Rong , Li Leilei , Song Yanzheng , Wang Lin
Published: May 2022

With the widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HARRT), the survival time of AIDS patients has been greatly extended. However, the incidence of lung cancer in HIV‐infected patients is increasing and has become a major problem threatening the survival of AIDS patients. The aim of this study is to use Weighted Gene Co‐expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and differential gene analysis to find possible key genes involved in HIV‐infected lung cancer. In this study, using lung tissue samples from five pairs of HIV‐infected lung cancer patients, second‐generation sequencing was performed and transcriptomic data were obtained. A total of 132 HIV‐infected lung cancer‐related genes were screened out by WGCNA and differential gene expression analysis methods. Based on gene annotation analysis, these genes were mainly enriched in mitosis‐related functions and pathways. In addition, in protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis, a total of 39 hub genes were identified. Among them, five genes (ASPM, CDCA8, CENPF, CEP55, and PLK1) were present in both three hub gene lists (intersection gene, DEGs, and WCGNA module) suggesting that these five genes may become key genes involved in HIV‐infected lung cancer.
Applicability of Deep Eutectic Solvents in Oil and Gas Processing Fields for CO2 Control
Authors: Haq Ihtisham Ul , Lal Bhajan , Zaini Dzulkarnain B.
Published: May 2022

Anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2 emissions, have grown substantially, posing environmental challenges that affect mankind and ecosystems. As a possible consequence, carbon capture and storage is a viable solution to this worldwide problem. However, some aqueous solvents have been applied to capture greenhouse gases, though they are not environmentally benign. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) emerged as a unique choice according to research into greener solvents for this activity. The applications of DESs and the gas solubility of various DESs with emphasis on CO2 solubility in the oil and gas field are evaluated. This innovative solvent is also described in terms of its preparation and chemical composition. Detailed literature on investigation of CO2 solubility in DESs based on experimental data is included.
Waste Office Paper Derived Cellulose‐Based Carbon Host in Freestanding Cathodes for Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Yan Yinglin , Yang Yuanyuan , Fan Chaojiang , Zou Yiming , Deng Qijiu , Liu Haidong , Brandell Daniel , Yang Rong , Xu Yunhua
Published: May 2022

Due to large sulfur (S) content and simple manufacturing techniques, free‐standing cathodes for lithium‐sulfur (Li−S) batteries are gaining a lot of attention recently. Waste office paper, which is consumed in large quantities annually, was used to make a free‐standing paper‐based carbon (FPC) substrate, which inherited fiber‐like morphology. In addition, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets modified FPC (rGO@FPC) host was also prepared by a vacuum filtration method. After S impregnation, the FPC/S and rGO@FPC/S free‐standing cathodes were employed in Li−S batteries. The rGO@FPC/S free‐standing cathode exhibited extremely competitive electrochemical performance, including a reversible discharge capacity of 315 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C after 500 cycles. This is due to the uniform S distribution, which boosts the utilization ratio, and the significant blocking action for polysulfide ions, which prevents the redox shuttle effect.
Enhanced Cycling Performance of Fe‐doped LiMn2O4 Truncated Octahedral Cathodes for Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Lee Seong‐Nam , Park Deok‐Hye , Kim Ji‐Hwan , Moon Sang‐Hyun , Jang Jae‐Sung , Kim Sung‐Beom , Shin Jae‐Hoon , Park Yu‐Yeon , Park Kyung‐Won
Published: May 2022

LiMn2O4 (LMO) with a spinel crystal structure is a promising cathode for next‐generation Li‐ion batteries (LIBs), owing to its low cost and high operating voltage of ∼4.4 V. However, due to the Jahn‐Teller distortion effect, LMO typically exhibits deteriorated cycling performance, owing to the dissolution of Mn into a liquid electrolyte. In this study, Fe‐doped truncated octahedral LMO cathodes with different concentrations were synthesized to improve LMO stability in LIBs. The Fe‐doped truncated octahedral LMO was characterized using X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The Li+ ion diffusion coefficients of the cathodes were measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique. Compared to the truncated octahedral undoped LMO, the Fe‐doped LMO cathode with an appropriate amount of dopant exhibited the best LIB performance, with the highest Li+ ion diffusivity resulting from the increased oxygen vacancy as the path of Li+ ion.
Frailty and risk of mortality in older cancer survivors and adults without a cancer history: Evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999‐2014
Authors: Zhang Dongyu , Mobley Erin M. , Manini Todd M. , Leeuwenburgh Christiaan , Anton Stephen D. , Washington Caretia J. , Zhou Daohong , Parker Alexander S. , Okunieff Paul G. , Bian Jiang , Guo Yi , Pahor Marco , Hiatt Robert A. , Braithwaite Dejana
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Epidemiologic evidence reporting the role of frailty in survival among older adults with a prior cancer diagnosis is limited.

METHODS

A total of 2050 older adults (≥60 years old) surviving for at least 1 year after a cancer diagnosis and 9474 older adults without a cancer history from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999‐2014) were included for analysis. The exposure variable, a 45‐item frailty index (FI), was categorized on the basis of validated cutoffs (FI ≤ 0.10 [fit], 0.10 < FI ≤ 0.21 [prefrail], and FI > 0.21 [frail]). All‐cause mortality was ascertained via the National Death Index. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs) for the FI, and this was followed by restricted cubic splines depicting dose‐response curves.

RESULTS

For older cancer survivors, the mean age at the baseline was 72.6 years (SD, 7.1 years); 5.9% were fit, 38.2% were prefrail, and 55.9% were frail. Older adults without a cancer history were slightly younger (mean age, 70.0 years) and less frail (47.9% were frail). At each level of the FI, cancer survivors (1.9 per 100 person‐years for FI ≤ 0.10, 3.4 per 100 person‐years for 0.10 < FI ≤ 0.21, and 7.5 per 100 person‐years for FI > 0.21) had higher mortality than their cancer‐free counterparts (1.4 per 100 person‐years for FI ≤ 0.10, 2.4 per 100 person‐years for 0.10 < FI ≤ 0.21, and 5.4 per 100 person‐years for FI > 0.21). The multivariable model suggested a positive association between the FI and all‐cause mortality for survivors (aHR for FI > 0.21 vs FI ≤ 0.10, 2.80; 95% CI, 1.73‐4.53) and participants without a cancer history (aHR for FI > 0.21 vs FI ≤ 0.10, 2.75; 95% CI, 2.29‐3.32). Restricted cubic splines indicated that all‐cause mortality risk increased with the FI in a monotonic pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty is associated with a higher risk of death in older cancer survivors and the elderly without a cancer history.;
Triplet‐Primed PCR Assays for Accurate Screening of FMR1 CGG Repeat Expansion and Genotype Verification
Authors: Rajan‐Babu Indhu‐Shree , Lian Mulias , Chong Samuel S.
Published: May 2022

Fragile X syndrome and other fragile X‒associated disorders are caused by the full‐mutation (>200 copies) and premutation (55 to 200 copies) expansion, respectively, of the CGG short tandem repeat in the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene. Clinical diagnostic laboratories use Southern blot analysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based tests to detect and/or size the FMR1 CGG repeats. The development of sensitive and high‐throughput triplet‐primed PCR (TP‐PCR) assays has diminished the need to subject all samples to Southern blot analysis, which is both labor‐ and time‐intensive. In this article, we describe two direct TP‐PCR (dTP‐PCR) assays for the detection of FMR1 CGG repeat expansions. We outline a protocol that is based on melting curve analysis of dTP‐PCR amplicons for a rapid and cost‐effective first‐tier screening and identification of individuals with premutation and full‐mutation expansions. We also describe a protocol that employs capillary electrophoresis to resolve the dTP‐PCR amplicon fragments and to estimate the repeat sizes of normal (5 to 44 copies), intermediate (45 to 54 copies), and premutation alleles, as well as to detect full mutations and determine the structure of the FMR1 alleles. © 2022 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Direct triplet‐primed PCR master mix preparation and amplification of the FMR1 CGG repeat locus for melting curve analysis

Basic Protocol 2: Melting curve analysis of direct triplet‐primed PCR amplicons on the Rotor‐Gene Q MD × 5plex high‐resolution melt platform

Alternate Protocol: Melting curve analysis of direct triplet‐primed PCR amplicons on the LightCycler 480 system

Basic Protocol 3: Generation of direct triplet‐primed PCR melting curve analysis profiles

Basic Protocol 4: Direct triplet‐primed PCR master mix preparation and amplification of the FMR1 CGG repeat locus for capillary electrophoresis

Basic Protocol 5: Generation of control FMR1 plasmids for direct triplet‐primed PCR melting curve analysis

Basic Protocol 6: Sanger sequencing assay to verify FMR1 CGG repeat size and structure of plasmid DNA controls
Analyzing the corporate social responsibility perception from customer relationship quality perspective. An application to the retail banking sector
Authors: Hobeika Janine , Khelladi Insaf , Orhan Mehmet A.
Published: May 2022

Management scholars are increasingly stressing the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its growing role in today's business world. Building on stakeholder theory and relationship marketing theoretical framework, this study focuses on the link between customers and CSR and the role of frontline employees in building customer relationship quality, critical for CSR initiatives. This article investigates the effects of expected relational benefits and professional stereotypes on customers' perceptions of companies' CSR activities. This research unveils the cognitive processes influencing customers' perceptions of CSR initiatives the moment they open the companies' doors. A survey was conducted among customers in the banking sector that is experiencing an increasing deployment of CSR programs. We found that frontline employees, as drivers of relational benefits, actively participate in how customers perceive their banks' CSR initiatives. However, how customers perceive their banks through bankers' professional stereotypes partially influences their perceptions of CSR initiatives.
Dual nature of the relationship between corporate social responsibility and human resource management: A blessing or a curse?
Authors: Karatas‐Ozkan Mine , Özgören Çağla , Yamak Sibel , Ibrahim Shahnaz , Tunalıoğlu Melike Nur , Pinnington Ashly , Nicolopoulou Katerina , Baruch Yehuda
Published: May 2022

With the increase and prominence of corporate social responsibility (CSR), it is important to understand the interaction between CSR and human resource management (HRM), drawing on multiple institutional logics that shape such interaction in organizations. Drawing on a qualitative study, we reveal context‐sensitive nature of the CSR‐HRM relationship by demonstrating all field‐level forces and peculiarities of meso‐level influences. We have identified a dual nature in this relationship. This duality is implicated in unintended and intended organizational outcomes, such as exploitation of workforce and democratizing CSR engagements, respectively. We offer multiple contributions to knowledge and practice. By exploring dual nature of the CSR‐HRM relationship, we demonstrate multiple roles that the HR function plays in organizations, such as mediating role, regulating and governance role and legitimizing role. We recommend that organizations might better approach CSR from an employee engagement perspective and posit that employees' perceptions of CSR authenticity and of local needs will transform the dynamics of the CSR‐HRM relationship and organizational commitments.
Fine‐Tuning of Siloxane Pendant Distance for Achieving Highly Efficient Eco‐Friendly Nonfullerene Solar Cells
Authors: Yuan Dong , Zhang Lianjie , Chen Junwu
Published: May 2022

Side‐chain engineering has been proved to show profound impact on polymer properties and blend morphology. Herein, the critical role of siloxane‐terminated alkoxy side chains was revealed by a tiny decorating method through which the molar content of siloxane‐terminated alkoxy side chain was fixed to 5 %, and its alkyl linker was the only tuning factor. The pentylene, heptylene, and nonylene linkers were designed and used to synthesize wide‐bandgap polymers PQSi505, PQSi705, and PQSi905, respectively. Interestingly, the siloxane pendant of combinatory side chain exhibited a distinct impact on molecular packing when its branching position shifted slightly. Among the three polymers, PQSi705 had the strongest aggregation and the highest packing order. Finally, toluene‐processed organic solar cells (OSCs) based on PQSi705 and Y6‐BO achieved the best power conversion efficiency of 15.77 %. This work suggests that siloxane pendant can serve as a powerful modulator to enhance the photovoltaic performance of OSCs.
Issues in the calculations of dc conductivity of warm dense aluminium
Authors: Wetta Nadine , Pain Jean‐Christophe
Published: May 2022

In the Ziman‐Evans formulation, the electrical resistivity involves several quantities like the plasma mean ionization and chemical potential, the electron‐ion scattering cross‐section, the ion‐ion structure factor, and the derivative of the Fermi distribution with respect to electron energy. Therefore, to make significant progress while comparing different models or analysing experimental measurements, it is important to try to get insight into such partial physical quantities. In the present work, we propose to investigate the sensitivity of the resistivity to the different physical quantities required for its computation.
Climate influence on plant–pollinator interactions in the keystone species Vaccinium myrtillus
Authors: Olsen Siri L. , Evju Marianne , Åström Jens , Løkken Jørn O. , Dahle Sondre , Andresen Jonas L. , Eide Nina E.
Published: May 2022

Climate change is altering the world's ecosystems through direct effects of climate warming and precipitation changes but also indirectly through changes in biotic interactions. For instance, climate‐driven changes in plant and/or insect communities may alter plant–pollinator interactions, thereby influencing plant reproductive success and ultimately population dynamics of insect‐pollinated plants. To better understand how the importance of insect pollination for plant fruit set varies with climate, we experimentally excluded pollinators from the partly selfing keystone species Vaccinium myrtillus along elevational gradients in the forest‐tundra ecotone in central Norway. The study comprised three mountain areas, seven elevational gradients spanning from the climatically relatively benign birch forest to the colder alpine areas above the tree line, and 180 plots of 1 × 1 m, with experimental treatments allocated randomly to plots within sites. Within the experimental plots, we counted the number of flowers of V. myrtillus and counted and weighed all fruits, as well as seeds for a selection of fruits. Excluding pollinators resulted in lower fruit production, as well as reduced fruit and seed mass of V. myrtillus. In the alpine sites pollinator exclusion resulted in 84% fewer fruits, 50% lower fruit weight, and 50% lower seed weight compared to control conditions. Contrary to our expectations, the negative effect of pollinator exclusion was less pronounced in the forest compared to alpine sites, suggesting that the importance of insect pollination for seed production is lower at low elevations. Our findings indicate that the keystone species V. myrtillus is relatively robust to changes in the pollinator community in a warmer climate, thereby making it less vulnerable to climate‐driven changes in plant–pollinator interactions.
Reproducing ground response using in‐situ soil dynamic parameters
Authors: Miao Yu , He Hongjun , Liu Huabei , Wang Suyang
Published: May 2022

In this study, we extracted the in‐situ soil dynamic parameters that contains shear wave velocity, shear modulus degradation curve and damping ratio from seismic data recorded at the Delaney Park Digital Array (DPDA) during the 2018 Mw 7.0 Anchorage earthquake. Based on these parameters, a one‐dimensional finite element model in DEEPSOIL is constructed to simulate the propagation of seismic waves in near‐surface, and the simulated pseudo‐spectral accelerations with 5% damping from the in‐situ soil dynamic parameters are compared with those from different velocity profiles and damping models. The results show that: (1) it is necessary to consider the effects of downward waves on the estimation of shear strain when extracting the modulus degradation curve, otherwise the shear strain will be overestimated by several times at this site; (2) the validity and reliability of the use of the in‐situ soil dynamic parameters in reproducing and predicting nonlinear ground response are verified, in which the Pearson correlation coefficients between the simulated and observed spectral accelerations at different depths for five selected events are generally higher than 0.95; (3) the ground response analysis exhibits relatively high sensitivity to both velocity profiles and damping models, where the velocity profile extracted from vertical seismic data obviously outperforms other velocity profiles, and the Rayleigh damping provides an alternative to the constant damping model in this study.
Optimal parameter estimation of solid oxide fuel cells model using bald eagle search optimizer
Authors: Abaza Amlak , El Sehiemy Ragab A. , El‐Fergany Attia , Bayoumi Ahmed Saeed Abdelrazek
Published: May 2022

In this article, a new nature‐inspired optimizer based on bald eagles' fish hunting behavior is proposed for accurate parameters estimation of the solid oxide fuel cells stack's model. The optimal estimated values of the seven control parameters are generated by the bald eagle search (BES) optimizer. These parameters have optimized the model of the solid oxide fuel cells stack and formulated it as an optimization problem with associated constraints. The employed BES optimizer is a flexible algorithm with a relatively large population size which effectively improves the optimization process and has the ability to be improved. The BES optimizer is smooth, rapid, and steady in the convergence process. The BES optimizer is a very simple algorithm that consists of three main stages which are selecting hunting space, searching in the hunting area, and swooping stage. The model of the stack is tested at four operating conditions at 3 bar and varied temperatures of 923/973/1023/1073 K. The BES optimizer leads to more accurate parameters with good convergences. The insignificant values of reported worst mean square errors of something around 4.7e‐6 V2 points out the full conformity and coincidence between actual and estimated dataset voltage points. In addition to that, the efficacy of the BES optimizer is assured by comparing the results to parameters estimated from some recent techniques. The cropped estimated polarization curves, V‐I and P‐I, are very close to the measured datasets at various operating conditions. Statistics metrics indicate the robustness and the viability of the BES compared to other recent challenging optimizers.
Bio‐waste derived carbon nano‐onions as an efficient electrode material for symmetric and lead‐carbon hybrid ultracapacitors
Authors: Muduli Sadananda , Pati Subir K. , Martha Surendra K.
Published: May 2022

Carbon and metal oxide nanocomposites have been extensively studied as electrode materials to develop energy and power‐dense supercapacitors in recent years. Nevertheless, nano carbons with improved porosity and functional moieties are the most eco‐friendly and cost‐effective supercapacitor materials. In this work, carbon nano‐onions (CNOs) synthesized by a single‐step flame soot collection method, subsequently calcined at 600°C in an inert environment (CNO‐600), are used as electrode material for the supercapacitors. CNO‐600 s have a layer‐by‐layer nano onion structure with a ~25 nm particle size and a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of 147 m2 g−1. CNO‐600 delivers 266 and 186 F g−1 of capacitance at 0.5 A g−1 for half cells and symmetric ultracapacitors, respectively. Ultracapacitors show capacitance retention of 91% with 20 000 GCD cycles in 1 M H2SO4 electrolyte. The stable capacitance of CNO‐600 is due to easy intercalation/de‐intercalation of electrolyte ions and electrons in the layer‐by‐layer structure of CNOs, contributing to pseudocapacitive charge storage with electric double layer capacitor behavior. The lead‐carbon hybrid ultracapacitor fabricated using CNO‐600 as anode material and PbO2 as cathode delivers a specific capacitance of 515 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 in 4.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte in the voltage range of 2.3 and 0.6 V. The substantial improvement of charge storage in CNO‐based symmetric and lead‐carbon hybrid system, demonstrate an excellent opportunity for the development of high‐performance supercapacitors.