bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health‐care utilization for sinusitis after pneumococcal vaccination in patients with low antibody titers
Authors: Bareiss Anna K. , Kattar Nrusheel , Tivis Rick , Unis Graham , Do Triet , Montelibano Lawrence , Price‐Haywood Eboni G. , McCoul Edward
Published: December 2021

Background

Pneumococcal antibody deficiency has been the subject of limited study in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and has not been studied in recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS). The 23‐valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) is considered for patients with nonprotective Streptococcus pneumoniae titers. We hypothesized that both RARS and CRS patients with deficient S pneumoniae titers and subsequent PPSV23 vaccination would have reduced health‐care encounters for sinusitis and fewer prescriptions for antibiotics or steroids.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed of patient encounters between January 2011 and December 2019. All patients included were ≥18 and ≤65 years old with a diagnosis of CRS or RARS and pneumococcal titer data. Patients with immunodeficiency and comorbid conditions requiring PPSV23 vaccination before 65 years of age were excluded.

Results

A total of 938 patients were included in the study. Nonprotective antibody titers were present in 75.8% of CRS and 74.8% of RARS patients. A total of 306 patients with deficient antibody titers received the PPSV23 vaccine. Eighty‐nine percent of CRS and 90.1% of RARS patients had protective responses. Among the 217 patients with continuous data from 2 years before through 2 years after PPSV23 vaccination, a decrease in the number of encounter diagnoses of CRS (p < 0.0001) and RARS (p = 0.0006) was observed. Decreases in the frequency of antibiotic (p = 0.002) and corticosteroid (p = 0.04) prescriptions were also appreciated.

Conclusion

Most patients with CRS and RARS have nonprotective antibody titers. PPSV23 administration significantly decreases health‐care utilization.
Recent advances on the nanocatalyzed synthesis of 1,3‐thiazolidines
Authors: Zeinali Shohreh , Zare Fekri Leila , Hassan Zadeh Leila
Published: December 2021

1,3‐Thiazolidines have attracted a lot of interest due to their biological and pharmaceutical properties. For this reason, their synthesis is very important. Nanotechnology, nowadays, plays an important role in organic chemistry. Nano compounds, todays, act as support and catalyst in organic transformations. This review focuses on the recent advances on the synthesis and applications of nanocatalyst and their applications for the synthesis of 1,3‐thiazolidines. The present review describes the literature reports for the period 2012 to 2021. These reported approaches were performed in the classical and nonclassical conditions, particularly recent reports includes protocols under a green condition such as using catalyst, green solvents, and solvent‐free conditions.
Experimental study on flow properties of coal ash slag based on the image measurement method
Authors: Luo Jiawei , Zhou Hao , Wang Zhaowen , Ji Mengting , Meng Hanxiao , Fang Hao
Published: December 2021

This paper aims to reveal the effect of adding biomass ash on the flow characteristics of Zhundong (ZD) coal ash. A new visual image measurement method for the flowability of coal ash was established. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x‐ray diffraction (XRD) were applied to analyze the influence of surface morphology and mineral component on the fusion fluidity of the samples. The results show that the flow properties of ZD ash are improved to varying degrees after adding maize straw (MS) ash. As the blending ratio increases, the improvement of flow velocity is higher. The critical flow temperature (TC) of the samples was calculated. The TC of ZD ash was 1249°C, which decreased with the addition of MS ash. The characterization results showed that adding MS ash increased the melting phase, while the surface of the samples tended to be dense and smooth. Meanwhile, the massive formation of hauyne with a low melting point and the high proportion of SiO2/Al2O3 in the ash promotes the melting behavior of the ash slag. The flow velocity of the samples is improved under the combined action of the increase of the melting phase and the smooth surface.
Effect of amino acid‐triazine copolymer on intumescent flame retardant ethylene‐vinyl acetate
Authors: Wang Xinjun , Qian Lijun , Li Juan
Published: December 2021

Amino acid‐triazine copolymer (CC‐Lys) was prepared by using lysine (Lys) and cyanuric chloride (CC). The structure and performance of CC‐Lys were tested by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The CC‐Lys, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and organic montmorillonite (OMMT), were applied in ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA) to improve its flame retardancy. The results showed that 20 wt% APP/CC‐Lys/OMMT makes EVA achieve the UL‐94 V0 rating. The reactions among APP/CC‐Lys/OMMT release some incombustible gases and promote the formation of a porous char layer with good barrier performance during combustion. Moreover, the quality of the char layer is improved. In addition, the peak of heat release rate of EVA composite is reduced by 87% and time to ignition is delayed. This work provides a good flame retardant system for EVA.
Interfacial engineering of polydimethylsiloxane based dielectric elastomers with excellent electromechanical properties via incorporating polyphenol encapsulated multiwalled carbon nanotube
Authors: Chen Tao , Cai Cheng , Zhang Yan‐ting , Zhao Zeng , Zhang Shu‐yan , Wu Chong‐gang , Gong Xing‐hou , Hong Jiang , Hu Tao
Published: December 2021

The paradox of obtaining dielectric elastomers (DEs) with both low modulus and high‐dielectric properties has long been puzzling researchers in this field. To solve this problem, a preliminary attempt is made here by solution compounding polyphenol nanoparticles modified multiwalled carbon nanotube (PNs@MWCNT) with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to obtain PDMS based DEs with excellent electromechanical properties. The PNs layer can improve the interfacial interaction between MWCNT and PDMS probably through interfacial hydrogen bonding, thus improving the dispersion of PNs@MWCNT in PDMS. Compared with pure MWCNT filled PDMS nanocomposites, despite the hardening effect brought by the filler network, a softening effect (i.e., decreased cross‐linking) by the finer filler‐dispersion enhances in PNs@MWCNT/PDMS, resulting in lower moduli. Meanwhile, the as‐prepared PNs@MWCNT/PDMS composites exhibit high permittivity, low‐dielectric loss and high‐breakdown strength. Finally, the PNs@MWCNT/PDMS nanocomposites show excellent electromechanical properties with a largest actuated strain of 7.4% at a breakdown strength of 13.1 kV/mm, which is 2.2 times that (3.3%@13.3 kV/mm) of MWCNT/PDMS and 3.9 times that (1.9%@18.8 kV/mm) of neat PDMS.
Life at the borderline: Responses of Ganges river dolphins to dry‐season flow regulation of river and canal habitats by the Farakka barrage
Authors: Samad Imran , Kelkar Nachiket , Krishnaswamy Jagdish
Published: December 2021

Modification of river flows by dams and barrages has fragmented riverine habitats and threatened the survival of Indian subcontinental river dolphins.

In this study, habitat use by endangered Ganges river dolphins in response to dry‐season operations (December‐March) of the Farakka barrage on the Ganga River, located about 20 km upstream of the India–Bangladesh border, was assessed.

Ten surveys were conducted in: (i) the Ganga River below the barrage, where rapid changes in water levels were expected owing to barrage operations; (ii) the Farakka feeder canal with stable water levels; and (iii) the Hooghly River downstream of the canal. Dolphin distribution, water depth, fishing boat count and temperature were recorded in all surveys and the data were analysed in a dynamic occupancy modelling framework. Temporal trends in river discharge, primary productivity and fish availability were also estimated to explain river dolphin responses.

Occupancy and colonization by dolphins increased in all stretches by spring/March, correlated with rising water temperature and increased fishing intensity, which was related to upstream migration of hilsa fish. In the Ganga River, dolphin occupancy in deep river pools remained stable, but resulted in increased overlap with fisheries as river flow declined. The feeder canal, with stable flows, witnessed increased colonization by dolphins, but also greater risk of bycatch in fishing nets. The canal that appeared as a hydrological refuge thus became an ‘ecological trap’.

The findings highlight the need for integration of flow maintenance and fishery regulations in the monitoring and management of canals as effective refuges for riverine species. We advocate the inclusion of ecological flow criteria and fishery regulations to reduce dolphin bycatch mortality, in the context of establishing river dolphin conservation plans and transboundary water‐sharing guidelines. The revision of the India–Bangladesh water‐sharing treaty in 2026 could incorporate the above considerations.
Dust storm simulation over the Sahara Desert (Moroccan and Mauritanian regions) using HYSPLIT
Authors: Qor‐el‐aine Achraf , Béres András , Géczi Gábor
Published: December 2021

Saharan dust storms are major events that occur normally in the summer and affect the air quality in various regions of the world. In particular, Saharan regions in Morocco and Mauritania actively contribute to dust storms. The Saharan outbreak that took place between 14 and 19 of June 2020 was one of the most severe Saharan dust storms in recent years. This paper investigates the PM10 emissions and concentrations during the 4 days of the dust storm in the region of Western Sahara of Morocco and Mauritania and the transport of the PM10 from the area of study to the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico using Hybrid Single‐Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Model (HYSPLIT) software with PM10 emission model and cluster analysis. We also analyse the effect of the transported PM10 particles on the concentration level in the Southern parts of the United States and the Martinique islands. The results showed that the average PM10 concentration below the altitude of 100 m during the dust storm was higher than 100 μg/m3 in most of the regions such as Dakhla in Morocco, Nouakchott, Adrar and Tiris Zemmour in Mauritania. This is confirmed by Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) values between 0.7 and 1 retrieved by MODIS‐Aqua for those areas. Furthermore, PM10 particles transported across the Atlantic Ocean affected the concentrations observed in the Caribbean Basin, where hourly PM10 reached 372 μg/m3 and the dust top layer was found between 4 and 4.5 km above ground level. In addition, HYSPLIT cluster analysis results revealed several PM10 particle source areas in Western Sahara such as Bir Anzerane in Morocco, Nouakchott and Tichit in Mauritania that contributed to the increase of PM10 concentrations to an Unhealthy level in the Texas and Florida States in the United States.
Quasars' physical properties study based on the medium‐band photometric survey
Authors: Kotov Sergey , Dodonov Sergey , Grokhovskaya Aleksandra
Published: December 2021

The study is about the quasars' cosmological evolution. We used the medium‐band photometric survey at the 1‐m Schmidt telescope of the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory. The HS47‐22 field with an area of 2.38 square degrees has been selected. We have classified objects and composed a sample of quasars using broadband photometric data and morphological classification from the DECaLS survey (Dey et al. 2019), infrared photometry from the WISE survey (Meisner et al. 2018), spectroscopy from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (Pâris et al. 2018), ROSAT X‐ray data (Molthagen et al. 1997), FIRST radio data (Becker et al. 1995), and stellar parallax data from the GAIA survey (Gaia Collaboration et al. 2018). We have compiled a sample of 682 quasars, determined their photometric redshifts from the medium‐band photometric data, and calculated the absolute stellar magnitudes. The space density of quasars was calculated for different luminosity ranges at different redshifts using the λ‐CDM model with and (Hogg 1999). In this paper, we present the comparison of our results with other works.
Evaluating the Use of Trauma‐Informed Mental Health Assessment Measures in Care Planning for Children and Adolescents in Out‐of‐Home Residential Care in Singapore
Authors: Peh Chao‐Xu , Tan Jackson , Lei Tracy , Wong Eunice , Henn‐Haase Clare Marie
Published: December 2021

Children and young people (CYP) within the Child Welfare System (CWS) often experience a range of trauma‐related difficulties. However, systematic use of evidence‐based measures to support mental health assessment and care planning appeared to be lacking within CWS in Singapore. This study evaluated the use of evidence‐based measures to inform care planning in out‐of‐home residential care in Singapore. Participants were 65 CYP in care. Measures consisted of the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for DSM‐5 (CPSS‐5), Assessment Checklist for Children (ACC) and Adolescents (ACA), Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Youth Self‐Report (YSR). Care plans were identified based on the measures' clinical criteria and validated against the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) and Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) questionnaire. More intensive measurement‐based care plans were associated with higher service needs and lower strengths on the CANS, and higher ACE exposure. However, there was limited support for the validity of care plans when evaluated against the CANS and ACE questionnaire. Methodological implications for mental health assessment are discussed. Compared to service‐allocation‐as‐usual, measurement‐based care plans identified more cases that may require intensive psychological intervention. Overall, study findings provided some support for the use of assessment measures to supplement care planning in residential care.

‘This study evaluated the use of evidence‐based measures to inform care planning in out‐of‐home residential care in Singapore’

Key Practitioner Messages

A comprehensive approach to care planning for CYP in out‐of‐home residential care should include the use of multi‐informant evidence‐based mental health assessment measures.

The use of mental health assessment measures may reduce information gaps and complement the use of service needs assessment tools.

Measurement‐based care planning may provide added value to supplement existing standard psychological care planning practices in out‐of‐home residential care.
Clinically suspected myocarditis in COVID‐19 patients: Case series and review of the literature
Authors: Amin Ahmad , Eftekhar Seyed Parsa , Ziaie Naghmeh , Roudbari Soudeh , Salehi Pegah , Jalali Farzad , Jafaripour Iraj , Ghaffari Sanaz , Mohseni Salehi Maryam , Ebadi Reza
Published: December 2021

This Study describes eleven patients positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. In our cases, females and younger patients developed more severe disease. In contrast, improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction and N‐terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide within the first week of treatment contributed to promising outcomes.
Validation of diagnostic and predictive biomarkers for hereditary angioedema via plasma N‐glycomics
Authors: Zhang Zejian , Wang Xue , Gu Jianqing , Wu Jianqiang , Cao Yang , Xu Yingyang , Li Lisha , Guan Kai , Liu Peng , Yin Jia , Zhi Yuxiang , Zhang Shuyang
Published: December 2021

Background

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disease with heterogeneous clinical symptoms. It is vitally important to predict whether an HAE patient will develop severe symptoms in clinical practice, but there are currently no predictive biomarkers for HAE stratification. Plasma N‐glycomes are disease‐specific and have great potential for the discovery of non‐invasive biomarkers. In this study, we profiled the plasma N‐glycome of HAE patients from two independent cohorts to identify candidate biomarkers.

Methods

Linkage‐specific sialylation derivatization combined with matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry detection and automated data processing was employed to analyze the plasma N‐glycome of two independent type‐1 HAE cohorts.

Results

HAE patients had abnormal glycan complexity, galactosylation, and α2,3‐ and α2,6‐linked sialylation compared to healthy controls (HC). The classification models based on dysregulated glycan traits could successfully discriminate between HAE and HC with area under the curves (AUCs) being greater than 0.9. Some of the aberrant glycans showed response to therapy. Moreover, we identified a series of glycan traits with strong associations with the occurrence of laryngeal or gastrointestinal angioedema or disease severity score. Predictive models based on these traits could be used to predict disease severity (AUC > 0.9). These results were replicated in an independent cohort.

Conclusions

We reported the full plasma N‐glycomic signature of HAE for the first time, and identified potential biomarkers. These findings may play a critical role in predicting disease severity and guide the treatment of HAE in clinical practice. Further protein‐specific and prospective studies are needed to validate our findings.
A hybrid approach based on double roulette wheel selection and quadratic programming for cardinality constrained portfolio optimization
Authors: Hu Bo , Xiao Hui , Yang Nan , Jin Hao , Wang Lei
Published: December 2021

The portfolio optimization problem with cardinality constraint is usually solved by exact algorithms, heuristic algorithms, or combinations of them. We decompose the cardinality constraint mean‐variance model, and determine the assets and proportions by double roulette wheel selection (DRWS) and quadratic programming (QP), respectively. Then the accuracy of the solution is improved by a local search after we obtain the preliminary solution by combining DRWS and QP. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm achieves better accuracy and more efficiency than the algorithms in the literature. Therefore, we can see that the algorithm designed according to the characteristics of specific problems can improve the computational efficiency, but the algorithm needs to be adjusted for different problems.
Prey life‐history influences the evolution of egg mass and indirectly reproductive investment in a group of free‐living insect predators
Authors: Hemptinne Jean‐Louis , Lecompte Emilie , Sentis Arnaud , Dixon Anthony F. G. , Magro Alexandra
Published: December 2021

The balance between risk and benefit of exploiting resources drives life‐history evolution in organisms. Predators are naturally recognized as major drivers of the life‐history evolution of their prey. Although prey may also influence the life‐history evolution of their predators in the context of an evolutionary arms race, there is far more evidence of the role of predators than of prey.

The goal of this study was to investigate the role of prey in life‐history evolution of predators using ladybird beetle predators of aphids and coccids. These particular ladybirds and their prey were chosen because literature shows that the pace of life of aphids is faster than that of coccids and this difference is reflected in the life histories of the ladybirds that specialize on feeding on aphids or coccids.

Thirty‐four species of ladybird predators of aphids and eight of coccids belonging to five different tribes were collected and reared in the laboratory. The females were weighed as well as their eggs, and their reproductive investment estimated as the number of ovarioles. Phylogenetic relatedness was controlled for in the statistical analyses.

Controlling for female mass revealed that ladybird predators of aphids lay bigger eggs than ladybird predators of coccids. This difference is not influenced by phylogenetic relatedness but only by the type of prey eaten. We suggest that ladybird predators of coccids lay smaller eggs because neonate larvae do not have to search, catch, and subdue prey. Both types of ladybirds have a similar reproductive investment relative to their body mass when phylogeny is controlled for.

Recognizing the influence of prey on the life‐history evolution of predators is important for understanding food web dynamics. From an applied perspective, this fine evolutionary tuning of prey–predator relationships should be used to guide and increase the efficiency of biological control programs.
Glutamine promotes the generation of B10+cells via the mTOR/GSK3 pathway
Authors: Mielle Julie , Morel Jacques , Elhmioui Jamila , Combe Bernard , Macia Laurence , Dardalhon Valérie , Taylor Naomi , Audo Rachel , Daien Claire
Published: December 2021

Alterations in cell metabolism can shift the differentiation of immune cells toward a regulatory or inflammatory phenotype, thus, opening up new therapeutic opportunities for immune‐related diseases. Indeed, growing knowledge on T‐ cell metabolism has revealed differences in the metabolic programs of suppressive Tregs as compared to inflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells. In addition to Tregs, IL‐10‐producing regulatory B cells are crucial for maintaining tolerance, inhibiting inflammation, and autoimmunity. Yet, the metabolic networks regulating diverse B‐lymphocyte responses are not well known. Here, we show that glutaminase blockade decreased downstream mTOR activation and attenuated IL‐10 secretion. Direct suppression of mTOR activity by rapamycin selectively impaired IL‐10 production by B cells whereas secretion was restored upon Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) inhibition. Mechanistically, we found mTORC1 activation leads to GSK3 inhibition, identifying a key signalling pathway regulating IL‐10 secretion by B lymphocytes. Thus, our results identify glutaminolysis and the mTOR/GSK3 signalling axis, as critical regulators of the generation of IL‐10 producing B cells with regulatory functions.
New Method Based on Polarity Reversal for Detecting Adulteration of Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Refined Olive Pomace Oil
Authors: Li Yonglin , Wen Shasha , Sun Yiwen , Zhang Na , Gao Yuan , Yu Xiuzhu
Published: December 2021

Extra virgin olive oils (EVOO) are vulnerable to adulteration. Thus, a rapid and cost effective screening method is required to detect adulteration. This study develops a method for detecting EVOO adulterated with refined olive pomace oil (ROPO) based on polarity reversal method (PRM). A device is designed based on PRM to determine current of oil sample. Adulteration is detected according to the current difference between EVOOs and ROPOs caused by the content discrepancy of polar compounds. Polar phenolic components are characterized by high performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry and Folin–Ciocalteu assay to confirm the principle of the proposed method. Calibration, validation, and blind sample validation is performed. Results showed that current of EVOOs is higher than that of ROPOs due to richer and higher content of polar phenolic compounds. Calibration of 5–90% adulteration withR2= 0.997 is established. TheR2of validation and blind sample validation are close to 1. The relative standard deviation of 5–90% adulterated samples and ROPO is 4.76%, indicating good accuracy and precision.

Practical Applications: The proposed method can obtain adulterated ROPO content by simply referring the calibration curve of current within 10 min without pretreatment, which can be used in quick test for industry and retailers.
Wavelet and improved Hilbert–Huang transform method are used to study the spectrum distribution and energy of turbine pressure pulsation
Authors: Lan Chaofeng , Song Bowen , Li Shuijing , Zhang Lei
Published: December 2021

In order to reveal the relationship between steam turbine operating state and energy characteristics, the energy characteristics and frequency band distribution of steam turbine tail pipe pressure pulsation acquisition are studied. Wavelet analysis is used to remove the noise of steam turbine pressure pulsation signal, the noiseless signal is transformed by short‐time Fourier transform, and the energy histogram and energy proportion diagram of each frequency band are given. The traditional image continuation method is improved, the cubic Hermite interpolation method is used to replace the traditional cubic spline interpolation method, and then the traditional Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT) method is improved, which overcomes the endpoint effect problems, and reduces the overshoot and undershoot phenomenon in curve fitting to a certain extent. Using wavelet transform, empirical mode decomposition and improved HHT to study the distribution diagram, energy proportion diagram, and frequency band energy of pressure pulsation signal with frequency and time. The results show that with the increase of internal cavitation, the energy ratio in low‐frequency band decreases, the signal energy in high‐frequency band increases, the spectrum widens, and tends to the state of continuous spectrum.
Depositional environment of polymictic conglomerate of the Gadag greenstone Belt, Western Dharwar Craton, south India: An insight for Neoarchean marginal sedimentation
Authors: Pratihari Asim R. , Hegde Venkatraman S. , Frimmel Hartwig E. , Hulaji Shivani , Paltekar Manjunath
Published: December 2021

Clast morphometry and sedimentary facies analysis of polymictic conglomerate of the Hiriyur Formation in the Gadag greenstone Belt, Western Dharwar Craton, India, was conducted to constrain the palaeohydraulic condition, depositional environment, and type of sedimentary basin. The conglomerate grades from clast‐supported to matrix‐supported with siltstone‐sandstone intercalations. Eight lithofacies along with five major lithofacies associations are recognized in the Majjur and Attikatti Domains of the Gadag greenstone Belt. The lithofacies architecture suggests sedimentation commenced with rapid deposition of slope‐derived debris in a proximal high‐energy alluvial fan setting followed by a braided river environment. Clast morphometry and palaeohydraulic data indicate a low palaeoslope (0.000024 m/m), and stream discharge value (1.913 m3/s) calculated from the channel fill conglomerates. Greywacke overlying the conglomerate has been interpreted as turbidites from a continental slope. The accompanying 40‐m‐thick banded iron formation and carbonate rocks also support a marine context. The lack of transitional deposits between river and deep marine settings suggests that the greywacke turbidites sequence is separated from the conglomerate deposits by substantial unconformities. This change in depositional setting could be due to a change in basin subsidence rate, tectonic rejuvenation, or major sea‐level changes.
Comparison of biomarkers in retained oil and expelled oil of lacustrine marlstone determined by hydrous pyrolysis: Application to hydrocarbon migration determination in the tight oil reservoir
Authors: Guo Ruibo , Zhang Jinchuan , Tang Xuan , Jiang Zaixing , Zhang Bin
Published: December 2021

Oil in an unconventional tight reservoir is considered to migrate from a very adjacent reservoir or be impregnated in situ within source rocks, but their large hydrocarbon molecular fractions during short‐distance migration in the tight system are poorly understood. In order to explore the evolution characteristics and differences of the geochemical properties, especially the biomarkers, between expelled oil (just detached from source rock and not undergoing long‐distance migration) and retained oil under different thermal evolution stages of lacustrine marlstone. Semi‐open hydrous pyrolysis was conducted on an immature lacustrine marlstone collected from the third member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation in Shulu Sag, Bohai Bay Basin and the hydrocarbon product expelled from and remained in the rock during pyrolysis were collected and analysed with gas chromatography–mass spectrum instrument. The results indicate that the saturates compositions show expelled oil having commonly lower thermal maturity than retained oil because expelled oil is a mixture of multiple‐term hydrocarbon expulsions, while retained oil is the remained final hydrocarbon product of pyrolysis in semi‐open experimental system. The hydrocarbon migration has a significant effect on the maturity‐related parameters distribution such as 20S/(20S + 20R) and αββ/(αββ + ααα) for C29 steranes. Hydrocarbon expulsion enables Ts/(Ts + Tm) ratio in expelled oil is much greater than that of retained oil at lower matural stage. The saturated hydrocarbon maturity biomarkers in retained oil and expelled oil vary in a subtly different pathways with increasing maturity, comparatively the aromatic hydrocarbon biomarkers, such as triaromatic steroids and methyl‐phenanthrene (MPI1 and MPI2), regularly changed during maturation, which is not obviously affected by migration effects and can be used not only for thermal maturity predications but also for oil–oil or oil–source correlation. C29 20S/(20S + 20R) and C29 αββ/(αββ + ααα) commonly are preferable maturity parameters for shale or mudstone, reflecting that mineral matrix and oil in source rock are not affected by migration and supposed to have an oil thermal maturity corresponding to depth. Combined with some tight reservoir cases in North America and China, the biomarker ratios variation along depth and its abnormal value can be used to predict sweet spots in tight reservoirs.
Is social functioning in older age patients with bipolar disorder associated with affective and/or non‐affective cognition?
Authors: Paans Nadine PG , Korten Nicole , Orhan Melis , Ensing Anne , Schouws Sigfried NTM , Kupka Ralph , van Oppen Patricia , Dols Annemiek
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Previous research showed impairments in non‐affective cognition, affective cognition, and social functioning in adult patients with bipolar disorder (BD). Only 37% of adult BD patients recovers in social functioning, and both aspects of cognition are important constructs of influence. The role of affective cognition in older age bipolar disorder (OABD) patients is still unclear. Therefore, the aim of our study was to examine the separate and combined effects of affective cognition and non‐affective cognition on social functioning.

Methods

The current study included 60 euthymic patients (aged >60) of the Dutch Older Bipolar Study. Affective cognition was measured by Theory of Mind and Emotion Recognition. Non‐affective cognition was assessed through the measurements of attention, learning and memory, and executive functioning. Social functioning was examined through global social functioning, social participation, and meaningful contacts. The research questions were tested with linear and ordinal regression analyses.

Results

Results showed a positive association of all non‐affective cognitive domains with global social functioning. Associations between affective cognition and social functioning were non‐significant. Results did show an interaction between non‐affective and affective cognition.

Conclusions

Associations between non‐affective cognition and social functioning were confirmed, associations between affective cognition and social function were not found. For generalizability, studies with a greater sample size are needed. Conducting additional research about OABD patients and affective cognition is important. It may lead to more insight in impairment and guide tailored treatment that focusses more on all aspects of recovery and the needs of OABD patients.
The hippocampus supports high‐precision binding in visual working memory
Authors: Borders Alyssa A. , Ranganath Charan , Yonelinas Andrew P.
Published: December 2021

It is well established that the hippocampus is critical for long‐term episodic memory, but a growing body of research suggests that it also plays a critical role in supporting memory over very brief delays as measured in tests of working memory (WM). However, the circumstances under which the hippocampus is necessary for WM and the specific processes that it supports remain controversial. We propose that the hippocampus supports WM by binding together high‐precision properties of an event, and we test this claim by examining the precision of color‐location bindings in a visual WM task in which participants report the precise color of studied items using a continuous color wheel. Amnestic patients with hippocampal damage were significantly impaired at retrieving these colors after a 1‐s delay, and these impairments reflected a reduction in the precision of those memories rather than increases in total memory failures or binding errors. Moreover, a parallel fMRI study in healthy subjects revealed that neural activity in the head and body of the hippocampus was directly related to the precision of visual WM decisions. Together, these results indicate that the hippocampus is critical in complex high‐precision binding that supports memory over brief delays.
Structured visual analysis of single‐case experimental design data: Developments and technological advancements
Authors: Dowdy Art , Jessel Joshua , Saini Valdeep , Peltier Corey
Published: December 2021

Visual analysis is the primary method used to interpret single‐case experimental design (SCED) data in applied behavior analysis. Research shows that agreement between visual analysts can be suboptimal at times. To address the inconsistent interpretations of SCED data, recent structured visual‐analysis technological advancements have been developed. To assess the extent to which structured visual analysis is used to guide or supplement applied behavior analysts' interpretation of SCED graphs, a systematic review between the years of 2015 to 2020 in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis was conducted. Findings showed that despite recent efforts to develop structured visual‐analysis tools and criteria, these methods are rarely used to analyze SCED data. An overview of structured visual‐analysis tools is shared, their utility is delineated, common characteristics are brought to light, and future directions for both research and their clinical use are highlighted.
Analysis of rs1864182 and rs1864183 variants in ATG10 gene and antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody‐associated vasculitis in Chinese Guangxi population
Authors: Huang Shanshan , Rao Jinlan , Wei Jingsi , Huang Qunshen , Zhu Yan , Li Wei , Xue Chao
Published: December 2021

Objectives

To investigate the association of autophagy‐associated gene 10 (ATG10) gene polymorphisms (rs1864182 and rs1864183) with antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)‐associated vasculitis (AAV) in Chinese Guangxi population.

Methods

The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ATG10 rs1864182 and rs1864183 in 395 participants (195 AAVs and 200 healthy controls) were genotyped. Generalized multiple dimensionality reduction (GMDR) was used to analyze the SNP‐SNP interactions among two SNPs of ATG10 gene and other SNPs of autophagy gene previously studied by our research team.

Results

In this study, we found that the two ATG10 SNPs were not associated with AAV risk in Chinese Guangxi population. However, there were statistically significant differences in the incidence of hemoptysis, hematuria, and proteinuria among the three genotypes of ATG10 rs1864182 and rs1864183 (p < 0.05). Moreover, permutation test of GMDR suggested that immunity‐related GTPase M(IRGM) rs4958847, autophagy‐associated gene 7 (ATG7) rs6442260, ATG7 rs2594966, ATG10 rs1864183, protein kinase B(AKT2) rs3730051, and AKT2 rs11552192 might interact with each other in the process of developing AAV (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our results indicated that there existed no association between ATG10 SNPs and AAV, and SNP‐SNP interactions among IRGM rs4958847, ATG7 rs6442260, ATG7 rs2594966, ATG10 rs1864183, AKT2 rs3730051, and AKT2 rs11552192 may confer AAV risk in the Chinese Guangxi population.
The diagnostic role of PD‐1+ CXCR5+ follicular helper CD8+ T cell in renal allograft dysfunction
Authors: Fan Ji‐wen , Yan Lin , Wang Xue‐qiao , Li Ya‐mei , Bai Yang‐juan , Ou Xiao‐qi , Wan Zheng‐li , Li Yi
Published: December 2021

Background

The roles of PD‐1+CXCR5+ follicular helper CD8+ T cell were reported in different disease conditions, but their roles in transplantation are unclear. In this study, the association between PD‐1+CXCR5+ follicular helper CD8+ T cell and renal allograft dysfunction in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) was investigated.

Methods

82 KTRs were enrolled in this study. 45 KTRs were included in the chronic allograft dysfunction (CAD) group, and 37 KTRs were included in the stable recipients group. Among the CAD group, 12 cases of antibody‐mediated rejection (ABMR) and 4 cases of T cell–mediated rejection (TCMR) were diagnosed by biopsy. The percentage of CXCR5+CD8+ T cells and the co‐expression of signal transducers and activators of transcription 4 (STAT4), STAT5, and PD‐1 in peripheral blood were determined by flow cytometry.

Results

The expression of CXCR5 on CD3+CD8+ T cells and the percentage of STAT5+CXCR5+ cells in the CD3+CD8+ T‐cell population were significantly lower in the CAD group (p < 0.05), while the expression of PD‐1+CXCR5+CD8+ T cells was significantly higher (p < 0.05). Through logistic regression analysis, we concluded that the percentage of PD‐1+CXCR5+CD8+ T cells was an independent risk factor for renal dysfunction. Grouping by pathological type, PD‐1+CXCR5+CD8+ T cells showed relatively good diagnostic efficacy for ABMR by ROC analysis.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that PD‐1+CXCR5+CD8+ T cells were a promising biomarker for distinguishing renal allograft dysfunction and different allograft pathological types. Also, our findings may provide new ways of identifying and treating allograft rejection.
MCAM is associated with metastasis and poor prognosis in osteosarcoma by modulating tumor cell migration
Authors: Du Xiaotian , Zhang Qin , Wang Siyuan , Chen Xiao , Wang Yue
Published: December 2021

Background

Although there are standard treatment options for osteosarcoma (OS), the prognoses of patients with OS remain varied. Therefore, it is important to profile OS patients at a high risk of mortality to develop focused interventions. Although tumor biomarkers are closely associated with clinical outcomes, data on prognostic biomarkers for OS remain scarce.

Methods

We collected RNA expression profiles and clinical data of 90 OS patients from the GEO database (dataset GSE21257 and GSE39055) and 96 patients in the TARGET program. The data were analyzed using univariate Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis to screen candidate gene sets that might be associated with OS survival.

Results

Our analysis demonstrated that melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM) was associated with overall survival of patients with OS in the three cohorts. The data showed that MCAM was upregulated in OS patients who had metastases within 5 years compared to those without metastases. GO analysis revealed that genes correlated with MCAM were mainly involved in cell migration and wound healing processes. In addition, wound healing assays and gene set enrichment analysis results from RNA sequencing data of small interfering (si)‐MCAM‐transfected OS cells demonstrated that MCAM modulated tumor cell migration.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that MCAM may be a novel prognostic biomarker for OS. MCAM is associated with increased cell migration ability and risk of metastasis, thus leading to poor prognoses in OS patients.
Carboxyl terminus of HSP70‐interacting protein attenuates advanced glycation end products‐induced cardiac injuries by promoting NFκB proteasomal degradation
Authors: Lin Kuan‐Ho , Ali Ayaz , Kuo Chia‐Hua , Yang Pei‐Chen , Kumar Velmurugan B. , Padma Viswanadha V. , Lo Jeng‐Fan , Huang Chih‐Yang , Kuo Wei‐Wen
Published: December 2021

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are highly reactive molecules resulting from persistent high‐glucose levels, can lead to the generation of oxidative stress and cardiac complications. The carboxyl terminus of HSP70 interacting protein (CHIP) has been demonstrated to have a protective role in several diseases, including cardiac complications; however, the role in preventing AGE‐induced cardiac damages remains poorly understood. Here, we found that elevated AGE levels impaired cardiac CHIP expression in streptozotocin‐induced diabetes and high‐fat diet‐administered animals, representing AGE exposure models. We used the TUNEL assay, hematoxylin and eosin, Masson′s trichrome staining, and western blotting to prove that cardiac injuries were induced in diabetic animals and AGE‐treated cardiac cells. Interestingly, our results collectively indicated that CHIP overexpression significantly rescued the AGE‐induced cardiac injuries and promoted cell survival. Moreover, CHIP knockdown‐mediated stabilization of nuclear factor κB (NFκB) was attenuated by overexpressing CHIP in the cells. Furthermore, co‐immunoprecipitation and immunoblot assay revealed that CHIP promotes the ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of AGE‐induced NFκB. Importantly, fluorescence microscopy, a luciferase reporter assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and subcellular fractionation further demonstrated that CHIP overexpression inhibits AGE‐induced NFκB nuclear translocation, reduced its binding ability with the promoter sequences of the receptor of AGE, consequently inhibiting the translocation of the receptor AGE to the cell membrane for its proper function. Overall, our current study findings suggest that CHIP can target NFκB for ubiquitin‐mediated proteasomal degradation, and thereby potentially rescue AGE‐induced cardiac damages.
Exploring predoctoral dental student use of YouTube as a learning tool for clinical endodontic procedures
Authors: Fu Min‐Wen , Kalaichelvan Anusha , Liebman Lauren S. , Burns Lorel E.
Published: December 2021

Purpose/objectives

The goal of the present study was to examine perceived barriers to achieving clinical competence in endodontics and explain how YouTube is used to supplement formal education in this discipline.

Methods

Postgraduate endodontic students conducted focus groups with fourth‐year dental students at NYU College of Dentistry. The discussion was facilitated by a semistructured interview guide. Open‐ended questions about participants’ perceived barriers to clinical competency in endodontics, experiences using YouTube to learn about clinical endodontics, and preferences for video format learning were asked. Demographic information was gathered. Thematic analysis of data was conducted and data collection was terminated once saturation was achieved.

Results

Thirty fourth‐year dental students were enrolled in the study. The majority, 96.7%, reported using YouTube as a learning tool for dental procedures and 83.3% to learn about endodontics, specifically. The following domains were explored during data analysis: barriers to clinical competency, YouTube uses/experiences, and content preferences. The following themes within barriers to clinical competency were identified: psychological, educational, and clinical. Within the YouTube domain, the following themes were examined: goals of use, timing and frequency of use, search strategies, benefit/ shortcomings of YouTube, and validity of content. Students primarily used YouTube to enhance confidence and understand procedural flow.

Conclusion

YouTube videos were primarily used to help students overcome perceived educational and psychological barriers that resulted in gaps in confidence and knowledge of performing endodontic procedures. Dental students placed high value on easily accessible video content of limited duration, where clinical procedures were performed on live patients.
Scoping review of artificial intelligence and immersive digital tools in dental education
Authors: Saghiri Mohammad Ali , Vakhnovetsky Julia , Nadershahi Nader
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The aim of this scoping review is to examine artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual teaching models within the context of dental education, establish methods to address the resources being investigated, and ultimately augment this approach for future scientific research.

Methods

To evaluate the applications of AI and immersive technology, a scoping literature review was conducted using the Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library database from the years 2018 to May 19, 2021. Additionally, a manual search was completed. The search strategy was formulated according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‐ScR) guidelines. Studies that addressed the current uses of virtual devices and their revolutionary potential in dental education were categorized separately for further evaluation.

Results

 Of the 2500 articles found in our initial search results, 31 articles met the inclusion criteria set for this review. The selected studies were directly related to AI and immersive tools in dental education.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, there are very few comprehensive literature reviews identifying the applications and efficacy of virtual and AI‐driven tools in dental education. With limited verifiable evidence, an improved understanding of virtual and AI domains is needed to enable dental students to adapt to changes within and beyond their dental training education. To increase the scientific value of digital‐related research, the scientific community must quickly define guidelines to enhance methodological approaches in order to effectively digitalize dentistry.
Prenatal exposure to α‐pinine improves reflexive motor behaviours in mice offspring
Authors: Elahinia Ali , Hassanpour Shahin , Asghari Ahmad , Khaksar Ehssan
Published: December 2021

α‐pinene is a well‐known compound representative of the monoterpenes group with a wide range of pharmacological activities. This article aims to determine effects of the prenatal exposure to α‐pinene on reflexive motor behaviours in mice offspring. Forty pregnant female NMRI mice (8–10 weeks old) were allocated into four groups. Group 1 served as control and groups 2–4 were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected α‐pinene (0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) on 5, 8, 11, 14 and 17 days of gestation (GD). The control group was injected with saline at the same days. Following delivery, 20 pups from each litter were selected and reflexive motor behaviours determined using ambulation, hindlimb foot angle, surface righting, hindlimb strength, grip strength, front‐limb suspension and negative geotaxis tests. Based on the findings of the present study, maternal exposure to α‐pinene increased ambulation score, hind‐limb suspension score, grip strength, front‐limb suspension compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Also, prenatal exposure to α‐pinene decreased surface righting, hind‐limb foot angle and negative geotaxis in mice offspring compared with the control group (P < 0.05). α‐pinene (0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) decreased blood MDA and increased SOD and GPx levels in mice offspring (P < 0.05). These results suggested α‐pinene exposure during pregnancy has positive effect on reflexive motor behaviours in mice offspring possibly due to its antioxidant properties.