bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Equal mixing time enables scale‐down and optimization of a CHO cell culture process using a shaken microbioreactor system
Authors: Wiegmann Vincent , Gardner Richard A. , Spencer Daniel I. R. , Baganz Frank
Published: September 2021

The advancement of microbioreactor technology in recent years has transformed early‐ and mid‐stage process development. The monitoring and control capabilities of microbioreactors not only promote the quick accumulation of process knowledge but has also led to an increased scalability when compared to traditionally used systems such as shake flasks and microtitre plates. This study seeks to establish a framework for the micro‐Matrix microbioreactor (Applikon‐Biotechnology BV) as process development tool. Using the Dual Indicator System for Mixing Time, the system was initially characterized for mixing properties at varying operating conditions, which was found to yield mixing times between 0.9 and 41.8 s. A matched mixing time was proposed as scale‐down criterion for an IgG4 producing GS‐CHO fed‐batch process between a 5 L stirred tank reactor (STR) and the micro‐Matrix microbioreactor. Growth trends, maximum viable cell concentrations, final titre, and glycoprofiles were nearly identical at both scales. The scale‐down model was then employed to optimize a bolus feeding regime using response surface methodology, which led to a 25.4% increase of the space‐time yield and a 25% increase of the final titre. The optimized feeding strategy was validated at the small‐scale and successfully scaled up to the 5 L STR. This work for the first time provides a framework of how the micro‐Matrix microbioreactor can be implemented in a bioprocess development workflow and demonstrates scalability of growth and production kinetics as well as IgG4 glycosylation between the micro‐Matrix and a benchtop‐scale STR system.
Bladder tumor ILC1s undergo Th17‐like differentiation in human bladder cancer
Authors: Mukherjee Neelam , Ji Niannian , Tan Xi , Lin Chun‐Lin , Rios Emily , Chen Chun‐Liang , Huang Tim , Svatek Robert S.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Human innate lymphoid cells (hILCs) are lineage‐negative immune cells that do not express rearranged adaptive antigen receptors. Natural killer (NK) cells are hILCs that contribute to cancer defense. The role of non‐NK hILCs in cancer is unclear. Our study aimed to characterize non‐NK hILCs in bladder cancer.

Experimental design

Mass cytometry was used to characterize intratumoral non‐NK hILCs based on 35 parameters, including receptors, cytokines, and transcription factors from 21 muscle‐invasive bladder tumors. Model‐based clustering was performed on t‐distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t‐SNE) coordinates of hILCs, and the association of hILCs with tumor stage was analyzed.

Results

Most frequent among intratumoral non‐NK hILCs were hILC1s, which were increased in higher compared with lower stage tumors. Intratumoral hILC1s were marked by Th17‐like phenotype with high RORγt, IL‐17, and IL‐22 compared to Th1 differentiation markers, including Tbet, perforin, and IFN‐γ. Compared with intratumoral hILC2s and hILC3s, hILC1s also had lower expression of activation markers (NKp30, NKp46, and CD69) and increased expression of exhaustion molecules (PD‐1 and Tim3). Unsupervised clustering identified nine clusters of bladder hILCs, which were not defined by the primary hILC subtypes 1–3. hILC1s featured in all the nine clusters indicating that intratumoral hILC1s displayed the highest phenotypic heterogeneity among all hILCs.

Conclusions

hILC1s are increased in higher stage tumors among patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer. These intratumoral hILC1s exhibit an exhausted phenotype and Th17‐like differentiation, identifying them as potential targets for immunotherapy.
Distribution and Chemical Composition of Lignin in Secondary Xylem of Cactaceae
Authors: Maceda Agustín , Reyes‐Rivera Jorge , Soto‐Hernández Marcos , Terrazas Teresa
Published: September 2021

Cactaceae family has heterogeneity in the accumulation of lignocellulose due to the diversity of shapes and anatomy of the wood. Most studies focus on fibrous and dimorphic species; but the non‐fibrous species are poorly studied. The aims of this work were to analyze the syringyl/guaiacyl ratio of lignin and its distribution in secondary xylem, especially in non‐fibrous species. The syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) ratio was quantified from 34 species of cacti by nitrobenzene oxidation of free‐extractive wood. The distribution of lignocellulose in wood sections stained with safranin O/fast green was determined with epifluorescence microscopy. The S/G ratio was heterogeneous; most of the non‐fibrous species had a higher percentage of syringyl, while the fibrous ones accumulate guaiacyl. Fluorescence emission showed that vessel elements and wide‐band tracheids had similar tonalities. It is hypothesized that the presence of a higher percentage of syringyl in most cacti is part of the defense mechanism against pathogens, which together with the succulence of the stem represent adaptations that contribute to survival in their hostile environments.
The Chemistry behind ThiC Rearrangement
Authors: Sun Ying‐Jie , Cheng Liang
Published: September 2021

Thiamine (vitamin B1) is crucial for life and plays a central role in metabolism. It contains thiazole and pyrimidine moieties that are constructed independently and then assembled together to generate thiamine phosphate. The study of the thiazole moiety is relatively clear, but deciphering the mechanistic enzymology of thiamine pyrimidine is more difficult. This review aims to summarize the recent research progress on ThiC rearrangement, mainly including the mechanism, related enzymes, and genes involved in the rearrangement.
Association of peri‐procedural myocardial infarction with mortality after stenting true coronary bifurcation lesions: A pooled individual participant data analysis from four randomized controlled trials
Authors: Sheiban Imad , Ge Zhen , Kan Jing , Nie Shaoping , Zhang Jun‐Jie , Santoso Teguh , Munawar Muhammad , Ye Fei , Han Yaling , Chen Shao‐Liang ,   for DKCRUSH serial trials
Published: September 2021

Background

Five definitions of peri‐procedural myocardial infarction (PMI) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are used in clinical trials; their clinical relevance in coronary bifurcation stenting remains unclear.

Objectives

To understand the correlation between PMI and mortality in bifurcation lesions from the DKCRUSH studies.

Methods

PMI was defined using serum creatine kinase‐myocardial band (CK‐MB) values within 48 h of PCI according to the SYNTAX, Fourth Universal Definition of MI (4th UDMI), ISCHEMIA, SCAI, and EXCEL definitions. Overall, 1300 patients with both CK and CK‐MB measurements pre‐ and post‐stenting were evaluated. The association of each PMI type and all‐cause death or cardiac death at a median of 5.58 years of follow‐up was analyzed using Cox regression.

Results

In total, 56 (4.3%) patients had PMI. According to SYNTAX, 4th UDMI or ISCHEMIA, SCAI, and EXCEL definitions, PMI occurred in 21 (1.6%), 56 (4.3%), 29 (2.2%), and 32 (2.5%) patients, respectively. All definitions were significantly correlated with unadjusted mortality at the end of follow‐up but not at 30 days or 1‐year after stenting. PMI using SYNTAX, SCAI, and EXCEL definitions rather than 4th UDMI definition was strongly associated with adjusted all‐cause death. By adjusted analysis, PMI according to 4th UDMI, SCAI, and EXCEL definitions but not SYNTAX definition was positively correlated with cardiac death at a median of 5.58 years of follow‐up. CK‐MB ≥ 5 x UNL strongly enhanced the correlation of CK‐MB values with mortality.

Conclusions

PMI rate varies with the definition following stenting for bifurcation lesions. PMI defined by SCAI and EXCEL definitions is strongly correlates with adjusted all‐cause and cardiac death.
Insertion of Magnesium into Antimony Layers on Gold Electrodes:Kinetic Behaviour
Authors: Xing Da , Bawol Pawel P. , Abd‐El‐Latif Abd‐El‐Aziz A. A. , Zan Lingxing , Baltruschat Helmut
Published: September 2021

Magnesium based secondary batteries are regarded as a viable alternative to the immensely popular Li‐ion systems. One of the largest challenges is the selection of a Mg anode material since the insertion/extraction processes are kinetically slow because of the large ionic radius and high charge density of Mg2+. In an attempt to bridge the gap between insertion measurements in 3D composite electrode materials and that in an idealized pure model system, we studied the insertion and diffusion of Mg in a thin, massive layer of Sb deposited on Au by using PITT, CV, and potential step experiments. Sb has been suggested as an insertion material because magnesium can form intermetallic compound with it. The layered crystal structure of Sb leads should facilitate formation of such an intermetallic phase. Mg insertion from a MACC/tetraglyme electrolyte into Sb starts 300 mV positive of the onset potential of Mg deposition as shown by cyclic voltammetry. The molar ratio of Mg to Sb agrees well with the stoichiometry of Mg3Sb2 alloy (Zintl‐phase). The diffusion coefficient of Mg‐insertion into Sb – layers and the charge transfer rate have been estimated by the above techniques. Such diffusion coefficients, albeit still somewhat “apparent”, are much more closely related to the true diffusion coefficient in the metal or alloy. The solid‐state diffusion coefficient of Mg into the Sb layers is in the range of 4–8×10−14 cm2 s−1. A very high Tafel slope of 370 mV/dec was found in potential step experiments. Mg insertion was further investigated by XPS measurements. Besides Mg and Sb, Al and Cl signals were also detected, particularly at the outer parts of the layer.
A Titanium and Tantalum Phosphate LiNaTiTa2P2O13 with An Open Framework hosting Li and Na Ions
Authors: Zhou Jingfang F. , Li Rukang K.
Published: September 2021

Herein, we report a detailed structural, electric, thermal and optical analysis of a titanium and tantalum phosphate LiNaTiTa2P2O13. The title compound is comprised of typical ReO3‐type layers constituted by corner‐sharing TiO6 and TaO6 octahedra, bridged by PO4 tetrahedra, and the structure is closely related to monophosphate niobium bronzes. The existence of pentagonal tunnels, hosting the Li+ and Na+ ions, endows LiNaTiTa2P2O13 a moderate ion transportation behavior (4.67×10−4 S/cm at 823 K). In addition, the successful substitution of Nb for Ta in LiNaTiTa2P2O13 results in the optical absorption red‐shift towards visible range with a narrowing band gap, which may provide a route of isomorphic replacement to band engineering for photo‐catalysis.
Synergistic Effects of Co and Fe on the Oxygen Evolution Reaction Activity of LaCoxFe1−xO3
Authors: Füngerlings Achim , Koul Adarsh , Dreyer Maik , Rabe Anna , Morales Dulce M. , Schuhmann Wolfgang , Behrens Malte , Pentcheva Rossitza
Published: September 2021

In a combined experimental and theoretical study we assess the role of Co incorporation on the OER activity of LaCoxFe1−xO3. Phase pure perovskites were synthesized up to
in 0.025/0.050 steps. HAADF STEM and EDX analysis points towards FeO2‐terminated (001)‐facets in LaFeO3, in accordance with the stability diagram obtained from density functional theory calculations with a Hubbard U term (DFT+U). Linear sweep voltammetry conducted in a rotating disk electrode setup shows a reduction of the OER overpotential and a nonmonotonic trend with x, with double layer capacitance measurements indicating an intrinsic nature of activity. This is supported by DFT+U results that show reduced overpotentials for both Fe and Co reaction sites with the latter reaching values of 0.32–0.40 V, ∼0.3 V lower than for Fe. This correlates with a stronger reduction of the binding energy difference of the *O and *OH intermediates towards an optimum value of 1.6 eV for
, the OH deprotonation being the potential limiting step in most cases. Significant variations of the magnetic moments of both surface and subsurface Co and Fe during OER demonstrate that the beneficial effect is a result of a concerted action involving many surrounding ions, which extends the concept of the active site.
Fecal microbiota transplantation for immunotherapy‐resistant urological tumors: Is it time? An update of the recent literature
Authors: Mjaess Georges , Karam Aya , Aoun Fouad , Albisinni Simone , Roumeguère Thierry
Published: September 2021

It is time for fecal microbiota transplantation to be suggested and tested in urological tumors resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Clinical trials and investigations are ongoing in this field.
Impact of sociodemographic factors on early mortality in acute promyelocytic leukemia in the United States: A time‐trend analysis
Authors: Jamy Omer H. , Dhir Aditi , Costa Luciano J. , Xavier Ana C.
Published: September 2021

Background

The survival of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has dramatically improved with the use of all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO). However, because of the complexity of the initial management, early mortality (EM) remains a major contributor to treatment failure. It is less known whether advances in treatment, urgent access to specialized care, and broad availability of ATRA/ATO have reduced EM in the last 2 decades. Furthermore, the influence of sociodemographic factors on the risk of EM also remains unclear.

Methods

This study used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program to characterize the impact of sociodemographic factors on the rates of EM and overall survival (OS) in patients with APL diagnosed between 1992 and 2015.

Results

In all, 2224 cases were identified (895 who were younger than 40 years and 1329 who were 40 years old or older); 47.9% had a county‐level median household income of $59,630 or higher, 49.0% belonged to counties where more than 31% of adults held at least a bachelor's degree, and 86.0% resided in urban areas. The rate of EM declined from 31.5% in 1992‐1995 to 15.9% in 2012‐2015 for all patients. It improved for patients younger than 40 years (27.4% in 1992‐1995 vs 5.4% in 2012‐2015; P < .001) and for patients 40 years old or older but not to the same extent (35.2% in 1992‐1995 vs 22.2% in 2012‐2015; P = .02). Importantly, improvements in EM were not seen among patients residing in rural areas, with the rate remaining higher than 20% in 2012‐2015. The 3‐year OS rate was 49.2% for patients with APL diagnosed in 1992‐1995 and 76.4% for patients diagnosed in 2012‐2015.

Conclusions

These findings confirm consistent improvements in EM and OS for patients with APL and point to the challenge of further extending these improvements in EM rates to older patients and to those living in rural areas.
A Density Matrix Renormalization Group Study of the Low‐Lying Excited States of a Molybdenum Carbonyl‐Nitrosyl Complex
Authors: Freitag Leon , Lindenbauer Leopold , Oppel Markus , González Leticia
Published: September 2021

A density matrix renormalization group‐self consistent field (DMRG‐SCF) study has been carried out to calculate the low‐lying excited states of CpMo(CO)2NO, a molybdenum complex containing NO and CO ligands. In order to automatically select an appropriate active space, a novel procedure employing the maximum single‐orbital entropy for several states has been introduced and shown to be efficient and easy‐to‐implement when several electronic states are simultaneously considered. The analysis of the resulting natural transition orbitals and charge‐transfer numbers shows that the lowest five excited electronic states are excitation into metal‐NO antibonding orbitals, which offer the possibility for nitric oxide (NO) photorelease after excitation with visible light. Higher excited states are metal‐centered excitations with contributions of metal‐CO antibonding orbitals, which may serve as a gateway for carbon monoxide (CO) delivery. Time‐dependent density functional theory calculations done for comparison, show that the state characters agree remarkably well with those from DMRG‐SCF, while excitation energies are 0.4–1.0 eV red‐shifted with respect to the DMRG‐SCF ones.
Fluorescence Emission of Self‐assembling Amyloid‐like Peptides: Solution versus Solid State
Authors: Diaferia Carlo , Schiattarella Chiara , Gallo Enrico , Della Ventura Bartolomeo , Morelli Giancarlo , Velotta Raffaele , Vitagliano Luigi , Accardo Antonella
Published: September 2021

Analysis of the intrinsic UV‐visible fluorescence exhibited by self‐assembling amyloid‐like peptides in solution and in solid the state highlights that their physical state has a profound impact on the optical properties. In the solid state, a linear dependence of the fluorescence emission peaks as a function of excitation wavelength is detected. On the contrary, an excitation‐independent emission is observed in solution. The present findings constitute a valuable benchmark for current and future explanations of the fluorescence emission by amyloids.
Visible‐Light‐Driven Oxidative Cleavage of Alkenes Using Water‐Soluble CdSe Quantum Dots
Authors: Li Jianing , Zhao Jingnan , Ma Cunfei , Yu Zongyi , Zhu Hongfei , Yun Lei , Meng Qingwei
Published: September 2021

The oxidative cleavage of C=C bonds is an important chemical reaction, which is a popular reaction in the photocatalytic field. However, high catalyst‐loading and low turnover number (TON) are general shortcomings in reported visible‐light‐driven reactions. Herein, the direct oxidative cleavage of C=C bonds through water‐soluble CdSe quantum dots (QDs) is described under visible‐light irradiation at room temperature with high TON (up to 3.7×104). Under the same conditions, water‐soluble CdSe QDs could also oxidize sulfides to sulfoxides with 51–84 % yields and TONs up to 3.4×104. The key features of this photocatalytic protocol include high TONs, wide substrates scope, low catalyst loadings, simple and mild reaction conditions, and molecular O2 as the oxidant.
Detection of band edge frequencies in symmetric/asymmetric dielectric loaded helix slow‐wave structures
Authors: Ertay Agah Oktay , Simsek Serkan
Published: September 2021

The significant contribution of this paper is to present a comprehensive analysis and design of π‐point and band edge frequencies of reported helix SWSs including not only a microwave but also millimeter‐wave operation frequencies considering the methods in available literature which are the Coupled Mode Analysis (CMA), the Exact Floquet Approach (EFA), and the Auxiliary Functions of Generalized Scattering Matrix (AFGSM) as a comparative study. A different approach called as effective rod model is applied to circular/T‐shaped dielectric support rod helix SWSs in order to obtain ladder circuit representation of one turn of related helix SWSs for the first time. Scattering matrices of equivalent circuit representation of interested helix SWSs are obtained by using microstrip line model of helix SWS which slits helical tape at the effective helix radius along the direction normal to the helix winding direction and flattens it out for the EFA, the AFGSM, and the CMA methods. Additionally, comparisons are given for investigated methods together with the results of Computer Simulation Technology (CST) design environment, and good agreement has been observed among numerical results of different helix SWSs in a broad frequency range.
The effect of dilution on eco‐evolutionary dynamics of experimental microbial communities
Authors: Scheuerl Thomas , Kaitala Veijo
Published: September 2021

Changing environmental conditions can infer structural modifications of predator‐prey communities. New conditions often increase mortality which reduces population sizes. Following this, predation pressure may decrease until populations are dense again. Dilution may thus have substantial impact not only on ecological but also on evolutionary dynamics because it amends population densities. Experimental studies, in which microbial populations are maintained by a repeated dilution into fresh conditions after a certain period, are extensively used approaches allowing us to obtain mechanistic insights into fundamental processes. By design, dilution, which depends on transfer volume (modifying mortality) and transfer interval (determining the time of interaction), is an inherent feature of these experiments, but often receives little attention. We further explore previously published data from a live predator‐prey (bacteria and ciliates) system which investigated eco‐evolutionary principles and apply a mathematical model to predict how various transfer volumes and transfer intervals would affect such an experiment. We find not only the ecological dynamics to be modified by both factors but also the evolutionary rates to be affected. Our work predicts that the evolution of the anti‐predator defense in the bacteria, and the evolution of the predation efficiency in the ciliates, both slow down with lower transfer volume, but speed up with longer transfer intervals. Our results provide testable hypotheses for future studies of predator‐prey systems, and we hope this work will help improve our understanding of how ecological and evolutionary processes together shape composition of microbial communities.
Nutrient stoichiometry of fishes and invertebrates in coastal marine Caribbean ecosystems
Authors: Allgeier Jacob E.
Published: September 2021

The importance of animals for mediating ecosystem processes has long been recognized by ecologists. Traditionally, consumer‐mediated dynamics have been considered through consumptive pathways such as predation and herbivory. Yet, consumers also play critical roles in mediating “bottom‐up” pathways associated with nutrient dynamics. Foundational research demonstrated the importance of these dynamics in terrestrial, freshwater, and pelagic marine ecosystems, and introduced novel perspectives on the role of animals such as wildebeest, lacustrine fishes, and zooplankton, respectively, for providing an important source of nutrients that limit primary production. This research inspired a substantial body of research on the importance of consumer‐mediated nutrient dynamics for ecosystem function. Despite this, only recently have ecologists begun to extend this line of thinking toward coastal marine ecosystems. The data presented herein is a comprehensive study of consumer nutrient dynamics from invertebrates and fishes that live in subtropical and tropical Caribbean coastal marine waters, including mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. This data set represents the largest, to my knowledge, published nutrient stoichiometry data set from a single system, including estimates of excretion rates (n = 900 individuals total; n = 667 individual fish, size range 0.14–2,597 g [2–107 cm]; n = 233 invertebrates, size range 0.04–487 g), and somatic nutrient content analyses (n = 658 individuals total, n = 494 vertebrates, n = 164 invertebrates). These data also include δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes of whole body, body mass (wet mass), taxonomic identification to class‐level, and functional group classification. These data have been used to test basic ecological theory, to scale individual‐level processes to coral reef, mangrove, and seagrass ecosystems, and to understand the role of human impacts for mitigating consumer‐mediated nutrient dynamics. While these findings have helped improve our understanding of nutrient dynamics in tropical coastal ecosystems, these data offer a wealth of additional promise for advancing ecological theory and applied science in tropical marine ecosystems and beyond. Users are free to use and analyze the data. Attribution should be given to this presentation of the data.
The Step‐Wise Synthesis of Oligomeric Phosphoramidates
Authors: Data Shailja , Leung Wai Jeffery , Kumar Saawan , Cameron Alan J. , Trehet Manon , Itumoh Emeka J. , Feld Joey , Söhnel Tilo , Leitao Erin M.
Published: September 2021

In this study, the step‐wise synthesis to a series of higher phosphoramidates was explored, affording compounds containing N−P−N, symmetric and asymmetric P−N−P and P−N−P−N−P linkages. Salt elimination and lithiation strategies were employed to create the new P−N bonds. It was found that the steric bulk and electronic contribution of the substituents on the P(V) centers were important factors to the success of the reactions. The oligomeric phosphoramidates were characterized by multinuclear NMR and IR spectroscopies as well as ESI mass spectrometry. A selection of the synthesized P−N oligomers were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against E.coli, S.aureus, C.albicans, and A.fumigatus at varying concentrations. The results suggest their potential use as environmentally friendly fire retardants as the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value for all the compounds was found to be >128 μM, indicating that the compounds do not have any detectable antimicrobial activity.
Adaptive hysteretic model for reinforced concrete columns including variations in axial force and shear span length
Authors: Lee Chang Seok , Jeon Jong‐Su
Published: September 2021

In this study, a hysteretic model is developed for simulating the nonlinear response of reinforced concrete columns with strength degradation behavior under cyclic loading. During analysis, the proposed model exhibits the ability to adjust the model parameters assigned to the model continually, based on the monitored element boundary conditions. A semi‐empirical relationship between model parameters and boundary conditions is formulated from experimental evidence, which is used to adjust the model parameters. The boundary conditions that are monitored include the axial load acting on the column section and shear span length; these are known to have a significant effect on capacity in terms of strength and ductility. The developed model was implemented in the widely used research‐oriented structural analysis software, OpenSees. To simulate the nonlinear response of the columns, model parameter predictive equations composed of input parameters such as material strength, reinforcement layout, and specimen geometry were developed using lasso regression. As an application of the proposed column model, an eight‐story code‐conforming frame building was selected to perform incremental dynamic analyses based on 44 far‐field ground motions. The numerical results showed that, without the model parameter adaptation feature, the median collapse capacity and residual story drift can be significantly overestimated.
Size–frequency distribution of shallow landslides in the Black Forest, Germany
Authors: Büschelberger Matthias , Wilk Jakob , Hergarten Stefan , Preusser Frank
Published: September 2021

Landslides are a major hazard in mountainous regions, represent a threat to human life, and cause substantial economic costs. While some landslide hazard assessments, including hazards maps, are available for Germany, their spatial coverage is not uniform. In the Black Forest, several landslides have recently attracted public attention, but the landslide hazard in this region has received limited consideration in literature to date. This study focuses on the spatial pattern and size distribution of soil‐borne landslides in the submountainous valley of Menzenschwand. A combination of remote sensing, geophysical surveying, and geotechnical testing was used to map and characterize the landslide inventory of two selected hillslopes. In the statistical analyses, we observe a larger proportion of small‐scale landslides with size below 100 m2than usually reported in similar studies. This effect may be related to the low cohesion of the soil (glacial deposits). As a major result, a cutoff in the distribution at large landslide sizes compared with the expected power‐law tail of the distribution was found. While the maximum landslide size found in this study was about 1100 m2, the largest landslide should theoretically be at least 2500 m2at 95% probability. The cutoff at large sizes is probably due to the limited soil thickness, where about 50% of the considered area has a depth to bedrock of 1 m or less. For the considered location, this result suggests that an increase in frequency and intensity of rainstorms should predominantly result in an increase of landslide frequency, but without increasing the size of the largest landslides. As a more general implication, the contribution of large landslides to the total hazard may be overestimated if soil thickness is not considered, in particular if the present‐day hazard is projected to future scenarios.
Development of curcumin‐loaded Prunus armeniaca gum nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization, control release behavior, and evaluation of anticancer and antimicrobial properties
Authors: Salarbashi Davoud , Tafaghodi Mohsen , Fathi Morteza , aboutorabzade Seyyed Mohammad , Sabbagh Farzaneh
Published: September 2021

The present work was conducted to develop a new polysaccharide‐based encapsulation system via electrostatic interactions between Prunus armeniaca gum exudates (PAGE) and Ca2+ ions to enhance the biological activity and bioavailability of curcumin. The effects of different levels of pH (6, 7, and 8) and ion concentrations (1, 3, and 5) on the particle diameter and surface charge of the samples were examined. The encapsulation efficiency in the PAGE‐based nanoparticles was realized to be 86.1%, indicating the encapsulation technique applied in this study was effective to entrap most of the curcumin within the PAGE matrix. The nanoparticles showed a smooth surface with spherical shape. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and X‐ray diffraction (X‐ray) studies confirmed the formation of polyelectrolyte complexation. The cumulative release of curcumin in simulated gastrointestinal tract was less than 75%, revealing a gradual release trend. Both pure curcumin and curcumin‐loaded nanoparticles were toxic to the cancer cell lines.
Health initiatives to reduce the potentially preventable hospitalisation of older people in rural and regional Australia
Authors: McManamny Tegwyn E. , Boyd Leanne , Sheen Jade , Lowthian Judy A.
Published: September 2021

Issue addressed

Australia's ageing population has growing health care needs, challenging timely health service provision. In rural and regional areas, older Australians have poorer health care outcomes and higher rates of potentially preventable hospital (PPH) admissions. The objective of this study was to identify Australian Governmental initiatives designed to reduce PPH of older adults (65 years and over) in rural and regional areas.

Methods

An internet search, underpinned by an environmental scan methodology, was utilised to systematically search the websites of Australian government health departments for relevant initiatives. Stakeholder interviews were then conducted to enrich the findings of the environmental scan. Thematic analysis was utilised to analyse all data.

Results

We identified 13 initiatives currently in existence in Australia that fulfilled the search criteria. Stakeholder interviews revealed a range of other local interventions in rural communities across the country, driven largely by community need and a lack of health service accessibility.

Conclusions

The identified small number of Governmental health initiatives designed to reduce the PPH of older people living in rural and regional Australia may indicate gaps in the provision of services designed to enable older adults to remain at home and avoid subsequent hospital admissions.

So what?

A coordinated, systemic approach to health promotion targeting older people in rural and regional areas should be explored, with a focus on collaboration between sectors (including primary care, allied health and prehospital services).
Not just for newcomers: Organizational socialization, employee adjustment and experience, and growth in organization‐based self‐esteem
Authors: Gardner Donald G. , Huang Guo‐Hua (Emily) , Pierce Jon L. , Niu Xiongying (Peter) , Lee Cynthia
Published: September 2021

One of the more important responsibilities for HRD professionals is to help employees fit into the organization. This fitting in, or adjustment, to the organization includes the skills to perform one's job, understanding the relationships of one's role to the broader organization, and feeling accepted by one's peers. Onboarding, or more broadly, organizational socialization, is a proven practice that enhances employee adjustment through learning and development. Prior research reveals favorable relationships between organizational socialization (OS) practices and employee adjustment. Much less is known about which aspects of OS the HRD professional should focus on, why employees are motivated to use the knowledge gained from socialization to improve job performance, or whether relationships discovered in past research on newcomers can or should be generalized to more experienced employees. The current research is based on the multidomain, continuous model of OS. Consistent with that model, we found that effective socialization enhances employee organizational adjustment, which subsequently raises their organization‐based self‐esteem (OBSE), and that OS has stronger relationships with adjustment for less experienced employees than those with more experienced employees. Our results also reveal that adjustment mediated growth in OBSE that accompanied the ongoing process of OS, and that employees who perceived higher levels of socialization had greater increases in OBSE. We discuss the implications of our results for HRD professionals in designing OS programs, particularly as they relate to the targeted employees, and the framing of the communications.
Bankruptcy in the time of COVID‐19: Special measures adopted by the People's Republic of China courts during the period of COVID‐19 prevention and control
Authors: Austin Daniel A. , Huan Yu
Published: September 2021

Business bankruptcy in China is governed by the Enterprise Bankruptcy Law (EBL), a national insolvency code enacted in 2007. The EBL contains provisions for business liquidation, reorganization, and compromise of debt. Although adjustment of debt through bankruptcy is far less common in China than in western nations, Chinese courts have established a body of bankruptcy procedures and judicial interpretations that give insolvency in China a measure of predictability and effectiveness. Notwithstanding the EBL provisions, soon after the onset of the pandemic, PRC courts began to adopt ad‐hoc rules and guidelines in bankruptcy cases for businesses whose financial woes were caused or exacerbated by coronavirus, or for enterprises that produced medical equipment and supplies to help prevent and control the virus. This paper examines these court measures, explores their political and judicial context, and demonstrates how they produced bankruptcy outcomes that were often significantly different than what would have resulted if the EBL had been applied based on pre‐COVID‐19 EBL practices.
Improved long‐term survival of corpus cancer in Japan: A 40‐year population‐based analysis
Authors: Yagi Asami , Ueda Yutaka , Ikeda Sayaka , Miyoshi Ai , Nakagawa Satoshi , Hiramatsu Kosuke , Kobayashi Eiji , Kimura Toshihiro , Ito Yuri , Nakayama Tomio , Nakata Kayo , Morishima Toshitaka , Miyashiro Isao , Kimura Tadashi
Published: September 2021

The incidence of uterine corpus cancer has been increasing globally due to increase in obesity. However, a detailed analysis of long‐term epidemiological trends of corpus cancer in Japan, where obesity is relatively minimal, has not been conducted. In this retrospective, population‐based study using the Osaka Cancer Registry, we analyzed 15 255 cases of corpus neoplasia registered between 1977 and 2016. We determined the age‐standardized incidence, mortality, relative survival and conditional survival rates, and the treatment trends for corpus cancer over the last 40 years in Japan. The age‐standardized incidence rate of corpus neoplasia increased sharply in 2000‐2011 (APC = 9.9, 95% CI: 8.4‐11.3), whereas the mortality rate trended to a much more modest increase (APC = 3.3, 95% CI: 2.7‐3.8). Compared to 1977‐2000, 10‐year survival rates for post‐2000 cases of localized and regional corpus cancers significantly improved (from 87.7% [95% CI: 85.8‐89.4] to 94.2% [95% CI: 92.7‐95.7] and from 47.5% [95% CI: 43.3‐51.6] to 64.4% [95% CI: 61.0‐67.6], respectively). This was largely associated with the significant increase in the percentage of localized and regional patients who received chemotherapy instead of radiation as an adjuvant therapy combined to surgery (P < .001 for both). We found that each histological type (endometrioid carcinoma, serous carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma and carcinosarcoma) has different characteristics of trend of age‐standardized incidence rate, relative survival and distribution of extent of disease. In endometrioid carcinoma, the age‐standardized incidence rate increased consistently after 1990, but the rate of increase was decreasing after 1997.
Early recurrence of bladder cancer in the colon after robot‐assisted radical cystectomy: Disappearance following dose‐dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin treatment
Authors: Noda Michio , Nakamura Masaki , Kawai Taketo , Sato Yusuke , Yamada Yuta , Akiyama Yoshiyuki , Yamada Daisuke , Suzuki Motofumi , Kume Haruki
Published: September 2021

Introduction

The popularity of robot‐assisted radical cystectomy over open radical cystectomy has been increasing because the former, a minimally invasive surgery, contributes to earlier recovery and shorter hospitalization. However, atypical recurrences may be more frequent after robot‐assisted radical cystectomy than after open radical cystectomy. We report a case of an atypical early recurrence of bladder cancer including the descending colon.

Case presentation

A 70‐year‐old Japanese man underwent robot‐assisted radical cystectomy for muscle‐invasive bladder cancer. Four months later, he was hospitalized for severe anemia (hemoglobin, 5.1 g/dL). Colonoscopy revealed a 4‐cm submucosal oozing tumor in the descending colon. Computed tomography revealed multiple recurrent lesions including recurrence in the descending colon, all of which disappeared completely after chemotherapy with six cycles of dose‐dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin.

Conclusion

We encountered a rare case of an atypical recurrence of bladder cancer in the colon after robot‐assisted radical cystectomy.
Unmanned aerial vehicle system integrating high‐resolution sensors for detecting leaks in irrigation canals—Proof of concept*
Authors: Traore Seydou , Fipps Guy , Swanson Charles , Dufek Jan , Robin Murphy
Published: September 2021

A system for the remote detection of water leaks in irrigation canals is presented which integrates visual, thermal, and multispectral imagers into a specially designed platform mounted on small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), along with an image processing and analysis procedure employing three different software packages and customized scripts. The end results are processed images of different colour bands and indexes which are shown to be effective at highlighting the leaks’ signatures. A custom payload platform weighing 1 kg was designed and built, consisting of high‐resolution thermal, multispectral, and visual cameras, GPS units, a flight control camera, and a data acquisition system. A total of 27 flights in 4 irrigation districts were conducted to test and evaluate the payload platform and image processing system. The portable platform was successfully flown on three different UAV. A total of 46,387 images were captured and processed. The image processing and analysis system worked well and identified all known leaks, as well as leaks that the district's staff were unaware of. Thermal image indexes were effective at showing cold spots which were caused by canal leaks. The visual and the blue and green near‐infrared indexes were also found to be effective at identifying leaks. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) did help differentiate between vegetation and wet soils, but we did not obtain consistent results with the NDVI.
Functionalized ionic liquids for lignite dissolution and treatment
Authors: Franklin Michael S , Larm Nathaniel E , Baker Gary A , Zhao Hua
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

As a low‐rank coal, lignite (frequently referred to as ‘brown coal’) has a high latent moisture content and low energy density and thus has low value as a solid fuel, often being burned at power stations close to where it is mined. For this reason, an effective pretreatment is essential to the better utilization of low‐rank coal for energy and materials. Ionic liquids (ILs) are alternatives to conventional volatile organic solvents for pretreating coal due to their tailorable structures and physical properties, as well as their ability to partially dissolve/swell coal components. This study aimed to rationally design ionic liquids having a high hydrogen‐bond basicity, based on the acetate anion, paired with ether‐functionalized cations (especially the less‐expensive piperidinium) for lignite dissolution and treatment.

RESULTS

Lignite treated by these functionalized ionic liquids at 105 °C led to the dissolution of 15.7–24.5 wt% lignite with a concomitant increase in coal aromaticity and rank, a reduction in coal decomposition residues, and the production of smaller and more uniform particles. The ether‐functionalized N‐(2‐ethoxyethyl)‐N‐methylpiperidinium acetate is a particularly attractive alternative to conventional imidazolium ILs due to its lower cost, high hydrogen‐bond basicity, and a strong capability for improving the coal aromaticity.

CONCLUSION

Our results have demonstrated that pretreatment with functionalized ionic liquids can improve the coal aromaticity and rank, decrease coal decomposition residues, and yield smaller and more uniform particles, which enables a better utilization of low‐rank coal for fuel and materials. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
The association between polygenic scores for attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder and school performance: The role of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, polygenic scores for educational attainment, and shared familial factors
Authors: Jangmo Andreas , Brikell Isabell , Kuja‐Halkola Ralf , Feldman Inna , Lundström Sebastian , Almqvist Catarina , Bulik Cynthia M. , Larsson Henrik
Published: September 2021

Background

Polygenic scores (PGS) for attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) negatively predicts educational attainment (EA), but it remains unclear how ADHD symptoms, PGS for EA, and shared familiar factors influence the associations between PGS for ADHD and school performance.

Method

We combined survey data on ADHD symptoms, PGS, and register‐based, objective measures of compulsory school performance at age 16 for 6049 twins in the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden. Linear and instrumental variable (IV) regression models were used to estimate the association between PGS for ADHD and grade point average (GPA), overall and by natural science, humanities, and practically oriented (e.g., sports, arts, music) subject categories. The models were adjusted for parent‐rated ADHD symptoms, PGS for EA, and shared familial factors (dizygotic twin comparisons) to examine how these factors influenced the associations between PGS for ADHD and school performance.

Results

PGS for ADHD were negatively associated with school performance; β = −0.12, 95% confidence interval = (−0.15, −0.09) for overall GPA with minor differences by subject category. Adjustment for ADHD symptoms attenuated these associations to a small degree compared to PGS for EA, and shared familial factors respectively. Stronger associations were observed using IV regressions compared to linear regression. However, in the IV regression analyses, most associations between PGS for ADHD and GPA in the practically oriented subject category were not significant.

Conclusion

Associations between PGS for ADHD and school performance are to a small degree influenced by ADHD symptoms, compared to PGS for EA and shared familial factors. These results highlight important considerations for research using PGS for ADHD to control for genetic factors, and for future clinical applications aiming to determine genetic liability towards ADHD.
A guide to incubate eggs of Tropidurus lizards under laboratory conditions
Authors: Rossigalli‐Costa Nathalia , Cury de Barros Fábio , Cipriano Ana Paula , Prado Prandini Luísa , Medeiros de Andrade Thayná , Rothier Priscila S. , Lofeu Leandro , Brandt Renata , Kohlsdorf Tiana
Published: September 2021

Studies in Evo‐Devo benefit from the use of a variety of organisms, as comparative approaches provide a better understanding of Biodiversity and Evolution. Standardized protocols to incubate eggs and manipulate embryo development enable postulation of additional species as suitable biological systems for research in the field. In the past decades, vertebrate lineages such as Squamata (lizards, snakes, and amphisbaenians) emerged as crucial study systems for addressing topics as diverse as phenotypic evolution and climate change. However, protocols for maintaining gravid females and incubating eggs in the lab under experimental conditions are available to only a few squamate species. This resource article presents a simple incubation guide that standardizes conditions to maintain embryos of Tropidurus catalanensis (Squamata: Tropiduridae) under different experimental conditions, manipulating relevant environmental factors like temperature and humidity. We identified associated effects relating the egg incubation condition to developmental stage, incubation time, hatching success, and resulting morphotypes. Temperature and humidity play a key role in development and require attention when establishing the experimental design. Current literature comprises information for Tropidurus lizards that ponders how general in Squamata are the ecomorphs originally described for Anolis. Studies evaluating phenotypic effects of developmental environments suggest plasticity in some of the traits that characterize the ecomorphological associations described for this family. We expect that this incubation guide encourages future studies using Tropidurus lizards to address Evo‐Devo questions.
The lipid environment modulates cardiolipin and phospholipid constitution in wild type and tafazzin‐deficient cells
Authors: Oemer Gregor , Koch Jakob , Wohlfarter Yvonne , Lackner Katharina , Gebert Rita E. M. , Geley Stephan , Zschocke Johannes , Keller Markus A.
Published: September 2021

Deficiency of the transacylase tafazzin due to loss of function variants in the X‐chromosomal TAFAZZIN gene causes Barth syndrome (BTHS) with severe neonatal or infantile cardiomyopathy, neutropenia, myopathy, and short stature. The condition is characterized by drastic changes in the composition of cardiolipins, a mitochondria‐specific class of phospholipids. Studies examining the impact of tafazzin deficiency on the metabolism of other phospholipids have so far generated inhomogeneous and partly conflicting results. Recent studies showed that the cardiolipin composition in cells and different murine tissues is highly dependent on the surrounding lipid environment. In order to study the relevance of different lipid states and tafazzin function for cardiolipin and phospholipid homeostasis we conducted systematic modulation experiments in a CRISPR/Cas9 knock‐out model for BTHS. We found that—irrespective of tafazzin function—the composition of cardiolipins strongly depends on the nutritionally available lipid pool. Tafazzin deficiency causes a consistent shift towards cardiolipin species with more saturated and shorter acyl chains. Interestingly, the typical biochemical BTHS phenotype in phospholipid profiles of HEK 293T TAZ knock‐out cells strongly depends on the cellular lipid context. In response to altered nutritional lipid compositions, we measured more pronounced changes on phospholipids that were largely masked under standard cell culturing conditions, therewith giving a possible explanation for the conflicting results reported so far on BTHS lipid phenotypes.