bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative and phylogenomic analyses of mitochondrial genomes in Coccinellidae (Coleoptera: Coccinelloidea)
Authors: Li Xinghao , Song Nan , Zhang Heng
Published: December 2021

The Coccinellidae are one of the most familiar beetle families, the ladybirds. Despite the great ecological and economic significance, the phylogenetic relationships of Coccinellidae remain poorly understood. One of the reasons is that the sequenced mitogenomes available for this family are very limited. We sequenced complete or nearly complete mitogenomes from seven species of the tribe Coccinellini with next-generation sequencing. All species have the same gene content and gene order as the putatively ancestral insect mitogenome. A large intergenic spacer region (> 890 bp) was found located betweentrnIandtrnQ. The potential for using secondary structures of the large and small ribosomal subunits for phylogenetic reconstruction was predicted. The phylogenetic relationships were explored through comparative analyses across more than 30 coccinellid species. We performed phylogenetic analyses with both concatenation methods (Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference) and multispecies coalescent method (ASTRAL). Phylogenetic results strongly supported the monophyly of Coccinellidae. Within Coccinellidae, the Epilachnini and the Coccinellini including Halyziini were monophyletic, while the Scymnini and Coccidulini were non-monophyletic.
Prognostic values of the core components of the mammalian circadian clock in prostate cancer
Authors: Yue Wenchang , Du Xiao , Wang Xuhong , Gui Niu , Zhang Weijie , Sun Jiale , You Jiawei , He Dong , Geng Xinyu , Huang Yuhua , Hou Jianquan
Published: December 2021

Background

Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common malignancies in males. Extensive and complex connections between circadian rhythm and cancer were found. Nonetheless, in PC, the potential role of the core components of the mammalian circadian clock (CCMCCs) in prognosis prediction has not been fully clarified.

Methods

We firstly collected 605 patients with PC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Survival analysis was carried out for each CCMCC. Then, we investigated the prognostic ability of CCMCCs by Cox regression analysis. Independent prognostic signatures were extracted for the establishment of the circadian clock-based risk score model. We explored the predictive performance of the risk score model in the TCGA training cohort and the independent GEO dataset. Finally, the relationships between risk score and clinicopathological parameters, biological processes, and signaling pathways were evaluated.

Results

The expression levels of CCMCCs were widely correlated with age, tumor status, lymph node status, disease-free survival (DFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Nine circadian clock genes, including CSNK1D, BTRC, CLOCK, CSNK1E, FBXL3, PRKAA2, DBP, NR1D2, and RORB, were identified as vital prognostic factors in PC and were used to construct the circadian clock-based risk score model. For DFS, the area under the 3-year or 5-year receiver operating characteristic curves ranged from 0.728 to 0.821, suggesting better predictive performance. When compared with T3-4N1 stage, PC patients at T2N0 stage might be benefited more from the circadian clock-based risk score model. Furthermore, a high circadian clock-based risk score indicated shorter DFS (p < 0.0001), early progression (p < 0.0001), and higher 5-year death rate (p = 0.007) in PC. The risk score was related to tumor status (p < 0.001), lymph node status (p < 0.001), and ribosome-related biogenesis and pathways.

Conclusions

The vital roles of circadian clock genes in clinical outcomes were fully depicted. The circadian clock-based risk score model could reflect and predict the prognosis of patients with PC.
Change in alcohol consumption and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic amongst 76 medical students
Authors: Sandell Christina , Saltychev Mikhail
Published: December 2021

Objective

To investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic has affected physical activity and alcohol consumption among medical students.

Methods

Cross-sectional survey study among 76 students in their second year of medical school. The Wilcoxon sign-rank test and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used to assess the difference between groups.

Results

Of 76 respondents, 68% were women, 66% were single and 34% were co-habiting. The median age was 21 years. Overall alcohol consumption decreased during the pandemic year by 12 g/week. Overall physical activity did not significantly change. The decrease in alcohol consumption was mostly caused by a change seen in a high tertile, change was −96 g/week. Alcohol consumption decreased more in women than in men, p = 0.0001.

Conclusions

It seems that alcohol consumption among medical students has decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic probably due to reduced social contacts and negative effect of social isolation. This decrease was seen especially among women and among students with higher alcohol consumption before the pandemic. Also, it seems that students had found their ways to remain active during the pandemic since the amount of leisure-time physical activity had not changed significantly.
The carbon and nitrogen budget of Desmophyllum dianthus—a voracious cold-water coral thriving in an acidified Patagonian fjord
Authors: Maier Sandra R. , Jantzen Carin , Laudien Jürgen , Häussermann Verena , Försterra Günter , Cornils Astrid , Niggemann Jutta , Dittmar Thorsten , Richter Claudio
Published: December 2021

In the North Patagonian fjord region, the cold-water coral (CWC) Desmophyllum dianthus occurs in high densities, in spite of low pH and aragonite saturation. If and how these conditions affect the energy demand of the corals is so far unknown. In a laboratory experiment, we investigated the carbon and nitrogen (C, N) budget of D. dianthus from Comau Fjord under three feeding scenarios: (1) live fjord zooplankton (100–2,300 µm), (2) live fjord zooplankton plus krill (>7 mm), and (3) four-day food deprivation. In closed incubations, C and N budgets were derived from the difference between C and N uptake during feeding and subsequent C and N loss through respiration, ammonium excretion, release of particulate organic carbon and nitrogen (POC, PON). Additional feeding with krill significantly increased coral respiration (35%), excretion (131%), and POC release (67%) compared to feeding on zooplankton only. Nevertheless, the higher C and N losses were overcompensated by the threefold higher C and N uptake, indicating a high assimilation and growth efficiency for the krill plus zooplankton diet. In contrast, short food deprivation caused a substantial reduction in respiration (59%), excretion (54%), release of POC (73%) and PON (87%) compared to feeding on zooplankton, suggesting a high potential to acclimatize to food scarcity (e.g., in winter). Notwithstanding, unfed corals ‘lost’ 2% of their tissue-C and 1.2% of their tissue-N per day in terms of metabolism and released particulate organic matter (likely mucus). To balance the C (N) losses, each D. dianthus polyp has to consume around 700 (400) zooplankters per day. The capture of a single, large krill individual, however, provides enough C and N to compensate daily C and N losses and grow tissue reserves, suggesting that krill plays an important nutritional role for the fjord corals. Efficient krill and zooplankton capture, as well as dietary and metabolic flexibility, may enable D. dianthus to thrive under adverse environmental conditions in its fjord habitat; however, it is not known how combined anthropogenic warming, acidification and eutrophication jeopardize the energy balance of this important habitat-building species.
Triaxial Residual Stress in Laser Powder Bed Fused 316L: Effects of Interlayer Time and Scanning Velocity
Authors: Sprengel Maximilian , Mohr Gunther , Altenburg Simon J. , Evans Alexander , Serrano-Munoz Itziar , Kromm Arne , Pirling Thilo , Bruno Giovanni , Kannengiesser Thomas
Published: December 2021

The control of residual stress (RS) remains a challenge in the manufacturing of metallic parts using the laser powder bed fusion process (LPBF). This layer‐by‐layer manufacturing approach gives rise to complex triaxial RS distributions, which require extensive characterization effort for a broader acceptance of LPBF in industry. This study focuses on the distribution of bulk triaxial RS and surface RS in LPBF austenitic steel 316L. The RS are determined by X‐ray and neutron diffraction to characterize the RS distribution. Variations in the LPBF parameters interlayer time (ILT) and scanning velocity and their influence on the temperature distribution and resulting RS is investigated using thermographic data from in situ process monitoring. The RS in the LPBF 316L is tensile at the surface and compressive in the bulk. The RS is directly related to the thermal history of the part as shown by the in situ thermography data. Shorter ILT leads to higher temperatures of the part during the manufacturing, which decrease the RS and RS formation mechanisms. Interestingly, the surface RS does not agree with this observation. This study highlights the benefit of using multiple RS determination methods and in situ thermography monitoring to characterize the RS in LPBF processed parts.
Polymethyl Methacrylate as an Interlayer Between the Halide Perovskite and Copper Phthalocyanine Layers for Stable and Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Kim Hyeonwoo , Lee Kyoung Su , Paik Min Jae , Lee Do Yoon , Lee Seung‐Un , Choi Eunyoung , Yun Jae Sung , Seok Sang Il
Published: December 2021

The use of inexpensive, highly efficient, and long‐term stable hole‐transporting layers (HTLs) while facilitating the fabrication process has become a critical issue for PSC commercialization. Among organic HTLs, copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) has been increasingly studied owing to its low cost and excellent thermal stability. Nevertheless, CuPc has a low energy level in the conduction band, resulting in low efficiency due to a poor electron barrier. In this study, an efficient and stable PSC is fabricated by combining CuPc with an ultrathin poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) interlayer, which is deposited on a [(FAPbI3)0.95(MAPbBr3)0.05] absorption layer (here, FAPbI3 and MAPbBr3 denote formamidinium lead triiodide and methylammonium lead tribromide, respectively). PMMA in perovskite has been found to reduce perovskite surface defects and series resistance as well as the electronic barrier to HTL. The optimum concentration of PMMA allows for the fabrication of the PSC with a PCE of 21.3%, which is the highest PCE for PSCs featuring metal phthalocyanines as the HTL reported to date. The stability of the encapsulated PSC exceeds 80% after 760 h at 85 °C under 85% RH conditions.
Near‐Infrared Light Triggered H2 Generation for Enhanced Photothermal/Photodynamic Therapy against Hypoxic Tumor
Authors: Ge Haoying , Du Jianjun , Long Saran , Xia Xiang , Zheng Jiazhu , Xu Ning , Yao Qichao , Fan Jiangli , Peng Xiaojun
Published: December 2021

The principle of photochemical transformation has shown significant inspiration on phototherapy of solid tumors. However, both photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) can induce stress response of tumor cells, which draw the attention in recent. Herein, an asymmetric and lollipop like nanostructure consisting of gold nanorod/titanium dioxide (l‐TiO2‐GNR) is developed by controlling single head growth of titanium dioxide (TiO2) on gold nanorods (GNR). Through the reasonable utilization of hot electrons of GNR by 808 nm light irradiation, l‐TiO2‐GNR perform type I‐PDT, mild PTT (48 °C), and H2 therapy which is efficient for hypoxic tumors. In particular, H2 can downregulate both triphosadenine and heat shock protein which are found to be main source of tumor stress response. l‐TiO2‐GNR opens a new window for treatment of hypoxic tumor by the perfect synergy of type I‐PDT, mild PTT, and H2 therapy.
A General Strategy to Immobilize Single‐Atom Catalysts in Metal–Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Photocatalysis
Authors: Sui Jianfei , Liu Hang , Hu Shaojin , Sun Kang , Wan Gang , Zhou Hua , Zheng Xiao , Jiang Hai‐Long
Published: December 2021

Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) are witnessing rapid development due to their high activity and selectivity toward diverse reactions. However, it remains a grand challenge in the general synthesis of SACs, particularly featuring an identical chemical microenvironment and on the same support. Herein, a universal synthetic protocol is developed to immobilize SACs in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Significantly, by means of SnO2 as a mediator or adaptor, not only different single‐atom metal sites, such as Pt, Cu, and Ni, etc., can be installed, but also the MOF supports can be changed (for example, UiO‐66‐NH2, PCN‐222, and DUT‐67) to afford M1/SnO2/MOF architecture. Taking UiO‐66‐NH2 as a representative, the Pt1/SnO2/MOF exhibits approximately five times higher activity toward photocatalytic H2 production than the corresponding Pt nanoparticles (≈2.5 nm) stabilized by SnO2/UiO‐66‐NH2. Remarkably, despite featuring identical parameters in the chemical microenvironment and support in M1/SnO2/UiO‐66‐NH2, the Pt1 catalyst possesses a hydrogen evolution rate of 2167 µmol g–1 h–1, superior to the Cu1 and Ni1 counterparts, which is attributed to the differentiated hydrogen binding free energies, as supported by density‐functional theory (DFT) calculations. This is thought to be the first report on a universal approach toward the stabilization of SACs with identical chemical microenvironment on an identical support.
Light‐Fueled Organic Photoelectrochemical Transistor for Probing Membrane Protein in an H‐Cell
Authors: Li Zheng , Xu Yi‐Tong , Hu Jin , Liu Xiang‐Nan , Chen Feng‐Zao , Jia Hui‐Min , Zhou Hong , Chen Guangxu , Lin Peng , Zhao Wei‐Wei , Xu Jing‐Juan , Chen Hong‐Yuan
Published: December 2021

Though great advances are achieved in the area of organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) biosensors, general issues of shared electrolyte by the channel and gate electrode remain unsolved. On the other hand, to date binding‐free OECT detection of cellular membrane proteins is not reported. On the basis of the advanced technique of organic photoelectrochemical transistor (OPECT), herein the H‐cell‐supported OPECT device that can easily circumvent the issues of abovementioned shared electrolyte and its application toward binding‐free detection of membrane alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of HeLa cells is demonstrated. In such a configuration, usage of a Nafion perfluorinated membrane equipped H‐cell can well retain the ionic circuit of the device but prevent the diffusion of various molecules and minimize the possible interference. In the detection, ALP catalytic chemistry enables the sensitization of the TiO2 nanotubes electrode, triggering enhanced de‐doping of the poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) and thus resulting in altered channel currents proportionate to the membrane ALP. This work not only provides a new perspective for binding‐free detection of membrane protein but also represents a general protocol for H‐cell‐supported OECT/OPECT biosensors with enhanced accuracy.
Improving survival in patients with trisomy 18
Authors: Tamaki Shoko , Iwatani Sota , Izumi Ayako , Hirayama Kentaro , Kataoka Dai , Ohyama Shohei , Ikuta Toshihiko , Takeoka Emiko , Matsui Sachiko , Mimura Hitomi , Minamikawa Shogo , Nakagishi Yasuo , Yoshimoto Seiji , Nakao Hideto
Published: December 2021

The effects of medical and surgical interventions on the survival of patients with trisomy 18 have been reported, leading to changes in perinatal management and decision‐making. However, few studies have fully reported the recent changes in survival and treatment of trisomy 18. We examined how treatment and survival of patients with trisomy 18 have changed over a decade in a Japanese pediatric tertiary referral center. This retrospective cohort study included patients with trisomy 18 who were admitted within the first 7 days of life at the Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital between 2008 and 2017. The patients were divided into early period (EP) and late period (LP) groups based on the birth year of 2008–2012 and 2013–2017, respectively. Changes in treatment and survival rates were compared between the two groups. A total of 56 patients were studied (29 in the EP group and 27 in the LP group). One‐year survival rates were 34.5% and 59.3% in the EP and LP groups, respectively. The survival to discharge rate significantly increased from 27.6% in the EP group to 81.5% in the LP group (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients receiving surgery, especially for congenital heart defects, significantly increased from 59% in the EP group to 96% in the LP group (p = 0.001). In our single‐center study, survival and survival to discharge were significantly improved in patients with trisomy 18, probably because of increased rate of surgical interventions. These findings may facilitate better decision‐making by patients' families and healthcare providers.
Palladium‐Catalyzed [3+2] Cycloaddition of Activated Butadienylcyclopropanes
Authors: Yang Zhi‐Xiong , Wei Yu‐Qing , Yang Cun , Li Yun‐Fan , Ding Chang‐Hua , Xu Bin
Published: December 2021

The activated butadienylcyclopropane has been successfully developed as a new precursor of the Pd‐π‐allyl zwitterion for the Pd‐catalyzed intermolecular [3+2] cycloaddition, which proceeds preferentially over its intramolecular rearrangement into a vinyl cyclopentane. Multi‐substituted cyclopentanes bearing a butadienyl group are synthesized through the Pd‐catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of activated butadienylcyclopropanes with methylenemalononitrile derivatives in high yield under mild conditions. The cycloaddition reaction could proceed well on a gram scale.
Usefulness of imaging studies for diagnosing and localizing cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kim Do Hyun , Kim Sung Won , Kim So‐Hyun , Jung Jae Hoon , Hwang Se Hwan
Published: December 2021

Background

Our aim in this study was to determine the usefulness of diagnosis by imaging studies for the localization of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea.

Methods

PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to July 2021. True and false positive and negative data were collected along with the characteristics of each study. Methodologic quality was assessed using the QADAS‐2 tool.

Results

Sixteen studies involving 472 patients were included. The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of imaging studies was 13.6195 (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.4756‐24.8129; I2 = 28.1%). The area under the summary receiver‐operating characteristic curve was 0.712. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value were 0.8507 (0.7773‐0.9029), 72.1%; 0.7827 (0.6865‐0.8556), 26.8%; 0.5828 (0.4398‐0.7132), 67.4%; and 0.9407 (0.8935‐0.9678), 59.1%, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, there were significant differences for sensitivity (computed tomography [CT], 0.7421; computed tomography cisternography [CTC], 0.8872; magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], 0.8365; magnetic resonance cisternography [MRC], 0.8565; intrathecal gadolinium magnetic resonance cisternography [GaMRC], and 0.9307; radionuclide cisteronography [RNC], 0.7097; p = 0.0481) and for negative predictive value among imaging modalities (CT, 0.3028; CTC, 0.4848; MRI, 0.4658; MRC, 0.7465; GaMRC, 0.8611; and RNC, 0.5263; p = 0.0046). There were no significant differences among imaging modalities for specificity, positive predictive value, or DOR (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Imaging studies can be used in the diagnosis of CSF rhinorrhea. Gadolinium magnetic resonance cisternography showed the highest diagnostic accuracy. MRC showed fair diagnostic accuracy without intrathecal injection.
Degradation kinetics and thermomechanical properties of in‐situ polymerized layered double hydroxides‐ethylene‐propylene copolymer
Authors: Mazhar Hassam , Shehzad Farrukh , Hong Sung‐Gil , Al‐harthi Mamdouh A.
Published: December 2021

This paper reports the study of in‐situ incorporation of NiFe‐(Anion) layered double hydroxides (LDH) in the ethylene‐propylene (EP) (95:05 molar ratio) copolymerization. NiFe LDHs were synthesized with different intercalated anions using the coprecipitation method. The EP/LDH nanocomposites showed improved thermal stability, nevertheless, the various types of intercalated anions in the LDH showed a remarkable effect on the thermal stability and the degradation mechanism of the resultant polymer nanocomposites. EP/LDH constituted with NiFe‐CO3/A (A = acetone washed) showed maximum improvement in the thermal stability concerning neat EP. The LDH incorporation in the composite influenced the polymer microstructure which was evident from the DSC and CRYSTAF analysis. The degradation kinetics of neat EP and EP/LDH nanocomposites were studied by employing the isoconversional method. The degradation kinetics models of different polymer samples were predicted by applying a generalized master plot. Moreover, EP nanocomposites exhibited higher storage modulus and elasticity as compared to neat EP copolymer.
More than just the spice of life: Using variety as a signal for change and diversification
Authors: Kahn Barbara E. , Rafieian Hoori
Published: December 2021

We consider the role of variety or diversity as a main goal for consumer experiences. We argue that consumers may incorporate variety in their choices of product or experiences for reasons other than merely increasing the consumption utility over time. Specifically, we develop a framework that shows two new roles that variety can play in consumer choice. First, it can serve as a signal to oneself and others that the consumer is able to accept change and be flexible. Second, we show that the meta role of variety, or diversity as a goal in and of itself, is beneficial because more variety in consumers' choice sets (a) provides a more optimal portfolio for future choices under uncertainty, (b) facilitates creative thinking and adoption of innovation, and (c) allows for the consumption of a fuller set of attributes, which satisfies goals of balancing and completeness.
Bacteriophage carriers localize in the brain of a rat model of neonatal hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy
Authors: Alshememry Abdullah K. , Yang Jung‐Lynn Jonathan , Armstrong Edward A. , Yager Jerome Y. , Unsworth Larry D.
Published: December 2021

Background

Neonatal hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy arises from a reduction of oxygen and blood supply to the infant brain and can lead to severe brain damage and life‐long disability. The damage is greatest at the irreversibly injured necrotic core, whereas the penumbra is the surrounding, potentially salvageable tissue populated with a mix of alive and dying cells. To date, there exists no method for targeting drugs to the brain damage.

Methods and Major Results

Bacteriophages are viruses that propagate in bacteria but are biocompatible in humans and also amenable to genetic and chemical modification in a manner distinctive from conventional therapeutic nanoparticles. Here, a library of M13 bacteriophage was administered into a rat model of hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy, and unique bacteriophage clones were confirmed to localize in healthy brain tissue versus the core and penumbra zones of injury.

Conclusions

For the first time, there is a potential to directly deliver therapeutics to different regions of the neonatal brain injury.
Curcumin biosynthesis from ferulic acid by engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Rainha João , Rodrigues Joana L. , Faria Cristiana , Rodrigues Lígia R.
Published: December 2021

Background and Goal

Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound found in Curcuma longa. This bioactive molecule has several reported health‐benefit effects, being the anticarcinogenic activity among the most promising ones. However, curcumin extraction from natural sources is hampered by impure products obtained from harsh chemicals and limited by plant seasonality and high prices. Therefore, curcumin heterologous production emerged as an interesting alternative. Escherichia coli has been explored as chassis but the implementation of the pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae can have several advantages, including its generally regarded as safe status. Hence, S. cerevisiae was engineered for the first time to produce curcumin from its precursor ferulic acid.

Methods and Results

The enzymes 4‐coumarate‐CoA ligase (4CL1) from Arabidopsis thaliana or feruloyl‐CoA synthetase (FerA) from Pseudomonas paucimobilis and type III polyketide synthases (PKSs) from Oryza sativa or C. longa were expressed in BY4741 strain. To avoid ferulic acid deviation, the gene FDC1 coding a ferulic acid decarboxylase was deleted. The maximum curcumin titer was obtained with FerA combined with C. longa PKSs (2.7 mg L−1).

Conclusions and Implications

Up to our knowledge, this is the first work reporting the expression of a feruloyl‐CoA synthase and also curcuminoid biosynthetic enzymes in S. cerevisiae, and consequently, curcumin production.
The role of mesenchymal stem cells in liver injury
Authors: Sun Haoyu , Shi Chuanyin , Ye Zhenlong , Yao Bi , Li Chen , Wang Xiaobing , Qian Qijun
Published: December 2021

Recently, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has been suggested as an effective alternative approach for the treatment of hepatic diseases. MSCs have potential therapeutic value, because they have high self‐renewal ability, are capable of multipotent differentiation, and have low immunogenicity. Furthermore, MSCs have the potential to differentiate into hepatocytes, and the therapeutic value exists in their immune‐modulatory properties and secretion of trophic factors, such as growth factors and cytokines. Moreover, MSCs can suppress inflammatory responses, reduce hepatocyte apoptosis, increase hepatocyte regeneration, regress liver fibrosis, and enhance liver functionality.
FKBP1A upregulation correlates with poor prognosis and increased metastatic potential of HNSCC
Authors: Patel Dhruti , Dabhi Aarsh M. , Dmello Crismita , Seervi Mahendra , Sneha K. M. , Agrawal Pavan , Sahani Mayurbhai H. , Kanojia Deepak
Published: December 2021

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common malignancy globally. The etiology of HNSCC is multifactorial, including cellular stress induced by a tobacco smoking, tobacco chewing excess alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus infection. The induction of stress includes autophagy as one of the response pathways in maintaining homeostatic equilibrium. We evaluated the expression of autophagy‐related genes in HNSCC tissues from RNA sequencing datasets and identified 19 genes correlated with poor prognosis and 18 genes correlated with improved prognosis of HNSCC patients. Further analysis of independent gene expression datasets revealed that ATG12, HSP90AB1, and FKBP1A are overexpressed in HNSCC and correlate with poor prognosis, whereas the overexpression of ANXA1, FOS, and ULK3 correlates with improved prognosis. Using independent datasets, we also found that ATG12, HSP90AB1, and FKBP1A expression increased with an increase in the T‐stage of HNSCC. Among all the datasets analyzed, FKBP1A was overexpressed in HNSCC and was strongly associated with lymph node metastasis in multiple in silico datasets. In conclusion, our analysis indicates dynamic alterations in autophagy genes during HNSCC and warrants further investigation, specifically on FKBP1A and its role in tumor progression and metastasis.
Effect of Phase Ratio on Hydrogen Separation of Dual‐phase Membrane Reactors
Authors: Wang Jingyi , Cai Lili , Liang Zhengqi , Zhu Yue , Cao Zhongwei , Li Wenping , Zhu Xuefeng , Yang Weishen
Published: December 2021

Three dual‐phase MIEC membranes (100 – x) wt % Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (SDC) – x wt % Sr0.92Ti0.5Fe0.5O3–δ (STF) (x = 30, 40, 50) were prepared by a one‐pot solid state reaction to explore the effect of phase ratio of dual‐phase membranes on the hydrogen separation performance of oxygen‐permeable membrane reactors. Single‐phase STF was synthesized by the same method for comparison. The grains of the two phases in the three dual‐phase membranes are uniformly and continuously distributed forming the three‐dimensional connected networks. Dual‐phase membranes have higher total conductivity than that of STF under simulated working atmospheres, and the total conductivity decreases with the increase of STF content. Under various test conditions, the hydrogen separation rate of the dual‐phase membranes is higher than that of the STF membrane.
How might a collapse in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation affect rainfall over tropical South America?
Authors: Good Peter , Boers Niklas , Boulton Chris A. , Lowe Jason A. , Richter Ingo
Published: December 2021

The seasonal response of rainfall over tropical South America to a shutdown in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is examined, in HadGEM3 model simulations where freshwater is added to the north Atlantic. Potential biases in these simulations are explored by comparing the unperturbed simulation with observations. In this simulation, in years when the latitude of the model Atlantic Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is realistic, the model provides a reasonable simulation of the spatial and seasonal variation in regional‐scale rainfall over tropical South America. However, some climatological mean rainfall biases over this region are attributed to the climatological southward bias in the Atlantic ITCZ. Under an AMOC shutdown, the rainfall changes over tropical South America are largely associated with a southward shift of the Atlantic ITCZ. The large seasonal variation in rainfall change over tropical South America is linked primarily with the variation in the location of peak rainfall (itself driven largely by variation in the latitude of peak solar insolation and by the lagged variation in Atlantic ITCZ). The simulated rainfall changes appear to be biased in some months by the southward bias in the Atlantic ITCZ, including a possible overestimation of drying in March and June. In addition, the Atlantic ITCZ in HadGEM3 tends to shift too far in both the seasonal cycle (as reported in other models) and in inter‐annual variability. Excessive inter‐annual variability may arise because the model ITCZ is too close to the equator, combined with an increase in variability near the equator. Further understanding of what drives the variability in ITCZ latitude, and how that relates to ITCZ shifts under an AMOC shutdown, is suggested as a future research priority.
Amino‐Acid‐Anthraquinone Click Chemistry Conjugates Selectively Target Human Telomeric G‐Quadruplexes
Authors: Ongaro Alberto , Desiderati Giovanni , Oselladore Erika , Auricchio Davide , Memo Maurizio , Ribaudo Giovanni , Sissi Claudia , Gianoncelli Alessandra
Published: December 2021

Guanine‐rich sequences are known to fold into G‐quadruplex (G4) arrangements, which are present in oncogenes and in the telomeric regions of chromosomes. In particular, G4s represent an obstacle to functioning of telomerase, an enzyme overexpressed in cancer cells causing their immortalization. Therefore, G4 stabilization using small molecules represents an appealing strategy for the medicinal chemist. Ligands based on an anthraquinone scaffold, to which peptidic side chains were attached by an amide bond, were previously reported. We envisioned improving this ligand concept leveraging the click chemistry approach, which, besides representing a flexible, high yielding synthetic strategy, allows an elongation of the side chains and an increase of π–π stacking and H‐bond interactions with the nucleobases through the triazole ring. Compounds were tested for their ability to interact with G4 DNA with a multiple analytical approach, demonstrating an elevated aptitude to stabilize the G4 and high selectivity over double stranded DNA.
DeepCM: Deep neural networks to improve accuracy prediction of database cost models
Authors: Ouared Abdelkader , Chadli Abdelhafid , Daoud Mohamed Amine
Published: December 2021

A major challenge for many database management tasks including admission control, query scheduling, progress monitoring and self‐driving data storage systems is to enhance queries performances which are based on computational models known as database cost models. One of the most challenging aspects of developing accurate database cost models is identifying their parameters and capturing their relationships, consequently we can derive the query execution cost on the basis of a specific database hosted on a given platform. Furthermore, the highly dynamic workload (i.e., a set of queries) and the query execution variation lead to performance degradation risk, therefore cost models need to be improved by considering newer software configuration and future workload characteristics. In this article, we propose a framework called DeepCM that is based on a min–max optimization for building robust database cost model against uncertainty parameters. Furthermore, our framework is based on Robust Deep Neural Networks to build database cost models that guarantee a high accuracy regardless of variations from software configuration and workload characteristics. Several experiments have been done to evaluate the robustness of produced cost models and findings show that DeepCM provides a high cost model prediction accuracy and stable performance.
The Vulnerability Index: A weighted measure of dementia and cognitive impairment risk
Authors: Kleiman Michael J. , Galvin James E.
Published: December 2021

Introduction

A brief, easily calculated and interpretable index to assess vulnerability to developing cognitive impairment is needed in clinical practice and research. To address this, we developed the Vulnerability Index (VI) with the goal of identifying individuals possessing a high risk for cognitive impairment.

Methods

Twelve easily obtained sociodemographic, medical, and functional factors were used to develop the VI, with each selectively weighted based on factor analysis and predictive modeling. This cross‐sectional study examined 387 subject‐partner dyads.

Results

The VI was found to accurately discriminate between cognitively normal controls and participants with cognitive impairment (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.844; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.776‐0.913) and individuals scoring high on the VI (≥8) had worse health, functional, behavioral, cognitive, and quality of life ratings than those with lower scores.

Discussion

The VI could be used in screening asymptomatic individuals for risk of cognitive impairment and guiding the development of primary and secondary prevention plans.
Smoothing splines of apex predator movement: Functional modeling strategies for exploring animal behavior and social interactions
Authors: Whetten Andrew B.
Published: December 2021

The collection of animal position data via GPS tracking devices has increased in quality and usage in recent years. Animal position and movement, although measured discretely, follows the same principles of kinematic motion, and as such, the process is inherently continuous and differentiable. I demonstrate the functionality and visual elegance of smoothing spline models. I discuss the challenges and benefits of implementing such an approach, and I provide an analysis of movement and social interaction of seven jaguars inhabiting the Taiamã Ecological Station, Pantanal, Brazil, a region with the highest known density of jaguars. In the analysis, I derive measures for pairwise distance, cooccurrence, and spatiotemporal association between jaguars, borrowing ideas from density estimation and information theory. These measures are feasible as a result of spline model estimation, and they provide a critical tool for a deeper investigation of cooccurrence duration, frequency, and localized spatio‐temporal relationships between animals. In this work, I characterize a variety of interactive relationships between pairs of jaguars, and I particularly emphasize the relationships in movement of two male–female and two male–male jaguar pairs exhibiting highly associative relationships.
How do Snow Partridge (Lerwa lerwa) and Tibetan Snowcock (Tetraogallus tibetanus) coexist in sympatry under high‐elevation conditions on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau?
Authors: Yao Hongyan , Wang Pengcheng , Davison Geoffrey , Wang Yong , McGowan Philip J. K. , Wang Nan , Xu Jiliang
Published: December 2021

The Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP) has the highest elevations of all biodiversity hotspots. Difficulties involved in fieldwork at high elevations cause challenges in researching mechanisms facilitating species coexistence. Herein, we investigated Snow Partridge (Lerwa lerwa) and Tibetan Snowcock (Tetraogallus tibetanus), the only two endemic Galliformes on the QTP, to understand species coexistence patterns and determine how they live in sympatry for the first time. We assembled occurrence data, estimated habitat suitability differences and the underlying factors between two species at different scales using ecological niche models. Niche overlap tests were used to investigate whether niche differences between these species allow for their coexistence. We found that elevation was the most important factor determining habitat suitability for both species. At the meso‐scale, two species have similar ecological niches with their suitable habitats lying predominantly along ridge crests. However, ridge crests were more influential for habitat suitability by L. lerwa than for that of T. tibetanus because the latter species ranges further afield than ridge crests. Thus, differences in habitat suitability between these species lead to habitat partitioning, which allows stable coexistence. At the macro‐scale, temperature and precipitation were major factors influencing habitat suitability differences between these species. Tetraogallus tibetanus extended into the hinterland of the QTP and occurred at higher elevations, where colder and drier alpine conditions are commonplace. Conversely, L. lerwa occurred along the southeastern margin of the QTP with a lower snow line, an area prone to rainy and humid habitats. Niche overlap analysis showed that habitat suitability differences between these species are not driven by niche differentiation. We concluded that the coexistence of these two pheasants under high‐elevation conditions could be an adaption to different alpine conditions.
Twenty‐five years of tree demography in a frequently burned oak woodland: implications for savanna restoration
Authors: Davis Mark A.
Published: December 2021

Due to decades of fire suppression, much of the Upper Midwest savanna habitat has converted to oak woodland. In efforts to restore oak savanna habitat, fire has been re‐introduced in many of these woodlands. A primary purpose of these burns is to kill the fire‐sensitive mesophytic tree species, which had established themselves during the decades of fire suppression, reduce the number of understory trees, and preserve the larger more widely spaced oaks. It is clear from ongoing efforts that restoring oak savannas will require frequent fires over decades, but frequent fires over the long term can also threaten the desirable oaks. Long‐term demographic studies at savanna restoration sites experiencing frequent fires are necessary to determine the extent to the frequent burns are supporting and/or confounding restoration goals. Results presented here are from a twenty‐five‐year demographic study of an Upper Midwest bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) savanna/woodland experiencing frequent fire, during which both the survival and growth of more than 9000 trees were documented. Survival was assessed annually and growth every five years. In the face of frequent fires, stem survival was found to be strongly associated with tree species, stem size, and stem growth. In turn, stem growth was found to be related to tree species and stem size. Decades of frequent burning in this oak woodland have substantially reduced the abundance of unwanted trees, specifically mesophytic species and Quercus ellipsoidalis, the latter which outcompetes Q. macrocarpa in the absence of fire. While Q. macrocarpa mid‐sized (10–25 cm dbh) and large (≥25 cm dbh) trees are quite resistant to fire and now dominate the savanna landscape, they are not immune from fire‐induced mortality. It is recommended that the number and density of these trees should be re‐evaluated every few years to ensure that desirable numbers remain. If necessary, fires should be suspended for a period of time. This will give smaller Q. macrocarpa trees time to grow larger and become more fire‐resistant, thereby ensuring successive generations of Q. macrocarpa.
Pond ecology and conservation: research priorities and knowledge gaps
Authors: Hill Matthew J. , Greaves Helen M. , Sayer Carl D. , Hassall Christopher , Milin Mélanie , Milner Victoria S. , Marazzi Luca , Hall Ruth , Harper Lynsey R. , Thornhill Ian , Walton Richard , Biggs Jeremy , Ewald Naomi , Law Alan , Willby Nigel , White James C. , Briers Robert A. , Mathers Kate L. , Jeffries Michael J. , Wood Paul J.
Published: December 2021

Ponds are among the most biodiverse and ecologically important freshwater habitats globally and may provide a significant opportunity to mitigate anthropogenic pressures and reverse the decline of aquatic biodiversity. Ponds also provide important contributions to society through the provision of ecosystem services. Despite the ecological and societal importance of ponds, freshwater research, policy, and conservation have historically focused on larger water bodies, with significant gaps remaining in our understanding and conservation of pond ecosystems. In May 2019, pond researchers and practitioners participated in a workshop to tackle several pond ecology, conservation, and management issues. Nine research themes and 30 research questions were identified during and following the workshop to address knowledge gaps around: (1) pond habitat definition; (2) global and long‐term data availability; (3) anthropogenic stressors; (4) aquatic–terrestrial interactions; (5) succession and disturbance; (6) freshwater connectivity; (7) pond monitoring and technological advances; (8) socio‐economic factors; and (9) conservation, management, and policy. Key areas for the future inclusion of ponds in environmental and conservation policy were also discussed. Addressing gaps in our fundamental understanding of pond ecosystems will facilitate more effective research‐led conservation and management of pondscapes, their inclusion in environmental policy, support the sustainability of ecosystem services, and help address many of the global threats driving the decline in freshwater biodiversity.
Climate change impacts on ecosystems and adaptation options in nine countries in southern Africa: What do we know?
Authors: Kapuka Alpo , Hlásny Tomáš
Published: December 2021

Southern Africa harbors exceptional biodiversity that is increasingly threatened by climate change, land use, and other pressures. However, risks to the regional ecosystems and quality and consistency of adaptation strategies remain understudied, making conservation and restoration efforts challenging. Here, we reviewed scientific articles published during the period 2000–2020, which (1) addressed observed and projected impacts of climate change on different species, populations, and ecosystems in nine southern African countries, and (2) formulated management and policy responses aiming to mitigate these impacts. We identified and evaluated 28 papers meeting these search criteria. We found that the three components of our investigation, that is, ecosystem type, type of impact, and management and policy responses, were covered by research rather fragmentarily. However, the reviewed publications addressed a large variety of species and ecosystems and a variety of processes, from local extinction, range contraction, and increased mortality to modified inter‐specific interactions. The identified human responses included active vegetation and animal management, improved conservation policies, and monitoring. Most of the publications highlighted severe data limitations, lacking coordination of conservation policies, and insufficient consideration of transient environmental conditions in management and policy planning. We conclude that the current level of understanding of climatic threats to species and ecosystems is limited in southern Africa, and new coordinated research and monitoring actions are needed. This review characterized the high diversity of climate change risks to ecosystems and related social responses, potentially helping to attract further research attention and inform regional adaptation strategies.
The Puzzles in Fast Charging of Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Sheng Shui
Published: December 2021

Fast charging of Li‐ion cells faces two aspects of challenges, 1) accelerated capacity fade and 2) inferior charging capability. It is commonly believed that the former is due to Li plating and its resultant reactions with electrolyte at the graphite anode, which results in a loss in the inventory of Li+ ions and an increase in the cell’s impedance. While the latter is ascribed to the high voltage polarization in relation to the slow transport of Li+ ions between two electrodes. However, there are many other hidden facts that essentially affect the fast charging performances of Li‐ion cells. This commentary intends, from the view of materials, to uncover these hidden factors, including failure of the solid electrolyte interphase and exfoliation of the graphite structure at the anode, structural degradation of the Ni‐rich layered cathode materials, as well as the high solvation and desolvation activation energies of Li+ ions in the electrolyte. Meanwhile, some solutions to the fast‐charging problems of Li‐ion cells are proposed based on the understanding of these hidden factors.
Discordance between estimated and measured changes in plasma volume among patients with acute heart failure
Authors: Swolinsky Jutta S. , Tuvshinbat Enkhtuvshin , Leistner David M. , Edelmann Frank , Knebel Fabian , Nerger Niklas P. , Lemke Caroline , Roehle Robert , Haase Michael , Costanzo Maria Rosa , Rauch Geraldine , Mitrovic Veselin , Gasanin Edis , Meier Daniel , McCullough Peter A. , Eckardt Kai‐Uwe , Molitoris Bruce A. , Schmidt‐Ott Kai M.
Published: December 2021

Aims

In acute heart failure (AHF), changes of venous haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations, haematocrit (Hct), and estimated plasma volume (ePV) have been proposed as surrogates of decongestion. These estimates are based on the theoretical assumptions that changes of Hb concentrations and Hct are driven by the intravascular volume status and that the intravascular Hb pool remains stable. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship of changes of measured plasma volume (mPV) with changes of Hb, Hct, and ePV in AHF.

Methods and results

We studied 36 AHF patients, who received two sequential assessments of mPV, measured red cell volume (mRCV) and measured total blood volume (mTBV) (48 h apart), during the course of diuretic therapy using a novel visible fluorescent injectate (VFI) technique based on the indicator dilution principle. Changes of ePV were calculated based on the Kaplan–Hakim or Strauss formula. AHF patients receiving diuretics (median intravenous furosemide equivalent 160 mg/48 h) displayed a wide range of changes of mPV (−25.4% to +37.0%). Changes in mPV were not significantly correlated with changes of Hb concentration [Pearson's r (r) = −0.241, P = 0.157], Hct (r = −0.307, P = 0.069), ePVKaplan–Hakim (r = 0.228, P = 0.182), or ePVStrauss (r = 0.237, P = 0.163). In contrast to theoretical assumptions, changes of mTBV were poorly correlated with changes of Hb concentrations and some patients displayed unanticipated variability of mRCV, suggesting an unstable intravascular red cell pool.

Conclusions

Changes of Hb or Hct were not reflective of directly measured changes of intravascular volume status in AHF patients. Basing clinical assessment of decongestion on changes of Hb or Hct may misguide clinical decision‐making on an individual patient level.