bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface Chemistry Engineering of Perovskite Quantum Dots: Strategies, Applications, and Perspectives
Authors: Bai Yang , Hao Mengmeng , Ding Shanshan , Chen Peng , Wang Lianzhou
Published: October 2021

The presence of surface ligands not only plays a key role in keeping the colloidal integrity and non‐defective surface of metal halide perovskite quantum dots (PQDs), but also serves as a knob to tune their optoelectronic properties for a variety of exciting applications including solar cells and light‐emitting diodes. However, these indispensable surface ligands may also deteriorate the stability and key properties of PQDs due to their highly dynamic binding and insulating nature. To address these issues, a number of innovative surface chemistry engineering approaches have been developed in the past few years. Based on an in‐depth fundamental understanding of the surface atomistic structure and surface defect formation mechanism in the tiny nanoparticles, a critical overview focusing on the surface chemistry engineering of PQDs including advanced colloidal synthesis, in‐situ surface passivation, and solution‐phase/solid‐state ligand exchange is presented, after which their unprecedented achievements in photovoltaics and other optoelectronics are presented. The practical hurdles and future directions are critically discussed to inspire more rational design of PQD surface chemistry toward practical applications.
Interaction Between Hyaluronic Acid Semi‐Interpenetrated Hydrogel with Bull Spermatozoa: Studies of Sperm Attachment–Release and Sperm Quality
Authors: Blois Damian A. , Liaudat Ana C. , Capella Virginia , Morilla Gricelda , Rivero Rebeca E. , Broglia Martin F. , Barbero Cesar A. , Rodríguez Nancy , Bosch Pablo , Rivarola Claudia R.
Published: October 2021

The study of living systems in contact with biocompatible synthetic hydrogels is developing. The authors’ group is the first to propose use of polymeric materials to accomplish sperm selection process by attachment of bull sperm to hydrogel surfaces, this being a crucial step for successful assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs). Surfaces based on poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels (PNIPAM) and ionic and neutral copolymers are synthetized. Their physicochemical properties in aqueous and culture medium are related to the percentage of attachment and subsequent release of bull spermatozoa from the hydrogel surface. High attaching capacity (30–45%) of sperm on cationic and neutral surfaces is mainly observed, however, sperm detachment from the hydrogel using traditional induction processes (i.e., sperm capacitation) is not significant. Therefore, PNIPAM‐co‐20%‐N‐Tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl acrylamide (PNIPAM‐HMA) hydrogel surface is semi‐interpenetrated with hyaluronic acid (HA). In this case, 50% of spermatozoa are attached to PNIPAM‐HMA‐HA hydrogel and after treatment with hyaluronidase, 47% of them are released. Collected sperm show acceptable characteristics of progressive motility (70% with score 4 for vigor), high viability, and cytoplasmic membrane integrity. Noteworthy, the study of the interaction of hydrogel surface/spermatozoa can be extended to human and other mammalian species, in order to provide advanced alternatives for gamete selection for ARTs.
Low‐Cost Polyanion‐Type Sulfate Cathode for Sodium‐Ion Battery
Authors: Gao Yun , Zhang Hang , Liu Xiao‐Hao , Yang Zhuo , He Xiang‐Xi , Li Li , Qiao Yun , Chou Shu‐Lei
Published: October 2021

Recently, environmental degradation along with the energy crisis has led to an urgent necessity to develop renewable and clean energy storage devices. The sodium ion batteries (SIBs) have become promising candidates in the whole energy storage system, due to its rich and low‐cost sodium resources. To accelerate the commercialization of SIBs, the energy density of SIBs needs to be further improved. Increasing the operating voltage of SIBs is considered to be an effective method, which requires stable and high‐voltage cathode materials. Comparatively, polyanionic sulfate materials (PSMs) with stable skeletons, adjustable structures, operational safety, and the high electronegativity of SO42− are believed to be the most promising high‐energy‐cathodes. In this review, recent progresses on several typical sulfates for SIBs are summarized. What's more, based on their intrinsic characteristics, the structures and kinetic behaviors of PSMs are also discussed. Reported measures to optimize their electrochemical performances and structural stability are summarized and reviewed. The key challenges and corresponding opportunities for PSMs are also discussed. The insights presented in this review may be a guide for designing and developing stable and practical PSMs for room‐temperature SIBs, which is conducive to promoting their industrialization.
Effectiveness of remote practical boards and telesimulation for the evaluation of emergency medicine trainees in India
Authors: Ahluwalia Tania , Gidwani Shweta , Douglass Katherine
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Travel restrictions during the pandemic created a barrier to the traditional in‐person, observed assessment final examination of our emergency medicine (EM) training programs in India. We conducted remote practical boards and telesimulation bringing examiners and learners from different geographical locations together using an online video conferencing platform. The goal of this paper is to describe the process of implementing a large‐scale, international remote practical boards and telesimulation event. We aim to describe the evaluations of the feasibility and effectiveness of remote practical boards and telesimulation in an examination scenario and the feedback regarding the perception of fairness and attitudes from both examiners and examinees.

Methods

A total of 104 residents from 14 separate hospitals in eight cities across India were evaluated individually for practical board cases and in pairs for telesimulation. For practical boards, each examinee was evaluated twice, by two independent examiners. For telesimulation, each pair was evaluated by a local facilitator and a remote examiner via an online platform. There were 27 practical examiners and 14 local facilitators and 10 remote examiners for telesimulation. We obtained feedback in the form of a survey from local and remote examiners and examinees.

Results

We implemented a large‐scale, international remote practical boards and telesimulation event, connecting examinees and local examiners in eight cities in India with examiners in the United States and United Kingdom. Feedback was obtained from 24 examiners and 103 examinees. A total of 96.7% examiners and 96.9% of examinees felt that this examination was fair. All respondents agreed that this format saved time and costs.

Conclusion

This remote practical boards and telesimulation experience was a feasible and effective way to evaluate EM examinees medical knowledge, communication, and procedural skills. Technology issues was a limitation of our telesimulation experience. Future studies on telesimulation use in global EM training would be useful.
Effect of initial conditions on promotion and inhibition of breakup during filament contraction
Authors: Liu Xiao , Wagoner Brayden W. , Wee Hansol , Basaran Osman A.
Published: October 2021

Liquid filaments surrounded by a gas arise in nature and applications. As filaments contract, they either retract into spheres or disintegrate to form numerous droplets. In most previous computational studies, the filament's initial shape at time t = 0 has been idealized as a perfect cylinder capped off at both ends by identical hemispheres (radii R) and the fluid within which is at rest. Motivated by the fact that in experiments and applications the filament fluid is often not quiescent at t = 0, the effect of a nonzero initial velocity profile is examined for Newtonian filaments. A comprehensive phase diagram is presented in the space of L0 (initial aspect ratio) and vz,max (initial tip velocity) for filaments of intermediate Ohnesorge number (density ρ, viscosity μ, and surface tension γ) that delineates regions of the parameter space where breakup occurs from those where filaments contract to spheres without breakup.
A Multi‐Layer Device for Light‐Triggered Hydrogen Production from Alkaline Methanol
Authors: Wang Yiou , Yao En‐Ping , Wu Linzhong , Feldmann Jochen , Stolarczyk Jacek K.
Published: October 2021

It usually requires high temperature and high pressure to reform methanol with water to hydrogen with high turnover frequency (TOF). Here we show that hydrogen can be produced from alkaline methanol on a light‐triggered multi‐layer system with a very high hydrogen evolution rate up to ca. 1 μmol s−1 under the illumination of a standard Pt‐decorated carbon nitride. The system can achieve a remarkable TOF up to 1.8×106 moles of hydrogen per mole of Pt per hour under mild conditions. The total turnover number (TTN) of 470 000 measured over 38 hours is among the highest reported. The system does not lead to any COx emissions, hence it could feed clean hydrogen to fuel cells. In contrast to a slurry system, the proposed multi‐layer system avoids particle aggregation and effectively uses light and Pt active sites. The performance is also attributed to the light‐triggered reforming of alkaline methanol. This notable performance is a promising step toward practical light‐driven hydrogen generation.
Physiological characteristics and cold tolerance of overwintering eggs in Gomphocerus sibiricus L. (Orthoptera: Acrididae)
Authors: Song Yu , Huang Wei‐wei , Zhou Yu , Li Zhan‐wu , Ji Rong , Ye Xiao‐fang
Published: October 2021

Gomphocerus sibiricus L., the dominant insect species in the alpine and subalpine grassland, overwinters with diapause at egg stage. In this study, cold tolerance and related cryoprotectants of G. sibiricus eggs were investigated. In particular, the supercooling point (SCP), water content, carbohydrates (trehalose, glucose, fructose, glycogen), polyols (glycerol, inositol, sorbitol), fat, and amino acids contents were evaluated at different developmental stages of G. sibiricus eggs collected under natural conditions. The SCPs of eggs were very low (−32.83 to −22.61°C) at mid‐diapause. Water content gradually increased during development. The fructose, glycerol, and sorbitol contents were significantly higher in diapausing eggs than in early embryogenesis stage and post‐diapause development stage. Glycogen content was high throughout the whole developmental period. The trehalose, glucose, and inositol contents were low during diapause compared to that in early embryogenesis stage and post‐diapause development stage. There were no significant differences in the fat content of eggs among all development stages. The total amino acid contents in eggs in the early embryogenesis and at the start of diapause were higher than that in post‐diapause eggs. The contents of Glu, Asp, Leu, Pro and Arg during diapause were significantly higher than those during post‐diapause development. Results indicate that G. sibiricus eggs have a high supercooling capacity. Successful overwintering can be attributed to the accumulation of glycerol, fructose, sorbitol, and amino acids (Glu, Asp, Leu, Pro and Arg). These findings provide insight into the mechanisms underlying the adaptation of G. sibiricus to cold conditions.
Antifungal Activity and Action Mechanism Study of Coumarins from Cnidium monnieri Fruit and Structurally Related Compounds
Authors: He Ying‐Hui , Shang Xiao‐Fei , Li Hai‐Xin , Li An‐Ping , Tang Chen , Zhang Bao‐Qi , Zhang Zhi‐Jun , Wang Rui , Ma Yue , Du Sha‐Sha , Hu Yong‐Mei , Wu Tian‐Lin , Zhao Wen‐Bin , Yang Cheng‐Jie , Liu Ying‐Qian
Published: October 2021

The increasing resistance of plant diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi highlights the need for highly effective and environmentally benign agents. The antifungal activities of Cnidium monnieri fruit extracts and five isolated compounds as well as structurally related coumarins against five plant pathogenic fungi were evaluated. The acetone extract, which contained the highest amount of five coumarins, showed strongest antifungal activity. Among the coumarin compounds, we found that 4‐methoxycoumarin exhibited stronger and broader antifungal activity against five phytopathogenic fungi, and was more potent than osthol. Especially, it could significantly inhibit the growth of Rhizoctonia solani mycelium with an EC50 value of 21 μg mL−1. Further studies showed that 4‐methoxycoumarin affected the structure and function of peroxisomes, inhibited the β‐oxidation of fatty acids, decreased the production of ATP and acetyl coenzyme A, and then accumulated ROS by damaging MMP and the mitochondrial function to cause the cell death of R. solani mycelia. 4‐Methoxycoumarin presented antifungal efficacy in a concentration‐ dependent manner in vivo and could be used to prevent the potato black scurf. This study laid the foundation for the future development of 4‐methoxycournamin as an alternative and friendly biofungicide.
Molecular features and cooking behavior of pasta from pulses
Authors: Bresciani Andrea , Iametti Stefania , Emide Davide , Marti Alessandra , Barbiroli Alberto
Published: October 2021

Background and objectives

Pulse pasta is one of the latest responses of the food industry to meet the consumers request for healthy and sustainable foods. Among pulses, red lentils and chickpeas are the preferred raw materials for making 100% pulse pasta. This study aimed at addressing starch and protein features in commercial pulse pasta to provide an insight on how their molecular organization may affect cooking behavior.

Findings

Differences in starch pasting profile and in protein overall organization were found among commercial pasta samples. Considering the same pulse, the best performing pasta showed a protein network characterized by a more compact structure. Regardless of the producer, lentils gave pasta with the best cooking behavior (low cooking loss and high firmness).

Conclusions

Cooking quality of pulse pasta depends on both the type of pulse (chickpeas or red lentils) and pasta‐making process.

Significance and novelty

This study lays some molecular groundwork as for elucidating the role of individual pulses and of the pasta‐making process in determining the quality of pulse pasta.
Synthesis of Azocanes from Piperidines via an Azetidinium Intermediate
Authors: Leverenz Malte , Masson Guillaume , Pardo Domingo Gomez , Cossy Janine
Published: October 2021

α‐Trifluoromethyl azocanes are accessible from 2‐(trifluoropropan‐2‐ol) piperidines by metal‐free ring‐expansion involving a bicyclic azetidinium intermediate. The opening of the azetidinium intermediate was achieved by various nucleophiles (amines, alcoholates, carboxylates, phosphonates, halides and pseudo‐halides) with an excellent regio‐ diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity and in good yields. The relative configuration of the piperidines and azocanes were assigned and the deprotected azocanes offer opportunities for further derivatization.
Organo‐Polyoxometalate‐Based Hydrogen‐Bond Catalysis
Authors: Vilona Debora , Lelli Moreno , Dumont Elise , Lacôte Emmanuel
Published: October 2021

Several urea‐inserted organo‐polyoxometalates (POMs) derived from polyoxotungstovanadate [P2V3W15O61]9− were prepared. The insertion of the carbonyl into the polyoxometallic framework activates the urea toward Hydrogen‐bond catalysis. This was shown on the Friedel‐Crafts arylation of trans‐β‐nitrostyrene. Modelling shows that the most stable form of the organo‐POMs features a cis‐trans arrangement of the two N−H bonds, but that the likely catalytically active trans‐trans form is accessible at room temperature. Finally, it is possible that the oxo substituents next to the vanadium atoms may help the approach of the nucleophile via H‐bonding.
Metal‐Catalyzed Haloalkynylation Reactions
Authors: Kreuzahler Mathis , Haberhauer Gebhard
Published: October 2021

Metal catalysis has revolutionized synthetic chemistry, leading to entirely new, very efficient transformations, which enable access to complex functionalized molecules. One such new transformation method is the haloalkynylation reaction, in which both a halogen atom and an alkynyl unit are transferred to an unsaturated carbon‐carbon bond. This minireview summarizes the development of metal‐catalyzed haloalkynylation reactions since their beginning about a decade ago. So far, arynes, alkenes and alkynes have been used as unsaturated systems and the reactivities of these systems are summarized in individual chapters of the minireview. Especially, the last few years have witnessed a rapid development due to gold‐catalyzed reactions. Here, we discuss how the choice of the catalytic system influences the regio‐ and stereoselectivity of the addition.
Expedient Trifluoromethylacylation of Styrenes Enabled by Photoredox Catalysis
Authors: Wang Lu , Zhang Heng , Zhu Chuan , Feng Chao
Published: October 2021

Comprehensive Summary

Herein, we disclosed a photoredox enabled protocol for trifluoromethylacylation of styrenes through a radical‐carboanion cascade and subsequent oxidation. With a broad range of aldehydes and inexpensive Langlois reagent as acyl and CF3 precursor, respectively, the alkene motif could be readily converted into β‐trifluoromethyl ketones in moderate to good yields and with excellent regioselectivity. Besides CF3, di‐, mono‐ and non‐fluorinated C‐radicals were revealed amenable in this reaction, providing good opportunity for the construction of structurally diverse ketones of interest in pharmaceutical research. Additionally, the utility of this protocol was further demonstrated by successful extension to trifluoromethylarylation and ‐alkylation by employing arylcyanide or acrylates in place of carbonyls.
There is more to soft tissue sarcomas than just grade and size
Authors: Benjamin Robert S.
Published: October 2021

Lay Summary

Sarculator is better at predicting patients with sarcoma at the highest risk of death than current staging systems and should be used to determine appropriate patients for future studies.
Effect of Solvent Properties on the Growth, Morphology, and Second Harmonic Generation Ability of 4‐Aminobenzophenone (ABP) Single Crystals
Authors: Aruchamy Mythili , Karuppannan Srinivasan
Published: October 2021

One of the best‐known benzophenone derivatives for nonlinear optical applications, 4‐aminobenzophenone (ABP), is grown as single crystals from saturated solutions employing fast and slow evaporation methodologies with different solvent environments by means of varied dipole moment, viscosity, and evaporation rates such as toluene, ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate, acetone, dimethyl formamide, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), and a mixture of ethanol‐DMSO (1:1) at 32 °C. Variation in the solubility determined by gravimetric analysis, end‐crystal morphology perceived through in‐situ optical microscopy, and origination of growth defects observed along different crystallographic directions are investigated based on the solute‐solvent interactions permissible according to the polarity and aforementioned physical properties of the solvents. Bravais‐Friedel‐Donnay‐Harker morphology, crystalline purity, thermal stability, optical transmittance, and infrared vibrational modes are analyzed through the single crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, UV‐visible‐near IR, and Fourier‐transform infrared spectral analyses. The second‐harmonic generation (SHG) ability of the ABP crystals grown with different solvents and solvent mixture is studied through Kurtz and Perry powder technique in comparison with that of the inorganic and organic standards. The results reveal that the ABP crystals grown from mixed solvent environment ethanol:DMSO (1:1) to become eventually with improved quality, size, and SHG ability among the other crystals grown in the present study.
Ecological selectivity and the evolution of mammalian substrate preference across the K–Pg boundary
Authors: Hughes Jonathan J. , Berv Jacob S. , Chester Stephen G. B. , Sargis Eric J. , Field Daniel J.
Published: October 2021

The Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) mass extinction 66 million years ago was characterized by a worldwide ecological catastrophe and rapid species turnover. Large‐scale devastation of forested environments resulting from the Chicxulub asteroid impact likely influenced the evolutionary trajectories of multiple clades in terrestrial environments, and it has been hypothesized to have biased survivorship in favour of nonarboreal lineages across the K–Pg boundary. Here, we evaluate patterns of substrate preferences across the K–Pg boundary among crown group mammals, a group that underwent rapid diversification following the mass extinction. Using Bayesian, likelihood, and parsimony reconstructions, we identify patterns of mammalian ecological selectivity that are broadly similar to those previously hypothesized for birds. Models based on extant taxa indicate predominant K–Pg survivorship among semi‐ or nonarboreal taxa, followed by numerous independent transitions to arboreality in the early Cenozoic. However, contrary to the predominant signal, some or all members of total‐clade Euarchonta (Primates + Dermoptera + Scandentia) appear to have maintained arboreal habits across the K–Pg boundary, suggesting ecological flexibility during an interval of global habitat instability. We further observe a pronounced shift in character state transitions away from plesiomorphic arboreality associated with the K–Pg transition. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that predominantly nonarboreal taxa preferentially survived the end‐Cretaceous mass extinction, and emphasize the pivotal influence of the K‐Pg transition in shaping the early evolutionary trajectories of extant terrestrial vertebrates.
Occurrence patterns of crop‐foraging sika deer distribution in an agriculture–forest landscape revealed by nitrogen stable isotopes
Authors: Hata Ayaka , Nakashita Rumiko , Fukasawa Keita , Minami Masato , Fukue Yuko , Higuchi Naoko , Uno Hikaru , Nakajima Yasuhiro , Saeki Midori , Kozakai Chinatsu , Takada Mayura B.
Published: October 2021

Conflicts arising from the consumption of anthropogenic foods by wildlife are increasing worldwide. Conventional tools for evaluating the spatial distribution pattern of large terrestrial mammals that consume anthropogenic foods have various limitations, despite their importance in management to mitigate conflicts. In this study, we examined the spatial distribution pattern of crop‐foraging sika deer by performing nitrogen stable isotope analyses of bone collagen. We evaluated whether crop‐foraging deer lived closer to agricultural crop fields during the winter and spring, when crop production decreases. We found that female deer in proximity to agricultural crop fields during the winter and spring were more likely to be crop‐foraging individuals. Furthermore, the likelihood of crop consumption by females decreased by half as the distance to agricultural crop fields increased to 5–10 km. We did not detect a significant trend in the spatial distribution of crop‐foraging male deer. The findings of spatial distribution patterns of crop‐foraging female deer will be useful for the establishment of management areas, such as zonation, for efficient removal of them.
Differential landscape use by forest owls two years after a mixed‐severity wildfire
Authors: Duchac Leila S. , Lesmeister Damon B. , Dugger Katie M. , Davis Raymond J.
Published: October 2021

Owls are important avian predators in forested systems, but little is known about landscape use by most forest‐adapted owl species in environments impacted by mixed‐severity wildfire. To better understand species‐specific patterns of post‐wildfire landscape use within an owl guild, we used passive acoustic monitoring using autonomous recording units. The technology is effective for multi‐species surveys, especially if some species are rare, nocturnal, or difficult to detect by traditional means. In 2017, we surveyed the interior and adjacent unburned areas of a 10,700‐ha mixed‐severity wildfire that burned in 2015 in southwest Oregon. We used occupancy modeling to identify patterns of landscape use by five species of forest owls: barred owls (Strix varia), great horned owls (Bubo virginianus), western screech‐owls (Megascops kennicottii), northern pygmy‐owls (Glaucidium gnoma), and northern saw‐whet owls (Aegolius acadicus). Our results showed a positive relationship between increasing fire severity and probability of use by western screech‐owls and a similar but somewhat weaker relationship for northern pygmy‐owls. Barred owls were rarely detected in severely burned areas and their use decreased with increased fire severity. We observed generally low landscape use for great horned owls, which decreased with increased fire severity and at higher elevations. Thus, four out of the five species appeared to use recently burned forests at different levels, with only northern saw‐whet owls showing near‐complete avoidance of the burned area. These findings increase our understanding of the basic ecology of each species and highlight the varied use of burned areas within this community. These previously undocumented patterns of landscape use in burned landscapes should provide insights to managers and policymakers in the Pacific Northwest as climate shifts, and fires may increase in size, frequency, and severity.
Development of dynamic wireless power transfer coils for 3rd generation wireless in‐wheel motor
Authors: Shimizu Osamu , Fujita Toshiyuki , Nagai Sakahisa , Fujimoto Hiroshi , Omori Yoichi
Published: October 2021

Short cruise range is a major issues in electric vehicles, and dynamic wireless power transfer (WPT) has been proposed to solve this problem. In this study, a new dynamic power transfer system is introduced, called the hird generation wireless in‐wheel motor, that integrates the drive circuit and motor. Additionally, a methodology of the transmitter and receiver coil design that can calculate inductance and resistance of the rectangular spiral coils in a fast manner is proposed. It considers the theoretical efficiency of coils, current of coils, and voltage of resonance capacitor as constraints. Inductance calculation models only use coordinates of coil edge and the distance between coil and ferrite core. The coils designed by the proposed method were manufactured and evaluated using an LCR meter. The calculation error of the self‐inductance and mutual inductance was found to be ± 9%. With the transmitter coil and receiver coil, an output and DC to DC efficiency of is 18 kW and 95.2%, respectively, were obtained by actual WPT test.
River channel changes through time and across space: Using three commonly available information sources to support river understanding and management in a national park
Authors: Gurnell Angela M. , Hill Christopher T.
Published: October 2021

In river landscapes subject to prolonged and high population pressure, the impact of human actions is usually so pervasive that re‐establishment of ‘natural’ river conditions is not possible. However, understanding the impacts of humans on river ecosystems is essential to identify how degradation of condition may be slowed or reversed and may also lead to the recognition that some human activities may be crucial for maintaining highly valued and sensitive river ecosystems. To achieve the necessary understanding for such judgements, it is essential to assemble, synthesize and analyse information on human actions, river environments and their interactions. In this paper, we focus on three commonly available information sources (historical records/archives, topographic and geomorphological maps, river habitat surveys) that can deliver relevant information over three timescales (centuries, decades, years). We illustrate the potential of these three data sources to assemble thematic and quantitative knowledge about how river systems function under a history of different human pressures and interventions, by exploring an example river landscape: the New Forest, southern England. We use this illustrative example for three reasons. First, for more than 1000 years, the New Forest has been affected by a complex range of land use and management practices which have heavily influenced the contemporary river landscape. Second, many of these human actions have degraded the landscape but others sustain highly valued landscape characteristics and ecosystems. Understanding the relative negative and positive impacts of different human actions is essential to understanding any river landscape with a long history of human use, and thus to designing balanced and appropriate management approaches. Third, in this special issue in memory of Professor Ken Gregory, we focus on an example landscape where he conducted research, allowing us to incorporate insights and data from his observations.
The impact of COVID‐19 lockdown on brain metabolism
Authors: Guedj Eric , Campion Jacques‐Yves , Horowitz Tatiana , Barthelemy Fanny , Cammilleri Serge , Ceccaldi Mathieu
Published: October 2021

This study aims to evaluate the impact of French national lockdown of 55 days on brain metabolism of patients with neurological disorders. Whole‐brain voxel‐based PET analysis was used to correlate 18F‐FDG metabolism to the number of days after March 17, 2020 (in 95 patients; mean age: 54.3 years ± 15.7; 59 men), in comparison to the same period in 2019 before the SARS‐CoV‐2 outbreak (in 212 patients; mean age: 59.5 years ± 15.8; 114 men), and to the first 55 days of deconfinement (in 188 patients; mean age: 57.5 years ± 16.5; 93 men). Lockdown duration was negatively correlated to the metabolism of the sensory‐motor cortex with a prevailing effect on the left dominant pyramidal tract and on younger patients, also including the left amygdala, with only partial reversibility after 55 days of deconfinement. Weak overlap was found with the reported pattern of hypometabolism in long COVID (<9%). Restriction of physical activities, and possible related deconditioning, and social isolation may lead to functional disturbances of sensorimotor and emotional brain networks. Of note, this metabolic pattern seems distinct to those reported in long COVID. Further longitudinal studies with longer follow‐up are needed to evaluate clinical consequences and relationships on cognitive and mental health against functional deactivation hypothesis, and to extend these findings to healthy subjects in the context of lockdown.
Predicting cancer‐specific mortality in patients with parotid gland carcinoma by competing risk nomogram
Authors: Luo Xingxi , Liu Shun , Chen Yufeng , Qiu Xiaoqiang , Huang Dongping , Zhang Di , Liang Qiuli , Yang Yu , Zeng Xiaoyun
Published: October 2021

Background

The aim of the present study was to establish a competing risk nomogram to predict parotid gland cancer‐specific mortality (PGC‐SM).

Methods

Seven thousand nine hundred and sixty‐two patients extracted from SEER database were randomly categorized into training and validation sets. The competing risk model was used to identify factors associated with PGC‐SM. The nomogram was evaluated via concordance indexes (C‐indexes), calibration plots, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

Male, elderly, white, widowed, larger tumor, no surgery, advanced tumor grade, lymph node (LN) metastasis, adenocarcinoma (ADC), and higher TNM stage were associated with higher incidence of PGC‐SM. Calibration plots showed that the nomogram was well calibrated. C‐indexes for nomogram were 0.84 (95% CI: 0.81–0.86) and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.82–0.86) in training and validation sets, respectively. DCA demonstrated the clinical usefulness of nomogram.

Conclusions

The competing risk nomogram shows high performance in predicting PGC‐SM, which might enable clinicians formulate suitable treatment protocols for patients with parotid gland carcinoma (PGC).
Effects of Renal Impairment on the Pharmacokinetics of Abrocitinib and Its Metabolites
Authors: Wang Ellen Q. , Le Vu , Winton Jennifer A. , Tripathy Sakambari , Raje Sangeeta , Wang Lisy , Dowty Martin E. , Malhotra Bimal K.
Published: October 2021

Abrocitinib, an oral once‐daily Janus kinase 1 selective inhibitor, is under development for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. This phase 1, nonrandomized, open‐label, single‐dose study (NCT03660241) investigated the effect of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of abrocitinib and its metabolites following a 200‐mg oral dose. Twenty‐three subjects with varying degrees of renal function (normal, moderate, and severe impairment) were enrolled. Active moiety exposures were calculated as the sum of unbound exposures for abrocitinib and its active metabolites. For abrocitinib, the adjusted geometric mean ratios (GMRs; %) for area under the concentration‐time curve from time 0 extrapolated to infinite time and maximum plasma concentration were 182.91 (90% confidence interval [CI], 117.09‐285.71) and 138.49 (90% CI, 93.74‐204.61), respectively, for subjects with moderate renal impairment vs normal renal function; corresponding GMRs were 121.32 (90% CI, 68.32‐215.41) and 99.11 (90% CI, 57.30‐171.43) for subjects with severe impairment vs normal renal function. Metabolite exposures generally increased in subjects with renal impairment. The GMRs of unbound area under the concentration‐time curve from time 0 extrapolated to infinite time and maximum plasma concentration of active moiety were 210.20 (90% CI, 154.60‐285.80) and 133.87 (90% CI, 102.45‐174.92), respectively, for subjects with moderate renal impairment vs normal renal function. Corresponding values were 290.68 (90% CI, 217.39‐388.69) and 129.49 (90% CI, 92.86‐180.57) for subjects with severe renal impairment vs normal renal function. Abrocitinib was generally safe and well tolerated. Both moderate and severe renal impairment led to higher exposure to abrocitinib active moiety, suggesting that abrocitinib dose should be reduced by half for patients with moderate or severe renal impairment.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03660241
Psychological Effects of Economic Inequality
Authors: Shrum L. J.
Published: October 2021

This article is part of a Research Dialogue: Goya‐Tocchetto & Payne (2022): https://doi.org/10.1002/jcpy.1277Hagerty et al. (2022): https://doi.org/10.1002/jcpy.1275Ordabayeva & Lisjak (2022): https://doi.org/10.1002/jcpy.1276
Compositional evaluation of lesion and parent bone in patients with juvenile osteochondritis dissecans of the knee using T2* mapping
Authors: Zbýň Štefan , Santiago Cassiano , Johnson Casey P. , Ludwig Kai D. , Zhang Lin , Marette Shelly , Tompkins Marc A. , Nelson Bradley J. , Takahashi Takashi , Metzger Gregory J. , Carlson Cathy S. , Ellermann Jutta M.
Published: October 2021

Juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) lesions contain cartilaginous, fibrous and osseous tissues which are difficult to distinguish with clinical, morphological magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Quantitative T2* mapping has earlier been used to evaluate microstructure and composition of all aforementioned tissues as well as bone mineral density. However, the ability of T2* mapping to detect changes in tissue composition between different JOCD lesion regions, different disease stages, and between stable and unstable lesions has not been demonstrated. This study analyzed morphological and T2* MRI data from 25 patients (median age, 12.1 years) with 34 JOCD‐affected and 13 healthy knees. Each lesion was assigned a stage reflecting the natural history of JOCD, with stages I and IV representing early and healed lesion, respectively. T2* values were evaluated within the progeny lesion, interface and parent bone of each lesion and in the control bone region. T2* was negatively correlated with JOCD stage in progeny lesion (ρ = −0.871; p < 0.001) and interface regions (ρ = −0.649; p < 0.001). Stage IV progeny showed significantly lower T2* than control bone (p = 0.028). T2* was significantly lower in parent bone than in control bone of patients with stable lesions (p = 0.009), but not in patients with unstable lesions (p = 0.14). Clinical significance: T2* mapping enables differentiation between different stages of JOCD and quantitative measurement of the ossification degree in progeny lesion and interface. The observed T2* decrease in healed and stable lesions may indicate increased bone density as a result of the active repair process. T2* mapping provides quantitative information about JOCD lesion composition.
Effect of parenteral nutrition duration on patterns of growth and body composition in very low‐birth‐weight premature infants
Authors: Alja'nini Zaineh , Merlino‐Barr Stephanie , Brumfiel Alexa , McNelis Kera , Viswanathan Sreekanth , Collin Marc , Groh‐Wargo Sharon
Published: October 2021

Background

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is essential to support premature infants’ growth and varies with enteral nutrition (EN) advancement rates. Data on PN duration's impact on premature infants’ growth are limited. The aim of this multicenter observational study was to determine the effect of early PN duration on body composition at term corrected gestational age (CGA) in very low‐birth‐weight (VLBW) premature infants.

Methods

VLBW infants exposed to PN in the first week of life and exposed to significantly different EN regimens were divided into two groups on the basis of early PN duration. Infants with a birth weight (BW) <1000 g and PN duration <28 days and infants with a BW 1000–1500 g and PN duration <14 days were assigned to the “short‐PN” group. Infants receiving PN for longer durations were assigned to the "long‐PN" group. Body composition was assessed via air displacement plethysmography at term CGA or before discharge.

Results

Sixty‐two and 53 infants were assigned to the short‐PN and long‐PN groups, respectively. The two groups were significantly different in BW and GA, so a nested case‐control study was conducted after matching 36 infant pairs. Infants in the long‐PN group had significantly lower fat‐free mass (FFM) z‐scores, but both groups had comparable fat mass (FM) z‐scores. Long PN was a significant negative predictor of FFM z‐score in the multivariate regression analysis.

Conclusion

In VLBW premature infants, PN duration is negatively associated with FFM z‐scores at term CGA without affecting FM z‐scores.
Evaluating the accuracy of ARMA and multi‐index methods for predicting winter wheat maturity date
Authors: Wu Jiujiang , Wang Yue , Shen Hongzheng , Wang Yongqiang , Ma Xiaoyi
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND

Accurate and timely prediction of regional winter wheat maturity date can provide essential information to improve the management of agriculture and avoid declines in the yield and quality of crops. In this paper, we propose the use of an autoregressive moving‐average model to predict vegetation indices on 1, 9, and 17 May each year, and applied them to the methods of evaluating crop maturity based on vegetation indices. Growing degree days and a widely applied local empirical method were selected to explore and compare the feasibility of several methods. We analyzed winter wheat harvested from the Guanzhong Plain during 2003–2013 and used leave‐one‐out cross‐validation to compare and verify the performance of the maturity prediction methods.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that (i) the vegetation index methods and growing degree days methods predicted maturity with higher accuracy than did the widely applied local empirical method, and (ii) the two‐step filtering method based on future meteorological data from The Observing System Research and Predictability Experiment Interactive Grand Global Ensemble exhibited the highest prediction accuracy on 1 May and had the lowest error fluctuation range on 17 May.

CONCLUSION

These results provide new insights for predicting regional crop maturity, deploying agricultural harvesting equipment in various regions, and avoiding decreases in crop yields caused by adverse weather. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
A Scoping Review of Ongoing Fluorescence‐Guided Surgery Clinical Trials in Otolaryngology
Authors: Crawford Kayva L. , Pacheco Fernanda V. , Lee Yu‐Jin , Hom Marisa , Rosenthal Eben L. , Nguyen Quyen T. , Orosco Ryan K.
Published: October 2021

Objective

Fluorescence‐guided surgery (FGS) is a rapidly developing intraoperative technology, and many contrast agents are currently under investigation. We sought to provide a review of the current state of FGS clinical trials in Otolaryngology, emphasizing its oncologic applications.

Methods

According to the preferred reporting Items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses (PRISMA) workflow for scoping reviews, a clinical trial search was performed across multiple international clinical trials registries, searching for permutations of “fluorescence,” “tumor,” “surgery,” and “nerve” to identify all relevant studies. Studies that were active, enrolling, or soon to be enrolling patients undergoing head and neck surgery were included.

Results

Nineteen studies were eligible for inclusion. Seventeen studies are focused on FGS for oncologic resection and lymph node detection. One study assesses peripheral nerve fluorescence, and one evaluates normal parathyroid function after thyroidectomy. Contrast agents under development are conjugated to fluorophores that excite in the 800 nm (indocyanine green), 410 nm (5‐aminolevulinic acid), 700 nm (Cyanine 5.5), and 525 nm ranges (fluorescein derivatives).

Conclusion

Presently, there are 19 ongoing trials investigating novel FGS contrast agents for their safety, efficacy, and utility in Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. These agents rely on unique fluorophores and absorption ranges in the near‐infrared and visible light spectra. FGS studies are expanding within Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery with profound implications in oncologic surgery, lymph node detection, and anatomic and functional assessment. Laryngoscope, 132:36–44, 2022
Enriching extracellular vesicles for mass spectrometry
Authors: Burton Jordan B. , Carruthers Nicholas J. , Stemmer Paul M.
Published: October 2021

Extracellular vesicles from plasma, other body fluids and cell culture media hold great promise in the search for biomarkers. Exosomes in particular, the vesicle type that is secreted after being produced in the endocytic pathway and having a diameter of 30–150 nm, are considered to be a conveyance for signaling molecules and, therefore, to hold valuable information regarding the health and activity status of the cells from which they are released. The vesicular nature of exosomes is central to all methods used to separate them from the highly abundant proteins in plasma and other fluids. The enrichment of the vesicles is essential for mass spectrometry‐based analysis as they represent only a very small component of all plasma proteins. The progression of isolation techniques for exosomes from ultracentrifugation through chromatographic separation using hydrophobic packing materials shows that effective enrichment is possible and that high throughput approaches to exosome enrichment are achievable.
Single‐ and multiple‐dose safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic profiles of ASP0367, or bocidelpar sulfate, a novel modulator of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor delta in healthy adults: Results from a phase 1 study
Authors: Ito Mototsugu , Tauscher‐Wisniewski Sitra , Smulders Ronald A. , Wojtkowski Tomasz , Yamada Akihiro , Koibuchi Akira , Uz Tolga , Marek Gerard J. , Goldwater Ronald D.
Published: October 2021

Introduction/Aims

ASP0367, or bocidelpar sulfate, is an orally administered small molecule that potently and selectively modulates peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor δ (PPARδ) to address mitochondrial dysfunction occurring in diseases including primary mitochondrial myopathy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The objectives of this first‐in‐human trial were to evaluate the safety/tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of ASP0367 in healthy participants.

Methods

In this double‐blind phase 1 study, adult participants were randomized to single or multiple ascending oral doses of ASP0367 or placebo. The study duration was 1 and 14 days, respectively. Pharmacokinetic parameters under fed conditions were also evaluated.

Results

A total of 64 (single‐dose cohort) and 37 (multiple‐dose cohort) participants were included in the study. After single doses of 1 to 120 mg, ASP0367 was rapidly absorbed, with median time to maximum plasma concentration (tmax) of 1.50 to 2.24 hours under fasting conditions; ASP0367 concentrations declined in a multiphasic manner after reaching maximum plasma concentration. Under fed conditions, tmax was delayed 1.7 hours. After multiple once‐daily doses, mean half‐life of ASP0367 10 to 75 mg ranged from 14.1 to 17.5 hours; steady state was reached after 4 days. Negligible accumulation was observed after repeated dosing. No participants receiving ASP0367 discontinued treatment, and all treatment‐emergent adverse events were mild to moderate in severity; none were considered drug‐related. No clinically significant changes were observed on laboratory or electrocardiographic evaluation. Treatment‐ and dose‐dependent upregulation of six PPARδ target genes was observed with single and multiple doses of ASP0367.

Discussion

ASP0367, or bocidelpar sulfate, was well tolerated; rapid absorption, roughly dose‐proportional bioavailability, and effects on PPARδ target genes were demonstrated in healthy adult participants.
An efficient method for estimating time‐dependent failure possibility by combining adaptive Kriging with adaptive truncated fuzzy simulation
Authors: Wang Lu , Lu Zhenzhou , Feng Kaixuan , Yun Wanying
Published: October 2021

Time‐dependent failure possibility (TDFP) can measure the structural safety level for a time interval of interest under fuzzy uncertainty, but its calculational cost is unaffordable by using fuzzy simulation (FS) due to a required large size of FS candidate sampling pool (CSP). Although time‐dependent adaptive Kriging model (T‐AK) combined with FS (T‐AK‐FS) was presented to reduce the number of calling performance function, a large FS CSP still makes training T‐AK time‐consuming. To improve its efficiency, an adaptive truncated FS (ATFS) with T‐AK (T‐AK‐ATFS) is proposed by CSP size reduction approach. By T‐AK‐ATFS, the largest safety hypercube in fuzzy standard space is adaptively searched, in which the samples are in safety states and can be removed from the FS CSP. Moreover, T‐AK is adaptively trained to search the largest safety hypercube and estimate TDFP simultaneously. In adaptively searching process, the FS CSP is divided into several sub‐CSPs, on which training T‐AK is more time‐saving. Overall, strategies of T‐AK‐ATFS include proposing ATFS to reduce the FS CSP, adaptively searching the largest safety hypercube, estimating the TDFP with the same T‐AK and training T‐AK in the sub‐CSPs sequentially. Verified by examples, these strategies make T‐AK‐ATFS more efficient than existing FS and T‐AK‐FS.