bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of platelet count with all‐cause mortality from acute respiratory distress syndrome: A cohort study
Authors: Wang Rennv , Dai Haiwen
Published: March 2022

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether platelet count was associated with mortality in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients.

Methods

We analyzed patients with ARDS from Multi‐parameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care Database III (MIMIC‐III). Platelet count was measured at the time of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The cox proportional hazard model and subgroup analysis were used to determine the relationship between the platelet count and mortality of ARDS, as well as the consistency of its association. The primary outcome of this study was 365‐day mortality from the date of ICU admission.

Result

This study enrolled a total of 395 critically ill patients with ARDS. After adjustment for age, gender and ethnicity, the multivariate cox regression model showed that the hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of platelet count <192 × 109/L and >296 × 109/L were 2.08 (1.43, 3.04) and 1.35 (0.91, 2.01), respectively, compared with the reference (192–296 ×109/L). After adjusting for confounding factors, lower platelet count (<192 × 109/L) was associated with increased mortality (adjusted HR, 1.71; 95% CI 1.06–2.76, p = 0.0284). However, there was no similar trend in the 30‐day (adjusted HR,1.02; 95% CI 0.54–1.94) or 90‐day (adjusted HR, 1.65; 95% CI 0.94–2.89) mortality. In the subgroup analysis, lower platelet count showed significant interactions with specific populations (p interaction = 0.0413), especially in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Conclusion

Taken together, our analysis showed that platelet count is an independent predictor of mortality in critically ill patients with ARDS.
Prognostic value of glucose‐to‐lymphocyte ratio in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Yi , Zhang Shuo
Published: March 2022

Background

There is need to identify biomarkers for prognosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ADRS). This may allow early and accurate identification of patients with high‐risk ARDS to guide adjustment of clinical treatment and nursing intervention, which would ultimately improve prognosis of patients with ARDS. Biomarkers based on a combination of fasting glucose and lymphocyte counts to predict prognosis in critically ill patients with ARDS remain undefined. In this study, we investigated the association between glucose‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (GLR) and in‐hospital mortality.

Methods

The study obtained data from Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care‐IV (MIMIC‐IV Version 1.0) database. We defined the GLR as fasting glucose/lymphocyte count and the patient in‐hospital mortality was considered as the outcome. In addition, we employed linear and logistic regression models for analysis.

Results

In total, 1,085 patients with ARDS were included in this study. The eligible participants included 498 female and 587 males, with a mean age of 64.2 ± 17.5 years. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that higher GLR was an independent risk factor for all‐cause mortality (OR =1.67, 95% CI: 1.26–2.22) after adjusting for age, sex, anion gap, white blood cell count, congestive heart failure, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), SBP, DBP, and respiratory rate in both the dichotomized group and subgroups. We also analyzed the in‐hospital mortality to ROC curves by comparing the value between SOFA + GLR and SOFA. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.6991 for the SOFA + GLR (95% CI: 0.6634–0.7348), and 0.6613 for the SOFA (95% CI: 0.6238–0.6988).

Conclusion

Our data showed that the GLR was an independent predictor of in‐hospital mortality for patients with ARDS. The GLR is an integrated, readily available clinical biomarker for mortality in patients with ARDS.
Design of a separation process for natural 2‐phenylethanol with solvent selection based on safety criteria
Authors: Chacón‐Izquierdo Alejandro , Magdaleno‐Cruz Ana E , López‐Molina Antíoco , Conde‐Baéz Laura , Mas‐Hernández Elizabeth , Conde‐Mejía Carolina
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

In the past, process safety has improved safety issues in chemical plants; today, it is essential to consider safety aspects in any process plant. Furthermore, the production of value‐added products through biotechnological methods has increased, and safety is usually not considered in this kind of process design. The biotechnological production of 2‐phenylethanol (2‐PE) has been studied at a laboratory scale. However, before considering industrial‐scale production, it is necessary to design an efficient and safe purification process to maintain the quality characteristics of 2‐PE. This work proposes a separation process for natural 2‐PE (which was obtained from whey fermentation) and evaluates its safety and economic aspects.

RESULTS

This process is based on liquid–liquid extraction. The feed stream consists of an aqueous mixture with 0.095 wt% of 2‐PE and 1.54 wt% of ethanol. The conceptual design was implemented in the simulator Aspen Plus V.10. The bioprocess safety index (BPSI) was used to find the hazardous process streams for the safety evaluation.

CONCLUSION

The 2‐PE separation showed an overall recovery of 99.54% and a purity of 99.67 wt% in the product stream. The process streams identified as hazardous are the extract and solvent recycling streams. The utility and operating cost per separated kilogram of 2‐PE are USD 0.658 kg−1 and USD 14.48 kg−1, respectively. The industrial‐scale implementation of 2‐PE bioproduction shows positive potential. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Prenatal diagnosis of hepatic interruption of the inferior vena cava with azygos/hemiazygos continuation without structural heart defects: A case series
Authors: Babaoğlu Kadir , Doğan Yasemin , Başar Eviç Zeynep , Usta Emre
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To describe fetal spectrum and echocardiographic characteristics of interrupted inferior vena cava (IIVC) with azygos/hemiazygous continuation without other structural heart defects and to evaluate its association with visceral heterotaxy and isomerism, extracardiac and genetic anomalies, and to review neonatal outcome.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of 14 fetuses with a confirmed diagnosis of IIVC with normal intracardiac anatomy. The following variables were collected; indication for referral, gestational age at diagnosis; associated isomerism and visceral heterotaxy, heart rhythm, genetic and extracardiac abnormalities, and fetal/neonatal outcome.

Results

Among 36 fetuses with IIVC, 14 cases (38.8%) had normal intracardiac anatomy. These IIVC cases correspond to 0.19% (14/7250) of all fetal cardiac examinations, and to 1.5% (14/922) of all cardiac abnormalities. Six patients had visceral abnormalities. Atrial appendage morphology was clearly depicted in three fetuses, both appendages were left. One fetus had bradyarrhythmia revealing atrial ectopic rhythm. Six fetuses did not have any concomitant cardiac or visceral abnormalities, therefore regarded as isolated. All babies were delivered at term with a good prognosis.

Conclusion

Our study has shown that almost half of the IIVC cases without intracardiac structural anomalies displayed other findings of isomerism while the other half was isolated benign vascular variant. Therefore, prenatal diagnosis of IIVC should prompt a comprehensive evaluation for cardiac, situs, and visceral anomalies. The outcome is favorable.
Response of nitrous oxide emissions to individual rain events and future changes in precipitation
Authors: Miller Lee T. , Griffis Timothy John , Erickson Matthew Dean , Turner Peter August , Deventer Malte Julian , Chen Zichong , Yu Zhongjie , Venterea Rodney T. , Baker John M. , Frie Alexander L.
Published: March 2022

Changing precipitation has the potential to alter nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from agricultural regions. In this study, we applied the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 end‐of‐century RCP 8.5 (business as usual) precipitation projections for the U.S. Upper Midwest and examined the effects of mean precipitation changes, characterized by increased early‐season rainfall and decreased mid‐ to late‐season rainfall, on N2O emissions from a conventionally managed corn (Zea mays L.) cropping system grown in an indoor mesocosm facility over four growing seasons. We also assessed the response of N2O emissions to over 1,000 individual rain events. Nitrous oxide emissions were most strongly correlated with water‐filled pore space (WFPS) and soil nitrogen (N) status. After rain events, the change in N2O emissions, relative to pre‐rain emissions, was more likely to be positive when soil NO3– was >40 mg N kg–1 soil and soil NH4+ was >10 mg N kg–1 soil and was more likely to be negative when soil NO3– was >40 mg N kg–1 soil and soil NH4+ was <10 mg N kg–1 soil. Similarly, hourly N2O emissions remained <5 nmol m–2 s–1 when combined NH4+ + NO3– was <20 mg N kg–1 soil or NH4+ and NO3– were <5 and 20 mg N kg–1 soil, respectively. Rain event magnitude did not substantially affect the change in N2O flux. Finally, growing‐season N2O emissions, soil moisture, and inorganic N content were not affected by the future precipitation pattern. Near‐optimal soil WFPS combined with soil N concentrations above the identified thresholds favor higher N2O emissions.
Circ_0008717 promotes renal cell carcinoma progression by upregulating FBXO17 via targeting miR‐217
Authors: Shen Siyao , Jiang Ming , Deng Wen , Liu Xiaoqiang , Xiong Junhui , Zeng Zhigang , Zhao Hong , Zeng Xiaochun , Fu Bin
Published: March 2022

Background

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common lethal urological malignancy. Circular RNAs are assumed to play important roles in cancer development. The objective of the present study was to investigate the role and action mechanism of circ_0008717 in RCC.

Methods

The expression of circ_0008717, miR‐217 and F‐box protein 17 (FBXO17) mRNA was detected by a real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cell proliferation was examined using a cell counting kit‐8 assay and an 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed by a flow cytometry assay. Cell migration and cell invasion were investigated using a transwell assay. Glycolysis progression was assessed according to the levels of glucose uptake and lactate production. The expression of glycolysis‐related proteins and FBXO17 protein was quantified by western blotting. The targets were analyzed by the bioinformatics tools (starBase and circinteractome) and validated by a dual‐luciferase reporter assay, RNA pull‐down assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. A xenograft model was established to monitor the role of circ_0008717 in vivo.

Results

Circ_0008717 was upregulated in RCC tissues and cells. Silencing circ_0008717 suppressed RCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis but promoted cell apoptosis. MiR‐217 was a target of circ_0008717 and bound to the FBXO17 3′ untranslated region. The expression of FBXO17 was positively regulated by circ_0008717 but impaired by miR‐217 reintroduction. The inhibitory effects of circ_0008717 knockdown on RCC cell malignant behaviors were reversed by miR‐217 inhibition or FBXO17 overexpression. Circ_0008717 knockdown inhibited tumor growth in vivo by regulating miR‐217 and FBXO17.

Conclusions

Circ_0008717 aggravated the progression of RCC by activating FBXO17 through targeting miR‐217, which provided a novel mechanism for circ_0008717 to participate in RCC progression.
The SC cell line as an in vitro model of human monocytes
Authors: Duweb Amira , Gaiser Ann-Kathrin , Stiltz Isabel , El Gaafary Menna , Simmet Thomas , Syrovets Tatiana
Published: March 2022

In vitro analysis of human macrophages is generally hampered by the necessity to differentiate them from peripheral blood monocytes. We have analyzed to which extent noncancerous SC monocytes could be used as an in vitro macrophage model. Macrophages differentiated from peripheral monocytes using standard CSF1 and CSF2 protocols for M2 and M1 precursors, respectively, were compared with THP-1-derived macrophages treated with PMA and with SC-derived macrophages differentiated either by CSF1, CSF2, or PMA according to different protocols. The optimal condition for generation of SC macrophages was treatment with PMA for 3 days, followed by 5-days culture without PMA and 24-h polarization with LPS/IFN-γ or IL-4/IL-13. Similar to THP-1, SC cells do not express the monocyte marker CD14 and differentiation to macrophages results neither in CD68 nor in CD14 expression, both of which were expressed by monocyte-derived macrophages. Similar to THP-1-macrophages, a proportion of SC macrophages can be polarized to the M1-like subtype that is characterized by higher expression of CD38, CD86, CD80, TNF-α, and IL-1ra, whereas treatment with IL4/IL13 did not lead to expression of the M2-associated receptors CD163, CD206, and only slightly increased the CD200R expression. Still, SC-M1 express much lower levels of the M1-associated markers compared with monocyte-derived M1 and no IL-1β. The data demonstrate that SC-derived macrophages differ from monocyte-derived macrophages in respect of their morphology, expression of important macrophage markers, phagocytosis. Yet, polarized SC-M1-like cells may with restrictions serve as a model for M1 macrophages, though this model does not provide significant advantages over already well-described THP-1-M1-like cells.
Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) in leucocytes as post-COVID-19 sequelae
Authors: Díaz-Resendiz Karina Janice Guadalupe , Benitez-Trinidad Alma Betsaida , Covantes-Rosales Carlos Eduardo , Toledo-Ibarra Gladys Alejandra , Ortiz-Lazareno Pablo Cesar , Girón-Pérez Daniel Alberto , Bueno-Durán Adela Yolanda , Pérez-Díaz Daniela Alejandra , Barcelos-García Rocío Guadalupe , Girón-Pérez Manuel Iván
Published: March 2022

The mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) is a parameter often used to determine mitochondrial function; therefore, it can be used to determine the integrity and functionality of cells. A decrement of ΔΨm is implicated in several inflammatory-related pathologies, such phenomena can be related to COVID-19 infection. The present work aimed to compare the ΔΨm in leucocytes (human PBMCs; HPBMC) isolated from healthy control (HC) subjects, patients with COVID-19 (C-19), recovered subjects at 40 ± 13 (R1) and 335 ± 20 (R2) days after infection (dai). Obtained data showed that ΔΨm decreased in HPBMC of subjects with C-19, R1, and R2 compared with HC. When analyzing the ΔΨm data by sex, in females, a significant decrease was observed in R1 and R2 groups versus HC. Regarding men, a significant decrease of ΔΨm was observed in R1, with respect to HC, contrary to R2 group, who reestablished this parameter. Obtained results suggest that the loss of ΔΨm could be related to the long-COVID.
Mechanisms of HIV-1 cell-to-cell transfer to myeloid cells
Authors: Han Mingyu , Woottum Marie , Mascarau Rémi , Vahlas Zoï , Verollet Christel , Benichou Serge
Published: March 2022

In addition to CD4+ T lymphocytes, cells of the myeloid lineage such as macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), and osteoclasts (OCs) are emerging as important target cells for HIV-1, as they likely participate in all steps of pathogenesis, including sexual transmission and early virus dissemination in both lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues where they can constitute persistent virus reservoirs. At least in vitro, these myeloid cells are poorly infected by cell-free viral particles. In contrast, intercellular virus transmission through direct cell-to-cell contacts may be a predominant mode of virus propagation in vivo leading to productive infection of these myeloid target cells. HIV-1 cell-to-cell transfer between CD4+ T cells mainly through the formation of the virologic synapse, or from infected macrophages or dendritic cells to CD4+ T cell targets, have been extensively described in vitro. Recent reports demonstrate that myeloid cells can be also productively infected through virus homotypic or heterotypic cell-to-cell transfer between macrophages or from virus-donor-infected CD4+ T cells, respectively. These modes of infection of myeloid target cells lead to very efficient spreading in these poorly susceptible cell types. Thus, the goal of this review is to give an overview of the different mechanisms reported in the literature for cell-to-cell transfer and spreading of HIV-1 in myeloid cells.
Cycle threshold values and SARS‐CoV‐2: Relationship to demographic characteristics and disease severity
Authors: Penney Jessica , Jung Amanda , Koethe Benjamin , Doron Shira
Published: March 2022

Cycle threshold (Ct), or the number of cycles required to amplify viral RNA to a detectable level, provides an estimate of viral load. Previous studies have demonstrated mixed results in regard to the association between SARS‐CoV‐2 Ct from real‐time reverse transcriptase PCR (rRT‐PCR) testing to patient outcomes, and there is less data on the relationship between Ct and patient characteristics. This was a retrospective study of 256 patients tested at a tertiary care emergency department from March to July 2020 via nasopharyngeal rRT‐PCR testing utilizing the Abbott M2000 SARS‐CoV‐2 assay. Kruskal–Wallis, univariable, and multivariable logistic regression were used where appropriate for analysis. There were no significant differences in Ct value by demographic characteristics including age, sex, race, or ethnicity. Ct increased with time since symptom onset (p < 0.001), and increasing Ct was associated with increased odds of severe disease (odds ratio: 1.05, 95% confidence interval: 1.0–1.11). Ct was not found to be associated with patient demographic characteristics and increasing Ct was found to be associated with increased odds of severe disease. Continued study will allow us to better comprehend the complex factors that contribute to the risk for severe outcomes due to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.
Early versus delayed antiretroviral therapy based on genotypic resistance test: Results from a large retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bavaro Davide F. , De Vito Andrea , Pasculli Giuseppe , Bouba Yagai , Magnasco Laura , Pincino Rachele , Saladini Francesco , Lattanzio Rossana , Corsini Romina , Arima Serena , Zazzi Maurizio , Incardona Francesca , Rossetti Barbara , Bezenchek Antonia , Vanni Borghi , Di Biagio Antonio
Published: March 2022

Rapid start of antiretroviral therapy (ART) pending genotypic resistance test (GRT) has been recently proposed, but the effectiveness of this strategy is still debated. The rate of virological success (VS), defined as HIV‐RNA < 50 copies/ml, with and without GRT was compared in drug‐naïve individuals enrolled in the Italian ARCA cohort who started ART between 2015 and 2018. 521 individuals started ART: 397 without GRT (pre‐GRT group) and 124 following GRT (post‐GRT group). Overall, 398 (76%) were males and 30 (6%) were diagnosed with AIDS. In the pre‐GRT group, baseline CD4+ cell counts were lower (p < 0.001), and viral load was higher (p < 0.001) than in the post‐GRT group. The estimated probability of VS in pre‐GRT versus post‐GRT group was 72.54% (CI95: 67.78–76.60) versus 66.94% (CI95: 57.53–74.26) at Week 24 and 92.40% (CI95: 89.26–94.62) versus 92.92% (CI95: 86.35–96.33) at Week 48, respectively (p = 0.434). At Week 48, VS was less frequent among individuals with baseline CD4+ cell counts <200 versus >500 (90.33% vs. 97.33%), log viral load <5.00 versus >5.70 log10 cps/ml (97.17% vs 78.16%; p < 0.001), and those treated with protease inhibitors or non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors versus those treated with integrase strand transfer inhibitors (p < 0.001). The rate of VS does not seem to be affected by an early ART initiation pending GRT results, but it could be influenced by the composition of the ART regimen, as well as immuno‐virological parameters.
Bacillus subtilis BR4 derived stigmatellin Y interferes Pqs‐PqsR mediated quorum sensing system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Boopathi Seenivasan , Vashisth Rajesh , Mohanty Ashok Kumar , Jia Ai‐Qun , Sivakumar Natesan , Arockiaraj Jesu
Published: March 2022

Cell‐to‐cell communication is essentially required in bacteria for the production of multiple virulence factors and successful colonization in the host. Targeting the virulence factors production without hampering the growth of the pathogens is a potential strategy to control pathogenesis. To accomplish this, a total of 43 mangrove isolates were screened for quorum quenching (QQ) activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), in which eight bacteria have shown antibiofilm activity without hampering the growth of the PA. Prominent QQ activity was observed in Bacillus subtilis BR4. Previously, we found that BR4 produces stigmatellin Y, a structural analogue of PQS signal of PA, which could competitively bind with PqsR receptor and inhibits the quorum sensing (QS) system of PA. Further, stigmatellin Y containing ethyl acetate extract (S‐EAE) (100 µg ml−1) of BR4 significantly inhibits (p < 0.001) the biofilm formation of PA. Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis also fortified the QQ activity of BR4. Furthermore, S‐EAE of BR4 (500 µg ml−1) has significantly reduced the production of virulence factors, including protease, elastase, pyocyanin and extracellular polysaccharides substances. Furthermore, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS)/MS analysis affirms that BR4 intercepts the PQS‐mediated QS system by reducing the synthesis of as many PQS signals, including precursor molecule (243.162313 Da) of PQS signal. Thus, S‐EAE of B. subtilis BR4 could be used as a promising therapeutic agent to combat QS system‐mediated pathogenesis of PA. Further therapeutic potentials of stigmatellin Y to be evaluated in clinical studies for the treatment of multidrug resistant PA.
Attention‐control training as an early intervention for veterans leaving the military: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Metcalf Olivia , O'Donnell Meaghan L. , Forbes David , Bar‐Haim Yair , Hodson Stephanie , Bryant Richard A. , McFarlane Alexander C. , Morton David , Poerio Loretta , Naim Reut , Varker Tracey
Published: March 2022

Transitioning out of the military can be a time of change and challenge. Research indicates that altered threat monitoring in military populations may contribute to the development of psychopathology in veterans, and interventions that adjust threat monitoring in personnel leaving the military may be beneficial. Australian Defence Force personnel (N = 59) transitioning from the military were randomized to receive four weekly sessions of either attention‐control training or a placebo attention training. The primary outcome was symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as measured using the PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5 (PCL‐5) at posttreatment. Following training, participants who received attention‐control training reported significantly lower levels of PTSD symptoms, Hedges’ g = 0.86, 95% CI [0.37, 1.36], p = .004, and significantly improved work and social functioning, Hedges’ g = 0.93, 95% CI [0.46, 1.39], p = .001, relative to those in the placebo condition. Moreover, no participants who received attention‐control training worsened with regard to PTSD symptoms, whereas 23.8% of those who received the placebo attention training experienced an increase in PTSD symptoms. The preliminary findings from this pilot study add to a small body of evidence supporting attention‐control training as a viable indicated early intervention approach for PTSD that is worthy of further research.
Challenges and opportunities for estimating abundance of a low‐density moose population
Authors: Hinton Joseph W. , Wheat Rachel E. , Schuette Paul , Hurst Jeremy E. , Kramer David W. , Stickles James H. , Frair Jacqueline L.
Published: March 2022

Monitoring large herbivores across their core range has been readily accomplished using aerial surveys and traditional distance sampling. But for peripheral populations, where individuals may occur in patchy, low‐density populations, precise estimation of population size and trend remains logistically and statistically challenging. For moose (Alces alces) along their southern range margin in northern New York, USA, we sought robust estimates of moose distribution, abundance, and population trend (2016–2019) using a combination of aerial surveys (line transect distance‐sampling), repeated surveys in areas where moose were known to occur to boost the number of detections, and density surface modeling (DSM) with spatial covariates. We achieved a precise estimate of density (95% CI = 0.00–0.29 moose/km2) for this small population (656 moose, 95% CI = 501–859), which was patchily distributed across a large and heavily forested region (the 24,280‐km2Adirondack Park). Local moose abundance was positively related to active timber management, elevation, and snow cover, and negatively related to large bodies of water. As expected, moose abundance in this peripheral population was low relative to its core range in other northern forest states. Yet, in areas where abundance was greatest, moose densities in New York approached those where epizootics of winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) have been reported, underscoring the need for effective and efficient monitoring. By incorporating autocorrelation in observations and landscape covariates, DSM provided spatially explicit estimates of moose density with greater precision and no additional field effort over traditional distance sampling. Combined with repeated surveys of areas with known moose occurrence to achieve viable sample sizes, DSM is a useful tool for effectively monitoring low density and patchy populations.
Asymmetric Topological Valley Edge States on Silicon‐On‐Insulator Platform
Authors: Wang Hongwei , Sun Lu , He Yu , Tang Guojing , An Shaohua , Wang Zhen , Du Yuhan , Zhang Yong , Yuan Luqi , He Xintao , Dong Jianwen , Su Yikai
Published: March 2022

Valley‐Hall photonic topological insulators (VPTIs) provide an intriguing approach to suppress backscattering, enhance the robustness of transport, and shrink the footprints of the topological devices. However, previous works focused on the transmission characteristics of the symmetric topological waveguides with few reports on functional devices involving edge mode coupling, which hinders the implementation of various functional devices such as optical couplers/splitters, switches, filters, and etc. In this paper, a new method to manipulate the mode field distributions in topological waveguides is demonstrated by introducing asymmetric edge states, thus the mode coupling with an arbitrary coupling ratio can be achieved between topological waveguides. As an example, a topological power splitter with a 33:67 splitting ratio is demonstrated experimentally. In addition, to verify the robust transmission property of the topological photonic devices, a high‐speed data transmission experiment for a topological power splitter is performed and a high data rate of 128 Gb s−1 is achieved. These results promise a new method to manipulate the mode field distribution in topological waveguides and devices that may find wide applications in diverse fields such as optical communications, nanophotonics, and quantum information processing.
Symmetry‐Protected Spoof Localized Surface Plasmonic Skyrmion
Authors: Yang Jie , Zheng Xuezhi , Wang Jiafu , Pan Yueting , Zhang Anxue , Cui Tie Jun , Vandenbosch Guy A. E.
Published: March 2022

Electromagnetic (EM) skyrmions are an EM analogue of the skyrmions in condensed matter physics, offering new degrees of freedom to structure light and manipulate light–matter interactions and thus promising various groundbreaking applications in optics and photonics. Recently, there is a growing interest in composing EM skyrmions based on different field vectors of EM waves. Here, an EM skyrmion is realized, i.e., a spoof plasmonic skyrmion (SPS), using the electric field vectors of spoof localized surface plasmons (LSPs) in a planar microwave resonator with rotational and mirroring symmetries. The SPS is constructed by synthesizing a scalar vortex (a topological charge 0) and a polarization vortex (a topological charge 1) in the in‐plane and the out‐of‐plane component of the fields, respectively. Besides an experimental demonstration, group theory is employed and pinpoints the symmetry origin of the skyrmion. This investigation demonstrates the ubiquity of the existence of the skyrmion in any planar EM resonator holding rotational and mirroring symmetries, regardless the dimensions and the operating frequencies. This skyrmion design not only promises novel microwave applications for sensing and transferring information, but also lays down a general guideline for devising skyrmions operating over a broad range in the EM spectra.
Macromolecular Engineering and Additive Manufacturing of Polyisobutylene‐Based Thermoplastic Elastomers. II. The Poly(styrene‐b‐isobutylene‐b‐styrene)/Poly(phenylene oxide) System
Authors: Shen Naifu , Bu Jinyu , Prévôt Marianne E. , Hegmann Torsten , Kennedy Joseph P. , Xu Weinan
Published: March 2022

This series of publications describes research rendering soft polyisobutylene (PIB)‐based thermoplastic elastomers 3D printable by blending with rigid chemically compatible thermoplastics. The molecular structure, morphology, physical properties, and 3D printability of such blends have been systematically investigated. The authors' first report was concerned with the rendering of soft poly(styrene‐b‐isobutylene‐b‐styrene) (SIBS) 3D printable by blending with rigid polystyrene (PS). Here they report the macromolecular engineering of SIBS/polyphenylene oxide (PPO) blends for 3D printing. PPO, a rigid high‐performance thermoplastic, is compatible with the hard PS block in SIBS; however, neither PPO nor SIBS can be directly 3D printed. The microphase‐separated structures and physical properties of SIBS/PPO blends are systematically tuned by controlling blending ratios and molecular weights. Suitable composition ranges and desirable properties of SIBS/PPO blends for 3D printing are optimized. The morphology and properties of SIBS/PPO blends are characterized by an ensemble of techniques, including atomic force microscopy, small‐angle X‐ray scattering, and thermal and mechanical properties testing. The elucidation of processing‐structure‐property relationship of SIBS/PPO blends is essential for 3D printing and advanced manufacturing of high‐performance polymer systems.
Cibalackrot Dendrimers for Hyperfluorescent Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Wallwork Nicholle R. , Mamada Masashi , Keto Angus B. , McGregor Sarah K. M. , Shukla Atul , Adachi Chihaya , Krenske Elizabeth H. , Namdas Ebinazar B. , Lo Shih‐Chun
Published: March 2022

Hyperfluorescent organic light‐emitting diodes (HF‐OLEDs) enable a cascading Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from a suitable thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) assistant host to a fluorescent end‐emitter to give efficient OLEDs with relatively narrowed electroluminescence compared to TADF‐OLEDs. Efficient HF‐OLEDs require optimal FRET with minimum triplet diffusion via Dexter‐type energy transfer (DET) from the TADF assistant host to the fluorescent end‐emitter. To hinder DET, steric protection of the end‐emitters has been proposed to disrupt triplet energy transfer. In this work, the first HF‐OLEDs based on structurally well‐defined macromolecules, dendrimers is reported. The dendrimers contain new highly twisted dendrons attached to a Cibalackrot core, resulting in high solubility in organic solvents. HF‐OLEDs based on dendrimer blend films are fabricated to show external quantum efficiencies of >10% at 100 cd m−2. Importantly, dendronization with the bulky dendrons is found to have no negative impact to the FRET efficiency, indicating the excellent potential of the dendritic macromolecular motifs for HF‐OLEDs. To fully prevent the undesired triplet diffusion, Cibalackrot dendrimers HF‐OLEDs are expected to be further improved by adding additional dendrons to the Cibalackrot core and/or increasing dendrimer generations.
Oil–Water Separation Polypropylene Foam with Advanced Solvent‐Evaporation Induced Coexistence of Microspheres and Microporous Structure
Authors: Wang Xin , Zhang Mingtao , Schubert Dirk W. , Liu Xianhu
Published: March 2022

For decades, crude oil spills and oil wastewater have become the most problematic environmental pollution and damage to public health. Therefore, it is considerable to develop superhydrophobic polymer foam for separating oil from water with high selectivity and sorption capacity. Here, a new type of environmentally friendly pure polypropylene (PP) foam with superhydrophobicity is first time proposed with a particular coexistence of microspheres and microporous structure fabricated via an advanced solvent‐evaporation method. The PP foam exhibits exceptional superhydrophobic with a water contact angle of 151° and the maximum saturated adsorption capacity of 26 g g−1. After more than 15 h of cyclic continuous oil–water pumping experiment, it still maintains a high oil absorption efficiency of 98%, providing the basis for practical commercial applications. More importantly, the variation of hydrophobic properties is described by Flory–Huggins polymer solution theory and Huggins interaction parameters, and the optimal solution ratio range is predicted which provides a relevant theoretical basis for actual industrial production.
Complexation of a Polyelectrolyte Brush with Oppositely Charged AB Diblock Copolymers: The Zipper Brushes
Authors: Gioldasis Christos , Gergidis Leonidas N. , Vlahos Costas
Published: March 2022

The internal stratification of a polyelectrolyte complex (zipper brush) formed by mixing of an anionic charged polyelectrolyte brush (PEB) with cationic‐neutral diblock copolymers bearing a very long neutral block is studied by means of molecular dynamics simulations. The authors find that the fraction of the neutralized PEB units in the mixture increases as the fraction of the PEB charged units (a) increase for high grafting densities (d). Due to the charge neutralization condition, from the initial PEB through the complexation with the appropriate choice of a cationic‐neutral copolymer, neutral brush having grafting density lower, equal, or much higher than that of the PEB are obtained. The addition of monovalent salt in the mixture with concentrations 0.1 and 1 m leads to a reduction in complexed diblock copolymer chains of up to 91% and practically the initial PEB is recovered. The findings are in full agreement with existing experimental predictions and provide new insights into the structure and the shape of the coacervate. The latter progressively changes from a dense film to perforated film, to lamella, to pinned micelles, to stacks as a, d, and the molecular weights of the PEB and diblock copolymer blocks are altered.
A hybrid statistical‐dynamical prediction scheme for summer monthly precipitation over Northeast China
Authors: Ma Jiehua , Sun Jianqi , Liu Changzheng
Published: March 2022

To improve the seasonal prediction of monthly precipitation in summer over Northeast China (NEC), a hybrid prediction scheme is developed to combine the advantages of statistical method with dynamical prediction information from 4 coupled general climate models (CGCMs). As the operational prediction of summer climate is performed in March or earlier, the information of CGCMs employed in this study is from the hindcast/prediction in February for June and July, and March for August. Predictors comprise observations of the preceding winter sea surface temperature and simultaneous information derived from the CGCMs. Stability and multicollinearity are fully considered in predictor selection to avoid over‐fitting. For a single model, the monthly precipitation reconstructed from the predicted time series and the observed spatial load of the leading Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) modes with accumulative explained covariance more than 85%. For the multi‐model ensemble (MME), the predictions with the lowest correlation coefficient were removed until the performance of the MME was optimal for the cross‐validation period. This new ensemble method shows some advantages compared to a traditional MME method. The leave‐one‐out cross‐validation for 1982–2010 and the independent validation for 2011–2016 both indicate an improvement of the new hybrid scheme in seasonal predictions of summer monthly precipitation over NEC. The observed and predicted monthly precipitation are significantly correlated with coefficients of 0.71, 0.49, and 0.73, and their hit rates are 77%, 66%, and 77% for June, July, and August precipitation, respectively for the MME over the period 1982–2016.
Comparison of nine methods of immediate breast reconstruction after resection of localized breast cancer: A cost‐effectiveness Markov decision analysis of prospective studies
Authors: Klifto Kevin M. , Tecce Michael G. , Serletti Joseph M. , Kovach Stephen J.
Published: March 2022

Background

Women undergoing immediate breast reconstruction without radiation therapy have reconstruction methods available with uncertain long‐term costs associated with complications requiring surgery and revisions. We evaluated cost‐effectiveness of nine methods of immediate breast reconstruction for women with localized breast cancer.

Methods

Markov modeling was performed over 10‐years for unilateral/bilateral breast reconstructions from healthcare/societal perspectives. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched to derive data from 13,744 patients in 79 prospective studies. Complications requiring surgery (mastectomy necrosis, total/partial flap necrosis, seroma, hematoma, infection, wound dehiscence, abdominal hernia, implant removal/explantation) and revisions (fat necrosis, capsular contracture, asymmetry, scars/redundant tissue, implant rupture/removal, fat grafting) were evaluated over yearly cycles. Reconstructions included: direct‐to‐implant (DTI), tissue expander‐to‐implant (TEI), latissimus dorsi flap‐to‐implant (LDI), latissimus dorsi (LD), pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM), free TRAM, deep inferior epigastric perforator/superficial inferior epigastric artery (DIEP/SIEA), thigh‐based, or gluteal based flaps. Outcomes were incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICER) and net monetary benefits (NMB). Willingness‐to‐pay thresholds were $50,000 and $100,000.

Results

From a healthcare perspective for unilateral reconstruction, compared to LD, the ICER for DTI was −$42,109.35/quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALY), LDI was −$25,300.83/QALY, TEI was −$22,036.02/QALY, DIEP/SIEA was $8307.65/QALY, free TRAM was $8677.26/QALY, pedicled TRAM was $13,021.44/QALY, gluteal‐based was $17,698.99/QALY, and thigh‐based was $23,447.82/QALY. NMB of DIEP/SIEA was $404,523.47, free TRAM was $403,821.40, gluteal‐based was $392,478.64, thigh‐based was $387,691.70, pedicled TRAM was $376,901.83, LD was $370,646.93, DTI was $339,668.77, LDI was $334,350.30, and TEI was $329,265.84.

Conclusions

All nine methods of immediate breast reconstruction were considered cost‐effective from healthcare/societal perspectives. LD provided the lowest costs, while DIEP/SIEA provided the greatest effectiveness and NMB.
Identification of Trovafloxacin, Ozanimod, and Ozenoxacin as Potent c‐Myc G‐Quadruplex Stabilizers to Suppress c‐Myc Transcription and Myeloma Growth
Authors: Zhang Jinyuan , Wang Tao , Geng Xiaoju , Liu Linlin , Gao Jian
Published: March 2022

c‐Myc is a major oncogene that is estimated to result in almost all human cancers and the c‐Myc downregulation has become an attractive strategy for cancer treatment. For it is hard to design compounds that can directly interact with the c‐Myc protein, the DNA G‐quadruplex (G4) was discovered in its promoter region which was referred to as a potential drug target for controlling c‐Myc expression. In this study, a combined strategy of molecular docking‐based virtual screening, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MM/GBSA) free energy calculation was conducted on the existing FDA‐Approved Drugs Library, eight compounds were selected for further experimental assay. Among them, five compounds exhibited dose‐dependently anticancer activities against RPMI‐8226 cells with IC50 values less than 18.4 μM. Further experiments showed that Trovafloxacin, Ozanimod, and Ozenoxacin decreased c‐Myc mRNA level obviously and downregulated c‐Myc expression significantly. In summary, compounds Trovafloxacin, Ozanimod, and Ozenoxacin might be regarded as new c‐Myc G4 stabilizers for the treatment of c‐Myc related cancers in the future.
Note on semi‐analytical nonstationary solution for the rivulet flows of non‐Newtonian fluids
Authors: Ershkov Sergey V. , Leshchenko Dmytro
Published: March 2022

We have presented in this analytical research the revisiting of approach for mathematical modeling the rivulet flows on inclined surface in terms of viscous‐plastic theory of two‐dimensional movements in a frame of (x, y)‐plane in Cartesian coordinates. A semi‐analytical solution has been obtained here for nonstationary creeping approximation of plane‐parallel flow slowly moving on inclined surface. The main motivation of the current development is that each additional enhancement of knowledge in regard to this phenomenon should obviously improve the accuracy of calculations for possible applications in technological or engineering areas of fluid dynamics researches. Even in such simple formulation, equations of motion that govern the dynamics of rivulet flows of non‐Newtonian fluids are hard to be solved analytically. Nevertheless, we have succeeded in obtaining analytical expressions for the components of velocity in {Ox, Oy}‐directions of motion for slowly moving the advancing front of rivulet flow (where Ox‐axis coincides to the initial main direction of slowly moving rivulet flow). Restrictions to the form of flow (stemming from the continuity equation) have been used accordingly.
Concept and solution of digital twin based on a Stieltjes differential equation
Authors: Area Iván , Fernández Francisco J. , Nieto Juan J. , Tojo F. Adrián F.
Published: March 2022

We introduce the concept of a digital twin by using Stieltjes differential equations. A precise mathematical definition of solution to the problem is presented. We also analyze the existence and uniqueness of solutions, introduce the concept of main digital twin. As a particular case, the classical compartmental SIR (susceptible, infected, recovered) epidemic model is considered and we study the interrelation between the digital twin and the system. In doing so, we use Stieltjes derivatives to feed the data from the real system to the virtual model which, in return, improves it in real time. Numerical simulations with real data of the COVID‐19 epidemic show the accuracy of the proposed ideas.
Bayer‐Bilanz 2021: Landwirtschaft und Medizin
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: March 2022

Das Leverkusener Unternehmen Bayer hat im Jahr 2021 einen Nettogewinn von einer Milliarde Euro gemacht. Im Jahr 2020 hatten Glyphosat‐Klagen in der Bilanz zu zehn Milliarden Euro Verlust geführt.
Board meeting
Authors: Koch Wolfram
Published: March 2022

Report on the meeting of the GDCh Board of Directors on December 8, 2021
Wärmespeicher: Was steckt in der Lauge?
Authors: Fumey Benjamin , Kleingries Mirko , Karger Gerhard , Offermanns Heribert
Published: March 2022

Vor 140 Jahren verkehrte die Honigmannsche Natronlok in Aachen. Ihre Fahrten blieben eine Episode der Eisenbahngeschichte – ihr Wirkprinzip dagegen macht man sich aktuell bei einem thermischen Energiespeicher zunutze.
Natural history films generate more online interest in depicted species than in conservation messages
Authors: Nolan Grace , Kane Adam , Fernández‐Bellon Darío
Published: March 2022

The greatest crises of our time are environmental. To combat the effects of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation will require the actions of all members of society. However, despite widespread consensus from the scientific community that human actions are driving this rapid environmental degradation, it remains unclear whether and to what extent the public is receiving and engaging with conservation messages. Natural history films have been suggested as one possible medium for generating awareness of conservation issues en masse but some environmental advocates have criticised these shows for lacking strong, focused conservation messaging.

This study quantifies audience engagement with conservation themes and species depicted on screen in two BBC natural history super productions (Blue Planet II and Seven Worlds, One Planet) and a stand‐alone documentary with an explicit focus on conservation (Extinction: The Facts) by using big data analyses of Wikipedia page views during and after broadcast of each show and causal impact analysis.

Our results indicate that natural history films are more effective at generating species awareness than transmitting conservation messages, but that audience engagement generated by conservation‐focused documentaries can be comparable to that generated by entire film series focused on natural history.

With the ultimate goal of contributing to long‐term behavioural change, our results suggest that natural history films have the potential to drive mass audience engagement with conservation themes through better collaboration between filmmakers, conservationists and conservation messaging researchers. Finally, this study underscores how big data approaches can quantify the effectiveness of conservation messages across different mediums.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Experimental investigation on the effect of geopolymer adhesive on the bond behavior between CFRP and concretes
Authors: Liu Jinliang , Su Xincheng , Yan Fangpu
Published: March 2022

The application of geopolymer adhesive to CFRP‐strengthened the RC structure is a new green reinforcement method, and the bonding behavior of geopolymer adhesive was studied in this paper. The geopolymer mechanical properties orthogonal test was conducted and the optimal proportion was obtained, which summarized the influence of slag powder content, liquid–solid ratio, and water glass modulus. A total of 15 adhesively bonded CFRP‐concrete double‐lap joints were fabricated and tested under shear loading to investigate the effect of geopolymer adhesive on the bonding behaviors. Modified bond‐slip models of the geopolymer adhesive specimens were developed and compared with the test date. The results showed that the failure models of epoxy adhesive and geopolymer adhesive are different. The bond strength, interface stiffness, and maximum shear stress of the geopolymer adhesive specimen can reach 93.6% ~ 97.6%, 95.7% ~ 132.9%, and 91% ~ 94% of the bond strength of epoxy adhesive respectively. The predicted τmax and s0 of the proposed model are in excellent agreement with the experimental data, and the maximum deviation is −9.58%. This study proposes that geopolymer could be applied as an effective adhesive in the strengthening of RC structures.
The Unethical Texas Heartbeat Law
Authors: Haining Casey Michelle , Keogh Louise Anne , Savulescu Julian
Published: March 2022

Key points

What is already known?

The Texas Heartbeat Act, which has been in effect since September 2021, prohibits abortions once a ‘fetal heartbeat’ is detected, except in emergency situations.

The law significantly limits access to abortion services in Texas, by essentially prohibiting abortions post 6 weeks' gestation.

The law has been subjected to several legal challenges, none of which have been successful to date.

What does this article add?

This article provides an overview of some of the ethical concerns the law raises and identifies some of the problems the law creates for women, the health profession and society. The article ultimately argues that the law ought to be quashed.