bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gingival pedicle with split‐thickness tunnel technique: A retrospective case series for single mandibular anterior recessions
Authors: Schincaglia Gian Pietro , Agusto Michele , Thacker Sejal , Thomas Simpson Kerri , Salman Arif
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Gingival recessions in the mandibular anterior sextant are a common clinical finding, but mucogingival treatment in this location is particularly challenging, due to several anatomical and surgical difficulties. In the present case series, a novel technique, called gingival pedicle with split‐thickness tunnel (GPST), was retrospectively evaluated.

Case Series

Fifteen patients presenting with a single buccal RT1 or RT2 gingival recession of a depth of ≥3 mm in the mandibular anterior sextant were treated by means of the GPST technique. Clinical periodontal parameters at baseline and at the last follow‐up evaluation visit (6–84 months) were compared. Early healing was uneventful in all cases, and no complications such as flap dehiscence or loss of connective tissue graft were observed. Mean root coverage (mRC) was 98.1% ± 7.38%, corresponding to a statistically significant recession reduction (ΔRD) of 4.53 ± 1.19 mm. Complete root coverage was achieved in 14 of 15 cases. The gain in keratinized tissue width amounted to 3.13 ± 0.99 mm and was statistically significant, whereas no significant change in periodontal probing depth was observed after treatment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, treatment with GPST technique seems to achieve a favorable and predictable clinical improvement in gingival recessions on mandibular anterior teeth.

Why are these cases new information?

Limited information is available about the management of isolated deep labial recessions in the mandibular anterior teeth.

A novel surgical approach, called GPST technique, is described in a case series to specifically address this type of defect.

What are the keys to successful management of these cases?

Horizontal incision ≥ RECwidth

Cut‐back preparation helps to mobilize the flap without tension.

CTG width ≥ 3 times RECwidth

CTG height ≥ RECdepth

Proper graft and flap stabilization need to be achieved.

What are the primary limitations to success in these cases?

Limited mesio‐distal dimensions, which do not allow to obtain a pedicle with adequate horizontal width

Very thin biotype may not be suitable because of the risk of inadequate flap vascularization.
Genetic deletion of IL‐6 increases CK‐MB, a classic cardiac damage marker, and decreases UPRmt genes after exhaustive exercise
Authors: Rovina Rafael L. , Pinto Ana P. , Muñoz Vitor R. , da Rocha Alisson L. , Rebelo Macario A. , Teixeira Giovana R. , Tavares Maria Eduarda A. , Pauli José R. , de Moura Leandro P. , Cintra Dennys E. , Ropelle Eduardo R. , da Silva Adelino S. R.
Published: April 2022

The intensity, duration, type of contraction, and muscle damage influence interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) response to acute exercise. However, in response to an exhaustive exercise session, the upregulation of IL‐6 in the serum and heart is associated with an inflammatory condition and can inhibit autophagy. This study aimed to investigate the role of IL‐6 in autophagy pathway responses and mitochondrial function in the heart of mice submitted to acute exhaustive physical exercise. The mice were allocated into three groups, five animals per group, for the wild type (WT) and the IL‐6 knockout (IL‐6 KO): Basal (sedentary; Basal), 1 h (after 1 h of the acute exercise; 1 h), and 3 h (after 3 h of the acute exercise; 3 h). After the specific time for each group, the blood was collected, each mouse heart was removed, and the left ventricle (LV) was isolated. In summary, under basal conditions, without the influence of the acute exercise, the IL‐6 KO group showed lower number of nuclei in the cardiac tissue, but higher collagen deposition; lower messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of Prkaa1 and Mtco1, but higher mRNA levels of Ulk1; and higher protein levels of the ratio p‐AMPK/AMPK in the heart when compared to WT at the same time point. After the acute exercise (1 and 3 h), the IL‐6 KO group had lower mRNA levels of Tfam, Mtnd1, Mtco1, and Nampt in the heart when compared to WT after exercise; higher serum levels of creatine kinase (CK), CK‐MB, and lactate dehydrogenase for the IL‐6 group when compared to the WT group after the exercise. Specifically, the heat‐shock protein 60 protein levels in the heart increased 3 h after exhaustive exercise in the WT group, but not in the IL‐6 KO group. The study emphasizes that IL‐6 may offer cardioprotective effects, including mitochondrial adaptations in response to acute exhaustive exercise.
Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Frameworks: Functionalized Construction Strategy by Nitrogen‐Containing Functional Group
Authors: Fan Zhiwen , Zou Yingbing , Liu Chulong , Xiang Shengchang , Zhang Zhangjing
Published: April 2022

The construction of hydrogen‐bonded organic framework materials by intermolecular hydrogen bonding forces has been rapidly developed in the last decade, among which, the strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding and functional binding sites exhibited by nitrogen‐containing functional groups have made them favorites for designing organic components to customize functionalized porous materials. This review systematically introduces the types of nitrogen‐containing monomers used to prepare porous hydrogen‐bonded organic backbones and the principles of their construction, summarizes the design advantages of crystalline materials from an elemental perspective, and presents the applications of such HOFs in the fields of gas adsorption/separation, molecular recognition, plasmonic conductivity, biomedical, and luminescent materials, etc. Finally, the prospects for the development of such materials are discussed and potential directions for future work are analyzed.
Direct In Situ Vertical Growth of Interlaced Mesoporous NiO Nanosheets on Carbon Felt for Electrocatalytic Ammonia Synthesis
Authors: Xiong Wei , Zhou Min , Huang Xiaoyan , Yang Weijie , Zhang Da , Lv Yaokang , Li Hao
Published: April 2022

Metal oxide nanomaterials directly grown on conductive substrates are optimal electrode materials because their structures allow for rapid ion and electron transport and thereby reduce internal resistance in the electrode. The development of such binder‐free, self‐supporting electrodes is of great significance for applications in electrocatalysis. In this work, a simple hydrothermal in situ self‐assembly reaction and annealing process was developed to prepare three kinds of nickel oxide @ carbon felt (NiO@CF) nanocomposites with different morphologies. The influence of different precipitators (strong or weak bases) on the morphology of the resulting nano‐sized nickel oxide nanocomposites was investigated. The microstructures of the NiO@CF samples were characterized with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). When ammonia was used as the precipitator, NiO grew vertically on the surface of the carbon felt and formed a mesoporous nanosheet‐like structure (NiO NSs@CF). As an electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (e‐NRR) electrode, the NiO NSs@CF sample showed an excellent NH3yield (71.3 μg h−1 mg−1cat.) and Faradaic efficiency (17.9 % at −0.5 V vs. RHE) in 0.1 M Na2SO4. The good performance was attributed to the vertical interleaved mesoporous sheet‐like structure (with the pore size of 15 nm and the thickness of ∼30 nm) and the relatively high concentration of oxygen vacancies. First‐principles calculations with strong on‐site Coulomb interactions demonstrated that the presence of oxygen vacancy on NiO sample leads to a significantly stronger N binding over the surface, benefiting for the nitrogen gas adsorption and reduction. Thee‐NRR performance of this binder‐free, flexible electrode material is superior to that of other reported nickel‐based nanomaterials. This study highlights the potential of such binder‐free carbon felt electrodes for use ine‐NRR that could meet the needs of industrial production.
Urea derivative organocatalyzed enantioselective Friedel–Crafts alkylation of α‐naphthols with isatins
Authors: Wang Liming , Chen Zhe , Jiang Huiting , Zhang Jie , Jin Ying
Published: April 2022

An organocatalytic enantioselective Friedel–Crafts alkylation of α‐naphthols with isatin derivatives was catalyzed by Takemoto‐type urea catalyst to give optical active 3‐(naphthalen‐2‐yl)‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐oxindoles in 75%–92% yields with up to 95% enantiomeric excess (ee) value. The catalyst type and the substrate scope were broadened in this methodology.
Thermisches Verhalten von Tankspeichern – Teil 1: Modifizierter Modellansatz nach Lagrange
Authors: Rausendorf Jonathan , Roscher Willi , Oppelt Thomas , Urbaneck Thorsten
Published: April 2022

Für die Planung und den Betrieb von Wärmeversorgungssystemen ist eine genaue Kenntnis über das thermische Verhalten von Wärmespeichern notwendig. Speichermodelle können die thermische Schichtung, die thermischen Verluste sowie das Be‐ und Entladeverhalten simulieren. Dieser Artikel stellt einen Modellansatz für große Tankspeicher vor. Dieser basiert auf dem Prinzip von Lagrange, das für die Betrachtung variabler Füllstände geeignet ist. Temperaturabhängige Stoffwerte ermöglichen die Berechnung der thermischen Expansion des Speichermediums im Modell. Mit diesem Ansatz können beispielsweise Speicher mit einer Schwimmdecke modelliert werden.
Supervised sparse preserving projections model based on distributed principal component analysis for chemical process monitoring
Authors: Ding Guangwei , Gu Xingsheng
Published: April 2022

For the monitoring of large‐scale chemical processes, the distributed method is often used to extract local feature information and model the extracted local feature information to obtain a process monitoring model. But the distributed process monitoring model often contains more process variables, which makes the local information of the process data flooded. To make up for the insufficient extraction of local information in traditional distributed process monitoring, supervised sparse preserving projections model based on distributed principal component analysis (DPCA‐SSPP) is proposed in this paper. First, the process data are decomposed by the PCA algorithm, and the principal component space and residual space are obtained. Second, the variables of each sub‐block are selected according to the maximum correlation criterion, and the SSPP process monitoring model is established for each sub‐block. Finally, the monitoring results of each sub‐block are combined together to form a global monitoring result through the Bayesian information fusion strategy. The proposed scheme can be proved to be effective through the simulation on a nonlinear numerical example and the Tennessee Eastman benchmark (TE) process.
Hydrogen‐Bonded Engineering Enhancing Phase Transition Temperature in Molecular Perovskite Ferroelastic
Authors: Zhang Tie , Ding Kun , Li Jun‐Yi , Du Guo‐Wei , Chu Lu‐Lu , Zhang Yi , Fu Da‐Wei
Published: April 2022

Comprehensive Summary

The broad operating temperature range is sought for molecular ferroic materials who are expected to be applied to flexible and electronic materials. Hydrogen bonds, an effective force between molecules, are important to regulate the molecule structure and their condition, helping a higher temperature range for ferroic materials. Here, we report a molecular perovskite ferroelastic (Me‐Hdabco)Rb[BF4]3 (Me‐Hdabco = N‐methyldabconium) which shows high temperature (T1 = 322.5 K and T2 = 381 K) ferroelastic phase transitions. The ferroelastic phase transition temperature range of (Me‐Hdabco)Rb[BF4]3 is significantly increased by 71 K compared with [Meda‐bco‐F]Rb[BF4]3 (Medabco‐F = 1‐fluoro‐4‐methyl‐1,4‐diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane). Structural analysis and thermal analysis demonstrate the ferroelastic phase transition is mainly attributed to dynamic cations order and disorder transformation. Therefore, new hydrogen bonds generated between cations and the Rb8[BF4]12 frame increase their intermolecular force, which is beneficial to improving the phase transition temperature. This finding has an important impact on the utilization of weak interaction forces to design and optimize functional materials.
Monitoring Local pH of Membranous Aggregates via Ratiometric Color Changing Response
Authors: Jha Satadru , Kumari Namita , Chettri Bimal , Dey Nilanjan
Published: April 2022

A series of oxidized di(indolyl)arylmethanes (DIAM) with polyaromatic signaling moieties have been designed for monitoring local pH at the interfacial region of surfactant aggregates, such as micelles and vesicles. The oxidized DIAMs show changes in solution color from red to yellow when incorporated in cationic surfactants (at pH 7.4) and yellow to reddish pink when exposed to negatively‐charged surfactants (at pH 5.0). The changes in surface charge can influence the interfacial pH (distinct from bulk pH of the medium) of the surfactant aggregates. The mechanistic studies indicate that the red‐shifted absorption maxima observed in the presence of anionic amphiphiles (acidic local pH) originated from the protonated species. On the contrary, maxima in the blue region, triggered by positively charged amphiphiles (basic local pH), is attributed to the zwitterionic species. Such prototropic equilibrium affects charge transfer states of the molecules along with their self‐assembly properties. Thus, it is evident that probes can predict as well as quantify the local pH change using the pseudophase ion exchange formalism. Also, the probes can detect the presence of anionic amphiphiles even when bound to phospholipid membranes.
Corporate environmentalism and international trade: Evidence from industry‐level data
Authors: Sam Abdoul G. , Song Danbee
Published: April 2022

We explore the role of ISO 14001 certification in stimulating increased exports for certified firms. The rationale for the study is that certification conveys an important market signal that the certified firm's production process adheres to internationally accepted standards of environmental quality. That is, the perceived credibility of ISO 14001 certification lowers informational barriers about the environmental attributes of the certified firm's products, especially in foreign markets, boosting exports. We put this proposition to an empirical test using the gravity trade model and a panel of South Korean manufacturing industries exporting to 176 countries over the 1988–2015 period. Our results show that ISO 14001 certification generates a robust positive push effect for South Korean manufacturing exports. We further find that this effect varies based on the level of economic development of the destination market, with a more pronounced impact of certification on exports to high‐income countries than to middle and lower income countries.
Remote Functionalization of 8‐Substituted Quinolines with para‐Quinone Methides: Access to Unsymmetrical Tri(hetero)arylmethanes
Authors: Burra Amarender G. , Uredi Dilipkumar , Motati Damoder R. , Fronczek Frank R. , Watkins E. Blake
Published: April 2022

A C(5)−H remote functionalization of 8‐aminoquinoline derivatives with para‐quinone methides, affording direct access to unsymmetrical tri(hetero)arylmethanes in 69–96 % yield is described. This method provides diverse tri(hetero)arylmethanes with a broad scope and in a regioselective manner. The transformation works well with electron‐rich and electron‐deficient substrates.
Solar photovoltaic potential and diffusion assessment for Pakistan
Authors: Khatri Shoaib Ahmed , Harijan Khanji , Uqaili Mohammad Aslam , Shah Syed Feroz , Mirjat Nayyar Hussain , Kumar Laveet
Published: April 2022

In Pakistan, around 58% of current electricity is generated from fossil fuels and only 2.4% is generated using renewable energy (RE) resources even though country is blessed with enormous RE potential. Among other RE resources, Pakistan's geographical location offers high solar energy potential, which implies that actual potential assessment should be undertaken. This study, as such, undertakes a comprehensive assessment of solar energy potential and prospects of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for both off‐grid and grid‐connected systems. This study also estimates the future available capacity of rooftop and rural off‐grid solar PV capacity. Three different types of solar PV modules of the same size, that is, thin‐film, premium, and standard were modeled to compare energy outputs. NREL's System Advisor Model (SAM) is used to estimate the geographical and technical potential of solar PV considering updated data and geographical information. SAM results suggest that an average of 4.5 kWh/kWp/day is obtained from an installed capacity of 1 KWp. The logistic modeling equations are further used to forecast the solar PV penetration over a period until 2090. The research investigation concludes that 2.8 × 106 GWh of electricity can be generated annually in Pakistan. The estimated results prove that solar PV has the potential to meet the present as well as future energy needs of Pakistan.
A new surrogate of Fischer–Tropsch fuel and its pollution emission in gas turbine combustor
Authors: Huo Weiye , Zhao Mengmeng , Wang Gang
Published: April 2022

Based on the analysis of the combustion process of liquid fuel in the gas turbine combustor, we suggest that a comprehensive surrogate fuel should be developed according to the basic physical and chemical properties that affect the diffusion combustion process. The present study took the carbon–hydrogen mole ratio, molar weight, density, viscosity, surface tension, initial boiling point, and lower heating value, as the target properties. The optimal direction method was utilized to obtain the mixture composition ratio which has the minimum deviation on the basic physical and chemical properties compared with the Fischer–Tropsch (F‐T) fuel. This mixture, taken as the comprehensive surrogate fuel of the F‐T fuel, was composed of 15% n‐decane, 67% n‐tetradecane, 13% iso‐octane, and 5% methylcyclohexane in mole fraction. Further experiments were conducted to investigate the pollutant emissions of the F‐T fuel and the surrogate fuel in a gas turbine combustor. The experimental results showed that the surrogate fuel can well predict the EI(CO) and EI(NOx) of the F‐T fuel in the turbine combustor, and the difference in EI(UHC) is mainly influenced by the fuel evaporation property.
Imaging mass‐wasting sliding surfaces within complex glacial deposits along coastal cliffs using geophysics
Authors: Blondel Simon , Uhlemann Sebastian , Inauen Cornelia , Watlet Arnaud , Maurer Hansruedi , Jordan Colm , Lee Jonathan , Chambers Jonathan
Published: April 2022

This study presents a multidisciplinary survey combining geological fieldwork and geophysical data to better constrain the parameters influencing the morphology and behaviour of a retreating coastal cliff. Erosion rates are spatially highly variable and hard to predict because of the manifold parameters acting on them. Among these parameters, rock resistance exerts a paramount influence on cliff retreat. Characterizing the rock resistance distribution along a coastal region requires the mapping of several key subsurface properties including the bulk lithology, faulting, fracturing, or weathering. This is a difficult and expensive task because of the high spatial variability of these factors linked to the spatial complexity of the geology. Geophysical methods can be used to tackle this challenge by quickly providing the 3D visualization and distribution of these parameters within the subsurface. A fast‐eroding portion of the Norfolk coast (UK) at West Runton is investigated using a multidisciplinary approach, combining ground‐penetrating radar, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), cone penetration tests, and outcrop studies. The results allowed us to build a 3D geological and geophysical model of a highly complex area of glacial geology. It forms part of a relict glaciotectonic thrust‐tip moraine and sand basin sequence. The surfaces interpreted on radar data are associated with strong resistivity contrasts on the ERT data. These contrasts have been attributed to petrophysical variations between the lithological units. The base of the sand basin is marked by a low‐permeability clay bed. Its low shear strength is likely to be more susceptible to failure, hereby accelerating the erosion rate of an already fast‐eroding sand basin. The resulting model can be used as input for locally constraining the ground parameters in coastal recession and erosion models.
Blockchain enabled joint trust (MF‐WWO‐WO) algorithm for clustered‐based energy efficient routing protocol in wireless sensor network
Authors: Rajan D. Palanivel , Premalatha J. , Velliangiri S. , Karthikeyan P.
Published: April 2022

In this manuscript, a blockchain enabled joint trust (MF‐WWO‐WO) algorithm for clustered based energy efficient routing protocol in wireless sensor network (WSN) is proposed for secure data transmission by finding the optimum cluster head (CH) in the network. Here, MayflyWater Wave Optimization (MF‐WWO) algorithm is used for CH selection accurately. After the selection of CH, the malicious node occurs in the cluster. Hence, the multi objective whale optimization algorithm is proposed to find the trust path from the several paths. At last, the optimized selected trust paths are given to the blockchain for communications in the network that is safe and more trustworthy. The simulation is done in MATLAB. The proposed MF‐WWO‐WO achieves high throughput, high efficiency, high network life time, high packet delivery ratio, low delay, low energy consumption, and low packet loss ratio. The outcomes shows the better performance of the proposed approach when compared to the existing approaches, like blockchain and clustered based secured data aware energy efficient using fitness averaged rider optimization algorithm FA‐ROA blockchain and clustered based secured data aware energy efficient using trusted moth flame optimization and genetic optimization algorithm TMFO‐GOA. Finally, the proposed approach attains better energy efficiency and security.
Analysis of time‐dependent dynamics of micropolar fluid subject to Lorentz force, energy flux due to a concentration gradient and viscous dissipation
Authors: Das Nabanita , Ahmed Nazibuddin , Taid Bijoy Krishna
Published: April 2022

This study deals with an analysis of the time‐dependent dynamics of micropolar fluid flow subject to Lorentz force, diffusion thermal, and viscous dissipation effect past a uniformly moving semi‐infinite porous plate in the presence of chemical reaction. Expressions of velocity, microrotation, concentration, temperature, skin friction, Sherwood number, and Nusselt number are established and the effect of several parameters on them are represented graphically. Equations governing the flow and heat transfer are solved by adopting the regular perturbation technique. It is noticed that temperature distribution as well as the coefficient of friction is enhanced due to the diffusion thermo effect. It is observed that the microrotation increases with increasing magnetic parameters. Furthermore, the study confirms a drop in fluid concentration under the composition of species.
State history, governance and financial institutions' efficiency: Evidence from African countries
Authors: Henri Atanga Ondoa , Mveng Seabrook Arthur
Published: April 2022

This study investigates how statehood experience influences financial institutions' efficiency through the quality of governance. To this effect, the study employs a Tobit instrumental variables technique with data from 22 African countries for the period 2002–2018. The state antiquity index, recently provided by Ang and Fredriksson (2018), is used to capture statehood experience whereas rule of law, voice and accountability, regulatory quality, political stability and absence of violence, government effectiveness, and control of corruption are the indicators of the governance quality. Our results show that statehood experience, directly and indirectly, influences financial institutions' efficiency. The nature of the direct effect is negative, while that of the indirect effect depends on the governance indicator considered. Indeed, the negative effect of statehood experience is moderated by the strict application of the rule of law and amplified by control of corruption, political stability and absence of violence, and excessive regulation. Thus, to reduce the negative effect of statehood experience on the efficiency of financial institutions, older African states should: i) promote strict enforcement of the rule of law and alternation of power, and ii) relax regulation and government intervention.
Modified U‐Net for cytological medical image segmentation
Authors: Benazzouz Mourtada , Benomar Mohammed Lamine , Moualek Youcef
Published: April 2022

Deep learning–based medical image segmentation is henceforth widely established as a powerful segmentation process. This article proposes a new U‐Net architecture based on a convolutional neural network for cytology image segmentation. This structure is more suitable to take into account pixel neighborhood in deconvolution. The goal is to develop an accurate segmentation method for white blood cells segmentation based on cells types features. This new proposed method yields a significant improvement compared to our previous work on the cytological medical dataset. In addition, the performance of the new architecture was also successfully tested on the Digital Retinal Image for Vessel Extraction databases benchmark. The images of this challenge are similar to our cytology image segmentation. Our approach achieved 25% relative improvement of the accuracy compared to the state‐of‐the‐art.
Standardized studies of the oral microbiome: From technology‐driven to hypothesis‐driven
Authors: Gao Chuqi , Li Xuantao , Zhao Xiaole , Yang Peiyue , Wang Xiao , Chen Xiaoli , Chen Ning , Chen Feng
Published: April 2022

The microbiome is in a symbiotic relationship with the host. Among the microbial consortia in the human body, that in the oral cavity is complex. Instead of repeatedly confirming biomarkers of oral and systemic diseases, recent studies have focused on a unified clinical diagnostic standard in microbiology that reduces the heterogeneity caused by individual discrepancies. Research has also been conducted on other topics of greater clinical importance, including bacterial pathogenesis, and the effects of drugs and treatments. In this review, we divide existing research into technology‐driven and hypothesis‐driven, according to whether there is a clear research hypothesis. This classification allows the demonstration of shifts in the direction of oral microbiology research. Based on the shifts, we suggested that establishing clear hypotheses may be the solution to major research challenges.
Constructing an Authoritative Source of Truth in a Changing Information Landscape
Authors: Smith Tyler , Payne Charles , Shackleton John
Published: April 2022

In support of the US Army Mission System Architecture Demonstration, Adventium Labs conducted a series of interviews and demonstrations to determine requirements, best practices, and available tool capabilities for building and maintaining an Authoritative Source of Truth (ASoT). An ASoT is a capability that gives definitive answers to queries about a target collection of systems. An ASoT should make information discoverable, enable controlled information sharing, and maintain traceability across time and organizations. The challenges to establishing an ASoT include limited standards adoption by tool vendors, entrenched workflows, and data rights management needs. The systems engineering community can overcome these challenges by keeping ASoT needs at the forefront when planning engineering activities, investing in open and flexible standards for information sharing, and leveraging emerging connectivity tools and model‐based systems engineering methods.
Realizing the Value Promise of Digital Engineering: Planning, Implementing, and Evolving the Ecosystem
Authors: Schindel William D.
Published: April 2022

Gaining the benefits of Digital Engineering is not only about implementing digital technologies. The Innovation Ecosystem is a system of systems in its own right, at least partly engineered, subject to the risks and challenges of evolving socio‐technical systems. This article summarizes an aid to analyzing and understanding, planning, implementation, and ongoing improvement of the Innovation Ecosystem or its components. It is based on a generic ecosystem analysis reference model with particular focal viewpoints. It is represented as a configurable model‐based formal pattern and the INCOSE MBSE Patterns Working Group initially applied it in a related INCOSE collaboration project led by the Agile Systems Engineering Working Group. Users of the resulting framework subsequently elaborated and applied aspects in the context of a wide variety of commercial and defense ecosystems across different domains. While connecting to several current and historical contexts, it is particularly revealing of Digital Engineering's special promise. By explicating the recurrent theme of Consistency Management that underlies all historical innovation, it enhances our understanding of historical as well as future engineering and life cycle management. This includes the ecosystem preparation of internal and supply chain human and technical resources to effectively consume and exploit digital information assets, not just create them. The ecosystem model carries its own representation of enhanced capability implementation by generation of agile release train increments, along with evolutionary steering based on feedback and group learning.
Keto‐enol tautomerism from the electron delocalization perspective
Authors: Levina Elena O. , Khrenova Maria G. , Astakhov Andrey A. , Tsirelson Vladimir G.
Published: April 2022

The equilibrium between keto and enol forms in acetylacetone and its derivatives is studied using electron delocalization indices and delocalization tensor density. We demonstrate how electron delocalization governs the equilibrium between keto and enol forms. The less stable enols have more distinct double and single bond character in the CCC fragment, while electron delocalization in this fragment is more pronounced in more stable enols. Looking for the origin of such behavior, we considered the one‐electron potentials entering the Euler equation for the electron density. We found that electron delocalization is mainly governed by the static exchange potential, which depends on the three‐dimensional atomic structure. It, however, does not distinguish differences in electron delocalization in more and less stable enols, the effect arising from the kinetic exchange contribution, which reflects spin‐dependent effects in the electron motion. The local depletion of kinetic exchange in the conjugated fragment yields the enhanced electron delocalization along the CCC bonds in more stable enols. Thus, a combination of considered descriptors allowed us to reveal the influence of electron delocalization on the equilibrium between keto and enol forms and showed the significant features of this phenomenon.
Glucose increases the length and spacing of the lattice structure of the axon initial segment
Authors: Wang Yiming , Guan Meiling , Zhang Yan , Zhanghao Karl , Xi Peng
Published: April 2022

The axon initial segment (AIS) plays an important role in maintaining neuronal polarity and initiating action potentials (APs). The AIS adapts to its environment by changing its length and distance from the cell body, resulting in modulation of neuronal excitability, which is referred to as AIS plasticity. Previous studies found an ~200 nm single periodic distribution of the key AIS components ankyrinG (AnkG), Nav1.2, and βIV‐spectrin, while it remains unclear how the lattice structure is altered by AIS plasticity. In this study, we found that the length of the AIS significantly increased, resulting in increased neuronal excitability, with high‐concentration glucose treatment. Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) images of the lattice structure showed a dual‐spacing periodic distribution (~200 nm and ~260 nm) of AnkG, Nav1.2, and βIV‐spectrin. Moreover, 480‐kDa AnkG was crucial for AIS plasticity and increased lattice structure spacing. The discovery of new regulators for modulating AIS plasticity will help us to understand and manipulate the structure and function of the AIS.

Glucose triggers axon initial segment (AIS) plasticity of cultured neurons.

AIS lattice structure under glucose treatment shows an increased spacing by structured illumination microscopy imaging.

480‐kDa AnkG contributes to AIS plasticity.
Protective effect of grape seed extract against chronic physical stress‐induced zona fasciculata injury in male rats: Functional, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study
Authors: Khalifa Mohamed Mansour , Hassan Fatma E. , Abdallah Hanan , Bastawy Nermeen
Published: April 2022

In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant effect of grape seed extract (GSE) against chronic immobilization stress‐induced zona fasciculata injury in Wistar male rats. Thirty male rats were divided into three groups: Non‐stress group: rats were not subjected to stress protocol and received distilled water orally for 30 days. Stress group: rats received distilled water orally for 15 consecutive days before the induction of chronic immobilization stress experiment (repeated stress for 15 consecutive days), distilled water was continued along with the constant stress experiment. GSE‐stress group: rats treated with oral GSE (300 mg/kg), administered orally for 15 consecutive days before the induction of chronic immobilization stress experiment (repeated stress for 15 consecutive days), GSE was continued along with the stress exposure. Chronic stress was induced by placing each animal in a restrainer for 2 h daily for 15 consecutive days in both Stress and GSE‐stress groups. The serum corticosterone and adrenal cortex malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured as indices of stress. Immunohistochemistry of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) as a nitrosative stress marker beside the adrenal cortex's ultrastructure, particularly zona fasciculata, was assessed. Chronic restraint stress significantly elevated the serum corticosterone and adrenal cortex MDA levels, while oral administration of GSE reduced the serum corticosterone level, adrenal cortex MDA levels, and iNOS immunoreactivity in zona fasciculata. Besides, adrenocortical ultrastructure significantly improved. These results suggested that GSE enhanced the antioxidant defense against reactive oxygen species produced under chronic stress conditions, protecting the adrenal cortex.

Research Highlights

This research highlighted the significant protective effects of grape seed extract administration on the histological findings, both in light and electron microscopic studies, as well as the biochemical and functional parameters in cases of stress‐induced adrenal cortex injury in rats.
In situ stabilization of arsenic and lead in contaminated soil using iron‐rich water treatment residuals
Authors: Rathnayake Sewwandi , Schwab Arthur Paul
Published: April 2022

Arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) are common soil contaminants, environmentally hazardous, and threats to public health. Addition of soluble phosphate is known to be effective for in situ remediation of Pb‐contaminated soils, but phosphate additions displace As from the soil particles and increase As concentration in soil solution. This study examined the dual use of iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P) amendments to soil that was highly contaminated with As and Pb. The test soil originated from a former smelter site in Utah with As and Pb concentrations of 66,400 mg Pb kg–1 and 7,520 mg As kg–1. Goethite, ferrihydrite, and Fe‐rich water treatment residuals (Fe‐WTRs) were added to immobilize As, and soluble P was added to reduce Pb lability. The Fe amendments were added in Fe/As molar ratios ranging from 1:1 to 1:10, and P was added in P/Pb molar ratios ranging from 0.2:1 to 5:1. Iron‐rich water treatment residuals were found to be the most effective Fe amendment. When Fe‐WTR and P were added simultaneously, the P concentrations required to immobilize Pb resulted in increased mobilization of As, even when Fe‐WTR were added at 10:1 Fe/As. However, when P was added first at 5:1 P/Pb, incubated for 1 wk, and then amended with Fe‐WTR at 10:1 Fe/As, both Pb and As were significantly immobilized. The proposed process is a practical remediation approach to soils co‐contaminated with Pb and As while encouraging re‐use of Fe‐WTR as a sustainable amendment.
Targeting the liver X receptor with dendrogenin A differentiates tumour cells to secrete immunogenic exosome‐enriched vesicles
Authors: Record Michel , Attia Mehdi , Carayon Kevin , Pucheu Laly , Bunay Julio , Soulès Régis , Ayadi Silia , Payré Bruno , Perrin‐Cocon Laure , Bourgailh Florence , Lamazière Antonin , Lotteau Vincent , Poirot Marc , Silvente‐Poirot Sandrine , de Medina Philippe
Published: April 2022

Tumour cells are characterized by having lost their differentiation state. They constitutively secrete small extracellular vesicles (sEV) called exosomes when they come from late endosomes. Dendrogenin A (DDA) is an endogenous tumour suppressor cholesterol‐derived metabolite. It is a new class of ligand of the nuclear Liver X receptors (LXR) which regulate cholesterol homeostasis and immunity. We hypothesized that DDA, which induces tumour cell differentiation, inhibition of tumour growth and immune cell infiltration into tumours, could functionally modify sEV secreted by tumour cells. Here, we have shown that DDA differentiates tumour cells by acting on the LXRβ. This results in an increased production of sEV (DDA‐sEV) which includes exosomes. The DDA‐sEV secreted from DDA‐treated cells were characterized for their content and activity in comparison to sEV secreted from control cells (C‐sEV). DDA‐sEV were enriched, relatively to C‐sEV, in several proteins and lipids such as differentiation antigens, “eat‐me” signals, lipidated LC3 and the endosomal phospholipid bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate, which stimulates dendritic cell maturation and a Th1 T lymphocyte polarization. Moreover, DDA‐sEV inhibited the growth of tumours implanted into immunocompetent mice compared to control conditions. This study reveals a pharmacological control through a nuclear receptor of exosome‐enriched tumour sEV secretion, composition and immune function. Targeting the LXR may be a novel way to reprogram tumour cells and sEV to stimulate immunity against cancer.
On the path partition number of 6‐regular graphs
Authors: Feige Uriel , Fuchs Ella
Published: April 2022

Apath partition(also referred to as a linear forest) of a graph is a set of vertex‐disjoint paths which together contain all the vertices of . An isolated vertex is considered to be a path in this case. The path partition conjecture states that every ‐vertex ‐regular graph has a path partition with at most paths. The conjecture has been proved for all . We prove the conjecture for .
Erythrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles aggravate inflammation by promoting the proinflammatory macrophage phenotype through TLR4–MyD88–NF-κB–MAPK pathway
Authors: Gao Yuhan , Jin Haiqiang , Tan Hui , Cai Xiaodong , Sun Yongan
Published: April 2022

Transfusion of stored erythrocytes is associated with the increased risk of morbidity and mortality in critical infections, but the mechanism is incompletely understood. Previous studies have suggested that RBC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) may be potential risk factors for the occurrence of transfusion-related immunomodulation. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effects of RBC-derived EVs under inflammatory conditions and explore the underlying mechanisms. In vivo, the activity of EVs was evaluated in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis. Our results showed that EVs significantly aggravated the inflammatory response to sepsis in serum and lung tissue by promoting the production of the proinflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α）-interleukin-6(IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and reduced the survival rate of septic mice in vivo. Importantly, adoptive transfer of EVs-pretreated bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) obviously aggravated systemic proinflammatory factors in mice after CLP surgery. In vitro, the proinflammatory properties of EVs were shown to elevate TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BMDMs. Moreover, EVs promoted LPS-induced macrophage polarization into a proinflammatory phenotype. The underlying mechanism might involve EV-mediated up-regulation of TLR4–MyD88–NF-κB–MAPK activity to favor macrophage cytokine production.
Remdesivir treatment in hospitalized patients affected by COVID‐19 pneumonia: A case‐control study
Authors: Boglione Lucio , Dodaro Valentina , Meli Giulia , Rostagno Roberto , Poletti Federica , Moglia Roberta , Bianchi Bianca , Esposito Maria , Borrè Silvio
Published: April 2022

To date the optimal antiviral treatment against severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has not been proven; remdesivir is a promising drug with in vitro activity against several viruses, but in COVID‐19 the clinical results are currently not definitive. In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed the clinical outcomes (survival analysis, efficacy, and safety) in a group of hospitalized patients with COVID‐19 treated with remdesivir in comparison with a control group of patients treated with other antiviral or supportive therapies. We included 163 patients treated with remdesivir and 403 subjects in the control group; the baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups; the mortality rate was higher in the control group (24.8% vs. 2.4%, p < 0.001), the risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission was higher in the control group (17.8% vs. 9.8%, p = 0.008); hospitalization time was significantly lower in patients treated with remdesivir (9.5 vs. 12.5 days, p < 0.001). The safety of remdesivir was good and no significant adverse events were reported. In multivariate analysis, the remdesivir treatment was independently associated with a 34% lower mortality rate (odds ratio = 0.669; p = 0.014). In this analysis, the treatment with remdesivir was associated with lower mortality, lower rate of ICU admission, and shorter time of hospitalization. No adverse events were observed. This promising antiviral treatment should also be confirmed by other studies.
Analysis of the mechanism of saponin biotransformation in Dioscoreae nipponicae rhizoma by the endophytic fungus Fusarium sp. C39 using whole‐genome sequencing
Authors: Ding Changhong , Yu Dan , Chen Yiyang , Zhu Junyi , Wu Junkai , Du Xiaowei , Wang Xijun
Published: April 2022

Fusarium sp. C39 is an endophytic fungus of Dioscorea nipponica Makino. Symbiosis of Fusarium sp. C39 with Rhizoma Dioscoreae Nipponicae (RDN) can significantly increase the content of saponin, which provides a new approach for saponin production and reduces the pressure on natural sources of saponins. However, the underlying mechanism is not clear, limiting its application. In this study, the genome of Fusarium sp. C39 was sequenced, the gene functions were predicted via gene annotation, and the genome was compared to the genomes of four related species. Fusarium sp. C39 is predicted to encode many key enzyme genes involved in saponin synthesis, which could transform the mevalonate, isopentenyl pyrophosphate, and various intermediate compounds present in the RDN extract into saponins. The Fusarium sp. C39 genome contains specific genes that are conducive to its endophytic lifestyle and can provide abundant raw materials for saponin synthesis. Based on the genomic analysis, we proposed the mechanism by which Fusarium sp. C39 generates saponins and provides a theoretical basis for rapid, efficient, low‐cost production of saponins.
Effects of dietary supplementation of different levels of vitamin B12 on the liver metabolism of laying hens
Authors: Wang Rui , Bai Yan , Yang Yu
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Vitamin B12 plays an important role in lipid, protein, carbohydrate and nucleic acid metabolism. We investigated the effect of supplementing layers’ diets with different vitamin B12 levels on liver metabolism using a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry‐based metabolomic approach to observe and analyse wide‐target metabolomics in the liver.

RESULTS

We assigned hens to three groups, namely blank control group without vitamin B12 diet (BCG), normal control group with 25 μg kg−1 vitamin B12 (NCG) and vitamin B12 supplement group I with 100 μg kg−1 vitamin (VBSG I). The VBSG I group layers had higher (P < 0.05) vitamin B12 concentration than those from other groups. The egg yolk vitamin B12 concentration increased (P < 0.01) with the increasing vitamin B12 dietary supplemental level. Between the NCG versus BCG, VBSG I versus BCG, and VBSG I versus NCG groups, 11, 20 and 11 metabolites were significantly changed, respectively. The KEGG pathway of vitamin B6 metabolism was significantly impacted in the NCG layers than those from BCG; seven and five pathways were significantly impacted in the VBSG I layers compared with those from BCG and NCG, including pyrimidine metabolism, vitamin B6 metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, etc.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that 25 μg kg−1 vitamin B12 supplementation in corn–soybean meal‐based layer diet increased the egg yolk vitamin B12 concentration and impacted the vitamin B6 metabolic pathway, and 100 μg kg−1 of it increased the egg yolk and liver vitamin B12 concentrations and impacted vitamin B6, lipid, nucleic acid and amino acid metabolic pathways. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
COVID‐19 vaccination did not improve employee mental health: A prospective study in an early phase of vaccination in Japan
Authors: Sasaki Natsu , Kuroda Reiko , Tsuno Kanami , Imamura Kotaro , Kawakami Norito
Published: April 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of vaccination to improve mental health among employees in Japan based on a prospective study.

Methods

The data were retrieved from the Employee Cohort Study conducted during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Japan (E‐ COCO‐J) at T1 (4–10 February 2021) and T2 (22–29 June 2021). Psychological distress was measured by using an 18‐item scale of the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ). The analytic sample was limited to individuals employed at both T1 and T2 without missing covariates. Vaccination status was measured at T2. Statistical analysis was conducted to test the differential change in the psychological distress at T1 and T2 with the time × group interactions by using repeated ANOVA, adjusting for the covariates (gender, age, marital status, education, chronic disease, company size, industry, and occupation).

Results

Of the total sample (N = 948), 105 (11.1%) were vaccinated at least once at T2. The crude mean scores of psychological distress at T1 and T2 were 41.8 and 42.0 for vaccinated participants and 41.2 and 41.2 for nonvaccinated participants, respectively, with no significant effect of having been vaccinated (Cohen's d = 0.02, P = 0.833). After adjusting the covariates, there was no significance (P = 0.446).

Conclusions

The COVID‐19 vaccination was supposed to have a limited effect on mental health among Japanese employees in an early phase of vaccination. To keep providing mental health care for employees is important even after starting the vaccination program.