bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An adhesion G protein-coupled receptor is required in cartilaginous and dense connective tissues to maintain spine alignment
Authors: Liu Zhaoyang , Hussien Amro A , Wang Yunjia , Heckmann Terry , Gonzalez Roberto , Karner Courtney M , Snedeker Jess G , Gray Ryan S
Published: July 2021

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common spine disorder affecting children worldwide, yet little is known about the pathogenesis of this disorder. Here, we demonstrate that genetic regulation of structural components of the axial skeleton, the intervertebral discs, and dense connective tissues (i.e., ligaments and tendons) is essential for the maintenance of spinal alignment. We show that the adhesion G protein-coupled receptor ADGRG6, previously implicated in human AIS association studies, is required in these tissues to maintain typical spine alignment in mice. Furthermore, we show that ADGRG6 regulates biomechanical properties of tendon and stimulates CREB signaling governing gene expression in cartilaginous tissues of the spine. Treatment with a cAMP agonist could mirror aspects of receptor function in culture, thus defining core pathways for regulating these axial cartilaginous and connective tissues. As ADGRG6 is a key gene involved in human AIS, these findings open up novel therapeutic opportunities for human scoliosis.
Poniendo los cuerpos en la lucha contra la violencia basada en el género: el Tsunami Feminista en Chile el 2018
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Contreras María José
Published: July 2021

Chile. Mayo 2018. Miles de mujeres salen a las calles para reclamar sus derechos, instalando en la agenda pública la crítica a la educación sexista, a la naturalización del abuso y el acoso sexual, y a la heteronormatividad. Las protagonistas de este movimiento social lo llaman un tsunami feminista. En este artículo me ocuparé del mayo feminista chileno desde la perspectiva de sus prácticas, puestas en cuerpo y performances. Me interesa pensar los palimpsestos que se configuran en los cuerpos de las protagonistas que reciclan y reversionan gestos, prácticas y acciones de las feministas chilenas que las precedieron.
Espacio, violencia y archivos en transformación: Los sensichivos en Doble de riesgo de Lola Arias
Authors: Bulman Gail
Published: July 2021

En los espacios interactivos de Doble de riesgo se manipula lo tangible y lo no-tangible para transformar la noción de archivo y construir récords innovadores y perdurables en los intersticios del afecto y la tecnología. Este artículo examina los registros presentados y postula que, con ellos, Arias inventa un nuevo tipo de documentación que incrusta las emociones en los eventos que las habían producido. Co-construidos por los actores y los espectadores, los sensichivos de la instalación son fluidos y transferibles. Son capaces de modificar las definiciones de comunidad y ofrecen a los espectadores herramientas para enfrentar y desmantelar la violencia.
The Impact of Groundwater Irrigation Development on Cropping Intensity and Crop Productivity in Krishnagiri District
Authors: Kumar M. Arvind , Ashok K. R. , Prahadeeswaran M. , Vasanthi R.
Published: July 2021

Aims: The study is done with the objective of assessing the impact of groundwater irrigation development on cropping intensity and crop productivity in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, India.

Study Design: Purposive random sampling

Place and Duration of Study: Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu, India during 2019-20.

Methodology: The data on irrigation sources and area under various irrigation sources in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu and India is subjected to growth analysis using trend studies and CAGR (Compound Annual Growth rate) to study the ground water irrigation development. Whereas, regression analysis was done with the primary data collected from 120 farming households in Krishnagiri on agricultural land use and irrigation to study the impact of groundwater irrigation on cropping intensity and crop productivity.

Results: As the net tube wells and other well irrigated area to net sown area (GWA) increases, there has been a corresponding increase in cropping intensity and crop productivity. The rise in percent of net tank and canal irrigated area to net sown area and percent of fertilizer applied area to net sown area have also increased cropping intensity and crop productivity whereas the increase in percent of net rainfed area to net sown area have decreased the cropping intensity and crop productivity.

Conclusion: The ground water utilization through tube well construction have increased the cropping intensity and crop productivity.
Outcomes of Kidney Transplant in Undocumented Immigrants
Authors: Luce M. Siobhan , Kleber Kara T. , Abdallah Alexa C. , Basmaci Ugur N. , Perez Richard V. , Troppmann Christoph
Published: July 2021

This cohort study investigates kidney transplant outcomes among undocumented immigrants at a single US center.
RIP3‐mediated necroptosis increases neuropathic pain via microglia activation: necrostatin‐1 has therapeutic potential
Authors: Fang Ping , Sun Gangqiang , Wang Jingyu
Published: July 2021

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a clinical symptom that accompanies many diseases. We investigated the effect of receptor‐interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3)‐regulated necroptosis on NP and explored its relationship with microglia, in order to provide a theoretical basis for further research and provide new insights into the treatment of NP. In this study, the spared nerve injury (SNI) model was used along with intervention with necrostatin and the inhibitor of necroptosis necrostatin‐1 (Nec‐1). Pain behavior tests were performed 1 and 3 days before the nerve injury (or sham) operation, and on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 after the operation. The spinal cord tissues were collected for detection of RIP3 expression and distribution, changes in the number of microglia cells, activation of necroptosis, and the level of proinflammatory factors. Collected spinal cord tissues were analyzed using western blot, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation assays, and ELISA, respectively. We found that, compared with the sham group, the expression of RIP3 protein in the spinal cord of rats in the SNI group increased from 3 to 14 days after surgery. Immunofluorescence staining showed that RIP3 was coexpressed with the microglia and the number of microglia increased significantly in the SNI model group. The results of immunoprecipitation assays suggested that a RIP3‐mediated necroptosis pathway promotes NP. After treatment with Nec‐1, the expression of RIP3 protein and the number of microglia were significantly reduced, and the expression levels of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 in spinal dorsal horns were significantly decreased. These results indicate that RIP3 promotes necroptosis to increase the occurrence of NP via microglia.
Correlation Between Local Chemical Composition and Formation of Different Types of Ordered Phases in the Polycrystalline Nickel‐Base Superalloy A718Plus
Authors: Hausmann Daniel , Förner Andreas , Pröbstle Martin , Hünert Daniela , Felfer Peter , Göken Mathias , Neumeier Steffen
Published: July 2021

Allvac 718Plus is a derivative of alloy 718 for applications at higher temperatures in rotating and static components of gas turbines. According to literature, various phases as γ, γ′, η, δ, and γ″ can form with so far contradicting results. Herein, the precipitation behavior in different alloy conditions is investigated using transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography. The aim is to clarify how local variations in chemical composition alter the sequence of precipitation and type of precipitates that form. Material conditions with a minor volume fraction of η/δ phase and a high fraction of primary γ′ precipitates form γ″ phase due to excess of available Nb. Spherical γ′ precipitates with disc‐shaped γ″ precipitates at γ′ interfaces are observed. During discontinuous coarsening of η/δ plates mainly Nb is consumed which leads to an enrichment of γ′ forming elements and hence the heterogeneous nucleation of γ′ at the η/γ interface. The coexistence of thin η plates embedded in δ phase in grain boundary pinning precipitates could additionally be confirmed. These results show under which conditions certain primary phases form and how the resulting consumption and redistribution of phase promoting elements trigger the formation of other secondary phases.
Trimodal Sono/Photoinduced Focal Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer: Single‐Drug‐Based Nanosensitizer under Dual‐Activation
Authors: Hu DanRong , Pan Meng , Yang Yun , Sun Ao , Chen Yu , Yuan LiPing , Huang KangKang , Qu Ying , He ChengQi , Wei Quan , Qian ZhiYong
Published: July 2021

Focal therapy, or partial gland ablation, represents the middle ground between active surveillance and definitive treatment strategies against localized prostate cancer (PCa), among which the ultrasound‐ and light‐mediated focal therapies are quite promising. Herein, for the first time in the literature, a novel polysaccharide‐based nanoprodrug is fabricated for synergistic sonodynamic therapy and phototherapy against localized PCa. Specifically, the cyanine dye IR806 is conjugated to chondroitin sulfate (CS) via disulfide linkages to obtain CS‐ss‐IR806 (CSR) conjugates, which then self‐assemble to form CSR nanoparticles (NPs) with properties of enhanced endocytosis, redox/hyaluronidase‐responsiveness, and mitochondria‐targeted ability. In contrast to free sensitizers, CSR NPs reveal dramatically enhanced water solubility, substantially lower dark toxicity, and superior biocompatibility. Encouragingly, favorable hyperthermia and high reactive oxygen species generation are observed on exposing CSR NPs to combined sono/photoirradiation. In a PCa tumor‐bearing mice model, intratumoral injection with a markedly low dose of CSR NPs followed by dual‐irradiation results in superior trimodal anticancer efficacy when compared with either monoirradiation strategy. Such synergistic antitumor efficacy is further demonstrated to be associated with the common and complementary mechanisms of sonotherapy and phototherapy. This work provides a promising approach as a next‐generation focal therapy strategy against localized PCa.
An Anti‐Freezing, Ambient‐Stable and Highly Stretchable Ionic Skin with Strong Surface Adhesion for Wearable Sensing and Soft Robotics
Authors: Ying Binbin , Chen Ryan Zeyuan , Zuo Runze , Li Jianyu , Liu Xinyu
Published: July 2021

Natural living systems such as wood frogs develop tissues composed of active hydrogels with cryoprotectants to survive in cold environments. Recently, hydrogels have been intensively studied to develop stretchable electronics for wearables and soft robots. However, regular hydrogels are inevitably frozen at the subzero temperature and easily dehydrated, and have weak surface adhesion. Herein, a novel hydrogel‐based ionic skin (iSkin) capable of strain sensing is demonstrated with high toughness, high stretchability, excellent ambient stability, superior anti‐freezing capability, and strong surface adhesion. The iSkin consists of a piece of ionically and covalently cross‐linked tough hydrogel with a thin bioadhesive layer. With the addition of biocompatible cryoprotectant and electrolyte, the iSkin shows good conductivity in wide ranges of relative humidity (15–90%) and temperature (−95–25 °C). In addition, the iSkin can adhere firmly to diverse material surfaces under different conditions, including cloth fabric, skin, and elastomers, in both dry and wet conditions, at subzero temperature, and/or with dynamic movement. The iSkin is demonstrated for applications including strain sensing on both human body and winter coat, human–machine interaction, motion/deformation sensing on a soft gripper and a soft robot at extremely cold conditions. This work provides a new paradigm for developing high‐performance artificial skins for wearable sensing and soft robotics.
Prospects and Challenges of MXenes as Emerging Sensing Materials for Flexible and Wearable Breath‐Based Biomarker Diagnosis
Authors: Hermawan Angga , Amrillah Tahta , Riapanitra Anung , Ong Wee‐Jun , Yin Shu
Published: July 2021

A fully integrated, flexible, and functional sensing device for exhaled breath analysis drastically transforms conventional medical diagnosis to non‐invasive, low‐cost, real‐time, and personalized health care. 2D materials based on MXenes offer multiple advantages for accurately detecting various breath biomarkers compared to conventional semiconducting oxides. High surface sensitivity, large surface‐to‐weight ratio, room temperature detection, and easy‐to‐assemble structures are vital parameters for such sensing devices in which MXenes have demonstrated all these properties both experimentally and theoretically. So far, MXenes‐based flexible sensor is successfully fabricated at a lab‐scale and is predicted to be translated into clinical practice within the next few years. This review presents a potential application of MXenes as emerging materials for flexible and wearable sensor devices. The biomarkers from exhaled breath are described first, with emphasis on metabolic processes and diseases indicated by abnormal biomarkers. Then, biomarkers sensing performances provided by MXenes families and the enhancement strategies are discussed. The method of fabrications toward MXenes integration into various flexible substrates is summarized. Finally, the fundamental challenges and prospects, including portable integration with Internet‐of‐Thing (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), are addressed to realize marketization.
Structure‐Dependent Influence of Moisture on Resistive Switching Behavior of ZnO Thin Films
Authors: Milano Gianluca , Luebben Michael , Laurenti Marco , Boarino Luca , Ricciardi Carlo , Valov Ilia
Published: July 2021

Resistive switching mechanisms underlying memristive devices are widely investigated, and the importance as well as influence of ambient conditions on the electrical performances of memristive cells are already recognized. However, detailed understanding of the ambient effect on the switching mechanism still remains a challenge. This work presents an experimental investigation on the effect of moisture on resistive switching performances of ZnO‐based electrochemical metallization memory cells. ZnO thin films are grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and radio frequency sputtering. Water molecules are observed to influence electrical resistance of ZnO by affecting the electronic conduction mechanism and by providing additional species for ionic conduction. By influencing dissolution and migration of ionic species underlying resistive switching events, moisture is reported to tune resistive switching parameters. In particular, the presence of H2O is responsible for a decrease of the forming and SET voltages and an increase of the ON/OFF resistance ratio in both CVD and sputtered films. The effect of moisture on resistive switching performance is found to be more pronounced in case of sputtered films where the reduced grain size is responsible for an increased adsorption of water molecules and an increased amount of possible pathways for ion migration.
3D Network of Sepia Melanin and N‐ and, S‐Doped Graphitic Carbon Quantum Dots for Sustainable Electrochemical Capacitors
Authors: Gouda Abdelaziz , Manioudakis John , Naccache Rafik , Soavi Francesca , Santato Clara
Published: July 2021

Organic electrode materials operating in aqueous electrolytes offer the opportunity to avoid toxic, critical, and expensive materials for electrochemical energy storage. When deposited on carbon current collectors, redox active organic materials add faradaic to electrostatic capacitance contribution to the electrodes. Here, a 3D network electrode material is reported upon, based on sepia melanin, a quinone macromolecule, and nitrogen‐ and sulfur‐doped graphitic carbon quantum dots (N,S GCQDs) designed to achieve good electronic conductivity and electrolyte wettability. The effect of various undoped and doped carbon quantum dots is also investigated, synthesized from acetic acid and sucrose instead of graphite, on the electrochemical performance of sepia melanin. Sepia/N,S GCQD shows optimum areal capacitance (≈180 mF cm−2) that is about twice as high as sepia (≈77 mF cm−2) with lower charge transfer resistance (1 ohm for sepia/N,S GCQDs compared to 10 ohms for sepia). The sepia/N,S GCQD symmetric supercapacitor in 0.5 m Na2SO4(aq) exhibits promising capacitance retention ≈92% after 10 000 cycles at 5 A g−1, 100% coulombic efficiency, 11 µW h cm−2 and 102 mW cm−2 maximum energy and power densities. The work paves the way for stable and potentially biodegradable supercapacitor electrode materials for environmentally benign electrochemical energy storage.
Sonopermeation with Nanoparticle‐Stabilized Microbubbles Reduces Solid Stress and Improves Nanomedicine Delivery to Tumors
Authors: Sulheim Einar , Hanson Ingunn , Snipstad Sofie , Vikedal Krister , Mørch Yrr , Boucher Yves , Davies Catharina de Lange
Published: July 2021

Drug delivery to tumors is challenging due to biological barriers obstructing effective delivery. Sonopermeation with ultrasound and microbubbles has been shown to improve therapeutic effect of many classes of drugs, but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, two subcutaneous xenograft tumor models, that differed substantially in blood vessel density and stiffness, is treated with poly(alkyl cyanoacrylate) nanoparticles and nanoparticle‐stabilized microbubbles combined with ultrasound. Improved nanoparticle accumulation and extracellular matrix (ECM) penetration is found. The stiffness and solid stress in the tumors are measured and it is discovered that sonopermeation can reduce the solid stress in both models, with the highest effect in the stiffest tumor model. This suggests that sonopermeation affects not only the blood vessel wall which has been described previously, but also the ECM to reduce solid stress and increase diffusion and transport of nanomedicines.
A Novel Human Long Noncoding RNA SCDAL Promotes Angiogenesis through SNF5‐Mediated GDF6 Expression
Authors: Wu Rongrong , Hu Wangxing , Chen Huan , Wang Yingchao , Li Qingju , Xiao Changchen , Fan Lin , Zhong Zhiwei , Chen Xiaoying , Lv Kaiqi , Zhong Shuhan , Shi Yanna , Chen Jinghai , Zhu Wei , Zhang Jianyi , Hu Xinyang , Wang Jian'an
Published: July 2021

Angiogenesis is essential for vascular development. The roles of regulatory long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in mediating angiogenesis remain under‐explored. Human embryonic stem cell‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hES‐MSCs) are shown to exert more potent cardioprotective effects against cardiac ischemia than human bone marrow‐derived MSCs (hBM‐MSCs), associated with enhanced neovascularization. The purpose of this study is to search for angiogenic lncRNAs enriched in hES‐MSCs, and investigate their roles and mechanisms. AC103746.1 is one of the most highly expressed intergenic lncRNAs detected in hES‐MSCs versus hBM‐MSCs, and named as SCDAL (stem cell‐derived angiogenic lncRNA). SCDAL knockdown significantly reduce the angiogenic potential and reparative effects of hES‐MSCs in the infarcted hearts, while overexpression of SCDAL in either hES‐MSCs or hBM‐MSCs exhibits augmented angiogenesis and cardiac function recovery. Mechanistically, SCDAL induces growth differentiation factor 6 (GDF6) expression via direct interaction with SNF5 at GDF6 promoter. Secreted GDF6 promotes endothelial angiogenesis via non‐canonical vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 activation. Furthermore, SCDAL‐GDF6 is expressed in human endothelial cells, and directly enhances endothelial angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Thus, these findings uncover a previously unknown lncRNA‐dependent regulatory circuit for angiogenesis. Targeted intervention of the SCDAL‐GDF6 pathway has potential as a therapy for ischemic heart diseases.
Emerging Targets in Type 2 Diabetes and Diabetic Complications
Authors: Demir Sevgican , Nawroth Peter P. , Herzig Stephan , Ekim Üstünel Bilgen
Published: July 2021

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic, chronic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and elevated blood glucose levels. Although a large drug portfolio exists to keep the blood glucose levels under control, these medications are not without side effects. More importantly, once diagnosed diabetes is rarely reversible. Dysfunctions in the kidney, retina, cardiovascular system, neurons, and liver represent the common complications of diabetes, which again lack effective therapies that can reverse organ injury. Overall, the molecular mechanisms of how type 2 diabetes develops and leads to irreparable organ damage remain elusive. This review particularly focuses on novel targets that may play role in pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Further research on these targets may eventually pave the way to novel therapies for the treatment—or even the prevention—of type 2 diabetes along with its complications.
Making Contact: A Review of Robotic Attachment Mechanisms for Extraterrestrial Applications
Authors: Spenko Matthew
Published: July 2021

The space environment offers unique challenges for robotic grippers and controllable attachment mechanisms. Applications include satellite and orbital debris capture, perching for free‐floating robots inside the International Space Station, climbing rocky surfaces in planetary exploration tasks, and grasping asteroids and other rough substrates for drilling and sample collection operations. Many traditional adhesive technologies, such as pressure‐sensitive adhesives, suction, and electromagnetism, are not tenable in the space environment due to the lack of an atmosphere (e.g., pressure‐sensitive adhesives outgas and suction requires a pressure differential) or suitable substrates (e.g., materials for space applications are rarely ferromagnetic). Instead, a number of other technologies have shown promise for space, including bio‐inspired fibrillar dry adhesives that offer controllable adhesion on both flat and curved smooth surfaces, electrostatic adhesives that work on smooth surfaces but also rougher surfaces and fabrics, and microspines for rocky and rough substrates. Herein, a review of these technologies, focusing on their operation and providing examples of the technologies applied to space and other extraterrestrial missions is presented.
Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Pyrroles: An Overview
Authors: Rakendu Pramod N. , Aneeja Thaipparambil , Anilkumar Gopinathan
Published: July 2021

Pyrroles are well known scaffolds having wide applications in biological and pharmaceutical field. It is a privileged heterocyclic scaffold present in many natural products, drug molecules, agrochemicals and has shown applications in material science. Solvent‐free synthesis of pyrroles became an emerging area in organic synthesis. This review focuses on the solvent‐free synthesis of pyrroles covering literature up to 2021.
Vanadium oxide‐supported copper ferrite nanoparticles: A reusable and highly efficient catalyst for rhodamine B degradation via activation of peroxymonosulfate
Authors: Salami Rasoul , Amini Mojtaba , Bagherzadeh Mojtaba , Chae Keun Hwa
Published: July 2021

A magnetic vanadium oxide nanoparticles supported on spinel copper ferrite (CuFe2O4–VOx) are prepared, characterized, and examined for the peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation to degrade Rhodamine B (RhB) in water solution. Interestingly, the results show that despite the inability of mixture of copper ferrite and vanadium oxides nanoparticles to the effective RhB decomposition, the prepared catalyst exhibits an excellent catalytic ability toward RhB oxidation. The influence of vital parameters, such as temperature, PMS concentration, catalyst loading, and initial pH are discussed comprehensively. The kinetic studies demonstrate that the pseudo‐first‐order model is well fitted for RhB degradation in CuFe2O4–VOx/PMS system and the activation energy is estimated at 19.60 kJ mol−1. Furthermore, it is found out that the concentration of leached metal ions in solution is negligible and PMS activation is done mainly on the surface of the catalyst. A probable mechanism of PMS activation over RhB degradation is proposed based on the results of free radical quenching studies and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Radical quenching experiments using various scavengers suggest SO4•−as a main reactive species in the degradation.
Nucleophilic Activation of Sulfur Hexafluoride by N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes and N‐Heterocyclic Olefins: A Computational Study
Authors: Huang Shiqing , Wang Yedong , Hu Chubin , Yan Xiaoyu
Published: July 2021

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is considered as a potent greenhouse gas, whose effective degradation is challenging. Here we report a computational study on the nucleophilic activation of sulfur hexafluoride by N‐heterocyclic carbenes and N‐heterocyclic olefins. The result shows that the activation of SF6 is both thermodynamically and kinetically favorable at mild condition using NHOs with fluoro‐substituted azolium and sulfur pentafluoride anion being formed. The Gibbs free energy barrier during the activation of SF6 has a linear relationship with the energy of HOMO of substrates, which could be a guideline for applying those compounds that feature higher energy in HOMO to activate SF6 in high efficiency.
The effect of chronic viral hepatitis on prognostic value of inflammatory biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Sellers Cortlandt M. , Uhlig Johannes , Ludwig Johannes M. , Pollak Jeffrey S. , Taddei Tamar H. , Stein Stacey M. , Lim Joseph K. , Kim Hyun S.
Published: July 2021

Background

Inflammation and the immune system significantly impact the development, progression, and treatment response of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This retrospective study investigated the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a prognostic biomarker in Western patients with HCC in the setting of chronic viral hepatitis.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with HCC from 2005 to 2016 were selected from a tertiary care institution. NLR was calculated within 30 days prior to treatment and dichotomized at the median. Kaplan–Meier overall survival (OS) curves and Cox hazard proportional models were utilized. Tumor and liver reserve parameters were included in multivariable analyses (MVA).

Results

A total of 581 patients met inclusion criteria (median age 61.0 yr; 78.3% male; 66.3% Caucasian) with median OS = 34.9 mo. 371 patients (63.9%) had viral hepatitis, of which 350 had hepatitis C (94.3%). The low‐NLR group (<median NLR = 2.45) demonstrated higher median OS of 45.6 mo versus the high‐NLR group (median OS 23.9 mo, p < 0.0001). Log‐transformed NLR was associated with decreased OS, after multivariable adjustment for confounders (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.34, p = 0.0033). Viral hepatitis was identified as an NLR effect modifier: in nonviral hepatitis (n = 210), low NLR was associated with higher median OS versus high NLR (56.7 mo vs. 17.6 mo, p < 0.0001). This was decreased in viral hepatitis (n = 371) (low vs. high NLR: 41.9 mo vs. 35.2 mo, p = 0.0109). Further, the interaction term between hepatitis and log‐transformed NLR was significant (p = 0.0274) on MVA.

Conclusions

Lower baseline NLR was associated with increased overall survival in HCC. Viral hepatitis serves as an effect modifier of NLR, attenuating its prognostic relevance in this hepatitis C‐predominant population.
Prevalence of frailty and prediction of mortality in Chinese cancer patients using a frailty index‐based clinical algorithm—A multicentre study
Authors: Jin Xi , Ren Yue , Shao Li , Guo Zengqing , Wang Chang , He Ying , Zhou Lan , Cong Minghua , Ma Hu , Wang Wei , Zhou Chunling , Feng Yongdong , Ba Yi , Gao Jianguo , Lu Miaomiao , Zhang Mengmeng , Gu Xue‐wei , Song Chunhua , Xu Hongxia , Shi Hanping
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To investigate the frailty status in Chinese cancer patients through establishing a novel prediction algorithm.

Methods

The percentage of frailty in various age groups, locations, and tumor types in Chinese cancer patients was investigated. The prediction capacity of frailty on mortality of Chinese cancer patients was analysed by the frailty index composing of routine laboratory data (FI‐LAB) accessible from a blood test and calculated as the ratio of abnormal factors to 22 total variables. The establishment of a novel algorithm, MCP (mortality of cancer patients), to predict the 5‐year mortality in Chinese cancer patients was accomplished and the algorithm's prediction capacity was tested in the training and validation sets using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

We found that the risk of death in cancer patients can be successfully identified through FI‐LAB. The univariable and multivariable Cox regression were used to evaluate the effect of frailty on death. In the 5‐year follow‐up, 20.6% of the 2959 participants (age = 55.8 ± 11.7 years; 43.5% female) died, while the mean FI‐LAB score in baseline was 0.23 (standard deviation = 0.13; range = 0–0.73). Frailty (after adjusting for gender, age, and other confounders) directly correlated with an increased risk of death, hazard ratio of 12.67 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.19, 22.31), compared to those without frailty. In addition, the MCP algorithm (MCP) = 3.678 × FI‐LAB + 1.575 × sex + 1.779 × first tumor node metastasis staging, presented an area under the ROC (AUC) of 0.691 (95% CI: 0.656–0.726) and 0.648 (95% CI: 0.613–0.684) in the training and validation sets, respectively.

Conclusion

Frailty as defined by FI‐LAB was common and indicated a significant death risk in cancer patients. Our novel developed algorithm MCP had a passable prediction capacity on 5‐year MCP.
Association between relational trauma and empathy among male offenders in China
Authors: Wang Shaishai , Wang Xinyang , Chen Yuxi , Xu Qingsong , Cai Liying , Zhang Tianyang
Published: July 2021

Background

Offenders are more likely than the general population to have experienced relationship trauma. They are also more likely to have lower empathy. To date, relationships between historical trauma and later empathic states have not been examined among offenders.

Aims

To explore the association between history of trauma in close personal relationships and empathy among offenders. Our research question is: Is such relational trauma associated with self‐rated impairments in empathy?

Methods

All men with a primary school education and above at a single all‐male prison in Jiangsu Province in China were invited to participate. The self‐reported Interpersonal Reactivity Index was used to evaluate empathy, and the Brief Betrayal Trauma Survey was to explore interpersonal trauma and classify such experiences.

Results

Interpersonal trauma was associated with higher personal distress and lower empathic concern among men reporting relational trauma in adulthood, but only higher personal distress when the trauma reported was in childhood. Non‐relational trauma was associated with higher empathic concern. Cognitive aspects of empathy varied little between groups.

Conclusions

Our findings add to the existing literature by making distinctions between the types of trauma and the age of key experience in its relationship to self‐reported empathy. The differences found suggest that it may be helpful to consider planning any trauma‐related interventions differently according to the type and age of trauma experiences.
A novel clustering method for fault recovery and routing in mobile ad‐hoc networks
Authors: Gurumoorthy K. B. , Devaraj S. Allwin , Gopinath S. , Ali Tanweer
Published: July 2021

Mobile ad‐hoc network (MANET) is a group of self‐organized autonomous wireless devices that serve communication in human unattended and emergency environments. The network is decentralized and uses wireless links for communication, which is vulnerable to network resource depletion rapidly. Energy and link stability are vital factors that support the prolonged operation of the network, obstructing earlier resource depletions. These depletions are overwhelmed with the help of scattered, isolated nodes; the process of augmenting them increases the control overhead. We propose a genetic algorithm‐based routing (GAR) with fault route recovery (FRR) caused due to isolated nodes. In this method, clustering is used for energy balancing for retaining the live nodes' count reliably. The FRR phase prevents cluster head flooding using the local rerouting process. The former phase of GAR‐FFR governs the network's energy optimization aiming at controlled energy consumption. The later part reduces routing overhead due to route failures, preventing backtracking to the cluster head. The proposed GAR‐FFR is analyzed using the following metrics: throughput, packet delivery ratio, live nodes count, remaining energy, and routing overhead. The proposed GAR‐FRR achieves 15.4% high throughput, 16.29% high live nodes, 8.9% high remaining energy, and 21.04% fewer control packets for different rounds, compared with the existing A‐ECOPS and REAC‐IN methods.
Computational complexity reduction algorithms for Markov decision process based vertical handoff in mobile networks
Authors: Gillani Rida , Nasir Ali
Published: July 2021

Vertical handoff is a major concern in the operation of mobile connections. Multiple wireless networks collate to provide smooth and quality service to the users over mobile connections. This paper formulates a Markov decision process for handoff decisions with a sample space that includes a union of parameters that are important for making a handoff decision. The major contribution of this paper is to propose three different yet closely related algorithms for reducing the computational complexity of the original problem. In particular, we propose a feature‐wise assessment algorithm, a network‐wise assessment algorithm, and a hybrid approach for computational complexity reduction. Discussed algorithms give pseudo‐optimal solutions with a significant reduction in computational complexity. Results indicate that different complexity reduction algorithms perform best under different circumstances. This provides a guideline for the selection of complexity reduction algorithms based on real scenarios.
RNA editing enzyme adenosine deaminases acting on RNA 1 deficiency increases the sensitivity of non‐small cell lung cancer cells to anlotinib by regulating CX3CR1‐fractalkine expression
Authors: Wu Min , Jin Mengmeng , Cao Xiaohui , Qian Kun , Zhao Lei
Published: July 2021

Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) has been identified to play key roles in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression, and can modulate the sensitivity of cancer cells to anticancer drugs. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of ADAR1 on the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to anlotinib. We established anlotinib‐resistant NSCLC (NSCLC/AR) cells, including NCI‐H1975/AR and A549/AR cells. Results showed that ADAR1 was significantly upregulated in NSCLC/AR cells. Genetic‐knockdown of ADAR1 increased the sensitivity of NSCLC/AR cells to anlotinib by inducing cell proliferation suppression, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis. Furthermore, knockdown of ADAR1 decreased the level of C‐X3‐C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CX3CL1) in NCI‐H1975/AR and A549/AR cells after anlotinib treatment. Introduction of exogenous CX3CL1 significantly reversed the positive effect of ADAR1 deficiency on NSCLC/AR cell sensitivity, exhibited by the increase of cell viability and decrease of apoptosis. Further in‐vivo study demonstrated that knockdown of ADAR1 inhibited NCI‐H1975/AR cell tumorigenesis by reducing CX3CL1 expression. Collectively, ADAR1 deficiency increased the sensitivity of NSCLC/AR cells to anlotinib by downregulating CX3CL1, which might provide a potential strategy for NSCLC/AR therapy.
Drought has negative consequences on aphid fitness and plant vigor: Insights from a meta‐analysis
Authors: Leybourne Daniel J. , Preedy Katharine F. , Valentine Tracy A. , Bos Jorunn I. B. , Karley Alison J.
Published: July 2021

Aphids are abundant in natural and managed vegetation, supporting a diverse community of organisms and causing damage to agricultural crops. Due to a changing climate, periods of drought are anticipated to increase, and the potential consequences of this for aphid–plant interactions are unclear.

Using a meta‐analysis and synthesis approach, we aimed to advance understanding of how increased drought incidence will affect this ecologically and economically important insect group and to characterize any potential underlying mechanisms. We used qualitative and quantitative synthesis techniques to determine whether drought stress has a negative, positive, or null effect on aphid fitness and examined these effects in relation to (a) aphid biology, (b) geographical region, and (c) host plant biology.

Across all studies, aphid fitness is typically reduced under drought. Subgroup analysis detected no difference in relation to aphid biology, geographical region, or the aphid–plant combination, indicating the negative effect of drought on aphids is potentially universal. Furthermore, drought stress had a negative impact on plant vigor and increased plant concentrations of defensive chemicals, suggesting the observed response of aphids is associated with reduced plant vigor and increased chemical defense in drought‐stressed plants.

We propose a conceptual model to predict drought effects on aphid fitness in relation to plant vigor and defense to stimulate further research.
Morphological canalization, integration, and plasticity in response to population density inAbutilon theophrasti: Influences of soil conditions and growth stages
Authors: Wang Shu , Zhou Dao‐Wei
Published: July 2021

Phenotypic integration and developmental canalization have been hypothesized to constrain the degree of phenotypic plasticity, but little evidence exists, probably due to the lack of studies on the relationships among the three processes, especially for plants under different environments. We conducted a field experiment by subjecting plants ofAbutilon theophrastito three densities, under infertile and fertile soil conditions, and analyzing correlations among canalization, integration, and plasticity in a variety of measured morphological traits after 50 and 70 days, to investigate the relationships among the three variables in response to density and how these responses vary with soil conditions and growth stages. Results showed trait canalization decreased and phenotypic integration and the degree of plasticity (absolute plasticity) in traits increased with density. Phenotypic integration often positively correlated with absolute plasticity, whereas correlations between trait canalization and plasticity were insignificant in most cases, with a few positive ones between canalization and absolute plasticity at low and medium densities. As plants grew, these correlations intensified in infertile soil and attenuated in fertile soil. Our findings suggested the complexity of the relationship between canalization and plasticity: Decreased canalization is more likely to facilitate active plastic responses under more favorable conditions, whereas increased level of integration should mainly be an outcome of plastic responses. Soil conditions and growth stage may affect responses of these correlations to density via modifying plant size, competition strength, and plastic responses in traits. We also predicted that decreased canalization can be advantageous or disadvantageous, and the lack of response to stress may demonstrate a stronger ability of adaptation than passive response, thus should be adaptive plasticity as active response.
Do soil depth and plant community composition interact to modify the resistance and resilience of grassland ecosystem functioning to drought?
Authors: Fry Ellen L. , Wilkinson Anna , Johnson David , Pritchard William James , Ostle Nick J. , Baggs Elizabeth M. , Bardgett Richard D.
Published: July 2021

While the effect of drought on plant communities and their associated ecosystem functions is well studied, little research has considered how responses are modified by soil depth and depth heterogeneity. We conducted a mesocosm study comprising shallow and deep soils, and variable and uniform soil depths, and two levels of plant community composition, and exposed them to a simulated drought to test for interactive effects of these treatments on the resilience of carbon dioxide fluxes, plant functional traits, and soil chemical properties. We tested the hypotheses that: (a) shallow and variable depth soils lead to increased resistance and resilience of ecosystem functions to drought due to more exploitative plant trait strategies; (b) plant communities associated with intensively managed high fertility soils, will have more exploitative root traits than extensively managed, lower fertility plant communities. These traits will be associated with higher resistance and resilience to drought and may interact with soil depth and depth heterogeneity to amplify the effects on ecosystem functions. Our results showed that while there were strong soil depth/heterogeneity effects on plant‐driven carbon fluxes, it did not affect resistance or resilience to drought, and there were no treatment effects on plant‐available carbon or nitrogen. We did observe a significant increase in exploitative root traits in shallow and variable soils relative to deep and uniform, which may have resulted in a compensation effect which led to the similar drought responses. Plant community compositions representative of intensive management were more drought resilient than more diverse “extensive” communities irrespective of soil depth or soil depth heterogeneity. In intensively managed plant communities, root traits were more representative of exploitative strategies. Taken together, our results suggest that reorganization of root traits in response to soil depth could buffer drought effects on ecosystem functions.
Extensive alternative splicing triggered by mitonuclear mismatch in naturally introgressed Rhinolophus bats
Authors: Chen Wenli , Mao Xiuguang
Published: July 2021

Mitochondrial function needs strong interactions of mitochondrial and nuclear (mitonuclear) genomes, which can be disrupted by mitonuclear mismatch due to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) introgression between two formerly isolated populations or taxa. This mitonuclear disruption may cause severe cellular stress in mismatched individuals. Gene expression changes and alternative splicing (AS) are two important transcriptional regulations to respond to environmental or cellular stresses. We previously identified a naturally introgressed population in the intermediate horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus affinis). Individuals from this population belong to R. a. himalayanus and share almost identical nuclear genetic background; however, some of them had mtDNA from another subspecies (R. a. macrurus). With this unique natural system, we examined gene expression changes in six tissues between five mitonuclear mismatched and five matched individuals. A small number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and functional enrichment analysis revealed that most DEGs were related to immune response although some may be involved in response to oxidative stress. In contrast, we identified extensive AS events and alternatively spliced genes (ASGs) between mismatched and matched individuals. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that multiple ASGs were directly or indirectly associated with energy production in mitochondria which is vital for survival of organism. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the role of AS in responding to cellular stress caused by mitonuclear mismatch in natural populations. Our results suggest that AS may play a more important role than gene expression regulation in responding to severe environmental or cellular stresses.
A sit‐and‐wait predator, but not an active‐pursuit predator, alters pollinator‐mediated selection on floral traits
Authors: Benoit Amanda D. , Caruso Christina M.
Published: July 2021

Indirect species interactions are ubiquitous in nature, often outnumbering direct species interactions. Yet despite evidence that indirect interactions have strong ecological effects, relatively little is known about whether they can shape adaptive evolution by altering the strength and/or direction of natural selection. We tested whether indirect interactions affect the strength and direction of pollinator‐mediated selection on floral traits of the bumble‐bee pollinated wildflower Lobelia siphilitica. We estimated the indirect effects of two pollinator predators with contrasting hunting modes: dragonflies (Aeshnidae and Corduliidae) and ambush bugs (Phymata americana, Reduviidae). Because dragonflies are active pursuit predators, we hypothesized that they would strengthen pollinator‐mediated selection by weakening plant–pollinator interactions (i.e., a density‐mediated indirect effect). In contrast, because ambush bugs are sit‐and‐wait predators, we hypothesized that they would weaken or reverse the direction of pollinator‐mediated selection by altering pollinator foraging behavior (i.e., a trait‐mediated indirect effect). Specifically, if ambush bugs hunt from plants with traits that attract pollinators (i.e., prey), then pollinators will spend less time visiting those plants, weakening or reversing the direction of selection on attractive floral traits. We did not find evidence that high dragonfly abundance strengthened selection on floral traits via a density‐mediated indirect effect: neither pollen limitation (a proxy for the strength of plant–pollinator interactions) nor directional selection on floral traits of L. siphilitica differed significantly between high‐ and low‐dragonfly abundance treatments. In contrast, we did find evidence that ambush bug presence affected selection on floral traits via a trait‐mediated indirect effect: ambush bugs hunted from L. siphilitica plants with larger daily floral displays, reversing the direction of pollinator‐mediated selection on daily display size. These results suggest that indirect species interactions have the potential to shape adaptive evolution by altering natural selection.
Gas Adsorption in R2‐MOF‐5 Difunctionalized with Alkyl Groups
Authors: Sugamata Koh , Kobayashi Sho , Iihama Teruyuki , Minoura Mao
Published: July 2021

Zinc terephthalate metal−organic framework (MOF) MOF‐5 and some of its dialkylated derivatives (R2‐MOF‐5; R=Me, Et, Pr, Bu) were obtained from a solvothermal synthesis using 2,5‐dialkyl‐1,4‐benzenedicarboxylic acids with zinc nitrite. The effect of the solvent on the solvothermal synthesis of R2‐MOF‐5 was investigated. For R=H and Me, interpenetrating or non‐interpenetrating MOFs obtained depending on the choice of reaction solvent, while for R=Et, Pr, and Bu, no such solvent effect was observed, and only jungle‐gym‐type MOFs were generated. All compounds were fully characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction analysis (PXRD), Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). After activation, all these compounds exhibit significant porosity, as confirmed by N2‐, H2‐, and CO2‐sorption experiments. The N2‐adsorption capacity of these compounds depends on the size of the attached alkyl groups, while the H2‐uptake values tend to increase for the alkyl‐functionalized MOFs relative to the unfunctionalized parent MOFs and exhibit a maximum value for Pr2‐MOF‐5.
Half‐Sandwich (η6‐Benzene)Ruthenium(II) Complex of Picolyl Functionalized N‐Heterocyclic Carbene as an Efficient Catalyst for Thioether Directed C−H Alkenylation of Arenes
Authors: Kumari Sangeeta , Sharma Charu , Srivastava Avinash K. , Satrawala Naveen , Sharma Kamal N. , Joshi Raj K.
Published: July 2021

In this report, a half‐sandwich (η6‐benzene)Ru(II) complex of picolyl functionalized N‐heterocyclic carbene was synthesized and efficiently used for the alkenylation arenes through thioether directed C−H bond activation. The thioether functionality of the substrate directed a selective ortho‐vinylation through C−H bond activation. Moreover, reaction significantly works under mild reaction conditions than the previously reported ones which use the precious noble metal catalyst including the Pd(II), Rh(III), and Ir(III). Broad substrate scope using several benzyl thioethers and vinyl were found to be well tolerated for the present catalytic reaction to produces moderate to good yields of the desired products. Moreover, it is the first report where a Ru‐based catalyst was used for the alkenylation of thioethers.