bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute Effects of Psilocybin After Escitalopram or Placebo Pretreatment in a Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled, Crossover Study in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Becker Anna M. , Holze Friederike , Grandinetti Tanja , Klaiber Aaron , Toedtli Vanja E. , Kolaczynska Karolina E. , Duthaler Urs , Varghese Nimmy , Eckert Anne , Grünblatt Edna , Liechti Matthias E.
Published: November 2021

The psychedelic psilocybin is being investigated for the treatment of depression and anxiety. Unclear is whether antidepressant treatments interact with psilocybin. The present study used a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover design with two experimental test sessions to investigate the response to psilocybin (25 mg) in healthy subjects after pretreatment with escitalopram or placebo. The treatment order was random and counterbalanced. Pretreatment consisted of 10 mg escitalopram daily for 7 days, followed by 20 mg daily for 7 days, including the day of psilocybin administration, or 14 days of placebo pretreatment before psilocybin administration. Psilocybin treatments were separated by at least 16 days. The outcome measures included self‐rating scales that evaluated subjective effects, autonomic effects, adverse effects, plasma brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, electrocardiogram QTc time, whole‐blood HTR2A and SCL6A4 gene expression, and pharmacokinetics. Escitalopram pretreatment had no relevant effect on positive mood effects of psilocybin but significantly reduced bad drug effects, anxiety, adverse cardiovascular effects, and other adverse effects of psilocybin compared with placebo pretreatment. Escitalopram did not alter the pharmacokinetics of psilocin. The half‐life of psychoactive free (unconjugated) psilocin was 1.8 hours (range 1.1–2.2 hours), consistent with the short duration of action of psilocybin. Escitalopram did not alter HTR2A or SCL6A4 gene expression before psilocybin administration, QTc intervals, or circulating BDNF levels before or after psilocybin administration. Further studies are needed with a longer antidepressant pretreatment time and patients with psychiatric disorders to further define interactions between antidepressants and psilocybin.
A Low‐Temperature Dehydration Carbon‐Fixation Strategy for Lignocellulose‐Based Hierarchical Porous Carbon for Supercapacitors
Authors: Chen Zhimin , Wang Xiaofeng , Li Wei , Yang Xiaomin , Qiu Jieshan , Wang Zichen
Published: November 2021

Lignocellulose‐based hierarchical porous carbon is a very promising electrode material for supercapacitors, but lower volumetric energy density and yield have hindered its practical applications. Herein, a low‐temperature dehydration carbon‐fixation method using NH4Cl as modification reagent was developed to prepare rice husk‐based hierarchical porous carbon (RHPC) with high volumetric performance and yield. The RHPC‐N electrode exhibited a higher volumetric specific capacitance of 134.4 F cm−3 than that of the RHPC electrode (98.4 F cm−3) in 1 m Et4NBF4/propylene carbonate electrolyte. The volumetric energy density (28.8 Wh L−1) of the RHPC‐N electrode was 37.1 % higher than that of the RHPC electrode (21.0 Wh L−1), which greatly enhanced the practical application potential of RHPC in supercapacitors. Moreover, the yield of RHPC increased 1.2 times by this method, which greatly improved the production capacity and reduced the cost. This research establishes a simple and highly efficient method to improve the volumetric energy density and the yield of lignocellulose‐based hierarchical porous carbon.
Online system expedites requests for accommodation
Authors: Enos Gary A.
Published: November 2021

An automated data management system at Texas Woman's University has simplified the process of requesting and implementing accommodations for students and faculty. Crystal Hill, Director of Disability Services for Students, discussed the transition to an online system.
Create training for faculty members on digital accessibility
Authors: Nover Cindy
Published: November 2021

COVID‐19 has impacted all U.S. college and university students, but may have disproportionate effects on students with disabilities due to limited faculty awareness and training about digital accessibility. Prior to the transition to online‐only education during COVID, faculty at Eastern Washington University, where I am a faculty member in the School of Social Work, could work with Disability Support Services on a student‐by‐student basis to develop accommodations for students with identified disabilities. Faculty could also choose to use tools within our learning management system, Canvas, to ensure that materials posted in the course are accessible, but this is not mandatory. Faculty have no mandatory training about captioning, image descriptions, Microsoft Office accessibility tools, Ally Accessibility Reports, Universal Design for Learning, or laws pertaining to disability and digital accessibility. While this lack of training was likely to be obvious to students with disabilities prior to the pandemic, the concern has been amplified within the past year.
Long COVID: Accommodating a slippery fish
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: November 2021

Post‐COVID conditions, long COVID, long‐haul COVID, post‐acute COVID, chronic COVID — these names each refer to the long‐term effects of a COVID‐19 infection. The Centers for Disease Control describes long COVID as a “wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems” related to COVID‐19.
Study reveals increase in mental health crises for student veterans
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: November 2021

Student veterans lost access to needed support services, while at the same time reported increases in mental health crises, during the COVID‐19 pandemic, according to a survey released by Operation College Promise.
A multidimensional stability framework enhances interpretation and comparison of carbon cycling response to disturbance
Authors: Mathes Kayla C. , Ju Yang , Kleinke Callie , Oldfield Callie , Bohrer Gil , Bond‐Lamberty Ben , Vogel Christoph S. , Dorheim Kalyn , Gough Christopher M.
Published: November 2021

The concept of stability is central to the study and sustainability of vital ecosystem goods and services as disturbances increase globally. While ecosystem ecologists, including carbon (C) cycling scientists, have long‐considered multiple dimensions of disturbance response, our discipline lacks an agreed‐upon analytical framework for characterizing multidimensional stability. Here, we advocate for the broader adoption of a standardized and normalized multidimensional stability framework for analyzing disturbance response. This framework includes four dimensions of stability: the degree of initial change in C fluxes (i.e.,resistance); rate (i.e.,resilience) and variability (i.e.,temporal stability) of return to pre‐disturbance C fluxes; and the extent of return to pre‐disturbance C fluxes (i.e.,recovery). Using this framework, we highlight findings not readily seen from analysis of absolute fluxes, including trade‐offs between initial and long‐term C flux responses to disturbance; different overall stability profiles among fluxes; and, using a pilot dataset, similar relative stability of net primary production following fire and insect disturbances. We conclude that ecosystem ecologists’ embrace of a unifying multidimensional stability framework as a complement to approaches focused on absolute C fluxes could advance global change research by aiding in the novel interpretation, comprehensive synthesis, and improved forecasting of ecosystems’ response to an increasing array of disturbances.
Flexible Transparent Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage: From Electrode Structures to Integrated Applications
Authors: Zhao Yanli , Liu Huaizhi , Yan Yu , Chen Tianwei , Yu Huihuang , Ejeta Lucky Ogheneakpobo , Zhang Guanhua , Duan Huigao
Published: November 2021

The rapid progress of flexible electronics tremendously stimulates the urgent demands for the matching power supply systems. Flexible transparent electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices (FT–EECSDs), with endurable mechanical flexibility, outstanding optical transmittance, excellent electrochemical performance, and additional intelligent functions, are considered as preferable energy supplies for future self‐powered flexible electronic systems. A comprehensive review of the reasonable design of flexible transparent electrode and recent progress on the FT–EECSDs is presented herein. The manufacturing techniques of generally classified three types of flexible transparent electrodes are systematically summarized. Emphasis is given to the recent developments in the transparent solid‐state electrolyte, flexible transparent energy conversion, and storage devices. The standard evaluation methods and reasonable evaluation parameters to evaluate the flexibility and transparency of FT–EECSDs are highlighted. Additionally, the typical integrated applications of FT–EECSDs are also described. Finally, the current challenges and a future perspective on the research and development direction are further outlined.
The characterization and sodium borohydride electrooxidation of novel carbon nanotube supported copromoted Pd as anode catalyst for fuel cell
Authors: Caglar Aykut , Hansu Tulin A. , Sahin Omer , Kivrak Hilal
Published: November 2021

In the present study, the effect of Co addition on Pd is investigated. Pd/CNT and PdCo/CNT catalysts are prepared via the sodium borohydride (SBH, NaBH4) reduction method. The X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, and inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry analyses are performed to characterize the PdCo(70‐30)/CNT catalyst. These characterization results reveal that Pd/CNT and PdCo/CNT catalysts are prepared successfully. NaBH4 electrooxidation activities of PdCo/CNT catalysts are examined with electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. PdCo(70‐30)/CNT catalyst has 11.52 mA/cm2 specific activity, 477.18 m2/g electrochemical active surface area, and the best electrochemical stability. Pd is a promising catalyst for NaBH4 electrooxidation reaction.
Lithic arrowheads: Siliceous raw material sources and technology in Southern Portugal
Authors: Costa Mafalda , Dias Luís , Rocha Leonor , Oliveira Jorge , Barrulas Pedro , Mirão José
Published: November 2021

This analysis focused on one hundred and fifteen lithic arrowheads recovered from the Zambujeiro and Mitra 2 dolmens, funerary monuments in Évora, Portugal. These were analyzed by noninvasive and minimally invasive analytical techniques, including handheld X‐ray fluorescence (hXRF), variable pressure scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (VP‐SEM‐EDS), and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) to establish the sources of the raw materials used to manufacture these arrowheads and to compare and cluster different artefacts. The raw materials used in the manufacture of the arrowheads were found to be from different sources suggesting that long‐distance trade routes extending south, east and possibly west were in place in Southern Iberia during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods. Whether this difference is related to the availability of raw materials throughout time, different procurement strategies, or simply by choice, remains unknown. The trade routes associated with the Mitra 2 Dolmen also seem to have a greater range than those connected to the Zambujeiro Dolmen.
Characterization of whole‐brain task‐modulated functional connectivity in response to nociceptive pain: A multisensory comparison study
Authors: Li Linling , Di Xin , Zhang Huijuan , Huang Gan , Zhang Li , Liang Zhen , Zhang Zhiguo
Published: November 2021

Previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have shown that brain responses to nociceptive pain, non‐nociceptive somatosensory, visual, and auditory stimuli are extremely similar. Actually, perception of external sensory stimulation requires complex interactions among distributed cortical and subcortical brain regions. However, the interactions among these regions elicited by nociceptive pain remain unclear, which limits our understanding of mechanisms of pain from a brain network perspective. Task fMRI data were collected with a random sequence of intermixed stimuli of four sensory modalities in 80 healthy subjects. Whole‐brain psychophysiological interaction analysis was performed to identify task‐modulated functional connectivity (FC) patterns for each modality. Task‐modulated FC strength and graph‐theoretical‐based network properties were compared among the four modalities. Lastly, we performed across‐sensory‐modality prediction analysis based on the whole‐brain task‐modulated FC patterns to confirm the specific relationship between brain patterns and sensory modalities. For each sensory modality, task‐modulated FC patterns were distributed over widespread brain regions beyond those typically activated or deactivated during the stimulation. As compared with the other three sensory modalities, nociceptive stimulation exhibited significantly different patterns (more widespread and stronger FC within the cingulo‐opercular network, between cingulo‐opercular and sensorimotor networks, between cingulo‐opercular and emotional networks, and between default mode and emotional networks) and global property (smaller modularity). Further, a cross‐sensory‐modality prediction analysis found that task‐modulated FC patterns could predict sensory modality at the subject level successfully. Collectively, these results demonstrated that the whole‐brain task‐modulated FC is preferentially modulated by pain, thus providing new insights into the neural mechanisms of pain processing.
Incidence and prediction of HBsAg seroclearance in a prospective multi‐ethnic HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B cohort
Authors: Terrault Norah A. , Wahed Abdus S. , Feld Jordan J. , Cooper Stewart L. , Ghany Mark G. , Lisker‐Melman Mauricio , Perrillo Robert , Sterling Richard K. , Khalili Mandana , Chung Raymond T. , Rosenthal Philip , Fontana Robert J. , Sarowar Arif , Lau Daryl T. Y. , Wang Junyao , Lok Anna S. , Janssen Harry L. A.
Published: November 2021

Background and Aims

Achieving HBsAg loss is an important landmark in the natural history of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). A more personalized approach to prediction of HBsAg loss is relevant in counseling patients. This study sought to develop and validate a prediction model for HBsAg loss based on quantitative HBsAg levels (qHBsAg) and other baseline characteristics.

Methods

The Hepatitis B Research Network (HBRN) is a prospective cohort including 1240 untreated HBeAg‐negative patients (1150 adults, 90 children) with median follow‐up of 5.5 years. Incidence rates of HBsAg loss and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti‐HBs) acquisition were determined, and a predictor score of HBsAg loss using readily available variables was developed and externally validated.

Results

Crude incidence rates of HBsAg loss and anti‐HBs acquisition were 1.6 and 1.1 per 100 person‐years (PY); 67 achieved sustained HBsAg loss for an incidence rate of 1.2 per 100 PY. Increased HBsAg loss was significantly associated with older age, non‐Asian race, HBV phenotype (inactive CHB vs. others), HBV genotype A, lower HBV‐DNA levels, and lower and greater change in qHBsAg. The HBRN‐SQuARe (sex,∆quantHBsAg, age, race) score predicted HBsAg loss over time with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) (95% CIs) at 1 and 3 years of 0.99 (95% CI: 0.987–1.00) and 0.95 (95% CI 0.91–1.00), respectively. In validation in another cohort of 1253 HBeAg‐negative patients with median follow‐up of 3.1 years, HBRN SQuARe predicted HBsAg loss at 1 and 3 years with AUROC values of 0.99 (0.98–1.00) and 0.88 (0.77–0.99), respectively.

Conclusion

HBsAg loss in predominantly untreated patients with HBeAg‐negative CHB can be accurately predicted over a 3‐year horizon using a simple validated score (HBRN SQuARe). This prognostication tool can be used to support patient care and counseling.
Melatonin receptor 1A, but not 1B, knockout decreases biliary damage and liver fibrosis during cholestatic liver injury
Authors: Wu Nan , Carpino Guido , Ceci Ludovica , Baiocchi Leonardo , Francis Heather , Kennedy Lindsey , Zhou Tianhao , Chen Lixian , Sato Keisaku , Kyritsi Konstantina , Meadows Vik , Ekser Burcin , Franchitto Antonio , Mancinelli Romina , Onori Paolo , Gaudio Eugenio , Glaser Shannon , Alpini Gianfranco
Published: November 2021

Background and Aims

Melatonin reduces biliary damage and liver fibrosis in cholestatic models by interaction with melatonin receptors 1A (MT1) and 1B (MT2). MT1 and MT2 can form heterodimers and homodimers, but MT1 and MT2 can heterodimerize with the orphan receptor G protein–coupled receptor 50 (GPR50). MT1/GPR50 dimerization blocks melatonin binding, but MT2/GPR50 dimerization does not affect melatonin binding. GPR50 can dimerize with TGFβ receptor type I (TGFβRI) to activate this receptor. We aimed to determine the differential roles of MT1 and MT2 during cholestasis.

Approach and Results

Wild‐type (WT), MT1 knockout (KO), MT2KO, and MT1/MT2 double KO (DKO) mice underwent sham or bile duct ligation (BDL); these mice were also treated with melatonin. BDL WT and multidrug resistance 2 KO (Mdr2−/−) mice received mismatch, MT1, or MT2 Vivo‐Morpholino. Biliary expression of MT1 and GPR50 increases in cholestatic rodents and human primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) samples. Loss of MT1 in BDL and Mdr2−/− mice ameliorated biliary and liver damage, whereas these parameters were enhanced following loss of MT2 and in DKO mice. Interestingly, melatonin treatment alleviated BDL‐induced biliary and liver injury in BDL WT and BDL MT2KO mice but not in BDL MT1KO or BDL DKO mice, demonstrating melatonin’s interaction with MT1. Loss of MT2 or DKO mice exhibited enhanced GPR50/TGFβR1 signaling, which was reduced by loss of MT1.

Conclusions

Melatonin ameliorates liver phenotypes through MT1, whereas down‐regulation of MT2 promotes liver damage through GPR50/TGFβR1 activation. Blocking GPR50/TGFβR1 binding through modulation of melatonin signaling may be a therapeutic approach for PSC.
Post‐relapse survival in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia patients experiencing therapy failure following autologous transplantation
Authors: Ahmed Sairah , Zhao Qiuhong , Hanel Walter , Qazilbash Muzaffar H. , Patel Krina , Narra Ravi , Kansagra Ankit , Iqbal Madiha , Awan Farrukh T. , Christian Beth , Jaglowski Samantha M. , Kharfan‐Dabaja Mohamed A. , Hamadani Mehdi , Epperla Narendranath
Published: November 2021

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare B‐cell lymphoproliferative malignancy. Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto‐HCT) is considered in a subset of WM patients with relapsed disease. While registry data has shown a benefit for auto‐HCT in relapsed WM, there is a paucity of data on outcomes of patients relapsing after auto‐HCT. Eligibility criteria included adult patients with relapsed/refractory WM who underwent auto‐HCT between 2007 and 2017. The primary endpoint was post‐relapse overall survival (PR‐OS). Secondary endpoints were to identify factors prognostic of PR‐OS. Of the 48 patients with WM who underwent auto‐HCT, 22 (46%) experienced relapse following auto‐HCT. Median PR‐OS of relapsed WM patients after auto‐HCT (n = 22) was not reached (NR) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.5 months‐NR). Among patients who relapsed <1 year versus ≥1 year from auto‐HCT, the median PR‐OS was 18.4 months (95%CI: 0.8‐NR) months and NR (95%CI: 17.5‐NR), respectively (p = 0.06). Of note, disease status at the time of transplant, CR/VGPR versus partial remission did not appear to impact PR‐OS. The median PR‐OS was significantly longer in patients who received ibrutinib in the post‐transplant setting compared to those who did not (NR vs. 18.4 months, 95%CI: 9.1‐NR, p = 0.02). On univariable analysis, the presence of complex karyotype (RR = 4.87, 95% CI = 1.22–19.53) and a higher number of prior lines of therapy (RR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.23–2.67) were associated with a significantly higher risk of relapse. This is the only study to date that evaluated outcomes of WM patients who relapsed following auto‐HCT and provides a benchmark for future trials evaluating survival following auto‐HCT relapse.
Tuberculosis care designed with barramarrany (family): Participatory action research that prioritised partnership, healthy housing and nutrition
Authors: Devlin Sue , Ross Wayne , Widders Richard , McAvoy Gregory , Browne Kirsty , Lawrence Kerryn , MacLaren David , Massey Peter D , Judd Jenni A
Published: November 2021

Issue addressed.

Ongoing tuberculosis (TB) transmission in Aboriginal communities in Australia is unfair and unacceptable. Redressing the inequity in TB affecting Aboriginal peoples is a priority in Australia's Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Control. Improving TB care needs not to just identify barriers but do something about them. Privileging the voices of Aboriginal people affected by TB is essential to identify effective and enabling strategies.

Methods

A barramarrany (Aboriginal family) affected by recurring TB partnered with TB and Environmental Health teams using a participatory action research (PAR) methodology to improve housing health hardware and nutrition alongside biomedical TB prevention and care. A combination of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion; the International “End TB” Strategy; and Aboriginal barramarrany leadership, worldviews and traditional values guided actions to reduce TB transmission.

Results

Together the partners improved housing hardware and access to nutritious food, so the barramarrany could create a setting for good health and wellbeing. These actions supported the barramarrany to regain the physical, social and emotional wellbeing to deal with day‐to‐day challenges and stresses. The barramarrany were able to better sustain supportive relationships; grow, prepare and eat healthy food; and participate in health care activities. The barramarrany could better engage with medical approaches for TB and four barramarrany members completed TB treatment. The PAR action‐project enabled and supported early TB diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Conclusion

Amplifying the voices of Aboriginal people and shared ownership of TB diagnosis, treatment and prevention by the barramarrany, was underpinned with principles of self‐determination, capacity building and social justice. This PAR action‐project provides further evidence that improving housing and nutrition can assist in Ending TB while improving wellbeing.

So what?

Our action‐research project undertaken within a PAR framework demonstrates the implementation of End TB Strategies by utilising the Ottawa Charter's five actions to promote health, by understanding and centralising the social determinants of health.
Wellbeing and nature connectedness for emerging adult undergraduates after a short expedition: A small pilot study
Authors: Down Michael J. A. , Chivers Paola , Kirsch Prudence , Picknoll Duncan
Published: November 2021

Issue addressed

Emerging adult university undergraduates are a vulnerable population due to various life stressors. Previous studies have reported a range of positive outcomes from outdoor expeditions for this population. This small pilot study aimed to investigate the impacts of an outdoor expedition on wellbeing and connectedness to nature and possible confounding by gender and living environment.

Methods

A sample of 54 Health and Physical Education emerging adult undergraduates in the second year of their four‐year degree completed a 3‐day/2‐night immersion expedition. Pre–post differences and a repeated‐measures analysis with confounders examined the expedition's impact on scores from the Warwick‐Edinburgh Mental Well‐being Scale and Connectedness to Nature Scale.

Results

Involvement in a short expedition resulted in improvements to wellbeing and connectedness to nature. Females reported a stronger connectedness to nature than males, while living environments may affect well‐being.

Conclusions/So what?

Incorporating regular contact with nature into the structure of undergraduate programs may improve wellbeing and protect this population's mental and emotional health. In a world adjusting to the effects of a global pandemic, opportunities for teaching in non‐traditional classrooms (such as outdoors) may also protect physical health.
Understanding the costs and benefits of politics among adolescents within a sociocultural context
Authors: Oosterhoff Benjamin , Poppler Ashleigh , Hill Ryan M. , Fitzgerald Holly , Shook Natalie J.
Published: November 2021

Politics entails personal costs and benefits, which may differ for youth from different sociocultural backgrounds. Theat‐stakehypothesis proposes that politically marginalized youth experience greater costs (e.g., stress, conflict) and benefits (e.g., empowerment) related to politics, whereas theat‐riskhypothesis proposes that politically marginalized youth experience greater costs but lower benefits. In Study 1, we examined the factor structure of a new political costs and benefits measure among youth (N = 1,056,Mage = 15.91 years) and tested mental health and demographic correlates. Consistent with the at‐stake hypothesis, marginalized youth experienced greater political costs and benefits than non‐marginalized youth, although findings were nuanced. In Study 2, a sub‐sample of participants (N = 191,Mage = 16.05 years) were recontacted from Study 1 to provide written explanations for why specific findings emerged. Adolescents' reasons indicated that laws and policies disproportionately affect youth from marginalized populations, thus producing both negative and positive political experiences
The association of maternal SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination‐to‐delivery interval and the levels of maternal and cord blood antibodies
Authors: Ben‐Mayor Bashi Tali , Amikam Uri , Ashwal Eran , Hershkovitz Gal , Attali Emmanuel , Berkovitz‐Shperling Roza , Dominsky Omri , Halperin Tami , Goldshmidt Hanoch , Gamzu Ronni , Yogev Yariv , Kuperminc Michael , Hiersch Liran
Published: November 2021

Objective

To evaluate the correlation of maternal and cord blood levels of SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies in pregnant women immunized against COVID‐19.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was performed of pregnant women who delivered at a single university affiliated tertiary medical center. Women who received the COVID‐19 vaccine (BNT162b2 Pfizer©) were approached. The correlation between levels of maternal sera and umbilical cord SARS‐CoV‐2 specific IgG was assessed.

Results

Overall, 58 women were included; of them, 19 had received a single dose and 39 received two doses of the COVID‐19 vaccine. Positive levels of umbilical cord IgG were found in 13/19 (68.4%) and 38/39 (97.4%) women after the administration of a single dose and two doses of the vaccine, respectively. The levels of SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG antibodies in the maternal sera of vaccinated women were positively correlated to their respective concentrations in cord blood sera (ρ = 0.857; R2 linear = 0.719; P < 0.001). Thirteen days after vaccination, the ratio of maternal‐to‐umbilical cord anti Spike IgG antibodies was approximately 1, indicating relatively similar levels in maternal and cord sera.

Conclusion

After the SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine, levels of maternal and cord blood antibodies were positively correlated, especially when tested after 13 days following administration of the first dose of the vaccine.
On Braess's paradox and routing algorithms
Authors: Vieira Luiz F. M. , Vieira Marcos A. M.
Published: November 2021

In road traffic networks, famous Braess's Paradox demonstrated that the addition of resources can cause the traffic network performance to decrease. The addition of a new route can cause drivers to use this new road and end up reaching a Nash equilibrium which increases the overall travel time. Unlike previous studies that have investigated the paradox in the context of game theory, road traffic network, and latency edge data network, in this paper we show the novel issue of how the addition of resources can lead to a decrease in data network performance while using certain routing algorithm (ie, shortest widest path—used for quality‐of‐service routing, quickest path, geographic routing, quality‐of‐service energy‐aware routing), without even considering congestion. We demonstrate the idea for any network size and describe the fundamental issue. Finally, we describe solutions based on current network's technology.
Strong coupling between an optical microcavity and photosystems in single living cyanobacteria
Authors: Rammler Tim , Wackenhut Frank , zur Oven‐Krockhaus Sven , Rapp Johanna , Forchhammer Karl , Harter Klaus , Meixner Alfred J.
Published: November 2021

The first step in photosynthesis is an extremely efficient energy transfer mechanism that led to the debate to which extent quantum coherence may be involved in the energy transfer between the photosynthetic pigments. In search of such a coherent behavior, we have embedded living cyanobacteria between the parallel mirrors of an optical microresonator irradiated with low intensity white light. As a consequence, we observe vacuum Rabi splitting in the transmission and fluorescence spectra as a result of strong light matter coupling of the chlorophyllamolecules in the photosystems (PSs) and the cavity modes. The Rabi‐splitting scales with the number of the PSs chlorophyllapigments involved in strong coupling indicating a delocalized polaritonic state. Our data provide evidence that a delocalized polaritonic state can be established between the chlorophyllamolecule of the PSs in living cyanobacterial cells at ambient conditions in a microcavity.
Alcohol and tobacco use and risk of multiple myeloma: A case‐control study
Authors: Cheah Simon , Bassett Julie K. , Bruinsma Fiona J. , Cozen Wendy , Hopper John L. , Jayasekara Harindra , Joshua Douglas , MacInnis Robert J. , Prince H. Miles , Vajdic Claire M. , van Leeuwen Marina T. , Doo Nicole Wong , Harrison Simon J. , English Dallas R. , Giles Graham G. , Milne Roger L.
Published: November 2021

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological cancer and causes significant mortality and morbidity. Knowledge regarding modifiable risk factors for MM remains limited. This analysis of an Australian population‐based case–control family study investigates whether smoking or alcohol consumption is associated with risk of MM and related diseases. Incident cases (n = 789) of MM were recruited via cancer registries in Victoria and New South Wales. Controls (n = 1,113) were either family members of cases (n = 696) or controls recruited for a similarly designed study of renal cancers (n = 417). Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using unconditional multivariable logistic regression. Heavy intake (>20 g ethanol/day) of alcohol had a lower risk of MM compared with nondrinkers (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.50–0.93), and there was an inverse dose–response relationship for average daily alcohol intake (OR per 10 g ethanol per day = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86–0.99); there was no evidence of an interaction with sex. There was no evidence of an association with MM risk for smoking‐related exposures (p > 0.18). The associations between smoking and alcohol with MM are similar to those with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma. Further research into potential underlying mechanisms is warranted.
Molecular evolution and genomic characteristics of genotype H1 of measles virus
Authors: Song Jinhua , Li Chongshan , Rivailler Pierre , Wang Huiling , Hu Manli , Zhu Zhen , Cui Aili , Mao Naiying , Xu Wenbo , Zhang Yan
Published: November 2021

Measles is one of the most infectious diseases of humans. It is caused by the measles virus (MeV) and can lead to serious illness, lifelong complications, and even death. Whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) is now available to study molecular epidemiology and identify MeV transmission pathways. In the present study, WGS of 23 MeV strains of genotype H1, collected in Mainland China between 2006 and 2018, were generated and compared to 31 WGSs from the public domain to analyze genomic characteristics, evolutionary rates and date of emergence of H1 genotype. The noncoding region between M and F protein genes (M/F NCR) was the most variable region throughout the genome. Although the nucleotide substitution rate of H1 WGS was around 0.75 × 10−3 substitution per site per year, the M/F NCR had an evolutionary rate three times higher, with 2.44 × 10−3 substitution per site per year. Phylogenetic analysis identified three distinct genetic groups. The Time of the Most Recent Common Ancestor (TMRCA) of H1 genotype was estimated at approximately 1988, while the first genetic group appeared around 1995 followed by two other genetic groups in 1999–2002. Bayesian skyline plot showed that the genetic diversity of the H1 genotype remained stable even though the number of MeV cases decreased 50 times between 2014 (52 628) and 2020 (993). The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic might have some effect on the measles epidemic and further studies will be necessary to assess the genetic diversity of the H1 genotype in a post‐COVID area.
A review and future agenda for behavioral research on leader–follower interactions at different temporal scopes
Authors: Hemshorn de Sanchez Clara Sofie , Gerpott Fabiola H. , Lehmann‐Willenbrock Nale
Published: November 2021

Scholars are increasingly embracing innovative research designs and measures to capture actual leader and/or follower behaviors in real interactions. Our systematic review of this emerging research stream and development of a research agenda seeks to move the literature further in this direction. Specifically, we aim to inspire scholars with techniques for observing, manipulating, or training actual leadership and/or followership behaviors at different temporal scopes in the laboratory or field and identify which future research areas are worth exploring. To achieve these aims, we perform a review of existing studies in this domain according to their underlying conceptual model and temporal scope. We analyze which types of leader or follower behaviors (i.e., verbal behavior, text‐based behavior, choice behavior, gaze, facial expressions, gestures, voice tone and pitch, movement cues, and unspecified nonverbal behavior) have been studied, how they have been studied (i.e., using which methodological approaches), and in which study context (i.e., laboratory or field). We distill these findings to derive six future research directions: conducting studies that connect actual and perceived leader/follower behaviors, considering temporal granularity in a nuanced manner, exploring interdependent behavioral patterns, leveraging unconventional research methods, performing multimodal behavior analyses, and conducting more studies “in the wild” (i.e., field research).
Integrating Specialist Palliative Care in the Liver Transplantation Evaluation Process: A Qualitative Analysis of Hepatologist and Palliative Care Provider Views
Authors: Shinall Myrick C. , Bonnet Kemberlee , Schlundt David , Verma Manisha
Published: November 2021

Patients undergoing evaluation for liver transplantation face heavy burdens of symptoms, health care use, and mortality. In other similarly ill populations, specialist palliative care has been shown to benefit patients, but specialist palliative care is infrequently used for liver transplantation patients. This project aims to describe the potential benefits of and barriers to specialist palliative care integration in the liver transplantation process. We performed qualitative analysis of transcripts from provider focus groups followed by a community engagement studio of patients and caregivers. Focus groups consisted of 14 palliative care specialists and 10 hepatologists from 11 institutions across the United States and Canada. The community engagement studio comprised patients and caregivers of patients either currently on the liver transplantation waiting list or recently after transplant. The focus groups identified 19 elements of specialist palliative care that could benefit this patient population, including exploring patients’ illness understanding and expectations; assessing physical symptoms comprehensively; discussing patient values; and providing caregiver support, a safe space to discuss noncurative options, and anticipatory guidance about likely next steps. Identified barriers included role boundaries, differences in clinical cultures, limitations of time and staff, competing goals and priorities, misconceptions about palliative care, limited resources, changes in transplant status, and patient complexity. Community studio participants identified many of the same opportunities and barriers. This study found that hepatologists, palliative care specialists, patients, and caregivers identified areas of care for liver transplantation patients that specialist palliative care can improve and address.
Liquid Metal–Ionic Liquid Composite Gels for Soft, Mixed Electronic–Ionic Conductors
Authors: Asada Juri , Usami Natsuka , Ota Hiroki , Watanabe Masayoshi , Ueno Kazuhide
Published: November 2021

Mixed electronic–ionic conductors with high flexibility and stretchability can serve as key materials in rapidly emerging applications such as soft electronics and soft robotics. The combined use of two functional liquid materials, ionic liquids (ILs) and liquid metals (LMs), is of significant interest in the development of highly deformable mixed conductors. In this study, composite gels embedded with both IL and LM are prepared for the first time using a Ga–In eutectic (eGaIn), 1‐ethyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide, and poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) as the LM, IL, and polymer matrix, respectively. The composite gels exhibit low electronic conductivities of the order of 10−3 S cm−1. The addition of an optimal amount of Ni particles (NiPs) improve the electronic conductivity to ≈25 S cm−1 while retaining mechanical flexibility. The electronic conductivity is further enhanced upon elongation due to the reversible alignment and elongation of the LM in the gel matrix along the stretching direction. Owing to a bicontinuous structure composed of the IL‐based gel and metal component phases, the composite gels exhibit high ionic conductivity of the order of 10−3 S cm−1. This study demonstrates a rational approach for designing stretchable mixed conductors using ILs and Ga‐based LMs.
Biooxazolidines‐Enabled Improvement of Monocomponent Polyurethane Coatings
Authors: Song Xinyan , Lin Yinlei , Zhu Chenjing , Huang Jianhui , Bai Xiaoxu , Zhang Haichen , Hu Huawen , Li Guangji
Published: November 2021

Single‐component moisture‐cured polyurethane (SPU) possesses the merit of easy preparation and high curing efficiency but suffers from poor apparent properties, mechanical performance, and thermal stability. Herein, the authors employ isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and 2‐isopropyl‐3‐hydroxyethyl‐1, 3‐oxazolidines (IHO) to synthesize oxazolidine (termed as IPDI‐IHO) for the subsequent modification of SPU. The structure and composition of the synthesized SPU/IPDI‐IHO composites are unraveled by 1H and 13C NMR and FTIR spectroscopies. Apart from the curing properties of SPU/IPDI‐IHO, the apparent properties, mechanical performance, thermal stability, and self‐healing ability are evaluated. SEM and AFM characterizations reveal that IPDI‐IHO incorporation significantly decreased the number of bubbles and thus reduce the SPU‐based sample surface roughness. The thermal stability of SPU is notably improved after IPDI‐IHO modification. The tensile strength and elongation at break also increases from 830 to 3710 kPa and from 210% to 600%, respectively, due to IPDI‐IHO inclusion, with the optimal mechanical properties achieved at the IPDI‐IHO mass ratio of 8 wt%. Furthermore, the cracks intentionally cut for the SPU/IPDI‐IHO sample can be self‐healed at 60 °C. The ensemble of the performance enhancements suggests that the IPDI‐IHO developed in this work opens up a new route to fabricate high‐performance SPU and related polymeric materials.
Molecular‐Level Insights into the Diffusion of a Hydrophobic Drug in a Disordered Block Copolymer Micelle by Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Razavilar Negin , Hanna Gabriel
Published: November 2021

Previously, all‐atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of a single hydrophobic drug molecule in pseudo‐micelles (consisting of one polymer chain surrounded by several water molecules) were used to gain insight into drug diffusion in nano‐sized micelles. Although it was shown that hydrogen bonding dominates the drug diffusivity, it was not clear to what extent a pseudo‐micelle model captures the drug diffusion dynamics in a full micelle. Since drug release from a stable drug‐loaded micelle occurs on very long timescales, all‐atom MD simulations of the drug diffusion are prohibitively costly. To reduce the computational cost, herein, an all‐atom MD simulation is performed starting from a disordered structure of a full Cucurbitacin B (CuB)‐loaded poly (ethylene oxide‐b‐caprolactone) block copolymer micelle in water. It is found that both the CuB and water dynamics yield nonlinear sub‐diffusive mean‐squared displacements, which result from molecular crowding in the micelle environment and extensive hydrogen bonding interactions between the water/CuB molecules and polymer chains. Moreover, it is found that the hydrogen bonding and diffusion dynamics in the pseudo‐micelle are not representative of those in the full micelle. The computational approach used herein is expected to yield molecular‐level information that can aid in understanding in‐vitro drug release data from nano‐sized micelles.
Current and emerging opportunities in biological medium‐based computing and digital data storage
Authors: Bennet Devasier , Vo‐Dinh Tuan , Zenhausern Frederic
Published: November 2021

Traditional storage methods have limitations and concerns regarding capacity, decay, and sustainability. These drawbacks can be mitigated by developing long‐term digital information storage systems using deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which are often referred to as DNA‐based data storage. These advanced technologies for storing big data are emulated by DNA synthesis, DNA sequencing, and encoding and decoding algorithms that can pack information into DNA, extreme durability, environmental sustainability, energy conservation, and eternal relevance, and at higher density than the conventional systems. This field has arisen to become a hot topic for researchers in the past decade, with significant breakthroughs in its course. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in in vivo DNA digital storage and in vitro DNA digital storage with novel modalities, preservation techniques, applications, and practical and technical issues. Also summarize the field of in vivo molecular writing mode that records and stores data within cells' genomes, which lie at the growing intersection of biocomputing and biotechnology.
Tumor‐immune landscape patterns before and after chemoradiation in resectable esophageal adenocarcinomas
Authors: Soeratram Tanya TD , Creemers Aafke , Meijer Sybren L , de Boer Onno J , Vos Wim , Hooijer Gerrit KJ , van Berge Henegouwen Mark I , Hulshof Maarten CCM , Bergman Jacques JGHM , Lei Ming , Bijlsma Maarten F , Ylstra Bauke , van Grieken Nicole CT , van Laarhoven Hanneke WM
Published: November 2021

Immunotherapy is a new anti‐cancer treatment option, showing promising results in clinical trials. To investigate potential immune biomarkers in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), we explored immune landscape patterns in the tumor microenvironment before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT). Sections from matched pretreatment biopsies and post‐nCRT resection specimens (n = 188) were stained for (1) programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1, CD274); (2) programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1, CD279), forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), CD8, pan‐cytokeratin multiplex; and (3) an MHC class I, II duplex. The densities of tumor‐associated immune cells (TAICs) were calculated using digital image analyses and correlated to histopathological nCRT response [tumor regression grade (TRG)], survival, and post‐nCRT immune patterns. PD‐L1 positivity defined by a combined positive score of >1 was associated with a better response post‐nCRT (TRG 1–3 versus 4, 5, p = 0.010). In addition, high combined mean densities of CD8+, FOXP3+, and PD‐1+ TAICs in the tumor epithelium and stroma of biopsies were associated with a better response (TRG 1–3 versus 4, 5, p = 0.025 and p = 0.044, respectively). Heterogeneous TAIC density patterns were observed post‐nCRT, with significantly higher CD8+ and PD‐1+ TAIC mean densities compared with biopsies (both p = 0.000). Three immune landscape patterns were defined post‐nCRT: ‘inflamed’, ‘invasive margin’, and ‘desert’, of which ‘inflamed’ was the most frequent (57%). Compared with matched biopsies, resection specimens with ‘inflamed’ tumors showed a significantly higher increase in CD8+ density compared with non‐inflamed tumors post‐nCRT (p = 0.000). In this cohort of EAC patients, higher TAIC densities in pretreatment biopsies were associated with response to nCRT. This warrants future research into the potential of the tumor‐immune landscape for patient stratification and novel (immune) therapeutic strategies. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Elucidating the role of the kinase activity of endothelial cell focal adhesion kinase in angiocrine signalling and tumour growth
Authors: Newport Emma , Pedrosa Ana Rita , Lees Delphine , Dukinfield Matthew , Carter Edward , Gomez‐Escudero Jesus , Casado Pedro , Rajeeve Vinothini , Reynolds Louise E , R Cutillas Pedro , Duffy Stephen W , De Luxán Delgado Beatriz , Hodivala‐Dilke Kairbaan
Published: November 2021

A common limitation of cancer treatments is chemotherapy resistance. We have previously identified that endothelial cell (EC)‐specific deletion of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) sensitises tumour cells to DNA‐damaging therapies, reducing tumour growth in mice. The present study addressed the kinase activity dependency of EC FAK sensitisation to the DNA‐damaging chemotherapeutic drug, doxorubicin. FAK is recognised as a therapeutic target in tumour cells, leading to the development of a range of inhibitors, the majority being ATP competitive kinase inhibitors. We demonstrate that inactivation of EC FAK kinase domain (kinase dead; EC FAK‐KD) in established subcutaneous B16F0 tumours improves melanoma cell sensitisation to doxorubicin. Doxorubicin treatment in EC FAK‐KD mice reduced the percentage change in exponential B16F0 tumour growth further than in wild‐type mice. There was no difference in tumour blood vessel numbers, vessel perfusion or doxorubicin delivery between genotypes, suggesting a possible angiocrine effect on the regulation of tumour growth. Doxorubicin reduced perivascular malignant cell proliferation, while enhancing perivascular tumour cell apoptosis and DNA damage in tumours grown in EC FAK‐KD mice 48 h after doxorubicin injection. Human pulmonary microvascular ECs treated with the pharmacological FAK kinase inhibitors defactinib, PF‐562,271 or PF‐573,228 in combination with doxorubicin also reduced cytokine expression levels. Together, these data suggest that targeting EC FAK kinase activity may alter angiocrine signals that correlate with improved acute tumour cell chemosensitisation. © 2021 The Authors.The Journal of Pathologypublished by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.