bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical and Biomolecular Insights into the Staphylococcus aureus Agr Quorum Sensing System: Current Progress and Ongoing Challenges
Authors: Polaske Thomas J. , West Korbin H. J. , Zhao Ke , Widner Danielle L. , York Jordan T. , Blackwell Helen E.
Published: March 2023

Staphylococcus aureus is a ubiquitous bacterium that has become a major threat to human health due to its extensive toxin production and tremendous capacity for antibiotic resistance (e. g., MRSA “superbug” infections). Amid a worsening antibiotic resistance crisis, new strategies to combat this deadly microbe that remove the selective pressure of traditional approaches are in high demand. S. aureus utilizes an accessory gene regulator (agr) quorum sensing network to monitor its local cellular population and trigger a devastating communal attack, like an invading horde, once a threshold cell density has been reached. The role of the agr system in a range of disease types is still being unraveled. Herein, we discuss the present‐day biochemical understanding of agr along with unresolved details, describe its connection to the progression of infection, and review how chemical strategies have been implemented to study and intercept this signaling pathway. This research is illuminating the potential of agr as an anti‐virulence target in S. aureus and should inform the study of similar, yet less studied, agr systems in related bacterial pathogens.
Scalable van der Waals graphene films for electro‐optical regulation and thermal camouflage
Authors: Li Ziqi , Chao Xujiang , Balilonda Andrew , Chen Wei
Published: March 2023

Graphene exhibits enormous advantages in mid‐infrared (MIR) regulation because of the active control, precise regulation, and large modulation depth. Such graphene films are prepared via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or reduction, which cannot realize large‐scale production and limit the applications. Graphene films with van der Waals (vdW) structure enable excellent mechanical and electrical performance for flexible electrodes and electronics and might be a candidate for MIR regulation. However, current techniques for preparing vdW graphene films require binder or solution assistance, resulting in chemical residues and performance degradation. Here, a new strategy for preparing large‐area vdW graphene films by simple mechanical adhesion without any additives was proposed. By selecting the carriers and substrates with proper fracture energies, graphene nanosheets can be transferred from one polymer to another with a layer‐by‐layer structure. The obtained graphene films possess desired thickness and comparable electrical conductivity (92.8 ± 4.6 ohm sq–1) with those by chemical vapor deposition. They are of high compactness even for ions to intercalate reversibly, which exhibit excellent electrochemical activity and electro‐optical regulation capability, effectively suppressing 90% thermal radiation. This strategy can be extended to prepare high‐performance vdW graphene films on various polymer substrates and used for sustainable and smart electro‐optical applications.

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Leukemic phase follicular lymphoma in a young adult
Authors: Rivera Daniel , Wang Wei , Al‐Jumaili Zubaidah , Hu Zhihong
Published: March 2023

Background

Leukemic presentation of follicular lymphoma (FL) is uncommon, with most cases reported in older adults.

Design

This report describes an unusual case of a young adult diagnosed with leukemic phase of FL. We reviewed the existing literature on this rare presentation of the disease and its potential impact on patient outcomes.

Results

Leukemic phase of FL in young adults can be mistaken for other high‐grade hematologic malignancies. Morphology assessment and ancillary testing, such as flow cytometry and FISH analysis, can assist in achieving an accurate diagnosis of the leukemic phase of FL. Notably, our young patient responded well to therapy, which is different from what is typically observed in older patients who have a poorer prognosis. Further cases are needed to investigate the prognostic impact of the leukemic phase of FL in younger patients.
Family environment and polygenic risk in the bipolar high‐risk context
Authors: Stapp Emma K. , Fullerton Janice M. , Musci Rashelle J. , Zandi Peter P. , McInnis Melvin G. , Mitchell Philip B. , Hulvershorn Leslie A. , Ghaziuddin Neera , Roberts Gloria , Ferrera Alessandra G. , Nurnberger John I. , Wilcox Holly C.
Published: March 2023

Background

The interaction of polygenic risk (PRS) and environmental effects on development of bipolar disorder (BD) is understudied, as are high‐risk offspring perceptions of their family environment (FE). We tested the association of offspring‐perceived FE in interaction with BD‐PRS on liability for BD in offspring at high or low familial risk for BD.

Methods

Offspring of a parent with BD (oBD; n = 266) or no psychiatric disorders (n = 174), aged 12–21 at recruitment, participated in the US and Australia. Empirically‐derived profiles of FE classified offspring by their perceived levels of familial cohesion, flexibility, and conflict. Offspring BD‐PRS were derived from Psychiatric Genomics Consortium BD‐GWAS. Lifetime DSM‐IV bipolar disorders were derived from the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School‐Aged Children. We used a novel stepwise approach for latent class modeling with predictors and distal outcomes.

Results

Fifty‐two offspring were diagnosed with BD. For those with well‐functioning FE (two‐thirds of the sample), higher BD‐PRS tracked positively with liability for BD. However, for those with high‐conflict FEs, the relationship between BD‐PRS and liability to BD was negative, with highest risk for BD observed with lower BD‐PRS. In exploratory analyses, European‐ancestry offspring with BD had elevated history of suicidal ideation in high‐conflict FE compared to well‐functioning‐FE, and of suicide attempt with low‐BD‐PRS and high‐conflict FE.

Conclusions

The data suggest that the relationship of BD‐PRS and offspring liability for BD differed between well‐functioning versus high‐conflict FE, potentially in line with a multifactorial liability threshold model and supporting future study of and interventions improving family dynamics.
Civil engineering students as avoidant actors: Using culturally relevant problem‐solving to increase critical action attitudes
Authors: Drake Riley , Poleacovschi Cristina , Faust Kasey M. , True‐Funk Arie , Kaminsky Jessica
Published: March 2023

Background

Civil engineers design systems that have the potential to impact existing oppressive societal conditions. Critical action—the ability to recognize and act against oppressive conditions—is an obligation for civil engineers committed to building a more just world.

Purpose/Hypothesis

History reveals that civil engineers often do not take critical action and accrediting bodies (e.g., ABET) have responded by creating requirements to consider social factors and contexts. Considering these endeavors, we ask: To what extent do civil engineering students demonstrate critical action attitudes when prompted by engineering problem‐solving? In what ways does culturally relevant problem‐solving influence critical action attitudes?

Design/Method

Employing transformative action as a theoretical framework, we assessed students' responses to a design question on three levels that perpetuate or disrupt oppression (avoidant, destructive, and critical action). The empirical study used qualitative and quantitative analysis to examine survey responses of 375 civil engineering undergraduate students across 12 US universities.

Results

The results showed that engineering students largely avoided discussing taking critical action, remaining focused on technical and nontechnical factors that evaded acknowledgement of sociopolitical factors. Nevertheless, when exposed to culturally relevant problem‐solving, students showed a statistically significant increase in both critical and destructive action responses.

Conclusions

We posit that students' exposure to culturally relevant problem‐solving can enhance students' critical action attitudes. The results call on the need for civil engineering educators to cultivate culturally relevant problem‐solving in civil engineering curriculum.
Overexpression of the telomerase holoenzyme induces EMT and tumorigenesis of HPV‐immortalized keratinocytes
Authors: Wang Aibing , Zhou Dan , Krawczyk Ewa , Li Tuanjie , Simic Vera , Lu Jie , Liu Xuefeng , Schlegel Richard , Yuan Hang
Published: March 2023

Cervical cancer is the most frequent malignancy of the female genital tract and is associated with persistent infection of the uterine cervix with high‐risk human papillomaviruses (HPV). The two HPV oncoproteins, E6 and E7, cooperatively immortalize cervical cells and are essential but insufficient for inducing tumorigenicity. During the progression of HPV‐associated cervical dysplasia to carcinoma, the cellular telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene is activated and the TERC gene amplified. We questioned whether these increases in telomerase components might mediate the acquisition of the tumorigenic phenotype. We therefore transduced the TERT and TERC genes into E6/E7 immortalized keratinocytes that were anchorage‐dependent and nontumorigenic. The resultant cells showed a profound morphological change characteristic of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition as well as a corresponding increase in expression of vimentin, N‐cadherin, Zinc finger E‐Box binding homeobox 1, snail family transcriptional repressor 1 and matrix Metallopeptidase 2 and decrease in keratin and E‐cadherin. More important, the transduced cells were now anchorage‐independent and formed tumors in immunodeficient mice. Our findings indicate that overexpression of the telomerase holoenzyme in HPV‐immortalized cells is sufficient to induce the complete transformed phenotype.
Analytical investigation of a triple surrounding gate germanium source metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistor with step graded channel for biosensing applications
Authors: Das Amit , Rewari Sonam , Kanaujia Binod Kumar , Deswal S. S. , Gupta R. S.
Published: March 2023

This paper proposes a compact analytical model and comprehensively investigates the biosensing performance of a novel dielectric modulated triple surrounding gate germanium source metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistor with a step graded channel. Solving the 2D Poisson's equation yields an analytical expression of threshold voltage, channel potential, drain current and sub threshold swing. The sensitivity variation in the biosensor has been thoroughly studied by varying different device parameters to investigate its biosensing performance. Graded doping in channel offers enhanced sensitivity than a non‐graded doped channel when the doping of the channel is more near the drain end than source end which is due to stronger electric field and gate capacitance. Effect of fill‐in factor for different biomolecules on the sensitivity has been thoroughly discussed. Different analytical results show an excellent agreement with the simulations done on SILVACO ATLAS TCAD simulator.
Elution–extrusion counter‐current chromatographic separation and theoretical mechanism of antioxidant from Robinia pseudoacacia flower
Authors: Liu Chang , Zhang Yunci , Tang Shanshan , Wang Yi , Tian Jing , Gu Dongyu , Yang Yi
Published: March 2023

Robinia pseudoacacia flowers have attracted much attention because of numerous bioactivities. In this study, its extract showed the potential scavenging ability for 2,2′‐azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulphonate) and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl free radicals. Under the guidance of antioxidant activity, the antioxidant extract was enriched by liquid‐liquid extraction. The partition coefficients of the two main components in antioxidant extracts differed greatly, so in this study, elution‐extrusion counter‐current chromatography with the solvent system of n‐hexane‐ethyl acetate‐methanol‐water (2.5:5:2.5:5, v/v) was used to enhance the separation efficiency, and the two main components were successfully obtained. Among them, kaempferol showed strong antioxidant activity, which can be responsible for the activity of the extract. In order to deeply understand the antioxidant mechanism of kaempferol, the thermodynamics, frontier molecular orbital, and kinetics of scavenging free radicals were investigated by density functional theory. The results showed that 4′‐OH in kaempferol was the most active group, which can scavenge free radicals by hydrogen atom transfer in non‐polar solvents and activate 3‐OH to generate double hydrogen atom transfer in the gas phase. But in polar solvents, it was more inclined to clear radicals through single electron transfer and proton transfer. The kinetic result showed that kaempferol needed 9.17 kcal/mol of activation energy to scavenge free radicals.
Nonlinear water clarity trends and impacts on littoral area in Minnesota lakes
Authors: Vitense Kelsey , Hansen Gretchen J. A.
Published: March 2023

Lake water clarity is an indicator of water quality, trophic status, and habitat condition. Changes in clarity impact lake ecosystems and may reflect land use changes or presence of invasive species. Quantifying temporal changes in water clarity can be challenging because clarity varies seasonally, annually, and spatially within and among lakes. We developed a hierarchical generalized additive model to quantify trends in water clarity (Secchi depth) from 1979 to 2018 for 909 Minnesota lakes, accounting for seasonal and spatial variability. Water clarity increased by 0.41 m across lakes from 1984 to 1988 and 2014 to 2018. Lake‐specific clarity trends varied: clarity did not change significantly in 59.0% of lakes, increased in 34.5% of lakes, and decreased in 6.5% of lakes. Water clarity dynamics caused considerable variability in littoral area between seasons and years. Our results have wide applications in aquatic ecology, including understanding changes to food webs, assessing fish habitat, and evaluating impacts of invasive species.
phytoclass: A pigment‐based chemotaxonomic method to determine the biomass of phytoplankton classes
Authors: Hayward Alexander , Pinkerton Matthew H. , Gutierrez‐Rodriguez Andres
Published: March 2023

Pigment‐based chemotaxonomy is a widely utilized tool to determine the biomass of phytoplankton classes from pigment biomarkers. The CHEMTAX approach is sensitive to the initial estimates of pigment‐to‐chlorophyll a (Chl a) ratios for the phytoplankton classes required, even though these are modified by the CHEMTAX process. We present an alternative chemotaxonomic method that utilizes simulated annealing with a steepest descent algorithm to derive class abundances and pigment‐to‐Chl a ratios. The simulated annealing algorithm is tested on two synthetic datasets of Southern Ocean phytoplankton communities. Each dataset is composed of 1000 inversion samples (set of phytoplankton class abundances, pigment ratios, and pigment profiles) with sizes ranging between 5 and 60 individual samples. We show that the new simulated annealing approach displays higher accuracy than two common configurations of the CHEMTAX method, with lower differences between true and estimated class abundances. Symmetric mean absolute percentage error were 4.8–11%, compared to 18–70% with CHEMTAX approaches. Proportions of variance explained (R2) between true and estimated class abundances using the simulated annealing approach were 0.98–0.99 compared to 0.71–0.89 for CHEMTAX. Overall, this new methodology is capable of determining phytoplankton class abundances at higher accuracy than CHEMTAX without sensitivity to initial estimates of pigment‐to‐Chl a ratios.
Mechanism of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in cancer and its regulation by natural compounds
Authors: Ang Hui Li , Mohan Chakrabhavi Dhananjaya , Shanmugam Muthu K. , Leong Hin Chong , Makvandi Pooyan , Rangappa Kanchugarakoppal S. , Bishayee Anupam , Kumar Alan Prem , Sethi Gautam
Published: March 2023

Epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex process with a primordial role in cellular transformation whereby an epithelial cell transforms and acquires a mesenchymal phenotype. This transformation plays a pivotal role in tumor progression and self‐renewal, and exacerbates resistance to apoptosis and chemotherapy. EMT can be initiated and promoted by deregulated oncogenic signaling pathways, hypoxia, and cells in the tumor microenvironment, resulting in a loss‐of‐epithelial cell polarity, cell–cell adhesion, and enhanced invasive/migratory properties. Numerous transcriptional regulators, such as Snail, Slug, Twist, and ZEB1/ZEB2 induce EMT through the downregulation of epithelial markers and gain‐of‐expression of the mesenchymal markers. Additionally, signaling cascades such as Wnt/β‐catenin, Notch, Sonic hedgehog, nuclear factor kappa B, receptor tyrosine kinases, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, Hippo, and transforming growth factor‐β pathways regulate EMT whereas they are often deregulated in cancers leading to aberrant EMT. Furthermore, noncoding RNAs, tumor‐derived exosomes, and epigenetic alterations are also involved in the modulation of EMT. Therefore, the regulation of EMT is a vital strategy to control the aggressive metastatic characteristics of tumor cells. Despite the vast amount of preclinical data on EMT in cancer progression, there is a lack of clinical translation at the therapeutic level. In this review, we have discussed thoroughly the role of the aforementioned transcription factors, noncoding RNAs (microRNAs, long noncoding RNA, circular RNA), signaling pathways, epigenetic modifications, and tumor‐derived exosomes in the regulation of EMT in cancers. We have also emphasized the contribution of EMT to drug resistance and possible therapeutic interventions using plant‐derived natural products, their semi‐synthetic derivatives, and nano‐formulations that are described as promising EMT blockers.
Why schools are a natural setting for MH support
Authors: Lemelle Tricia
Published: March 2023

Children in America are in crisis — struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues at unprecedented levels. As a child and adolescent psychiatrist for the Behavioral Health Center at Children's Hospital New Orleans, I have had a first‐hand look at the increasing numbers of youths struggling with mental health.
Olive‐Derived Antioxidant Dietary Fiber Modulates Gut Microbiota Composition and Attenuates Atopic Dermatitis Like Inflammation in Mice
Authors: Lee Ying Hui , Kalailingam Pazhanichamy , Delcour Jan A. , Fogliano Vincenzo , Thanabalu Thirumaran
Published: March 2023

Scope

Epidemiological data suggest that altered gut microbiota contributes to the development of atopic dermatitis (AD). The effect of an olive‐derived antioxidant dietary fiber (OADF) in relieving AD symptoms in a murine model of 2,4‐dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)‐induced AD is examined and the effect of OADF in modulating host gut microbiota is explored.

Methods and results

Mice are fed with either standard diet or standard diet + OADF for 3 weeks prior to induction of AD and maintained on the same diet throughout the DNFB application period. Dietary OADF causes significant improvement of AD‐like symptoms with reduced serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)E, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, C‐X‐C motif ligand (CXCL)1, and increased serum levels of IL‐10. OADF supplementation restore gut microbiota composition that are altered in AD mice. Specifically, OADF increases the proportion of intestinal bacteria (Ruminococcaceae UCG014, GCA900066575, UBA1819) associated with enhanced butyrate production, along with inhibiting Clostridiales vadin BB60 which are more prevalent in AD mice.

Conclusion

OADF modulates gut microbiota composition, improves cytokine profile and butyrate production influencing AD‐associated immune response. Results highlight the importance of the gut‐skin axis for the AD dietary therapeutic agents.
Data adaptive regularization with reference tissue constraints for liver quantitative susceptibility mapping
Authors: Velikina Julia V. , Zhao Ruiyang , Buelo Collin J. , Samsonov Alexey A. , Reeder Scott B. , Hernando Diego
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To improve repeatability and reproducibility across acquisition parameters and reduce bias in quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) of the liver, through development of an optimized regularized reconstruction algorithm for abdominal QSM.

Methods

An optimized approach to estimation of magnetic susceptibility distribution is formulated as a constrained reconstruction problem that incorporates estimates of the input data reliability and anatomical priors available from chemical shift‐encoded imaging. The proposed data‐adaptive method was evaluated with respect to bias, repeatability, and reproducibility in a patient population with a wide range of liver iron concentration (LIC). The proposed method was compared to the previously proposed and validated approach in liver QSM for two multi‐echo spoiled gradient‐recalled echo protocols with different acquisition parameters at 3T. Linear regression was used for evaluation of QSM methods against a reference FDA‐approved ‐based LIC measure and measurements; repeatability/reproducibility were assessed by Bland–Altman analysis.

Results

The data‐adaptive method produced susceptibility maps with higher subjective quality due to reduced shading artifacts. For both acquisition protocols, higher linear correlation with both ‐ and ‐based measurements were observed for the data‐adaptive method ( for , for ) than the standard method ( and ). For both protocols, the data‐adaptive method enabled better test–retest repeatability (repeatability coefficients 0.19/0.30 ppm for the data‐adaptive method, 0.38/0.47 ppm for the standard method) and reproducibility across protocols (reproducibility coefficient 0.28 vs. 0.53ppm) than the standard method.

Conclusions

The proposed data‐adaptive QSM algorithm may enable quantification of LIC with improved repeatability/reproducibility across different acquisition parameters as 3T.
Testing the feasibility and acceptability of an online ‘Fatigue and Activity Management Education for Work (FAME‐W) programme’ for individuals with inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Karkon Shalaleh , O’Shea Finbar , Doran Michelle , McCormack Hazel , Connolly Deirdre
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Fatigue and Activity Management Education for Work (FAME‐W) is a four‐week, occupational therapy led programme focussing on fatigue management strategies. FAME‐W was designed to be delivered in person; however, due to COVID‐19 pandemic it was modified to be an online group‐based self‐management intervention. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility and acceptability of the online delivery format of FAME‐W.

Methods

This was a mixed methods study. Participants were randomly allocated to intervention or control group. Participants in the intervention group received a four‐week online FAME‐W. The control group participants received a FAME‐W handbook. Participants were required to complete questionnaires on work presenteeism, fatigue, mood, Health Related Quality of Life and pain at baseline, and 3 months post‐intervention. Participants in the intervention group attended a focus group immediately following the completion of the programme and the control group participated in individual interviews.

Results

Seven of ten individuals recruited participated in the study. Majority of participants had Rheumatoid Arthritis and were working full‐time. The mean age of intervention participants was 53 ± 10.4 and 56.5 ± 3.7 for the controls. All participants in the intervention group had 100% attendance, completed all study measures and activities. Participants had positive comments about the programme format, content, and delivery. Improvements were observed in most measures at follow up.

Conclusion

Results suggest that an online programme to improve work ability was feasible and acceptable to individuals with inflammatory arthritis. The online delivery format was favoured over attending a centre‐based programme. The findings support a definitive intervention trial of online FAME‐W.
Deuterium body array for the simultaneous measurement of hepatic and renal glucose metabolism and gastric emptying with dynamic 3D deuterium metabolic imaging at 7 T
Authors: Gursan Ayhan , Hendriks Arjan D. , Welting Dimitri , de Jong Pim A. , Klomp Dennis W. J. , Prompers Jeanine J.
Published: March 2023

Deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI) is a novel noninvasive method to assess tissue metabolism and organ (patho)physiology in vivo using deuterated substrates, such as [6,6’‐2H2]‐glucose. The liver and kidneys play a central role in whole‐body glucose homeostasis, and in type 2 diabetes, both hepatic and renal glucose metabolism are dysregulated. Diabetes is also associated with gastric emptying abnormalities. In this study, we developed a four‐channel 2H transmit/receive body array coil for DMI in the human abdomen at 7 T and assessed its performance. In addition, the feasibility of simultaneously measuring gastric emptying, and hepatic and renal glucose uptake and metabolism with dynamic 3D DMI upon administration of deuterated glucose, was investigated. Simulated and measured B1+ patterns were in good agreement. The intrasession variability of the natural abundance deuterated water signal in the liver and right kidney, measured in nine healthy volunteers, was 5.6% ± 0.9% and 4.9% ± 0.7%, respectively. Dynamic 3D DMI scans with oral administration of [6,6’‐2H2]‐glucose showed similar kinetics of deuterated glucose appearance and disappearance in the liver and kidney. The measured gastric emptying half time was 80 ± 10 min, which is in good agreement with scintigraphy measurements. In conclusion, DMI with oral administration of [6,6’‐2H2]‐glucose enables simultaneous assessment of gastric emptying and liver and kidney glucose uptake and metabolism. When applied in patients with diabetes, this approach may advance our understanding of the interplay between disturbances in liver and kidney glucose uptake and metabolism and gastric emptying, at a detail that cannot be achieved by any other method.
A theoretical model for two‐way bending behavior of bilayer shape memory polymer plate
Authors: Du Xiaofei , Du Haiyang , Zhao Yajun
Published: March 2023

This study proposes a simple theoretical model based on the principles of phase transition and strain energy balance theories (during the thermo‐mechanical cycle process) to predict the two‐way bending behavior of a bilayer plate composed of two types of shape memory polymers (SMPs) with different glass transition temperatures under axial strains from 5% to 20%. The two‐way bending behavior observed from the theoretical results was verified via comparison with the finite‐element method (FEM) simulation based on the Generalized Maxwell model, wherein good agreement was demonstrated. The maximum errors for the critical bending angle and deflection were 6.82% and 5.36%, respectively. In addition, the two‐way bending behavior of a bilayer plate, including SMP and elastic polymer layers, was also predicted by the theoretical model, where good agreement was observed. The maximum errors for the critical bending angle and deflection were 15.20% and 12.82%, respectively. The theoretical model can predict the thermo‐mechanical behavior of smart actuators and help design the geometry configuration based on bilayer SMP plates in the future, such as smart hands or grippers.
Directional freezing in natural rubber foams to construct reinforced networks
Authors: Wu Hao , Liu Gui‐Xiang , Wei Yan‐Chan , Liao Shuangquan
Published: March 2023

Polymer foams have great potential for applications in bioengineering, insulation and energy transfer and have attracted considerable interest. Natural rubber foam (NRF) is a polymeric porous foam with good elastic and mechanical properties. However, the presence of an inherently porous structure leads to poor mechanical properties, limiting practical applications. To improve the mechanical properties of polymer foams and increase their application versatility, we report a simple freeze‐casting approach to construct cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) reinforcement networks in a targeted manner without additional chemical modifications in the prepared NRF. The reinforcing physical network composed of CNF remains homogeneous and well distributed in the NRF collective. Moreover, the NRF/CNF composite has excellent mechanical properties, reaching a strength of 170 kPa at 60% compressive strain and 920 kPa tensile strength at 0.4% CNF, which is 1.8 and 4 times that of NRF, respectively.
Strain controlled shear hardening behavior in suspensions of alumina spheres in a polydimethylsiloxane oligomer matrix
Authors: Wang Zefan , Wang Yu , Su Yunlan , Xing Qian , Müller Alejandro J.
Published: March 2023

As a model system for thermal interface materials (TIMs), the complex rheological behavior of polydimethylsiloxane oligomer (oDMS)/alumina sphere particles (AlS) suspensions (i.e., oDMS/AlS) is investigated systematically in this work. Aluminum particles with 1 and 10 μm were used as fillers. Here, a surface treatment by using a silane coupling agent as found to be effective in improving the fluidity of the suspensions with small sized AlS particles. Peculiar large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) results were observed for the suspensions that exhibited three or four responses (Hookean regime, shear softening, shear hardening and a second shear softening) depending on the surface properties of AlS particles. For the oDMS/AlS10 neat system, the width of the Hookean regime is determined by the shear stress () instead of the shear strain (), whereas it completely disappears in the oDMS/AlS10t system due to the increase potential energy between particles. Both critical stress and strain at the onset point for strain hardening decreased with the increase of particle concentration. Frequency dependent measurements illustrates that it is the critical strain instead of the stress that controls the shear hardening behavior. Average distance of neighboring particles is assumed to play a key role in the formation of hydroclusters.
Preservation of active components in olive leaf extract by spray drying method in biodegradable polymers: Optimization, in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and application
Authors: Toprakçı İrem , Cosgun Gulderen , Balci‐Torun Ferhan , Torun Mehmet , Şahin Selin
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Encapsulation of the bioactive ingredients in biodegradable and edible polymers is an alternative novel application method to keep these kind of natural products stable.

Objective

The purpose is to optimize the encapsulation system of olive leaf extract by spray drying method, and to apply the products into a model food.

Methods

Olive leaf extract was encapsulated in arabic gum/maltodextrin blend by spray drying method. Combined design approach under I‐optimal design type was used to optimize the system. Characterisation studies under moisture content, water activity, solubility, bulk density, tapped density, Carr index, particle size distribution, powder morphology and glass transition temperature were applied to the microparticles obtained under optimum conditions. The bioavailability of the encapsulated active material was tested by in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Furthermore, microparticles produced under optimum conditions were also evaluated for a potential functional food application.

Results

The optimum conditions were achieved by arabic gum/maltodextrin (3.7:6.3) with 10% (w/v) in the mixture of wall material and active material under 165.5°C to achieve maximum encapsulation efficiency (86.92%), encapsulation yield (71.32%) and antioxidant activity (5.74 mg Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity/g dry microparticle).

Conclusions

Olive leaf extract encapsulated in arabic gum/maltodextrin may be a good alternative additive to prevent the lipid oxidation in fat‐containing food products as well as improvement of the product quality by functional properties.
A systematic review of information technology in workplace learning
Authors: Yu Wenhao , He Jiaqi , Gong Yuanyuan
Published: March 2023

The application of information technology is ubiquitous in our work and learning, and information technology causes tremendous changes to workplace learning. This systematic review aims to summarize the roles and impacts of information technology on workplace learning. This study is guided by the following three research questions: What are the characteristics and trends of the existing research on information technology in workplace learning(RQ1)? What roles does information technology play in workplace learning(RQ2)? What changes and impacts have information technology brought to workplace learning(RQ3)? We identified 60 eligible articles using the guidelines of the PRISMA procedures. To respond to RQ1, the descriptive analysis of the eligible literature has been delineated. To respond to RQ2, we conducted an in‐depth content analysis, and the roles of information technology were classified into four categories: at the organizational level, exploitative learning and explorative learning and at the individual level, learning resources and learning support. To respond to RQ3, the impacts of information technology were analyzed from both the positive and negative effects at the individual and organizational levels. Finally, we proposed an integrated framework of information technology on workplace learning.
A survey of lineage‐specific genes in Triticeae reveals de novo gene evolution from genomic raw material
Authors: Poretti Manuel , Praz Coraline R. , Sotiropoulos Alexandros G. , Wicker Thomas
Published: March 2023

Diploid plant genomes typically contain ~35,000 genes, almost all belonging to highly conserved gene families. Only a small fraction are lineage‐specific, which are found in only one or few closely related species. Little is known about how genes arise de novo in plant genomes and how often this occurs; however, they are believed to be important for plants diversification and adaptation. We developed a pipeline to identify lineage‐specific genes in Triticeae, using newly available genome assemblies of wheat, barley, and rye. Applying a set of stringent criteria, we identified 5942 candidate Triticeae‐specific genes (TSGs), of which 2337 were validated as protein‐coding genes in wheat. Differential gene expression analyses revealed that stress‐induced wheat TSGs are strongly enriched in putative secreted proteins. Some were previously described to be involved in Triticeae non‐host resistance and cold response. Additionally, we show that 1079 TSGs have sequence homology to transposable elements (TEs), ~68% of them deriving from regulatory non‐coding regions of Gypsy retrotransposons. Most importantly, we demonstrate that these TSGs are enriched in transmembrane domains and are among the most highly expressed wheat genes overall. To summarize, we conclude that de novo gene formation is relatively rare and that Triticeae probably possess ~779 lineage‐specific genes per haploid genome. TSGs, which respond to pathogen and environmental stresses, may be interesting candidates for future targeted resistance breeding in Triticeae. Finally, we propose that non‐coding regions of TEs might provide important genetic raw material for the functional innovation of TM domains and the evolution of novel secreted proteins.
Cuticular waxes affect fruit surface color in blueberries
Authors: Yan Yifan , Dossett Michael , Castellarin Simone D.
Published: March 2023

Societal Impact Statement

In blueberry, fruit color is one of the most important quality traits affecting consumers' choices. Both pigments and waxes impact fruit color; however, their roles have not been clearly elucidated. Here, the contributions of waxes and anthocyanins to fruit color are characterized. A higher content of β‐diketones—the second largest wax group in blueberries—determines a lighter fruit color; hence revealing that, at harvest, waxes contribute more than anthocyanins in determining variations in fruit color among blueberry varieties.

Fruit color is one of the major quality traits determining the marketability of fruits by affecting consumers' choices. In blueberries, although fruit surface color is mainly determined by pigments (e.g., anthocyanins), cuticular waxes also play a role in modulating the surface color, and a lighter color given by a dense wax bloom is normally preferred by consumers.

This study investigated the content and composition of cuticular waxes and their roles in modulating fruit surface color in 12 (seven northern highbush, three southern highbush, and two hybrids) blueberry genotypes at harvest (H1, representing the first commercial pick, and H2, representing the second commercial pick). The ultrastructural morphology of cuticular waxes was analyzed in four selected genotypes by scanning electron microscopy. The level and profile of anthocyanins and their contributions to the color were also assessed.

Total cuticular wax content ranged from 27.7 to 95.8 μg cm−2 among genotypes at H1 and decreased by an average of 23.9% from H1 to H2. Triterpenoids (62.5% of the total cuticular waxes on average) and β‐diketones (22.9% on average) were the first and second largest wax groups in all genotypes, respectively. β‐Diketones were previously proven to affect leaf surface color in wheat; in this study, their content strongly correlated with the lightness of the blueberry surface. Scanning electron microscopy revealed distinct wax morphologies among genotypes. No significant relationships were found between total or individual anthocyanin concentrations and fruit surface color.

Our results suggest that, at harvest, variation in the fruit surface color among blueberry genotypes is more closely related to the content and composition of cuticular waxes than the level and profile of anthocyanins, with β‐diketones being particularly important. This study provides new insights for blueberry breeding programs aiming to improve the surface color in order to meet the market demand.
Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation with volume guarantee and pressure support in neonates: Detailed analysis of ventilator parameters
Authors: Balajthy Andras , Balazs Gergely , Kovacs Tamas , Belteki Gusztav
Published: March 2023

Objective

To analyse the relationship between peak inflating pressure, expired tidal volume, respiratory rate, and inspiratory time of volume‐guaranteed ventilator inflations and pressure‐supported spontaneous breaths during synchronized intermittent positive pressure mode with volume guarantee and pressure support (SIMV‐VG‐PS) in neonates.

Methods

Ventilator parameters were downloaded every second from 16 babies ventilated with SIMV‐VG‐PS mode using Dräger Babylog VN500 ventilators over 137 days. Transcutaneous carbon dioxide (tcCO2) data were also collected. Data were computationally analysed using Python. The average of each ventilator parameter was determined during each minute separately for ventilator inflations and for spontaneous breaths. These values were compared and their effect on tcCO2 levels was also analysed.

Results

The relationship between the peak inflating pressure of the volume guaranteed inflations (PIPVG) and pressure‐supported spontaneous breaths (PIPPS) was highly variable. The PIPPS/PIPVG ratio differed significantly from the value (0.66) targeted by clinicians (group median: 0.80, range: 0.50–1.00). PIPPS frequently exceeded PIPVG. When PIPPS/PIPVG was >0.66, the expired tidal volume and the rate of the pressure‐supported spontaneous breaths were also significantly (p < 0.0001) higher, but there was no difference in tcCO2 levels. The flow‐cycled spontaneous breaths had significantly shorter inspiratory times than ventilator inflations.

Conclusions

During SIMV‐VG‐PS it is difficult to ensure a pressure support level proportionate to the inflating pressure of ventilator inflations and to achieve the stability of tidal volumes.
Severe asthma guidelines in children and adolescents: A practical document for physicians
Authors: Porcaro Federica , Ullmann Nicola , Di Marco Antonio , Allegorico Annalisa , Cherchi Claudio , Paglietti Maria Giovanna , Cutrera Renato
Published: March 2023

Asthma is a common disease in childhood with a minority of affected children suffering from severe asthma. Patients with severe asthma require high dose inhaled glucocorticoids plus a second controller and/or systemic corticosteroids to be well‐controlled or remain uncontrolled despite such treatment. Although only a small subset of children and adolescents falls in this category, the management of affected patients represents a major concern for pediatricians. Guidelines and recommendations have been designed to guide the management of this group of patients. Though the terms “recommendations” and “guidelines” are often used interchangeably, it should be noted that the first one should be used more narrowly to identify specific actions and the second one to broadly refer to the umbrella under which multiple recommendations for a specific condition are provided. Moreover, the availability of several and sometimes‐conflicting documents on severe asthma management both in adult and pediatric age could generate confusion among health care professionals. The manuscript analyses seven papers addressing severe asthma, comparing any key aspects and differences. Finally, we tried to create a more practical document for physicians to simplify the interpretation of the several available documents on severe asthma management focusing the pediatric age.
Achieving COVID‐19 herd immunity in Algeria: Current state of vaccination, challenges, and recommendations
Authors: Uhegwu Chijioke Christopher , Abiodun Oyinloye Emmanuel , Haruna Usman Abubakar , Younes Babaz , Moussaouli Bakir , Odey Goodness Ogeyi
Published: March 2023

The COVID‐19 pandemic has presented Algeria with a slew of issues, including major economic consequences. Despite implementing containment measures, the government has been unable to fully restrict the spread of the virus. To reestablish normalcy and resume economic activities, the government must discover a means to cohabit with the virus, which requires achieving herd immunity. The World Health Organization (WHO) had set a target for 70% of the population to be fully vaccinated by the end of July 2022 in order to achieve herd immunity. However, whereas vaccines are the preferred method for achieving herd immunity, Algeria has only managed to vaccinate 30.2% of its population, with only 13.5% being fully vaccinated, falling significantly short of the vaccination targets set by the WHO. This is due to vaccine hesitancy and a lack of effective vaccine distribution technology. To reach herd immunity levels, the government must gain and maintain public trust in vaccinations and improve vaccine delivery to hard‐to‐reach areas. This paper provides an overview of the current COVID‐19 situation in Algeria, progress made, and challenges toward achieving herd immunity, and recommends solutions for policymakers to develop sustainable interventions.
Portopulmonary hypertension: Success with combined medical treatment
Authors: Hernández María , Esteban Violeta , Ruiz Paloma , Boira Ignacio , Wickmann Phillip , Sancho‐Chust José N. , Gil Joan
Published: March 2023

Portopulmonary hypertension is an uncommon disease associated with high morbidity and mortality, so its early diagnosis and treatment are essential. We report here the case of a 57‐year‐old man with portopulmonary hypertension caused by chronic hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and also liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C and alcoholism. As well as treating both diseases, portopulmonary hypertension was successfully managed with tadalafil and macitentan as maintenance therapy. This case reminds clinicians that pulmonary hypertension can be multifactorial, a good diagnosis and a multidisciplinary treatment can lead to improved prognosis.
Are protected areas effective in preserving Alpine stream morphology and biodiversity? A field study in the oldest Italian National Park
Authors: Bona Francesca , Bo Tiziano , Doretto Alberto , Falasco Elisa , Zoppi Marta , Fenoglio Stefano
Published: March 2023

Global changes and local pressures related to the exploitation of water resources are significantly reducing streams' biodiversity and threatening their ecological balance. This trend concerns both the lowland rivers flowing in densely populated areas and the mountain headwaters, where the effects of global change are dramatically evident and often accompanied by alterations in river hydro‐morphology. From mountains to lowlands, regulation and morphological alterations such as bank reinforcement, water abstractions, dams, and weirs are among the most significant threats for river ecosystems. Protected areas and especially large national parks constitute an effective strategy to face the loss of biodiversity, but little is known about their effectiveness regarding lotic environments. To examine the recent trend in aquatic communities in Alpine protected areas, we carried out biological sampling of benthic communities and hydro‐morphological status assessment in 12 high‐altitude streams within the oldest Italian National Park, that is, the Gran Paradiso National Park, located in the heart of the Western Alps, and we compared results with a previous survey performed in 2005, by keeping the same experimental design. Our results detected minimal changes in the hydro‐morphology of the studied watercourses. Biomonitoring indices associated with benthic communities likewise did not provide evidence of significant differences. Conversely, diatom communities were more uniform in 2020 compared to 2005, and a slight species turnover occurred over the 15‐year interval. Despite this, our findings underline the effectiveness of protected areas for the conservation of running water environments because they limit hydro‐morphological alterations, thus increasing the resilience of aquatic communities to climate change.
A Bayesian approach to study design and analysis with type I error rate control for response variables of mixed types
Authors: Alt Ethan M. , Psioda Matthew A. , Ibrahim Joseph G.
Published: March 2023

There has been increased interest in the design and analysis of studies consisting of multiple response variables of mixed types. For example, in clinical trials, it is desirable to establish efficacy for a treatment effect in primary and secondary outcomes. In this article, we develop Bayesian approaches for hypothesis testing and study planning for data consisting of multiple response variables of mixed types with covariates. We assume that the responses are correlated via a Gaussian copula, and that the model for each response is, marginally, a generalized linear model (GLM). Taking a fully Bayesian approach, the proposed method enables inference based on the joint posterior distribution of the parameters. Under some mild conditions, we show that the joint distribution of the posterior probabilities under any Bayesian analysis converges to a Gaussian copula distribution as the sample size tends to infinity. Using this result, we develop an approach to control the type I error rate under multiple testing. Simulation results indicate that the method is more powerful than conducting marginal regression models and correcting for multiplicity using the Bonferroni‐Holm Method. We also develop a Bayesian approach to sample size determination in the presence of response variables of mixed types, extending the concept of probability of success (POS) to multiple response variables of mixed types.