bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chaotic advection in a twin cam mixer under various operating conditions
Authors: He Yu , Zhan Xiaobin , Shen Baojun , Sun Zhibin , Long Jiecai , Yang Yili , Li Xiwen
Published: October 2021

A twin cam mixer (TCM) system equipped with two triangular cams is built in this study. The effect of operating conditions on chaotic advection in TCM is investigated. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) is employed to investigate the flow characteristics under co‐ and counter‐rotating modes. Based on the good agreement between simulation and experimental results, chaotic advection under various operating conditions is investigated numerically. To evaluate the chaotic advection, time series Poincaré section, recording point density, and combined mixing index are proposed. The results show that counter‐rotating mode is superior to co‐rotating mode regarding chaotic advection. A more global chaotic advection can be obtained with the cams in TCM rotating at a higher average angular velocity, higher disturbance quantity, and lower disturbance frequency. The chaotic advection in TCM under different waveform protocols has no significant difference, but it is all better than that under constant protocol.
Structural gradients and anisotropic hydraulic conductivity in the enigmatic eel traps of carnivorous corkscrew plants (Genlisea spp.)
Authors: Carmesin Cora F. , Fleischmann Andreas S. , Klepsch Matthias M. , Westermeier Anna S. , Speck Thomas , Jansen Steven , Poppinga Simon
Published: October 2021

Premise

Among the sophisticated trap types in carnivorous plants, the underground eel traps of corkskrew plants (Genlisea spp., Lentibulariaceae) are probably the least understood in terms of their functional principle. Here, we provide a detailed analysis of structural and hydraulic features of G. hispidula traps, contributing to the ongoing debate on whether these traps can actively generate water streams to promote prey capture.

Methods

Anatomical and hydraulic traits of detached traps, including inner trap diameters, chamber line element, hair length, glandular pattern, and hydraulic conductivity, were investigated quantitatively using light and electron microscopy, x‐ray microtomography, and hydraulic measurements.

Results

Hydraulic resistivity in the neck of the trap, from the trap mouth toward the vesicle (digestive chamber) was 10 times lower than in the opposite direction. The comparison of measured and theoretical flow rates suggests that the retrorse hairs inside trap necks also provide considerable resistance against movement of matter toward the vesicle. Hairs showed a gradient in length along the neck, with the shortest hairs near the vesicle. Co‐occurrence of quadrifid and bifid glands was limited to a small part of the neck, with quadrifids near the vesicle and bifids toward the trap mouth.

Conclusions

The combination of structural gradients with hydraulic anisotropy suggests the trap is a highly fine‐tuned system based on likely trade‐offs between efficient prey movement in the trap interior toward the vesicle, prey retention, and spatial digestion capacities and is not counter to the generation of water streams.
Spring and autumn phenology in an understory herb are uncorrelated and driven by different factors
Authors: Fogelström Elsa , Zacchello Giulia , Guasconi Daniela , Dahlgren Johan P. , Ehrlén Johan
Published: October 2021

Premise

Climate warming has altered the start and end of growing seasons in temperate regions. Ultimately, these changes occur at the individual level, but little is known about how previous seasonal life‐history events, temperature, and plant‐resource state simultaneously influence the spring and autumn phenology of plant individuals.

Methods

We studied the relationships between the timing of leaf‐out and shoot senescence over 3 years in a natural population of the long‐lived understory herb Lathyrus vernus and investigated the effects of spring temperature, plant size, reproductive status, and grazing on spring and autumn phenology.

Results

The timing of leaf‐out and senescence were consistent within individuals among years. Leaf‐out and senescence were not correlated with each other within years. Larger plants leafed out and senesced later, and size had no effect on growing season length. Reproductive plants leafed out earlier and had longer growing seasons than nonreproductive plants. Grazing had no detectable effects on phenology. Colder spring temperatures delayed senescence in two of three study years.

Conclusions

The timing of seasonal events, such as leaf‐out and senescence in plants can be expressed largely independently within and among seasons and are influenced by different factors. Growing season start and length can often be dependent on plant condition and reproductive status. Knowledge about the drivers of growing season length of individuals is essential to more accurately predict species and community responses to environmental variation.
A study of the properties and efficacy of microparticles based on P(3HB) and P(3HB/3HV) loaded with herbicides
Authors: Vijayamma Raji , Maria Hanna J. , Thomas Sabu , Shishatskaya Ekaterina I. , Kiselev Evgeniy G. , Nemtsev Ivan V. , Sukhanova Anna A. , Volova Tatiana G.
Published: October 2021

The wide use of pesticides in agriculture has caused uncontrolled distribution of these chemicals in the environment, calling for the development and investigation of new environmentally friendly formulations, which would reduce human impact on nature. In the present study, the metribuzin (MET), tribenuron‐methyl (TBM), and fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl (FPE) herbicides were encapsulated in microparticles of degradable microbial polymers – polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) – of two types – poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate [P(3HB)] and poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate [P(3HB/3HV)]. The use of P(3HB) resulted in higher yields of microparticles (63% to 79%) and larger sizes of the particles, whose average diameter was 0.60 ± 0.06–0.75 ± 0.11 μm, while the average diameter of copolymer particles varied between 0.43 ± 0.12 and 0.55 ± 0.05 μm. Encapsulation efficiency was rather determined by the type of herbicide and its solubility, varying from 24.7% to 48.2%. In vitro herbicide release from microparticles to water was affected by herbicide solubility and PHA chemical composition. The readily soluble MET showed the highest release rate, and over 30 days, 64% and 78% of the encapsulated amounts were released from P(3HB) and P(3HB/3HV) microparticles, respectively. High herbicidal activity of microparticles loaded with metribuzin and tribenuron‐methyl was demonstrated in the laboratory stands of the Elsholtzia ciliata weed plant.
Potential therapeutic effect and methods of traditional Chinese medicine on COVID‐19‐induced depression: A review
Authors: Da Xiao‐Li , Yue Li‐Feng , Li Xiao‐Juan , Chen Jian‐Bei , Yuan Nai‐Jun , Chen Jia‐Xu
Published: October 2021

COVID‐19 (coronavirus) has spread all over the world with a high infection rate. Currently, there are no targeted therapeutic drugs for COVID‐19 as well as for stress induced by COVID‐19. The unpredictable events of COVID‐19 can trigger feelings of fear, worry, or unease in people, leading to stress‐related disorders such as depression and anxiety. It has been reported that individuals, including COVID‐19 patients, medical staff, and ordinary people, are under both physical and psychological pressure, and many of them have developed depression or anxiety during this pandemic. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in treating depression with relatively better safety and efficacy and may have an important role in treating stress‐related disorders induced by COVID‐19. In this review, we collected the common TCM treatment methods including Qigong, Acupuncture, Five Elements Musical Therapy, Five Elements Emotional Therapy, and Chinese herbal medicine from the databases of PubMed and the China National Knowledge Internet to illustrate the effect of TCM on depression. The better knowledge of TCM and implementation of TCM in COVID‐19 clinics may help to effectively improve depression induced by COVID‐19, may assist people to maintain a healthy physical and mental quality, and may alleviate the current shortage of medical resources.
Electroacupuncture in promoting neural repair after spinal cord injury: Inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway and regulating downstream proteins expression
Authors: Wang Xin , Wang Qiaoxia , Tian Huiling , Lv Wei , Song Liangyu , Li Zhigang , Yao Haijiang , Shi Suhua
Published: October 2021

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the serious central nervous system injuries and the incidence of SCI continues to increase. Previous studies have indicated that electroacupuncture (EA) is beneficial for promoting recovery after SCI. In the present study, we attempted to evaluate how EA can promote the neural repair in SCI model rats by observing changes in the Notch signaling pathway. Experimental rats were randomly divided into four groups. Each group had its own intervention period: 1 day, 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days, and five randomized subgroups: blank control (B) group, blank electroacupuncture (BE) group, sham operation (S) group, model control (M) group and EA group. Animals in the EA group and the BE group were treated with EA at Dazhui (GV14) and Mingmen (GV4) acupoints for 20 min. After the intervention period, the Basso–Beattie–Bresnahan (BBB) score was used to evaluate the neurological function. We found that BBB score increased in EA‐treated groups. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe pathological changes in the injured spinal cord and the results showed that EA therapy could promote the repair of injured spinal cord tissue. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot methods were used to detect the expression of proteins Delta1, Presenilin1, Hes1, and Hes5 in the injured spinal cord. The results showed that the expression levels of Delta1, Presenilin1, Hes1, and Hes5 increased significantly after SCI and decreased after EA treatment. Our study suggested that the possible mechanism by which EA could benefit the recovery after SCI in rats may include inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway and regulating the downstream proteins expression. In addition, our study can provide reference for selecting acupoints and treatment cycle in the treatment of SCI.
Three‐dimensional form and function of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx in humans and chimpanzees
Authors: Bastir Markus , Sanz‐Prieto Daniel , Burgos Manuel
Published: October 2021

The facial differences between recent Pan troglodytes and Homo sapiens can be used as a proxy for the reduction of facial prognathism that happened during evolutionary transition between Australopithecines and early Homo. The projecting nasal morphology of Homo has been considered both a passive consequence of anatomical reorganization related to brain and integrated craniofacial evolution as well as an adaptation related to air‐conditioning during physiological and behavioral shifts in human evolution. Yet, previous research suggested impaired air‐conditioning in Homo challenging respiratory adaptations based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and airflow simulations. Here we improved CFD model at the inflow region and also carried out three‐dimensional (3D) geometric morphometrics to address the hypothesis of impaired air‐conditioning in humans and species differences in airway shape. With the new CFD model we simulated pressure, velocity, and temperature changes in airflow of six adult humans and six chimpanzees and analyzed 164 semi‐landmarks of 10 humans and 10 chimpanzees for 3D size and shape comparisons. Our finding shows significantly different internal 3D nasal airways. Also, species means of pressure, velocity, and temperature differed statistically significantly. However, form‐related differences in temperature exchanges seem subtle and may question adaptive disadvantages. We rather support a hypothesis of craniofacial changes in the Australopithecus‐Homo transition that are related to brain evolution and craniofacial integration with facial and nasal modifications that contribute to maintain respiratory adaptations related to air conditioning.
Recent Research and Progress in Batteries for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Fichtner Maximilian
Published: October 2021

The developments in the field of e‐mobility currently exceed all previous goals and expectations, and the speed of development is rapid. The battery costs dropped by 98 % in the last three decades and the storage capacity increased by a factor of three to four in the same period. The recent strong progress in the development of lithium‐ion batteries (LIB) can be associated to both the progress in the engineering of the battery pack, and the progress of active materials for the cathode. From the system perspective, only a fraction of the overall improvement is due to better chemistries. Even larger contributions are expected from new cell‐to‐pack and the cell‐to‐chassis designs. The new designs provide more space for the active material so that also less energetic, but more sustainable, safer and cheaper materials can be (re)considered, such as LiFePO4 which encounters a renaissance at the moment. The sodium ion battery is currently emerging as a potential alternative to the LIB. Li‐air and Li−S batteries are not ready for application in cars, yet. A potential future candidate is the solid‐state battery, which shall benefit from the use of a safe Li metal anode, delivering higher capacities and rate capabilities.
Evaluation on absorption risks of amentoflavone after oral administration in rats
Authors: Qiu Hui , Guo Zhengbing , Xu Qian , Mao Shengfang , Wu Wenming
Published: October 2021

The present study was aimed to systemically assess the absorption risks of amentoflavone (AMF). Physicochemical properties of AMF were evaluated using in vitro assays including water solubility and stability in both simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, as well as logD, pka and permeability studies in a monolayer Caco‐2 model. The results together suggested that AMF was a compound with moderate intestinal absorption and the poor solubility was the key rate‐limiting step for the oral absorption of AMF, and PVP‐K30 were thus used as a solubilizer to improve its solubility and oral bioavailability. Furthermore, studies on pharmacokinetics and biliary excretion of AMF with tween 80 or PVP‐K30 were performed after oral administration, and the results showed that the percentage of AMF conjugates in bile was determined up to be 96.73% and no AMF conjugates were detected in rat plasma. The above results revealed that the poor oral absorption of AMF may probably be attributed to the low solubility, high level of metabolism and hepatic first‐pass effects. The relative bioavailability of AMF solubilized by PVP‐K30 was about 2‐fold than that of AMF suspended in 1% tween 80. The present study may help provide scientific insights to guide the rational design of AMF into more efficient formulation systems.
Year 3 student career choices: Exploring societal changes in constructions of masculinity and femininity in career choice justifications
Authors: Scholes Laura , McDonald Sarah
Published: October 2021

This article reports on a survey of 332 Year 3 students from 14 Australian schools. We are interested in exploring Year 3 primary school student aspirations and what this data shows us about any societal changes, or not. This study is timely as it reports on contemporary data within an Australian educational context marked by significant investment in improving equitable gendered participation, particularly for girls entering STEM. Drawing on conceptions of masculinities and femininities as social constructions, we report on the participants’ desired occupations and explore their justifications for such choices. The top three occupations for boys included careers in professional sports, STEM‐related jobs and policing/defence. Girls reported wanting to be teachers, veterinarians or to work in the arts as their top choices. As part of our exploration, we found issues of money and power—traditionally coded masculine—and conceptions of love and care—traditionally coded feminine—ingrained in boys’ and girls’ justifications for their desired trajectories. Findings are significant for illustrating how traditional constructions of gender are ingrained in career choices in the early years of primary school and how policy agendas to widen participation need to start early in life.
Certification of Ca, Mg, and K in human plasma reference material using isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Baharom Norliza , Yim Yong‐Hyeon
Published: October 2021

Human plasma is an extracellular fluid containing elements that play an essential role in maintaining physiological balance and are therefore indispensable for human survival. A human plasma certified reference material (CRM) was developed for the accurate analysis of elements in clinical samples. Mass fractions of Ca, Mg, and K in the human plasma CRM were determined using isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The certified values and associated expanded uncertainties obtained for Ca, Mg, and K were (74.77 ± 0.90), (15.95 ± 0.14), and (125.1 ± 5.4) mg/kg, respectively. The unit‐to‐unit variations in the elemental mass fractions evaluated from 12 units showed relative standard deviations of <1.7%, demonstrating sufficient homogeneity as the candidate CRM. A stability assessment was conducted and no noticeable changes were observed after long‐term storage for 21 months at −70 °C as well as short‐term transportation for 7 days at room temperature.
Total saponins from stems and leaves of Panax quinquefolius L. ameliorate podophyllotoxin‐induced myelosuppression and gastrointestinal toxicity
Authors: Zhang Qianqian , Li Xuemei , Gao Xiaoxin , Cao Chunran , Hu Yuchi , Guo Hongzhu
Published: October 2021

Podophyllotoxin (POD), a natural lignan distributed in podophyllum species, possesses significant antitumor and antiviral activities. But POD often causes serious side effects, such as myelosuppression, gastrointestinal toxicity, neurotoxicity, hepatic and renal dysfunction, and even death, which not only hinder its clinical application but also threaten the patient's health. Therefore, an effective treatment against POD‐induced toxicity is important. Our preliminary study found that the total saponins from the stems and leaves of Panax quinquefolius L. (PQS) could significantly reduce the death of mice caused by POD. To reveal how PQS can alleviate POD‐induced toxicity, further study was needed. Peripheral blood cell analysis, diarrhea score, and histological examination demonstrated that PQS could relieve myelosuppression and gastrointestinal side effects induced by POD. Then, metabolomics was performed to investigate the possible protective mechanism of PQS on POD‐induced myelosuppression and gastrointestinal toxicity. Metabolomics analysis showed that metabolic changes caused by POD could be reversed by PQS to some extent; 23 metabolites altered significantly after POD exposure, and 11 metabolites significantly reversed by PQS pretreatment. Metabolic pathway analysis suggested that PQS might exhibit its protective effects by rebalancing disordered arginine, glutamine, and unsaturated fatty acid metabolism.
Between saying and doing, in the end there is the cost of capital: Evidence from the energy sector
Authors: Morrone Domenico , Schena Rosamartina , Conte Danilo , Bussoli Candida , Russo Angeloantonio
Published: October 2021

One of the crucial challenges in energy management is the conversion to sustainable operations. The present work is an attempt to verify whether financial institutions are able to identify and valorize those energy companies that have embarked on a virtuous process of emissions reduction. The analysis aims to verify the extent to which environmental disclosure measures are negatively associated with the cost of debt, focusing on a sample of international energy enterprises, observed over a time span from 2003 to 2016. Moreover, it tests whether measures relating to the emission of GHG are positively associated with the cost of debt. The empirical analysis is conducted through panel models, and the results show that a higher environmental disclosure is negatively associated with the cost of debt. Disclosure strategies allow energy companies to communicate their sustainability policies, which are generally connected to lower environmental risks and the implementation of more sustainable production processes; such processes are associated with a lower risk perceived by financial institutions and, in turn, with a lower cost of debt. The results also show that measures related to the emission of GHG are positively associated with the cost of debt. Higher emissions show less attention towards sustainability policies and, therefore, reflect a higher overall risk of companies. The empirical analysis suggests that environmental policies and disclosure may be tools to achieve higher financial soundness of companies, encouraging the conversion process towards new and more sustainable business perspectives.
Preexisting immune‐mediated inflammatory disease is associated with improved survival and increased toxicity in melanoma patients who receive immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Gulati Nicholas , Celen Arda , Johannet Paul , Mehnert Janice M. , Weber Jeffrey , Krogsgaard Michelle , Osman Iman , Zhong Judy
Published: October 2021

Background

Immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) are common, clinically significant autoinflammatory toxicities observed with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Preexisting immune‐mediated inflammatory disease (pre‐IMID) is considered a relative contraindication to ICI due to the risk of inciting flares. Improved understanding of the risks and benefits of treating pre‐IMID patients with ICI is needed.

Methods

We studied melanoma patients treated with ICI and enrolled in a prospective clinicopathological database. We compiled a list of 23 immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases and evaluated their presence prior to ICI. We tested the associations between pre‐IMID and progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and irAEs.

Results

In total, 483 melanoma patients were included in the study; 74 had pre‐IMID and 409 did not. In patients receiving ICI as a standard of care (SoC), pre‐IMID was significantly associated with irAEs (p = 0.04) as well as improved PFS (p = 0.024) and OS (p = 0.007). There was no significant association between pre‐IMID and irAEs (p = 0.54), PFS (p = 0.197), or OS (p = 0.746) in patients treated through a clinical trial. Pre‐IMID was significantly associated with improved OS in females (p = 0.012), but not in males (p = 0.35).

Conclusions

The dichotomy of the impact of pre‐IMID on survival and irAEs in SoC versus clinical trial patients may reflect the inherit selection bias in patients accrued in clinical trials. Future mechanistic work is required to better understand the differences in outcomes between female and male pre‐IMID patients. Our data challenge the notion that clinicians should avoid ICI in pre‐IMID patients, although close monitoring and prospective clinical trials evaluating ICI in this population are warranted.
The role of surgery on primary site in metastatic upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma and a nomogram for predicting the survival of patients with metastatic upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Xiaodi , Wang Ping , QI Kaiyan , Qiao Qiao , Jiang Yuanjun
Published: October 2021

Metastatic upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (mUTUC) is a relatively rare urothelial carcinoma, and little attention has been given to it. Our study established a nomogram by analyzing the prognostic factors of mUTUC to predict the survival of patients and revealed that the role of surgery at the primary tumor site. We extracted our data (2010–2016) from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, and 628 patients with distant metastasis were identified. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the clinical variable bias in a 1:1 ratio. After PSM, we enrolled 502 patients in our study cohort. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses and Kaplan–Meier curves showed that T stage, N stage, hepatic metastasis, surgery, and chemotherapy were prognostic factors for mUTUC before and after PSM. Based on the findings, a nomogram was constructed to predict the 12‐month survival of patients with distant metastasis. The analysis of subgroups of T stage, N stage, and different metastatic sites demonstrated that the survival of patients with T1/T2, N0/N1/N2/N3, metastasis including liver, and metastasis including bone could be improved by a combination of surgery and chemotherapy, while for the patients with T3/T4/TX, NX, metastasis including lung, and metastasis including distant lymph nodes, chemotherapy alone was a better choice to improve their overall survival. Radiotherapy has been proven to be useful for patients with N1/N2/N3 stage. We have provided more precise treatment strategies for stage IV patients. Our research fully affirms the role of surgery on primary site in UTUC patients with distant metastasis and the significance of classifying the patients into subgroups by integrating variables including T stage, N stage, and different metastatic sites to select the optimal treatment method.
Social media advertising: How online motivations and congruency influence perceptions of trust
Authors: Carlson Jeffrey R. , Hanson Sara , Pancras Joseph , Ross William T. , Rousseau‐Anderson Jacqueline
Published: October 2021

Drawing from uses and gratifications theory, the current research demonstrates that users' trust in social media advertising is differentially influenced by the users' online motivation. We focus on three specific motivation types that previous research has shown are particularly relevant to internet use: (1) information motivation, using the internet to learn about current events and to do research; (2) social‐interaction motivation, using the internet to socialize with friends, family, and other individuals; and (3) entertainment motivation, using the internet to pass time and engage in enjoyable activities. Using one survey and two experiments, we show that when users have an informational motivation, trust in social media advertising is lower than when they have an entertainment or social motivation. Congruency between the content of the social media advertisement and the online motivation can mitigate the negative effect on trust associated with an informational motive, while incongruency increases involvement and privacy concerns along with distrust. These findings provide helpful guidance to managers as they implement social media advertising campaigns.
Value‐based adoption of augmented reality: A study on the influence on online purchase intention in retail
Authors: Erdmann Anett , Mas José Manuel , Arilla Ramón
Published: October 2021

The increasing use of digital technology‐based retail services provides new opportunities for digital marketing. In this paper, we investigate how augmented reality (AR) technology can be leveraged as part of the firm's strategy. We explore the online purchase intention through AR smart glasses (ARSG), considering consumers' value assessment through a cost–benefit analysis and the influence of technical, experiential and social AR value drivers. We develop an augmented value‐based adoption model addressing four main objectives: (1) Evaluate the effect of the perceived value of ARSG, (2) Evaluate the effect of immersion (experiential dimension), (3) Evaluate the effect of AR devices and technical complexity (technical dimension) and (4) Evaluate the importance of subjective norms (social dimension) on the online purchase intention through AR technology. Based on an ESIC Tech Lab experiment with two types of ARSG from market leaders and AR retail apps, the study uses survey data from 253 participants. The results suggest that the technical dimension has an ambiguous effect, with tech‐complexity enhancing directly the perceived value of ARSG for online purchase while reducing the net value of consumers' economic cost–benefit analysis. We find strong evidence that the experiential and social AR dimensions (in the form of immersion and subjective norm) have a significant positive influence on consumers' purchase intention online, which are better predictors than the pure economic cost–benefit assessment (through usefulness and difficulty). Furthermore, the technical innovativeness of consumers is found to increase directly the online purchase intention through ARSG.
Dirichlet implications for portfolio management
Authors: Driesener Carl , Rungie Cam , Wright Malcolm
Published: October 2021

We extend the utility of Goodhardt's negative binomial distribution‐Dirichlet model to demonstrate how it can be used to support portfolio decisions relating to retail assortments. The approach is based on analysing polarisation of loyalty, , obtained via a transformation of the model's S parameter, to investigate loyalty to attributes. Prior research on loyalty to attributes suffers from limitations of method or application, so we develop a full treatment of the statistical basis and analytical methods required for ongoing research in this area. We then demonstrate the utility of our approach through application to four subcategories of coffee in the USA over 2 years. Importantly, we reveal the specific attribute levels (features) that generate the least and most loyalty, and show how this, when combined with market share, can be used to respond to the strategic context. Specifically, those attribute levels with low loyalty may be more suitable for seasonal or limited time offers for which maximising short‐term custom is more important than repeat purchase; conversely, attribute levels with high loyalty may be more suitable for achieving long‐term growth of brand share. In both cases, attribute levels with higher market share are preferable.
Acute pancreatitis due to methanol toxicity during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Sadeghi Mahdieh , Zakariaei Zakaria , Fakhar Mahdi , Tabaripour Rabeeh , Banimostafavi Elham Sadat , Azadeh Hossien
Published: October 2021

Acute methanol poisoning may be associated with a variety of symptoms, such as abdominal pain, blurred vision, loss of consciousness, and acute pancreatitis. We present a 37‐year‐old man with acute pancreatitis due to methanol poisoning during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
A Molecular Photosensitizer in a Porous Block Copolymer Matrix‐Implications for the Design of Photocatalytically Active Membranes
Authors: Chettri Avinash , Kruse Jan‐Hendrik , Kumar Jha Keshav , Dröge Lara , Romanenko Iuliia , Neumann Christof , Kupfer Stephan , Turchanin Andrey , Rau Sven , Schacher Felix H. , Dietzek Benjamin
Published: October 2021

Recently, porous photocatalytically active block copolymer membranes were introduced, based on heterogenized molecular catalysts. Here, we report the integration of the photosensitizer, i. e., the light absorbing unit in an intermolecular photocatalytic system into block copolymer membranes in a covalent manner. We study the resulting structure and evaluate the orientational mobility of the photosensitizer as integral part of the photocatalytic system in such membranes. To this end we utilize transient absorption anisotropy, highlighting the temporal reorientation of the transition dipole moment probed in a femtosecond pump‐probe experiment. Our findings indicate that the photosensitizer is rigidly bound to the polymer membrane and shows a large heterogeneity of absolute anisotropy values as a function of location probed within the matrix. This reflects the sample inhomogeneity arising from different protonation states of the photosensitizer and different intermolecular interactions of the photosensitizers within the block copolymer membrane scaffold.
Gram‐negative microbiota is related to acute exacerbation in children with asthma
Authors: Kim Yoon Hee , Jang Haerin , Kim Soo Yeon , Jung Jae Hwa , Kim Ga Eun , Park Mi Reu , Hong Jung Yeon , Kim Mi Na , Kim Eun Gyul , Kim Min Jung , Kim Kyung Won , Sohn Myung Hyun
Published: October 2021

Background

The upper‐airway microbiota may be associated with the pathogenesis of asthma and useful for predicting acute exacerbation. However, the relationship between the lower‐airway microbiota and acute exacerbation in children with asthma is not well understood. We evaluated the characteristics of the airway microbiome using induced sputum from children with asthma exacerbation and compared the microbiota‐related differences of inflammatory cytokines with those in children with asthma.

Methods

We analysed the microbiome using induced sputum during acute exacerbation of asthma in children. We identified microbial candidates that were prominent in children with asthma exacerbation and compared them with those in children with stable asthma using various analytical methods. The microbial candidates were analysed to determine their association with inflammatory cytokines. We also developed a predictive functional profile using PICRUSt.

Results

A total of 95 children with allergic sensitisation including 22 with asthma exacerbation, 67 with stable asthma, and 6 controls were evaluated. We selected 26 microbial candidates whose abundances were significantly increased, decreased, or correlated during acute exacerbation in children with asthma. Among the microbial candidates, Campylobacter, Capnocytophaga, Haemophilus, and Porphyromonas were associated with inflammatory cytokines including macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐1β, programmed death‐ligand 1, and granzyme B. Both Campylobacter and MIP‐1β levels were correlated with sputum eosinophils. Increased lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis and decreased glycan degradation were observed in children with asthma exacerbation.

Conclusion

Gram‐negative microbes in the lower airway were related to acute exacerbation in children with asthma. These microbes and associated cytokines may play a role in exacerbating asthma in children.
Magnetically Manipulable Ionic Liquid Crystals Incorporating Neutral Radical Moiety
Authors: Uchida Yoshiaki , Sakaguchi Tatsunori , Oki Shigeaki , Shimono Satoshi , Park Jayeong , Sugiyama Masahito , Sato Shuichi , Zaytseva Elena , Mazhukin Dmitrii G. , Tamura Rui
Published: October 2021

With a view to fabricating a new remote input‐output system by applying functional ionic liquid crystalline (ILC) materials, we have developed novel ILC compounds containing a nitroxide radical unit in the organic cations, which show an enantiotropic smectic A (SmA) phase. We have implemented the magnetic manipulation of a droplet of one of the ILC compounds on the basis of the intermolecular magnetic interactions between radical moieties. This ILC monoradical compound shows a 55 % larger increase in paramagnetic susceptibility at the solid‐to‐LC melting point in the first heating process than the non‐ionic LC monoradical compounds. It is most likely owing to the nanosegregation of strongly bonded ionic and non‐ionic moieties. The increased molar magnetic susceptibility is preserved not only in the SmA phase but also in the isotropic liquid and solid phases during the first cooling process.
Use of RWE to Inform Regulatory, Public Health Policy, and Intervention Priorities for the Developing World
Authors: McNair Douglas , Lumpkin Murray , Kern Steven , Hartman Daniel
Published: October 2021

For low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) to benefit from real‐world evidence (RWE)/real‐world data (RWD) in both product registration (“regulatory”) decision making and in product utilization policy (“policy”) decision making, they need to overcome several challenges. They need to deploy more electronic health records systems (EHRs), adjust for confounder variables, build trust between stakeholders, and create laws and regulations for local generation of data that are assented for secondary use. The role of procurers and their use of RWE/RWD in the LMIC context likewise is in a state of ongoing development. Procurers of health products are strong players currently in the “access” chain as LMICs continue to work on strengthening governmental health technology assessment (HTA) bodies. Procurers’ use of RWE is presently at an early stage and is mostly indirect, leveraging RWE results that are produced by researchers in high‐income countries (HICs), often under considerably different regulatory and policy objectives and constraints compared to LMICs’ epidemiology and priorities. Pending wider deployment of EHRs and other RWE sources, stakeholders must realize that populations from HIC RWE (i) can be devised to closely resemble phenotypic patterns in LMIC populations and (ii) can be analyzed to align with LMICs’ unmet needs.
Recent Advances and Challenges in Photoreforming of Biomass‐Derived Feedstocks into Hydrogen, Biofuels, or Chemicals by Using Functional Carbon Nitride Photocatalysts
Authors: Ma Jiliang , Liu Kangning , Yang Xiaopan , Jin Dongnv , Li Yancong , Jiao Gaojie , Zhou Jinghui , Sun Runcang
Published: October 2021

Photoreforming of biomass into hydrogen, biofuels, and chemicals is highly desired, yet this field of research is still in its infancy. Developing an efficient, novel, and environmentally friendly photocatalyst is key to achieving these goals. To date, the nonmetallic and eco‐friendly material carbon nitride has found many uses in reactions such as water splitting, CO2reduction, N2fixation, and biorefinery, owing to its outstanding photocatalytic activity. However, a narrow light absorption range and fast charge recombination are often encountered in the pristine carbon nitride photocatalytic system, which resulted in unsatisfying photocatalytic activity. To improve the photocatalytic performance of pure carbon nitride in biomass reforming, modification is needed. In this Review, the design and preparation of functional carbon nitride, as well as its photocatalytic properties for the synthesis of hydrogen, biofuels, and chemicals through biomass reforming, are discussed alongside potential avenues for its future development.
Nickel Boride/Boron Carbide Particles Embedded in Boron‐Doped Phenolic Resin‐Derived Carbon Coating on Nickel Foam for Oxygen Evolution Catalysis in Water and Seawater Splitting
Authors: Li Jilong , Wang Yanhui , Gao Hongwei , Song Shiwei , Lu Bowen , Tian Xueqing , Zhou Shuyu , Yuan Yungang , Zang Jianbing
Published: October 2021

Electrolysis of seawater can be a promising technology, but chloride ions in seawater can lead to adverse side reactions and the corrosion of electrodes. A new transition metal boride‐based self‐supported electrocatalyst was prepared for efficient seawater electrolysis by directly soaking nickel foam (NF) in a mixture of phenolic resin (PR) and boron carbide (B4C), followed by an 800 °C annealing. During PR carbonization process, the reaction of B4C and NF generated nickel boride (NixB) with high catalytic activity, while PR‐derived carbon coating was doped with boron atoms from B4C (B−CPR). The B−CPR coating fixed NixB/B4C particles in the frames and holes to improve the space utilization of NF. Meanwhile, the B−CPR coating effectively protected the catalyst from the corrosion by seawater and facilitates the transport of electrons. The optimal NixB/B4C/B−CPR/NF required 1.50 and 1.58 V to deliver 100 and 500 mA cm−2, respectively, in alkaline natural seawater for the oxygen evolution reaction.
RETRACTED; Combined rs‐fMRI study on brain functional imaging and mechanism of RAGE‐DAMPs of depression: Evidence from MDD patients to chronic stress‐induced depression models in cynomolgus monkeys and mice
Authors: Yan Weixin , Xie Lingpeng , Bi Yanmeng , Zeng Ting , Zhao Di , Lai Yuqi , Gao Tingting , Sun Xuegang , Shi Yafei , Dong Zhaoyang , Wen Ge , Gao Lei , Lv Zhiping
Published: October 2021

More and more evidence show that major depressive disorder (MDD) is closely related to inflammation caused by chronic stress, which seriously affects human physical and mental health. However, the inflammatory mechanism of depression and its effect on brain function have not been clarified. Based on resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI), we investigated change of brain functional imaging and the inflammatory mechanism of damage‐related molecular patterns (DAMPs)—receptor of advanced glycation protein end product (RAGE) in MDD patients and depressive‐like cynomolgus monkeys and mice models induced by chronic stress. The regional homogeneity (ReHo) and functional connectivity (FC) were analyzed using MATLAB and SPM12 software. We detected the expression of DAMPs‐RAGE pathway‐related proteins and mRNA in MDD peripheral blood and in serum and brain tissue of cynomolgus monkeys and mice. Meanwhile, RAGE gene knockout mice, RAGE inhibitor, and overexpression of AVV9RAGE adeno‐associated virus were used to verify that RAGE is a reliable potential biomarker of depression. The results showed that the ReHo value of prefrontal cortex (PFC) in MDD patients and depressive‐like cynomolgus monkeys was decreased. Then, the PFC was used as a seed point, the FC of ipsilateral and contralateral PFC were weakened in depressive‐like mice. At the same time, qPCR showed that RAGE and HMGB1 mRNA were upregulated and S100β mRNA was downregulated. The expression of RAGE‐related inflammatory protein in PFC of depressive‐like monkeys and mice were consistent with that in peripheral blood of MDD patients. Moreover, the results were confirmed in RAGE–/– mice, injection of FPS‐ZM1, and overexpression of AAV9RAGE in mice. To sum up, our findings enhance the evidence that chronic stress‐PFC‐RAGE are associated with depression. These results attempt to establish the links between brain functional imaging, and molecular targets among different species will help to reveal the pathophysiological mechanism of depression from multiple perspectives.
Assessment of the immune landscapes of advanced ovarian cancer in an optimized in vivo model
Authors: Pisano Simone , Lenna Stefania , Healey Gareth D. , Izardi Fereshteh , Meeks Lucille , Jimenez Yajaira S. , Velazquez Oscar S , Gonzalez Deyarina , Conlan Robert Steven , Corradetti Bruna
Published: October 2021

Background

Ovarian cancer (OC) is typically diagnosed late, associated with high rates of metastasis and the onset of ascites during late stage disease. Understanding the tumor microenvironment and how it impacts the efficacy of current treatments, including immunotherapies, needs effective in vivo models that are fully characterized. In particular, understanding the role of immune cells within the tumor and ascitic fluid could provide important insights into why OC fails to respond to immunotherapies. In this work, we comprehensively described the immune cell infiltrates in tumor nodules and the ascitic fluid within an optimized preclinical model of advanced ovarian cancer.

Methods

Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)‐ID8 OC cells were injected intraperitoneally into C57BL/6 mice and the development of advanced stage OC monitored. Nine weeks after tumor injection, mice were sacrificed and tumor nodules analyzed to identify specific immune infiltrates by immunohistochemistry. Ascites, developed in tumor bearing mice over a 10‐week period, was characterized by mass cytometry (CyTOF) to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the distribution of the immune cell subsets, and their relationship to ascites from ovarian cancer patients.

Results

Tumor nodules in the peritoneal cavity proved to be enriched in T cells, antigen presenting cells and macrophages, demonstrating an active immune environment and cell‐mediated immunity. Assessment of the immune landscape in the ascites showed the predominance of CD8+, CD4+, B–, and memory T cells, among others, and the coexistance of different immune cell types within the same tumor microenvironment.

Conclusions

We performed, for the first time, a multiparametric analysis of the ascitic fluid and specifically identify immune cell populations in the peritoneal cavity of mice with advanced OC. Data obtained highlights the impact of CytOF as a diagnostic tool for this malignancy, with the opportunity to concomitantly identify novel targets, and define personalized therapeutic options.
Machine learning of brain structural biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis, prediction of disease progression, and amyloid beta deposition in the Japanese population
Authors: Shiino Akihiko , Shirakashi Yoshitomo , Ishida Manabu , Tanigaki Kenji ,   Japanese Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: October 2021

Introduction

We developed machine learning (ML) designed to analyze structural brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and trained it on the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. In this study, we verified its utility in the Japanese population.

Methods

A total of 535 participants were enrolled from the Japanese ADNI database, including 148 AD, 152 normal, and 235 mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Probability of AD was expressed as AD likelihood scores (ADLS).

Results

The accuracy of AD diagnosis was 88.0% to 91.2%. The accuracy of predicting the disease progression in non‐dementia participants over a 3‐year observation was 76.0% to 79.3%. More than 90% of the participants with low ADLS did not progress to AD within 3 years. In the amyloid positron emission tomography (PET)–positive MCI, the hazard ratio of progression was 2.39 with low ADLS, and 5.77 with high ADLS. When high ADLS was defined as N+ and Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) PET positivity was defined as A+, the time to disease progression for 50% of MCI participants was 23.7 months in A+N+, whereas it was 52.3 months in A+N‐.

Conclusion

These results support the feasibility of our ML for the diagnosis of AD and prediction of the disease progression.
Habitat heterogeneity affects the thermal ecology of an endangered lizard
Authors: Gaudenti Nicole , Nix Emmeleia , Maier Paul , Westphal Michael F. , Taylor Emily N.
Published: October 2021

Global climate change is already contributing to the extirpation of numerous species worldwide, and sensitive species will continue to face challenges associated with rising temperatures throughout this century and beyond. It is especially important to evaluate the thermal ecology of endangered ectotherm species now so that mitigation measures can be taken as early as possible. A recent study of the thermal ecology of the federally endangered Blunt‐nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia sila) suggested that they face major activity restrictions due to thermal constraints in their desert habitat, but that large shade‐providing shrubs act as thermal buffers to allow them to maintain surface activity without overheating. We replicated this study and also included a population of G. sila with no access to large shrubs to facilitate comparison of the thermal ecology of G. sila populations in shrubless and shrubbed sites. We found that G. sila without access to shrubs spent more time sheltering inside rodent burrows than lizards with access to shrubs, especially during the hot summer months. Lizards from a shrubbed site had higher midday body temperatures and therefore poorer thermoregulatory accuracy than G. sila from a shrubless site, suggesting that greater surface activity may represent a thermoregulatory trade‐off for G. sila. Lizards at both sites are currently constrained from using open, sunny microhabitats for much of the day during their short active seasons, and our projections suggest that climate change will exacerbate these restrictions and force G. sila to use rodent burrows for shelter even more than they do now, especially at sites without access to shrubs. The continued management of shrubs and of burrowing rodents at G. sila sites is therefore essential to the survival of this endangered species.