bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of type III sodium‐dependent phosphate transporters (Pit 1 and Pit 2) on podocyte and kidney function
Authors: Kulesza Tomasz , Piwkowska Agnieszka
Published: March 2021

The sodium‐dependent phosphate transporters Pit 1 and Pit 2 belong to the solute carrier 20 (SLC20) family of membrane proteins. They are ubiquitously distributed in the human body. Their crucial function is the intracellular transport of inorganic phosphate (Pi) in the form of H2PO4
−. They are one of the main elements in maintaining physiological phosphate homeostasis. Recent data have emerged that indicate novel roles of Pit 1 and Pit 2 proteins besides the well‐known function of Pi transporters. These membrane proteins are believed to be precise phosphate sensors that mediate Pi‐dependent intracellular signaling. They are also involved in insulin signaling and influence cellular insulin sensitivity. In diseases that are associated with hyperphosphatemia, such as diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD), disturbances in the function of Pit 1 and Pit 2 are observed. Phosphate transporters from the SLC20 family participate in the calcification of soft tissues, mainly blood vessels, during the course of CKD. The glomerulus and podocytes therein can also be a target of pathological calcification that damages these structures. A few studies have demonstrated the development of Pi‐dependent podocyte injury that is mediated by Pit 1 and Pit 2. This paper discusses the role of Pit 1 and Pit 2 proteins in podocyte function, mainly in the context of the development of pathological calcification that disrupts permeability of the renal filtration barrier. We also describe the mechanisms that may contribute to podocyte damage by Pit 1 and Pit 2.
Biochar prepared from Fe‐rich sludge as suitable microbial carriers for facilitating biodegradation of phenanthrene in soil
Authors: Liang Jidong , Wu Zijun , Teng Tingting
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

Converting waste biomass to biochar by pyrolysis is increasingly recognized as an effective waste regeneration method and could be applied in contaminated soil bioremediation. In this work, we compared the properties of three biochars (FB300, FB500 and FB700) derived from iron (Fe)‐rich sludge (FS) at 300, 500 and 700 °C, and selected FB500 as microbial carrier to evaluate its function in facilitating phenanthrene (PHE) biodegradation in soil.

RESULTS

Increasing pyrolysis temperature induced a positive relationship with the ash content, pH and pore size of biochars, but a negative relationship with the yield and surface area of the biochars. FB300 and FB500 maintained more organic matter than FB700, whereas, FB500 and FB700 had greater aromatic constituents and more crystal structures than FB300. Besides, FB500 showed the strongest stability and unique magnetic properties. Thus, FB500 was selected as microbial carrier in facilitating PHE biodegradation in soil. The degradation results indicated that FB500 with bacteria immobilization played a significant role in PHE degradation; its PHE removal rate of 58.15 ± 4.90% was much higher than that of 38.73 ± 3.98% for free bacteria treatment on the first day of degradation.

CONCLUSION

Fe‐rich sludge can be efficiently converted into biochar that in turn can serve as microbial carrier for PHE biodegradation in contaminated soil. FB500 with bacteria immobilization was proven to promote PHE degradation. Pyrolyzing Fe‐rich sludge to biochar is a promising method for remediation of PAH‐contaminated soil. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Radiosynthesis and quality control testing of the tau imaging positron emission tomography tracer [18F]PM‐PBB3 for clinical applications
Authors: Kawamura Kazunori , Hashimoto Hiroki , Furutsuka Kenji , Ohkubo Takayuki , Fujishiro Tomoya , Togashi Takahiro , Arashi Daisuke , Sakai Toshiyuki , Muto Masatoshi , Ogawa Masanao , Kurihara Yusuke , Nengaki Nobuki , Takei Makoto , Nemoto Kazuyoshi , Higuchi Makoto , Zhang Ming‐Rong
Published: March 2021

Recently, we produced 11C‐labeled 2‐((1E,3E)‐4‐(6‐(methylamino)pyridin‐3‐yl)buta‐1,3‐dienyl)benzo[d]thiazol‐6‐ol ([11C]PBB3) as a clinically useful positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for in vivo imaging of tau pathologies in the human brain. To overcome the limitations (i.e., rapid in vivo metabolism and short half‐life) of [11C]PBB3, we further synthesized 18F‐labeled 1‐fluoro‐3‐((2‐((1E,3E)‐4‐(6‐(methylamino)pyridine‐3‐yl)buta‐1,3‐dien‐1‐yl)benzo[d]thiazol‐6‐yl)oxy)propan‐2‐ol ([18F]PM‐PBB3). [18F]PM‐PBB3 is also a useful tau PET tracer for imaging tau pathologies. In this study, we developed a routine radiosynthesis and quality control testing of [18F]PM‐PBB3 for clinical applications. [18F]PM‐PBB3 was synthesized by direct 18F‐fluorination of the tosylated derivative, followed by removal of the protecting group. [18F]PM‐PBB3 was obtained with sufficient radioactivity (25 ± 6.0% of the nondecay‐corrected radiochemical yield at the end of synthesis, EOS), radiochemical purity (98 ± 0.6%), and molar activity (350 ± 94 GBq/μmol at EOS; n = 53). Moreover, [18F]PM‐PBB3 consistently retained >95% of radiochemical purity for 60 min without undergoing photoisomerization using a new UV‐cutoff light (yellow light) fixed in the hot cell to monitor the synthesis. All the results of the quality control testing for the [18F]PM‐PBB3 injection complied with our in‐house quality control and quality assurance specifications. We have accomplished >200 production runs of [18F]PM‐PBB3 in our facility for various research purposes.
Development of a novel [18F]fluorobenzyl derivative of the AT1 receptor antagonist Candesartan
Authors: Alonso Martinez Luis Michel , DaSilva Jean N.
Published: March 2021

Candesartan is a clinically approved angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R)‐blocker that selectively binds AT1Rs in high affinity. We report here the radiosynthesis and automation of the novel [18F]fluorobenzyl derivative of Candesartan using the Sonogashira cross‐coupling reaction. [18F]Fluorobenzyl‐Candesartan ([18F]7) was developed from 4‐[18F]fluoroiodobenzene ([18F]FIB) that was conjugated with alkyne‐trityl‐candesartan with the assistance of a Pd (PPh3)4/CuI catalyst followed by acid deprotection. The three‐step two‐reactor 2‐HPLC purification process was automated resulting in >90% pure [18F]7 in a RCY of 4.6 ± 1.1% (decay corrected from EOB) and molar activities of 1,406‐5,513 GBq/mmol. [18F]FIB was reproducibly obtained by direct radiofluorination of the mono‐iodinated triphenylsulfonium salt in the presence of K222/K2CO3 in an ~30% yield (decay‐corrected). [18F]7 was stable (>97%) up to 4 h in solution and up to 1 h in rat plasma at 37°C. However, the use of Sonogashira cross‐coupling reaction to produce [18F]7 in high yields and molar activities was found to be challenging for routine use in radiochemistry labs.
MRI Measures of Murine Liver Fibrosis
Authors: Lindquist Diana M. , Fugate Elizabeth M. , Wang Jiang , Sharma Akanksha , Gandhi Chandrashekhar R. , Dillman Jonathan R.
Published: March 2021

Background

An imaging method that allows quantitative fibrosis estimates is needed to facilitate the diagnosis of chronic liver disease. Amide proton transfer (APT) and tissue sodium concentration (TSC) estimates could meet this need.

Hypothesis

APT and TSC estimates correlate with fibrosis in a mouse model of chronic liver disease.

Study Type

Prospective.

Phantoms/Animal Model

Male C57Bl/6 mice given CCl4 or vehicle (N = 8 each) twice weekly for 16 weeks.

Field Strength/Sequence

Liver T1 (Look‐Locker gradient recalled echo [GRE] sequence), T2 (multiecho spin echo sequence), T1rho (fast spin echo sequence with 500 Hz spin locking pulse), and APT (GRE sequence with off‐resonance pulses) data were acquired at 7 T at 12 and 16 weeks. Liver sodium data (multiple echo GRE sequence) were acquired at 12 weeks at 9.4 T.

Assessment

Liver proton T1, T2, T1rho, APT, sodium T2*, and TSC were calculated. Histological measures included Sirius Red, hematoxylin and eosin, liver hydroxyproline content, and serum alanine transaminase (ALT).

Statistical Tests

Welch's two‐sided t‐test was used to test for differences between control and CCl4‐treated groups for serum ALT, hydroxyproline, Sirius Red staining, T1, T2, T1rho, APT, TSC, and sodium T2*. Pearson's correlations between liver T1, APT, TSC, or sodium T2* with Sirius Red staining and hydroxyproline levels were calculated.

Results

APT was significantly different (P < 0.05) between groups in the left liver lobe at 16 weeks (CCl4: 8.0% ± 1.2%, controls: 6.2% ± 1.0%), as were average liver TSC at 12 weeks (CCl4: 38 mM ± 5 mM, controls: 27 mM ± 2 mM), and average sodium liver T2* at 12 weeks (CCl4: 10 msec ± 1.0 msec, controls: 12 msec ± 1.9 msec). APT, TSC, and sodium T2* correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with Sirius Red staining and hydroxyproline levels.

Data Conclusion

Liver TSC and APT significantly correlated with histopathologic markers of fibrosis in this mouse model.

Evidence Level

1

Technical Efficacy

Stage 3.
Spatio‐temporal variability of wet and drought events in the Paraná River basin—Brazil and its association with the El Niño—Southern oscillation phenomenon
Authors: Santos Eliane Barbosa , de Freitas Edmilson Dias , Rafee Sameh Adib Abou , Fujita Thais , Rudke Anderson Paulo , Martins Leila Droprinchinski , Ferreira de Souza Rodrigo Augusto , Martins Jorge Alberto
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to analyse the spatio‐temporal variability of wet and drought events in the Paraná River Basin and their association with the El Niño—Southern 20 Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. A dataset of daily precipitation from 953 pluviometric stations from 1982 to 2016 was used. Anomalies of sea surface temperature (SST) from the four Niño regions of the Equatorial Pacific were also used. Homogeneous rainfall regions were defined using cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). To describe the drought or wet conditions the standardized precipitation index (SPI) for 1‐, 3‐, and 12‐months time scales were used. The relationship between the ENSO and the wet and drought conditions were also analysed. The results suggest that two regions are enough to represent the whole Paraná River Basin during different rainfall patterns. In the 1‐month SPI, the precipitation extremes of the region that is mainly composed of the state of Paraná and southern region of Mato Grosso do Sul (Region 2), showed a statistically significant correlation at the level of 1% with ENSO events. In the 12‐month SPI, the most intense drought and wet events and with greater spatial coverage, in general, were observed in years with ENSO occurrences. In general, it is observed that although the ENSO phenomenon is not the main factor that causes the drought and wet events in the region, El Niño contributes to the rainfall excess and La Niña to the rainfall deficit in the Paraná River Basin.
Introducing goods innovation, service innovation, or both? Investigating the tension in managing innovation revenue streams for manufacturing and service firms
Authors: Choo Adrian , Narayanan Sriram , Srinivasan Ravi , Sarkar Soumodip
Published: March 2021

Many manufacturing and service companies extend their product lines by pursuing different domain NPI (new product introduction), that is, manufacturers launching new services and service firms venturing into new goods. Little is known about how this innovation approach compares to firms focusing on same domain NPI, that is, manufacturers launching new goods and service firms introducing new services. This research investigates these innovation approaches at the firm level using a set of archival data for the period 2006–2008, which comprises 16,735 manufacturing and service firms from 11 European countries. Our results show no statistical difference in innovation revenue performance between same and different domain NPIs. Both categories of firms gained about 13–14% higher performance relative to those firms that reported ongoing innovation activities but did not introduce any innovation. Our findings also show firms that pursued both same and different domain NPIs (a dual innovation approach) achieved a higher innovation revenue performance (about 4% higher relative to firms pursuing same or different domain NPI). Despite the higher performance, we find that the interaction effect of same and different domain NPIs on firm innovation revenue is substitutive. Our results are largely consistent across multiple robustness checks: (a) a different dataset collected for the period 2008–2010 to replicate the findings, (b) alternative dependent variables, (c) multiple endogeneity checks, and (d) different estimation approaches. Finally, post‐hoc analyses show the substitution effect is (i) stronger for small firms, (ii) stronger for firms with internal R&D, and (iii) not significantly different for firms with or without external R&D. Overall, these findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of the opportunity and tension firms face in introducing innovations in same and different domain activities.
Ester synthesis mechanism and activity by Bacillus licheniformis, Candida etchellsii, and Zygosaccharomyces rouxii isolated from Chinese horse bean chili paste
Authors: Yang Linzi , Li Xueli , Lu Yunhao , Lv Yuanping , Chi Yuanlong , He Qiang
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

Esters are indispensable aroma compounds and contribute significantly to the fruity aromas in fermented condiments. The ester synthesis activity and pathways of Bacillus licheniformis, Candida etchellsii, and Zygosaccharomyces rouxii, isolated from Chinese horse bean chili‐paste (CHCP), were investigated. Chemical buffer models containing esterification and alcoholysis systems inoculated with extracellular extracts of these three strains were established.

RESULTS

The ester synthesis activity of C. etchellsii was stronger than that of the other two strains. Zygosaccharomyces rouxii could synthesize acetate esters via esterification, whereas the biosynthesis pathways of B. licheniformis and C. etchellsii were esterification and alcoholysis. Esterification exhibited relatively high activity at pH 4, whereas alcoholysis activity improved with an increase in the pH from 4 to 8. Candida etchellsii could synthesize C6–C8 of acetate esters, and its activity improved with the number of alcohol carbon atoms. These three strains could synthesize C10–C18 of ethyl esters. Their ethyl ester synthesis activity decreased with the aliphatic acid carbon number.

CONCLUSION

Candida etchellsii has the potential to be used in CHCP fermentation to accumulate esters and improve flavor compared with the other two strains. This research is helpful in explaining the mechanism of ester synthesis in fermented condiments. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Main sources of uncertainty in recent methanol/NOx combustion models
Authors: Kovács Márton , Papp Máté , Zsély István Gy. , Turányi Tamás
Published: March 2021

The performance of 17 recent detailed reaction mechanisms describing the interactions of methanol and formaldehyde with nitrogen oxides in combustion systems was investigated based on large number of literature experimental data covering a wide range of conditions. This data collection consists of 2552 data points of concentration profiles in 243 datasets measured in jet stirred reactors, tubular flow reactors, and shock tubes. The two best mechanisms were found to be the Shrestha‐2019 and Glarborg‐2018 mechanisms, which were selected for further investigations. Two additional mechanisms were created via the replacement of the hydrogen, syngas, methanol submechanisms, and the parameters of nine N/H/O reactions to ones from our previous mechanism optimization studies. Local sensitivity analysis of the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters (Arrhenius A‐factors, heat capacities, standard enthalpies of formation, and standard molar entropies) of these four mechanisms was carried out. The results were in good agreement and the most sensitive reactions belong to the neat hydrogen, syngas, or methanol oxidation. The most important reactions of the interaction between C1 species and NOx are hydrogen‐abstraction reactions CH3OH + NO2 = HONO + CH2OH and CH2O + NO2 = HONO + HCO. The most sensitive thermodynamic properties are the molar heat capacities of species OH, NO, HONO, and NO2, and the standard enthalpies of formation and entropies of these species have also significant sensitivities. According to the local uncertainty analysis of the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, the rate coefficients of the NOx chemistry have the highest contribution to the overall uncertainty of the simulation results, especially those of the two reactions above. The highest uncertainty caused by the thermodynamic parameters is due to the heat capacity of HNO, OH, HO2, and NO2 and some other species, whereas the uncertainty contributions of all enthalpies of formation and entropies were negligible.
Chitosan Nanomedicine in Cancer Therapy: Targeted Delivery and Cellular Uptake
Authors: Mushtaq Asim , Li Li , A. Anitha , Grøndahl Lisbeth
Published: March 2021

Nanomedicine has gained much attention for the management and treatment of cancers due to the distinctive physicochemical properties of the drug‐loaded particles. Chitosan's cationic nature is attractive for the development of such particles for drug delivery, transfection, and controlled release. The particle properties can be improved by modification of the polymer or the particle themselves. The physicochemical properties of chitosan particles are analyzed in 126 recent studies, which allows to highlight their impact on passive and active targeted drug delivery, cellular uptake, and tumor growth inhibition (TGI). From 2012 to 2019, out of 40 in vivo studies, only 4 studies are found reporting a reduction in tumor size by using chitosan particles while all other studies reported tumor growth inhibition relative to controls. A total of 23 studies are analyzed for cellular uptake including 12 studies reporting cellular uptake mechanisms. Understanding and exploiting the processes involved in targeted delivery, endocytosis, and exocytosis by controlling the physicochemical properties of chitosan particles are important for the development of safe and efficient nanomedicine. It is concluded based on the recent literature available on chitosan particles that combination therapies can play a pivotal role in transformation of chitosan nanomedicine from bench to bedside.
Hygroresponsive Torsional Yarns and Actuators Based on Cascade Amplification of the Deformation
Authors: Chen Hui , Ye Sunjie , Tao Qianyi , Chen Zhuang , Tu Yingfeng , Yang Xiaoming
Published: March 2021

Fiber‐based hygroresponsive torsional actuators provide desirable merits, such as light weight and shapeability, for developing smart systems to harvest energy from moisture which is a ubiquitous natural resource. A key challenge in this development is to realize moisture‐triggered actuation combining large actuation and rapid responses. Here, a multiscale design strategy is explored to create high‐performance hygroresponsive torsional actuators consisting of chitosan and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The superior actuation performance arises from the synergism of contributing factors at different scales, including 1) MWNCTs accelerate the water transport in primary twisted fibers (PTFs), fostering the rotation of PTFs upon moisture stimuli; 2) in situ‐formed hierarchically‐assembled twists realize cascade amplification of moisture‐triggered actuation. Specifically, PTFs are self‐twisted to generate secondary helical yarns, that are subsequently over‐twisted to yield tertiary coiled yarn. The resultant yarn actuator can reach a maximum rotation speed of 11 400 rpm in 5 s, output gravitational potential energy of 2.4 J kg−1 and gravitational potential power of 0.053 W kg−1 during contraction. This work represents the first design of fiber‐based actuators by virtue of moisture‐triggered in situ formation of yarns. The established principles of multiscale design will enable high‐performance fiber‐based hygroresponsive actuators toward advanced intelligent textile and soft robotics.
Interfacial Reaction Induced Disruption and Dissolution of Dynamic Polymer Networks
Authors: Zhao Bin , Yuan Qingqing , Yang Hongkun , Russell Thomas P. , Wang Dong
Published: March 2021

The reaction of amine‐terminated polystyrene (PS‐NH2) with an epoxy‐based dynamic polymer networks (DPNs) above the topology freezing transition temperature of the DPN, results in the disruption of the network by the formation of graft copolymers at the interface between the linear homopolymer and the network. The rate of the disruption decreases with annealing time and is strongly dependent on the molecular weight of the PS‐NH2, with the lower molecular weight PS‐NH2 reacting much more rapidly than the higher molecular weight PS‐NH2. A higher catalyst concentration in the DPN also promotes the interfacial reaction, indicating a reaction‐rate‐controlled process.
Alleviating Growth and Recruitment Overfishing through Simple Management Changes: Insights from an Overexploited Long-Lived Fish
Authors: Ben-Hasan Abdulrahman , Walters Carl , Hordyk Adrian , Christensen Villy , Al-Husaini Mohsen
Published: March 2021

Growth and recruitment overfishing can co-occur when a fishery is subjecting small and immature fish in conjunction with adult fish to excessive exploitation rates such that it reduces the spawning biomass to the point where recruitment is significantly impaired. Such conditions are generally evident in open-access fisheries and are especially detrimental to long-lived species as they reach maturity at older ages. Here, we investigate the conditions of a long-lived lutjanid, Malabar Blood Snapper Lutjanus malabaricus, in Kuwait waters, for which catches declined by about 95% between 1995 and 2009 with negligible recovery afterward, yet exploitation rates are likely high and remain hardly regulated. Using an age-structured model and length and age distributions for over 47,000 Malabar Blood Snapper, we (1) underscore the impacts of recruitment and growth overfishing on fish biomass and catch and (2) demonstrate the efficacy of improving the size limit policy to address both issues. The proportion of small fish (length-classes <50 cm; age-classes = 1–4 years) in the catch rose from 40–50% in 1981 to over 70% between 1992 and 1998, indicating growth overfishing. Due to the selection of immature fish at high exploitation rates, the age-structured model showed that recruitment dropped virtually linearly with decreasing biomass by the mid-1990s, implying recruitment overfishing. Future scenarios show that by increasing the current mean age at vulnerability (1 year or 34 cm) to the age at first maturity (5 years or 61 cm), biomass and catch would increase by at least 300% and 130%, respectively, relative to status quo. Biomass would rebuild to higher levels if exploitation rates are regulated at sustainable levels. Our study highlights the importance of simple management changes in alleviating both types of overfishing, particularly when open-access conditions cannot be rapidly remedied due to weak management institutions.
Effect of Learning Dataset for Identification of Active Molecules: A Case Study of Integrin αIIbβ3 Inhibitors
Authors: Kawai Kentaro , Tomonou Mami , Machida Yume , Karuo Yukiko , Tarui Atsushi , Sato Kazuyuki , Ikeda Yoshiki , Kinashi Tatsuo , Omote Masaaki
Published: March 2021

Efficient in silico approaches are needed to identify strong integrin αIIbβ3 inhibitors through a small number of measurements. To address the challenge, we investigated the effect of learning dataset on the classification performance of machine learning models focusing on weak and inactive compounds. The structure and activity information of the compounds were obtained from ChEMBL, and pCHEMBL values were used to classify them as active, inactive, or weak. Datasets with various imbalance levels from active:inactive=1 : 1 to 1 : 1000 were used for the machine learning. The prediction scores of the weak samples were found to lie between the predictive values of active and inactive compounds. In addition, another dataset that consists of 149 actives and 6.9 million inactives was screened; the results indicated that the number of positive predictions decreased for models trained with a higher number of inactives. Although there is a trade‐off between false positives and false negatives, for determination of compounds with strong activity using a reduced number of measurements, it is better to use a large number of inactives for learning and identifying compounds that score higher than the weak samples.
Interactive contouring through contextual deep learning
Authors: Trimpl Michael J. , Boukerroui Djamal , Stride Eleanor P. J. , Vallis Katherine A. , Gooding Mark J.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To investigate a deep learning approach that enables three‐dimensional (3D) segmentation of an arbitrary structure of interest given a user provided two‐dimensional (2D) contour for context. Such an approach could decrease delineation times and improve contouring consistency, particularly for anatomical structures for which no automatic segmentation tools exist.

Methods

A series of deep learning segmentation models using a Recurrent Residual U‐Net with attention gates was trained with a successively expanding training set. Contextual information was provided to the models, using a previously contoured slice as an input, in addition to the slice to be contoured. In total, 6 models were developed, and 19 different anatomical structures were used for training and testing. Each of the models was evaluated for all 19 structures, even if they were excluded from the training set, in order to assess the model's ability to segment unseen structures of interest. Each model's performance was evaluated using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), Hausdorff distance, and relative added path length (APL).

Results

The segmentation performance for seen and unseen structures improved when the training set was expanded by addition of structures previously excluded from the training set. A model trained exclusively on heart structures achieved a DSC of 0.33, HD of 44 mm, and relative APL of 0.85 when segmenting the spleen, whereas a model trained on a diverse set of structures, but still excluding the spleen, achieved a DSC of 0.80, HD of 13 mm, and relative APL of 0.35. Iterative prediction performed better compared to direct prediction when considering unseen structures.

Conclusions

Training a contextual deep learning model on a diverse set of structures increases the segmentation performance for the structures in the training set, but importantly enables the model to generalize and make predictions even for unseen structures that were not represented in the training set. This shows that user‐provided context can be incorporated into deep learning contouring to facilitate semi‐automatic segmentation of CT images for any given structure. Such an approach can enable faster de‐novo contouring in clinical practice.
PART 2: Mouse models for multiple sclerosis research
Authors: Ramasamy Ramalakshmi , Smith Phillip P.
Published: March 2021

Lower urinary tract symptoms and dysfunction (LUTS/LUTD) contribute to loss of quality of life, morbidity, and need for medical intervention in most patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Although MS is an inflammatory neurodegenerative disease, clinical manifestations including continence control disorders have traditionally been attributed to the loss of neural signaling due to neurodegeneration. Clinical approaches to MS‐LUTS/LUTD have focused on addressing symptoms in the context of urodynamic dysfunctions as pathophysiologic understandings are incomplete. The mouse model provides a useful research platform for discovery of more detailed molecular, cellular, and tissue‐level knowledge of the disease and its clinical manifestations. The aim of this two‐part review is to provide a state‐of‐the‐art update on the use of the mouse model for MS research, with a focus on lower urinary tract symptoms. Part I presents a summary of current understanding of MS pathophysiology, the impact on lower urinary tract symptoms, and briefly introduces the types of mouse models available to study MS. Part II presents the common animal models that are currently available to study MS, their mechanism, relevance to MS‐LUTS/LUTD and their urinary pathophysiology, advantages and disadvantages.
Longer is better than shorter: The added value of the seven‐day pad test in the post‐radical prostatectomy urinary incontinence
Authors: Martínez‐Cuenca Esther , Sánchez Jose Vicente , Bonillo Miguel Ángel , Morán Eduardo , Broseta Enric , Arlandis Salvador
Published: March 2021

Aims

To investigate the feasibility and reliability of the seven‐day pad test (7DPT), the correlation between 7DPT and 24‐hour pad test (24HPT), and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‐Short Form (ICIQ‐SF) questionnaire, and the different categorization by the severity of each pad test. Pad weighting tests have been recommended in the evaluation of post‐radical prostatectomy urinary incontinence severity, being considered the 24HPT gold standard. Some authors consider that the longer the testing, the better assessment. We propose a self‐filled pad weight, the 7DPT.

Methods

A prospective study of incontinent male patients after radical prostatectomy. We carried out the study in two phases. All patients underwent urodynamic study. The first phase evaluated the feasibility and reliability of 7DPT. The second evaluated the correlation between 7DPT, 24HPT, and ICIQ‐SF questionnaire in a larger sample.

Results

First phase: 32 patients were recruited. Test‐retest reliability was excellent, with good agreement between mean 7DPT and 24HPT. The number of pads and mean 7DPT showed a good correlation. Second phase: 72 patients were screened, 51 (71%) met inclusion criteria. Mean 7DPT and 24HPT showed a strong association. Mean 7DPT and 24HPT correlated moderately with ICIQ‐SF score. 7DPT and 24HPT agreement with ICIQ‐SF groups was slight. As 7DPT captures better days with maximum urinary leakage, up to 12 patients would have been misclassified according to 24HPT (number need to treat for 7DPT was seven).

Conclusions

7DPT is a feasible and reliable tool to evaluate post‐radical prostatectomy urinary incontinence, with a strong correlation with the 24HPT and moderate with the ICIQ‐SF.
Improved breakdown strengths and energy storage properties of polyimide composites: The effect of internal interfaces of C/SiO2 hybrid nanoparticles
Authors: Yin Peng , Shi Zhicheng , Sun Liang , Xie Peitao , Dastan Davoud , Sun Kai , Fan Runhua
Published: March 2021

Polymer nanocomposites with high energy‐storage capability have been widely used in electronic devices. To achieve further enhanced energy density, developing nanofillers with tailored compositions and nanostructures is demonstrated to be an effective strategy. Especially, hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) with abundant internal interfaces are acknowledged as a promising candidate. Here, a class of carbon/silica hybrid nanoparticles (C/SiO2 h‐NPs) with disorderly mixed nanostructures are synthesized and employed to prepare C/SiO2 h‐NPs/polyimide nanocomposites. To reveal the influence of internal interfaces on dielectric properties, a series of comparative composites co‐filled with C and SiO2 NPs are also prepared. The breakdown strength of the C/SiO2 h‐NPs/polyimide composites can reach 303.96 kV/mm, which is over 200% that of their counterparts. It is believed that the abundant heterogeneous interfaces inside the C/SiO2 h‐NPs can effectively impede the development of conductive paths, thereby obviously enhancing breakdown strengths. Furthermore, the C/SiO2 h‐NPs/polyimide composite with 5 wt% C/SiO2 h‐NPs demonstrates a high discharged energy density of ~0.612 J/cm3 at 150 kV/mm, which is about 2.29 times higher than pure polyimide (PI) (~0.267 @ 150 kV/mm), along with a high discharge energy efficiency of 85.9%. This work offers a practicable strategy for the design of functional NPs toward high‐performance dielectric composites.
Hope, bias and survival expectations of advanced cancer patients: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Finkelstein Eric A. , Baid Drishti , Cheung Yin Bun , Schweitzer Maurice E. , Malhotra Chetna , Volpp Kevin , Kanesvaran Ravindran , Lee Lai Heng , Dent Rebecca Alexandra , Ng Chau Hsien Matthew , Bin Harunal Rashid Mohamad Farid , Somasundaram Nagavali
Published: March 2021

Objective

Many patients with advanced illness are unrealistically optimistic about their prognosis. We test for the presence of several cognitive biases, including optimism bias, illusion of superiority, self‐deception, misattribution, and optimistic update bias, that could explain unrealistically optimistic prognostic beliefs among advanced cancer patients and quantifies the extent to which hope exacerbates these biases.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was administered to 200 advanced cancer patients with physician‐estimated prognoses of one year or less. Hope was measured using the Herth Hope Index (HHI). Hypotheses were tested using linear and logistic regressions and a structural‐equation model.

Results

Results are consistent with the presence of optimism bias, illusion of superiority, self‐deception, and misattribution. All of these biases are amplified by higher levels of hope. Each 1‐point higher HHI is associated with a 6% (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01–1.11) greater odds of believing their illness is curable, a 0.33‐year (95% CI: 0.17–0.49) longer expected survival, a 6% (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02–1.11) higher probability of believing that survival outcomes are better than the average patient, a 5% higher odds of believing primary intent of treatment is curative (OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.00–1.10), and a 12% (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.05–1.17) higher odds of believing they are well‐informed. Mediation analyses revealed that hope significantly mediates the effect of mental‐well‐being and loneliness on expected survival.

Conclusions

Results suggest advanced cancer patients succumb to several cognitive biases which are exacerbated by greater levels of hope. As a result, they are susceptible to possible over‐treatment and regret.
Mass Imbalance Effects in the Excitonic Condensation of the Extended Falicov–Kimball Model
Authors: Ninh Quoc-Huy , Phan Van-Nham
Published: March 2021

The ground‐state properties of the excitonic condensation state in the effects of the mass imbalance are discussed in the framework of the spinless extended Falicov–Kimball model, in which the hopping of the f electrons is involved. Using the unrestricted Hartree–Fock approximation, a set of self‐consistent equations are obtained so the excitonic condensate order parameter is determined. In this sense, the real part of the optical conductivity is analytically calculated based on the Kubo formula. Phase diagram releases a complex phase structure of the excitonic condensation state with a strong depression of its Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer (BCS)–Bose–Einstein condensation (BEC) crossover in the influence of the mass imbalance. The impression of the mass imbalance affecting the excitonic condensate is also addressed in the signature of the optical conductivity. The finding delivers the natural scenario of the excitonic condensation state applied for a wide range of materials, from transition‐metal dichalcogenides to double‐layer systems such as a semiconductor double quantum well, double‐bilayer graphene, or double‐layer graphene.
Logistic retainment interval dose exploration design for Phase I clinical trials of cytotoxic agents
Authors: Murray Thomas A.
Published: March 2021

Phase I studies of a cytotoxic agent often aim to identify the dose that provides an investigator specified target dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT) probability. In practice, an initial cohort receives a dose with a putative low DLT probability, and subsequent dosing follows by consecutively deciding whether to retain the current dose, escalate to the adjacent higher dose, or de‐escalate to the adjacent lower dose. This article proposes a Phase I design derived using a Bayesian decision‐theoretic approach to this sequential decision‐making process. The design consecutively chooses the action that minimizes posterior expected loss where the loss reflects the distance on the log‐odds scale between the target and the DLT probability of the dose that would be given to the next cohort under the corresponding action. A logistic model is assumed for the log odds of a DLT at the current dose with a weakly informative t‐distribution prior centered at the target. The key design parameters are the pre‐specified odds ratios for the DLT probabilities at the adjacent higher and lower doses. Dosing rules may be pre‐tabulated, as these only depend on the outcomes at the current dose, which greatly facilitates implementation. The recommended default version of the proposed design improves dose selection relative to many established designs across a variety of scenarios.
Tip of the iceberg: Measuring racial discrimination in studies of health
Authors: Cuevas Adolfo G. , Boen Courtney
Published: March 2021

There is compelling evidence that racial discrimination is a risk factor for illness and disease. But what are health scientists measuring—and what do they think they are measuring—when they include measures of racial discrimination in health research? We synthesize theoretical conceptualizations of racial discrimination in health research and critically assess whether and how these concepts correspond (or not) to widely used measures of racial discrimination. In doing so, we show that while researchers often use terms such as ‘self‐reported discrimination', ‘perceptions of discrimination', and ‘exposure to discrimination' interchangeably, these concepts are indeed unique, with each holding a distinct epistemological position and theoretical and methodological capacity to uncover the impact of racial discrimination on health and health disparities. Importantly, we argue that commonly used measures of self‐reported or perceived racial discrimination are just the ‘tip of the iceberg' in terms of revealing the ways in which discrimination shapes health inequities. Scientists and practitioners must be cognizant of and intentional in their measurement choices and language, as the framing of these processes will inform policy and intervention efforts aimed at eliminating discrimination.
Photosynthetic Microorganisms‐Based Biophotothermal Therapy with Enhanced Immune Response
Authors: Wang Haoran , Guo Yunfei , Gan Shaoju , Liu Honghui , Chen Qian , Yuan Ahu , Hu Yiqiao , Wu Jinhui
Published: March 2021

The production of oxygen by photosynthetic microorganisms (PSMs) has recently attracted interest concerning the in vivo treatment of multiple diseases for their photosynthetic oxygen production in vivo, since PSMs have good biological safety. Here, the first evidence that PSMs can be used as a photothermal source to perform biophotothermal therapy (bio‐PTT) is provided. In vitro and in vivo experiments proved that PSMs can generate heat for the direct elimination of tumors and release a series of pathogen‐associated molecular patterns and adjuvants for immune stimulation under light irradiation. Bio‐PTT enabled a local tumor inhibition rate exceeding 90% and an abscopal tumor inhibition rate exceeding 75%. This strategy also produced a stronger antitumor immune memory effect to prevent tumor recurrence. The bio‐PTT strategy provides a novel direction for photothermal therapy as it simultaneously produces local and abscopal antitumor effects.
Analysis and availability of lignocellulosic wastes: Assessments for Indonesia and Peru
Authors: Sari Reka M. , Torres Fernando G. , Troncoso Omar P. , De‐la‐Torre Gabriel E. , Gea Saharman
Published: March 2021

Developing countries located in the tropics have favorable climates to develop modern agriculture and agriculture‐based industry. Peru and Indonesia are examples of two developing countries located in the tropics with economies based on the export of agricultural products. The generation of agricultural and forest residues has continuously increased in these countries. In this paper, we analyze the availability of agricultural and forest products in Peru and Indonesia in order to calculate the number of residues that could potentially be used for different applications such as energy generation and composite materials production. A single index taking into account the technical, economic, and environmental performance of these residues‐based products was utilized to compare them. The results showed that, in addition to the generation of energy, the production of plastic bio‐based composites and activated carbon are viable alternatives for the use of these residues.
Multilingual automation of transcript preprocessing in Alzheimer's disease detection
Authors: Abiven Frédéric , Ratté Sylvie
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Analyzing linguistic functions can improve early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD). To date, no studies have focused on creating a universal pipeline for clinical transcript preprocessing.

Methods

This article presents a simple and efficient method for processing linguistic and phonetic data, sequencing subproblems of cleaning, normalization, and measure extraction tasks. Because some of these tasks are language‐ and context‐ dependent, they were designed to be easily configurable, thus increasing their scalability when dealing with new corpora.

Results

Results show improved performances over previous studies in this time‐consuming preprocessing task. Moreover, our findings showed that some discursive markers extracted from transcripts revealed a significant correlation (>0.5) with cognitive impairment severity.

Discussion

This article contributes to the literature on AD by presenting an efficient pipeline that allows speeding up the transcripts preprocessing task. We further invite other researchers to contribute to this work to help improve the quality of this pipeline (https://github.com/LiNCS-lab/usAge).
Letter to CVS Directors
Authors: O'Kane Seamus
Published: March 2021

The following letter was, Vet Record understands, sent to CVS directors and members of the executive committee by Seamus O'Kane, a past president of the North of Ireland Veterinary Association and former BVA representative for Northern Ireland, on 15 March. It followed allegations, previously reported in Vet Record, of irresponsible sales of POM‐V products by a CVS practice in Northern Ireland
Unusual Reactivity of Silicon Grease Towards Metal Alkoxides: Serendipity for Structural Chemistry
Authors: Nahrstedt Vanessa , Raauf Aida , Hegemann Corinna , Brune Veronika , Schläfer Johannes , Mathur Sanjay
Published: March 2021

Controlled synthesis of moisture sensitive metal alkoxides demands the use of silicon grease for the inert synthetic manipulation of starting materials using glass apparatus to avoid adventitious hydrolysis. Spontaneous reaction of the siloxane units (−OSi(Me3)2)n) with the synthesized alkoxides often leads to molecular metal alkoxides based siloxane frameworks. These spontaneous incorporation of siloxane units into homo‐ and heterometallic alkoxide building blocks lead to the new multinuclear homo‐ and heterometallic alkoxide‐siloxide compounds [Ce2(OtBu)4{Me2Si(OtBu)O}2(NO3)2] (1), [Zr{(OiPr)2{Me2SiO2}Sr{Zr2(OiPr)8}}2] (2) and [Sn2In2O2{Me2Si(OiPr)O}(OiPr)5]2 (3). Multifunctional coordination properties of these siloxane units enable the molecular approach to synthetically demanding polymetallic complexes for potential MOx‐SiOx nanocomposites fabrication.
Let’s (not) Go Outside: Grindr, Hybrid Space, and Digital Queer Neighborhoods
Authors: Miles Sam
Published: March 2021

Developments in mobile digital technologies are disrupting conventional understandings of space and place for smartphone users. One way in which location-based media are refiguring previously taken-for-granted spatial traditions is via GPS-enabled online dating and hook-up apps. For sexual minorities, these apps can reconfigure any street, park, bar, or home into a queer space through a potential meeting between mutually attracted individuals, but what does this signify for already-existing queer spaces? This chapter examines how smartphone apps including Grindr, Tinder, and Blued synthesize online queer encounter with offline physical space to create a new hybrid terrain predicated on availability, connection, and encounter. It is also a terrain that can sidestep established gay neighborhoods entirely. I explore how this hybridization impacts on older, physically rooted gay neighborhoods and the role that these neighborhoods have traditionally played in brokering social and sexual connection for sexual minorities. Few would deny that location-based apps have come to play a valuable role in multiplying opportunities for sexual minorities. However, the stratospheric rise of these technologies also provokes questions about their impact on embodied encounter, queer community, and a sense of place. A decade on from Grindr’s release, this chapter evaluates the impact of location-based media on gay spaces and reflects on what the increasing hybridization of online and offline spaces for same-sex encounter might mean for queer lives of the future.
Collective Trauma, Collective Healing
Authors: Theisen-Womersley Gail
Published: March 2021

Trauma associated with forced displacement has a psychosocial impact not only on the individual, but also families, communities and larger society. At the family level, this includes the dynamics of single parent families, lack of trust among members, and changes in significant relationships and child-rearing practice. Communities tend to be more dependent, passive, silent, without leadership, mistrustful and suspicious.
Collective Aspirations
Authors: Theisen-Womersley Gail
Published: March 2021

Europe has faced an unprecedented influx of asylum seekers– with over one and a half million sea arrivals reported since 2015 by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). As the “reception crisis” continues unabated, Greece remains one of the first ports of sanctuary. According to recent statistics provided for March 2018 by the UNHCR, over 50,000 asylum seekers and refugees currently remain in Greece following this mass flow.
Symbiotic 8: Parallel and Targeted Test Generation
Authors: Chalupa Marek , Novák Jakub , Strejček Jan
Published: March 2021

The setup of Symbiotic  8 for Test-Comp  2021 brings radical changes in the test generation for property. Similarly as in Symbiotic  7, we generate tests by running our fork of symbolic executor Klee on the analyzed program. Symbiotic  8, however, runs several instances of Klee in parallel. We run one instance of Klee on the original program and, simultaneously, we create one (intentionally unsound) program slice for every program-terminating instruction in the program and run Klee on these slices. Apart from this principal change, we also improved other components of the tool, mainly the program slicer. Further, our fork of Klee now supports symbolic pointer arithmetics and comparison of symbolic addresses.
Correction to: Transaction Cost Management
Authors: Suematsu Chihiro
Published: March 2021

All chapters in the book are licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Mit der Stadtgesellschaft ins Spiel kommen – Der Fonds „Heimspiel“ der Kulturstiftung des Bundes
Authors: Stempel Lukas
Published: March 2021

Der Beitrag analysiert das von 2005–2013 von der Kulturstiftung des Bundes realisierte Förderprogramm „Heimspiel“. Zwei Forschungsfragen stehen im Fokus: Welche Häuser und welche Projekte wurden im Rahmen des Fonds „Heimspiel“ gefördert? Und: Wie beschäftigen sich diese mit der Stadt und Stadtgesellschaft? Im Rahmen einer deskriptiv angelegten qualitativen Dokumentenanalyse werden unter anderem Zahlen aus der Deutschen Theaterstatistik und die Kurzbeschreibungen der jeweiligen Stadtprojekte zur Auswertung herangezogen und diskutiert.