bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of fluorinated nicotinonitriles and fused candidates as antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and enzyme inhibitors
Authors: Ibrahim Mona H. , El Menofy Nagwan G. , El kiki Shereen M. , Sherbiny Farag F. , Ismail Magda M. F.
Published: April 2022

The antimicrobial assessments of two new series of nicotinonitriles and pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidines were performed using amoxicillin and nystatin as reference standards. Outstanding antifungal activities were achieved by some target compounds; for instance, compounds 7 and 9 displayed a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 1.95 µg/ml toward Candida albicans, compound 11 showed a potent anti‐Rhizopus effect (MIC 1.95 µg/ml) and compound 14 elicited remarkable antifungal effects against both Aspergillis niger and C. albicans (MIC 1.95 µg/ml). However, pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidines 12, 14, and 16 showed moderate antibacterial activities against some gram‐negative bacteria. The antibiofilm results of these compounds against resistant strains of Proteus mirabilis were better than those of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Docking studies of these hits at the DNA gyrase active site revealed affinity and docking scores comparable to that of the reference standards. Gyrase‐inhibitory activities revealed that 14 (IC50 = 0.31 µM) is the most potent hit as DNA gyrase A inhibitor; it exhibited 1.66‐fold the activity of ciprofloxacin (IC50 = 0.50 µM) and it was a 44.3 times more potent gyrase B inhibitor (IC50 = 0.04 µM) than novobiocin (IC50 = 1.77 µM). Regarding its antifungal activity, it displayed 0.78% of the fluconazole activity as a 14α‐demethylase inhibitor. The cytotoxicity of 12, 14, and 16 on human diploid lung fibroblasts (WI38 cells) ensured their safety. Moreover, they are orally bioavailable with no permeation of the blood–brain barrier.
The mediating mechanism of earnings management on the relationship between life cycle and financial reporting quality: Finding from MRA and fsQCA
Authors: Khuong Nguyen Vinh , Anh Le Huu Tuan
Published: April 2022

The study examined the relationship between organization life cycle (OLC) and financial reporting quality (FRQ) in the Vietnamese context with the mediating role of earnings management (EM). We used estimation OLS, fixed effects model, and other robustness tests to validate the results on a sample of 408 Vietnamese listed companies over the period 2010–2017. In addition, we compare the regression results with a recently established approach is, fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The multiple regression analysis results suggest that firms with low profits or poor financial performance have low‐quality financial statements. On the other hand, when firms mature or have significant retained earnings, the quality of financial information improves and peaks. Besides, throughout the OLC, real earnings management behaviors are less likely to be used than accruals earnings management. Finally, because of the mediating effect of EM, the influence of OLC on FRQ is increased. The fsQCA findings indicate complex configurations between OLC, EM and other controls factors to the outcome of FRQ. This research contributes empirical evidence to the scientific literature on accounting and corporate governance. Next, the main contribution of our study is the examination of mediating role of EM on OLC‐FRQ association through both regression analysis and the fsQCA approach. Additionally, we conducted this study in Vietnam, where the legal framework in protecting the investors is still not complete; this will significantly contribute to the literature overview of OLC and FRQ.
Impact of physical exercise in advanced‐stage cancer patients: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Rodríguez‐Cañamero Sergio , Cobo‐Cuenca Ana Isabel , Carmona‐Torres Juan Manuel , Pozuelo‐Carrascosa Diana Patricia , Santacruz‐Salas Esmeralda , Rabanales‐Sotos Joseba Aingerun , Cuesta‐Mateos Tatiana , Laredo‐Aguilera José Alberto
Published: April 2022

Health professionals predict that the number of people who will suffer and die from oncological diseases will continue to increase. It is vitally important to provide comprehensive care to these patients and prescribe physical exercise programs as adjuvant therapy. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the impact of physical exercise on advanced‐stage cancer patients. A literature search was performed in eight different databases. This search focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published during the last 10 years. To assess the methodological quality of the sample of 15 RCTs finally obtained, the PEDro scale was used. Aerobic and strength training methods were used. The combination of both aerobic and strength training methods was the most frequently reported. Likewise, different physical and psychological variables were recorded, from which improvements were seen in fatigue, independence, quality of life and sleep, among others. The participation in physical exercise programs by advanced‐stage cancer patients has a positive impact on health. Providing these programs serves as adjuvant therapy, facilitating the comprehensive care of patients. Similarly, aerobic, strength or mixed training programs increase the muscle mass of patients and therefore reduce hypotonia, the main side effect during the advanced‐stages of cancer.
A Light‐Activatable Photocaged Variant of the Ultra‐High Affinity ALFA‐Tag Nanobody
Authors: Jedlitzke Benedikt , Mootz Henning D.
Published: April 2022

Nanobodies against short linear peptide‐epitopes are widely used to detect and bind proteins of interest (POI) in fusion constructs. Engineered nanobodies that can be controlled by light have found very recent attention for various extra‐ and intracellular applications. We here report the design of a photocaged variant of the ultra‐high affinity ALFA‐tag nanobody, also termed ALFA‐tag photobody.ortho‐Nitrobenzyl tyrosine was incorporated into the paratope region of the nanobody by genetic code expansion technology and resulted in a ≥9,200 to 100,000‐fold impairment of the binding affinity. Irradiation with light (365 nm) leads to decaging and reconstitutes the native nanobody. We show the light‐dependent binding of the ALFA‐tag photobody to HeLa cells presenting the ALFA‐tag. The generation of the first photobody directed against a short peptide epitope underlines the generality of our photobody design concept. We envision that this photobody will be useful for the spatiotemporal control of proteins in many applications using cultured cells.
Cation‐Structure Effects on Zinc Electrodeposition and Crystallographic Orientation in Ionic Liquids
Authors: Shimizu Masahiro , Sugiyama Yusuke , Horita Masaomi , Yoshii Kazuki , Arai Susumu
Published: April 2022

Invited for this month's cover picture is Masahiro Shimizu and Yusuke Sugiyama at Shinshu University and Kazuki Yoshii at National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, and Research Team at Shinshu University. The cover picture shows the effect of cation structures of ionic liquids on the crystal grain size in electrochemical Zn deposition. The grain size and crystallographic orientation play a role of enhancing the Coulomb efficiency for Zn‐deposition/stripping, which provides meaningful insights into the utilization of Zn in rechargeable batteries. Read the full text of the Research Article at 10.1002/celc.202200016.
Sunlight‐Induced In Situ Isomerization of Both Ligands in a Mixed‐Ligand Coordination Polymer: From Photosalient to Photoinert Crystals
Authors: Dutta Basudeb , Bera Sambhunath , Sinha Chittaranjan , Mir Mohammad Hedayetullah
Published: April 2022

Reaction of Zn(NO3)2 ⋅ 6H2O, maleic acid (H2mal) and trans‐4‐(1‐naphthylvinyl)pyridine (trans‐nvp) in the dark results in the formation of a one‐dimensional coordination polymer (1D CP) [Zn(mal)(trans‐nvp)] (1), which is photosalient in nature. The crystals of 1 pop violently under UV light and moderately in sunlight, and generate cyclobutane ligands. However, the same reaction mixture kept in visible light exhibits the rare example of in situ isomerization of both ligands: cis‐trans transformation of maleate and trans‐cis isomerization of the nvp ligands, and subsequent formation of another 1D CP [Zn(fum)(cis‐nvp)2(H2O)2] (2, H2fum=fumaric acid), which is found to be photoinert. Thus, altering the reaction condition from dark to visible light gives rise to photosalient to photoinert crystals.
A targeted capture approach to generating reference sequence databases for chloroplast gene regions
Authors: Foster Nicole R. , van Dijk Kor‐jent , Biffin Ed , Young Jennifer M. , Thomson Vicki A. , Gillanders Bronwyn M. , Jones Alice R. , Waycott Michelle
Published: April 2022

Metabarcoding has improved the way we understand plants within our environment, from their ecology and conservation to invasive species management. The notion of identifying plant taxa within environmental samples relies on the ability to match unknown sequences to known reference libraries. Without comprehensive reference databases, species can go undetected or be incorrectly assigned, leading to false‐positive and false‐negative detections. To improve our ability to generate reference sequence databases, we developed a targeted capture approach using the OZBaits_CP V1.0 set, designed to capture chloroplast gene regions across the entirety of flowering plant diversity. We focused on generating a reference database for coastal temperate plant species given the lack of reference sequences for these taxa. Our approach was successful across all specimens with a target gene recovery rate of 92%, which was achieved in a single assay (i.e., samples were pooled), thus making this approach much faster and more efficient than standard barcoding. Further testing of this database highlighted 80% of all samples could be discriminated to family level across all gene regions with some genes achieving greater resolution than others—which was also dependent on the taxon of interest. Thus, we demonstrate the importance of generating reference sequences across multiple chloroplast gene regions as no single loci are sufficient to discriminate across all plant groups. The targeted capture approach outlined in this study provides a way forward to achieve this.
Environmental and stomatal control on evapotranspiration in a natural oak forest
Authors: Niu Xiaodong , Liu Shirong
Published: April 2022

Evapotranspiration (ET) is an important component in water budgets in forest ecosystems, and the associated latent heat flux has important implications for regional climate. However, biophysical control mechanisms on variations in ecosystem ET on intra‐annual scales may have year‐to‐year variations in different years with contrasting precipitation and soil water contents. Related research is lacking in natural oak forests in Central China. Based on eddy‐covariance technique, we investigated variations of ET and controlling factors in a natural oak forest in central China over three years (2017–2019) with contrasting soil water contents (SWCs) and precipitation. The ET of the oak forest was mainly affected by surface conductance (gs) in growing seasons, and the restriction from stoma on ET was aggravated in dry year. High vapour pressure deficit (VPD) promoted gs and ET in wet year but decreased gs and ET in dry year. There was a positive relationship between shallow soil water contents and gs in dry year but no relationship between the two variables in wet year. The ET were 738.1, 750.6 and 513.1 mm, respectively, for 2017–2019, with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 20%, while the corresponding precipitation (P) were 1239.4, 855.8 and 645.6 mm, with a CV of 33%. Annual ET was the lowest in the year with the lowest P, SWC and gs. Short‐term droughts (periods with relative extractable water content less than 0.1 for less than 15 days) only constrained gs and ET in short timescales (e.g., hours). Long‐term droughts (periods with relative extractable water content less than 0.1 for more than 15 days) evidently decreased the gs, thus reducing the ET and affecting energy partitioning in the corresponding period. ET/P were 0.6, 0.88 and 0.79 in 2017–2019, respectively, indicating that ET consumed most of the rain. The ratios of latent heat flux (LE) to net radiation (Rn) were 0.86, 0.88 and 0.6 during growing seasons in 2017–2019, respectively. Our study suggested that the natural oak forest has high ET rate and soil moisture affects the variations of ET.
High performance of the sodium‐ion conducting flexible polymer blend composite electrolytes for electrochemical double‐layer supercapacitor applications
Authors: Sadiq Mohd , Tanwar Shweta , Raza Mohammad Moeen Hasan , Aalam Shah Masheerul , Sarvar Mohd , Zulfequar Mohammad , Sharma A.L. , Ali Javid
Published: April 2022

Herein, we present the synthesis of a nanocomposite blend of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), sodium nitrate (NaNO3), and various weight percent of nanofillers, BaTiO3, using a simple standard solution casting technique. The prepared nanocomposites are characterized in detail via techniques such as X‐ray diffraction technique, field‐emission scanning microscope, FTIR, and Raman spectra for confirming the crystal structure, morphology, and chemical bond formation within the samples, respectively. The suitable ionic conductivity of prepared samples is in the range of 10−4–10−8 S/cm at room temperature. Further, its maximum electrochemical stability window is ~4.1 V, and the ionic transference number is about 0.96 (15 wt%) at room temperature. The results associated with the optimized polymer nanocomposite motivated us to check its practical applicability for supercapacitors. The cyclic voltammetry of the fabricated cell based on optimized polymer as separator cum electrolyte appears as a distorted rectangle with no redox peaks. The cell charge storage mechanism is explored to be the electric double layer (EDLC) in nature. The maximum specific capacitance exhibited by the cell is nearly 4.4 F/g at a scan rate of 3 mV/s. The energy and power densities delivered by the same cell are equal to 27.7 W h kg−1and 9972 W kg−1, respectively, which sustain for 100 cycles. The results of the designed cell reveal that both blend polymer composite electrolyte films and the composite electrode can be implemented to be used for EDLC supercapacitor.
An incompressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics‐finite volume method coupling algorithm for interface tracking of two‐phase fluid flows
Authors: Xu Yixiang , Yang Gang , Hu Dean
Published: April 2022

Two‐phase flow involves complex interface evolution process such as the formation, development, pulsation, and rupture of phase interfaces. Numerical simulation is one of the important means to study two‐phase flow. The tracking and reconstruction of phase interface is the focus of two‐phase flow simulation. A two‐phase flow simulation algorithm based on coupled incompressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics (ISPH) method and finite volume method (FVM) is developed in this article. In present ISPH‐FVM coupling algorithm, one phase which has smaller volume is represented by SPH particles, while the other phase is defined on the FVM grids. The coupling of ISPH and FVM is achieved through the transfer and interaction of physical parameters at the overlapping area of the SPH particles and FVM grids. The continuous medium surface force model is also introduced into the ISPH‐FVM coupling algorithm to study the effect of surface tension on the two‐phase flow. Several numerical examples of two‐phase flow are adopted to verify the effectiveness of the ISPH‐FVM coupling method.
Relationship of histamine expression with chemokine balance in the tumor microenvironment of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue
Authors: Kimura Satoshi , Noguchi Hirotsugu , Yoshida Kosho , Sato Hiroaki , Nanbu Uki , Niino Daisuke , Shimajiri Shohei , Nakayama Toshiyuki
Published: April 2022

Background

Tumor‐associated macrophages in the tumor microenvironment (TME), as a factor affecting lymphocytes, have received much attention. Both lymphocytes and macrophages can switch the expression of histamine receptors. In this study, we investigated the role of histamine in the TME of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods

Sixty‐seven patients with stage I tongue SCC were studied. Histamine was evaluated by the expression of L‐histidine decarboxylase (HDC). Macrophages, T lymphocytes, and lymph vessel density, as well as the Ki‐67 labeling index (LI) and depth of invasion (DOI), were compared with HDC expression.

Results

HDC expression was significantly affected by the TME. The DOI, worst pattern of invasion, and Ki‐67 LI were associated with histamine expression. C‐C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 2 and CCL22 were co‐expressed with histamine H1 and H2 receptors. Histamine expression was most affected by the DOI.

Conclusions

Tongue SCC expressing histamine affected the TME via histamine receptors and chemokines.
Palliative care experience and perceived gaps in training among transplant hepatology fellows: A national survey
Authors: Whitsett Maureen P. , Ufere Nneka N. , Patel Arpan , Shea Judy A. , Jones Christopher A. , Fix Oren K. , Serper Marina
Published: April 2022

Despite the likely benefits of palliative care (PC) for patients with cirrhosis, physician experiences and perspectives about best practices are variable. We aimed to assess PC experience and gaps in training among transplant hepatology fellows. We conducted a national survey of all transplant hepatology fellows enrolled in accredited fellowship programs during the 2020–2021 academic year. We assessed the frequency of PC provision and comfort with physical and psychological symptom management, psychosocial care, communication skills, advance care planning, and end‐of‐life care. A total of 45 of 56 (79%) of transplant hepatology fellows responded to the survey; 50% (n = 22) were female. Most trained at centers performing over 100 transplants per year (67%, n = 29) distributed evenly across geographic regions. Most fellows (69%, n = 31) had a PC or hospice care rotation during residency, and 42% (n = 19) of fellows received education in PC during transplant hepatology fellowship. Fellows reported feeling moderately to very comfortable with communication skills such as breaking bad news (93%, n = 41) and leading family meetings (75%, n = 33), but nearly one‐third (30%, n = 13) reported feeling not very or not at all comfortable assessing and managing anxiety and depression (30%, n = 13) and spiritual distress (34%, n = 15). Nearly one‐quarter (22%, n = 10) had never discussed or documented advance care plans during fellowship. Fellows wished to receive future instruction on the assessment and management of physical symptoms (68%, n = 30) and anxiety and depression (64%, n = 28). Conclusion: Our survey highlights gaps in PC experience and education during transplant hepatology fellowship, lack of comfort in managing psychological distress and advance care planning, and desire to improve skills, particularly in symptom management. Future studies should investigate how to enhance transplant hepatology competencies in these PC domains and whether this impacts clinical care, advance care planning, or patient experience.
Physical and mental well‐being of cobot workers: A scoping review using the Software‐Hardware‐Environment‐Liveware‐Liveware‐Organization model
Authors: Storm Fabio A. , Chiappini Mattia , Dei Carla , Piazza Caterina , André Elisabeth , Reißner Nadine , Brdar Ingrid , Delle Fave Antonella , Gebhard Patrick , Malosio Matteo , Peña Fernández Alberto , Štefok Snježana , Reni Gianluigi
Published: April 2022

The present scoping review investigated the current state of the art concerning factors affecting physical and mental health and well‐being of workers using collaborative robots (cobots) in manufacturing industries. Each identified factor was classified using the SHELLO (Software‐Hardware‐Environment‐Liveware‐Liveware‐Organization) conceptual model. Strengths and limitations of such an approach were outlined. A total of 53 papers were included in the scoping review and analyzed following PRISMA guidelines. In 35 papers at least one risk factor referred to the SHELLO Liveware‐Hardware interaction, followed by factors concerning Liveware‐Software (16 papers), Liveware‐Liveware (11 papers), Liveware intrinsic factor (10 papers), Liveware‐Organization (8 papers), and Liveware‐Environment (8 papers). This work highlighted that methodological research is still primarily focused on traditional risk assessment and physical safety. However, several research directions concerning the design of cobots as active collaborators were identified, promoting workers' mental health and well‐being, too. The SHELLO model proved to effectively highlight human factors relevant for the design of cobots and can provide a systemic approach to investigate human factors in other complex sociotechnical systems. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time the model is applied in the field of human–cobot interaction.
HIF‐1α plays an essential role in BMP9‐mediated osteoblast differentiation through the induction of a glycolytic enzyme, PDK1
Authors: Amir Muhammad Subhan , Chiba Norika , Seong Chang Hwan , Kusuyama Joji , Eiraku Nahoko , Ohnishi Tomokazu , Nakamura Norifumi , Matsuguchi Tetsuya
Published: April 2022

Bone homeostasis is regulated by bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs), among which BMP9 is one of the most osteogenic. Here, we have found that BMP9 rapidly increases the protein expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) in osteoblasts under normoxic conditions more efficiently than BMP2 or BMP4. A combination of BMP9 and hypoxia further increased HIF‐1α protein expression. HIF‐1α protein induction by BMP9 is not accompanied by messenger RNA (mRNA) increase and is inhibited by the activation of prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD)‐containing protein, indicating that BMP9 induces HIF‐1α protein expression by inhibiting PHD‐mediated protein degradation. BMP9‐induced HIF‐1α protein increase was abrogated by inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (AKT) kinase, indicating that it is mediated by PI3K–AKT signaling pathway. BMP9 increased mRNA expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1), a glycolytic enzyme, and vascular endothelial growth factor‐A (VEGF‐A), an angiogenic factor, in osteoblasts. Notably, BMP9‐induced mRNA expression of PDK1, but not that of VEGF‐A, was significantly inhibited by small interference RNA‐mediated knockdown of Hif‐1α. BMP9‐induced matrix mineralization and osteogenic marker gene expressions were significantly inhibited by chemical inhibition and gene knockdown of either Hif‐1α or Pdk‐1, respectively. Since increased glycolysis is an essential feature of differentiated osteoblasts, our findings indicate that HIF‐1α expression is important in BMP9‐mediated osteoblast differentiation through the induction of PDK1.
The ‘chimie douce’ process towards the modification of natural zeolites for removing drugs and pesticides from water
Authors: Viotti Paula Valéria , Moreira Wardleison Martins , Straioto Henrique , Bergamasco Rosângela , Scaliante Mara Heloisa Neves Olsen , Vieira Marcelo Fernandes
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Drugs and pesticides are emerging contaminants, and their presence in surface and groundwater have been increasing. Therefore, this work aims to study the modification of natural zeolite to remove these contaminants from water.

RESULTS

Among the modifications carried out, hydrothermal treatment in the presence of surfactant (CTAB) was highlighted. The hydrothermal treatment with surfactant provided a structural rearrangement. As a result, the zeolite became more hydrophobic, with a smaller specific area and a more significant amount of mesopores and macropores. Changes in textural and chemical characteristics resulted in a significant increase in the removal of the evaluated pesticides and drugs. In order to evaluate the potential of zeolites to remove emerging contaminants under conditions closer to reality, the modified samples were evaluated in the adsorption process of simulated contaminated water. The maximum adsorption capacities obtained were 28.24, 3.07, and 20.06 mg g−1 for 2,4‐D, diuron, and diclofenac, respectively, using HT‐H2O_CTAB under conditions closer to real water treatment (30 °C and natural pH of the solution).

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrate that hydrothermal modification with CTAB is a promising ‘chimie douce’ technique to use natural zeolites to remove emerging contaminants. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Morpho‐palynological and anatomical studies in desert cacti (Opuntia dillenii and Opuntia monacantha) using light and scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Majeed Salman , Zafar Muhammad , Ahmad Mushtaq , Zafar Sadia , Ghufran Asad , Ayoub Muhammad , Sultana Shazia , Yaseen Ghulam , Raza Jamil , Nabila
Published: April 2022

Opuntia is the most diverse and widely distributed drought resistant promising genus of family Cactaceae. The cladodes were utilized to quantify the chemical composition of these plants helpful in lignocellulose conversion and their application towards biofuel production. The present study was aimed to evaluate and compare the taxonomic relationship based on morphology, stem anatomy and palynology of important desert cacti including Opuntia dillenii and Opuntia monacantha. This study also evaluates the potential usefulness of morphological, anatomical and pollen traits using light and scanning electron microscopy. The obtained microcharacters of stem and flowers are considered diagnostic at the generic and specific levels. Some distinguishing morphological features observed were elliptical to obovate cladodes, 1–7 spines per areole and presence of glochidia in O. dillenii. Pollen and stem anatomical characters of the studied taxa are considered highly diagnostic at the generic and species levels. The epidermis has irregular and wavy cells, with straight to sinuate wall pattern and paracytic stomata. Pollen grains appear as pantoporate and prolate spheroidal having reticulate to perforate‐reticulate sculpturing while exine semi‐tectate to tectate. The taxonomic features studied could be valuable to elaborate and helpful in correctly identification of Opuntia species. The methods of diverse microscopic examination also providing sufficient evidence about the taxonomy of the Opuntia species.

Research Highlights

Description and illustration of desert cacti Opuntia.

Morpho‐anatomy and palynology were studied with LM and SEM.

Highly variation in taxonomic qualitative and quantitative features.

Systematic significance based on taxonomic characters was presented.
Chaetal arrangement and type diversity in two Magelona species (Magelonidae, Annelida) with ultrastructural details of the internal support chaetae
Authors: Müller Julian , Bartolomaeus Thomas
Published: April 2022

The systematics of Annelida has repeatedly been changed based on morphological data, but more recently established transcriptomic approaches yielded a stable and widely accepted phylogenetic tree, placing Magelonidae and Oweniidae as sister group to all remaining annelids. This led to an increased interest in these groups in terms of morphological traits and their phylogenetic significance. As one of the most characteristic morphological characters of annelids, the chaetae of Magelonidae are well investigated regarding their shape, but phylogenetically relevant aspects like their general arrangement are still poorly studied. Furthermore, some species possess abdominal internal support chaetae that no study has addressed in detail thus far. The chaetal arrangement and position of formative sites were studied in the differently expressed parapodia of the thorax, the ninth chaetiger and the abdomen of Magelona mirabilis and Magelona johnstoni. Our results show that all chaetigers primarily bore one row of chaetae per parapodial ramus, each with a single formative site. We also present the first histological as well as ultrastructural data on the magelonid support chaetae, showing that they represent internal hooded hooks, with which they share a common chaetal sac. Their distribution within Magelonidae, however, still requires a broader examination to evaluate their presence as a convergent or homologous trait.
Bias‐adjustment of high‐resolution temperature CORDEX data over the Carpathian region: Expected changes including the number of summer and frost days
Authors: Torma Csaba Zsolt , Kis Anna
Published: April 2022

Climate model simulations' outputs are prone to biases compared to observations; furthermore, climate projections can be very different in modelling future temperature characteristics. One possible solution for reducing uncertainty and eliminating possible systematic errors within climate projections is the bias‐adjustment of the raw climate model data. We used the quantile mapping method for bias‐adjustment of a mini ensemble consisting of 8‐member high‐resolution (0.11°) regional climate model simulations provided by the CORDEX community. As the method requires a reliable observational dataset serving as reference data, we used the quality controlled and homogenized observational dataset: CARPATCLIM. Quantile mapping bias‐adjustment technique was applied on the following variables: daily mean, minimum and maximum temperature. We analysed changes in mean temperature characteristics and of climate indices for future periods of 2021–2050 and 2070–2099 with respect to the reference period 1976–2005 for the Carpathian Region. The selected climate indices are based on minimum (frost days, FD) and maximum daily temperature data (summer days, SU). Our bias‐adjusted RCM results suggest a similar degree of mean temperature change as the raw RCMs' data. Bias‐adjusted and raw RCM data project a remarkable annual temperature increase on average under the RCP8.5 scenario (1.4°C and 3.9°C by 2021–2050 and 2070–2099, respectively). The highest temperature increase is likely to occur in summer: it is 4.3°C on average by the end of the 21st century. More pronounced differences were found for the projected changes of the number of summer and frost days based on the bias‐adjusted and the raw RCM data. Our results draw attention to the fact that bias‐adjusted RCM data are crucial for the provision of regional climate change impact and adaptation studies for the Carpathian Region.
Gamut rings of reflective ePaper displays with combined frontlight and ambient illumination
Authors: Hertel Dirk , Bouchard Alain , Kruse Ryan , Penczek John
Published: April 2022

Gamut rings are two‐dimensional representations of three‐dimensional CIELAB color gamut volumes. Recently developed for visualizing gamut volumes of self‐luminant (emissive) displays in darkroom conditions, they can also be applied to reflective displays with integrated frontlighting. Frontlights provide illumination in low light conditions and also compensate for optical losses when reflecting ambient light. Since the frontlight is essentially fixed compared to the ambient illumination, this mode of operation is effectively “emissive.” Perceived CIELAB colors of reflective displays with frontlights can thus be treated as superposition of the spectral radiance from the “emissive” contribution and the reflected spectral radiance from ambient illumination. The CIELAB calculation will depend on whether the “emissive” or reflective mode is dominant for a given ambient illumination. CIELAB gamut ring diagrams of electrophoretic color ePaper were determined from laboratory measurements of the displays' “emissive” and reflective spectral characteristics, combined with specifications of realistic ambient indoor and outdoor viewing environments. Gamut ring diagrams demonstrate the benefit of color pigments instead of color filter arrays in both self‐luminant and reflective display modes. Interpolation of envelope colors from display primaries, commonly used in emissive displays, underestimate gamut volumes of color ePaper because reflective display primaries are not additive but subtractive.
Investigation of Effects of Electrospinning Parameters on Transcription Quality of Nanofibrous Bifurcated‐Tubular Scaffold
Authors: Eom Seongsu , Jo Junheui , Kim Dong Sung
Published: April 2022

A parametric sensitivity study to improve the transcription quality of the nanofibrous bifurcated‐tubular scaffold is performed to resolve the limited transcription quality issue in fabricating the scaffold based on hydrogel‐assisted electrospinning (GelES). To characterize the transcription quality of the fabricated 3D nanofibrous bifurcated‐tubular scaffold structure, two different measures of a coverage ratio (CR) and a corner profile fidelity (FC) are evaluated. Results of sensitivity analysis on CR, in which the design of experiments is based on the Taguchi method, revealed that the CR increases with decreasing tip‐to‐collector distance (TCD) and polycaprolactone concentration (CPCL). Moreover, among the processing parameters, namely, TCD, CPCL, and applied voltage (VA), the TCD is found to be the dominantly affecting processing parameter. Parametric study results show that FC increases with the branching angle (θB). By combining the optimal processing condition and a maximum θB of 120°, a leakage‐free 3D nanofibrous bifurcated‐tubular scaffold with a sharp carina is fabricated by the GelES.
Shape shifting: The multiple conformational substates of the PTEN N‐terminal PIP2‐binding domain
Authors: Dawson Jennifer E. , Smith Iris Nira , Martin William , Khan Krishnendu , Cheng Feixiong , Eng Charis
Published: April 2022

The Phosphatase and TENsin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a chief regulator of a variety of cellular processes including cell proliferation, migration, growth, and death. It is also a major tumor suppressor gene that is frequently mutated or lost under cancerous conditions. PTEN encodes a dual‐specificity (lipid and protein) phosphatase that negatively regulates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway where the PIP2‐binding domain (PBD) regulates the lipid phosphatase function. Unfortunately, despite two decades of research, a full‐length structure of PTEN remains elusive, leaving open questions regarding PTEN's disordered regions that mediate protein stability, post‐translational modifications, protein–protein interactions, while also hindering the design of small molecules that can regulate PTEN's function. Here, we utilized a combination of crosslinking mass spectrometry, in silico predicted structural modeling (including AlphaFold2), molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and residue interaction network modeling to obtain structural details and molecular insight into the behavior of the PBD of PTEN. Our study shows that the PBD exists in multiple conformations which suggests its ability to regulate PTEN's variety of functions. Studying how these specific conformational substates contribute to PTEN function is imperative to defining its function in disease pathogenesis, and to delineate ways to modulate its tumor suppressor activity.
Allostery‐driven changes in dynamics regulate the activation of bacterial copper transcription factor
Authors: Yakobov Idan , Mandato Alysia , Hofmann Lukas , Singewald Kevin , Shenberger Yulia , Gevorkyan‐Airapetov Lada , Saxena Sunil , Ruthstein Sharon
Published: April 2022

Metalloregulators bind and respond to metal ions by regulating the transcription of metal homeostasis genes. Copper efflux regulator (CueR) is a copper‐responsive metalloregulator that is found in numerous Gram‐negative bacteria. Upon Cu(I) coordination, CueR initiates transcription by bending the bound DNA promoter regions facilitating interaction with RNA polymerase. The structure of Escherichia coli CueR in presence of DNA and metal ion has been reported using X‐ray crystallography and cryo‐EM, providing information about the mechanism of action. However, the specific role of copper in controlling this transcription mechanism remains elusive. Herein, we use room temperature electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments to follow allosterically driven dynamical changes in E. coli CueR induced by Cu(I) binding. We suggest that more than one Cu(I) ion binds per CueR monomer, leading to changes in site‐specific dynamics at the Cu(I) binding domain and at the distant DNA binding site. Interestingly, Cu(I) binding leads to an increase in dynamics about 27 Å away at the DNA binding domain. These changes in the dynamics of the DNA binding domain are important for exact coordination with the DNA. Thus, Cu(I) binding is critical to initiate a series of conformational changes that regulate and initiate gene transcription.

Broad audience statement

The dynamics of metal transcription factors as a function of metal and DNA binding are complex. In this study, we use EPR spectroscopy to measure dynamical changes of Escherichia coli CueR as a function of copper and DNA binding. We show that copper controls the activation of the transcription processes by initiation a series of dynamical changes over the protein.
Hard X‐Ray Photoemission Study of Heusler‐Type Fe2−xRexVAl Thermoelectric Compounds
Authors: Asai Monami , Miyazaki Hidetoshi , Watanabe Kosuke , Yasui Akira , Takagi Yasumasa , Nishino Yoichi
Published: April 2022

The electronic structure of Fe2−xRexVAl compounds is investigated using bulk‐sensitive hard X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) measurements and electronic band calculations to elucidate the origin of the improvement in their thermoelectric properties. The HAXPES results show that, with the substitution of Re atoms for the Fe site, a new Re 5dstate appears near the Fermi level, which leads to a change in the electronic structure with a gradual narrowing of the pseudo‐gap. The decrease in the pseudo‐gap width with Re substitution is found to be related to the increase in thep‐type Seebeck coefficient and the shift in its peak temperature to the lower temperature side.
The effect of Nigella sativa oil on vascular dysfunction assessed by flow‐mediated dilation and vascular‐related biomarkers in subject with cardiovascular disease risk factors: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Emamat Hadi , Mousavi Seyyed Hossein , Kargar Shouraki Jalal , Hazrati Ebrahim , Mirghazanfari Sayid Mahdi , Samizadeh Esmaeil , Hosseini Maryam , Hadi Vahid , Hadi Saeid
Published: April 2022

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) is a marker of vascular function. Beneficial cardiometabolic effects of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) have been observed. We evaluated the effect of N. sativa oil on FMD, plasma nitrite, and nitrate (NOx) as nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, and inflammatory markers in subjects with CVD risk factors. Fifty participants were randomly assigned to either the N. sativa (two capsules of 500 mg N. sativa oil) or the placebo group (two capsules of 500 mg mineral oil), for 2 months. The brachial FMD, plasma NOx, vascular cellular adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1), and intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) were measured. FMD and plasma NOx levels was significantly increased in the N. sativa group compared to the placebo group (changes: 2.97 ± 2.11% vs. 0.71 ± 3.19%, p < 0.001 for FMD and 4.73 ± 7.25 μmol/L vs. 0.99 ± 5.37 μmol/L, p = 0.036 for plasma NOx). However, there was no significant difference in ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 levels between groups. Therefore, N. sativa oil improves vascular NO and FMD in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors. However, more studies are warranted to confirm the beneficial impacts of the N. sativa oil on vascular inflammation.
Impacts of an extreme flood event on the riparian vegetation of a monsoonal cobble‐bed stream in southern Korea: A multiscale fluvial biogeomorphic framework
Authors: Lee Cheolho , Lee Keonhak , Kim Hwirae , Baek Donghae , Kim Won , Woo Hyoseop , Cho Kang‐Hyun , Kim Daehyun
Published: April 2022

With climate change increasing the magnitude and frequency of extreme precipitation events, there is a growing demand for investigations on the impacts of extreme flooding on the hydrological characteristics and vegetation of rivers, particularly in monsoonal areas. In this study, we examined multiscale relationships between hydrology, vegetation, and geomorphology after a record‐breaking flood event along the Seomjin River of South Korea in the summer of 2020. We conducted numerical modeling at the broad scale to identify the flow characteristics (e.g., depth and shear stress) of the flood event. A field survey was performed to investigate the impact of the flood on individual plants at the fine scale. The results showed widespread devastation of all vegetation types, from reed and willow communities to large, late‐successional trees taller than 10 m, which typically survive under ordinary flooding conditions. A higher threshold of shear stress was estimated for these trees (124 N m−2) than for willow (120 N m−2) and reed plants (26 N m−2), indicating that a greater level of stress is required to cause vegetation damage as ecological succession progresses. In the presence of vegetation, the average water depth increased by 9%–23% compared to the absence of vegetation. Many rivers in northeast Asia have undergone substantial vegetation expansion and succession due to the infrequency of extreme flood events. Our findings indicate that dense communities of large plants in these systems can raise the maximum water levels of flood events, thereby increasing the future flood risk to surrounding areas utilized for agriculture, transportation, industry, and housing.
Symplectic Elastic Solution of Multi-layer Thick-Walled Cylinder Under Different Interlayer Constraints
Authors: Jiang Zhongyu , Zhang Yajun , Liu Huaqing , Li Xuanxuan
Published: April 2022

Multi-layer thick-walled cylinder is a common supporting structure in engineering, which is widely used in various engineering fields. Considering the complex boundary conditions and the different interlayer constraints, it is difficult to solve the theoretical solution of multi-layer thick walled cylinder. In this paper, the general solution expressions of displacement and stress of multi-layer thick-walled cylinder are derived in Hamiltonian mechanics system. The complex boundary conditions are transformed into the form of algebraic sum by Fourier series expansion, and the complex boundary problems are solved by superimposing the special solutions of each order expansion term. At the same time, according to the characteristics of different interlayer constraints, the corresponding conditions of interlayer continuous smooth are proposed. Combined with the boundary conditions of thick-walled cylinder, the linear equations with undetermined coefficients are established. By solving the equations, the mechanical problems of multi-layer thick-walled cylinder are finally solved. By comparing the mechanical responses of multi-layer thick-walled cylinder under different constraint conditions, it is concluded that the overall mechanical performance of the tight interlayer connection is better, and the circumfluence stress component is more prominent than other stress components. Finally, the influence of lateral pressure coefficient and elastic modulus ratio on the circumferential stress of multi-layer thick-walled cylinder is discussed. These research results provide the necessary theoretical basis for solving the mechanical problems of multi-layer thick-walled cylinders.
Lattice black branes at large D
Authors: Licht David , Luna Raimon , Suzuki Ryotaku
Published: April 2022

Abstract

We explore the phase space of non-uniform black branes compactified on oblique lattices with a large number of dimensions. We find the phase diagrams for different periodicities and angles, and determine the thermodynamically preferred phases for each lattice configuration. In a range of angles, we observe that some phases become metastable.
Nuclear ranges in implicative semilattices
Authors: Erné Marcel
Published: April 2022

A nucleus on a meet-semilatticeAis a closure operation that preserves binary meets. The nuclei form a semilattice$$\mathrm{N }A$$NAthat is isomorphic to the system$${\mathcal {N}}A$$NAof all nuclear ranges, ordered by dual inclusion. The nuclear ranges are those closure ranges which are total subalgebras (l-ideals). Nuclei have been studied intensively in the case of complete Heyting algebras. We extend, as far as possible, results on nuclei and their ranges to the non-complete setting of implicative semilattices (whose unary meet translations have adjoints). A central tool are so-called r-morphisms, that is, residuated semilattice homomorphisms, and their adjoints, the l-morphisms. Such morphisms transport nuclear ranges and preserve implicativity. Certain completeness properties are necessary and sufficient for the existence of a least nucleus above a prenucleus or of a greatest nucleus below a weak nucleus. As in pointfree topology, of great importance for structural investigations are three specific kinds of l-ideals, called basic open, boolean and basic closed.
Edge Distribution of Thinned Real Eigenvalues in the Real Ginibre Ensemble
Authors: Baik Jinho , Bothner Thomas
Published: April 2022

This paper is concerned with the explicit computation of the limiting distribution function of the largest real eigenvalue in the real Ginibre ensemble when each real eigenvalue has been removed independently with constant likelihood. We show that the recently discovered integrable structures in [2] generalize from the real Ginibre ensemble to its thinned equivalent. Concretely, we express the aforementioned limiting distribution function as a convex combination of two simple Fredholm determinants and connect the same function to the inverse scattering theory of the Zakharov–Shabat system. As corollaries, we provide a Zakharov–Shabat evaluation of the ensemble’s real eigenvalue generating function and obtain precise control over the limiting distribution function’s tails. The latter part includes the explicit computation of the usually difficult constant factors.
The effectiveness of portable ultrasound-guided resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta for stopping iliac artery hemorrhage during first aid pre-hospital: a randomized control animal trial
Authors: Huang Yuqing , Kou Haiyan , Kong Yuhao , Shan Xuexia , Wu Shengzheng , Chen Xianghui , Lin Xingxi , Zhang Liye , Lv Faqin , Li Zhihui
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aimed at to comparing the effectiveness of portable ultrasound guided REBOA vs. traditional manual extracorporeal compression in stopping iliac artery hemostasis.

Methods

Twelve swine were included in this study (treatment group vs. control group, 6:6). A biopsy device was used to create an iliac artery rupture and hemorrhage in each swine. After 30 s of bleeding, the treatment group received REBOA under the guidance of ultrasound, whereas the control group received traditional manual extracorporeal compression. General physiological conditions were recorded at 0 s (baseline, T1), 30 s (initiation of therapies to stop bleeding, T2), 10 min (T3) and 30 min (T4) after bleeding. Intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal hemorrhage and specimens of iliac artery were collected after all swine were euthanized.

Results

One swine was excluded because of accidental death not related to the experiment; thus, 11 swine were analyzed in this study. The general physiological characteristics of the two groups showed no difference at T1. Hemorrhagic shock occurred in both groups. After the hemostatic procedure was performed, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and heart rate first increased significantly between T2 and T3, and then became stable between T3 and T4; these indicators in the control group deteriorated over time. The total blood loss in the treatment group (1245.23 ± 190.07 g) was much significantly less than that in the control group (2605.63 ± 291.67 g) withp < 0.001.

Conclusions

Performing REBOA under the guidance of portable ultrasound is an effective way to stop bleeding. It suggests a potential alternative method for iliac artery hemostasis in the pre-hospital setting.