bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Video games as a tool for ecological learning: the case of Animal Crossing
Authors: Coroller S. , Flinois C.
Published: March 2023

Amidst lockdown policies in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, many used video games as a method to maintain a connection with others while ensuring social distancing. A new edition of the Animal Crossing series of games had been released in March 2020 and beat sales and downloads records. The game focuses on living in a natural environment, building a house and a village, as well as capturing, exhibiting, and selling species to progress. Here we examine whether players gain species identification skills and whether it is transferred to real‐life models. We used the results from a survey conducted from the end of March to early April 2020 on 200 people (72 players and 128 nonplayers of Animal Crossing). Participants were first asked to rank their personal interest in nature and then to identify species from photos. The photos displayed both organisms present in the game and organisms that were not. We expected players to obtain a slightly higher score than nonplayers for questions related to the species present in the game and a similar score in both groups for questions related to species not present in the game. Multivariate analyses (multiple linear regression and principal components analysis [PCA]) showed that players were better than nonplayers at identifying real‐life species that were present in the game. The role of the species in the game design impacts the ability to identify the species in real life, such as plants having mainly a role of ornamentation. Additionally, this study suggests that survey participants could correctly assess their naturalistic knowledge in general. This article shows that video games can help enhance ecological learning, improve organisms identification, and might be used as a tool for education in conservation biology.
Generalized stacked LSTM for the seismic damage evaluation of ductile reinforced concrete buildings
Authors: Ahmed Bilal , Mangalathu Sujith , Jeon Jong‐Su
Published: March 2023

To organize accurate and effective emergency responses after an earthquake, it is vital to conduct an early and precise assessment of damage to structures. The use of fragility/vulnerability curves is an advanced evaluation approach for structural damage assessments. However, the analysis based on fragility curves significantly varies depending on soil conditions, ground motion, and structural characteristics. To overcome this issue, a stacked long short‐term memory network was proposed in this research. Unlike previous studies, two input features (acceleration time history in the form of vector and the number of stories in the scalar) are utilized to generalize the results for the same plan building frames with different stories. Three different approaches are presented in this work to link the ground motion time history with the number of stories (2, 4, 8, 12, and 20 stories) in the reinforced concrete building frame, and the networks were tested for unknown ground motions. Of the three approaches, those providing good results were selected for further analysis. For the approaches chosen, the network architectures were changed to a diamond shape and an autoencoder‐like shape with more hidden units (to obtain higher accuracy), which were tested for unknown same plan layout frames. The accuracy obtained using these approaches was significantly high (80%–90%) with a low training time. The proposed model is compared with other techniques and shows significant accuracy. The suggested networks exhibited a number of scenarios for estimating the damage state for unknown ground motions, as well as for unknown frames with various stories. Moreover, the capability of the networks to handle more scalar input features is examined by adding them probabilistically; with additional input variables, the networks predicted the damage state with higher accuracy.
Cost-Effective Pharmaceutical Implants in Fish: Validating the Performance of Slow-Release Implants for the Antidepressant Fluoxetine
Authors: McCallum Erin S. , Cerveny Daniel , Bose Aneesh P. H. , Fick Jerker , Brodin Tomas
Published: March 2023

Internal, slow-release implants can be an effective way to manipulate animal physiology or deliver a chemical exposure over long periods of time without the need for an exogenous exposure route. Slow-release implants involve dissolving a compound in a lipid-based carrier, which is inserted into the body of an organism. However, the release kinetics of the compound from the implant to body tissues also requires careful validation. We tested and validated a slow-release implant methodology for exposing fish to a pharmaceutical pollutant, fluoxetine. We tested two lipid-based carriers (coconut oil or vegetable shortening) in the common roach (Rutilus rutilus). The implants contained either a high (50 μg/g), low (25 μg/g), or control (0 μg/g) concentration of fluoxetine, and we measured tissue uptake in the brain, muscle, and plasma of implanted fish over 25 days. The two carriers released fluoxetine differently over time: coconut oil released fluoxetine in an accelerating manner (tissue uptake displayed a positive quadratic curvature), whereas vegetable shortening released fluoxetine in a decelerating manner (a negative quadratic curvature). For both carrier types, fluoxetine was measured at the highest concentration in the brain, followed by muscle and plasma. By comparing the implant exposures with waterborne exposures in the published literature, we showed that the implants delivered an internal exposure that would be similar if fish were exposed in surface waters containing effluents. Overall, we showed that slow-release internal implants are an effective method for delivering chronic exposures of fluoxetine over at least 1-month time scales. Internal exposures can be an especially powerful experimental tool when coupled with field-based study designs to assess the impacts of pharmaceutical pollutants in complex natural environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1326–1336. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
A Study of Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction in the Analysis of 54 Hydrophobic Pollutants in Remote Alpine Lake Waters with an Emphasis on Analyte Recovery and Storage Time
Authors: Tillman Joseph M. , Weckel-Dahman Will , Mullins Peter C. L. , Phan Phi V. , Doyle Emily , James Nicole M. , Conroy Nathan A. , Dunnivant Frank M.
Published: March 2023

Commercially available headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) fibers have been used for years to extract pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls from aqueous samples at the expected ultratrace levels (picograms per liter or parts per quadrillion) in alpine lakes. Several variables of the HS-SPME technique have been adequately evaluated, including water temperature, pH, salt content, fiber type and coating thickness, length of fiber-sample exposure, and liquid immersion versus headspace exposure; but surprisingly, analyte recovery as a function of analyte concentration and storage time has not been included in previous studies, which can be important for remote sampling sites. Seven hydrophobic chlorinated pollutants were identified in alpine lake water (out of 54 analyzed); but recovery using the common SPME technique was found to be inconsistent as the analyte concentration decreases, and the recovery trend as a function of concentration varies on a compound-to-compound basis that could result in a large underestimation of analyte concentrations in field samples. Of the 54 compounds surveyed, o,p′-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), p,p′-DDT, p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), o,p′-DDE, chlorthal-dimethyl, endosulfan I, γ-hexachlorocyclohexane, heptachlor, and trans-nonachlor were generally measured at concentrations between 1 and 150 pg/L (parts per quadrillion). No study to date has evaluated this commonly used but unstandardized technique for analyte recovery as a function of analyte concentration or storage time of aqueous samples. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1199–1211. © 2023 SETAC
Highly Selective Aptamer‐Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Hybrids for Recognition of SARS‐CoV‐2 Spike Protein Variants
Authors: Sullivan Mark V. , Allabush Francia , Flynn Harriet , Balansethupathy Banushan , Reed Joseph A. , Barnes Edward T. , Robson Callum , O'Hara Phoebe , Milburn Laura J. , Bunka David , Tolley Arron , Mendes Paula M. , Tucker James H. R. , Turner Nicholas W.
Published: March 2023

Virus recognition has been driven to the forefront of molecular recognition research due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Development of highly sensitive recognition elements, both natural and synthetic is critical to facing such a global issue. However, as viruses mutate, it is possible for their recognition to wane through changes in the target substrate, which can lead to detection avoidance and increased false negatives. Likewise, the ability to detect specific variants is of great interest for clinical analysis of all viruses. Here, a hybrid aptamer‐molecularly imprinted polymer (aptaMIP), that maintains selective recognition for the spike protein template across various mutations, while improving performance over individual aptamer or MIP components (which themselves demonstrate excellent performance). The aptaMIP exhibits an equilibrium dissociation constant of 1.61 nM toward its template which matches or exceeds published examples of imprinting of the spike protein. The work here demonstrates that “fixing” the aptamer within a polymeric scaffold increases its capability to selectivity recognize its original target and points toward a methodology that will allow variant selective molecular recognition with exceptional affinity.
Evolution of the Paleo–Asian Ocean in south‐eastern Inner Mongolia, China: Evidence from zircon U–Pb ages, Hf isotopes data and specific deformation of the Linxi and Sunjiafen formations
Authors: Du Yuchun , Huang Fei , Liu Xing , Wang Yan , Wang Wencai
Published: March 2023

The crystallization age of the Sunjiafen Formation volcanic rocks is 253.9 ± 1.1 Ma. Geochemical data show that these volcanic rocks belong to the shoshonitic and metaluminous series and have high Sr and low Y contents (461–582 and 5.60–6.74 ppm, respectively), MgO = 1.32–2.65 wt%, and Na2O/K2O = 0.81–1.40. In MgO−SiO2, Cr−SiO2, Sr/Y−Y and (La/Yb)N−YbN diagrams, data for the samples plot in the adakite and “adakite related to thickened lower crust” fields. As such, we suggest that the Sunjiafen Formation C−type adakitic andesites formed in a compressional tectonic setting. The youngest age (youngest peak age) of two sandstone samples from the Linxi Formation are 251 Ma (257 Ma) and 237 Ma (254 Ma). Detrital zircons with ages of >1500 Ma have εHf(t) values of −5.87 to +6.31. A comparison of the age spectra and εHf(t) values of the detrital zircons in the Linxi Formation with those of igneous zircons from the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and North China Craton indicates the formation was derived from both the belt and the craton. We identified “Jura–type Folds” that formed in peripheral foreland basin in the Linxi Formation, and along with plant fossil fragments (Paracalamites frigidus). These and previously published results indicate the Paleo–Asian Ocean closed along the Xar Moron–Changchun Suture zone during the Late Permian. The study area was in a continuous compressional setting during the Late Permian and formed a peripheral foreland basin that was related to continent–continent collision.
Effects of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer management on wheat grain baking quality based on the SiriusQuality2 crop model
Authors: Liu Jianchao
Published: March 2023

The baking quality of wheat grain is significantly affected by irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer management. This study aimed to model the impacts of nitrogen and water stress on winter wheat grain protein composition using SiriusQuality2. SiriusQuality2 was calibrated by using sufficient nitrogen and water treatments and used to evaluate 16 treatments in semi‐arid regions. Then, simulated baking quality and yield over a past 51‐year period were used to screen and optimize the selected 203 management practices. The evaluated simulation results suggest that all relative root mean square errors were less than 0.3, and the simulation results were excellent or good. Irrigation and nitrogen fertilization were beneficial to yield and grain protein content (GPC), while grain baking quality had adverse responses to irrigation. The GPC no longer increased, and the baking quality decreased with excess nitrogen fertilization (262.5 kg ha−1). Increasing the irrigation frequency and days after sowing were always conducive to baking quality. The optimal management, with a basal dressing of 315‐kg ha−1 nitrogen fertilization and 180‐mm irrigation depth at the wintering stage and jointing stage, was selected. Optimized management practices could simultaneously meet the multiple requirements of high grain quality and yield.
Effects of the depth of the needle‐shaped water dispersion device inserted into the jet on the jet breakup of sprinklers
Authors: Pan Xuwei , Jiang Yue , Li Hong
Published: March 2023

Needle‐shaped water dispersion devices (NSWDDs) can break the jet and make the sprinkler spray evenly even under low working pressure. However, an inappropriate selection of the depth at which the NSWDD is inserted into the jet will affect the sprinkler pattern radius. To study the effect of the NSWDD insertion depth on the jet breakup, the jet structure, atomization, vorticity, static pressure and velocity distribution are studied using a combination of the lattice Boltzmann method and high‐speed photography. The results show that as the insertion depth increases, the jet structures gradually evolve from liquid films to ligaments, causing the diffusion angle of the jet to increase. Under the same operating pressure, the degree of jet atomization increases with increasing insertion depth. Meanwhile, the velocity pulsation degree on the central axis gradually increases, which will cause the jet to have a shorter air travelling distance. As the insertion depth and the radial position distance from the nozzle outlet increase, the velocity on the radial line first exhibits a symmetrical distribution, then an asymmetric one and finally a symmetric one again. The results can fill the gap in previous research on the effects of the NSWDD on jet breakup.
Barriers towards Open Government Data Value Co‐Creation: An empirical investigation
Authors: Wiedenhöft Guilherme Costa , Matheus Ricardo , Saxena Stuti , Alexopoulos Charalampos
Published: March 2023

Whilst extant literature on Open Government Data (OGD) focuses upon value creation and innovation, there is scant emphasis upon the Value Co‐Creation (VCC) that might result with the engagement of the public sector agencies and the users at large. The present study seeks to appreciate the barriers towards OGD VCC by adopting a qualitative research methodology wherein interviews are being conducted with key personnel manning the OGD initiatives in Brazil. Impediments veering around VCC may be counted the internal, social and cultural and data factors. Findings from the present study lend credence to the fact that a systematic strategizing is important for the success of OGD VCC lest Value Co‐Destruction (VCD) happen. From a developing country's perspective, the present study acts as a sounding‐board for bearing in mind the caveats deduced vis‐a‐via the success of the VCC processes.
Parent personality traits and problem behavior in adolescence: The mediating role of adolescent personality
Authors: Robson Davina A. , Allen Mark S. , Laborde Sylvain
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Parental personality traits are predicted to influence offspring outcomes through parenting behavior and offspring personality traits. This study explored whether mother and father personality traits relate to offspring behavior problems in mid‐late adolescence

Method

In total, 3089 Australian adolescents (1576 boys, 1513 girls; Mage = 16.46 ± 0.50 years) and their parents completed questionnaires assessing personality, conduct problems, emotional and social functioning, antisocial and criminal behavior, cigarette smoking and drug use, at a single time‐point.

Results

After controlling for sociodemographic factors, results showed that problem behaviors in adolescence were most consistently related to mothers' scores on neuroticism and conscientiousness, and fathers' scores on neuroticism. Father personality traits were most important for antisocial and criminal behavior, whereas mother personality traits were most important for social and emotional functioning. Moderation analysis showed that associations between fathers' personality traits and some adolescent outcomes (cigarette smoking and drug use) were stronger for adolescent boys than for adolescent girls. Mediation models further demonstrated that adolescent personality traits mediated associations between parent personality and adolescent outcomes in almost all cases. Indirect effects expressed as a percentage showed that between 1.4% and 33.3% of the variance in the association between parent personality and adolescent outcomes was shared with the corresponding adolescent personality trait.

Conclusions

Overall, the findings of this study provide evidence that traits inherited (directly or indirectly) from parents might have an important role in shaping problem behavior in adolescence.
The dependences of mesenchymal stem cells commitments on the size, concentration, internalization and exposure time of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles through F‐actin, Lamin A and ROS
Authors: Bai Yuying , Tian Dawei , Ren Zhengxin , Yue Dangyang , Ren Qian , Pei Li , Pan Jun
Published: March 2023

Though magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are approved for clinical use as contrast agents for MR imaging in United States and Europe, and are widely used to label cells in research, the relationship between IONPs and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is not fully addressed. Here the effects of consistently appeared γ‐Fe2O3 on the lineage commitment of MSCs were studied to optimize applications of IONPs in MSCs upon verification of viability. 30 nm 10 μg/mL induced highest promotions on osteogenesis, while 30 and 50 nm of 100 μg/mL elicited most chondrogensis in 14 days, where the effects on ALP, GAG and SOX9 appeared after 7 days, while on RUNX2 came out after 10 days. γ‐Fe2O3 enhanced intracellular and extracellular Fe3+ and ROS, modulated F‐actin and decreased Lamin A of MSCs at different time scale. The disturbances of F‐actin, Lamin A or ROS altered the effects of γ‐Fe2O3 on MSC differentiation. Our results demonstrate that different size, concentration and modulation of γ‐Fe2O3 are needed in its MSC applications for bone and cartilage tissues. Furthermore, an undocumented phenomenon that the modulation of F‐actin affected the Lamin A expression in MSCs was observed.
Theoretical study on the aggregation‐induced emission mechanism of anthryl‐tetraphenylethene
Authors: Pan Xin , Lu Yajie , Zhou Weixing , Zhang Wenyu , Yang Ling , Zhu Chaoyuan , Lin Sheng‐Hsien
Published: March 2023

Since the concept of aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) was proposed by Benzhong Tang's research group in 2001, the exploration of the mechanism of AIE and the development of new high‐performance AIE materials have been the focus and goal of this field. On the basis of a large number of experiment results, AIE mechanism has been well explained by lots of works, such as restricted intramolecular motion (RIM), J‐aggregate et al. As tetraphenylethlene (TPE) molecules are stacked, the rotation of the benzene ring rotor is blocked, and the energy attenuation is released in the form of radiation, showing the AIE effect. In order to further explore the AIE effect of TPE, we performed electronic structure, spectrum simulation, and AIE mechanism calculations of the anthryl‐tetraphenylethene (TPE‐an) monomer and dimer in the gas phase, tetrahydrofuran (THF), and aqueous solutions at the B3LYP/6‐31G** level. The calculation results show that TPE‐an molecule is in a propeller‐like configuration, and its fluorescence intensity is weak; compared with the monomer, the fluorescence intensity of the dimer increases by 87% in aqueous solution; the fluorescence intensity in the gas phase, THF solution, and aqueous solution gradually enhances with the increase of the degree of aggregation, which are consistent with the experimental results. The enhancement of fluorescence intensity is caused by the change of molecular structure caused by aggregation. This detailed AIE luminescence mechanism will provide theoretical guidance for AIE material design.
Examining bidirectional associations between sleep and behavior among children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Sidol Craig A. , Becker Stephen P. , Peugh James L. , Lynch James D. , Ciesielski Heather A. , Zoromski Allison K. , Epstein Jeffery N.
Published: March 2023

Background

Children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have more sleep problems than their peers which contribute to behavioral and functional impairments. This study examines the bidirectional relationship between nightly sleep (i.e., total sleep time and sleep efficiency) and daily behavior of children with ADHD.

Method

Forty‐three children (ages 6–13 [mean = 9.05, 54% male, 77% medicated]) participated in a 2‐week study during an ADHD Summer Treatment Program (STP). Sleep was measured with actigraphy. Behavior was assessed using STP clinical data and daily parent and counselor ratings of ADHD symptoms, oppositional defiant disorder behaviors, and emotion regulation (e.g., difficulty regulating emotional disposition and controlling emotions). We hypothesized that healthier night's sleep measured by actigraphy (i.e., sleep efficiency and total sleep time [TST]) would relate to less ADHD symptoms, less emotional dysregulation, and better academic performance the next day. Additionally, we hypothesized that less ADHD symptoms, less emotional dysregulation, and greater academic performance would relate to healthier sleep that night.

Results

Higher nightly sleep efficiency was related to improved parent‐ratings of ADHD the next day (R2 = 0.04, p = 0.04) and improved parent‐ratings of ADHD during the day lead to higher sleep efficiency that night (R2 = 0.002, p = 0.02). Higher rates of daily assignment completion were related to higher sleep efficiency at night (R2 = 0.035, p = 0.03). TST was not related to any behavioral outcomes.

Conclusion

Sleep efficiency may be more relevant than TST to behavioral performance the next day. Additionally, a bidirectional relationship exists between sleep efficiency and parent ratings of ADHD. Findings highlight the importance of assessing for manifestations of poor sleep efficiency, waking minutes, and wakings after sleep onset when diagnosing and treating ADHD.
Image Improved Intravoxel Incoherent Motion MRI With Optimized Trigger Delays Based on Strain Curve Analysis to Evaluate Myocardial Microvascular Dysfunction of Exertional Heat Illness
Authors: Zhang Jun , Xu Shutian , Luo Song , Kong Xiang , Wang Qingqing , Ma Yan , Dou Weiqiang , Qi Li , Liu Zhihong , Zhang Long Jiang
Published: March 2023

Background

Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MRI has not been widely used and its role in evaluating exertional heat illness (EHI)‐related myocardial involvement remains unknown.

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility of strain curve‐derived trigger delay (TD) IVIM‐MRI and its role in assessing myocardial diffusion and microvascular perfusion of EHI patients.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

A total of 42 male EHI patients (median age: 21 years) and 22 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls (HC).

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3‐T, diffusion‐weighted spin‐echo echo‐planar‐imaging sequence.

Assessment

IVIM‐MRI was acquired by conventional TD method (group A) or strain curve‐based TD method (group B) in random order. IVIM image quality was evaluated on a 3‐point Likert scale (1, nondiagnostic; 2, moderate; 3, good). Technical success was defined as image quality score = 3. IVIM‐MRI‐derived parameters (pseudo diffusion in the capillaries [D*], perfusion fraction [f], and slow apparent diffusion coefficient [D]) were compared between EHI and HC.

Statistical Tests

Student's t‐tests, chi‐square tests, one‐way analysis of variance, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). The statistical significance level was set at P < 0.05.

Results

IVIM‐MRI image quality score (median [interquartile range]: 3 [2, 3] vs. 2 [1–3]) and technical success rate (61.9%[13/21] vs. 28.6%[6/21]) were significantly improved in group B. EHI patients showed significantly decreased D* (118.1 ± 23.3 × 10−3 mm2/sec vs. 142.7 ± 42.6 × 10−3 mm2/sec) and f values (0.42 ± 0.12 vs. 0.51 ± 0.11) and significantly higher D values (3.0 ± 0.9 × 10−3 mm2/sec vs. 2.5 ± 0.6 × 10−3 mm2/sec) compared to HC. Relative to D and D*, f showed the most robust efficacy for detecting EHI‐related myocardial injury with the highest area under the ROC curve (0.906: 95% confidence interval, 0.799, 0.967) and sensitivity of 88.5% and specificity of 85.6%.

Conclusion

The strain curve‐based TD method significantly improved image quality and technical success rate of IVIM‐MRI, and f value may be an effective biomarker to assess myocardial microcirculation abnormalities of EHI patients.

Evidence Level

2.

Technical Efficacy

Stage 3.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy does not increase risk for anastomotic leak for simultaneous resection of primary colon cancer with synchronous liver metastasis: A NSQIP‐colectomy analysis
Authors: Mankarious Marc M. , Portolese Austin C. , Hoskins Meloria A. , Deutsch Michael J. , Jeganathan Nimalan A. , Scow Jeffrey S. , Kulaylat Audrey S.
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives

In patients with colon cancer with synchronous liver metastasis, treatment algorithms are complex and often require multidisciplinary evaluation. Neoadjuvant therapy is frequently utilized, but there is an unclear relationship with postoperative outcomes in patients with simultaneous resection.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program and Targeted Colectomy databases. All patients with stage IV colon cancer undergoing simultaneous colectomy with synchronous liver metastasis resection or ablation between 2015 and 2019 were identified and categorized into subgroups based on receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to assess for risk factors of anastomotic leaks and serious postoperative complications.

Results

We identified 1006 patients who underwent simultaneous colectomy and liver operations. Of those, 418 (41.6%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy within 90 days of surgery, while 588 (58.4%) had simultaneous upfront surgery. On multivariable logistic regression, neoadjuvant therapy was not associated with postoperative anastomotic leaks (odds ratio [OR]: 1.30; p = 0.39) or serious complications (OR: 1.04; p = 0.82).

Conclusion

Neoadjuvant therapy does not increase postoperative complications in simultaneous colon and liver resections. These results may alleviate concerns regarding postoperative morbidity in the decision‐making process of administering neoadjuvant therapy.
An efficient high‐speed counter‐current chromatography method for the preparative separation of sesquiterpenoids from the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus L. combined with evaluation of the anti‐inflammation activity in vitro and molecular docking
Authors: Pan Shaobin , Zhang Zhe , Feng Qixiang , Zhao Jin , Aziz Shahid , Dou Liwen , Li Jing , Huang Luyao , Yan Huijiao , Wang Xiao , Li Jia , Wang Daijie
Published: March 2023

Cyperus rotundus L. has been extensively used in ancient medication for the treatment of different disorders worldwide, in which sesquiterpenes are the most representative components. In this study, sesquiterpenes were effectively purified by two‐dimensional counter‐current chromatography in combination with continuous injection and inner‐recycling mode with a solvent system of n‐hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (1:0.2:1:0.2, v/v/v/v). For one‐dimension separation, continuous injection mode was used with three times injection and the inner‐recycling mode was adopted for the separation of two mixtures for two‐dimensional separation. Finally, four sesquiterpenoids, including scariodione (1), cyperenoic acid (2), scariodione (3), and α‐cyperone (4), were obtained with purities over 98%. Mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance were applied to identify their structures. The results from the anti‐inflammation effect with zebrafish demonstrated that cyperenoic acid exhibited stronger anti‐inflammation activity. Molecular docking results suggested that cyperenoic acid possessed lower binding energies –9.4545 kcal/mol with 1CX2 to form formed hydrogen bond interaction with ARG120. In general, all the obtained findings proved that the strong anti‐inflammation capacity of cyperenoic acid can have the potential of being adopted for treating diseases resulting from inflammation.
An efficient diazotroph‐derived nitrogen transfer pathway in coral reef system
Authors: Sheng Hua‐Xia , Wan Xianhui S. , Zou Bobo , Sun Youfang , Hanoch Buce , Zou Wenbin , Yang Weidi , Wu Siqi , Huang Hui , Ward Bess B. , Kao Shuh‐Ji
Published: March 2023

The underlying mechanism for sustaining the high productivity of coral reefs in nutrient deplete water, known as the Darwin Paradox, has long been debated. The input of new nitrogen, for example, derived from N2 fixation, and efficient nitrogen recycling are hypothesized as two critical factors in resolving the paradox. However, the source of new nitrogen and its connection to nitrogen recycling in the coral reef system remain poorly understood. We measured N2 fixation rates and investigated the diazotroph community in different components of a tropical coral reef system. Our results show that the reef‐building crustose coralline algae demonstrate a significantly higher N2 fixation rate than the overlying water or the coral holobiont, representing a large source of N2 fixation to the system. The associated diazotroph community was dominated by the non‐cyanobacterial Rhizobiales. 15N2‐based pulse‐chase incubation experiments revealed ~ 50% of the diazotroph‐derived nitrogen was released from the crustose coralline algae holobiont to the overlying water and coral holobiont within 48 h, which was five fold higher than the fraction of nitrogen released from nitrate‐based assimilation by crustose coralline algae. Furthermore, the released diazotroph‐derived nitrogen was rapidly transferred to the coral holobiont through grazing and was subsequently released back to the overlying water as dissolved organic nitrogen, revealing an efficient pathway that connects the new nitrogen input with the nitrogen recycling in the coral reef ecosystem. Our results provide new insights into the sources and fates of new nitrogen in the coral reefs, helping to resolve the Darwin Paradox in this unique ecosystem.
Visible Light Induced Degradation of Poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐methyl α‐chloro acrylate) Copolymer at Ambient Temperature
Authors: Arslan Zeynep , Kiliclar Huseyin Cem , Yagci Yusuf
Published: March 2023

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a well‐known and widely used commodity plastic. High production amount of PMMA causes excessive waste creation that highlights the necessity of recycling. Conventional recycling methods require elevated temperatures to induce degradation or depolymerization. In this work, visible light induced photodegradation system by using dimanganese decacarbonyl (Mn2(CO)10) with high halogen affinity is reported. Halide functional photodegradable polymers are prepared by copolymerization of methyl methacrylate and methyl α‐chloroacrylate by conventional reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer polymerization. Synthesized copolymers are efficiently degraded to low molecular weight oligomers under visible light irradiation in the presence of Mn2(CO)10. Characteristics of precursors, degraded polymers, and kinetics of depolymerization are investigated by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourrier transform infrared (FTIR), and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR) spectroscopies. The reported approach is expected to trigger further development of more environmentally friendly recycling techniques in the near future as we  are moving toward a greener and more sustainable world.
On bivariate Kantorovich exponential sampling series
Authors: Kumar Prashant , Sathish Kumar A. , Bajpeyi Shivam
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we introduce and analyze the approximation properties of bivariate generalization for the family of Kantorovich type exponential sampling series. We derive the basic convergence result and Voronovskaya type theorem for the proposed sampling series. Using logarithmic modulus of smoothness, we establish the quantitative estimate of order of convergence for the Kantorovich type exponential sampling series. Furthermore, we study the convergence results for the generalized Boolean sum (GBS) operator associated with bivariate Kantorovich exponential sampling series. At the end, we provide a few examples of kernels to which the presented theory can be applied along with the graphical representation and error estimates.
Precision gas therapy by ultrasound‐triggered for anticancer therapeutics
Authors: Du Fangxue , Guo Ruiqian , Feng Ziyan , Wang Ziyao , Xiang Xi , Zhu Bihui , Rodriguez Raul D. , Qiu Li
Published: March 2023

In recent years, ultrasound, as an external stimuli that can activate different types of naonocatalysts for therapy, has attracted extensive attention. One characteristic that makes ultrasound a particularly attractive trigger stimulus for nanomedicine is that it can be applied to the deep regions of the body noninvasively in a focused way. Different biological effects can be achieved by integrating ultrasound with nanocatalysts, and nanodroplets. Gas therapy, as a green antitumor treatment, has attracted substantial attention. The development of nanotechnology and nanomedicine has made gas therapy more precious by controlled release under internal, and outside factors and targeted delivery. In this article, an overview of ultrasound‐based gas therapy on antitumor therapy has been provided. First, we explored the mechanism of ultrasound‐triggered gas release. Second, we list the common gas release pathways and their mechanism in response to ultrasound activity. Third, exemplary instances of gas‐generating facilities under ultrasound controllable are explored, with an emphasis on their originality and guiding principles. The impact of the gas‐generating platform as a tumor therapy has also been considered. Finally, the difficulties and future prospects for this effective therapeutic approach are examined.
Proton beam dosimetry in the presence of magnetic fields using Farmer‐type ionization chambers of different radii
Authors: Marot Mathieu , Surla Sonja , Burke Elisa , Brons Stephan , Runz Armin , Greilich Steffen , Karger Christian P. , Jäkel Oliver , Burigo Lucas N.
Published: March 2023

Background

Magnetic resonance‐guided proton therapy is promising, as it combines high‐contrast imaging of soft tissue with highly conformal dose delivery. However, proton dosimetry in magnetic fields using ionization chambers is challenging since the dose distribution as well as the detector response are perturbed.

Purpose

This work investigates the effect of the magnetic field on the ionization chamber response, and on the polarity and ion recombination correction factors, which are essential for the implementation of a proton beam dosimetry protocol in the presence of magnetic fields.

Methods

Three Farmer‐type cylindrical ionization chambers, the 30013 with 3 mm inner radius (PTW, Freiburg, Germany) and two custom built chambers “R1” and “R6” with 1 and 6 mm inner radii respectively were placed at the center of an experimental electromagnet (Schwarzbeck Mess – Elektronik, Germany) 2 cm depth of an in‐house developed 3D printed water phantom. The detector response was measured for a 3 × 10 cm2 field of mono‐energetic protons 221.05 MeV/u for the three chambers, and with an additional proton beam of 157.43 MeV/u for the chamber PTW 30013. The magnetic flux density was varied between 0.1 and 1.0 Tesla in steps of 0.1 Tesla.

Results

At both energies, the ionization chamber PTW 30013 showed a non‐linear response as a function of the magnetic field strength, with a decrease of the ionization chamber response of up to 0.27% ± 0.06% (1 SD) at 0.2 Tesla, followed by a smaller effect at higher magnetic field strength. For the chamber R1, the response decreased slightly with the magnetic field strength up to 0.45% ± 0.12% at 1 Tesla, and for the chamber R6, the response decreased up to 0.54% ± 0.13% at 0.1 Tesla, followed by a plateau up to 0.3 Tesla, and a weaker effect at higher magnetic field strength. The dependence of the polarity and recombination correction factor on the magnetic field was ⩽0.1% for the chamber PTW 30013.

Conclusions

The magnetic field has a small but significant effect on the chamber response in the low magnetic field region for the chamber PTW 30013 and for R6, and in the high magnetic field region for the chamber R1. Corrections may be necessary for ionization chamber measurements, depending on both the chamber volume and the magnetic flux density. No significant effect of the magnetic field on the polarity and recombination correction factor was detected in this work for the ionization chamber PTW 30013.
2023 SID Honors & Awards
Authors: Wilson Lori A.
Published: March 2023

The Society for Information Display celebrates industry heroes for their personal contributions and technical achievements that have helped advance the display field and shape our community.
Display Week 2023 Technical Symposium Highlights
Authors: Wilson Lori A.
Published: March 2023

The annual Symposium will offer many signature features, as well as new presentation tracks, programs, and opportunities to network with leaders in the field.
Small‐bore feeding tubes placed with an electromagnetic imaging device leads to cost avoidance and decreased time to initiation of enteral nutrition
Authors: Hahn Michaelann , Byham‐Gray Laura , Samavat Hamed , Roberts Susan , Brody Rebecca
Published: March 2023

Background

The Cortrak Enteral Access System (CEAS) was previously approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used in lieu of radiographic confirmation imaging for feeding tubes placed by trained clinicians. Following an institutional protocol change in 2016, our registered dietitians had the option to forgo radiographic confirmation imaging for tubes placed using the CEAS. Our research aimed to determine the difference in the number of radiographic confirmation images for feeding tubes placed using the CEAS between preprotocol and postprotocol environments and the associated cost avoidance after the institutional policy change.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed data from 506 tube placements (n = 253 per protocol environment) in adult patients with diverse diagnoses admitted to various in‐patient care units.

Results

There was a significant reduction in the mean number of radiographic images per tube placement (preprotocol = 1.10 [95% CI, 1.05–1.15]; postprotocol = 0.36 [95% CI, 0.30–0.41]; P < 0.001), leading to a cost avoidance of $67,282.80 for the 253 tube placements and a potential cost avoidance of $279,236 over the 5‐year postprotocol environment. Additionally, the mean time to initiation of enteral nutrition was significantly reduced by 2.65 h in the postprotocol environment (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that using the CEAS can reduce the number of radiographic images, provide cost avoidance, and improve nutrition outcomes. However, updated 2022 FDA regulatory changes to the use of the CEAS for tube confirmation lead to an uncertain future for this practice because of safety concerns.
Maternal cyclobenzaprine exposure and risk of birth defects in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (1997–2011) and Birth Defects Study to Evaluate Pregnancy exposureS (2014–2018)
Authors: Fisher Sarah C. , Howley Meredith M. , Tran Emmy L. , Ailes Elizabeth C. , Papadopoulos Eleni A. , Nembhard Wendy N. , Browne Marilyn L. ,   for the National Birth Defects Prevention Study and the Birth Defects Study to Evaluate Pregnancy Exposures
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant indicated for acute pain. Little is known about cyclobenzaprine's safety during pregnancy. We explored the association between maternal cyclobenzaprine exposure and risk of birth defects among offspring.

Methods

We combined data from two large, multi‐site, population‐based case–control studies in the United States. Cases were identified from birth defects registries across 10 states; controls were liveborn infants without birth defects randomly selected from the same catchment areas. Participants reported cyclobenzaprine use during the month before conception through the third month of pregnancy (“periconception”) via computer‐assisted telephone interview. We used logistic regression to assess associations between periconceptional cyclobenzaprine exposure and selected structural birth defects. We calculated crude odds ratios (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Our study included 33 615 cases and 13 110 controls. Overall, 51 case (0.15%) and 9 control (0.07%) participants reported periconceptional cyclobenzaprine use. We observed increased risk for all seven defects with ≥3 exposed cases: cleft palate (OR = 4.79, 95% CI 1.71–13.44), cleft lip (OR = 2.50, 95% CI 0.89–7.02), anorectal atresia/stenosis (OR = 6.91, 95% CI 1.67, 28.65), d‐transposition of the great arteries (OR = 6.97, 95% CI 2.17–22.36), coarctation of the aorta (OR = 5.58, 95% CI 1.88–16.58), pulmonary valve stenosis (OR = 4.55, 95% CI 1.10–18.87), and secundum atrial septal defect (OR = 3.08, 95% CI 0.83–11.45).

Conclusions

Even in our large sample, cyclobenzaprine use was rare. Our estimates are unadjusted and imprecise so should be interpreted cautiously. These hypothesis‐generating results warrant confirmation and further research to explore possible mechanisms.
Hate speech on social media against German mayors: Extent of the phenomenon, reactions, and implications
Authors: Bauschke Rafael , Jäckle Sebastian
Published: March 2023

Drawing on an online survey of mayors from the German federal state of Baden‐Wuerttemberg this article analyses (1) to what extent social media is used abusively at the municipal level, (2) how mayors react to hate speech and (3) whether the experience of such insulting comments and threats is correlated with their perception of social media as a tool for political communication. The analysis shows that hateful comments are part of the social media experience on the local level. 53.9% of the mayors have at least once experienced personal insults and hostilities on social media in their role as politicians. The majority of them (56.7%) ignored the hate speech without reaction. Significantly fewer reacted more actively: 29.8% responded to the insulting message, 5.4% blocked the hater, and 8.2% filed a judicial complaint. The statistical analysis shows that mayors who use social media in a more professional way are more likely to react to hate speech in such an active manner. Moreover, the experience of hate speech and particularly an active type of reacting are found to be positively related to mayors' perceptions of how useful they consider social media to be for political communication.
Microbial response to warming and cellulose addition in a maritime Antarctic soil
Authors: Pradel Paulina , Bravo León A. , Merino Carolina , Trefault Nicole , Rodríguez Rodrigo , Knicker Heike , Jara Claudia , Larama Giovanni , Matus Francisco
Published: March 2023

Maritime Antarctic King George Island (South Shetland Islands) has experienced rapid warming in recent decades, but the impacts on soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition remain ambiguous. Most vegetation cover is dominated by bryophytes (mosses), whereas a few vascular plants, such as Deschampsia antarctica and Colobanthus quitensis grow interspersed. Therefore, SOM is mainly enriched with carbohydrates and C‐alkyl, provided by mosses, which lack lignin as a precursor for aromatic compounds and humus formation. However, there is no clear answer to how substrate and temperature increase changes in Antarctic microbial respiration. We determined in what way SOM mineralization changes with temperature and substrate addition by characterizing the temperature sensitivity (Q10) of soil respiration in an open‐top chamber warming experiment. We hypothesized that: (a) cold‐tolerant microorganisms are well adapted to growing in maritime Antarctic soils (~ 0°C), so would not respond to low and moderate temperature increases because they undergo various metabolic mechanism adjustments until they experience increasing temperatures toward optimum growth (e.g., by enzyme production); and (b) cellulose, as a complex carbonaceous substrate of vegetated areas in Maritime Antarctic soils, activates microorganisms, increasing the Q10 of soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization. Soils (5–10 cm) were sampled after four consecutive years of experimental warming for SOC composition, microbial community structure, and C mineralization at 4, 12, and 20°C with and without cellulose addition. Functional group chemoheterotrophs, represented mainly by Proteobacteria, decomposed more refractory SOC (aromatic compounds), as indicated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, in ambient plots than in warming plots where plants were growing. The C‐CO2 efflux from the incubation experiment remained stable below 12°C but sharply increased at 20°C. Q10 varied between 0.4 and 4 and was reduced at 20°C, whereas cellulose addition increased Q10. In conclusion, as confirmed during field studies in a climate scenario, cold‐tolerant microorganisms in maritime Antarctic soils were slightly affected by increasing temperature (e.g., 4–12°C), with reduced temperature sensitivity, as summarized in a conceptual model.
Effects of three chitin synthesis inhibitors on egg masses, nymphs and adults of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
Authors: Masetti Antonio , Rathé Anna , Robertson Nicola , Anderson Diane , Walker Jim , Pasqualini Edison , Depalo Laura
Published: March 2023

Background

Halyomorpha halys, (brown marmorated stink bug, BMSB), is a high‐concern invasive species causing severe damage to orchards in many countries outside its native Asian range. Management methods other than frequent sprays of broad‐spectrum insecticides are needed to restore integrated pest management (IPM) practices in orchards. Chitin synthesis inhibitors are usually regarded as desirable options in IPM programs because of lower toxicity to beneficial insects and non‐target organisms compared to neurotoxic insecticides. In this study, the activity of three chitin synthesis inhibitors (namely buprofezin, novaluron and triflumuron) was investigated on BMSB egg masses, third instars and adults by means of laboratory bioassays.

Results

Novaluron and to a lesser extent triflumuron were detrimental to BMSB nymphs exposed to residues on potted peach plants. Novaluron caused high mortality among early instars that emerged from sprayed egg masses. No significant differences were found between buprofezin and water control on eggs or third instars. When sprayed on BMSB adults, none of the chitin synthesis inhibitors affected survival, fecundity, or egg hatching.

Conclusion

Given the activity on nymphs, but the lack of effects on adults, novaluron and triflumuron might be considered for field applications only as a tool in a wider management strategy along with other methods aimed at preventing the invasion of crops by BMSB adults. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.