bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Integrated Cofactor/Co‐Product Recycling Cascade for the Biosynthesis of Nylon Monomers from Cycloalkylamines
Authors: Sarak Sharad , Sung Sihyong , Jeon Hyunwoo , Patil Mahesh D. , Khobragade Taresh P. , Pagar Amol D. , Dawson Philip E. , Yun Hyungdon
Published: November 2020

We report a highly atom‐efficient integrated cofactor/co‐product recycling cascade employing cycloalkylamines as multifaceted starting materials for the synthesis of nylon building blocks. Reactions using E. coli whole cells as well as purified enzymes produced excellent conversions ranging from >80 and 95 % into desired ω‐amino acids, respectively with varying substrate concentrations. The applicability of this tandem biocatalytic cascade was demonstrated to produce the corresponding lactams by employing engineered biocatalysts. For instance, ϵ‐caprolactam, a valuable polymer building block was synthesized with 75 % conversion from 10 mM cyclohexylamine by employing whole‐cell biocatalysts. This cascade could be an alternative for bio‐based production of ω‐amino acids and corresponding lactam compounds.
Evidence of Highly Anharmonic Soft Lattice Vibrations in a Zintl Rattler
Authors: Dutta Moinak , Samanta Manisha , Ghosh Tanmoy , Voneshen David J. , Biswas Kanishka
Published: November 2020

Here, we present lattice dynamics associated with the local chemical bonding hierarchy in Zintl compound TlInTe2, which cause intriguing phonon excitations and strongly suppress the lattice thermal conductivity to an ultralow value (0.46–0.31 W m−1 K−1) in the 300–673 K. We established an intrinsic rattling nature in TlInTe2 by studying the local structure and phonon vibrations using synchrotron X‐ray pair distribution function (PDF) (100–503 K) and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) (5–450 K), respectively. We showed that while 1D chain of covalently bonded
transport heat with Debye type phonon excitation, ionically bonded Tl rattles with a frequency ca. 30 cm−1 inside distorted Thompson cage formed by
. This highly anharmonic Tl rattling causes strong phonon scattering and consequently phonon lifetime reduces to ultralow value of ca. 0.66(6) ps, resulting in ultralow thermal conductivity in TlInTe2.
Renewable Castor‐Oil‐based Waterborne Polyurethane Networks: Simultaneously Showing High Strength, Self‐Healing, Processability and Tunable Multishape Memory
Authors: Zhang Chaoqun , Liang Haiyan , Liang Dunsheng , Lin Zirun , Chen Qian , Feng Pengju , Wang Qingwen
Published: November 2020

Materials with multifunctionality or multiresponsiveness, especially polymers derived from green, renewable precursors, have recently attracted significant attention resulting from their technological impact. Nowadays, vegetable‐oil‐based waterborne polyurethanes (WPUs) are widely used in various fields, while strategies for simultaneous realization of their self‐healing, reprocessing, shape memory as well as high mechanical properties are still highly anticipated. We report development of a multifunctional castor‐oil‐based waterborne polyurethane with high strength using controlled amounts of dithiodiphenylamine. The polymer networks possessed high tensile strength up to 38 MPa as well as excellent self‐healing efficiency. Moreover, the WPU film exhibited a maximum recovery of 100 % of the original mechanical properties after reprocessing four times. The broad glass‐transition temperature of the samples endowed the films with a versatile shape‐memory effect, including a dual‐to‐quadruple shape‐memory effect.
Investigations of amphiphilic butylglyceryl‐functionalized dextran nanoparticles for topical delivery
Authors: Bostanudin Mohammad F. , Muhamad Noor Noor S. , Sahudin Shariza , Mat Lazim Azwan , Tan Suk Fei , Sarker Md Zaidul I.
Published: November 2020

Toward the development of colloidal systems that can enhance transdermal permeation of hydrophilic actives, a material combining the non‐toxic of dextran with alkylglycerols permeation enhancing property has been designed. To this purpose, a range of amphiphilic butylglyceryl dextrans (DEX‐OX4) was synthesized via modification with n‐butylglycidyl ether with a degree of functionalization in the range 6.3%–35.7%. A reduced viscosity and an increased molecular weight of DEX‐OX4 were recorded when compared to the starting material. DEX‐OX4 was formulated into nanocarriers and loaded with α‐arbutin prior to characterization—the nanoparticles (180–220 nm size) were found to be close‐to‐spherical, stable at pH 5 and 7, with a loading capacity of 11.7%. Slower release of α‐arbutin from the nanoparticles was demonstrated when tested in acidic media. Lack of toxicity at application‐relevant concentrations and increased permeation were demonstrated by nanoparticles in vitro results against immortalized skin human keratinocytes cells (HaCaT).
Comparative response of Metarhizium brunneum to the cuticles of susceptible and resistant hosts
Authors: Ment Dana , Gindin Galina , Samish Michael , Glazer Itamar
Published: November 2020

Earlier studies demonstrated that Metarhizium brunneum, usually a broad‐host pathogen of arthropods, is unable to complete its pathogenic life cycle when inoculated on the fungus‐resistant tick, Hyalomma excavatum engorged females. While the fungus penetrates the cuticle of fungus‐susceptible tick, Rhipicephalus annulatus females, it is unable to penetrate the cuticle of fungus‐resistant tick, and even perishes on its surface. This is probably due to high concentration of antifungal fatty acids and probably also due to a hypersensitive‐like response of the tick. To understand the metabolic pathways occurring in the fungal hyphae upon encountering the cuticles, we compared the response of the fungus to cuticle from susceptible and resistant tick cuticles by 2D‐gels. The intracellular proteomes of M. brunneum Mb7 exposed to cuticle of the fungus‐susceptible tick, R. annulatus, and to the fungus‐resistant tick, H. excavatum engorged females were compared after exposure to either cuticles. By means of liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry we identified in both proteomes common proteins involved in biological processes as well as unique proteins identified only in the proteome of fungus exposed to fungus‐resistant tick cuticle. These proteins were identified in high probability as heat shock proteins, four key enzymes of the glyoxylate cycle, and proteins associated with hypoxia, and exposure to antifungal drugs. These findings are discussed within the M. brunneum‐tick pathosystem in relation to tick resistance and host resistance in general.
The first stellar parallaxes revisited
Authors: Reid Mark J. , Menten Karl M.
Published: November 2020

We have reanalyzed the data used by Bessel, von Struve, and Henderson in the 1830s to measure the first parallax distances to stars. We can generally reproduce their results, although we find that von Struve and Henderson have underestimated some of their measurement errors, leading to optimistic parallax uncertainties. We find that temperature corrections for Bessel's measured positions are larger than anticipated, explaining some systematics apparent in his data. It has long been a mystery as to why von Struve first announced a parallax for Vega of 0.″125 only to later revise it to double that value using more data. We resolve this mystery by finding that von Struve's early result used two dimensions of position data, which independently give significantly different parallaxes but, when combined, only fortuitously give the correct result. With later data, von Struve excluded the “problematic” dimension, leading to the larger parallax value. Allowing for likely temperature corrections and using his data from both dimensions reduce von Struve's parallax for Vega to a value consistent with the correct value.
Osteoglycin silencing exerts inhibitory effects on myocardial fibrosis and epithelial/endothelial‐mesenchymal transformation in a mouse model of myocarditis
Authors: Fang Yan , Chang Zhitang , Xu Zhicheng , Hu Jing , Zhou Haiwen , Yu Songping , Wan Xuan
Published: November 2020

Osteoglycin (Ogn), a class III SLRP member with multiple glycosylation sites, has been proposed to be engaged in cardiac dysfunction and adverse remodeling in human heart failure following myocardial infarction. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. Thus, we sought to define the role of Ogn in regulation of the Wnt pathway on myocardial fibrosis and epithelial/endothelial‐mesenchymal transformation (EMT/EndMT) in mice with myocarditis. The pathological changes are observed, while hematoxylin–eosin staining and picric acid Sirius red staining were conducted in successfully constructed myocarditis mouse models. Immunohistochemistry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay were adopted to determine Ogn and β‐catenin levels and serum procollagen propeptide concentrations in the mouse myocardial tissues, respectively. Expression of Ogn and Wnt signaling pathway‐related factors were measured by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay, cell viability by 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and cell cycle distribution and apoptosis by flow cytometry. We saw indicative pathological changes accompanied by many Ogn and β‐catenin positive cells and increased serum procollagen propeptide, in the mouse myocardial tissues. Loss function assays showed reduced levels of Ogn, β‐catenin, LRP6, TGF‐β1, Twist, FSP‐1, α‐SMA and higher levels of E‐cadherin and VE‐cadherin, together with decreased proliferation rate, as well as increased apoptosis rate, indicating that the Wnt signaling pathway, proliferation were inhibited while apoptosis was enhanced with upon gene silencing. Coherently, depletion of Ogn inhibits myocardial fibroblasts proliferation and EMT/EndMT while facilitating myocardial fibroblasts apoptosis in myocarditis through the Wnt signaling pathway, thus serving as an intervention target for the molecular treatment of myocarditis.
Is there a link between vitamin D status, SARS‐CoV‐2 infection risk and COVID‐19 severity?
Authors: Ferrari Davide , Locatelli Massimo , Briguglio Matteo , Lombardi Giovanni
Published: November 2020

The outbreak of COVID‐19 emerged in December 2019 rapidly spread across the globe and has become pandemic. Little is known about the protective factors of this infection, which is equally distributed between genders and different ages while severe and poor prognosis cases are strongly associated to old males and the presence of comorbidities. Thus, preventive measures aiming at reducing the number of infection and/or their severity are strongly needed. Vitamin D has got great attention and has been claimed as potentially protective against the infection since it may be associated with immunocompetence, inflammation, aging, and those diseases involved in determining the outcomes of COVID‐19. This narrative review aims at collecting the literature available on the involvement of the vitamin D status in the pathogenesis of COVID‐19 and the putative utility of vitamin D supplementation in the therapeutics. It emerges that a poor vitamin D status seems to associate with an increased risk of infection whereas age, gender and comorbidities seem to play a more important role in COVID‐19 severity and mortality. While randomized control trials are needed to better inquire into this topic, vitamin D supplementation may be useful beside its potential effects on SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and COVID‐19.
Effect of Ni Metal Content on Emulsifying Properties of Ni/CNTox Catalysts for Catalytic Conversion of Furfural in Pickering Emulsions
Authors: Herrera C. , Pinto‐Neira J. , Fuentealba D. , Sepúlveda C. , Rosenkranz A. , García‐Fierro J. L. , González M. , Escalona N.
Published: November 2020

Ni/CNTox catalysts with variable metal content have been prepared to investigate their emulsifying and catalytic properties for the liquid‐phase conversion of furfural. The solid catalysts and emulsions were analyzed by several characterization techniques. The catalytic activity linearly increased with increasing Ni content (up to 10 wt.%) before dropping down again for a Ni content of 15 wt.%. The loss of catalytic activity was attributed to larger emulsion droplets formed by the inhibition of hydrophilic sites. All Ni/CNTox catalysts were highly selective to cyclopentanone as a main product, while several changes regarding secondary products were observed. Ni/CNTox catalysts with a Ni content up to 10 wt.% favor the formation of levulinic acid, while catalysts with a Ni content of 15 wt.% were selective to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. This was attributed to an inhibition of the acid sites thus favoring the catalyst's hydrogenation capacity.
Hydrogen Bubble Templated Metal Foams as Efficient Catalysts of CO2 Electroreduction
Authors: Vesztergom Soma , Dutta Abhijit , Rahaman Motiar , Kiran Kiran , Zelocualtecatl Montiel Iván , Broekmann Peter
Published: November 2020

The creation of open porous structures with an extremely high surface area is of great technological relevance. The electrochemical deposition of metal foams around co‐generated hydrogen bubbles that act as templates for the deposition is a promising, cheap and simple approach to the fabrication of new electrocatalyst materials. Metal foams obtained by dynamic hydrogen bubble templating (DHBT) offer an intrinsically high electrical conductance with an open porous structure that enables the fast transport of gases and liquids. As an additional benefit, the confined space within the pores of DHBT metal foams may act as small reactors that can harbour reactions not possible at an open electrode interface. The number, distribution, and size of the pores can be fine‐tuned by an appropriate choice of the electrolysis parameters so that metal foam catalysts prepared by the DHBT technique meet certain requirements. In this paper, we review the preparation of certain metal foams, and their applications as catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO2.
Photochemistry in Real Space: Batho‐ and Hypsochromism in the Water Dimer
Authors: Fernández‐Alarcón Alberto , Guevara‐Vela José Manuel , Casals‐Sainz José Luis , Costales Aurora , Francisco Evelio , Martín Pendás Ángel , Rocha Rinza Tomás
Published: November 2020

Invited for the cover of this issue is Alberto Fernández‐Alarcón and co‐workers at The Institute of Chemistry of the National Autonomous University of Mexico and The School of Chemistry of the University of Oviedo. The image depicts the real space analysis of the excitation energies in the double blue and red shift of the water dimer. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202002854.
Analysis of Solid‐State Luminescence Emission Amplification at Substituted Anthracenes by Host–Guest Complex Formation
Authors: Schillmöller Timo , Ruth Paul Niklas , Herbst‐Irmer Regine , Stalke Dietmar
Published: November 2020

Invited for the cover of this issue are Dietmar Stalke and coworkers from the Georg‐August Universität at Göttingen. The image symbolizes the organization of small arenes in the pocket of thiophosphoranyl substituted anthracene like the construction of a stable wall from a loose pile of bricks, shifting the emission to the green and amplifying it by a factor of five. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202003017.
New Column Design to Enhance Flexibility: Concept for Hydrodynamic Characterization
Authors: Fasel Henrik , Grünewald Marcus , Riese Julia
Published: November 2020

This study presents a new and innovative sieve tray design for a more flexible operation of separation columns in terms of possible throughput. The advantage of this new tray design is to ensure an optimal operation for varying feed flow rates and constant separation efficiencies for different load ranges. The aim of this work is to give a short introduction and an outlook to the investigation of the functionality of the designed trays. Moreover, the general design of the new trays, first results for CFD simulations of the dry pressure drop and the experimental setup are presented.
Modelling the stochastic nature of porosity in a respirator canister using computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Wood Samuel G. A. , Chakraborty Nilanjan , Smith Martin W. , Summers Mark J.
Published: November 2020

A model has been developed to represent the stochastic nature of the activated carbon bed within a generic chemical biological radiological and nuclear (CBRN) respirator canister. The porous region is subdivided into discrete sections which are assigned a porosity based on their radial position according to a longitudinally‐averaged porosity model, and then perturbed by some amount according to a Gaussian distribution. The porosity model was used in Reynolds‐averaged Navier‐Stokes (RANS) simulations in order to assess the impacts that the choice of section size and the porosity variation would have on the pressure drop and residence time distribution. It was shown for small section sizes that increasing porosity variation would increase pressure drop and minimum residence time in the carbon bed, while decreasing the average residence time. As the section sizes became larger the reverse trend was seen as a greater extent of flow channelling throughout the bed became apparent. For the given domain size, there was an upper limit to the section size, beyond which statistical convergence could not be guaranteed. It was also shown that for section sizes close to the particle diameter, the results would depend only on the ratio of section size to porosity variation, reducing the porosity model to a single parameter. A few selected cases were simulated at higher flow rates, where the previously mentioned trends were seen to persist.
Time for action: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion significantly improves breast cancer care for women in Louisiana
Authors: Seewaldt Victoria L.
Published: November 2020

Louisiana was the first state in the Deep South to adopt the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion. In this issue of Cancer, Chu et al present the positive impact of the ACA expansion on women with breast cancer who reside in Louisiana, including increased adherence to the standard of care and an earlier stage of disease at the time of presentation.
DFT and Empirical Considerations on Electrocatalytic Water/Carbon Dioxide Reduction by CoTMPyP in Neutral Aqueous Solutions**
Authors: Bochlin Yair , Ben‐Eliyahu Yeshayahu , Kadosh Yanir , Kozuch Sebastian , Zilbermann Israel , Korin Eli , Bettelheim Armand
Published: November 2020

A combined experimental and density functional theory (DFT) investigation was employed in order to examine the mechanism of electrochemical CO2 reduction and H2 formation from water reduction in neutral aqueous solutions. A water soluble cobalt porphyrin, cobalt [5,10,15,20‐(tetra‐N‐methyl‐4‐pyridyl)porphyrin], (CoTMPyP), was used as catalyst. The possible attachment of different axial ligands as well as their effect on the electrocatalytic cycles were examined. A cobalt porphyrin hydride is a key intermediate which is generated after the initial reduction of the catalyst. The hydride is involved in the formation of H2 and formate and acts as an indirect proton source for the formation of CO in these H+‐starving conditions. The experimental results are in agreement with the computations and give new insights into electrocatalytic mechanisms involving water soluble metalloporphyrins. We conclude that in addition to the porphyrin's structure and metal ion center, the electrolyte surroundings play a key role in dictating the products of CO2/H2O reduction.
Interplay between Structure and Mechanism in Reductive Dissociative Electron Transfers to α,β ‐Epoxyketones
Authors: Spencer Jared N. , Grimm Michelle L. , Tanko James M.
Published: November 2020

The electrochemical reduction of several α,β ‐epoxyketones was studied using cyclic (linear sweep) voltammetry, convolution voltammetry, and homogeneous redox catalysis. The results were reconciled to pertinent theories of electron transfer. α,β ‐Epoxyketones undergo dissociative electron‐transfer reactions with C−O bond cleavage, via both stepwise and concerted mechanisms, depending on their structure. For aliphatic ketones, the preferred mechanism of reduction is consistent with the “sticky” concerted model for dissociative electron transfer. Bond cleavage occurs simultaneously with electron transfer, and there is a residual, electrostatic interaction in the ring‐opened (distonic) radical anion. In contrast, for aromatic ketones, because the ring‐closed radical anions are resonance‐stabilized and exist at energy minima, a stepwise mechanism operates (electron transfer and bond cleavage occur in discrete steps). The rate constants for ring opening are on the order of 108 s−1, and not significantly affected by substituents on the 3‐membered ring (consistent with C−O bond cleavage). These results and conclusions were fully supported and augmented by molecular orbital calculations.
Liquid Biopsy Enables Quantification of the Abundance and Interindividual Variability of Hepatic Enzymes and Transporters
Authors: Achour Brahim , Al‐Majdoub Zubida M. , Grybos‐Gajniak Agnieszka , Lea Kristi , Kilford Peter , Zhang Mian , Knight David , Barber Jill , Schageman Jeoffrey , Rostami‐Hodjegan Amin
Published: November 2020

Variability in individual capacity for hepatic elimination of therapeutic drugs is well recognized and is associated with variable expression and activity of liver enzymes and transporters. Although genotyping offers some degree of stratification, there is often large variability within the same genotype. Direct measurement of protein expression is impractical due to limited access to tissue biopsies. Hence, determination of variability in hepatic drug metabolism and disposition using liquid biopsy (blood samples) is an attractive proposition during drug development and in clinical practice. This study used a multi‐“omic” strategy to establish a liquid biopsy technology intended to assess hepatic capacity for metabolism and disposition in individual patients. Plasma exosomal analysis (n = 29) revealed expression of 533 pharmacologically relevant genes at the RNA level, with 147 genes showing evidence of expression at the protein level in matching liver tissue. Correction of exosomal RNA expression using a novel shedding factor improved correlation against liver protein expression for 97 liver‐enriched genes. Strong correlation was demonstrated for 12 key drug‐metabolizing enzymes and 4 drug transporters. The developed test allowed reliable patient stratification, and in silico trials demonstrated utility in adjusting drug dose to achieve similar drug exposure between patients with variable hepatic elimination. Accordingly, this approach can be applied in characterization of volunteers prior to enrollment in clinical trials and for patient stratification in clinical practice to achieve more precise individual dosing.
Sulfur 4R Management and the Changing Landscape of Fertility
Authors: Flis Sally , Jones John
Published: November 2020

Decreased atmospheric inputs of sulfur (S) to cropland and increasing removal with harvested crops necessitates a closer look at sulfur fertility management using the 4Rs. Considering the soil organic matter, percent sand, crop status, and sulfur fertilizer solubility are critical to meeting crop nutrition needs for optimal production. Earn 0.5 CEUs in Nutrient Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at www.certifiedcropadviser.org/education/classroom/classes/889.
Urinary steroid profile in relation to the menstrual cycle
Authors: Schulze Jenny , Suominen Tina , Bergström Helena , Ericsson Magnus , Björkhem Bergman Linda , Ekström Lena
Published: November 2020

The interpretation of the steroidal module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) in female athletes is complex due to the large variation of the endogenous urinary steroids. The menstrual cycle seems to be one of the largest confounders of the steroid profile. The duration of the different phases in the menstrual cycle differs between women and is difficult to predict only by counting days after menstruation. Here, we have determined the follicle, ovulation, and luteal phases, by assessing the menstrual hormones in serum samples collected from 17 healthy women with regular menses. Urine samples were collected three times per week during two consecutive cycles to measure the urinary steroid concentrations used in the ABP.

The metabolite that was mostly affected by the menstrual phases was epitestosterone (E), where the median concentration was 133% higher in the ovulation phase compared to the follicle phase (p < 0.0001). The women with a large coefficient of variation (CV) in their first cycle also had a large CV in their second cycle and vice versa. The inter‐individual difference was extensive with a range of 11%–230% difference between the lowest and the highest T/E ratio during a cycle.

In conclusion, E and ratios with E as denominator are problematic biomarkers for doping in female athletes. The timing of the sample collection in the menstrual cycle will have a large influence on the steroid profile. The results of this study highlight the need to find additional biomarkers for T doping in females.
Analysis of cobalt for human sports drug testing purposes using ICP‐ and LC‐ICP‐MS
Authors: Knoop Andre , Planitz Peter , Wüst Bernhard , Thevis Mario
Published: November 2020

Due to the current demands in the fight against manipulation of blood and blood components, commonly referred to as “blood doping” in sports drug testing, specific and sensitive detection methods enabling the detection of prohibited substances and methods of doping are required. Similar to illicit blood transfusions, erythropoiesis stimulating agents have been shown to be misused in sport, aiming at improving an athlete's aerobic capacity and endurance performance. Amongst other strategies, the administration of ionic cobalt (Co2+) can increase the number of erythrocytes by stimulating the endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) biosynthesis. Conversely, several organic Co‐containing compounds such as cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) are not prohibited in sports, and thus, an analytical differentiation of permitted and banned contributions to urinary Co‐concentrations is desirable. An excretion study with daily applications of either 1 mg of CoCl2or 1 mg of cyanocobalamin was conducted with 20 volunteers over a period of 14 consecutive days. Urine, plasma, and concentrated red blood cells were analyzed for their cobalt content. The samples were collected starting 7 days before the administration until 7 days after. Total Co concentrations were analyzed by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), which yielded significantly elevated levels exclusively after inorganic cobalt intake. Furthermore, a liquid chromatography (LC)‐ICP‐MS approach was established and employed for the simultaneous determination of organically bound and inorganic cobalt by chromatographic separation within one single run. The analytical approach offers the option to further develop detection methods of illegal Co2+supplementation in sport.
Bimetallic CuCo Derived from Prussian Blue Analogue for Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensing
Authors: Ni Gang , Wang Feifan , Pan Zhiqiu , Zhang Ruihan
Published: November 2020

Bimetallic CuCo composites are prepared by calcinating copper hexacyanocobaltate precursor in N2 atmosphere. The CuCo modified electrodes are fabricated for nonenzymatic glucose sensing in the alkaline electrolyte. The glucose can be directly electro‐oxidized on the surface of the electrode catalyst mediated by the redox couples of Cu and Co. The optimal glucose sensor exhibits a high sensitivity (567 μA ⋅ mM−1 ⋅ cm−2) in the range up to 825 μM with a detection limit of 3 μM and acceptable selectivity. The sensor can also be applied in serum samples. This work provides a facile and easily‐scalable synthesis method of electrocatalysts for nonenzymatic glucose sensors.
Numerical study of ferro‐droplet breakup initiation induced by a slowly rotating uniform magnetic field
Authors: Radcliffe Alastair J.
Published: November 2020

The fully three‐dimensional start‐up deformations and accelerations of initially spherical magnetically susceptable linearly magnetizable ferrofluid droplets, driven by a rotating uniform magnetic field, are investigated through the use of coupled finite element/boundary element computer simulations. For given magnetic susceptability, a critical viscosity is suggested, proportional to both magnetic field strength and rotation speed, below which the deformations of the initially spherical droplet inevitably lead to breakup, but above which a simple persistent spheroidal solid body rotation is attained.
Meta‐Analysis of the Diagnostic Efficiency of THSD7A‐AB for the Diagnosis of Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy
Authors: Liu Yipeng , Zheng Shanshan , Ma Chaoqun , Lian Ying , Zheng Xiaoli , Guan Peizhong , Wang Baobao , Gong Xiaojie , Gao Feng , Liang Liming , Xu Dongmei
Published: November 2020

Thrombospondin type I domain‐containing 7A (THSD7A), is a specific autoantigen of adult idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), whose circulating antibody (THSD7A‐AB) represents a promising biomarker for diagnosis of IMN. The objective of this meta‐analysis is to investigate the diagnostic efficiency of THSD7A‐AB for IMN. After rigorous data extraction, quality assessment, and data analysis, 10 articles (4545 patients) are included. For IMN, the summary sensitivity is 4% (2–7%), and the specificity is 99% (98–100%). The summary positive likelihood ratio (PLR) and negative likelihood ratio (NLR) are 5.40 (2.40–11.90) and 0.97 (0.95–0.99), respectively. The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) is 6.00 (2.00–12.00). The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) is 0.78 (0.74–0.81). For M‐type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R)‐negative IMN, the summary sensitivity is 8% (6–10%), specificity is 100% (99–100%). The summary PLR and NLR are 15.80 (5.70–44.00) and 0.93 (0.91–0.95), respectively. The DOR is 17.00 (6.00–48.00). The AUC is 0.99 (0.98–1.00). THSD7A‐AB has higher diagnostic value in PLA2R‐negative patients than in IMN patients. These results suggest that THSD7A‐AB could possibly be applied as an auxiliary non‐invasive diagnostic method for PLA2R‐negative IMN.
Active tectonics and palaeo‐environmental change in West China ‐ Preface
Authors: Li Sanzhong , Hu Jianmin , Shi Wei , Chen Hong , Somerville Ian
Published: November 2020

This special issue is on active tectonics and palaeeo‐enviroment in West China. It comprises 19 original research papers under the following three themes: (a) Late Cenozoic intracontinental deformation in West China, especially in the northeast and north margins of the Tibetan Plateau (nine papers), (b) Geomorphic evolution (four papers), and (c) Palaeo‐environmental evolution and Cenozoic strata (six papers).
Health policy and genetic endowments: Understanding sources of response to Minimum Legal Drinking Age laws
Authors: Fletcher Jason M. , Lu Qiongshi
Published: November 2020

This paper uses policy‐induced variation in legal access to alcohol in the United States to explore interactions between genetic predispositions and health behaviors. It is well known that Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) laws have discrete impacts on binge drinking behaviors, but less is known about heterogeneity of the effects and the characteristics of individuals most and least affected. Using the Add Health data, this paper explores differential policy effects based on polygenic scores (PGS), which are genome‐wide summary measures predicting health outcomes. Specifically, we leverage PGS for alcoholism and for a broader set of risk‐taking behaviors to explore heterogeneities in response to the policy and consider mechanisms for the responses. Like previous literature using the Add Health and other datasets, we find main effects of MLDA in increasing recent binge drinking episodes by approximately 5 percentage points. We find MLDA effects are concentrated entirely in individuals with high PGS for alcohol use. We are also able to compare these results with measures of parental alcoholism as a global proxy for family history.
Genomic Analysis of Vascular Invasion in HCC Reveals Molecular Drivers and Predictive Biomarkers
Authors: Krishnan Maya S. , Rajan KD Anand , Park Jangho , Arjunan Vinodhini , Garcia Marques Fernando Jose , Bermudez Abel , Girvan Olivia A. , Hoang Nam S. , Yin Jun , Nguyen Mindie H. , Kothary Nishita , Pitteri Sharon , Felsher Dean W. , Dhanasekaran Renumathy
Published: November 2020

Background and Aims

Vascular invasion (VI) is a critical risk factor for HCC recurrence and poor survival. The molecular drivers of vascular invasion in HCC are open for investigation. Deciphering the molecular landscape of invasive HCC will help identify therapeutic targets and noninvasive biomarkers.

Approach and Results

To this end, we undertook this study to evaluate the genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profile of tumors with VI using the multiplatform cancer genome atlas (The Cancer Genome Atlas; TCGA) data (n = 373). In the TCGA Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma cohort, macrovascular invasion was present in 5% (n = 17) of tumors and microvascular invasion in 25% (n = 94) of tumors. Functional pathway analysis revealed that the MYC oncogene was a common upstream regulator of the mRNA, miRNA, and proteomic changes in VI. We performed comparative proteomic analyses of invasive human HCC and MYC‐driven murine HCC and identified fibronectin to be a proteomic biomarker of invasive HCC (mouse fibronectin 1 [Fn1], P = 1.7 × 10−11; human FN1, P = 1.5 × 10−4) conserved across the two species. Mechanistically, we show that FN1 promotes the migratory and invasive phenotype of HCC cancer cells. We demonstrate tissue overexpression of fibronectin in human HCC using a large independent cohort of human HCC tissue microarray (n = 153; P < 0.001). Lastly, we showed that plasma fibronectin levels were significantly elevated in patients with HCC (n = 35; mean = 307.7 μg/mL; SEM = 35.9) when compared to cirrhosis (n = 10; mean = 41.8 μg/mL; SEM = 13.3; P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Our study evaluates the molecular landscape of tumors with VI, identifying distinct transcriptional, epigenetic, and proteomic changes driven by the MYC oncogene. We show that MYC up‐regulates fibronectin expression, which promotes HCC invasiveness. In addition, we identify fibronectin to be a promising noninvasive proteomic biomarker of VI in HCC.
Stingy principals or benevolent stewards: Reward practices in family versus nonfamily trucking companies
Authors: Bamberger Peter , Kuzmenko Aleksandra , Michael‐Tsabari Nava , Doveh Etti , Delery John E. , Gupta Nina
Published: November 2020

Research on family firms' employment practices remains equivocal with findings from studies framed on the basis of stewardship and socioemotional wealth (SEW) preservation perspectives suggesting that family firms are better employers than nonfamily peers, and findings from studies grounded on agency theory suggesting the opposite. Arguing that these two perspectives are not mutually exclusive, we theorize that, consistent with notions of compensating differentials, pay practices in family firms offer a compensatory balancing of lower base pay with pay forms and benefits signaling the kind of caring, support and long‐term commitment typical of such firms. Accordingly, while, consistent with an agentic perspective, pay rates in nonfamily firms may be higher than in family firms, consistent with the stewardship/SEW perspective, we argue that pay and benefits may be structured to offer greater long‐term reward security in family firms. Focusing on reward practices among employees in a single job in a single industry (i.e., truck drivers), we find that where there are differences, they generally favor family firms, with a significantly higher proportion of family firms paying on the basis of fixed salary (as opposed to more variable hourly/mile‐based rates), and with those firms paying hourly offering typical and “floor” rates higher than those offered by nonfamily firms. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Proglacial groundwater storage dynamics under climate change and glacier retreat
Authors: Mackay Jonathan D , Barrand Nicholas E , Hannah David M , Krause Stefan , Jackson Christopher R , Everest Jez , MacDonald Alan M , Ó Dochartaigh Brighid É
Published: November 2020

Proglacial aquifers are an important water store in glacierised mountain catchments that supplement meltwater‐fed river flows and support freshwater ecosystems. Climate change and glacier retreat will perturb water storage in these aquifers, yet the climate‐glacier‐groundwater response cascade has rarely been studied and remains poorly understood. This study implements an integrated modelling approach that combines distributed glacio‐hydrological and groundwater models with climate change projections to evaluate the evolution of groundwater storage dynamics and surface‐groundwater exchanges in a temperate, glacierised catchment in Iceland. Focused infiltration along the meltwater‐fed Virkisá River channel is found to be an important source of groundwater recharge and is projected to provide 14%–20% of total groundwater recharge by the 2080s. The simulations highlight a mechanism by which glacier retreat could inhibit river recharge in the future due to the loss of diurnal melt cycling in the runoff hydrograph. However, the evolution of proglacial groundwater level dynamics show considerable resilience to changes in river recharge and, instead, are driven by changes in the magnitude and seasonal timing of diffuse recharge from year‐round rainfall. The majority of scenarios simulate an overall reduction in groundwater levels with a maximum 30‐day average groundwater level reduction of 1 m. The simulations replicate observational studies of baseflow to the river, where up to 15% of the 30‐day average river flow comes from groundwater outside of the melt season. This is forecast to reduce to 3%–8% by the 2080s due to increased contributions from rainfall and meltwater runoff. During the melt season, groundwater will continue to contribute 1%–3% of river flow despite significant reductions in meltwater runoff inputs. Therefore it is concluded that, in the proglacial region, groundwater will continue to provide only limited buffering of river flows as the glacier retreats.
Risk factors for sexual dysfunction in pregnant women during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Karakas Latife A. , Azemi Asli , Simsek Seda Y. , Akilli Huseyin , Esin Sertac
Published: November 2020

Objective

To evaluate the level of sexual function during the COVID‐19 pandemic in pregnant women followed up in Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey, using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Methods

An observational analysis was performed on pregnant women who were not infected with COVID‐19. A total of 135 pregnant women (group 1), 45 of whom were in the first trimester, 45 in the second trimester, and 45 in the third trimester, and 45 healthy women who were not pregnant (group 2), were included in the study. The FSFI was used to assess sexual dysfunction status.

Results

A total of 118 (87.4%) pregnant participants and 31 (68.9%) non‐pregnant participants were diagnosed as having sexual dysfunction according to the FSFI. When comparing groups 1 and 2, FSFI scores were significantly lower in group 1 (p = 0.002). It was also found that women who had university degrees, were multiparous, and in the third trimester were more likely to develop sexual dysfunction (p = 0.030, p = 0.029, and p = 0.001, respectively). FSFI scores were found to be significantly higher in planned pregnancies than in unplanned pregnancies (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

The sexual function of uninfected pregnant women decreased during the COVID‐19 pandemic, negatively influenced by restrictive social distancing measures.
Quantitative neurotoxicology: Potential role of artificial intelligence/deep learning approach
Authors: Srivastava Anshul , Hanig Joseph P.
Published: November 2020

Neurotoxicity studies are important in the preclinical stages of drug development process, because exposure to certain compounds that may enter the brain across a permeable blood brain barrier damages neurons and other supporting cells such as astrocytes. This could, in turn, lead to various neurological disorders such as Parkinson's or Huntington's disease as well as various dementias. Toxicity assessment is often done by pathologists after these exposures by qualitatively or semiquantitatively grading the severity of neurotoxicity in histopathology slides. Quantification of the extent of neurotoxicity supports qualitative histopathological analysis and provides a better understanding of the global extent of brain damage. Stereological techniques such as the utilization of an optical fractionator provide an unbiased quantification of the neuronal damage; however, the process is time‐consuming. Advent of whole slide imaging (WSI) introduced digital image analysis which made quantification of neurotoxicity automated, faster and with reduced bias, making statistical comparisons possible. Although automated to a certain level, simple digital image analysis requires manual efforts of experts which is time‐consuming and limits analysis of large datasets. Digital image analysis coupled with a deep learning artificial intelligence model provides a good alternative solution to time‐consuming stereological and simple digital analysis. Deep learning models could be trained to identify damaged or dead neurons in an automated fashion. This review has focused on and discusses studies demonstrating the role of deep learning in segmentation of brain regions, toxicity detection and quantification of degenerated neurons as well as the estimation of area/volume of degeneration.
Ferulic acid alleviates lipopolysaccharide‐induced acute lung injury through inhibiting TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Xialei , Lin Liyao , Wu Haibin
Published: November 2020

Ferulic acid (FA) exhibits anti‐inflammatory, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and antihypertensive effects. This study aimed to determine whether FA could ameliorate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammatory responses and acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. Mice were challenged with LPS intratracheally to induce ALI 1 h after 3 days of FA (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (DEX; 5 mg/kg) administration. The lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected 12 h after the LPS challenge. Pretreatment with FA or DEX could attenuate lung histopathological change, complement deposition, and lung wet‐to‐dry weight ratio of mice injured by LPS. Meanwhile, the influx of neutrophils and macrophages, as well as the production of proinflammatory cytokine (tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, interleukin 1 beta [IL‐1β], and IL‐6), in BALF of ALI mice was significantly decreased. Moreover, FA or DEX markedly reversed the LPS‐induced elevation of myeloperoxidase activity and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 level in lung tissues of ALI mice. In addition, the Western blot analysis demonstrated that FA or DEX effectively inhibited the LPS‐induced activation of the toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) signaling pathway in lung tissues. The current study suggested that the alleviating effect of FA against LPS‐induced ALI might be partially due to the inhibition of the inflammatory response via inactivation of the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway.
State of recent literature on communication about cancer genetic testing among Latinx populations
Authors: Chavez‐Yenter Daniel , Chou Wen‐Ying Sylvia , Kaphingst Kimberly A.
Published: November 2020

Cancer‐related genetic testing (hereafter CGT) has transformed cancer prevention, treatment, and care. Researchers debate whether diffusion and use of genetic testing will reduce or widen cancer health disparities through effects on improving or worsening cancer‐related mortality, morbidity, and outcomes that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority populations. Cancer disparities by race and ethnicity have been associated with social determinants of health and healthcare access and experience. However, little research has explored how communication about CGT may contribute to these disparities. As such, the goal of this study was to characterize the literature published between 2010 and 2017 on communication about CGT among Latinx populations through a secondary analysis of papers identified in a larger scoping review. We found thirteen (2.5%) of 513 papers in the parent scoping review had over 50% Latinx representation; only nine of these (69%) had fully Latinx comprised study cohorts. The majority of the 13 identified studies (n = 9) were conducted to assess knowledge and attitudes regarding CGT. Most studies included services or materials in both Spanish and English. Few studies assessed language preference or acculturation or compared outcomes across sub‐ethnicities. We identified opportunities for researchers to explore differences in outcomes by language preference and acculturation, and between sub‐ethnicities in future studies. Leveraging a greater understanding of the heterogeneity within the Latinx population will allow genetics researchers and providers to improve utilization of CGT and therein health outcomes to advance health equity.
A fast Broyden's approximation‐based weighted least square state estimation for power systems
Authors: Shanmugapriya Subramaniyan , Maharajan Duraisamy
Published: November 2020

State estimation (SE) serves as the heart of the energy management systems in providing online database by processing slow‐sampled supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) measurements. The recent development of fast sampled phasor measurement units (PMUs) provides real‐time measurements that enable tracking of the system state; however, the associated high initial cost does not allow to completely replace the existing SCADA measurements by PMUs. This article thus attempts to employ both the SCADA and PMU measurements, and suggests a new SE scheme comprising of a static SE module (SSEM) that estimates system state at defined time interval in the order of minutes using both the SCADA and PMU measurements, and a fast state reconstructing module for tracking the system state using PMU measurements and the calculated pseudo measurements in place of SCADA measurements. The proposed scheme employs Broyden's approach that avoids repeated formation and factorization of the Jacobian and gain matrices, respectively while iteratively solving the nonlinear simultaneous equations. It exhibits superior computational efficiency of the suggested scheme by presenting simulation results of four standard test systems.