bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation in adult and pup wolf diets at natal den sites is influenced by forest composition and configuration
Authors: Roffler Gretchen H. , Pilgrim Kristine L. , Zarn Katherine E. , Schwartz Michael K. , Levi Taal
Published: January 2023

Although wolves are wide‐ranging generalist carnivores throughout their life cycle, during the pup‐rearing season wolf activity is focused on natal den sites where pup survival depends upon pack members provisioning food. Because prey availability is influenced by habitat quality within the home range, we investigated the relative importance of prey species for adults and pups and further examined the relationship between habitat characteristics, wolf diet, and litter size on Prince of Wales Island (POW) in Southeast Alaska. During 2012–2020, we detected 13 active den sites within the home ranges of nine wolf packs. We estimated minimum pup counts using motion‐detecting cameras and individual genotypes from noninvasive samples (hair:n = 322; scat:n = 227) and quantified wolf diet composition using fecal DNA metabarcoding (n = 538). We assessed habitat composition, configuration, and connectivity within denning and annual home ranges estimated using wolf GPS‐collar data. Contrary to expectations, wolves had a more constricted diet during denning season (April 15–July 31), and within this season pups had a narrower dietary niche (species richness [S] = 4) focused more on deer (relative frequency of occurrence [O/I] = 0.924) than adults (S = 15; deer O/I = 0.591). Litter size had a positive relationship with the relative frequency of deer in a wolf pack's diet. Wolf consumption of deer was positively associated with the proportion of young‐growth forest (≤25 years old) within denning and annual home ranges. High levels of vegetation patch interspersion, and the density of closed logging roads were also important predictors, suggesting these habitat qualities were influential for increasing the availability of deer to wolves. Our results contrast with previous research indicating wolf pup diets included more alternate prey (i.e., beaver) than adults and emphasize the importance of deer to wolf viability on POW, especially during denning season.
Continent‐wide evidence that landscape context can mediate the effects of local habitats on in‐field abundance of pests and natural enemies
Authors: Akter Salma , Rizvi Syed Z. M. , Haque Ahsanul , Reynolds Olivia L. , Furlong Michael J. , Melo Maria C. , Osborne Terry , Mo Jianhua , McDonald Simon , Johnson Anne C. , Gurr Geoff M.
Published: January 2023

Landscape‐scale factors known to influence in‐field abundance of pest herbivores and their natural enemies, but little is known about effects that operate through the shorter‐range influences exerted by habitats immediately adjacent to crop fields.

This study first compared the abundance of brassica insect pests and their natural enemy arthropods in 24 spatially independent brassica vegetable fields across southern Australia. An ‘edge effect’ index was used to compare the abundance of each taxon in the field center with abundance in areas of the crop adjacent to differing habitats. Then, three landscape properties: landscape composition, edge density, and connectivity of diverse crop and non‐crop habitats were analyzed at five scales up to 5 km from these focal field centers to assess longer‐range influences on arthropod abundances in field centers and on the edge effects.

Edge effect of adjacent woody vegetation promoted ladybirds and reduced diamondback moth and whiteflies. Conversely, the presence of crops and pastures immediately adjacent to focal crop fields reduced whiteflies and aphids but with no effect on natural enemies.

Effect of landscape composition and connectivity on arthropod abundance at field center found promotion of aphids (cabbage aphid and green peach aphid) by woodland in the landscape.

Effect of landscape properties on the edge effects of adjacent habitats was contrasting; strengthened (landscape composition and edge density on edge effect of crops, pasture and woody vegetation in reducing diamondback moth and whiteflies) as well as weakened (edge density and landscape connectivity on edge effect of crops, pasture and woody vegetation in reducing diamondback moth on diamondback moth, whiteflies and aphids, and promoting ladybirds).

Synthesis and applications: Findings of this geographically extensive study help define the level of pest risk associated with sites as well as suggest potential interventions such as establishment or restorations of woody vegetation adjacent to crop fields that could reduce risk.
Spatial modeling of two mosquito vectors of West Nile virus using integrated nested Laplace approximations
Authors: Bondo Kristin J. , Montecino‐Latorre Diego , Williams Lisa , Helwig Matt , Duren Kenneth , Hutchinson Michael L. , Walter W. David
Published: January 2023

The abundance of Culex restuans and Culex pipiens in relation to ecological predictors is poorly understood in regions of the United States where their ranges overlap. It is suspected that these species play different roles in spreading West Nile virus (WNV) in these regions, but few studies have modeled these species separately or accounted for spatial correlation using Bayesian methods. We used mosquito surveillance data collected by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection from 2002 to 2016 and integrated nested Laplace approximations with the stochastic partial differential equation approach to predict C. restuans and C. pipiens abundance in relation to several ecological predictors. We then made a predictive risk surface of abundance for each species at locations that were not sampled. Explanatory variables in the models included ecological variables previously described to be important predictors of the abundance of these mosquito species. Developed habitat, temperature, and precipitation were important predictor variables for the abundance of C. restuans, whereas developed habitat, snow water equivalent, and normalized difference water index were important predictor variables for the abundance of C. pipiens. The abundance of C. restuans had a negative relationship with developed habitat in contrast to C. pipiens abundance, which had a positive relationship with developed habitat. Julian date was modeled as a temporal trend for both species and showed C. restuans to be more abundant from late April through late June and C. pipiens to be more abundant from July through September. A seasonal crossover was observed between these two species on Julian day 185, 4 July. We observed different spatial patterns of abundance in the predictive risk maps of each of the species. Our results indicate that modeling the abundance of these species spatially and separately in regions where these two mosquito vectors coexist can help gain further insight into understanding the epidemiology of WNV in human and susceptible animal populations.
Integrating telemetry and point observations to inform management and conservation of migratory marine species
Authors: Liang Dong , Bailey Helen , Hoover Aimee L. , Eckert Scott , Zarate Patricia , Alfaro‐Shigueto Joanna , Mangel Jeffrey C. , de Paz Campos Nelly , Davila Javier Quinones , Barturen David Sarmiento , Rguez‐Baron Juan M. , Fahy Christina , Rocafuerte Amanda , Veelenturf Callie , Abrego Marino , Shillinger George L.
Published: January 2023

Species distribution models have been widely used in both terrestrial and marine systems, and applications have included invasive species management, evaluating potential effects of climate change, and conservation. Generally, only a single type of data can be accommodated within the model structures used, which may lead to higher uncertainty in the predictions when the data are sparse. In this case, it can be beneficial to pool data from multiple sources and data types, such as fishery observations and telemetry data. An integrated species distribution model (ISDM) utilizes data integration methods that address the challenges of harnessing multiple data types to estimate species distribution. In this study, an ISDM approach was developed to link turtle locations gathered as part of fishery observations with those derived from satellite telemetry in the East Pacific Ocean to enhance our understanding of a highly migratory and endangered marine species, the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). These models were developed to support a dynamic management tool, South Pacific TurtleWatch, to identify high‐risk areas of management concern and help inform bycatch reduction efforts for this critically endangered species. This data fusion approach could be applied to other populations and species for which telemetry and other point source data are available.
Modeling the effects of water regulation on the population viability of a threatened amphibian
Authors: Mathwin Rupert , Wassens Skye , Gibbs Matthew S. , Young Jeanne , Ye Qifeng , Saltré Frédérik , Bradshaw Corey J. A.
Published: January 2023

The regulation of river systems alters hydrodynamics and often reduces lateral connectivity between river channels and floodplains. For taxa such as frogs that rely on floodplain wetlands to complete their life cycle, decreasing inundation frequency can reduce recruitment and increase the probability of local extinction. We virtually reconstructed the inundation patterns of wetlands under natural and regulated flow conditions and built stochastic population models to quantify the probability of local extinction under different inundation scenarios. Specifically, we explored the interplay of habitat size, inundation frequency, and successive dry years on the local extinction probability of the threatened southern bell frog Litoria raniformis in the Murray River floodplains of South Australia. We hypothesized that the changes to wetland inundation resulting from river regulation are driving L. raniformis declines in this semiarid system. Regulation has reduced the inundation frequency of essential habitats below critical thresholds for the persistence of many fresh water‐dependent species. Successive dry years raise the probability of local extinction, and these effects are strongest in smaller wetlands. Larger wetlands and those with more frequent average inundation are less susceptible to these effects. Elucidating these trends informs the prioritization of intervention sites and the frequency of conservation interventions. Environmental water provision (through pumping or the operation of flow‐regulating structures) is a promising tool to reduce the probability of breeding failure and local extinction. Our modeling approach can be used to prioritize the delivery of environmental water to L. raniformis and potentially many other frog species.
Decades of warming alters maturation and reproductive investment in fish
Authors: Niu Jingyao , Huss Magnus , Vasemägi Anti , Gårdmark Anna
Published: January 2023

How does warming affect maturation and reproductive investment in ectotherms? Younger age and smaller size at maturation, as well as altered reproduction processes, have been found in a few species subjected to elevated temperatures. These observations, however, come from studies that do not distinguish effects of warming on maturation from those on growth, are also restricted to single generation responses to warming, or have additional stressors besides warming in the study system. Here, we study warming effects on maturation and reproductive investment in wild, unexploited fish populations using a whole‐ecosystem heating experiment. The experiment is conducted on Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) in a heated and control area (with >5°C temperature difference) in the Baltic Sea. We compare female perch size at maturation using estimated probabilistic maturation reaction norms (PMRNs) and the gonado‐somatic index over 17 years of heating, spanning approximately five to eight perch generations. Using the PMRN approach, we show that warming has substantial effects on maturation size independent of warming‐induced changes in body growth. We found that young fish mature at a smaller size and invest more in developing their gonads in the heated population than in the unheated population. Our findings suggest that warming effects on reproductive investment may initially compensate for the cost of warming‐induced decrease in maturation size caused by the trade‐off between early maturation and size‐dependent fecundity. After multiple additional generations of warming, maturation and reproduction traits in perch differed from those in the first generations following the onset of warming, which suggests that warming‐induced evolution may have occurred. Our study is particularly relevant in the context of climate change because of the unusually large temperature difference between the areas and the fact that the heating occurred on an ecosystem level. We call for experimental studies resolving mechanisms of trait responses to warming across generations, complemented with genomic analyses, to aid understanding of organisms' long‐term responses to climate change.
Airborne eDNA documents a diverse and ecologically complex tropical bat and other mammal community
Authors: Garrett Nina R. , Watkins Jonathan , Simmons Nancy B. , Fenton Brock , Maeda‐Obregon Alejandro , Sanchez Daniel E. , Froehlich Emma M. , Walker Faith M. , Littlefair Joanne E. , Clare Elizabeth L.
Published: January 2023

Environmental (e)DNA has rapidly become a powerful biomonitoring tool, particularly in aquatic ecosystems. This approach has not been as widely adopted in terrestrial communities where the methods of vertebrate eDNA collection have varied from the use of secondary collectors such as blood feeding parasites and spider webs, to washing surfaces of leaves and soil sampling. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of direct collection of eDNA from air sampling, but none have tested how effective airborne eDNA sampling might be in a biodiverse environment. We used three prototype samplers to actively sample a mixed neotropical bat community in a partially controlled environment. We assess whether airborne eDNA can accurately characterize a high diversity community with skewed abundances and to determine if filter design impacts DNA collection and taxonomic recovery. Our study provides evidence for the accuracy of airborne eDNA as a detection tool and highlights its potential for monitoring high density, diverse assemblages such as bat roosts. Analysis of air samples recovered >91% of the species present and some limited relationship between species abundance and read count. Our data suggests this method can accurately depict a diverse mixed‐mammal community, particularly when the location is contained (e.g., a roost, den or burrow) but also highlights the potential for secondary transfer of eDNA material on clothing and equipment. Our results also demonstrate that simple, inexpensive, battery‐operated homemade air samplers can collect an abundance of eDNA from the air, opening the opportunity for sampling in remote environments.
The Role of Metallodrugs in Cellular Senescence
Authors: Redrado Marta , Fernández‐Moreira Vanesa
Published: January 2023

Delivering alternative strategies to deal with cancer is a huge milestone in research. Cancer cells can give a senescence response as consequence of cellular stress or external stimuli such as the use of chemotherapies, which could end up eventually in cancer relapse. Controlling cellular senescence will surely open new cancer treatment approaches. Cancer senescence induction can be used as an added timeframe to look for alternative treatments and senolytic drugs to avoid cancer relapse destroying the senescent cells (SnCs). Within cancer senescence research, metal complexes are underdeveloped in comparison with that of organic molecules or nanoparticles. Herein, we highlight the scarce investigation performed with metal complexes in the field of senescence and how a great input on them could be a huge step towards the search of alternative cancer treatments.
Nonlinear Optical Switching Driven by the Lone Pair Electron Effect in a Hybrid Compound: (1S, 4S)‐(+)‐2‐Aza‐5‐oxabicyclo[2.2.1] heptane)2[SbCl5]
Authors: An Zhen , Liao Rong‐Meng , Yao Hai‐Quan , Cheng Yan , Zhu Bing‐Jun , Li Jian‐Rong , Ye Heng‐Yun
Published: January 2023

In order to take advantage of hybrid materials in their structural diversity and richness of their photoelectric properties, the research in polar materials has been extended to metal‐organic compounds in recent years. The main synthesis strategy is to use the molecular dynamics. Here, we describe that the second harmonic generation (SHG) switching effect can be effectively achieved by combination of coordination distortion of metal ions with s2 electrons and molecular dynamics. We synthesized a noncentrosymmetric complex, (1S,4S)‐(+)‐2‐aza‐5‐oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane)2[SbCl5], and found that it undergoes an isomorphic phase transition at 382 K. Accompanying the phase transition, the SHG experiences a switching process, and its strength changes from 0.2 times of that of KDP to only noise level. Systematic characterization reveals that the significant change of coordination distortion of the Sb3+ and the change of thermal motion of organic cations lead to the SHG switching effect. This finding shows that the combination of lone pair electron effect of metal ion and molecular dynamics characteristics would be a feasible strategy in development of polar hybrid materials.
Macrocyclic Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids and Silphiperfolanol Angelate Esters from Solanecio mannii
Authors: Umereweneza Daniel , Atilaw Yoseph , Peintner Stefan , Rudenko Anastasia , Bourgard Catarina , Xiong Ruisheng , Muhizi Théoneste , Sunnerhagen Per , Gogoll Adolf , Erdelyi Mate
Published: January 2023

Three new compounds, the silphiperfolanol angelate ester umutagarananol (1), the macrocyclic pyrrolizidine alkaloids umutagarinine A and B (2–3), and five known secondary metabolites (4–8) were isolated from the CH2Cl2−MeOH (1 : 1) extract of the roots and the stem bark of Solanecio mannii (Hook. f.) (Asteraceae). The isolated compounds were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopic, and mass spectrometric analyses, whereas the relative stereochemistry of 4 was established by NAMFIS‐based combined computational and solution NMR analysis. Synthetic modification of 5 provided two new compounds, 2‐angeloyloxy‐4,8‐epoxypresilphiperfolane (9) and 2‐angeloyloxy‐4,8‐epoxypresilphi‐perfolane (10). The crude extracts and the isolated constituents showed weak antibacterial activities (EC50 0.7–13.3 mM) against the Gram‐negative Escherichia coli and the Gram‐positive Bacillus subtilis. Compounds 2, 3 and 4 exhibited strong cytotoxicity against MCF‐7 human breast cancer cells, with EC50 values of 35.6, 21.7 and 12.5 μM, respectively.
Colorimetric and fluorimetric pH sensing using polydiacetylene embedded within PVC‐PCL nanofibers
Authors: Kalisz Justyna , Zarębska Justyna , Kijeńska‐Gawrońska Ewa , Maksymiuk Krzysztof , Michalska Agata
Published: January 2023

The applicability of model polydiacetylenes (PDAs) in hydrogen ions sensitive optodes was tested. Nanofibers mats were electrospun using a mixture of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polycaprolactone (PCL) together with 10, 12‐tricosadiynoic acid (TCDA) or 10,12‐pentacosadiynoic acid (PCDA). After the polymerization the mats were applied in colorimetric and fluorimetric pH sensors. The PDAs were formed by photopolymerization with a UV lamp (254 nm), resulting in a change of mats color from white to dark blue. The morphology of both fiber mats is similar (SEM images), and the average diameters of fibers were estimated as equal to 228±73 and 248±61 nm for TCDA and PCDA, respectively. As the pH increases, the color of the fiber mat changes from blue to red and the process can be followed visually. The result obtained by computer image analysis showed a sigmoidal increase in the intensity of red and a decrease in the intensity of blue color with increasing pH. A similar sigmoidal response is observed for the dependence of the emission intensity on the pH. Changes in the recorded signal occur in the pH range from 7 to 8.5 or from 8 to 9.5 for mats with TCDA and PCDA, respectively. Both readout modes can be successfully used for pH sensing with proposed nanofibrous mats in the range of pH close to the physiological pH range.
Impact of size and location of outflow opening vent on mixed convective heat transfer induced by two aligned heated cylinders immersed in a partially open channel
Authors: Alomar Omar Rafae , Saaeed Renas Hassan , Ali Omar Mohammed
Published: January 2023

The current work deals with the numerical investigation of mixed convection occurring from two hot cylinders placed inside vented ducts under different sizes of inflow and locations of outflow opening vents. The mathematical formulation is solved based on the finite volume approach. The location of the outflow section is changed to left, center, and right of enclosure. Impacts of inflow section sizes (1 = 0.125 and 1 = 0.25), locations of outflow section ( = ), space between cylinders (), Reynolds number (), and Richardson number () are implemented. Findings display that the average Nusselt number (Nu) is exceeded by 20% for low due to the effect of nonsymmetrical inflow and outflow sections as compared with the case of equal opening vents. For large Ri, a higher Nu is obtained for nonequal opening vents in comparison with the case of equal opening vents by 10%. The difference in the average Nu between left and right cylinders is about 11%. Findings display that the enhancement in Nu due to the large spacing size between cylinders as compared with those of low spacing size is about 35%. The variations of Nu display the opening vents ratio, Re, , and have an extreme action on the characteristics of flow and temperature fields.
The regulatory approvals of immune checkpoint inhibitors in China and the United States: A cross‐national comparison study
Authors: Jin Yan , Li Hongtao , Zhang Pei , Yu Man , Zhang Huan , Li Xin
Published: January 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are currently one of the most popular treatment methods for cancers. Several ICIs have been approved in China and the United States. We created a database of approved ICIs by extracting the information of interest from the drug labels and reviewing documents disclosed on the official websites of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and compared the difference between the marketed ICIs in China and the United States regarding the number of indications, tumor types, review time, treatment setting, and so forth. Until June 30, 2022, 9 and 15 ICIs had been approved for 86 and 58 indications in the United States and China, involving 20 and 14 types of tumors, respectively. The correlation between indications and disease incidence was higher in China (r = 0.64) than in the United States (r = 0.45). About half of the indications were approved as first‐line therapies in combination with chemotherapy, target therapy, or immunotherapy. Over 30% of indications were approved under accelerated or conditional approval in the two countries. A shorter regulatory review time was required by the FDA (median:181 days) compared to the NMPA (median: 279 days) for the new indication approval. Five ICIs marketed in China were approved by the FDA before the NMPA, with the median launch delay for the same indication of 344 days in China. A differentiated clinical development program that focuses on meeting unmet needs may bring new success for subsequent ICI products.
Molecule transfer into mammalian cells by single sub‐nanosecond laser pulses
Authors: Hausladen Florian , Kruse Petra , Hessenberger Felicia , Stegmayer Thomas , Kao Yu‐Ting , Seelert Wolf , Preyer Rosemarie , Springer Marco , Stock Karl , Wittig Rainer
Published: January 2023

A rapid, precise, and viability‐retaining method for cytoplasmic molecule delivery is highly desired for cell engineering. Routine methods suffer from low throughput, lack of selectivity, requirement of helper compounds, predominant endosomal delivery, and/or are restricted to specific molecule classes. Photonic cell manipulation bears the potential to overcome these drawbacks. Here we investigated mammalian cell manipulation by single sub‐nanosecond laser pulses. Axial beam waist positioning close to a cell monolayer induced culture vessel damage and zones of cell ablation. Cells at margins of ablation zones exhibited uptake of membrane‐impermeant fluorophores and GFP expression plasmids. Increasing Rayleigh‐length and beam waist diameter reduced the sensitivity to axial defocusing and resulted in robust molecule transfer. Serial application of single pulses focused over a moving cell monolayer yielded quantitative molecule transfer to cells at rates up to 40%. Our results could be basic to spatially and temporally controlled single laser pulse‐mediated marker‐free high throughput cell manipulation.
Sudan Black B treatment for reducing autofluorescence in human glioma tissue and improving fluorescent signals of bacterial LPS staining
Authors: He Dian , Li Ting , Yang Xiaodu , Xu Yingying , Sun Haitao
Published: January 2023

The 3D visualization based on tissue clearing technology allows us to have a deeper understanding of the 3D spatial information of deep molecules in the tissue. Tissue clearing and bacterial labeling methods have been used for in situ 3D microbiota imaging, and we have developed a pipeline for 3D visualization of in situ microbiota in human gliomas. Anti‐LPS antibodies are appropriate to label and characterize bacteria in situ within tumors. However, autofluorescence (AF) is common in biological tissues, especially in brain tissues filled with lipofuscin‐like (LF) substances. This natural fluorescent signal is usually considered to be a problem because it affects the 3D visualization of fluorescent signals in bacterial LPS staining. Here, we used Sudan Black B (SBB) to mask the AF of human glioma tissue and explored in detail the optimal quencher concentration, which allows 3D visualization of intratumoral bacteria to reduce AF and maintain the intensity of intratumoral bacteria‐specific LPS fluorescent signals.
Choroidal vascularity index (CVI)‐Net‐based automatic assessment of diabetic retinopathy severity using CVI in optical coherence tomography images
Authors: Wang Xuehua , Li Rui , Chen Junyan , Han Dingan , Wang Mingyi , Xiong Honglian , Ding Wenzheng , Zheng Yixu , Xiong Ke , Zeng Yaguang
Published: January 2023

A deep learning model called choroidal vascularity index (CVI)‐Net is proposed to automatically segment the choroid layer and its vessels in overall optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans. Clinical parameters are then automatically quantified to determine structural and vascular changes in the choroid with the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) severity. The study includes 65 eyes consisting of 34 with proliferative DR (PDR), 17 with nonproliferative DR (NPDR), and 14 healthy controls from two OCT systems. On a dataset of 396 OCT B‐scan images with manually annotated ground truths, overall Dice coefficients of 96.6 ± 1.5 and 89.1 ± 3.1 are obtained by CVI‐Net for the choroid layer and vessel segmentation, respectively. The mean CVI values among the normal, NPDR, and PDR groups are consistent with reported outcomes. Statistical results indicate that CVI shows a significant negative correlation with DR severity level, and this correlation is independent of changes in other physiological parameters.
Corporate social responsibility and tax avoidance: Channeling effect of family firms
Authors: Özbay Deniz , Adıgüzel Hümeyra , Karahan Gökmen Mehpare
Published: January 2023

Although the relationship between tax avoidance and corporate social responsibility has been the subject of many studies, results have been inconclusive. In this study, we investigate this relationship from the agency perspective of family firms. Using 1156 firm‐year observations from 94 firms listed on the Istanbul Stock exchange, we found that socially responsible non‐family firms engage in tax avoidance activities through discretionary book‐tax differences rather than tax avoidance through aggressive tax planning and tax sheltering, and this behavior is opposite in family firms. According to findings, family firms engage in more aggressive tax planning than non‐family firms. This study also provides evidence about the external effects on the relationship between CSR and tax avoidance when family firms are monitored effectively by institutional investors or debtors. More specifically, external monitoring by institutional investors or debtors only affects the tax avoidance behaviors of non‐family firms.
Nitrogen removal mechanisms in biochar‐amended sand filters treating onsite wastewater
Authors: Shahraki Zahra Maleki , Wang Mian , Zhao Yue , Orlov Alexander , Mao Xinwei
Published: January 2023

The performance of biochar‐amended sand filters treating septic tank effluent (STE) was investigated in bench‐scale columns. Softwood biochar showed higher NH4+–N adsorption capacity (1.3 mg N g−1), and its water holding capacity (0.57 g ml−1) was significantly higher than sand (0.26 g ml−1). Two biochar amendment ratios (10% and 30%) were selected for STE treatment in short‐term (20 days) and long‐term (8 months) studies. During the short‐term experiment, the overall total nitrogen removal efficiency was greater in biochar‐amended sand columns (94.7%–95.6%) than in 100% sand columns (71.2%) due to the additional NH4+–N adsorption by biochar. Greater nitrification performance was also observed in biochar‐amended columns (87.1%–96.3%) than in 100% sand columns (61.4%) during long‐term operation when alkalinity was insufficient. The nitrification performance in biochar‐amended columns resumed more quickly (<7 days) after sufficient alkalinity was amended. The density of total biomass and nitrifying bacteria in biochar‐amended columns (30%) were significantly higher at all experimental stages, suggesting biochar served as a growth media for enhanced biomass growth. The alkalinity changes and STE composition fluctuation had little impact on the nitrification performance of the 30% biochar‐amended sand columns. In addition, biochar surface functional groups and zeta potential changed little after long‐term STE filtration. Collectively, the results demonstrated proper biochar amendment ratio (30%) could enhance the nitrification performance of sand filters treating STE by increasing the system hydraulic retention time, providing additional alkalinity for nitrification, and serving as a growth media for enhanced biomass growth.
Whole‐genome sequencing of hMPXV1 in five Italian cases confirms the occurrence of the predominant epidemic lineage
Authors: Forni Diego , Moltrasio Chiara , Sironi Manuela , Mozzi Alessandra , Quattri Eleonora , Venegoni Luigia , Zamprogno Marzia , Citterio Andrea , Clerici Mario , Marzano Angelo Valerio , Cagliani Rachele
Published: January 2023

The ongoing outbreak of monkeypox virus (hMPXV1) is the largest recorded in historically nonendemic countries. Genomic surveillance has emerged as a pivotal tool to track the spread and monitor the evolution of viral pathogens. Therefore, to assess the genetic diversity of circulating hMPXV1 in northern Italy in June to July 2022, we sequenced and analyzed five complete genomes of viruses sampled from patients presenting with a typical course of hMPXV1 infection. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that all five genomes belong to the predominant epidemic lineage (B.1). Inspection of genetic changes and comparison with the reference sequence showed the presence of 12 nucleotide substitutions. Seven are nonsynonymous mutations leading to amino acid changes in six proteins belonging to different functional classes. Moreover, 11 of these 12 nucleotide mutations involve GA>AA or TC>TT replacements, suggesting that host APOBEC3 enzymes are responsible for the generation of substitutions in circulating viruses. Finally, metagenomic analysis evidenced bacterial superinfection (Streptococcus pyogenes) in one patient. Through this study, we contributed to expand the number of complete genomes of viruses circulating in Italy and characterize them as belonging to the predominant outbreak lineage.
Potential critical sources of error in the analysis of microcharcoal in Greenlandic palynological samples – an initial study
Authors: Krüger S. , Schnetger B. , Strunk A. , Jessen C.
Published: January 2023

It is common practice to count charcoal particles alongside pollen and non‐pollen palynomorphs in palynological samples. The classification of material as charcoal is dependent upon a number of morphological criteria which, in certain geological zones, could be misclassified. In a preliminary study we tested the effects of different preparation techniques on the count result of charcoal from the same samples of Greenland lake sediments. We demonstrate that the use of hydrofluoric acid has a major impact on the number of recorded charcoal particles. We show that detrital biotite is responsible for a large fraction of the particles misclassified as charcoal and suggest that by using a neodymium magnet any inaccuracy can be minimised. This protocol was then applied to further samples which removed the biotite fraction from the total charcoal count.
Feasibility and desirability of screening search results from Google Search exhaustively for systematic reviews: A cross‐case analysis
Authors: Briscoe Simon , Abbott Rebeca , Lawal Hassanat , Shaw Liz , Coon Jo Thompson
Published: January 2023

A commonly reported challenge of using Google Search to identify studies for a systematic review is the high number of results retrieved. Thus, ‘stopping rules’ are applied when screening, such as screening only the first 100 results. However, recent evidence shows that Google Search estimates a much higher number of results than the viewable number, raising the possibility of exhaustive screening. This study aimed to provide further evidence on the feasibility of screening search results from Google Search exhaustively, and to assess the desirability of this in terms of identifying studies for a systematic review. We conducted a cross‐case analysis of the search results of eight Google Search searches from two systematic reviews. Feasibility of exhaustive screening was ascertained by calculating the viewable number of results. Desirability was ascertained according to: (1) the distribution of studies within the results, irrespective of relevance to a systematic review; (2) the distribution of studies which met the inclusion criteria for the two systematic reviews. The estimated number of results across the eight searches ranged from 342,000 to 72,300,000. The viewable number ranged from 272 to 364. Across the eight searches the distribution of studies was highest in the first 100 results. However, the lowest ranking relevant studies were ranked 227th and 215th for the two systematic reviews. One study per review was identified uniquely from searching Google Search, both within the first 100 results. The findings suggest it is feasible and desirable to screen Google Search results more extensively than commonly reported.
Investigation of changes in total phenol, flavonoid, antioxidant activity, fatty acids, polyphenol and mineral profiles of hazelnut kernels dried in air, oven and microwave
Authors: Özcan Mehmet Musa , Uslu Nurhan
Published: January 2023

Background

Hazelnut is one of the most consumed nuts in the world. Appropriate drying methods should be chosen to prevent microbiological and oil oxidation, which will affect the quality of hazelnuts after harvest.

Results

Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of fresh and dried hazelnuts were detected between 40.83 (fresh (control)) and 82.98 mg GAE/100 g (conventional oven) to 105.95 (control) and 234.05 mg/100 g (conventional oven), respectively. Also, antioxidant activities of fresh and dried hazelnuts changed between 4.08 mmol/kg (control) and 7.46 mmol/kg (conventional oven). Gallic acid, 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, syringic acid and rutin were the abundant phenolic compounds of fresh and dried hazelnuts. Catechin amounts of hazelnut samples varied between 12.53 (control) and 37.78 mg/100 g (conventional oven). Also, while oleic acid amounts of hazelnut oils are determined between 73.21 (microwave) and 73.80% (air), linolenic acid amount of the ash of fresh and dried hazelnuts were identified between 17.57 (control) and 18.33% (conventional oven). P, K, Ca, Mg, S were the key macroelements of fresh and dried hazelnuts, while Fe, Cu and Zn are determined as the abundant microelements of hazelnuts. Results showed charges depending on drying types compared to the control.

Conclusion

As a result, the differences in the nutritional properties and phytochemicals of hazelnuts were revealed during the drying of hazelnuts with different drying types, which is important due to their nutritional and physiological importance. Drying types and times were effective on the elemental contents of hazelnuts. Generally, considering the oil content, bioactive properties, phenolic components and fatty acids of hazelnut, it is thought that the conventional oven drying system can be chosen because it can achieve better results for consumers.
Toward agile Business Process Management: Description of concepts and a proposed definition
Authors: Bernardo Junior Ronaldo , de Padua Silvia Ines Dallavalle
Published: January 2023

Business Process Management (BPM) needs to be adjusted quickly and flexibly to cope with the dynamics of the business environment, so the demand for the incorporation of agility has reached BPM. To contribute to the theoretical consolidation of Agile BPM, it is necessary to develop a conceptualization for the term, that is, to describe the essential attributes for its understanding. Communicating the meaning of the concept in reduced words occurs through the definition, so the main objective of this study is to develop a scientific definition for Agile BPM. This study was performed in three phases. First, a systematic literature review was conducted to investigate how the scientific literature has addressed Agile BPM. Next, a deductive analysis was performed to conceptualize Agile BPM. In the third phase, a consultation with experts was conducted to refine the conceptual view and critique a tentative definition, preceded by judges' analysis to consolidate the definition. As a result, the concept of Agile BPM was elaborated, and based on the reduction of this conceptualization, a scientific definition was presented which describes that Agile BPM is “the promotion of BPM in which practitioners stimulate change quickly and flexibly in order to meet organizational demands with compliance and provide a better customer experience”. There is a pioneering spirit in the present study regarding the deliberate conceptualization of Agile BPM, which provides the basis for discussion of the topic, and helps scientific dissemination through a definition, contributing to the development of a theory of Agile BPM.
Multifunctional nanoparticle for cancer therapy
Authors: Gao Yan , Wang Kaiyu , Zhang Jin , Duan Xingmei , Sun Qiu , Men Ke
Published: January 2023

Cancer is a complex disease associated with a combination of abnormal physiological process and exhibiting dysfunctions in multiple systems. To provide effective treatment and diagnosis for cancer, current treatment strategies simultaneously focus on various tumor targets. Based on the rapid development of nanotechnology, nanocarriers have been shown to exhibit excellent potential for cancer therapy. Compared with nanoparticles with single functions, multifunctional nanoparticles are believed to be more aggressive and potent in the context of tumor targeting. However, the development of multifunctional nanoparticles is not simply an upgraded version of the original function, but involves a sophisticated system with a proper backbone, optimized modification sites, simple preparation method, and efficient function integration. Despite this, many well‐designed multifunctional nanoparticles with promising therapeutic potential have emerged recently. Here, to give a detailed understanding and analyzation of the currently developed multifunctional nanoparticles, their platform structures with organic or inorganic backbones were systemically generalized. We emphasized on the functionalization and modification strategies, which provide additional functions to the nanoparticle. We also discussed the application combination strategies that were involved in the development of nanoformulations with functional crosstalk. This review thus provides an overview of the construction strategies and application advances of multifunctional nanoparticles.
Pedicled palmar intermetacarpal perforator flap for skin‐graftless syndactyly release: Anatomical study and clinical application
Authors: Soldado Francisco , Garcia‐Martinez Maria Cristina , Barrera‐Ochoa Sergi , Knorr Jorge , Couceiro Jose , Aversano Michael W.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Dorsal hand skin flaps have been described in order to avoid digit skin grafting in syndactyly release. Although these skin‐graftless techniques present a lower rate of long term complications, they result in unsightly dorsal scarring and worse patient satisfaction. We describe a novel technique using an intermetacarpal palmar flap by performing an anatomic study and clinical application.

Materials and Methods

Ten colored‐latex‐injected fresh upper limbs were used to study the palmar cutaneous perforators to second to fourth intermetacarpal space skin flaps designed elliptical, its width extending from the center of each involved ray and measuring 40%–50% the length of the palm.

Results

The anatomical study revealed a mean 2.77 (range 1 to 4) cutaneous perforators originating from either the common or proper digital vessels for every intermetacarpal space and measuring 0.4 mm (range 0.3 to 0.5 mm) in diameter.

Clinical Application

This flap, measuring a mean of 21.5 mm (range 20 to 23 mm) in length and 9.5 mm (range 9 to 10 mm) in width, was used to release simple syndactylies in three patients of mean age 24 months (range = 18–30 months). After skin incision, cutaneous septa to the digital canal were released to permit flap advancement to the web space. Cutaneous perforators were not dissected. Intra‐operative palmar‐flap advancement provided commissure coverage in all children with no skin grafts needed. Over a mean follow‐up of 15 months, no complications occurred, mean palm scar VSS was 2.4 (range 2 to 3) while it was 3 (range 3 to 3) for the commissure scars.

Conclusions

Skin‐graftless syndactyly release using a palmar intermetacarpal flap seems both reliable and easy‐to‐perform.

Level of Evidence

Therapeutic IV.
Exploring isofunctional molecules: Design of a benchmark and evaluation of prediction performance
Authors: Pinel Philippe , Guichaoua Gwenn , Najm Matthieu , Labouille Stéphanie , Drizard Nicolas , Gaston‐Mathé Yann , Hoffmann Brice , Stoven Véronique
Published: January 2023

Identification of novel chemotypes with biological activity similar to a known active molecule is an important challenge in drug discovery called ‘scaffold hopping’. Small‐, medium‐, and large‐step scaffold hopping efforts may lead to increasing degrees of chemical structure novelty with respect to the parent compound. In the present paper, we focus on the problem of large‐step scaffold hopping. We assembled a high quality and well characterized dataset of scaffold hopping examples comprising pairs of active molecules and including a variety of protein targets. This dataset was used to build a benchmark corresponding to the setting of real‐life applications: one active molecule is known, and the second active is searched among a set of decoys chosen in a way to avoid statistical bias. This allowed us to evaluate the performance of computational methods for solving large‐step scaffold hopping problems. In particular, we assessed how difficult these problems are, particularly for classical 2D and 3D ligand‐based methods. We also showed that a machine‐learning chemogenomic algorithm outperforms classical methods and we provided some useful hints for future improvements.
Research progress of antistatic‐reinforced polymer materials: A review
Authors: Liu Yangdong , Lu Siyuan , Luo Jing , Zhao Yaqin , He Jiasheng , Liu Chunli , Chen Zhenbin , Yu Xiaoqing
Published: January 2023

Polymer materials have been widely used in modern industries duo to their characteristics such as lightweight, low price, and corrosion resistance. However, the inherent insulation of polymer materials can cause static electricity, which has become one of the major problems that has limited their application. Meanwhile, as the basis for ensuring the service field and life of the polymer materials, mechanical properties can affect the comprehensive properties of the polymer materials. Therefore, research on the preparation of composite materials with both antistatic properties and good mechanical properties with antistatic‐reinforced modification has attracted extensive attention and achieved important progress. Based on the principle of electrostatic electrification of antistatic‐reinforced modification, antistatic mechanisms and main preparation strategies, this paper summarized the research achievements of the antistatic‐reinforced polymer materials in recent years. Additionally, some factors that have affected their antistatic properties were presented, and the development trends of the antistatic‐reinforced polymer materials based on the deficiencies of current research were proposed.
Emergency department visits and hospitalizations for pediatric vaso‐occlusive pain events during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Romanos‐Sirakis Eleny , Demissie Seleshi
Published: January 2023

The coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19) pandemic altered all aspects of life, including healthcare. During the pandemic, social distancing led to decreased transmission of typical viral illnesses, leading to a decrease in these pediatric admissions. Studies have shown that pediatric emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations decreased during the pandemic, which may have led to some unmet healthcare needs and delays in treatment. Little is known about the effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on ED visits and hospitalizations specifically for pediatric sickle cell pain. A retrospective review across hospitals in the Northwell Health system was conducted to compare the ED visits and hospitalizations for pediatric patients with sickle cell pain during 2020 (the year of the pandemic), the following year (2021), and the 2 years prior to the pandemic (2018, 2019). The average length of stay for patients hospitalized with vaso‐occlusive events was also compared between these years. Total 511 patient encounters for patients seen and discharged home from the ED and 985 hospitalization encounters were included over the 4‐year timespan. ED visits per year decreased significantly in 2020 compared with the 2 years prior (p < .001): 91 visits in 2020, 162 visits in 2019, and 143 visits in 2018. The number of ED visits for pediatric vaso‐occlusive events trended upward in 2021 to 115. Hospitalizations also decreased in 2020 compared to the 2 years prior (n = 202 vs 196; p < .001), compared with 298 in 2019 and 289 in 2018. The number of patients hospitalized remained stable in 2021 (n = 202 vs 196). There was a statistically significant increase in the median length of stay in 2020 compared to years prior (p = .002): median (interquartile range [IQR]): 4.0 days (2–6 days) in 2020 compared to 3.0 days (2–5 days) in 2018 and 2019. ED encounters and hospitalizations for pediatric patients with sickle cell disease pain decreased during the pandemic; however, admitted patients had a longer median length of stay.