bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High Sugar Production from Hydrolysate of Pineapple Residues via Integrated Enzyme‐Membrane System
Authors: Ayanasamy Kohmalam , Baharudin Aishah , Jamek Shariza , Saufi Syed M. , Hairom Nur Hanis Hayati , Mohd Sueb Mohd Shafiq
Published: July 2022

The enzyme‐membrane integrated system has become an attractive method for the depolymerization of lignocellulosic biomass. The effects of pH, temperature, enzyme loading, and reaction time were evaluated in order to maximize the sugar production. Hydrolysate extracted from pineapple leaves was used as a substrate. The feed substrate was hydrolyzed by β‐xylosidase under different working conditions using the one‐factor‐at‐a‐time (OFAT) method. The best working conditions obtained via enzymatic hydrolysis were applied in the enzyme‐membrane integrated system. The sugar yield obtained by simultaneous reaction and filtration was much higher (293.94 %) than by the reaction alone (32.23 %).
Tracking of Dissolved Oxygen Distribution and Consumption Pattern in a Bespoke Bacterial Growth System
Authors: Mulakhudair Ali R. , Al-Mashhadani Mahmood K. H. , Kokoo Rungrote
Published: July 2022

Microbial cells are used to produce valuable bioproducts. Dense cultures, however, have a high demand for dissolved oxygen which is challenging, considering the low solubility of oxygen in liquid. This study of design and simulation of a gaslift bioreactor highlights a vital limitation of growth, which is the oxygen limitation and sustain aerobic cultures. The aerobic growth has the effect of greatest resource efficiency in that the highest fraction of dosing is done with the largest concentration driving force near critical dissolved oxygen levels and the lowest fraction occurs with near saturated dissolved oxygen values. The results indicate that oxygen homogeneously distributed with limited dead zones at the bottom. The developed system produces 40.5 % more biomass compared with conventional systems, which suffer from oxygen depletion.
Tuning the Electrode Activity to Expose Transformational and Electrocatalytic Characteristics of Individual Nanoparticles by Nanoimpact Electrochemistry
Authors: Kostopoulos Nikolaos , Vieira Mathias Miranda , Godeffroy Louis , Médard Jérôme , Combellas Catherine , Lemineur Jean‐Francois , Kanoufi Frédéric , Noël Jean‐Marc
Published: July 2022

Nanoimpact electrochemistry (NIE) is a straightforward analytical technique to study at high throughput the reactivity of single nanoparticles (NPs) colliding with a biased ultramicroelectrode (UME). As NIE can reveal both NP size and catalytic activity, this strategy can be employed to establish relationships between these two NP descriptors. Herein, it is shown that the electrode material is crucial for visualizing simultaneously electrocatalytic processes and NP transformation, which can size the NPs. UMEs made of gold (Au) or glassy carbon (GC), were employed to study the reduction of AgBr NPs and the electrocatalytic activity of the resulting Ag NPs for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). With Au UME, only the transformation process is probed, allowing a quantitative analysis of the overpotential effect on the reduction dynamics of the AgBr NPs. When a GC UME is employed, the AgBr NPs reduction and subsequent ORR activity can be quantified for the very same NPs.
A Chemically Fuelled Molecular Automaton Displaying Programmed Migration of Zn2+ Between Alternative Binding Sites
Authors: Wootten Matthew M. , Tshepelevitsh Sofja , Leito Ivo , Clayden Jonathan
Published: July 2022

A molecular system comprising a cationic zinc complex and an amino acid‐derived ambident ligand having phosphate and carboxylate binding sites undergoes a series of rearrangements in which the metal cation migrates autonomously from one site to another. The location of the metal is identified by the circular dichroism spectrum of a ligated bis(2‐quinolylmethyl)‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine (BQPA) chromophore, which takes a characteristic shape at each binding site. Migration is fuelled by the decomposition of trichloroacetic acid to CO2 and CHCl3, which progressively neutralises the acidity of the system as a function of time, revealing in sequence binding sites of increasing basicity. The migration rate responds to control by variation of the temperature, water content and triethylamine concentration, while an excess of fuel controls the duration of an induction period before the migration event.
Synthesis of Cage‐Shaped Borates Bearing Pyrenylmethyl Groups: Efficient Lewis Acid Catalyst for Photoactivated Glycosylations Driven by Intramolecular Excimer Formation
Authors: Tsutsui Yuya , Tanaka Daiki , Manabe Yoshiyuki , Ikinaga Yuka , Yano Kumpei , Fukase Koichi , Konishi Akihito , Yasuda Makoto
Published: July 2022

We describe the synthesis and characterization of a photoactivated boron‐based Lewis acid catalyst based on a cage‐shaped triphenolic ligand with three pyrenylmethyl moieties. The obtained cage‐shaped borate functioned as a photoactivated Lewis acid catalyst thanks to the flexible three pyrenylmethyl moieties. The deformation of the cage‐shaped scaffold driven by intramolecular excimer formations of the pyrenes is a critical factor in realizing the photoactivation. Mannich‐type reactions and glycosylations significantly were accelerated under 370 nm light irradiations. It is noteworthy that various glycosyl fluorides, which are not easily activated in photocatalytic systems due to their high C−F bond stability, are activated by the photoimproved catalytic activity of the catalyst.
A New Discovery towards Novel Skeleton of Benzimidazole‐Conjugated Pyrimidinones as Unique Effective Antibacterial Agents
Authors: Yang Xi , Syed Rasheed , Fang Bo , Zhou Cheng‐He
Published: July 2022

Comprehensive Summary

A class of new potential antibacterial agents with distinctive pyrimidinone benzimidazole skeleton was developed through nucleophilic substitution and Biginelli reaction starting from urea, ethyl 4‐chloroacetoacetate and various aldehydes. Some target molecules exhibited strong antibacterial activities, especially pyrimidinone benzimidazole hybrid 9e possessed the strongest inhibitory effects on the growth of E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa with a lower MIC value of 1 μg/mL than norfloxacin. Moreover, compound 9e displayed strong antibiofilm capacity, low drug resistance and excellent biosafety toward human red blood cells. Further research revealed that compound 9e could disrupt membrane integrity and cause leakage of cellular components such as proteins and nucleic acids. Meanwhile, compound 9e could decrease lactate dehydrogenase activity, block cell metabolism and interact with DNA in an intercalation manner. ADMET analysis predicated that molecule 9e possessed promising pharmacokinetic properties and good bioavailability profile.
Pentagon‐Containing Doublet Graphene Fragments with Edge‐Dependent Spin/Charge Distribution
Authors: Gong Zongcheng , Xiang Qin , Li Ke , Xu Zhuofan , Hu Jinlian , Ni Yong , Sato Sota , Sun Zhe
Published: July 2022

Comprehensive Summary

The synthesis of stable open‐shell hydrocarbon system comprising of pentagon defects and zigzag edges remains unexplored, which can be considered as model compounds for unraveling the spin‐localized states in graphene edges. With concise synthetic approaches, two π‐extended fluorenyl radicals were synthesized and isolated in their crystalline state. X‐ray crystallographic analysis and studies on the magnetic, optical and electrochemical properties of neutral and charged species have revealed an interesting edge‐dependence of the spin/charge distribution, that is, the spin and charge distribution shifted from the pentagon defects to the zigzag edges with the elongation of conjugation. Such phenomenon was unprecedented for hydrocarbon radicals and can be rationalized by the recovery of Clar Sextets in the dominant resonance structures. Remarkably, one of the radicals exhibited exceptional stability in air‐saturated solutions with the half‐life time up to 260 d, thus providing opportunities for the applications as electronic materials.
CXCL8 expression is associated with advanced stage, right sidedness, and distinct histological features of colorectal cancer
Authors: Pennel Kathryn AF , Quinn Jean A , Nixon Colin , Inthagard Jitwadee , van Wyk Hester C , Chang David , Rebus Selma ,   GPOL Group, Hay Jennifer , Maka Noori N , Roxburgh Campbell SD , Horgan Paul G , McMillan Donald C , Park James H , Roseweir Antonia K , Steele Colin W , Edwards Joanne
Published: July 2022

CXCL8 is an inflammatory chemokine elevated in the colorectal cancer (CRC) tumour microenvironment. CXCR2, the major receptor for CXCL8, is predominantly expressed by neutrophils. In the cancer setting, CXCL8 plays important roles in neutrophil chemotaxis, facilitating angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. This study aimed to assess the spatial distribution of CXCL8 mRNA expression in CRC specimens, explore associations with clinical characteristics, and investigate the underlying biology of aberrant CXCL8 levels. CXCR2 expression was also assessed in a second cohort of unique CRC primary tumours and synchronously resected matched liver metastases. A previously constructed tissue microarray consisting of a cohort of stage I–IV CRC patients undergoing surgical resection with curative intent (n = 438) was probed for CXCL8 via RNAscope®. Analysis was performed using HALO® digital pathology software to quantify expression in the tumour and stromal compartments. Scores were assessed for association with clinical characteristics. Mutational analyses were performed on a subset of these patients to determine genomic differences in patients with high CXCL8 expression. A second cohort of stage IV CRC patients with primary and matched metastatic liver tumours was stained via immunohistochemistry for CXCR2, and scores were assessed for clinical significance. CXCL8 expression within the stromal compartment was associated with reduced cancer‐specific survival in the first cohort (p = 0.035), and this relationship was potentiated in right‐sided colon cancer cases (p = 0.009). High CXCL8 within the stroma was associated with driving a more stromal‐rich phenotype and the presence of metastases. When stromal CXCL8 scores were combined with tumour‐infiltrating macrophage counts or systemic neutrophil counts, patients classified as high for both markers had significantly poorer prognosis. CXCR2+ immune cell infiltration was associated with increased stromal invasion in liver metastases (p = 0.037). These data indicate a role for CXCL8 in driving unfavourable tumour histological features and promoting metastases. This study suggests that inhibiting CXCL8/CXCR2 should be investigated in patients with right‐sided colonic disease and stroma‐rich tumours.
Machine Learning Guided Discovery of Non‐Hemolytic Membrane Disruptive Anticancer Peptides
Authors: Zakharova Elena , Orsi Markus , Capecchi Alice , Reymond Jean‐Louis
Published: July 2022

Most antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and anticancer peptides (ACPs) fold into membrane disruptive cationic amphiphilic α‐helices, many of which are however also unpredictably hemolytic and toxic. Here we exploited the ability of recurrent neural networks (RNN) to distinguish active from inactive and non‐hemolytic from hemolytic AMPs and ACPs to discover new non‐hemolytic ACPs. Our discovery pipeline involved: 1) sequence generation using either a generative RNN or a genetic algorithm, 2) RNN classification for activity and hemolysis, 3) selection for sequence novelty, helicity and amphiphilicity, and 4) synthesis and testing. Experimental evaluation of thirty‐three peptides resulted in eleven active ACPs, four of which were non‐hemolytic, with properties resembling those of the natural ACP lasioglossin III. These experiments show the first example of direct machine learning guided discovery of non‐hemolytic ACPs.
Localization of chemical synapses and modulatory release sites in the cardiac ganglion of the crab, Cancer borealis
Authors: Rue Mara C. P. , Baas‐Thomas Natasha , Iyengar Priya S. , Scaria Lara K. , Marder Eve
Published: July 2022

The crustacean cardiac ganglion (CG) comprises nine neurons that provide rhythmic drive to the heart. The CG is the direct target of multiple modulators. Synapsin‐like immunoreactivity was found clustered around the somata of the large cells (LC) and in a neuropil at the anterior branch of the CG trunk of Cancer borealis. This implicates the soma as a key site of synaptic integration, an unusual configuration in invertebrates. Proctolin is an excitatory neuromodulator of the CG, and proctolin‐like immunoreactivity exhibited partial overlap with putative chemical synapses near the LCs and at the neuropil. A proctolin‐like projection was also found in a pair of excitatory nerves entering the CG. GABA‐like immunoreactivity was nearly completely colocalized with chemical synapses near the LCs but absent at the anterior branch neuropil. GABA‐like projections were found in a pair of inhibitory nerves entering the CG. C. borealis Allatostatin B1 (CbASTB), red pigment concentrating hormone, and FLRFamide‐like immunoreactivity each had a unique pattern of staining and co‐localization with putative chemical synapses. These results provide morphological evidence that synaptic input is integrated at LC somata in the CG. Our findings provide a topographical organization for some of the multiple inhibitory and excitatory modulators that alter the rhythmic output of this semi‐autonomous motor circuit.
Literature review of vision‐based dynamic gesture recognition using deep learning techniques
Authors: Jain Rahul , Karsh Ram Kumar , Barbhuiya Abul Abbas
Published: July 2022

Gesture recognition is the foremost need in building intelligent human‐computer interaction systems to solve many day‐to‐day problems and simplify human life in this digital world. The traditional machine learning (ML) algorithm tried to capture specific handcrafted features, failed miserably in some real‐world environments. Deep learning (DL) techniques have become a sensation among researchers in recent years, making the traditional ML approaches quite obsolete. However, existing reviews consider only a few datasets on which DL algorithm has been applied, and the categorization of the DL algorithms is vague in their review. This study provides the precise categorization of DL algorithms and considers around 15 gesture datasets on which these techniques have been applied. This study also provides a brief overview of the numerous challenging dataset available among the research community and insight into various challenges and limitations of a DL algorithm in vision‐based dynamic gesture recognition.
MobEdge: Mobile blockchain‐based privacy‐edge scheme for healthcare Internet of Things‐based ecosystems
Authors: Deshmukh Varun , Pathak Sunil , Bothe Santosh
Published: July 2022

Centralized healthcare Internet of Things (HIoT)‐based ecosystems are challenged by high latency, single‐point failures, and privacy‐based attacks due to data exchange over open channels. To address the challenges, the shift has progressed toward decentralized HIoT setups that infuse computation closer to a patient node via edge services. As HIoT data are critical and sensitive, trust among stakeholders is a prime concern. To address the challenges, researchers integrated blockchain (BCH) into edge‐based HIoT models. However, the integration of lightweight BCH is required with an edge for proper interplay and leverage effective, scalable, and energy‐efficient computational processes for constrained HIoT applications. Owing to the existing gap, this article proposes a schemeMobEdge, that fuses lightweight BCH, and edge computing to secure HIoT. A local BCH client model is set up that forwards data to edge sensor gateways. The shared data are secured through an access tree control lock scheme that preserves the privacy of health records. For security and signing purposes, we have considered signcryption, and the validated records meta‐information are stored in an on‐chain structure. The scheme is compared on two grounds, security and simulation grounds. On the security front, we do cost evaluation and present a formal analysis model using the Automated Validation of Internet Security Protocols and Applications tool. An edge‐based BCH setup use‐case is presented, and parameters like mining cost, storage cost, edge servicing latency, energy consumption, BCH network usage, and transaction signing costs are considered. In the simulation, the mining cost is 0.6675 USD, and improvement of storage costs are improved by 18.34%, edge‐servicing latency is 384 ms, and signcryption improves the signing cost by 36.78% against similar schemes, that indicates the scheme viability in HIoT setups.
Automatic classification and diagnosis of heart valve diseases using heart sounds with MFCC and proposed deep model
Authors: Yildirim Muhammed
Published: July 2022

Heart sounds have been widely used for years to monitor and classify heart diseases. Experts manually examine these sounds, which is arduous and time‐consuming. In addition, since interpreting these sounds requires experience, experts who do not have enough experience may misinterpret these sounds. For this reason, a new deep one‐dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (1D‐CNN) architecture has been proposed to increase the detection accuracy and alleviate the workload of experts in the classification of sound signals used in the diagnosis of heart valve diseases. In the developed model, first, feature maps were obtained from heart sounds by using the MFCC method. High performance was achieved when the feature maps obtained later were classified in the developed deep architecture. Furthermore, the feature maps generated by the MFCC approach were classified using traditional machine learning classifiers. When the obtained results were compared, it was observed that the suggested deep model was more successful. In the developed architecture, an accuracy rate of 99.5% was obtained. The accuracy rate obtained shows that the developed architecture can be used to classify heart sounds and diagnose heart valve diseases.
Does board capital enhance corporate social responsibility disclosure quality? The role of CEO power
Authors: Maswadi Laila , Amran Azlan
Published: July 2022

This paper examines the relationship between board capital attributes and corporate social responsibility disclosure (CSRD) quality and how CEO power moderates the association between board capital attributes and CSRD quality. Using a cross‐sectional sample of 114 firms, we find that directors' experience and directors' interlocking have positive impacts on CSRD quality while directors' political ties have a significant negative impact on CSRD quality in Saudi firms. Contrary to our hypotheses, we find no support for the impacts of directors' education, directors' expertise, and board nationality on CSRD quality. Moreover, we find partial support for the moderation effects of CEO power. Overall, we theoretically highlight the roles of resource dependence theory and agency theory in enhancing CSRD quality.
A Survey of Catalytic Materials for Ammonia Electrooxidation to Nitrite and Nitrate
Authors: Johnston Sam , Cohen Sam , Nguyen Cuong K. , Dinh Khang N. , Nguyen Tam D. , Giddey Sarbjit , Munnings Christopher , Simonov Alexandr N. , MacFarlane Douglas R.
Published: July 2022

Studies of the ammonia oxidation reaction (AOR) for the synthesis of nitrite and nitrate (NO2/3−) have been limited to a small number of catalytic materials, majorly Pt based. As the demand for nitrate‐based products such as fertilisers continues to grow, exploration of alternative catalysts is needed. Herein, 19 metals immobilised as particles on carbon fibre electrodes were tested for their catalytic activity for the ammonia electrooxidation to NO2/3− under alkaline conditions (0.1 m KOH). Nickel‐based electrodes showed the highest overall NO2/3− yield with a rate of 5.0±1.0 nmol s−1 cm−2, to which nitrate contributed 62±8 %. Cu was the only catalyst that enabled formation of nitrate, at a rate of 1.0±0.4 nmol s−1 cm−2, with undetectable amounts of nitrite produced. Previously unexplored in this context, Fe and Ag also showed promise and provided new insights into the mechanisms of the process. Ag‐based electrodes showed strong indications of activity towards NH3 oxidation in electrochemical measurements but produced relatively low NO2/3− yields, suggesting the formation of alternate oxidation products. NO2/3− production over Fe‐based electrodes required the presence of dissolved O2 and was more efficient than with Ni on longer timescales. These results highlight the complexity of the AOR mechanism and provide a broad set of catalytic activity and nitrate versus nitrite yield data, which might guide future development of a practical process for the distributed sustainable production of nitrates and nitrites at low and medium scales.
A simple rotor current estimation method for predictive control of multi‐phase drives
Authors: Satué Manuel G. , Arahal Manuel R. , Ortega Manuel G. , Ramírez Daniel R.
Published: July 2022

Predictive control of stator currents is a model‐based technique needing an estimation of rotor currents, which are normally not measured. These currents affect the evolution of the stator currents and, therefore, also affect the predictions used by the controller. The usual procedure consists in correcting their effect by a simple feedback technique. In this article, the estimation of rotor currents is tackled based in the induction machine equivalent circuit. The proposed estimation procedure aims at improving the predictions with respect to the usual procedure. Simulation and experimental results are provided for the particularly demanding case of a multi‐phase induction machine, showing the superiority of the proposal.
The secreted protein augurin is a novel modulator of canonical Wnt signalling involved in osteoblast differentiation
Authors: Ruggiero Carmen , Durand Nelly , Jarjat Marielle , Barhanin Jacques , Ghirardello Elena J. , Dack Michael R.G. , Williams Graham R. , Bassett J.H. Duncan , Lalli Enzo
Published: July 2022

Background

ECRG4/C2ORF40 is a tumour suppressor gene downregulated in several cancer types, which encodes the secreted protein augurin. A wide number of functions in health and disease have been assigned to augurin, but the signalling pathways it regulates are still poorly characterized. Augurin expression is strongly upregulated during in vitro differentiation of neonatal mouse osteoblasts.

Methods

In vitro differentiation assays of calvarial osteoblasts isolated from Ecrg4 ‐/‐ and wild‐type mice; transient transfection assays using reporters activated by Wnt signalling and other signal transduction pathways; Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction for measurement of gene expression; protein expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells and Escherichia coli; in situ binding assays of proteins expressed as fusions to alkaline phosphatase with cells expressing various membrane receptors.

Results

Osteoblasts from Ecrg4 ‐/‐ mice have an accelerated differentiation compared to wild‐type and upregulation of Wnt markers. Augurin is a specific repressor of Wnt‐stimulated transcriptional activity, both when coexpressed together with the reporter and when added to the culture medium as a soluble protein. We confirmed the previously described binding of augurin to LOX1, a scavenger receptor, but an inhibitor of this molecule did not impair augurin repression of Wnt‐stimulated transcription specifically. Genome‐wide association studies showed an association of ECRG4 genomic variation with body height and osteoarthritis.

Conclusions

Our study sheds new light on the wide spectrum of functions previously ascribed to augurin in brain function, stem cell biology, inflammation/immunity and cancer. Furthermore, our discovery paves the way to further characterization of the mechanisms involved in augurin repression of Wnt signalling and the development of agonists and antagonists for this protein, which have a wide array of potential applications in the clinic.
Taking molecular pathology to the next level: Whole slide multicolor confocal imaging with the Pannoramic Confocal digital pathology scanner
Authors: Rebenku István , Bartha Ferenc A. , Katona Tamás , Zsebik Barbara , Antalffy Géza , Takács Lili , Molnár Béla , Vereb György
Published: July 2022

The emergence and fast advance of digital pathology allows the acquisition, digital storage, interactive recall and analysis of morphology at the tissue level. When applying immunohistochemistry, it also affords the correlation of morphology with the expression of one or two specific molecule of interest. The rise of fluorescence pathology scanners expands the number of detected molecules based on multiplex labeling. The Pannoramic Confocal (created by 3DHistech, Hungary) is a first‐of‐the‐kind digital pathology scanner that affords not only multiplexed fluorescent detection on top of conventional transmission imaging, but also confocality. We have benchmarked this scanner in terms of stability, precision, light efficiency, linearity and sensitivity. X–Y stability and relocalisation precision were well below resolution limit (≤50 nm). Light throughput in confocal mode was 4–5 times higher than that of a point scanning confocal microscope, yielding similar calculated confocal intensities but with the potential for improving signal to noise ratio or scan speed. Response was linear with R2 ≥ 0.9996. Calibrated measurements showed that using indirect labeling ≥2000 molecules per cell could be well detected and imaged on the cell surface. Both standard‐based and statistical post‐acquisition flatfield corrections are implemented. We have also measured the point spread function (PSF) of the instrument. The dimensions of the PSF are somewhat larger and less symmetric than of the theoretical PSF of a conventional CLSM, however, the spatial homogeneity of these parameters allows for obtaining a specific system PSF for each optical path and using it for optional on‐the‐fly deconvolution. In conclusion, the Pannoramic Confocal provides sensitive, quantitative widefield and confocal detection of multiplexed fluorescence signals, with optical sectioning and 3D reconstruction, in addition to brightfield transmission imaging. High speed scanning of large samples, analysis of tissue heterogeneity, and detection of rare events open up new ways for quantitatively analyzing tissue sections, organoid cultures or large numbers of adherent cells.
Extensive spindling in medullary thyroid carcinoma posing a diagnostic challenge: A case report
Authors: Saini Tarunpreet , Kundu Reetu , Bhujade Harish
Published: July 2022

Medullary thyroid carcinoma is a neuroendocrine tumor derived from parafollicular or ‘C’ cells with sporadic and familial forms. Fine needle aspiration cytology is a quick way to establish the diagnosis. Sometimes a usual tumor may show prominent spindling on cytomorphology due to sampling issues, which poses a diagnostic challenge. When encountering spindled tumor cells on cytology smears from the thyroid, differential diagnoses encompass many benign and malignant lesions. We present cytological findings of the usual type of medullary thyroid carcinoma showing extensive spindling on cytology smears, which was a diagnostic dilemma. An accurate diagnosis was reached with the judicious use of immunocytochemistry on the cell block. We also discuss the available literature, differential diagnoses, and how to troubleshoot.
Do experimentalpHincreases alter the structure and function of a lowland tropical stream?
Authors: Marzolf Nicholas S. , Baca Dominic M. , Bruce Terrius K. , Vega‐Gómez Mariely , Watson Christopher D. , Ganong Carissa N. , Ramírez Alonso , Pringle Catherine M. , Ardón Marcelo
Published: July 2022

Disturbances can alter the structure and function of ecosystems. In stream ecosystems, changes in discharge and physicochemistry at short, intermediate, and long recurrence intervals can affect food webs and ecosystem processes. In this paper, we compare pH regimes in streams at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica, where episodic acidification frequency across the stream network varies widely due to buffering from inputs of bicarbonate‐rich interbasin groundwater. To examine the effects of acidification on ecosystem structure and function, we experimentally increased the buffering capacity of a headwater stream reach and compared it to an unbuffered upstream reach. We compared these reaches to a naturally buffered and unbuffered reaches of a second headwater stream. We quantified ecosystem structural (macroinvertebrate assemblages on leaf litter and coarse woody debris) and functional responses (leaf litter and coarse woody debris decomposition rates, and growth rates of a focal insect taxon [Diptera: Chironomidae]). Non‐metric multidimensional scaling and analysis of similarity revealed that macroinvertebrate assemblages were relatively homogenous across the four study reaches, although the naturally buffered reach was the most dissimilar. Ecosystem function, as measured by chironomid growth rates, was greater in the naturally buffered reach, while decomposition rates did not differ across the four reaches. Our results indicate that biological assemblages are adapted to pH regimes of frequently acidified stream reaches. Our experiment informs the effects on structure and function at short time scales in streams that experience moderate acidification, but larger magnitude acidification events in response to hydroclimatic change, as projected under climate change scenarios, may induce stronger responses in streams.
Comparative analysis of zooplankton diversity in freshwaters: What can we gain from metagenomic analysis?
Authors: Monchamp Marie‐Ève , Walsh David A. , Garner Rebecca E. , Kraemer Susanne A. , Beisner Beatrix E. , Cristescu Melania E. , Gregory‐Eaves Irene
Published: July 2022

Molecular genetic approaches applied to environmental DNA have great potential for biodiversity research and ecosystem monitoring. A metagenome is produced via shotgun sequencing of DNA collected directly from the environment and represents a sample of genetic information from all organisms captured in an environmental sample. Metagenomes have been primarily used to study bacteria and archaea, but promising reports focusing on metazoan diversity are emerging. However, methodological uncertainties remain, and studies are required to validate the power and the limitations of such an approach when applied to macro‐eukaryotes. Here, we analyzed water sample metagenomes to estimate zooplankton diversity in 22 freshwater lakes across eastern Canada. We tested the coherence of data based on field samples collected at the same time: 1) morphologically identified zooplankton specimens and 2) molecular genetic data derived from shotgun sequencing of environmental DNA for which we applied two different bioinformatic workflows: a whole metagenome mapping approach and a small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene prediction approach. We further evaluated diversity trends emerging from each dataset in relation to major environmental gradients. We found a significant correlation between the relative abundance of zooplankton families identified based on SSU rRNA gene prediction and morphology. However, differences in congruence between metagenomes and morphological identifications were detected when varied bioinformatic approaches were applied to the presence–absence data. This study presents one of the first diversity assessments of a group of aquatic metazoans using metagenomes and validates the coherence of the community composition derived from genomic and classical species surveys. Overall, our results suggest that metagenomics has the potential to be further developed to describe metazoan biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems, and to advance this area we provide key recommendations for workflow improvement.
Defect Engineering via Copper Doping on Oxygen‐Deficient Manganese Oxide for Durable Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Battery
Authors: Liang Ningning , Sun Xiaoyan , Qi Lishan , Zhang Shiyin , Lin Lili , Dong Caifu , Wang Xiao
Published: July 2022

Aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have triggered an astounding research surge because of their high safety, affordability, and impressive electrochemical properties. However, the smooth implementation of this promising technology is hindered by severe structural degradation and sluggish reaction kinetics of the cathode materials. Here, the defect engineering is demonstrated by the substitution doping of Cu2+ in layered δ‐MnO2 to boost the electrochemical reactivity for Zn‐ion storage. Benefited from the nanoscale morphology and oxygen‐deficient structural features, this Zn/MnO2 battery is able to deliver a high reversible capacity of 296.8 mAh g−1 with a capacity retention of 94.9% over 120 cycles (at 0.1 A g−1) and a desirable energy density of 441 Wh kg−1, as well as an ultra‐long cycle life up to 6000 cycles, which is also intensively associated with the facilitated Zn2+ diffusion and charge transfer rates after the Cu2+ dopants, based on the electrochemical kinetics analysis. The effortless but effective defect engineering arising from element doping can provide significant enlightenment to design high‐performance cathode materials for ZIBs.
Energy analysis of an inerter‐enhanced floating floor structure (In‐FFS) under seismic loads
Authors: Ma Haomin , Cheng Zhibao , Jia Gaofeng , Shi Zhifei
Published: July 2022

To improve the seismic responses of the traditional floating floor structure (FFS), an inerter‐enhanced FFS, namely the In‐FFS, was recently proposed by the authors. The multifold improvements offered by the In‐FFS compared to the FFS have been investigated based on the seismic responses analysis. In this work, the superior performances of the In‐FFS are investigated and demonstrated based on the energy analysis method. It is found that, thanks to the dynamic equivalent mass effect of the inerter, the input energy of the entire system under seismic inputs is suppressed. Compared with the conventional frame structure (FS), the maximum mechanical energy of the primary structure is reduced by around 75% and 80% for the FFS and In‐FFS, respectively. As a result, dynamic responses of the primary structure are greatly mitigated. More importantly, the inerter attachment can effectively suppress the maximum kinetic energy of the FFSs (e.g., by more than 50%). The relative displacements between the floating floor slabs and the primary structure are reduced by more than a half. The energy dissipation capacity of the inerter attachment is much better (about two times) than that of the traditional isolator with the same damper. Compared to its two degenerated models, the proposed inerter attachment can suppress both the maximum mechanical energy of the primary structure and the maximum kinetic energy of the floating floor slab at the same time. Overall, the proposed In‐FFS outperforms the traditional FFS. It enhances the multifold advantages of the FFS (i.e., the small interstory drift responses of the primary structure and the limited absolute acceleration response of the floating floor slab); meanwhile, it also eliminates a main disadvantage of the FFS (i.e., the large relative displacement between the floated floor slabs and the primary structure).
Evaluating macro‐ and micronutrients and food groups intake with the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease: Is there any association?
Authors: Farsi Farnaz , Tahvilian Negin , Heydarian Azadeh , Karimi Sara , Ebrahimi Sara , Ebrahimi‐Daryani Nasser , Tabataba‐Vakili Sanam , Heshmati Javad , Mokhtare Marjan
Published: July 2022

Growing clinical evidence represented that certain dietary components are involved in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) development and progression. This research, therefore, aimed to evaluate whether there exists any relationship between nutrients and IBD. This case–control study from 2017 to 2019 was performed on 145 newly diagnosed IBD patients and 145 BMI‐, sex‐, and age‐matched healthy controls who were recruited from a hospital clinic. A validated 168‐item food frequency questionnaire was completed by each participant. Anthropometric measurements and physical activity levels were measured for all participants. Stata software was used to analyze all data. Of the 234 study individuals who participated, 112 were IBD patients and 122 were healthy people. The higher amount of seafood and cholesterol was related to an increased risk of IBD and ulcerative colitis development; however, individuals who had a higher intake of calcium were less likely to have Crohn's compared to the healthy group. There was a positive relation between honey and jam, seafood, organ meats, salt, fruits on trees, fruit juice, olives, and nuts and the probability of IBD, but there was a negative association between refined grains, potatoes, salty snacks, legumes, dairy, and cruciferous and the probability of IBD. Higher consumption of seafood and cholesterol was positively connected with a higher risk of IBD development in the current case–control study. A substantial association was seen between honey and jam, seafood, organmeats, salt, fruit on trees, fruit juice, olives, and nut consumption and IBD developement.
Incorporating local health education priorities in HealthLAB: Learnings from very remote Australia
Authors: Clifford Sarah , Smith‐Vaughan Heidi , Brown Louise , Walters Niamah , Hoosan Whitney , Boyd Nicole
Published: July 2022

Issue addressed

It is well‐established that health education and promotion programs work best when they have been tailored to meet local contextual needs. In this brief report we describe a health education program and how it identified and incorporated local priorities into its delivery in two remote Aboriginal communities in the “Top End” of the Northern Territory.

Methods

During the first visit to each community team members met with local stakeholders and ran an inaugural HealthLAB session. Fieldnotes were taken during or directly after each interaction. At the end of each day team members debriefed regarding their fieldnotes. After both trips had been completed, priority areas were extracted from fieldnotes and synthesised.

Results

Although some health priorities were congruent across all groups, Community Members and Childcare staff tended to identify practical solutions while School and Clinic staff were focused on the clinical outcome. Community Members were particularly focused on the wider social and systemic factors impacting health.

Conclusion

In response to the need for practical support, HealthLAB modified their health education packages to upskill mothers and sports coaches to provide brief health education sessions to local children and young people.

So what?

It is recognised that many health promotion programs focus on individual behaviours without creating supportive environments. While it was out of scope for HealthLAB to address physical environmental factors, by building local capacity and knowledge to deliver health education, the program can contribute to a healthier and supportive social environment.
The effect of spatial–temporal characteristics of rainfall on urban inundation processes
Authors: Chen Guangzhao , Hou Jingming , Wang Tian , Lv Jiahao , Jing Jing , Ma Xin , Yang Shaoxiong , Deng Chaoxian , Ma Yue , Ji Guoqiang
Published: July 2022

The spatial–temporal characteristics of rainfall is one of the important elements affecting urban inundation. In this work, the effect of spatial–temporal characteristics of rainfall on urban inundation processes was investigated. To solve the problem that it is difficult to acquire the spatial–temporal characteristics of rainfall, the weather generator model was used to generate rainfall data in accordance with the climatic conditions of the study area. Then, precise rainfall data with 1 km2 spatial resolution and 5 min temporal resolution were obtained through the downscaling method. Finally, the GAST hydrodynamic model was used to simulate the urban inundation processes under different rainfall scenarios. The simulated results show that the inundation area and the inundation water volume increase with the rainfall spatial–temporal heterogeneity, and the inundation peak time lags behind. The impact of rainfall spatial–temporal heterogeneity on inundation weakens as the rainfall return period prolongs. When the rainfall spatial heterogeneity increases, the high‐risk inundation area enlarges, while the low‐risk inundation area shrinks. The temporal distribution of rainfall exerts the greatest impact on the inundation peak time. The research results can help researchers understand the key effects of the spatial–temporal characteristics of rainfall on urban inundation, and obtain relatively reliable simulated inundation results even without detailed information of the spatial–temporal characteristics of rainfall.
Associations between parental and adolescent alcohol use: The role of gender and familism support
Authors: Espinosa‐Hernandez Graciela , Noel Nora E. , Vasilenko Sara A. , McCrimmon Jordyn , Moran Angel Hernandez
Published: July 2022

Introduction

This study examined the role of gender and familism support in the associations between parental and adolescent drinking behaviors in a sample of Mexican adolescents.

Method

Mexican adolescents (49% girls; N = 724) aged 12–19 completed measures assessing familism support, self‐reported drinking behaviors, and perceptions of parental drinking behaviors.

Results and Conclusion

Findings suggest that both gender and familism support moderate the relationship between parental drinking behaviors and adolescent drinking behaviors. For instance, the association between mothers' alcohol use frequency and adolescent binge drinking was stronger for girls. In contrast, the association between fathers' amount per drinking day and adolescent binge drinking was stronger for boys. Mother's amount per drinking day was associated with less alcohol use per drinking day among adolescents reporting high familism support. The current study expands our understanding of parental modeling on Mexican adolescent drinking behavior.
Association of Vitamin D and Parathyroid Hormone Status With the Aging-Related Decline of Bone Microarchitecture in Older Men: The Prospective Structure of Aging Men's Bones (STRAMBO) Study
Authors: Bobillier Audrey , Wagner Philippe , Whittier Danielle E. , Ecochard René , Boyd Steven K. , Chapurlat Roland , Szulc Pawel
Published: July 2022

Poor vitamin D status and high parathyroid hormone (PTH) level are associated with impaired bone microarchitecture, but these data are mainly cross-sectional. We studied the association of the baseline PTH and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25OHD) levels with the prospectively assessed deterioration of bone microarchitecture and in estimated bone strength in older men. Distal radius and tibia bone microarchitecture was assessed by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) at baseline, then after 4 and 8 years in 826 men aged 60–87 years. At distal radius, total bone mineral density (Tt.BMD), cortical thickness (Ct.Thd), cortical area (Ct.Ar), cortical BMD (Ct.BMD), and trabecular BMD (Tb.BMD) decreased, whereas trabecular area (Tb.Ar) increased more rapidly in men with 25OHD ≤20 ng/mL versus the reference group (>30 ng/mL). Men with 25OHD ≤10 ng/mL had faster decrease in reaction force and failure load than men with 25OHD >30 ng/mL. At the distal tibia, Tt.BMD, Ct.Thd, Ct.Ar, Ct.BMD, failure load, and reaction force decreased, whereas Tb.Ar increased more rapidly in men with 25OHD between 10 and 20 ng/mL versus the reference group. The results were similar when 12 ng/mL was used as a threshold of severe vitamin D deficiency. At distal radius, men with PTH levels above the median (>44 pg/mL) had more rapid decrease in Tt.BMD, Ct.Ar, Ct.BMD, Ct.Thd, reaction force, and failure load, and more rapid increase in Tb.Ar versus the lowest quartile (≤34 pg/mL). At the distal tibia, men in the highest PTH quartile had faster decrease in Tt.BMD, Ct.Thd, Ct.Ar, Ct.BMD, reaction force, and failure load and faster increase in Tb.Ar versus the lowest quartile. The results were similar in men with glomerular filtration rate >60 mL/min. The results were similar in men who took no vitamin D or calcium supplements for 8 years. In summary, vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism are associated with more rapid prospectively assessed cortical and trabecular bone decline in older men. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
The metabolic analysis in human aortic tissues of aortic dissection
Authors: Zhang Kefeng , Pan Xudong , Zheng Jun , Liu Yongmin , Sun Lizhong
Published: July 2022

Background

The metabolic profile of human aortic tissues is of great importance. Among the analytical platforms utilized in metabolomics, LC‐MS provides broad metabolome coverage. The non‐targeted metabolomics can comprehensively detect the entire metabolome of an organism and find the metabolic characteristics that have significant changes in the experimental group and the control group and elucidate the metabolic pathway concerning the recognized metabolites. Employing non‐targeted metabolomics is helpful to develop biomarkers for disease diagnosis and disease pathology research; for instance, Aortic aneurysm (AA) and Aortic dissection (AD).

Aim

This study sought to describe the non‐targeted analysis of 18 aortic tissue samples, comparing between AA and AD.

Material & Methods

Our experimental flow included dividing the samples into (AA, nine samples) and (AD, nine samples), SCIEX quadrupole timeofflight tandem mass spectrometer (TripleTOF) 6600+ mass spectrometer data refinement, MetDNA database analysis, and pathway analysis. We performed an initial validation by setting quality control parameters to evaluate the stability of the analysis system during the computer operation. We then used the repeatability of the control samples to examine the stability of the instrument during the entire analysis process to ensure the reliability of the results.

Results

Our study found 138 novel metabolites involved in galactose metabolism.

Discussion

138 novel metabolites found in this study will be further studied in the future.

Conclusion

Our study found 138 novel metabolites between AA and AD, which will provide viable clinical data for future studies aimed to implement galactose markers in aortic tissue analysis.
A heavy burden: Associations between sexual minority status, mental health, and BMI in women
Authors: Goldblatt Alison E. A. , Bankoff Sarah M. , Katz‐Wise Sabra L. , Pantalone David W.
Published: July 2022

Background

Sexual minority women (SMW) are at increased risk of elevated body mass index (BMI) compared to heterosexual women, increasing their vulnerability to chronic diseases. Nonmonosexual SMW appear to be at additional risk for elevated BMI, likely due to unique sexual minority stressors.

Methods

A total of 437 SMW and heterosexual women completed a cross‐sectional, online survey including self‐report measures of sexual orientation dimensions, weight, psychological distress, and eating behaviors. We investigated relations among these variables to better understand disparities in self‐reported BMI based on sexual orientation and sexual orientation discordance (SOD).

Results

SMW self‐reported more psychological distress, more binge eating, and higher BMIs than their heterosexual peers, with nonmonosexual groups of SMW often reporting the highest values. SOD was positively associated with psychological distress.

Conclusions

SMW—particularly nonmonosexual SMW—are at increased risk for psychological distress, binge eating, and elevated BMI relative to heterosexual peers. Future research should further elucidate mechanisms for these disparities.