bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Static Magnetic Field on Orthodontic Tooth Movement in Mice
Authors: Shan Yue , Han Han , Zhu Jingyi , Yan Xinyu , Zhang Xiaoqi , Long Hu , Jian Fan , Li Xiaolong , Wang Yan , Lai Wenli
Published: May 2021

The application of static magnetic field (SMF) has been considered an effective and noninvasive method to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of SMF on orthodontic tooth movement in mice. A total of 105 Balb/c mice (body mass: 25–30 g) were divided into experimental group (SMF + force, 48), control group (force only, 48), and blank group (neither SMF nor force, 9). After the placement of orthodontic appliances, the experimental group was exposed to the SMF environment generated by Neodymium–iron–boron (NdFeB) magnets with an intensity of 20–204 mT. At 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after appliance insertion, eight animals in both experimental and control groups were sacrificed and the left maxillae were dissected to measure the distance of tooth movement, respectively. Meanwhile, the width of periodontal ligament (PDL), length of hyalinized zone, and the number of osteoclasts were evaluated by hematoxylin–eosin and tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase staining. We finally found that the experimental group demonstrated an enhanced rate and greater cumulative amount of tooth movement than the control group (0.2887 ± 0.0041 mm vs. 0.2114 ± 0.0089 mm, P < 0.05). On Days 7, 14, and 28, the experimental group also displayed a significantly greater width of PDL. Earlier formation and removal of the hyalinized zone, and significantly more osteoclasts were observed in the experimental group as well. The results suggested that SMF may be a promising nonsurgical intervention to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement. © 2021 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Highly sensitive and selective detection of melamine in dairy products by turn‐on fluorescence of ultrathin graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets
Authors: Liu Zixuan , Zhang Zijun , Li Yuxin
Published: May 2021

There is an important and realistic need to develop a practical sensor for melamine in dairy products that is highly sensitive and selective. However, the complicated composition and environment in milk necessitate the use of a stable luminophore as the sensor, as well as excellent photophysical properties. Here, ultrathin graphitic carbon nitride nanosheet (CNNS) was prepared by successive thermal polymerization and acid exfoliation. The photophysical properties of CNNS include its strong ultraviolet absorption and intense blue‐light emission. Notably, CNNS could act as a chemo‐sensor to detect trace melamine in dairy products. The high stability, eminent sensitivity, powerful selectivity, and competitiveness all substantiate the findings that this CNNS luminophore is a promising sensor for melamine in dairy products, and has potential practical value for monitoring milk quality.
Innovation and the circular economy: A systematic literature review
Authors: Suchek Nathalia , Fernandes Cristina I. , Kraus Sascha , Filser Matthias , Sjögrén Helena
Published: May 2021

The circular economy emerged as an alternative model to the linear system, which now appears to be reaching its physical limitations. To transition to a circular economy, companies must not only be aware of but also engage in more sustainable practices. For such a transition, companies must rethink and innovate their business models and the ways they propose value to their clients while simultaneously considering environmental and social facets. This systematic literature review sought to map out from the company perspective the key topics interrelated with innovation and the circular economy, describing the internal and external factors to consider in such transition processes. Key lines of research were identified, and suggestions for future research and for facilitating movement toward a circular economy are provided. This work contributes to deepening the literature by identifying the priority areas concerning the circular economy and encouraging future research that meets international standards of excellence.
Improving companies' impacts on sustainable development: A nexus approach to the SDGS
Authors: van Zanten Jan Anton , van Tulder Rob
Published: May 2021

Companies play a decisive role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, most of the world's sustainable development challenges are interconnected and systemic in their nature. How can companies ensure that their strategies effectively contribute to sustainable development? This interdisciplinary paper draws from the social‐ecological systems, corporate sustainability, and sustainability sciences literatures, in order to introduce a nexus approach to corporate sustainability. A nexus approach induces companies to assess and manage their positive and negative interactions with the SDGs—which may arise directly and indirectly—in an integrated manner. Instead of treating SDGs as isolated silos, a nexus approach aims to advance multiple SDGs simultaneously (creating “co‐benefits”) while reducing the risk that contributions to one SDG undermine progress on another (avoiding “trade‐offs”). Through managing the interactions between the SDGs, a nexus approach to corporate sustainability enables companies to improve their societal and environmental impacts. This nexus approach is a step towards developing a theory of sustainability management that helps companies improve their impacts on sustainable development. Such systemic corporate sustainability strategies are sorely needed to drive progress towards achieving the SDGs and to safeguard companies from “SDG‐washing.”
Toward understanding embodied human‐virtual character interaction through virtual and tactile hugging
Authors: Cui Dixuan , Kao Dominic , Mousas Christos
Published: May 2021

This between‐group study investigated participants' experiences of tactile feedback patterns when asked to hug a virtual character. Five experimental conditions were developed, one with no tactile feedback and four with tactile feedback. The participants were placed in a virtual city and informed they would be meeting a virtual friend, who they were instructed to hug once the character came close to them. During the virtual hug, one of the five experimental conditions was examined. Immediately after the hug, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire to capture their experiences. The results obtained from this study indicated that: (1) even if the tactile feedback is not considered to be highly accurate in terms of timing, duration, and position, as long as it is perceived as less persistent, it provides a more positive experience; (2) the perceived realism of the virtual hug is strongly correlated with the perceived realism of the tactile feedback; and (3) the female participants had a more intense interaction with the virtual character (friend) compared with the male participants. Limitations and future study directions are discussed.
Aqueous lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: von Wald Cresce Arthur , Xu Kang
Published: May 2021

Aqueous electrolytes were once the rule for the battery industry. Until the advent of lithium ion batteries, a majority of commercially relevant batteries utilized water as the solvent for ion exchange. The development of the intercalation‐based lithium ion battery upended the industrial aqueous electrolyte paradigm: the high energy density of the lithium‐ion battery was revolutionary but required the use of organic electrolytes capable of passivating strongly redox active electrodes. With the safety of organic electrolytes becoming an issue in the early 1990s, a small community re‐examined aqueous electrolytes for lithium ion batteries. The first such audacious attempt was by Dahn et al., who conceptualized an aqueous lithium‐ion battery chemistry based on electrode materials suitable for the narrow electrochemical stability window of water, sacrificing energy density and cycle life for safety and low cost. The concept of an aqueous lithium‐ion battery was revived in the mid‐2010s with “highly concentrated” electrolytes, expanding the electrochemical stability window of water to regions comparable with nonaqueous electrolytes. Since then, significant efforts have been made around the world, aiming to understand the nature of the interfacial stability in those high‐concentration electrolytes as well as to further make the system viable for practical batteries. This review summarizes these efforts in this emerging frontier of new battery chemistries.
Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of a Series of 1,5‐Diaryl‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐carbohydrazones as Inhibitors of the YAP‐TAZ/TEAD Complex
Authors: Gibault Floriane , Sturbaut Manon , Coevoet Mathilde , Pugnière Martine , Burtscher Ashley , Allemand Frédéric , Melnyk Patricia , Hong Wanjin , Rubin Brian P. , Pobbati Ajaybabu V. , Guichou Jean‐François , Cotelle Philippe , Bailly Fabrice
Published: May 2021

Starting from our previously reported hit, a series of 1,5‐diaryl‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐carbohydrazones were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of the YAP/TAZ‐TEAD complex. Their binding to hTEAD2 was confirmed by nanodifferential scanning fluorimetry, and some of the compounds were also found to moderately disrupt the YAP‐TEAD interaction, as assessed by a fluorescence polarization assay. A TEAD luciferase gene reporter assay performed in HEK293T cells and RTqPCR measurements in MDA‐MB231 cells showed that these compounds inhibit YAP/TAZ‐TEAD activity to cells in the micromolar range. In spite of the cytotoxic effects displayed by some of the compounds of this series, they are still good starting points and can be suitably modified into an effective and viable YAP‐TEAD disruptor in the future.
SET and HAT/PCET acid‐mediated oxidation processes in helical shaped fused bis‐phenothiazines
Authors: Amorati Riccardo , Valgimigli Luca , Baschieri Andrea , Guo Yafang , Mollica Fabio , Menichetti Stefano , Lupi Michela , Viglianisi Caterina
Published: May 2021

Helical shaped fused bis‐phenothiazines 1–9 have been prepared and their red‐ox behaviour quantitatively studied. Helicene radical cations (Hel.+) can be obtained either by UV‐irradiation in the presence of PhCl or by chemical oxidation. The latter process is extremely sensitive to the presence of acids in the medium with molecular oxygen becoming a good single electron transfer (SET) oxidant. The reaction of hydroxy substituted helicenes 5–9 with peroxyl radicals (ROO.) occurs with a ‘classical’ HAT process giving HelO. radicals with kinetics depending upon the substitution pattern of the aromatic rings. In the presence of acetic acid, a fast medium‐promoted proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) process takes place with formation of HelO. radicals possibly also via a helicene radical cation intermediate. Remarkably, also helicenes 1–4, lacking phenoxyl groups, in the presence of acetic acid react with peroxyl radicals through a medium‐promoted PCET mechanism with formation of the radical cations Hel.+. Along with the synthesis, EPR studies of radicals and radical cations, BDE of Hel‐OH group (BDEOH), and kinetic constants (kinh) of the reactions with ROO. species of helicenes 1–9 have been measured and calculated to afford a complete rationalization of the redox behaviour of these appealing chiral compounds.
Japan’s Special Approval for Emergency System During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Maeda Hideki
Published: May 2021

The development of drugs for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a global challenge. In Japan, remdesivir was approved in May 2020 for COVID‐19 caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. In February 2021, a vaccine against COVID‐19 was approved. These two approvals were made using the Special Approval for Emergency system in Japan. This Japanese system was started in 2010 and has been used to approve four drugs to date, including remdesivir and the Pfizer COVID‐19 vaccine. This paper discusses future challenges for Japan's Special Approval for Emergency system and organizes what can be learned from experiences to date. As a result, I would like to point Out the following issues. (i) Special Approval for Emergency is a system for approving drugs approved overseas, not a system for approving drugs originally developed in Japan. A system to approve drugs that have not been approved in foreign countries needs to be considered. (ii) In the Special Approval for Emergency system, it is necessary to ensure that postmarketing activities are conducted in accordance with the Risk Management Plan and the conditions of approval, to disclose the results in a timely and speedy manner, and to judge the appropriateness of continued approval based on the results of postmarketing activities.
The relationship of semantic intrusions to different etiological subtypes of MCI and cognitively healthy older adults
Authors: Kitaigorodsky Marcela , Crocco Elizabeth , Curiel‐Cid Rosie E. , Leal Giselle , Zheng Diane , Eustache Melissa K. , Greig‐Custo Maria T. , Barker William , Duara Ranjan , Loewenstein David A.
Published: May 2021

Introduction: There is increasing evidence that susceptibility to proactive semantic interference (PSI) and the failure to recover from PSI (frPSI) as evidenced by intrusion errors may be early cognitive markers of both preclinical and prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: One hundred forty‐five participants were administered extensive clinical and neuropsychological evaluations including the Loewenstein‐Acevedo Scales for Semantic Interference and Learning (LASSI‐L), a sensitive cognitive stress test measuring PSI and frPSI. Participants also underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and amyloid positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging.

Results: PSI and frPSI errors were much more prevalent in the mild cognitive impairment (MCI)‐AD (amyloid positive) group than the other diagnostic groups. The number of intrusion errors observed across the other MCI groups without amyloid pathology and those with normal cognition were comparable.

Discussion: Semantic intrusion errors on the LASSI‐L occur much less frequently in persons who have different types of non–AD‐related MCI and may be used as an early cognitive marker of prodromal AD.
Assisted liposuction (ultrasound‐assisted, power‐assisted, and laser‐assisted)
Authors: Piansay‐Soriano Miriam Emily
Published: May 2021

Liposuction is currently the most popular surgical procedure for body contouring requested by patients in many parts of the world. Since its first published description in 1976, continuous evolution in concepts, techniques, and instrumentation has occurred, enhancing its safety and efficacy. Tumescent anesthesia, microcannulas, and good patient selection have enhanced safety. Assisted liposuction techniques utilizing innovative devices as adjuncts to traditional suction‐assisted lipectomy have enhanced efficacy. Three assisted liposuction techniques, which the author has adopted in her practice, namely, ultrasound‐assisted liposuction, power‐assisted liposuction, and laser‐assisted liposuction are reviewed. Methodology for this review consists of literature search from available liposuction textbooks and journal publications in English language, personal communication with liposuction surgeon colleagues, as well as the author's personal experience. This review aims to help dermatologic surgeons make intelligent equipment choices by presenting the evolution of liposuction concepts, instrumentation, and techniques and allow a better understanding of three methods of assisted liposuction.
Seasonal dynamics of mesozooplankton biomass over a sub‐Arctic continental shelf
Authors: Silberberger Marc J. , Renaud Paul E. , Eiane Ketil , Reiss Henning
Published: May 2021

Mesozooplankton research in high latitude ecosystems tends to focus on different life stages of Calanus spp. due to its biomass dominance and trophic roles. However, a complex seasonal succession of abundant smaller mesozooplankton taxa suggests that the ecological functioning of the mesozooplankton communities is more complicated. We studied the year‐round taxon‐specific biomass measurements and size distributions of mesozooplankton on a sub‐Arctic continental shelf based on formalin preserved samples. Our results confirm that Calanus spp. dominate the mesozooplankton biomass (81%). We show that commonly used length–weight relationships underestimate Calanus biomass in autumn and winter, and accordingly, a strong seasonal bias was introduced in our understanding of sub‐Arctic plankton communities. We observed two periods with considerable contribution of meroplankton, the planktonic larvae of benthic invertebrates, to the mesozooplankton biomass: (a) Cirripedia nauplii accounted for 17% of total biomass close to the coast in early April and (b) meroplankton comprised up to 12.7% of total biomass in late July. Based on these results, we suggest that meroplankton may play an ecologically important role in addition to their role in dispersal of benthic species. We conclude that the seasonal succession of the biomass of small‐sized holoplankton and meroplankton, often obscured by patterns in the Calanus biomass, should receive more attention as these smaller individuals are likely an important functional component of the pelagic food web.
A comparison of hillslope drainage area estimation methods using high‐resolution DEMs with implications for topographic studies of gullies
Authors: Walker Simon J. , van Dijk Albert I. J. M. , Wilkinson Scott N. , Hairsine Peter B.
Published: May 2021

Topographic models provide a useful tool for understanding gully occurrence in the landscape but require reliable estimates of gully head drainage areas. Modern high‐resolution topography data (collected using structure from motion photogrammetry or light detection and ranging) is increasingly used for topographic studies of gullies, but little work has been done to assess the variability of gully head drainage area estimates using different methods. This study evaluated alternative approaches to using high‐resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) so that gully topographic models can be more readily applied to any area with suitably high‐resolution data. Specifically, we investigated the impact of single‐ or multiple‐direction flow routing algorithms, DEM hydrologic‐enforcement procedures and spatial resolution on gully head drainage area estimation. We tested these methods on a 40 km2 site centred on Weany Creek, a low‐relief semi‐arid landscape draining towards the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Using a subroutine to separate gully heads into those with divergent or convergent flow patterns upslope, we found that divergent flow conditions occurred at half of 484 studied gullies. Drainage areas estimated by different flow routing algorithms were more variable in these divergent cases than for convergent cases. This variation caused a significant difference between topographic threshold parameters (slope b and intercept k) derived from single‐ or multiple‐direction flow routing algorithms, respectively. Different methods of hydrologic enforcement (filling or breaching) also affected threshold analysis, resulting in estimates of the exponent b being ~188% higher if the DEM was filled than if breached. The testing of the methods to date indicates that a finer resolution (≤2 m) DEM and a multiple‐direction flow routing algorithm achieve the most realistic drainage area estimates in low‐relief landscapes. For Weany Creek we estimated threshold parameters k = 0.033 and b = 0.189, indicating that it is highly susceptible to gully erosion.
Chronic and Transgenerational Effects of Polystyrene Microplastics at Environmentally Relevant Concentrations in Earthworms (Eisenia fetida)
Authors: Sobhani Zahra , Panneerselvan Logeshwaran , Fang Cheng , Naidu Ravi , Megharaj Mallavarapu
Published: May 2021

Recently, soil contamination with microplastics has emerged as a serious global environmental concern that has necessitated more research on their potential impacts on soil biota. We investigated the acute and chronic toxicity of 2 different polystyrene microplastics, pure versus commercial (0–0.5% w/w in soil; sized 65–125 µm) on earthworm mortality, reproduction, and genotoxicity. Whereas the microplastics showed no acute toxicity in terms of mortality, reproduction was adversely affected in both parents (F0) and first filial generation (F1) of earthworms, with >50% reduction in juvenile production at 0.5% microplastics concentration in soil. Also, significant genotoxicity in terms of DNA damage was observed in the F0 and F1 earthworms. Chemical analysis of microplastic-exposed soils showed the presence of several benzene derivatives that are associated with polystyrene particles. Our study, for the first time to our knowledge, demonstrated the long-term adverse effects on earthworms of polystyrene microplastics even at environmentally relevant concentrations. The results have significant implications for risk assessment of polystyrene microplastics to soil biota. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2240–2246. © 2021 SETAC
Research progress on the next‐generation probiotic Akkermansia muciniphila in the intestine
Authors: Han Wei , Zhuang Xuhui
Published: May 2021

Probiotics are widely used for various fields, such as agriculture, food, and treatment and so on. Akkermansia muciniphila, the candidate for next‐generation probiotics, is an intestinal bacterium that was isolated from a human fecal sample. It has been proved that A. muciniphila is closely related to multiple disease and metabolic disorders. What's more, its functions are not limited to intestinal diseases only, and even affect aging and cognition. Therefore, we would like to summarize the related research progress on A. muciniphila though this review, which help us to learn its role in the microbial networks, as well as to understand its positive impacts on the health of animals and human.
A multiscale modeling method incorporating spatial coupling and temporal coupling into transient simulations of the human airways
Authors: Fan Zhenya , Holmes David W. , Sauret Emilie , Islam Mohammad S. , Saha Suvash C. , Ristovski Zoran , Gu YuanTong
Published: May 2021

In this article, a novel multiscale modeling method is proposed for transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of the human airways. The developed method is the first attempt to incorporate spatial coupling and temporal coupling into transient human airway simulations, aiming to improve the flexibility and the efficiency of these simulations. In this method, domain decomposition was used to separate the complex airway model into different scaled domains. Each scaled domain could adopt a suitable mesh and timestep, as necessary: the coarse mesh and large timestep were employed in the macro regions to reduce the computational cost, while the fine mesh and small timestep were used in micro regions to maintain the simulation accuracy. The radial point interpolation method was used to couple data between the coarse mesh and the fine mesh. The continuous micro solution–intermittent temporal coupling method was applied to bridge different timesteps. The developed method was benchmarked using a well‐studied four‐generation symmetric airway model under realistic normal breath conditions. The accuracy and efficiency of the method were verified separately in the inhalation phase and the exhalation phase. Similar airflow behavior to previous studies was observed from the multiscale airway model. The developed multiscale method has the potential to improve the flexibility and efficiency of transient human airway simulations without sacrificing accuracy.
Retaining red bell pepper quality by perforated compostable packaging
Authors: Owoyemi Abiola , Rodov Victor , Porat Ron
Published: May 2021

Retail packages are widely used to preserve pepper fruit quality. However, due to the negative impact of conventional plastics on the environment there is an urgent need to replace these packaging materials with recyclable or compostable alternatives. Hereby, we evaluated the effects of compostable modified atmosphere packages with different perforation rates on keeping the quality of red bell pepper fruit during extended shelf life and simulated supply chain conditions. The results indicated that micro‐perforated (µP) compostable packages creating an atmosphere of 15%–18% O2 and 2%–5% CO2, as well as macro‐perforated (MP) compostable packages creating an atmosphere of 20%–21% O2 and 0.1%–0.5% CO2, effectively retained red bell pepper quality by reducing fruit weight loss, shriveling and softening, and by retaining flavor acceptance and visual appearance. On the other hand, nonperforated compostable packages resulted in the creation of anaerobic conditions (O2 < 1% and CO2 > 9%), and harmed produce quality as manifested by enhanced softening, decay, peel damage, and off‐flavors. Overall, µP and MP compostable packages extended pepper fruit shelf life from 1 week to 3 weeks under continuous shelf life conditions, and from 2 weeks to 4 weeks under simulated supply chain and refrigerated storage conditions.
Unearthing citizens' acceptance factors for e‐participation initiatives through Facebook
Authors: Alarabiat Ayman , Wahbeh Nemer
Published: May 2021

This study aims to investigate the determinant factors for citizens' acceptance of e‐participation initiatives that are sponsored by local governments through Facebook. The study proposes a model integrating the task‐technology fit theory and technology acceptance model with two additional factors: perceived outcome and government truthfulness. A self‐developed questionnaire was designed, and the conceptual model proposed was tested by applying the structural equation modeling method to a sample of 414 citizens from Jordan using a random sampling technique. The results indicated that citizens' attitude was the strongest predictor of citizens' acceptance, followed by the perceived outcome. The results also revealed the importance of task‐technology fit and perceived usefulness in shaping and explaining citizens' attitudes, which further lead to citizens' acceptance. Government truthfulness had no direct effect on citizens' acceptance. However, it positively affected the perceived outcome. The study makes a valuable contribution to the existing body of e‐participation research as it contributes to recent efforts toward understanding the citizen perspective of e‐participation initiatives. This study heeds the call to enrich e‐participation via theoretical underpinnings, particularly via the behavioral science approach of information systems. The study followed this approach by understanding the impact of citizen's beliefs, technological capabilities and the expected outcome to predict citizens' acceptance behavior toward e‐participation. Finally, the study provides several recommendations to help local governments in their pursuit to increase citizen participation.
COVID‐19‐another influential event impacts on laboratory medicine management
Authors: Luo YunTao , Wang JingHua , Zhang MinMin , Wang QingZhong , Chen Rong , Wang XueLiang , Wang HuaLiang
Published: May 2021

Background

Before public health emergencies became a major challenge worldwide, the scope of laboratory management was only related to developing, maintaining, improving, and sustaining the quality of accurate laboratory results for improved clinical outcomes. Indeed, quality management is an especially important aspect and has achieved great milestones during the development of clinical laboratories.

Current status

However, since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic continues to be a threat worldwide, previous management mode inside the separate laboratory could not cater to the demand of the COVID‐19 public health emergency. Among emerging new issues, the prominent challenges during the period of COVID‐19 pandemic are rapid‐launched laboratory‐developed tests (LDTs) for urgent clinical application, rapid expansion of testing capabilities, laboratory medicine resources, and personnel shortages. These related issues are now impacting on clinical laboratory and need to be effectively addressed.

Conclusion

Different from traditional views of laboratory medicine management that focus on separate laboratories, present clinical laboratory management must be multidimensional mode which should consider consolidation of the efficient network of regional clinical laboratories and reasonable planning of laboratories resources from the view of overall strategy. Based on relevant research and our experience, in this review, we retrospect the history trajectory of laboratory medicine management, and also, we provide existing and other feasible recommended management strategies for laboratory medicine in future.
Conceptualizing multilevel research designs of resilience
Authors: Thibodeaux Jarrett
Published: May 2021

Resilience is a broad concept allowing us to understand health and well‐being as a multidimensional process that continually grapples with a multitude of stressors. Currently, there are efforts across disciplines and scales to develop this concept of resilience. Unfortunately, individual and community resilience efforts tend to only abstractly conceptualize macroscale dynamics while social–ecological efforts tend to treat individuals and communities as nonindependent components of these macroscale dynamics. Combining these efforts is needed to create a robust dialog around resilience. This paper reviews and synthesizes social–ecological, community, and individual resilience literature by proposing longitudinal, multilevel models of resilience. In developing these models, some of the issues that have prevented synthesizing these literatures are resolved, including generalizability issues, within system variation, and the operationalization of social and natural and micro‐ and macroscale factors. Three brief examples are presented to elaborate on the utility of the multilevel model of resilience.
Mental health service utilization among African immigrants in the United States
Authors: Saasa Sherinah K. , Rai Abha , Malazarte Nikki , Yirenya‐Tawiah Abena E.
Published: May 2021

This study utilized Andersen's model of health behavior to explore factors associated with mental health service utilization. We also examine rates for mental health service use, treatment preferences, and barriers to care. Data were collected utilizing web‐based surveys. The sample consisted of first and second‐generation African immigrants who had struggled with emotional or behavioral problems in the past 12 months (N = 323). Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine predictors of mental health service utilization. The majority of participants (79.5%) met criteria for probable major depression, and 63% sought mental health services. Findings showed that mental health service utilization was more significantly predicted by enabling and need factors. Age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.03), religiosity (OR = 1.11), acculturative stress (OR = 1.68), neighborhood risk (OR = 0.54), and work‐productivity loss (OR = 2.93) were associated with increased likelihood of mental health service use (p < 0.05). Most common barriers to service use were hopes of self‐healing (56.3%) followed by financial barriers (46.2%). Findings highlight the need for public health initiatives to increase mental health literacy and financial accessibility to mental health services in response to the high mental health need and identified barriers to care in this population.
Hsa_circRNA_102229 facilitates the progression of triple‐negative breast cancer via regulating the miR‐152‐3p/PFTK1 pathway
Authors: Du Chuang , Zhang Jianhua , Zhang Linfeng , Zhang Yingying , Wang Yan , Li Jingruo
Published: May 2021

Background

Increasing evidence has suggested that circular RNAs (circRNAs) may act as an important regulatory factor in tumor progression. However, how circRNAs exert their functions in triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains not clearly understood.

Methods

First, circRNA microarrays were conducted to identify aberrantly expressed circRNAs in TNBC tissues. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was conducted to calculate the correlation between the level of hsa_circRNA_102229 and outcomes of patients with TNBC. The effect of hsa_circRNA_102229 and serine/threonine‐protein kinase PFTAIRE 1 (PFTK1) on TNBC cells was clarified by cell counting kit‐8, transwell and wound healing assays, as well as by a flow cytometry. The molecular mechanism of hsa_circRNA_102229 was clarified through bioinformatics, a dual‐luciferase reporter assay, western blotting, fluorescence in situ hybridization and real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Tumor xenograft experiments were performed to analyze growth and metastasis of TNBC in vivo.

Results

In TNBC tissues and cells, hsa_circ_102229 was remarkably up‐regulated. Patients with TNBC presenting high hsa_circ_102229 exhibited poor prognosis. Moreover, hsa_circ_102229 could promote the migration, proliferation and invasion, whereas it inhibited the apoptosis of TNBC cells. Furthermore, hsa_circ_102229 directly targeted miR‐152‐3p and could regulate the expression of PFTK1 by targeting miR‐152‐3p. Rescue assays suggested that hsa_circ_102229 may exert its function in TNBC cells by regulating PFTK1. Additionally, knockdown of hsa_circ_102229 slowed down TNBC tumorigenesis and lung metastasis in a tumor xenograft animal model.

Conclusions

Hsa_circ_102229 might serve as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to modulate PFTK1 expression via regulating miR‐152‐3p to affect the functions of TNBC cells. Hsa_circ_102229 acts as a newly discovered biomarker for TNBC treatment.
Dysregulation of long non‐coding RNAs and their mechanisms in Huntington's disease
Authors: Tan Xiaoping , Liu Yang , Liu Yan , Zhang Taiming , Cong Shuyan
Published: May 2021

Extensive alterations in gene regulatory networks are a typical characteristic of Huntington's disease (HD); these include alterations in protein‐coding genes and poorly understood non‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which are associated with pathology caused by mutant huntingtin. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are an important class of ncRNAs involved in a variety of biological functions, including transcriptional regulation and post‐transcriptional modification of many targets, and likely contributed to the pathogenesis of HD. While a number of changes in lncRNAs expression have been observed in HD, little is currently known about their functions. Here, we discuss their possible mechanisms and molecular functions, with a particular focus on their roles in transcriptional regulation. These findings give us a better insight into HD pathogenesis and may provide new targets for the treatment of this neurodegenerative disease.
The association between soy‐based food and soy isoflavone intake and the risk of gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Yameng , Guo Jiaping , Yu Fei , Tian Yongmei , Wu Yongjun , Cui Lingling , Liu Li‐e
Published: May 2021

Soy contains many bioactive phytochemicals, such as isoflavones, which have the effect of preventing many cancers. Some studies have shown the beneficial effect of soy‐based food and isoflavone intake on gastric cancer (GC), while others claimed no effect. Therefore, whether the beneficial effect of soy‐based food is related to its fermentation or whether its protective effect comes from isoflavones still remains inconclusive. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between total soybean, fermented soybean, non‐fermented soybean and isoflavone intake, and the risk of GC. Ten cohort studies and 21 case–control studies involving 916 354 participants were included. The association between soy‐based food and isoflavone intake and the risk of GC was calculated with the pooled relative risks (RRs) for the highest versus lowest intake categories. The results showed that isoflavone intake might be a protective factor to GC, but the result was not statistically significant (RR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.79–1.07). However, total soybean intake could significantly decrease the risk of GC by 36% (RR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.51–0.80), which might be credited to non‐fermented soybean products (RR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.71–0.87). In contrast, high intake of fermented soybean products could increase the risk of GC (RR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.02–1.38). High intake of total soybean and non‐fermented soybean products could reduce the risk of GC, and high intake of fermented soybean products could increase the risk, which indicated that the beneficial effect of soy‐based food might be related to its non‐fermentation. However, high intake of isoflavones may not be associated with the incidence of GC. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Integration of large‐area optical imagers for biometric recognition and touch in displays
Authors: Akkerman Hylke , Peeters Bart , van Breemen Albert , Shanmugam Santhosh , Ugalde Lopez Leslye , Tordera Daniel , van de Ketterij Richard , Delvitto Ezequiel , Verbeek Roy , Malinowski Paweł , Ke Tung‐Huei , De Roose Florian , Moreno Hagelsieb Luis , Katsouras Ilias , Kronemeijer Auke Jisk , Meulenkamp Eric , Gelinck Gerwin
Published: May 2021

In recent years there has been an increasing interest to integrate optical sensing in mobile displays, for instance, for biometric fingerprint scanning functionality. There are several routes to incorporate optical fingerprint functionality within the full display area, each with their own benefits and challenges. Here we investigate the different integration routes using large‐area, ultra‐thin imagers based on organic photodiodes.
How does ICT influence residents' attitudes towards tourism as a driver of development? A generalised ordered logistic regression analysis
Authors: De Lucia Caterina , Pazienza Pasquale , Balena Pasquale
Published: May 2021

This study investigates the residents' attitudes to tourism as a driver of regional development and the impact of digital technologies on these perceptions. This work considers a ‘lagging behind’ region of the EU and employs a generalised ordered logit regression. The main findings suggest that the positive attitude is affected by the digital technology use, education, non‐job variables and touristic products such as landscape, food and wine and events. As a result, the digital technology and the enhancement of touristic products may serve as important factors for ‘lagging behind’ regions to meet a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
Potentialities of mass spectrometry on activation energy and secondary reactions determination of calcium oxalate thermal decomposition
Authors: Campostrini Renzo , Grigiante Maurizio , Brighenti Marco
Published: May 2021

This work investigates the potentialities of the thermal analysis (TA) coupled with the mass spectrometry (MS) technique by studying the thermal decomposition of calcium oxalate monohydrate (CaC2O4·H2O). The aim of this work is twofold: to demonstrate, at first, the efficacy of coupling the thermal gravimetric (TG)‐MS experimental approach to check the presence of intermediate reactions beyond the conventional three‐step decomposition: dehydration, decarbonylation, and decarbonation; second, to test the reliability of different modeling approaches in determining the activation energy (E) including, as innovative alternative, the use of the MS signals. The TA is carried out at selected constant heating rates by recording both the thermal gravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis) profiles, and, simultaneously from the MS data, the signals of the total ion current and the ion currents selected to monitor the release of the H2O, CO, and CO2 species. These experimental results are effective in determining the E through different modeling approaches based on the maximum reaction rate method and isoconversional procedures including both TG and MS signals. Coupling the TA‐MS technique has allowed us to check the concurrent presence of the dismutation reaction of carbon monoxide, occurring during the decarbonylation event, and to determine the corresponding E value (E = 169.7 kJ/mol). These results present a surprising correlation between the global enthalpy of the two reactions involved in this second step and their activation energy values. On the whole, the results satisfy the conventional constraints usually adopted to test the reliability of the E results and are consistent with the majority of the datasets published in the literature on this subject.
Risks and Benefits of Adenotonsillectomy in Children With Cerebral Palsy With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review
Authors: End Christopher , Propst Evan J. , Cushing Sharon L. , McKinnon Nicole K. , Narang Indra , Amin Reshma , Chiang Jackie , Al‐Saleh Suhail , Matava Clyde , Wolter Nikolaus E.
Published: May 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

Assess the risks and benefits of adenotonsillectomy (AT) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Study Design

Systematic review.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central Registry from 1946 to 2021. Broad search concepts included cerebral palsy, pediatric, tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy, and sleep. Additional articles were identified by searching reference lists. Studies on the safety and efficacy of AT for OSA management in children with CP were included.

Results

Fifteen articles met inclusion criteria. Articles were classified into one or more of four themes: intraoperative risk (n = 1), postoperative risk (n = 3), postoperative care requirements (n = 6), and surgical outcomes (n = 7). No intraoperative anesthetic complications were reported. Postoperatively, respiratory complications including pneumonia were common and necessitated additional airway management. Following AT, children with CP required close postoperative observation, experienced increased lengths of stay, and had increased odds of unplanned intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Benefits following AT were improvement in OSA as measured by a reduction in obstructive apnea‐hypopnea index (OAHI) as well as improved quality of life in some; however, many patients went on to require tracheostomy due to persistent OSA.

Conclusions

Children with CP who undergo AT have a significant risk of developing a postoperative respiratory complication. Realistic counseling of families around increased perioperative risks in this population is imperative and close postoperative monitoring is critical. Many children will obtain a reduction in OAHI, but additional surgical management is often required, including tracheostomy. Further research is needed to determine the best management strategy for OSA in children with CP. Laryngoscope, 132:687–694, 2022
Overburdening of peer reviewers: A multi‐stakeholder perspective on causes and effects
Authors: Severin Anna , Chataway Joanna
Published: May 2021

Peer review of manuscripts is labour‐intensive and time‐consuming. Individual reviewers might feel themselves overburdened with the amount of reviewing they are requested to do. Aiming to explore how stakeholder groups perceive reviewing burden and what they believe to be the causes of a potential overburdening of reviewers, we conducted focus groups with early‐, mid‐, and senior career scholars, editors, and publishers. By means of a thematic analysis, we aimed to identify the causes of overburdening of reviewers. First, we show that, across disciplines and roles, stakeholders believed that the reviewing burden is distributed unequally across members of the academic community, resulting in the overburdening of small groups of reviewers. Second, stakeholders believed this to be caused by (i) an increase in manuscript submissions; (ii) inefficient manuscript handling; (iii) lack of institutionalization of peer review; (iv) lack of reviewing instructions and (v) inadequate reviewer recruiting strategies. These themes were assumed to relate to an inadequate incentive structure in academia that favours publications over peer review. In order to alleviate reviewing burden, a holistic approach is required that addresses both the increased demand for and the insufficient supply of reviewing resources.
Applying fluorescence in situ hybridization to aquatic systems with cyanobacteria blooms: Autofluorescence suppression and high‐throughput image analysis
Authors: Cohen Ashley B. , Novkov‐Bloom Asher , Wesselborg Christian , Yagudaeva Milana , Aranguiz Elizabeth , Taylor Gordon T.
Published: May 2021

Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (CyanoHABs) are expanding geographically in both fresh and marine water bodies due to coastal eutrophication and global climate change and are restructuring the microbial ecology of these systems. Cyanobacterial autofluorescence can pose a significant impediment to accurately identifying prokaryotic taxonomic groups in environmental samples using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). This can hinder our ability to accurately quantify, and therefore fully understand ecological changes. As abundances of FISH target cells and autofluorescent cells can often be of the same the order of magnitude, simply subtracting average autofluorescent cell concentrations—determined from enumerating unhybridized samples—yields apparent concentrations of target cells with unacceptably large analytical uncertainty. Here we present a CuSO4/EtOH chemical pretreatment protocol that significantly reduces undesirable autofluorescence in hybridized environmental samples. We apply a novel data filtration routine to FISH images that efficiently removes residual autofluorescent cells from final cell counts. We then subject images to an automated image analysis routine that accurately enumerates probe‐positive cells. This method is inexpensive and easy to implement as part of a routine FISH workflow. By applying this method to cyanobacteria rich samples, we can better understand how microbial community changes are contributing to globally changing biogeochemical cycles.
Synthesis and Post‐Polymerization Modification of Defined Functional Poly(vinyl ether)s
Authors: Butzelaar Andreas J. , Schneider Sven , Molle Edgar , Theato Patrick
Published: May 2021

Living cationic polymerization is known for a good control over chain growth yielding polymers with well‐defined molar mass distributions and low dispersities. However, the practical challenges involved in the synthesis of poly(vinyl ether)s limited suitable post‐polymerization modifications (PPM) via chemoselective click reactions. Herein the successful controlled cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers bearing pendant CC double and C≡C triple bonds using a single‐component initiation under ambient conditions is reported. Furthermore, the PPM via thiol‐ene/‐yne and copper(I)‐catalyzed alkyne‐azide cycloaddition reaction of the obtained polymers is successfully realized laying the foundation for the synthesis of unprecedented functional poly(vinyl ether)s.
A pH‐Triggered Polymer Degradation or Drug Delivery System by Light‐Mediated Cis/Trans Isomerization of o‐Hydroxy Cinnamates
Authors: Abramov Alex , Maiti Binoy , Keridou Ina , Puiggalí Jordi , Reiser Oliver , Díaz David Díaz
Published: May 2021

A new methodology for the pH‐triggered degradation of polymers or for the release of drugs under visible light irradiation based on the cyclization of ortho‐hydroxy‐cinnamates (oHC) to coumarins is described. The key oHC structural motif can be readily incorporated into the rational design of novel photocleavable polymers via click chemistry. This main‐chain moiety undergoes a fast photocleavage when irradiated with 455 nm light provided that a suitable base is added. A series of polyethylene glycol‐alt‐ortho‐hydroxy cinnamate (polyethylene glycol (PEG)n‐alt‐oHC)‐based polymers are synthesized and the time‐dependent visible‐light initiated cleavage of the photoactive monomer and polymer is investigated in solution by a variety of spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. The photo‐degradation behavior of the water‐soluble poly(PEG2000‐alt‐oHC) is investigated within a broad pH range (pH = 2.1–11.8), demonstrating fast degradation at pH 11.8, while the stability of the polymer is greatly enhanced at pH 2.1. Moreover, the neat polymer shows long‐term stability under daylight conditions, thus allowing its storage without special precautions. In addition, two water‐soluble PEG‐based drug‐carrier molecules (mPEG2000‐oHC‐benzhydrol/phenol) are synthesized and used for drug delivery studies, monitoring the process by UV–vis spectroscopy in an ON/OFF intermittent manner.