bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on gastroenterological surgeries in 2020: A study using the National Clinical Database of Japan
Authors: Maeda Hiromichi , Endo Hideki , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Miyata Hiroaki , Munekage Masaya , Taketomi Akinobu , Kakeji Yoshihiro , Seto Yasuyuki , Yoshida Kazuhiro , Yamaue Hiroki , Yamamoto Masakazu , Kitagawa Yuko , Masaki Mori , Hanazaki Kazuhiro
Published: November 2022

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the coronavirus disease pandemic on the number of surgeries for gastroenterological cancer cases in Japan.

Methods

The data recorded in the National Clinical Database of Japan between 2018 and 2020 were utilized for this study. Five specific surgeries for primary cancers and surgery for acute diffuse peritonitis were considered the primary endpoints. We divided the study period into the prepandemic and postpandemic (after April 2020) periods and examined the number of surgeries in relation to clinical factors.

Results

Overall, 228 860 surgeries were analyzed. Among the five primary cancer surgeries, the number of distal gastrectomies for gastric cancer decreased the most (to 81.0% of the monthly number in the prepandemic period), followed by that of low anterior resections for rectal cancer (91.4%). In contrast, the number of pancreaticoduodenectomies for pancreatic cancer increased by 7.1%, while that of surgeries for peritonitis remained stable. This trend was observed nationwide. We also noted a marked reduction in the number of distal gastrectomy (to 72.5%), low anterior resection (84.0%), and esophagectomy (88.8%) procedures for T1 tumors. The noncurative resection rate and mortalities were low despite the increased proportion of T4 tumors and older patients.

Conclusion

A marked reduction in surgeries for gastric and rectal cancers with early T factors may reflect prioritization of surgeries and reduction in cancer screenings. Although the quality of the surgery was maintained in terms of reduced mortalities and morbidities, the long‐term effects of this pandemic should be monitored.
How much have adverse occupational health outcomes among construction workers improved over time? Evidence from 25 years of medical screening
Authors: Ringen Knut , Dement John , Welch Laura , Quinn Patricia
Published: November 2022

Background

Construction workers have always had a high risk of occupational illnesses. We used 25 years of data from a medical screening program serving older construction workers to determine how much health outcomes have improved over the past 60 years.

Methods

We investigated changes in relative risk for chest radiographs consistent with pneumoconiosis, COPD by spirometry, lung cancer mortality, and audiometry‐assessed hearing impairment among workers participating in a medical screening program. Results were stratified by decade of first construction employment: before 1960, 1960–1969, 1970–1979, 1980–1989, and after 1990. Poisson and Cox regression analyses assessed relative risk by decade adjusted for age, sex, smoking, and years of construction trade work.

Results

Subjects were 94% male and, on average, 60 years old with 25 years of construction work. When compared to workers employed before 1960, those first employed after 1990 experienced the following reductions in model‐adjusted relative risks: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 32%; all pneumoconiosis, 68%; parenchymal abnormalities, 35%; pleural abnormalities, 71%; hearing impairment, 20%; and lung cancer mortality, 48%. Risks started to decline in the 1960s with greatest reductions among workers first employed after 1970.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the positive impact that adoption of occupational health protections have had over the past 60 years. The greatest risk reductions were observed for outcomes with strong regulatory and legal incentives to reduce exposures and associated risks, such as those associated with inhalation hazards (asbestos and silica), while lowest improvement was for hearing impairment, for which little regulatory enforcement and few prevention incentives have been adopted.
Structural Evolution of Anatase‐Supported Platinum Nanoclusters into a Platinum‐Titanium Intermetallic Containing Platinum Single Atoms for Enhanced Catalytic CO Oxidation
Authors: He Wenxue , Zhang Xu , Zheng Kun , Wu Chuanqiang , Pan Ya , Li Hongmei , Xu Liuxin , Xu Ruichao , Chen Wei , Liu Yi , Wang Chao , Sun Zhihu , Wei Shiqiang
Published: November 2022

Strong metal‐support interactions characteristic of the encapsulation of metal particles by oxide overlayers have been widely observed on large metal nanoparticles, but scarcely occur on small nanoclusters (<2 nm) for which the metal‐support interactions remain elusive. Herein, we study the structural evolution of Pt nanoclusters (1.5 nm) supported on anatase TiO2 upon high‐temperature H2 reduction. The Pt nanoclusters start to partially evolve into a CsCl‐type PtTi intermetallic compound when the reduction temperature reaches 400 °C. Upon 700 °C reduction, the PtTi nanoparticles are exclusively formed and grow epitaxially along the TiO2 (101) crystal faces. The thermodynamics of the formation of PtTi via migration of reduced Ti atoms into Pt cluster is unraveled by theoretical calculations. The thermally stable PtTi intermetallic compound, with single‐atom Pt isolated by Ti, exhibits enhanced catalytic activity and promoted catalytic durability for CO oxidation.
Neutralizing the Impact of the Virulence Factor LecA from Pseudomonas aeruginosa on Human Cells with New Glycomimetic Inhibitors
Authors: Zahorska Eva , Rosato Francesca , Stober Kai , Kuhaudomlarp Sakonwan , Meiers Joscha , Hauck Dirk , Reith Dorina , Gillon Emilie , Rox Katharina , Imberty Anne , Römer Winfried , Titz Alexander
Published: November 2022

Bacterial adhesion, biofilm formation and host cell invasion of the ESKAPE pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa require the tetravalent lectins LecA and LecB, which are therefore drug targets to fight these infections. Recently, we have reported highly potent divalent galactosides as specific LecA inhibitors. However, they suffered from very low solubility and an intrinsic chemical instability due to two acylhydrazone motifs, which precluded further biological evaluation. Here, we isosterically substituted the acylhydrazones and systematically varied linker identity and length between the two galactosides necessary for LecA binding. The optimized divalent LecA ligands showed improved stability and were up to 1000‐fold more soluble. Importantly, these properties now enabled their biological characterization. The lead compound L2 potently inhibited LecA binding to lung epithelial cells, restored wound closure in a scratch assay and reduced the invasiveness of P. aeruginosa into host cells.
All polymer‐based transparent composites for electrothermal actuator and supercapacitor
Authors: Ye Yuanji , Bai Ying , Zhou Peidi , Guo Qiaohang , Weng Mingcen
Published: November 2022

With the rapid development of smart devices, multifunctional integrated systems are greatly developed. Although several multifunctional devices integrated with functions of actuation, sensing, and energy storage have been successfully fabricated, most of these integrated multifunctional systems are opaque. Here, all polymer‐based transparent composites are proposed for the electrothermal actuator, supercapacitor, and intelligent integrated electronic system. The transmittances of the polyaniline@poly(3, 4‐ethylene dioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate)/polyethylene terephthalate/polyethylene hierarchical composites with transmittance over 40% are prepared by the facile method of in‐situ polymerization and “cut‐paste” process, which can be directly used as transparent actuators as well as electrodes for transparent supercapacitors. The transparent actuator exhibits large bending deformation (>0.8 cm−1) and long‐term repeatability under electrical stimulation. Also, the transparent supercapacitor presents a high areal capacitance of 9.9 mF cm−2 and excellent cycling stability. Due to the above advantages, a series of practical applications are designed, such as biomimetic transparent grippers, flexible supercapacitor arrays, and so forth. Finally, an intelligent integrated electronic system with intelligent electrical‐controlled switches and supercapacitor arrays is successfully constructed to demonstrate the practical application of functional polymer film in smart devices.
A novel approach to graft silicones onto waterborne polyacrylate for synthesizing anti‐graffiti coatings by polydimethylsiloxane‐functionalized RAFT agent
Authors: Yu Qiwei , Ji Yongxin
Published: November 2022

Linear organoalkoxysilane‐based RAFT agent functionalized polydimethylsiloxane (RAFT‐PDMS) has been prepared for the first time via co‐condensation of a new organoalkoxysilane based RAFT agent (RAFT‐Agent), 2‐((methyldimethoxysilyl)propyl)carbontrithio‐2‐methyl‐propanoicacidmethylester, with diethoxydimethylsilane (DDS) in an aqueous acidic solution. The RAFT‐Agent and RAFT‐PDMS was confirmed by FT‐IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy techniques. The obtained RAFT‐PDMS was used to prepare the silicone‐modified polyacrylate anti‐graffiti emulsions via RAFT polymerization with functional monomers. The living character of RAFT polymerization of RAFT‐PDMS and the narrow molecular weight distribution of the polymerization product were confirmed by GPC. The transformation of the particle state from a small micelle structure to a spherical core‐shell micelle structure during polymerization was verified by TEM and dynamic light scattering analysis. Moreover, DSC and TGA analysis disclosed that increasing the content of RAFT‐PDMS can reduce the glass transition temperature and improve the thermal stability of the resin. Finally, the effect of RAFT‐PDMS on the surface morphology and properties of coatings were examined by SEM and contact angle. These experimental results suggest that increasing the content of RAFT‐PDMS increases the surface porosity of the coating film and thus enhances its hydrophobic properties.
Disparities in localized malignant lung cancer surgical treatment: A population‐based cancer registry analysis
Authors: Mamudu Lohuwa , Salmeron Bonita , Odame Emmanuel A. , Atandoh Paul H. , Reyes Joanne L. , Whiteside Martin , Yang Joshua , Mamudu Hadii M. , Williams Faustine
Published: November 2022

Background

Lung cancer (LC) continues to be the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Surgical treatment has proven to offer a favorable prognosis and a better 5‐year relative survival for patients with early or localized tumors. This novel study investigates the factors associated with the odds of receiving surgical treatment for localized malignant LC in Tennessee.

Methods

Population‐based data of 9679 localized malignant LC patients from the Tennessee Cancer Registry (2005–2015) were utilized to examine the factors associated with receiving surgical treatment for localized malignant LC. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, cross‐tabulation, and Chi‐Square (2) tests were conducted to assess these factors.

Results

Patients with localized malignant LC who initiated treatment after 2.7 weeks were 46% less likely to receive surgery (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.50–0.59; p < 0.0001). Females had a greater likelihood (AOR = 1.14; CI = 1.03–1.24) of receiving surgical treatment compared to men. Blacks had lower odds (AOR = 0.76; CI = 0.65–0.98) of receiving surgical treatment compared to Whites. All marital groups had higher odds of receiving surgical treatment compared to those who were single/never married. Patients living in Appalachian county had lower odds of receiving surgical treatment (AOR = 0.65; CI = 0.59–0.71) compared with those in the non‐Appalachian county. Patients with private (AOR = 2.09; CI = 1.55–2.820) or public (AOR = 1.42; CI = 1.06–1.91) insurance coverage were more likely to receive surgical treatment compared to self‐pay/uninsured patients. Overall, the likelihood of patients receiving surgical treatment for localized malignant LC decreases with age.

Conclusion

Disparities exist in the receipt of surgical treatment among patients with localized malignant LC in Tennessee. Health policies should target reducing these disparities to improve the survival of these patients.
Elucidation of the Bridging Pattern of the Lantibiotic Pseudomycoicidin
Authors: Janssen Kathrin , Krasenbrink Julia , Strangfeld Sarina , Kroheck Sarah , Josten Michaele , Engeser Marianne , Bierbaum Gabriele
Published: November 2022

Lantibiotics are post‐translationally modified antibiotic peptides with lanthionine thioether bridges that represent potential alternatives to conventional antibiotics. The lantibiotic pseudomycoicidin is produced by Bacillus pseudomycoides DSM 12442 and is effective against many Gram‐positive bacteria, including methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus. While prior work demonstrated that pseudomycoicidin possesses one disulfide bridge and four thioether bridges, the ring topology has so far remained unclear. Here, we analyzed several pseudomycoicidin analogues that are affected in ring formation via MALDI‐TOF‐MS and tandem mass spectrometry with regard to their dehydration and fragmentation patterns, respectively. As a result, we propose a bridging pattern involving Thr8 and Cys13, Thr10 and Cys16, Ser18 and Cys21, and Ser20 and Cys26, thus, forming two double ring systems. Additionally, we localized the disulfide bridge to connect Cys3 and Cys7 and, therefore, fully elucidated the bridging pattern of pseudomycoicidin.
G‐Quadruplex Binding of an NIR Emitting Osmium Polypyridyl Probe Revealed by Solution NMR and Time‐Resolved Infrared Studies
Authors: Peterková Kateřina , Stitch Mark , Boota Rayhaan Z. , Scattergood Paul A. , Elliott Paul I. P. , Towrie Michael , Podbevšek Peter , Plavec Janez , Quinn Susan J.
Published: November 2022

G‐quadruplexes are emerging targets in cancer research and understanding how diagnostic probes bind to DNA G‐quadruplexes in solution is critical to the development of new molecular tools. In this study the binding of an enantiopure NIR emitting [Os(TAP)2(dppz)]2+ complex to different G‐quadruplex structures formed by human telomer (hTel) and cMYC sequences in solution is reported. The combination of NMR and time‐resolved infrared spectroscopic techniques reveals the sensitivity of the emission response to subtle changes in the binding environment of the complex. Similar behaviour is also observed for the related complex [Os(TAP)2(dppp2)]2+ upon quadruplex binding.
Early skeletal muscle deconditioning and reduced exercise capacity during (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Mallard Joris , Hucteau Elyse , Schott Roland , Trensz Philippe , Pflumio Carole , Kalish‐Weindling Michal , Favret Fabrice , Pivot Xavier , Hureau Thomas J. , Pagano Allan F.
Published: November 2022

Background

Fatigue is a hallmark of breast cancer and is associated with skeletal muscle deconditioning. If cancer‐related fatigue occurs early during chemotherapy (CT), the development of skeletal muscle deconditioning and its effect on exercise capacity remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolution of skeletal muscle deconditioning and exercise capacity in patients with early‐stage breast cancer during CT.

Methods

Patients with breast cancer had a visit before undergoing CT, at 8 weeks, and at the end of chemotherapy (post‐CT). Body composition was determined through bioelectrical impedance analysis. Knee extensor, handgrip muscle force and fatigue was quantified by performing maximal voluntary isometric contractions and exercise capacity using the 6‐min walking test. Questionnaires were also administered to evaluate quality of life, cancer‐related fatigue, and physical activity level.

Results

Among the 100 patients, reductions were found in muscle mass (−2.3%, p = .002), exercise capacity (−6.7%, p < .001), and knee extensor force (−4.9%, p < .001) post‐CT, which occurred within the first 8 weeks of treatment with no further decrease thereafter. If muscle fatigue did not change, handgrip muscle force decreased post‐CT only (−2.5%, p = .001), and exercise capacity continued to decrease between 8 weeks and post‐CT (−4.6%, p < .001). Quality of life and cancer‐related fatigue were impaired after 8 weeks (p < .001) and remained stable thereafter, whereas the physical activity level remained stable during chemotherapy.

Conclusions

Similar to cancer‐related fatigue, skeletal muscle deconditioning and reduced exercise capacity occurred early during breast cancer CT. Thus, it appears essential to prevent these alterations through exercise training implemented during CT.
TP53‐altered acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts should be approached as a single entity
Authors: Shallis Rory M. , Daver Naval G. , Altman Jessica K. , Hasserjian Robert P. , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Platzbecker Uwe , Santini Valeria , Wei Andrew H. , Sallman David A. , Zeidan Amer M.
Published: November 2022

TP53‐altered myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts and TP53‐altered acute myeloid leukemia should be considered under one unifying classification term for their study in clinical trials. Ultimately, such a unification would simplify the screening processes for clinical trials and allow a focus on treating the patient for a genetically defined disorder rather than one based on an arbitrary blast threshold.
Schema therapy for patients with borderline personality disorder and comorbid alcohol dependence: A multiple‐baseline case series design study
Authors: Boog Michiel , Goudriaan Anna E. , Wetering Ben J. M. v. d. , Franken Ingmar H. A. , Arntz Arnoud
Published: November 2022

This study tested the effectiveness of schema therapy (ST) for borderline personality disorder (BPD) and comorbid alcohol dependence (AD). Twenty patients participated in a case series study with multiple baselines. The baseline phase consisted of treatment as usual. It was followed by a case conceptualization phase, an experiential techniques phase and a behavioural change phase. Patients showed a significant decrease in BPD and AD symptoms; change was mainly accomplished in the experiential techniques phase, with medium to large effect sizes. Three months after termination of therapy, 68% of the patients had remitted from BPD, and the number of drinking days decreased clearly. This study shows that, although treatment is challenging in this group of patients, meaningful change can be obtained in patients with BPD and AD using ST.
A Novel Gel Thermoelectric Chemical Cell for Harvesting Low‐Grade Heat Energy
Authors: Yue Qu , Gao Taotao , Wang Yujue , Meng Yan , Li Xiaoqin , Yuan Hongyan , Xiao Dan
Published: November 2022

The use of gel thermoelectric chemical cells to capture low‐grade heat for conversion to electricity is an attractive approach. However, there are few studies on whether the distribution of redox species in the electrolyte has an effect on the performance of cells. Herein, this concern was discussed by constructing a novel gel thermoelectric chemical cell (Cu−C‐cg). Using cellulose‐like rice paper as a separator, a concentration gradient of electrolyte was carefully constructed, so that the concentration of potassium ferrocyanide gradually decreased from the hot electrode to the cold electrode while the concentration of potassium ferricyanide gradually increased. Through electrochemical measurement and analysis, it was found that the thermoelectric performance of this cell outperformed the cell without electrolyte concentration gradients. Meanwhile, this performance could be enhanced by the use of asymmetric electrodes composed of copper foil and carbon electrodes. After optimizing the conditions, the open‐circuit voltage, output power, and Seebeck coefficient of the Cu−C‐cg cell at 12 K temperature difference were 0.450 V, 183 μW, and 7.82 mV K−1, respectively. This work not only provides a novel idea in gel‐based cell design but also an excellent thermoelectric chemical cell.
Microlevers™ — small moves for big workplace culture change
Authors: Freebairn‐Smith Laura
Published: November 2022

In the first six columns of “Management Matters,” I have covered:
DNA image cytometry ploidy analysis technique improves the detection rate of pleural effusion cytology
Authors: Ma Zhenhua , Li Pan , Gai Xiaodong , Li Xingang , Sun Bo , Wang Taisheng , Jiang Pingping , Wang Haitao , Zhang Jihong
Published: November 2022

Objective

To explore the clinical diagnostic value of DNA image cytometry (DNA–ICM) ploidy analysis in malignant pleural effusion cancer screening, this study analyzed the effect of exfoliated cell smears (ECSs), cell blocks (CBs), and immunochemistry.

Method

A total of 830 cases of pleural effusion were considered for the DNA–ICM ploidy analysis. The ECSs were centrifuged, the CBs were formed, and the DNA–ICM ploidy analysis was carried out in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion. Immunochemistry and biopsy was applied to differentiate between benign and malignant pleural effusion and to determine the source of the latter. The sensitivity and specificity differences between the three methods alone and in combination were compared.

Results

The sensitivity of the DNA–ICM, ECS, and CB methods was 96.28%, 94.93%, and 95.95%, respectively, and the specificity of each method was 86.52%, 87.08%, and 86.14%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the combined diagnosis method were 99.32% and 75.09%, respectively. Among the 22 cases diagnosed as positive in the DNA–ICM ploidy analysis but negative in the ECS and CB analyses, four cases were diagnosed as positive by comprehensive clinical diagnosis.

Conclusion

The sensitivity and specificity of DNA–ICM ploidy analysis are high; the positive detection rate of pleural fluid cytology is effectively increased, and the missed detection rate of cell pathologies is effectively reduced. The combination of the three methods significantly improves the specificity and sensitivity of the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion, and immunochemistry with CBs can be used to accurately analyze the primary tumor site.
A synthesis of the external morphology of cypridiform larvae of Facetotecta (crustacea: Thecostraca) and the limits of the genus Hansenocaris
Authors: Kolbasov Gregory A. , Savchenko Alexandra S. , Dreyer Niklas , Chan Benny K. K. , Høeg Jens T.
Published: November 2022

Although the naupliar and cypridiform stages of the enigmatic y‐larvae of Facetotecta have been found in the marine plankton worldwide, they still represent the last significant group of crustaceans for which the adult forms are still unknown. From a number of y‐cyprids representing different taxa from different locations, we employ scanning electron microscopy to describe fine morphological details of all external structures of this unique larval form. We document different segmentation patterns of the abdomen and presence/absence of the labrum and structural differences in the antennules, labrum, paraocular process, thoracopods, and telson lend support for the erection of several new genera as opposed to the single Hansenocaris. The data presented here emphasize the morphological limits of the genus Hansenocaris and the “bauplan” of cyprydiform larvae of Facetotecta. Although the optimum pathway is a joint analysis of both molecular and morphological characters, we use the morphological characters of y‐cyprids to align them cladistically and determine the limits of the genus Hansenocaris s.s. and describe common characters for all y‐cyprids including six pairs of the lattice organs instead five pairs considered as a ground pattern for all Thecostraca. We also determine plesiomorphic and apomorphic characters of all known y‐cyprids and separate them from other thecostracan cypridiform larvae.
Iridium‐Catalysed C−H Borylation of Fluoroarenes: Insights into the Balance between Steric and Electronic Control of Regioselectivity
Authors: Ding Mingyan , Reuven Jonathan A. , Hones Andrew C. , Fox Mark A. , Steel Patrick G.
Published: November 2022

The iridium catalysed C−H borylation of polyfluorinated arenes and heteroarenes occurs rapidly and efficiently. As with other borylation reactions, whilst steric parameters dominate, an underlying electronic influence on reaction selectivity can be observed. Notably borylation regioselectivity in fluorinated (hetero)arenes is determined by purely electronic effects except for ortho‐borylation between two fluorine atoms where steric effects of fluorine substituents become apparent. Borylation at the para position with respect to fluorine is disfavoured whereas a strong electronic preference for borylation para to the azinyl nitrogen of pyridine is observed. When these features co‐operate high selectivity can be expected. For these reactions, computations based on transition state, rather than intermediate, energies in iridium geometries showed excellent agreement between predicted and observed selectivities.
Enantioselective CE–MS analysis of ketamine metabolites in urine
Authors: Sandbaumhüter Friederike A. , Aerts Jordan T. , Theurillat Regula , Andrén Per E. , Thormann Wolfgang , Jansson Erik T.
Published: November 2022

The chiral drug ketamine has long‐lasting antidepressant effects with a fast onset and is also suitable to treat patients with therapy‐resistant depression. The metabolite hydroxynorketamine (HNK) plays an important role in the antidepressant mechanism of action. Hydroxylation at the cyclohexanone ring occurs at positions 4, 5, and 6 and produces a total of 12 stereoisomers. Among those, the four 6HNK stereoisomers have the strongest antidepressant effects. Capillary electrophoresis with highly sulfated γ‐cyclodextrin (CD) as a chiral selector in combination with mass spectrometry (MS) was used to develop a method for the enantioselective analysis of HNK stereoisomers with a special focus on the 6HNK stereoisomers. The partial filling approach was applied in order to avoid contamination of the MS with the chiral selector. Concentration of the chiral selector and the length of the separation zone were optimized. With 5% highly sulfated γ‐CD in 20 mM ammonium formate with 10% formic acid and a 75% filling the four 6HNK stereoisomers could be separated with a resolution between 0.79 and 3.17. The method was applied to analyze fractionated equine urine collected after a ketamine infusion and to screen the fractions as well as unfractionated urine for the parent drug ketamine and other metabolites, including norketamine and dehydronorketamine.
A framework for seismic response analysis of dams using numerical source‐to‐structure simulation
Authors: Zhang Meng‐Zhong , Zhang Lei , Wang Xiang‐Chao , Su Wei , Qiu Yi‐Xiang , Wang Jin‐Ting , Zhang Chu‐Han
Published: November 2022

The determination of spatially‐varying broadband ground motions is a prerequisite for the seismic analysis of dams. However, generating realistic ground motions at a specific dam site remains a challenge. Source‐to‐structure simulation, which considers source, propagation path, and site, is a promising way to reasonably synthesize site‐specific ground motions. This paper proposes a practical framework for the seismic analysis of dams based on a deterministic numerical source‐to‐structure simulation. The site‐specific broadband ground motions are generated by a physics‐based 3D numerical simulation using the spectral element method (SEM) in a coarse mesh, while the nonlinear dynamic response of the dam is simulated by the finite element method (FEM) in a fine mesh. The proposed framework bridges the gap between wavefield simulation and seismic analysis of dams. The seismic response analysis of Pacoima dam during the 1994 Northridge earthquake was conducted as a case study, making it the first demonstration of a complete source‐to‐structure simulation for realistic concrete dams using the purely numerical method. Results show that the calculated seismic response agrees with the observation, thus indicating the utility of the proposed framework for source‐to‐dam simulation.
Development of a Harmonized Protocol for Measurement of Foliar Wash-off Parameters: First Results
Authors: Hand Laurence H. , Hellpointner Eduard , Volz Petra , Perry Alexandra , Rieder Benjamin , Gourlay Victor , Hüben Michael , Popescu Marian
Published: November 2022

The foliar wash-off coefficient is a parameter used by environmental fate models to estimate the amount of chemical removed from leaf surfaces by rainfall. In the European Union it is used by FOCUS surface water models to estimate soil loadings following rainfall after leaf surfaces have been treated with plant protection products. Currently, a default value of 0.5/cm is assumed for this parameter, although there is provision to provide experimental data to replace this default. The European Food Safety Authority proposed to increase the default parameter value to 1.0/cm. This increases the need for experimental refinement studies. However, no guidance for a harmonized protocol exists to estimate this parameter. We describe the results of a ring-test conducted to start a process of developing a harmonized experimental protocol to measure the foliar wash-off parameters, conducted by several laboratories across Europe. The proposed design uses whole plants (rather than individual leaves) to retain as much realism as possible. The extent of wash-off is then determined by comparison of compound residues in two sets of plants (with and without a defined rainfall event) measured using a fully validated crop residue method. This initial ring test used tebuconazole (Folicur EW 250) sprayed at 100 g ai/ha onto tomato plants at BBCH25. Each laboratory measured the residues before and after a rainfall event of 20 mm/h for 1 h and calculated the percentage of wash-off from these data. There was good agreement across the eight participating laboratories with a mean percentage of wash-off of 66.8% and a 95% confidence interval of ±11.8%. Determination of robust wash-off parameters was therefore considered feasible using the proposed test design. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:535–541. © 2022 SETAC

Abstract

Development of a harmonized protocol for measurement of foliar wash-off parameters: first results.
Comparison of Multiple Linear Regression and Biotic Ligand Models for Predicting Acute and Chronic Zinc Toxicity to Freshwater Organisms
Authors: DeForest David K. , Ryan Adam C. , Tear Lucinda M. , Brix Kevin V.
Published: November 2022

Multiple linear regression (MLR) models for predicting zinc (Zn) toxicity to freshwater organisms were developed based on three toxicity-modifying factors: dissolved organic carbon (DOC), hardness, and pH. Species-specific, stepwise MLR models were developed to predict acute Zn toxicity to four invertebrates and two fish, and chronic toxicity to three invertebrates, a fish, and a green alga. Stepwise regression analyses found that hardness had the most consistent influence on Zn toxicity among species, whereas DOC and pH had a variable influence. Pooled acute and chronic MLR models were also developed, and a k-fold cross-validation was used to evaluate the fit and predictive ability of the pooled MLR models. The pooled MLR models and an updated Zn biotic ligand model (BLM) performed similarly based on (1) R2, (2) the percentage of effect concentration (ECx) predictions within a factor of 2.0 of observed ECx, and (3) residuals of observed/predicted ECx versus observed ECx, DOC, hardness, and pH. Although fit of the pooled models to species-specific toxicity data differed among species, species-specific differences were consistent between the BLM and MLR models. Consistency in the performance of the two models across species indicates that additional terms, beyond DOC, hardness, and pH, included in the BLM do not help explain the differences among species. The pooled acute and chronic MLR models and BLM both performed better than the US Environmental Protection Agency's existing hardness-based model. We therefore conclude that both MLR models and the BLM provide an improvement over the existing hardness-only models and that either could be used for deriving ambient water quality criteria. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:393–413. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC
NIR light‐propelled bullet‐shaped carbon hollow nanomotors with controllable shell thickness for the enhanced dye removal
Authors: Lv Jinyang , Xing Yi , Li Xiaoyu , Du Xin
Published: November 2022

Materials with asymmetric nanostructures have attracted tremendous research attention due to their unique structural characteristics, excellent physicochemical properties, and promising prospects. However, it is still difficult to design and fabricate bullet‐shaped nanostructure due to its structural complexity. Herein, for the first time, we successfully constructed NIR light‐propelled bullet‐shaped hollow carbon nanomotors (BHCNs) with an open mouth on the bottom of nano‐bullet for the enhanced dye removal, by employing bullet‐shaped silica nanoparticles (B‐SiO2 NPs) as a hard template. BHCNs were formed by the growth of polydopamine (PDA) layer on the heterogeneous surface of B‐SiO2 NPs, followed by the carbonization of PDA and subsequent selective etching of SiO2. The shell thickness of BHCNs was able to be facilely controlled from ≈ 14 to 30 nm by tuning the added amount of dopamine. The combination of streamlined bullet‐shaped nanostructure with good photothermal conversion efficiency of carbon materials facilitated the generation of asymmetric thermal gradient field around itself, thus driving the motion of BHCNs by self‐thermophoresis. Noteworthily, the diffusion coefficient (De) and velocity of BCHNs with shell thickness of 15 nm (BHCNs‐15) reached to 43.8 μm⋅cm−2 and 11.4 μm⋅s−1, respectively, under the illumination of 808 nm NIR laser with the power density of 1.5 W⋅cm−2. The NIR laser propulsion caused BCHNs‐15 to enhance the removal efficiency (53.4% vs. 25.4%) of methylene blue (MB) as a typical dye because the faster velocity could produce the higher micromixing role between carbon adsorbent and MB. Such a smart design of the streamlined nanomotors may provide a promising potential in environmental treatment, biomedical and biosensing applications.
Dynamic forecasting for nonstationary high‐frequency financial data with jumps based on series decomposition and reconstruction
Authors: Song Yuping , Li Zhenwei , Ma Zhiren , Sun Xiaoyu
Published: November 2022

High‐frequency financial data generally possess nonlinear and nonstationary characteristics and usually contain jumping parts, which makes it difficult to establish an accurate forecasting model. In this paper, we first decompose the nonstationary high‐frequency financial time series through the variational mode decomposition (VMD), then construct the traditional autoregressive moving average (ARIMA) model on the trend and periodic items to capture the characteristics of the high‐frequency series, construct a deep learning long short‐term memory (LSTM) model on the disturbance item to fit the nonlinear trend of the data, and finally reconstruct the decomposed series by multiple linear regression. Through the Monte Carlo simulation and empirical data, it is found that under various evaluation criteria, the VMD‐LSTM model is more accurate in forecasting the nonstationary high‐frequency financial data with jumps, compared with the single ARIMA model, machine learning, and deep learning model. The VMD‐LSTM model has reduced 21.74%, 94.69%, and 48.57% on the mean absolute error (MAE) of forecasting compared with other models such as the ARIMA model, machine learning, and deep learning model. Furthermore, we construct a trading strategy for the ChiNext index based on the VMD‐LSTM model, which presents a good return and can provide investors with reasonable suggestions.
Single ectopic ureter opening into a vaginal cyst associated with multiple urogenital tract malformation: A rare case report
Authors: Zhao Meidan , Shu Changfa , Traoré Absatou , Li Fang , Zhang Aiqian , Xu Dabao
Published: November 2022

Synopsis

This case presented a unique report of single ectopic ureter opening into a vaginal cyst associated with multiple congenital abnormalities in a prepubertal girl.
Outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection repair during pregnancy
Authors: Wang Zhigang , Sun Hongyan , Zhang Chi , Lu Lichong , Zhang Lifang , Wang Dongjin
Published: November 2022

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of performing cesarean section surgery before aortic repair after acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) during pregnancy.

Methods

A total of six patients who received ATAAD repair during their pregnancies were retrospectively identified in the hospital database from January 2002 to December 2021.

Results

The mean gestational period at the time of aortic repair was 35.3 ± 2.7 weeks, and the aortic root diameter ranged from 40 to 60 mm. The mean time from disease onset to arrival at the operation room was 20.3 ± 10.8 h (range 10–36 h). All patients successfully received aortic repair operations following cesarean section and survived the peri‐surgery period without developing major complications. All fetuses were successfully delivered. After an average follow up of 25.8 months, all patients and their children had survived without developing major complications except for one mother who committed suicide 6 months after discharge as a result of postpartum depression.

Conclusion

The present study suggested that ATAAD repair can be safely performed in the third‐trimester.
Activation of eIF4E‐binding‐protein‐1 rescues mTORC1‐induced sarcopenia by expanding lysosomal degradation capacity
Authors: Crombie Elisa M. , Kim Seonyoung , Adamson Stuart , Dong Han , Lu Tzu‐Chiao , Wu Yiju , Wu Yajun , Levy Yotam , Stimple Nolan , Lam Wing Moon R. , Hey Hwee Weng D. , Withers Dominic J. , Hsu Ao‐Lin , Bay Boon Huat , Ochala Julien , Tsai Shih‐Yin
Published: November 2022

Background

Chronic mTORC1 activation in skeletal muscle is linked with age‐associated loss of muscle mass and strength, known as sarcopenia. Genetic activation of mTORC1 by conditionally ablating mTORC1 upstream inhibitor TSC1 in skeletal muscle accelerates sarcopenia development in adult mice. Conversely, genetic suppression of mTORC1 downstream effectors of protein synthesis delays sarcopenia in natural aging mice. mTORC1 promotes protein synthesis by activating ribosomal protein S6 kinases (S6Ks) and inhibiting eIF4E‐binding proteins (4EBPs). Whole‐body knockout of S6K1 or muscle‐specific over‐expression of a 4EBP1 mutant transgene (4EBP1mt), which is resistant to mTORC1‐mediated inhibition, ameliorates muscle loss with age and preserves muscle function by enhancing mitochondria activities, despite both transgenic mice showing retarded muscle growth at a young age. Why repression of mTORC1‐mediated protein synthesis can mitigate progressive muscle atrophy and dysfunction with age remains unclear.

Methods

Mice with myofiber‐specific knockout of TSC1 (TSC1mKO), in which mTORC1 is hyperactivated in fully differentiated myofibers, were used as a mouse model of sarcopenia. To elucidate the role of mTORC1‐mediated protein synthesis in regulating muscle mass and physiology, we bred the 4EBP1mt transgene or S6k1 floxed mice into the TSC1mKO mouse background to generate 4EBP1mt‐TSC1mKO or S6K1‐TSC1mKO mice, respectively. Functional and molecular analyses were performed to assess their role in sarcopenia development.

Results

Here, we show that 4EBP1mt‐TSC1mKO, but not S6K1‐TSC1mKO, preserved muscle mass (36.7% increase compared with TSC1mKO, P < 0.001) and strength (36.8% increase compared with TSC1mKO, P < 0.01) at the level of control mice. Mechanistically, 4EBP1 activation suppressed aberrant protein synthesis (two‐fold reduction compared with TSC1mKO, P < 0.05) and restored autophagy flux without relieving mTORC1‐mediated inhibition of ULK1, an upstream activator of autophagosome initiation. We discovered a previously unidentified phenotype of lysosomal failure in TSC1mKO mouse muscle, in which the lysosomal defect was also conserved in the naturally aged mouse muscle, whereas 4EBP1 activation enhanced lysosomal protease activities to compensate for impaired autophagy induced by mTORC1 hyperactivity. Consequently, 4EBP1 activation relieved oxidative stress to prevent toxic aggregate accumulation (0.5‐fold reduction compared with TSC1mKO, P < 0.05) in muscle and restored mitochondrial homeostasis and function.

Conclusions

We identify 4EBP1 as a communication hub coordinating protein synthesis and degradation to protect proteostasis, revealing therapeutic potential for activating lysosomal degradation to mitigate sarcopenia.
Effects of HMW‐GSs at Glu‐B1 locus on starch–protein interaction and starch digestibility during thermomechanical processing of wheat dough
Authors: Peng Pai , Wang Xiaolong , Liao Mei , Zou Xiaoyang , Ma Qianying , Zhang Xiaoke , Hu Xinzhong
Published: November 2022

Background

The composition of glutenin protein significantly affects protein–starch interactions and starch digestion characteristics in wheat dough matrices. To elucidate the effects of high molecular weight glutenin subunits at the Glu‐B1 locus on dough processing quality, the detailed structural changes of protein, starch, and their complexes were compared in Mixolab dough samples of two near isogenic lines 7 + 8 and 7 + 9.

Results

The results showed that the degree of protein aggregation increased continuously during dough processing, as did the destruction and rearrangement of the gluten network. Compared to 7 + 8, the stronger and more stable protein network formed in 7 + 9 dough induced intensive interactions between protein and starch, primarily through hydrogen bonds and isomeric glycosidic bonds. In 7 + 9 dough, the more compact and extensive protein–starch network significantly inhibited starch gelatinization during dough pasting, while during the dough cooling stage [from C4 (82.8 °C) to C5 (52.8 °C)], more protein–starch complexes composed of monomeric proteins and short‐chain starch were generated, which remarkably inhibited starch retrogradation. All protein–starch interactions in the 7 + 9 dough improved the starch digestion resistance, as reflected by the high content of resistant starch.

Conclusion

The more extensive and intensive protein–starch interactions in the 7 + 9 dough inhibited the gelatinization and enzymatic hydrolysis of starch, thereby producing more slowly digestible starch and resistant starch. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of optimizing the texture and digestibility of wheat‐based food products by regulating the behavior and interactions of proteins and starch during dough processing. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Influence of land use and different plant residues on isotopic carbon distribution of total and water extractable organic matter in an incubation experiment with weathered tropical soil
Authors: da Silva Silézio Ferreira , Spaccini Riccardo , de Rezende Carlos Eduardo , Canellas Luciano Pasqualoto
Published: November 2022

In weathered tropical soils, the inherent pedoclimatic characteristics strengthen the role of soil organic matter (SOM) pools within the carbon cycle for both forest and agricultural ecosystems. The fast SOM turnover and the humid climate hasten the impact of land use and emphasize the importance of water extractable organic matter (WEOM) on soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. The goal of this study was to determine the short‐term dynamics of bulk SOM and WEOM pool in weathered Brazilian soil, as conditioned by both land use and type of plant inputs. To this aim we used the appraisal of the natural δ13C‐OC signature to follow the variation of SOC pools and to overcome the analytical issues related to low OC concentration of WEOM fractions. In a one‐year laboratory incubation, soil samples from a natural forest and an adjacent site under sugarcane monoculture were amended with either forest litter or sugarcane straw to evaluate SOM and WEOM dynamics. The bulk SOM was mainly affected by inherited conditions rather than on the organic amendments. The incorporation of sugarcane residues in the forest site produced a partial replacement of the original SOC, while the amendments to the cultivated soil promoted a stable increase in SOC. The analysis of WEOM highlighted its influence as a reactive pool in the short‐term SOM dynamics. The δ13C variation of WEOM from cultivated soil corroborated the significant ponderal rate of OC input from forest litter that accounted for 22% of total dissolved carbon. Unexpected evidence on the shift of isotopic dilution between SOC pools indicates that the evaluation of δ13C to determine the origin of the SOC fraction should be conservatively adopted. The results outline that the steady state of SOM in forest systems may undergo a rapid decline with limited counteracting effects of exogenous OM inputs. Conversely, OC depleted agricultural soils may benefit from organic amendments, thus acting as an effective sink for SOC accumulation.
Company culture and employee retention: Session takeaways
Authors: Denne Ben , Giddens Cate , Brook Bathsheba Viola Lockwood
Published: November 2022

Key points

Be clear on your commitment to EDIB—‘say what you mean’.

Be clear on your actions for EDIB—‘do what you say’.

Be curious not furious: build empathy and avoid tokenism by acting holistically.
Tunable On‐Chip Terahertz Isolator Based on Nonreciprocal Transverse Edge Spin State of Asymmetric Magneto‐Plasmonic Waveguide
Authors: Zhao Dan , Fan Fei , Tan Zhiyu , Wang Hao , Chang Shengjiang
Published: November 2022

Terahertz (THz) isolators are crucial to one‐way transmission in THz application systems. However, it is still challenging to implement THz isolators with integrated structure and tunable characteristics. Herein, a THz isolator based on a magneto‐plasmonic waveguide (MPWG) has been demonstrated. In this InSb‐air‐metal asymmetric waveguide, the plasmonic band gap is excited and thermally tuned by surface plasmons. Moreover, under weak external magnetic fields (EMFs), magneto‐plasmons excite nonreciprocal transverse edge spin states, which break the time‐reversal symmetry of the MPWG and lead to a pair of isolation bandgaps that only allow one‐way transmission. The experimental results of both broadband time‐domain spectrum system and single‐frequency system confirm this isolator can achieve more than 20 dB isolation and only 4 dB insertion loss. More importantly, its isolation can be actively modulated by EMFs from 0 to 0.23 T, and also realize broadband tuning of over 1 THz frequency range by controlling the temperature from 80 to 280 K. This topological edge band structure of transverse spin states and its active manipulation mechanism are helpful to deepen the understanding of nonreciprocal plasmon propagation, and this broadband tunable THz on‐chip isolator is significant to urgently apply in strong THz sources and ultra‐sensitive detectors.
Psychologists say treatment demand exceeds mental health care capacity
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: November 2022

Greater demand for treatment, longer waitlists, and an increase in severity of symptoms among patients are just a few examples of current challenges facing psychologists as reflected in a new practitioner impact survey that looked at how psychologists’ practice has evolved since the pandemic. The American Psychological Association (APA) released the survey last week.
Suicidal ideation ED visits among youth spike pre‐pandemic
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: November 2022

The gravity of mental health concerns among children and youth became apparent even before the pandemic, according to Northwestern University researchers who examined suicidal ideation‐related trends in emergency department (ED) visits for youth and children as young as age 5 in Illinois in the years prior.
NACo urges Congress to pass key mental health, BH legislation
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: November 2022

Sustaining federal funding to support local crisis response infrastructure through Medicaid and enforcing policies that ensure equal coverage of treatment for mental illness and addiction are among the policy priorities that the National Association of Counties (NACo) is urging Congress to pass as part of a legislative package before the end of the year.