bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Curcumin alters distinct molecular pathways in breast cancer subtypes revealed by integrated miRNA/mRNA expression analysis
Authors: Nirgude Snehal , Desai Sagar , Choudhary Bibha
Published: January 2022

Background

Curcumin is well known for its anticancer properties. Its cytotoxic activity has been documented in several cancer cell lines, including breast cancer. The pleiotropic activity of curcumin as an antioxidant, an antiangiogenic, antiproliferative, and pro‐apoptotic, is due to its diverse targets, such as signaling pathways, protein/enzyme, or noncoding gene.

Aim

This study aimed to identify key miRNAs and mRNAs induced by curcumin in breast cancer cells MCF7, T47D (hormone positive), versus MDA‐MB231 (hormone negative) using comparative analysis of global gene expression profiles.

Methods

RNA was isolated and subjected to mRNA and miRNA library sequencing to study the global gene expression profile of curcumin‐treated breast cancer cells. The differential expression of gene and miRNA was performed using the DESeq R package. The enriched pathways were studied using cluster profileR, and integrated miRNA–mRNA analysis was carried out using miRtarvis and miRmapper tools.

Results

Curcumin treatment led to upregulation of 59% TSGs in MCF7, 21% in MDA‐MB‐231 cells, and 36% TSGs in T47D, and downregulation of 57% oncogenes in MCF7, 76% in MDA‐MB‐231, and 91% in T47D. Similarly, curcumin treatment led to upregulation of 32% TSmiRs in MCF7, 37.5% in MDA‐MB231, and 62.5% in T47D, and downregulation of 77% oncomiRs in MCF7, 50% in MDA‐MB231 and 28.6% in T47D. Integrated analysis of miRNA–mRNA led to the identification of a common NFKB pathway altered by curcumin in all three cell lines. Analysis of uniquely enriched pathway revealed non‐integrin membrane–ECM interactions and laminin interactions in MCF7; extracellular matrix organization and degradation in MDA‐MB‐231 and cell cycle arrest and G2/M transition in T47D.

Conclusion

Curcumin regulates miRNA and mRNA in a cell type‐specific manner. The integrative analysis led to the detection of miRNAs and mRNAs pairs, which can be used as biomarkers associated with carcinogenesis, diagnostic, and treatment response in breast cancer.
Pharmacokinetics, Bioequivalence, and Safety Studies of Amlodipine Besylate in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Chen Bin , Chen ZhiMin , Lv DongQing , Sun Yuan , Chen HuaFang
Published: January 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the bioequivalence of 2 amlodipine besylate tablet formulations, a generic formulation and an original formulation, and to investigate their pharmacokinetic and safety profiles. This study was designed as a randomized, open‐label, single‐dose, crossover, dual‐period study and was divided into fasting and postprandial human bioequivalence trials. In the first trial after overnight fasting, 28 subjects were given 5‐mg amlodipine besylate tablets via oral administration, and blood specimens were obtained up to 144 hours after dosing; another 28 subjects had a high‐fat meal 1 hour before drug administration and proceeded the same as the fasting trial. Bioequivalence was evaluated using 90%CIs for the ratio test/reference of log area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) from time 0 to the last quantifiable concentration, log AUC from time 0 to infinity, and log peak concentration. The plasma concentrations were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The safety was assessed throughout the study. The results show that no significant differences were observed between the pharmacokinetic profiles of the test and reference amlodipine besylate tablets in the fasting and postprandial trials. The 90%CIs of the peak concentration, AUC from time 0 to the last quantifiable concentration and AUC from time 0 to infinity of amlodipine in the 2 trials were within the commonly accepted bioequivalence criteria of 80% to 125%. Compared with the pharmacokinetic parameters of the fasting and postprandial trials, food had no significant effect on exposure of amlodipine besylate. There was no significant difference in safety statistical results between the 2 groups. The results suggest that generic and original amlodipine besylate tablets are bioequivalent with similar safety profiles.
Design and Synthesis of Crosslinked Helix Dimers as Protein Tertiary Structure Mimics
Authors: Hong Seong Ho , Nguyen Thu , Arora Paramjit
Published: January 2022

Crosslinked helix dimers (CHDs) are synthetic tertiary helical structure motifs designed to modulate interactions of proteins with binding partners. Helix dimers serve as mimics of coiled coils, which are known to be implicated in a multitude of protein complexes. Coiled coils are typically stable in long peptides (>21‐28 residues), because sufficient intra‐ and interstrand contacts are not available in short peptides to coax strand assembly. To engineer conformationally stable CHDs in short sequences, we introduced a covalent linkage in place of an interhelical salt bridge and sculpted the helical interface with optimal hydrophobic packing. CHDs have shown efficacy for the disruption of targeted protein‐protein interactions in biochemical, cellular, and animal models. This article describes our optimized approach to design and synthesize parallel and antiparallel helical tertiary structure mimics. Synthesis of CHDs involves conjugation of individual peptide segments, purification of the mono‐conjugated strand, and alkylation of the two independent strands to yield crosslinked dimers. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Protocol for bis‐triazole CHDs

Basic Protocol 2: Protocol for dibenzyl ether CHDs
A novel generic modulo‐2 graph with full set taxonomical conversion to parallel prefix adders
Authors: Rahimi M. , Ghaznavi‐Ghoushchi M. B.
Published: January 2022

This paper proposes a novel generic modulo‐2 graph that can be converted to parallel prefix adders (PPA). Also, a conversion algorithm for converting the proposed graph to PPAs is proposed in this paper. The conversation algorithm can be applied onN‐bitGeneric modulo‐2 graph, and this graph is converted toN‐bitPPAs. When the proposed conversion algorithm is applied to generic modulo‐2 graph, this graph is converted to Brent‐Kung, Sklansky, Kogge‐Stone, Harris, Ladner‐Fischer, Han‐Carlson, and Knowles adders. Moreover, PPAs are shown in trilinear coordinates to represent the final PPAs, which generic graph converted to them. Furthermore, the add operation is done by generic graph and also the correctness of add function of this graph is investigated by “Boolean decision diagram.”
Bile cytology diagnosis in challenging cases: Validation of diagnostic bile cytology criteria and extensive study for immunocytochemical markers
Authors: Sano Naoki , Tabata Kenichi , Oda Tomohiro , Yanagita Miki , Suzuki Tomoko , Komatsubara Toshihide , Kawata Hirotoshi , Fukushima Noriyoshi
Published: January 2022

Background

Bile cytology is useful in diagnosing biliary tract lesions, albeit often challenging due to equivocal findings. To achieve better diagnoses for clinical decisions, we conducted cytomorphological and immunocytochemical studies of bile cytology cases.

Materials and methods

We re‐evaluated 40 bile cytology cases with initial equivocal diagnoses, taken from the cytology records of Jichi Medical University Hospital, including 1778 bile cytology specimens. First, we assessed the cases by the diagnostic bile cytology criteria of the Japanese Society of Clinical Cytology. Second, we searched for useful immunocytochemical markers by extensive immunohistochemical analyses using tissue microarray for 10 antibodies: S100P, IMP3, GLUT1, p53, S100A4, Mapsin, MUC17, CD10, MDM2, and SMAD4. Microarrays were from 257 extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma cases. To elucidate the utility of immunocytochemistry, we applied selected markers to immunocytochemical evaluation of the equivocal cases after cell transfer.

Results

The criteria indicated a sensitivity 60%, specificity 87%, and accuracy 70%. Irregularly overlapping (88%), arranged (96%), and shaped (76%) nuclei were more common in malignant cases, while enlarged nuclei were more frequent in benign cases (67% vs. 28%). We applied S100P and IMP3, which showed higher accuracy (88% and 77%) in tissue microarray, to immunocytochemistry. The sensitivity of S100P and IMP3 were 69% and 70%, respectively. The specificity of S100P and IMP3 were 50% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion

The criteria showed a certain effectiveness even in challenging cases, and some pitfalls associated with reactive changes of benign cells. Although comprehensive diagnosis including cytomorphology seems preferable, S100P and IMP3 are promising immunocytochemical markers.
A Review of High‐Temperature Foam for Improving Steam Flooding Effect: Mechanism and Application of Foam
Authors: Zhao Fajun , Wang Kai , Li Guo , Zhu Guangmeng , Liu Lei , Jiang Yifan
Published: January 2022

With the exploitation of light oil approaching saturation, the exploitation of heavy oil is of particular importance. Thermal recovery technology is typically used in heavy oil recovery, such as steam flooding (SF), steam‐assisted gravity drainage, and cyclic steam stimulation. However, SF technology brings problems such as gravity overlap, viscous fingering, and channeling, reducing the sweep efficiency and oil recovery efficiency. Some studies have proposed that foam and steam should be injected into the reservoir together to plug, turn, and reduce viscosity. Heavy oil production occurs mostly under high‐temperature conditions, which require that the foaming agents have good foaming ability in this environment. The generated foam should have good stability. Meanwhile, the mechanism of steam foam enhancing oil recovery (EOR) also changes. Therefore, the research on the mechanism and application of steam foam technology is discussed. First, the basic theory of foam is introduced, and the research on the mechanism of steam foam EOR is discussed. Second, the application of steam foam in the laboratory and the field is summarized. Finally, the full text is summarized and some prospects are made, to provide some help for future research.
Chronic Activation of LXRα Sensitizes Mice to Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Xie Yang , Sun Runzi , Gao Li , Guan Jibin , Wang Jingyuan , Bell Aaron , Zhu Junjie , Zhang Min , Xu Meishu , Lu Peipei , Cai Xinran , Ren Songrong , Xu Pengfei , Monga Satdarshan P. , Ma Xiaochao , Yang Da , Liu Yulan , Lu Binfeng , Xie Wen
Published: January 2022

The oxysterol receptor liver X receptor (LXR) is a nuclear receptor best known for its function in the regulation of lipid and cholesterol metabolism. LXRs, both the α and β isoforms, have been suggested as potential therapeutic targets for several cancer types. However, there was a lack of report on whether and how LXRα plays a role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the current study, we found that systemic activation of LXRα in the VP‐LXRα knock‐in (LXRαKI) mice or hepatocyte‐specific activation of LXRα in the VP‐LXRα transgenic mice sensitized mice to liver tumorigenesis induced by the combined treatment of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 3,3',5,5'‐tetrachloro‐1,4‐bis (pyridyloxy) benzene (TCPOBOP). Mechanistically, the LXRα‐responsive up‐regulation of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway and the complement system, and down‐regulation of bile acid metabolism, may have contributed to increased tumorigenesis. Accumulations of secondary bile acids and oxysterols were found in both the serum and liver tissue of LXRα activated mice. We also observed an induction of monocytic myeloid–derived suppressor cells accompanied by down‐regulation of dendritic cells and cytotoxic T cells in DEN/TCPOBOP‐induced liver tumors, indicating that chronic activation of LXRα may have led to the activation of innate immune suppression. The HCC sensitizing effect of LXRα activation was also observed in the c‐MYC driven HCC model. Conclusion: Our results indicated that chronic activation of LXRα promotes HCC, at least in part, by promoting innate immune suppressor as a result of accumulation of oxysterols, as well as up‐regulation of the IL‐6/Janus kinase/STAT3 signaling and complement pathways.
Vertical integration in healthcare: What does literature say about improvements on quality, access, efficiency, and costs containment?
Authors: Amado Guilherme C. , Ferreira Diogo C. , Nunes Alexandre M.
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Vertical integration models involve integrating services from different levels of care (e.g., primary care, acute care, post‐acute care). Therefore, one of their main objectives is to increase continuity of care, potentially improving outcomes like efficiency, quality, and access or even enabling cost containment.

Objectives

This study conducts a literature review and aims at contributing to the contentious discussion regarding the effects of vertical integration reforms in terms of efficiency, costs containment, quality, and access.

Methods

We performed a systematic search of the literature published until February 2020. The articles respecting the conceptual framework were included in an exhaustive analysis to study the impact of vertical integration on costs, prices of care, efficiency, quality, and access.

Results

A sample of 64 papers resulted from the screening process. The impact of vertical integration on costs and prices of care appears to be negative. Decreases in technical efficiency upon vertical integration are practically out of the question. Nevertheless, there is no substantial inclination to visualise a positive influence. The same happens with the quality of care. Regarding access, the lack of available articles on this outcome limits conjectures.

Conclusions

In summary, it is not clear yet whether vertically integrated healthcare providers positively impact the overall delivery care system. Nevertheless, the recent growing trend in the number of studies suggests a promising future on the analysis of this topic.
Thermodiffusion and chemical reaction on MHD free convective flow past a rotating vertical porous plate with constant heat and mass discharge
Authors: Sekhar B. Chandra , Kumar P. Vijaya
Published: January 2022

Simultaneous heat and mass transport have played significant roles in different substantial chemical, and biomedical processes. Heat and mass transports happen in absorptions, distillations, extractions, drying, melt along with crystallizations, moreover, evaporations, and condensations. Mass flows due to the temperature gradients are recognized as the Soret effect. The Soret effects on the unsteady hydromagnetic liberated convective flow of a non‐incompressible electrically performing gelatinous liquid over the rotating perpendicular absorbent plate in the incidence of temperature amalgamation have been investigated. The effects of the first order chemical reaction along with heat radiation are considered. The scheme of partially differential equalities is rendered into ordinarily differential equalities and therefore solved systematically with the Laplace transforms methodology. The impacts of different pertinent flow parametrics on velocities, temperature as well as concentration distributions, in addition, the shear stress is examined through the graphical profiles along with tables accordingly. This is established that resultant velocity field is ascending through an increase in the Soret parameter and chemically reacting parameter. The temperature distribution is increased by an increasing heat absorption parameter. Also, when the Soret parameter increases, then concentration increases throughout the fluid region.
Bone Microarchitecture in Transgender Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bretherton Ingrid , Ghasem-Zadeh Ali , Leemaqz Shalem Y , Seeman Ego , Wang Xiaofang , McFarlane Thomas , Spanos Cassandra , Grossmann Mathis , Zajac Jeffrey D , Cheung Ada S
Published: January 2022

Gender-affirming hormone therapy aligns physical characteristics with an individual's gender identity, but sex hormones regulate bone remodeling and influence bone morphology. We hypothesized that trans men receiving testosterone have compromised bone morphology because of suppression of ovarian estradiol production, whereas trans women receiving estradiol, with or without anti-androgen therapy, have preserved bone microarchitecture. We compared distal radial and tibial microarchitecture using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography images in a cross-sectional study of 41 trans men with 71 cis female controls, and 40 trans women with 51 cis male controls. Between-group differences were expressed as standardized deviations (SD) from the mean in age-matched cisgender controls with 98% confidence intervals adjusted for cross-sectional area (CSA) and multiple comparisons. Relative to cis women, trans men had 0.63 SD higher total volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD; both p = 0.01). Cortical vBMD and cortical porosity did not differ, but cortices were 1.11 SD thicker (p < 0.01). Trabeculae were 0.38 SD thicker (p = 0.05) but otherwise no different. Compared with cis men, trans women had 0.68 SD lower total vBMD (p = 0.01). Cortical vBMD was 0.70 SD lower (p < 0.01), cortical thickness was 0.51 SD lower (p = 0.04), and cortical porosity was 0.70 SD higher (p < 0.01). Trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) was 0.77 SD lower (p < 0.01), with 0.57 SD fewer (p < 0.01) and 0.30 SD thicker trabeculae (p = 0.02). There was 0.56 SD greater trabecular separation (p = 0.01). Findings at the distal radius were similar. Contrary to each hypothesis, bone microarchitecture was not compromised in trans men, perhaps because aromatization of administered testosterone prevented bone loss. Trans women had deteriorated bone microarchitecture either because of deficits in microstructure before treatment or because the estradiol dosage was insufficient to offset reduced aromatizable testosterone. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Extending the biologging revolution to amphibians: Implantation, extraction, and validation of miniature temperature loggers
Authors: Reider Kelsey E. , Zerger Megan , Whiteman Howard H.
Published: January 2022

Quantifying ectotherm body temperature is important to understand physiological performance under environmental change. The increasing availability of small, commercially‐available animal‐borne biologgers increases accessibility to high‐quality body temperature data. However, amphibians present several challenges to successful datalogger implantation including small body sizes and physiologically active skin. We developed a method for the implantation, extraction, and validation of temperature biologgers in captive salamanders. We assessed the effect of biologger implantation and extraction surgery on body condition. Implantation had no effects on short or long‐term body condition. Body condition also did not differ between implant and control groups after datalogger extraction. Biologgers did not alter preferred temperature in a laboratory thermal gradient, indicating that temperature data would not be biased by implantation. We provide detailed recommendations for datalogger placement and refinement of surgical techniques to further improve outcomes, enhance our understanding of fitness, species range limitations, and responses to environmental and climatic change.
Expression of spidroin proteins in the silk glands of golden orb‐weaver spiders
Authors: Jorge Inmaculada , Ruiz Víctor , Lavado‐García Jesús , Vázquez Jesús , Hayashi Cheryl , Rojo Francisco J. , Atienza José M. , Elices Manuel , Guinea Gustavo V. , Pérez‐Rigueiro José
Published: January 2022

The expression of spidroins in the major ampullate, minor ampullate, flagelliform, and tubuliform silk glands of Trichonephila clavipes spiders was analyzed using proteomics analysis techniques. Spidroin peptides were identified and assigned to different gene products based on sequence concurrence when compared with the whole genome of the spider. It was found that only a relatively low proportion of the spidroin genes are expressed as proteins in any of the studied glands. In addition, the expression of spidroin genes in different glands presents a wide range of patterns, with some spidroins being found in a single gland exclusively, while others appear in the content of several glands. The combination of precise genomics, proteomics, microstructural, and mechanical data provides new insights both on the design principles of these materials and how these principles might be translated for the production of high‐performance bioinspired artificial fibers.
Safety and efficacy of continuous or intermittent enteral nutrition in patients in the intensive care unit: Systematic review of clinical evidence
Authors: De Lazzaro Francesco , Alessandri Francesco , Tarsitano Maria Grazia , Bilotta Federico , Pugliese Francesco
Published: January 2022

The best mode of delivering enteral nutrition (EN) in the intensive care unit (ICU) is still debated: several consensus guidelines (American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition [ASPEN] and the European Society for Parental and Enteral Nutrition [ESPEN]) suggest that EN in ICU should be preferably delivered continuously rather intermittently, but some authors highlight that the first is unphysiological. The aim of this systematic review (SR) is to summarize available clinical evidence related to safety and efficacy of continuous EN (C‐EN) or intermittent EN (I‐EN) in patients in the ICU, in relation to appropriated supply on nutrition status, gastrointestinal symptoms or tolerance, and risks on respiratory tract infections. A literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar was performed comparing C‐EN vs I‐EN, and 4196 published studies were screened. Nineteen studies were selected for this SR reporting types of ICU, nutrition protocols, and study period. Effects of C‐EN vs I‐EN were presented according to the impact on nutrition status, digestive tract, and respiratory tract. The contrasting results confirmed that the optimal delivering mode of EN remains controversial. Future studies dedicated to identifying the benefits and limitations of C‐EN or I‐EN should be realized.
An insight into the patterns and controls of the structure of South American Chaco woodlands
Authors: Ferraina Antonella , Baldi Germán , de Abelleyra Diego , Grosfeld Javier , Verón Santiago
Published: January 2022

Logging, grazing, wood extraction, and anthropogenic fires are pervasive throughout the subtropical dry vegetation of South America leading to changes in woodlands structure and ultimately its degradation. The Chac ohaco biome encompasses the second‐largest forest in South America and has a long history of intensive use. We sought to characterize the structure and heterogeneity of its woodlands across biogeographic subunits and climatic gradients, and evaluate structure controls. We quantified canopy height, cover, vertical complexity, vegetation amount above 3 m and total vegetation amount over 58 woodlands within the Argentinean Chaco by means of terrestrial laser scanner. We assessed the relationship between three groups near the maximum, average and minimum values of each structural variable and precipitation, temperature and temperature of the coldest month using quantile regressions. We found large variability in structural attributes within each biogeographical subunit, showing woodland areas with similar structure across broad gradients of climate. This suggests a considerable impact of current and past land use in shaping woodland structures across the Chaco. Overall, structural variables were positively associated with precipitation and temperature, albeit more strongly to the former, except for canopy height, which showed a strong association with mean temperature of the coldest month. We hypothesize that land‐use impact on woodland structure decreases with increasing precipitation, as the lack of water may limit the recovery of vegetation structure. Our results contribute to a better understanding of variation in key structural variables of Chaco woodlands in relation to climate and land use.
Enrichment of n‐3 containing ether phospholipids in plasma after 30 days of krill oil compared with fish oil supplementation
Authors: Sung Hyunsin (Hedy) , Sinclair Andrew J. , Su Xiao Q
Published: January 2022

There are conflicting findings over the bioavailability of long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) from krill oil (KO) compared with fish oil (FO) in short‐ and long‐term studies. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of KO versus FO on the enrichment of molecular species of plasma phospholipids in young women following a 30‐day consumption of the n‐3 oils. Eleven healthy women aged 18–45 years consumed seven capsules of KO per day (containing a total of 1.27 g n‐3 PUFA) or five capsules of FO per day (total of 1.44 g n‐3 PUFA) for 30 days in a randomized crossover study, separated by at least a 30‐day washout period. Fasting blood samples were collected at day zero (baseline), day 15 and day 30 and analyzed by HPLC‐MS/MS for molecular species of phospholipids. Supplementation increased n‐3 PUFA in main phospholipids classes in both groups. After 30 days of supplementation, 35 out of 70 molecular species containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPAn‐3) had a significantly greater concentration in KO group compared with the FO treated group. The majority (89%) of the differentiated molecular species were choline and ethanolamine ether‐phospholipids. These data reveal that analysis of plasma phospholipids following 30 days of consumption of KO (a marine oil rich in phospholipids, including ether phospholipids) resulted in an enrichment of n‐3 PUFA in molecular species of ether‐phospholipids compared with FO (a triacylglycerol‐rich marine oil).
Combining AFM imaging and elementally resolved spectroelectrochemistry for understanding stability and quality of passive films formed on Alloy 600
Authors: Dworschak Dominik , Bishara Marina , Cheng Hsiu‐Wei , Valtiner Markus
Published: January 2022

Understanding elemental corrosion currents and visualizing corroding topographies provides a detailed insight into corrosion mechanisms at the nanoscale. Here, we develop a strategy to understand the elemental composition, corrosion resistivity, and local stability of passive materials. Specifically, we utilize a pulse voltammetry approach in a novel electrochemical atomic force microscopy (AFM) cell and complement this data by real‐time dissolution currents based on spectroelectrochemical online analysis in an inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP‐MS) flow cell. We study the oxide properties and their protective behavior when formed under different applied potentials using Alloy 600 as a model sample. Both AFM and ICP‐MS data show that passive films formed on Alloy 600 at around +0.3 to +0.4 V in neutral 1 mM NaCl solution are most stable during anodic corrosion at +1.0 V, while AFM further demonstrates that local dissolution occurs, indicating locally varying defect levels in the passive film. In combination with both techniques, our approach provides real‐time elementally resolved and localized information of passive film quality under corrosive conditions, and it may prove useful for other corroding materials.
Discriminative Detection of Aliphatic, Electron‐Rich and Electron‐Deficient Aromatic Volatile Organic Contaminants Using Conjugated Polymeric Fluorescent Nanoaggregates with Aggregation Induced Emission Characteristics
Authors: Panigrahi Abhiram , Mandal Shyama C. , Pathak Biswarup , Sarma Tridib K.
Published: January 2022

Discrimination of aromatic, aliphatic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with high sensitivity and easy operational techniques is important due to related environmental implications. Herein the development of fluorescent conjugated polymers is reported, consisting of donor–acceptor pairs and their nanoaggregates as fluorophores with differential emission behavior in the presence of aromatic, aliphatic VOCs and electron‐deficient VOCs both in aqueous solution and solid state. The polymeric network consists of fluorene moiety with dangling alkyl groups as donors and aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) active tetraphenylethylene (TPE) unit as an acceptor. The corresponding fluorescent nanoaggregates exhibit enhancement in the emission intensity owing to restriction in intramolecular motion of AIE unit in the presence of aliphatic VOCs, whereas the fluorescence enhancement is accompanied by a bathochromic shift in emission maxima in the case of aromatic VOCs owing to the conformational change in the phenyl rings of TPE unit. On the other hand, the fluorescence of nanoaggregates quenches in the presence of an electron‐deficient VOC through a possible nonradiative electron transfer. Detailed mechanistic studies are corroborated through a variety of spectroscopic, density functional theory calculations, and theoretical simulations. The discriminatory response of the polymeric nanoaggregates toward a different kind of VOCs can also be observed visually in the thin‐film state.
It’s Complicated and It Depends: A Review of the Effects of Ecosystem Changes on Walleye and Yellow Perch Populations in North America
Authors: Hansen Gretchen J. A. , Ruzich Jenna K. , Krabbenhoft Corey A. , Kundel Holly , Mahlum Shad , Rounds Christopher I. , Van Pelt Amanda O. , Eslinger Lawrence D. , Logsdon Dale E. , Isermann Daniel A.
Published: January 2022

Walleye Sander vitreus and Yellow Perch Perca flavescens are culturally, economically, and ecologically significant fish species in North America that are affected by drivers of global change. Here, we review and synthesize the published literature documenting the effects of ecosystem changes on Walleye and Yellow Perch. We focus on four drivers: climate (including temperature and precipitation), aquatic invasive species, land use and nutrient loading, and water clarity. We identified 1,232 tests from 370 papers, split evenly between Walleye (n = 613) and Yellow Perch (n = 619). Climate was the most frequently studied driver (n = 572), and growth or condition was the most frequently studied response (n = 297). The most commonly reported relationship was “no effect” (42% of analyses), usually because multiple variables were tested and only a few were found to be significant. Overall responses varied among studies for most species-response–driver combinations. For example, the influence of invasive species on growth of both Walleye and Yellow Perch was approximately equally likely to be positive, negative, or have no effect. Even when results were variable, important patterns emerged; for example, growth responses of both species to temperature were variable, but very few negative responses were observed. A few relationships were relatively consistent across studies. Invasive species were negatively associated with Walleye recruitment and abundance, and higher water clarity was negatively associated with Walleye abundance, biomass, and production. Some variability in responses may be due to differences in methodology or the range of variables studied; others represent true context dependence, where the effect of a driver depends on the influence of other variables. Using common metrics of impact, publishing negative results, and robust analytical approaches could facilitate comparisons among systems and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the responses of Walleye and Yellow Perch to ecosystem change.
Stress‐constrained multiscale topology optimization with connectable graded microstructures using the worst‐case analysis
Authors: Zhao Ruijie , Zhao Junpeng , Wang Chunjie
Published: January 2022

This article proposes a stress‐constrained multiscale topology optimization approach with connectable graded microstructures. The proposed method includes two stages. In the first stage, the shape interpolation method is first employed to generate a series of connectable unit cells. Then the effective elasticity tensors are calculated by the numerical homogenization and XFEM. Besides, the worst‐case analysis and stress correction factor are employed to predict the maximum microscopic stress of the unit cells under arbitrary loading conditions. Furthermore, reduced‐order models for the stress correction factor and effective elasticity tensor are built to efficiently predict the mechanical properties of the unit cell with any specified volume fraction. In the second stage, stress‐constrained topology optimization is employed to find the distribution of microstructures by using established reduced‐order models. Except for applying approaches commonly used in the traditional stress‐constrained topology optimization, the moving Heaviside function is also proposed to include the void material into optimization. Finally, a threshold projection scheme is performed to realize the design of multiscale structures. Two numerical examples are presented to validate the proposed method. In addition, because the worst‐case analysis overestimates the structural stress, an evolutionary discrete optimization is employed to further explore the potential of the multiscale structures.
Interval uncertainty‐based multidisciplinary reliability analysis method for information‐poor complex system
Authors: Fang Pengya , Tang Shengjin , Wen Zhenhua , Tian Shuxia
Published: January 2022

Due to integrated structures and multiple functions, complex systems, such as large‐scale equipment and aerospace vehicle, faced prominent reliability problems. However, in real‐world applications, collecting sufficient reliability data is costly and time‐consuming. To overcome this difficulty, the information‐poor variables are modeled with interval models and the corresponding reliability analysis method for complex system is studied in this paper. First, we establish a multidisciplinary nonprobabilistic reliability model based on interval analysis, which is an optimization framework with an objective of nonprobabilistic reliability index and two constraints of interdisciplinary consistency equation and limit state equation. Second, two types of algorithms for the above model are studied. Based on typical methods of multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO), the direct algorithms including RA‐MDF and RA‐IDF are developed. Then, a decoupled reliability analysis algorithm is proposed to realize parallel multidisciplinary reliability analysis, in which two methods of multidisciplinary interval uncertainty analysis are formulated to decouple the coupling relationship between disciplines. Finally, three examples are employed to illustrate the validity and efficiency of the proposed methods.
Flexible high dielectric polystyrene/ethylene‐α‐octene copolymer/graphene nanocomposites: Tuning the morphology and dielectric properties by graphene's surface polarity
Authors: Goodarzi Milad , Pircheraghi Gholamreza , Khonakdar Hossein Ali , Altstadt Volker
Published: January 2022

The current research focuses on suggesting a new potential application of polymeric materials for capacitor applications by focusing on polystyrene (PS)/ethylene‐α‐octene copolymer (EOC) blends. Polymeric materials have high dielectric strength (≈ 200 for PS), good processability, and flexibility. However, their low dielectric constants make them not suitable for capacitor applications. Therefore, suggesting a method for enhancing their dielectric constant accompanied by low tan δ proposes an excellent substitute for commonly used ceramic dielectrics. The current article investigates the control of the dielectric properties of PS/EOC blends by manipulating the graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) surface polarity. Results confirm that the localization site of the GNPs is mainly controlled by their surface polarities; this matter leads to the change of the morphology from sea/island for the pure blend to co‐continuous for the blend containing the most polar GNPs resulting in the best dielectric properties. This manipulation of the morphology by low concentration of GNPs (1.5 wt%) and therefore, dielectric properties result in high dielectric constant ≈ 55.8 at 10 MHz and low tan δ = 0.007, accompanied by high flexibility, which is the main drawback of ceramic capacitors, makes it a fantastic option for capacitor applications.
Electromagnetic interference cognizance and potential of advanced polymer composites toward electromagnetic interference shielding: A review
Authors: Devi Nishu , Ray Suprakas Sinha
Published: January 2022

The exigency of electromagnetic shielding is derived from the electromagnetic pollution caused by the widespread use of electronic devices. Electromagnetic waves from innumerable electrical sources radiate in the atmosphere and generate electromagnetic interference (EMI). Such EMI can interrupt other instruments and threaten human health. Therefore, future designs of electronic devices, regardless of their size and use, necessitate advanced electromagnetic shielding materials and techniques that can limit or completely block the transmission of electromagnetic waves in the atmosphere. The purpose of this review is to investigate the use of polymer‐based composites for EMI shielding and study their configurations. The objectives of this study and the societal and environmental impacts of electromagnetic waves are discussed in detail. The available reports, the worldwide contribution by researchers in the field, the limitations of the available materials, and the inventions required have directed our interest toward this area of research. The review summarizes EMI shielding cognizance, current research gaps, and future recommendations.
Registration of the maize synthetic population OhMCMV‐1
Authors: Jones Mark W. , Ohlson Erik W.
Published: January 2022

Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) is a devastating virus disease of maize, induced by co‐infection by Maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) and one of several potyviruses. The maize synthetic population OhMCMV‐1 (Cycle‐1 [C1]) (Reg. no. GP‐623, PI 699306) was developed and released by the USDA‐ARS Corn, Soybean, and Wheat Quality Research Unit as a germplasm resource for improved MLN, MCMV, and Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) resistance. The population has undergone one complete cycle of S1 recurrent selection for resistance to MCMV. Cycle‐1 S1 lines were significantly more resistant to MLN, MCMV, and SCMV than Cycle‐0 S1 lines. The elite virus resistance present within OhMCMV‐1 (C1) indicates this population has strong utility for developing new breeding lines, hybrids, and varieties and for helping to mitigate the economic impact of MLN.
Relationships between treatments received in the Nottingham Study of Neurotic Disorder over 30 years and personality status
Authors: Tyrer Peter , Tyrer Helen , Yang Min
Published: January 2022

We compared the drug treatments and health service contacts of anxious and depressed patients separated by personality disturbance in 200 patients over 30 years. Contact details with health professionals at 5, 12 and 30 years were recorded and analysed by multilevel models at all time points. Over 30 years, patients with dependent and anankastic personality disturbance and cothymia (the general neurotic syndrome) were 2.27 times more likely to receive selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and new antidepressants (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22–4.24), particularly paroxetine, and were 1.6 weeks (95% CI: 1.2–2.3) longer on the drug than those without the syndrome. Similar results with SSRIs and new antidepressants in patients with personality disorder fell short of significance after adjusting for age, sex and DSM status. Most patients had a DSM diagnosis at follow‐up points, and these had increased psychological treatment, psychiatric admissions, multiple drugs, SSRIs and new antidepressants. At later follow‐up, most drug treatments decreased apart from psychological treatment, SSRIs and new antidepressants, and baseline personality disorder had little impact on treatment histories compared with others. We conclude that the (Galenic) general neurotic syndrome is associated with greater use of treatments in the long term, showing that combined personality and symptomatic pathology overcomes that of personality disorder alone.
The X‐ray crystal structure of human A15C neuroglobin reveals both native/de novo disulfide bonds and unexpected ligand‐binding sites
Authors: Gao Shu‐Qin , Yuan Hong , Liu Xi‐Chun , Li Lianzhi , Tan Xiangshi , Wen Ge‐Bo , Lin Ying‐Wu
Published: January 2022

Human neuroglobin (Ngb) contains a heme group and three Cys residues (Cys46, Cys55, and Cys120) in the polypeptide chain. By introducing an additional Cys at position 15, the X‐ray structure of A15C Ngb mutant was solved at a high resolution of 1.35 Å, which reveals the formation of both the native (C46C55) and the engineered (C15C120) disulfide bonds, likely playing a functional and structural role, respectively, according to the geometry analysis. Unexpectedly, 1,4‐dioxane from the crystallization reagents was bound not only to the protein surface, but also to the heme distal pocket, providing insights into protein‐ligand interactions for the globin and guiding the design of functional heme enzymes.
A dinitroaniline herbicide resistance mutation can be nearly lethal to plants
Authors: Wang Yanhui , Han Heping , Chen Jinyi , Yu Qin , Vila‐Aiub Martin , Beckie Hugh J , Powles Stephen B
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

Lolium rigidum is the most important weed in Australian agriculture and pre‐emergence dinitroaniline herbicides (e.g., trifluralin) are widely and persistently used for Lolium control. Consequently, evolution of resistance to dinitroaniline herbicides has been increasingly reported. Resistance‐endowing target‐site α‐tubulin gene mutations are identified with varying frequency. This study investigated the putative fitness cost associated with the common resistance mutation Val–202–Phe and the rare resistance mutation Arg–243–Met causing helical plant growth.

RESULTS

Results showed a deleterious effect of Arg–243–Met on fitness when plants are homozygous for this mutation. This was evidenced as high plant mortality, severely diminished root and aboveground vegetative growth (lower relative growth rate), and very poor fecundity compared with the wild‐type, which led to a nearly lethal fitness cost of >99.9% in competition with a wheat crop. A fitness penalty in vegetative growth was evident, but to a much lesser extent, in plants heterozygous for the Arg–243–Met mutation. By contrast, plants possessing the Val–202–Phe mutation exhibited a fitness advantage in vegetative and reproductive growth.

CONCLUSION

The α‐tubulin mutations Arg–243–Met and Val–202–Phe have contrasting effects on fitness. These results help understand the absence of plants homozygous for the Arg–243–Met mutation and the high frequency of plants carrying the Val–202–Phe mutation in dinitroaniline‐resistant L. rigidum populations. The α‐tubulin Arg–243–Met mutation can have an exceptional fitness cost with nearly lethal effects on resistant L. rigidum plants. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Identification of β‐aminopyrrolidine containing peptides as β‐amyloid aggregation inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Preetham Habbanakuppe D. , Muddegowda Umashankara , Sharath Kumar Kothanahally S. , Rangappa Shobith , Rangappa Kanchugarakoppal S.
Published: January 2022

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is caused by a series of events initiated by the production and aggregation of the amyloid β‐protein (Aβ). In the early stages of the disease, Aβ is released in a soluble form then progressively forms oligomeric, multimeric, and fibrillar aggregates, triggering neurodegeneration. Thus, development of inhibitors that initiate reverse Aβ aggregation is thought to be a logical approach in treating AD. In this context, we developed β‐aminopyrrolidine containing 12 mer peptide 3 which is very potent in inhibiting the Aβ aggregation and also reducing Aβ(42)‐induced cytotoxicity.
The Role of Critical Raw Materials for Novel Strategies in Sustainable Secondary Batteries
Authors: Salado Manuel , Lizundia Erlantz , Oyarzabal Itziar , Salazar Daniel
Published: January 2022

Energy storage technology is destined to play a central role to pave the way for a sustainable society. Although lithium‐based technology has covered the majority of energy storage necessities until now, the development of safe, clean, and recyclable technology to future transport sector, breakthroughs in materials and methods involving sustainable resources are crucial. In addition, materials, synthetic processes and final devices should be properly selected to contribute to the development of a sustainable ecosystem as well as fulfill the demands of high energy density batteries. Currently, tremendous research efforts are focused on new battery chemistries based on postlithium technology, as solid‐state, metal–sulfur, and metal–air batteries, which present many advantages as well as challenges. Therefore, new strategies to reduce the impact of critical raw materials used in lithium technology together with novel methods to recuperate need to be developed to obtain full sustainability. In this context, the present review discusses the current electrochemical energy storage, as well as raw materials, and the technical challenges involved. In addition, it provides a perspective on strategies and opportunities and the most important difficulties to overcome for a sustainable electrochemical energy storage.
The future of polyethylene terephthalate bottles: Challenges and sustainability
Authors: Tsironi Theofania N. , Chatzidakis Stylianos M. , Stoforos Nikolaos G.
Published: January 2022

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most widely used polymer for manufacturing plastic bottles appropriate for water and soft beverages usage. The advantages of PET, regarding its mechanical and barrier and permeation properties, convenience, safety as food contact material, and recyclability, are well documented during the past decades. However, the recent trends towards the adoption of circular economy and the EU Directives regarding the reduction of the impact of plastic products on the environment has raised significant concerns about the sustainability and future of PET plastics. The objective of the article is to demonstrate the advantages and drawbacks of PET for applications in the bottled water and soft beverages sectors and discuss the future of PET bottles, considering the current trends and sustainability issues.