bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organic Photocathode Supported by Copper Nanosheets Array for Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Zhang Rui , Sun Xingjun , Zheng Lingcheng , Diao Lingxue , Chen Feifei , Li Yan , Wang Shuli , Wang Yajiang , Wang Weihua , Lu Feng , Dong Hong , Liu Hui , Cheng Yahui
Published: December 2021

The Z‐scheme overall solar water splitting is a mimic of natural photosynthesis to convert solar energy into chemical energy. Since the energy levels of most organic semiconductors match well with the hydrogen evolution potential, they have great application prospects as photocathodes in Z‐scheme photoelectrochemical systems. However, due to the weak light absorption and difficult carrier separation, the photocurrent density and onset potential of organic photocathodes are still low. To solve these problems, we introduced a copper nanosheets array (Cu NSA) framework under organic layers to increase the surface reaction sites, improve the light absorption and enhance the distribution range of built‐in electric field simultaneously. As a result, the photocurrent density and onset potential of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) : [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid (P3HT : PCBM) photocathode were enhanced significantly. The onset potential increased by 50 mV to 0.65 V vs. RHE, and the photocurrent density reached −1 mA cm−2 at 0 V vs. RHE, which was 18 times that of the sample without Cu NSA. The optimized photocathode was connected with titanium dioxide nanorods array photoanode in a tandem manner to realize the spontaneous overall water splitting. Without bias and co‐catalyst, the photocurrent density was maintained at 110 μA cm−2 and the solar‐to‐fuel conversion efficiency was 0.14 % in neutral solution. These results provide a feasible method for optimizing the performance of organic photocathodes.
Enantioselective NiH‐Catalyzed Reductive Hydrofunctionalization of Alkenes
Authors: He Yuli , Chen Jian , Jiang Xiaoli , Zhu Shaolin
Published: December 2021

Comprehensive Summary

Enantioselective NiH‐catalyzed reductive hydrofunctionalization of olefins has attracted much attention in recent years. Using simple chiral ligands, a wide array of functionalized olefins and electrophiles can undergo diverse transformations to afford hydrofunctionalized products, regio‐ and enantioselectively. These processes avoid the prior preparation of organometallic reagents, and can construct a stereogenic center at a carbon originating either from the olefin or from the electrophile. This review discusses the background, major progress and mechanistic investigations in this reaction.
Two‐Dimensional Cathode Materials for Aqueous Rechargeable Zinc‐Ion Batteries†
Authors: Wang Yurou , Yin Jun , Zhu Jian
Published: December 2021

Comprehensive Summary

Rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) featuring low cost, superior performance, and environmental benignity have attracted dramatic attention as a promising alternative energy storage system to lithium‐ion batteries. Nevertheless, the development of ZIBs is still hindered by the limited selection of cathode materials due to the large solvation sheath and charge density of Zn2+. Two‐dimensional (2D) materials have attracted extraordinary attention owing to the unique layered structure bonded by weak van der Waals’ forces, which makes them promising host materials for Zn2+ intercalation/de‐intercalation. In this review, the synthesis and properties of 2D materials for cathodes in ZIBs are discussed. Meanwhile, various reports on 2D materials as ZIBs cathodes are summarized. Three key strategies to elicit improved Zn2+ storage abilities: defect engineering, heterostructure engineering, and interlayer engineering, are highlighted. Finally, this review ends with perspectives relating to the challenges and opportunities of 2D materials‐based ZIBs.
Multivariate online regression analysis with heterogeneous streaming data
Authors: Luo Lan , Song Peter X.‐K.
Published: December 2021

New data collection and storage technologies have given rise to a new field of streaming data analytics, called real‐time statistical methodology for online data analyses. Most existing online learning methods are based on homogeneity assumptions, which require the samples in a sequence to be independent and identically distributed. However, inter‐data batch correlation and dynamically evolving batch‐specific effects are among the key defining features of real‐world streaming data such as electronic health records and mobile health data. This article is built under a state‐space mixed model framework in which the observed data stream is driven by a latent state process that follows a Markov process. In this setting, online maximum likelihood estimation is made challenging by high‐dimensional integrals and complex covariance structures. In this article, we develop a real‐time Kalman‐filter‐based regression analysis method that updates both point estimates and their standard errors for fixed population average effects while adjusting for dynamic hidden effects. Both theoretical justification and numerical experiments demonstrate that our proposed online method has statistical properties similar to those of its offline counterpart and enjoys great computational efficiency. We also apply this method to analyze an electronic health record dataset.
Versatile in situ/operando Setup for Studying Catalysts by X‐Ray Absorption Spectroscopy under Demanding and Dynamic Reaction Conditions for Energy Storage and Conversion
Authors: Pandit L. , Serrer M.‐A. , Saraҫi E. , Boubnov A. , Grunwaldt J.‐D.
Published: December 2021

X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is one of the powerful operando tools to track structural variations in heterogeneous catalysts. The nature of active sites in catalyst research is of great relevance, especially given the growing importance of energy storage using CO2 as feedstock and the need for dynamic availability of electric power. Due to the pressure/temperature prerequisite of catalyst performance, the characterization of catalyst structure during catalysis under such high‐pressure reaction conditions is important to further improve catalyst design at a molecular level. Investigating catalysts in a controlled reaction atmosphere, while probing with X‐rays, offers an excellent opportunity for developing infrastructure at the synchrotron. Herein, a mobile setup with a robust spectroscopic cell for in situ and operando XAS applications, including a high‐pressure gas dosing equipment for such catalytic systems, is presented. The in situ/operando cell is operational for both the transmission and the fluorescence XAS mode at up to 50 bar and 450 °C. The setup comes with a protective box with Kapton windows, which holds the cell and serves as a miniature fume hood, and on‐line product analysis. Furthermore, the gas dosing equipment is compact, light‐weighted and can be easily transported to different synchrotrons and allows an optimum pre‐mix of gas flows and pressure build‐up. Methanol and Fischer‐Tropsch syntheses are used as examples for the highly flexible instrumentation.
Sodiation Of Hard Carbon: How Separating Enthalpy And Entropy Contributions Can Find Transitions Hidden In The Voltage Profile
Authors: Mercer Michael Peter , Affleck Sam , Gavilán‐Arriazu Edgardo Maximiliano , Zülke Alana Aragón , Maughan Philip A. , Trivedi Shivam , Fichtner Maximilian , Reddy Munnangi Anji , Leiva Ezequiel P. M. , Hoster Harry Ernst
Published: December 2021

Sodium‐ion batteries (NIBs) utilize cheaper materials than lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) and can thus be used in larger scale applications. The preferred anode material is hard carbon, because sodium cannot be inserted into graphite. We apply experimental entropy profiling (EP), where the cell temperature is changed under open circuit conditions. EP has been used to characterize LIBs; here, we demonstrate the first application of EP to any NIB material. The voltage versus sodiation fraction curves (voltage profiles) of hard carbon lack clear features, consisting only of a slope and a plateau, making it difficult to clarify the structural features of hard carbon that could optimize cell performance. We find additional features through EP that are masked in the voltage profiles. We fit lattice gas models of hard carbon sodiation to experimental EP and system enthalpy, obtaining: 1. a theoretical maximum capacity, 2. interlayer versus pore filled sodium with state of charge.
The PHARMACOM‐EPI Framework for Integrating Pharmacometric Modelling Into Pharmacoepidemiological Research Using Real‐World Data: Application to Assess Death Associated With Valproate
Authors: Soeorg Hiie , Sverrisdóttir Eva , Andersen Morten , Lund Trine Meldgaard , Sessa Maurizio
Published: December 2021

In pharmacoepidemiology, it is usually expected that the observed association should be directly or indirectly related to the pharmacological effects of the drug/s under investigation. Pharmacological effects are, in turn, strongly connected to the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of a drug, which can be characterized and investigated using pharmacometric models. Recently, the use of pharmacometrics has been proposed to provide pharmacological substantiation of pharmacoepidemiological findings derived from real‐world data. However, validated frameworks suggesting how to combine these two disciplines for the aforementioned purpose are missing. Therefore, we propose PHARMACOM‐EPI, a framework that provides a structured approach on how to identify, characterize, and apply pharmacometric models with practical details on how to choose software, format dataset, handle missing covariates/dosing data, how to perform the external evaluation of pharmacometric models in real‐world data, and how to provide pharmacological substantiation of pharmacoepidemiological findings. PHARMACOM‐EPI was tested in a proof‐of‐concept study to pharmacologically substantiate death associated with valproate use in the Danish population aged ≥ 65 years. Pharmacological substantiation of death during a follow‐up period of 1 year showed that in all individuals who died (n = 169) individual predictions were within the subtherapeutic range compared with 52.8% of those who did not die (n = 1,084). Of individuals who died, 66.3% (n = 112) had a cause of death possibly related to valproate and 33.7% (n = 57) with well‐defined cause of death unlikely related to valproate. This proof‐of‐concept study showed that PHARMACOM‐EPI was able to provide pharmacological substantiation for death associated with valproate use in the study population.
Analyst coverage and corporate social responsibility decoupling: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Yi
Published: December 2021

This study investigates the impact of analyst coverage on corporate social responsibility (CSR) decoupling using a sample of listed firms in China for 2010–2019. Results reveal that analyst coverage decreases CSR decoupling, and that the negative association is more pronounced for non‐state‐owned firms and for firms with high information asymmetry. The baseline results remain consistent after application of several robustness and endogeneity tests, including two‐stage least squares (2SLS) and Heckman two‐stage analysis. The results extend the literature on analyst coverage and scarce studies on determinants of CSR decoupling. Practitioners may alleviate CSR decoupling by properly using the monitoring role of financial analysts in corporate governance.
Environmental context mediates the interaction between fine sediment and hyporheic macroinvertebrate
Authors: Duan Ningxing , Song Jinxi , Mao Huan , Sun Haotian , Huang Peng
Published: December 2021

Excessive deposition of fine‐sediment filling interstitial spaces in riverbed substrates is widely acknowledged to negatively impact the aquatic ecosystems. Hyporheic invertebrates, sensitive to ecological status, respond to the clogged substratum through more intense bioturbation. To better understand the interaction between hyporheic macroinvertebrates and fine sediment, a continuum of a naturally increasing fine‐sediment content in the Weihe River was investigated through field sampling in four seasons. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and cluster analysis were employed to assess the distribution and the homogeneity in the composition variation of macroinvertebrate assemblages. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was performed to reveal the context‐dependent relevance of bioturbation activity with bioturbation potential value. Our results suggest that the impact of fine‐sediment clogging on community composition and bioturbation activity was seasonally dependent due to the variability of environmental factors, such as flood events and water quality. The highest abundance and bioturbation activity occurred at moderately clogged sampling sites, while reductions in richness and bioturbation activity were observed at heavily clogged sampling sites, and the samples collected at some of the heavily clogged sites downstream did not even contain macroinvertebrates. The results indicated that the interaction between organisms and fine sediments is limited due to the complexity of the benthic and hyporheic zone. The study highlights the feasibility of hyporheic macroinvertebrates as indicators for the effects of fine‐sediment loading pressures on lotic ecosystems and the necessity of reach‐specific conservation and management strategies, especially in the downstream.
Uranyl Ion Coordination by Benzene‐1,2,3‐tricarboxylate: Building Chains and Networks from Binuclear Bricks
Authors: Thuéry Pierre , Harrowfield Jack
Published: December 2021

Benzene‐1,2,3‐tricarboxylic acid (123btcH3) was used to synthesize 7 uranyl ion complexes under hydro‐solvothermal conditions, in the presence of different structure‐directing agents. [Zn(phen)3][Zn2(123btc)(phen)4][(UO2)2(123btc)2(OH)(CH3CN)] ⋅ 3H2O (1, phen=1,10‐phenanthroline), the only discrete species in the series, crystallizes as a binuclear, cup‐shaped dimer. Both [PPh3Me][UO2(123btc)] (2) and [C(NH2)3][UO2(123btc)] ⋅ 0.5H2O (3) contain anionic, monoperiodic coordination polymers based on quasi‐planar, binuclear (UO2)2(123btc)22− subunits in which two oxygen atoms of each ligand are uncoordinated. Similar chains are found in [UO2(123btc)K(18C6)] ⋅ H2O (4, 18C6=18‐crown‐6), the potassium cations being decorating groups bound to carboxylato and uranyl oxo donors. An analogous decorating role to monoperiodic polymers is played by UO2(DMF)2(H2O)22+ cations in [(UO2)3(123btc)2(DMF)2(H2O)2] (5), while bridging of chains by UO2(NMP)32+ cations in [(UO2)3(123btc)2(NMP)3] (6) yields a diperiodic network with V2O5 topology. [NH4][UO2(123btc)] (7), which does not contain the dimeric subunit found in the other cases, crystallizes as a diperiodic network with sql topology, the layers being associated through hydrogen bonding interactions with the ammonium counterions.
Modeling and Validation of the Impact of Electric Current and Ambient Temperature on the Thermoelectric Performance of Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Naik Indraneel , Nandgaonkar Milankumar
Published: December 2021

A wider electric vehicle penetration strategy demands an improvement in charging time, performance, battery life, and safety, which can be achieved through battery temperature control. A collective impact of load and ambient on the battery needs assessment for thermal management system optimization. Herein, a multiscale multidomain numerical model is utilized on ANSYS Fluent platform. Galvanostatic and constant current discharge tests are conducted for battery modelling and validation. The first of three aspects considered is the cyclic relationship between the thermal parameters. Low ambient temperature of 0 °C at 1 C discharge rate increases the heat generation rate to 50 kW m−3 which then dips to 40 kW m−3 due to rise in battery temperature. The second is the inter‐relationship among the thermal and the electrical parameters. A faster rise in battery temperature at low ambient temperature causes an elevation in the voltage and hence the electrical performance. The third is the collective impact of thermal and electrical parameters. At 0 °C ambient temperature, an increase in discharge rate from 1 to 1.5 C increases the battery capacity by at least 6%. With the establishment of the predictive performance model of the battery, this study is expected to provide a guideline for optimizing the thermal management systems.
The fluvial architecture of buried floodplain sediments of the Weiße Elster River (Germany) revealed by a novel method combination of drill cores with two‐dimensional and spatially resolved geophysical measurements
Authors: von Suchodoletz Hans , Pohle Marco , Khosravichenar Azra , Ulrich Mathias , Hein Michael , Tinapp Christian , Schultz Jonathan , Ballasus Helen , Veit Ulrich , Ettel Peter , Werther Lukas , Zielhofer Christoph , Werban Ulrike
Published: December 2021

The complex and non‐linear fluvial river dynamics are characterized by repeated periods of fluvial erosion and re‐deposition in different parts of the floodplain. Understanding the fluvial architecture (i.e. the three‐dimensional arrangement and genetic interconnectedness of different sediment types) is therefore fundamental to obtain well‐based information about controlling factors. However, investigating the fluvial architecture in buried floodplain deposits without natural exposures is challenging. We studied the fluvial architecture of the middle Weiße Elster floodplain in Central Germany, an extraordinary long‐standing archive of Holocene flooding and landscape changes in sensitive loess‐covered Central European landscapes. We applied a novel systematic approach by coupling two‐dimensional transects of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) measurements and closely spaced core drillings with spatially resolved measurements of electromagnetic induction (EMI) of larger floodplain areas at three study sites. This allowed for (i) time and cost‐efficient core drillings based on preceding ERT measurements and (ii) spatially scaling up the main elements of the fluvial architecture, such as the distribution of thick silt‐clay overbank deposits and paleochannel patterns from the floodplain transects to larger surrounding areas. We found that fine‐grained sand and silt‐clay overbank deposits overlying basal gravels were deposited during several periods of intensive flooding. Those were separated from each other by periods of reduced flooding, allowing soil formation. However, the overbank deposits were severely laterally eroded before and during each sedimentation period. This was probably linked with pronounced meandering or even braiding of the river. Our preliminary chronological classification suggests that first fine‐grained sedimentation must have occurred during the Early to Middle Holocene, and the last phase of lateral erosion and sedimentation during the Little Ice Age. Our study demonstrates the high archive potential of the buried fluvial sediments of the middle Weiße Elster floodplain and provides a promising time and cost‐effective approach for future studies of buried floodplain sediments.
Multi‐timepoint pattern analysis: Influence of personality and behavior on decoding context‐dependent brain connectivity dynamics
Authors: Ganesan Saampras , Lv Jinglei , Zalesky Andrew
Published: December 2021

Behavioral traits are rarely considered in task‐evoked functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, yet these traits can affect how an individual engages with the task, and thus lead to heterogeneity in task‐evoked brain responses. We aimed to investigate whether interindividual variation in behavior associates with the accuracy of predicting task‐evoked changes in the dynamics of functional brain connectivity measured with functional MRI. We developed a novel method called multi‐timepoint pattern analysis (MTPA), in which binary logistic regression classifiers were trained to distinguish rest from each of 7 tasks (i.e., social cognition, working memory, language, relational, motor, gambling, emotion) based on functional connectivity dynamics measured in 1,000 healthy adults. We found that connectivity dynamics for multiple pairs of large‐scale networks enabled individual classification between task and rest with accuracies exceeding 70%, with the most discriminatory connections relatively unique to each task. Crucially, interindividual variation in classification accuracy significantly associated with several behavioral, cognition and task performance measures. Classification between task and rest was generally more accurate for individuals with higher intelligence and task performance. Additionally, for some of the tasks, classification accuracy improved with lower perceived stress, lower aggression, higher alertness, and greater endurance. We conclude that heterogeneous dynamic adaptations of functional brain networks to changing cognitive demands can be reliably captured as linearly separable patterns by MTPA. Future studies should account for interindividual variation in behavior when investigating context‐dependent dynamic functional connectivity.
Liver Transplantation for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Ready for Prime Time?
Authors: Sapisochin Gonzalo , Ivanics Tommy , Heimbach Julie
Published: December 2021

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) represents the second‐most common primary liver malignancy after HCC and has risen in incidence globally in the past decades. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) comprises 20% of all CCAs, with the rest being extrahepatic (including perihilar [pCCA] and distal CCA). Though long representing an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation (LT), recent analyses of outcomes of LT for iCCA have suggested that iCCA may be a potentially feasible option for highly selected patients. This has been motivated both by successes noted in outcomes of LT for other malignancies, such as HCC and pCCA, and by several retrospective reviews demonstrating favorable results with LT for a selected group of iCCA patients with small lesions. LT for iCCA is primarily relevant within two clinical scenarios. The first includes patients with very early disease (single tumor, ≤2 cm) with cirrhosis and are not candidates for liver resection (LR). The second scenario is patients with locally advanced iCCA, but where the extent of LR would be too extensive to be feasible. Preliminary single‐center reports have described LT in a selected group of patients with locally advanced tumors who have responded to neoadjuvant therapy and have a period of disease stability. Currently, there are three prospective trials underway that will help clarify the role of LT in iCCA. This review seeks to explore the available studies involving LT for iCCA, the challenges of ongoing trials, and opportunities for the future.
A phase 2 dose‐finding study of lonafarnib and ritonavir with or without interferon alpha for chronic delta hepatitis
Authors: Yurdaydin Cihan , Keskin Onur , Yurdcu Esra , Çalişkan Aysun , Önem Soner , Karakaya Fatih , Kalkan Çağdaş , Karatayli Ersin , Karatayli Senem , Choong Ingrid , Apelian David , Koh Christopher , Heller Theo , Idilman Ramazan , Bozdayi A. Mithat , Glenn Jeffrey S.
Published: December 2021

Background and Aims

Proof‐of‐concept studies demonstrated lonafarnib (LNF), a first‐in‐class oral prenylation inhibitor, efficacy in patients infected with HDV. The lonafarnib with ritonavir for HDV‐2 (LOWR‐2) study’s aim was to identify optimal combination regimens of LNF + ritonavir (RTV) ± pegylated interferon alpha (PEG‐IFNα) with efficacy and tolerability for longer‐term dosing. Here we report the safety and efficacy at end of treatment for up to 24 weeks.

Approach and Results

Fifty‐five patients with chronic HDV were consecutively enrolled in an open‐label, single‐center, phase 2 dose‐finding study. There were three main treatment groups: high‐dose LNF (LNF ≥ 75 mg by mouth [po] twice daily [bid] + RTV) (n = 19, 12 weeks); all‐oral low‐dose LNF (LNF 25 or 50 mg po bid + RTV) (n = 24, 24 weeks), and combination low‐dose LNF with PEG‐IFNα (LNF 25 or 50 mg po bid + RTV + PEG‐IFNα) (n = 12, 24 weeks). The primary endpoint, ≥2 log10 decline or < lower limit of quantification of HDV‐RNA from baseline at end of treatment, was reached in 46% (6 of 13) and 89% (8 of 9) of patients receiving the all‐oral regimen of LNF 50 mg bid + RTV, and combination regimens of LNF (25 or 50 mg bid) + RTV + PEG‐IFNα, respectively. In addition, multiple patients experienced well‐tolerated transient posttreatment alanine aminotransferase increases, resulting in HDV‐RNA negativity and alanine aminotransferase normalization. The proportions of grade 2 and 3 gastrointestinal adverse events in the high‐dose versus low‐dose groups were 49% (37 of 76) and only 22% (18 of 81), respectively.

Conclusions

LNF, boosted with low‐dose RTV, is a promising all‐oral therapy, and maximal efficacy is achieved with PEG‐IFNα addition. The identified optimal regimens support a phase 3 study of LNF for the treatment of HDV.
Evaluation of prognostic staging systems of multiple myeloma in the era of novel agents
Authors: Shang Yufeng , Jin Yanxia , Liu Hailing , Ding Lu , Tong Xiqin , Tu Honglei , Zang Longkai , Lin Chenyao , Hu Jinsong , Zhou Fuling
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the existing staging systems for multiple myeloma (MM) in the real world. From January 2010 to June 2019, we retrospectively analyzed 859 newly diagnosed MM patients from two institutions. Clinical data including laboratory findings, imaging examinations and staging system were obtained by reviewing medical records. Survival distributions were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier curve analysis, and Cox proportional hazards model were used to identified risk factors. The overall survival (OS) of eligible patients was 61.0 months. The Revised International Staging System (R‐ISS) had a larger receiver operating characteristic curve area (0.603) than both the International Staging System (0.573) and the Durie Salmon staging system (0.567). In the group receiving immunomodulatory agents‐based regimens, the median OS was 92.0 months in R‐ISS I, 63.0 months in R‐ISS II and 18.0 months in R‐ISS III (p < 0.0001). In the group receiving proteasome inhibitors‐based regimens, the median OS was 102.0 months in R‐ISS I, 63.0 months in R‐ISS II and 22.0 months in R‐ISS III (p < 0.0001). In different subgroups grouped according to age, hemoglobin (HGB), creatinine, and Ca, R‐ISS also had a good stratification effect. Patients in R‐ISS II, which accounted for 69.9% of all patients, were further analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses revealed that age >65 years (p = 0.001), HGB < 100 g/L (p < 0.001), elevated LDH (p = 0.001), and Ca (p = 0.010) were independent predictors of worse prognosis within R‐ISS II. To conclusion, R‐ISS remains a valuable staging system in the real world of the novel drug era. However, patients classified as R‐ISS II still have great heterogeneity.
Immunomodulation of COVID‐19 severity by helminth co‐infection: Implications for COVID‐19 vaccine efficacy
Authors: Akelew Yibeltal , Andualem Henok , Ebrahim Endris , Atnaf Aytenew , Hailemichael Wasihun
Published: December 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), an emerging virus in late 2019 causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), has caused a catastrophic effect, resulting in an unprecedented global crisis. The immunopathology of COVID‐19 appears to be clearly associated with a dysregulated immune response leading to organ failure and death. Similarly, over two billion people worldwide are infected with helminth, with those living in low‐middle‐income countries disproportionately affected. Helminth infections have been shown to possess immunomodulatory effects in several conditions. Helminth co‐infection in COVID‐19 patients is one of the potential reasons for global attention to answer why COVID‐19 severity is still lower in helminth endemic countries. Recent studies have shown that helminth endemic countries showed fewer cases and deaths so far and helminth co‐infection might reduce the severity of COVID‐19. Moreover, lessons from other diseases with helminth co‐infection have been shown to substantially reduce vaccine efficacy that could also be implicated for COVID‐19. This immunomodulatory effect of helminth has intended and unintended consequences, both advantageous and disadvantageous which could decrease the severity of COVID‐19 and COVID‐19 vaccine efficacy respectively. Herewith, we discuss the overview of COVID‐19 immune response, immunomodulatory effects of helminth co‐infections in COVID‐19, lessons from other diseases, and perspectives on the efficacy of COVID‐19 vaccines.
Neuropilin‐2 regulates airway inflammation in a neutrophilic asthma model
Authors: Immormino Robert M. , Jania Corey M. , Tilley Stephen L. , Moran Timothy P.
Published: December 2021

Background

Asthma is a heterogenous disease that can be classified into eosinophilic (type 2‐high) and noneosinophilic (type 2‐low) endotypes. The type 2‐low endotype of asthma can be characterized by the presence of neutrophilic airway inflammation that is poorly responsive to corticosteroids. Dysregulated innate immune responses to microbial products including Toll‐like receptor (TLR) ligands have been associated with the pathogenesis of neutrophilic asthma. The key molecules that regulate inflammatory responses in individuals with neutrophilic asthma remain unclear. We previously reported that the immunoregulatory receptor neuropilin‐2 (NRP2) is expressed by murine and human alveolar macrophage (AM) and suppresses lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced neutrophilic airway inflammation.

Methods

Here, we investigated the immunoregulatory role of NRP2 in a mouse model of neutrophilic asthma.

Results

We found that TLR ligands, but not T helper 2 (Th2)‐promoting adjuvants, induced NRP2 expression by AM. Using an LPS‐mediated model of neutrophilic asthma, we demonstrate that NRP2 was increased in AM and other lung antigen‐presenting cells following airway challenge with antigen. Conditional deletion of NRP2 in myeloid cells exacerbated airway inflammation in a neutrophilic asthma model. In contrast, myeloid‐specific ablation of NRP2 did not affect airway inflammation in a Th2‐mediated eosinophilic asthma model. Myeloid‐specific ablation of NRP2 did not affect Th1/Th17 responses to inhaled antigens or expression of neutrophil chemokines but rather resulted in impaired efferocytosis by AM, which is necessary for effective resolution of airway inflammation.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that NRP2 is a negative regulator of airway inflammation associated with neutrophilic asthma.
Autophagy and antiviral defense
Authors: Ke Po‐Yuan
Published: December 2021

Targeting intracellular components for lysosomal degradation by autophagy not only maintains cellular homeostasis but also counteracts the effects of external stimuli, including invading pathogens. Among various kinds of pathogens, viruses have been extensively shown to induce autophagy to benefit viral growth in infected cells and to modulate host defense responses, such as innate antiviral immunity. Recently, numerous lines of evidence have implied that virus‐induced autophagy triggers multilayer mechanisms to regulate the innate antiviral response of host cells, thus promoting a balance in virus–host cell interactions. In this review, the detailed mechanisms underlying autophagy and the innate antiviral immune response are first described. Then, I summarize the current information regarding the diverse functional role(s) of autophagy in the control of antiviral defenses against different types of viral infections. Moreover, the physiological significance of autophagy‐regulated antiviral responses on the viral life cycle and the potential autophagy alterations induced by virus‐associated antiviral signaling is further discussed.
Toward a culturally humble practice: Critical consciousness as an antecedent
Authors: Lee Aiesha T. , Haskins Natoya Hill
Published: December 2021

The death of George Floyd in May of 2020 re‐awakened the world to the social injustices in America. As the Black Lives Matter movement sparked protests in the streets of countries around the world, mental health professionals grappled with how best to support those they serve. While cultural competence has historically been the field's response, cultural humility has been promoted as an additional component of culturally responsive care. Since its adoption into counseling, scholars have attempted to better understand the phenomenon of cultural humility through analyses, measurement development, and theory development. In this article, the authors attempt to deepen an understanding of cultural humility by conceptualizing its development through critical consciousness. As a model created to liberate the oppressed, the authors propose critical consciousness as the foundation from which counselors can enact cultural humility.
Cover Image, Volume 97, Issue 1
Authors: Fujimoto Kenzo , Ichikawa Masakatsu , Nakamura Shigetaka
Published: December 2021

The cover image is based on the Research Article Photoinduced aggregation of liposome modified with DNA containing ultrafast DNA photo‐cross‐linker by Kenzo Fujimoto, Masakatsu Ichikawa, and Shigetaka Nakamura., https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.6941.

image
Dilated and soft attention‐guided convolutional neural network for breast cancer histology images classification
Authors: Zhong Yutong , Piao Yan , Zhang Guohui
Published: December 2021

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women, and histopathological imaging is considered the gold standard for its diagnosis. However, the great complexity of histopathological images and the considerable workload make this work extremely time‐consuming, and the results may be affected by the subjectivity of the pathologist. Therefore, the development of an accurate, automated method for analysis of histopathological images is critical to this field. In this article, we propose a deep learning method guided by the attention mechanism for fast and effective classification of haematoxylin and eosin‐stained breast biopsy images. First, this method takes advantage of DenseNet and uses the feature map's information. Second, we introduce dilated convolution to produce a larger receptive field. Finally, spatial attention and channel attention are used to guide the extraction of the most useful visual features. With the use of fivefold cross‐validation, the best model obtained an accuracy of 96.47% on the BACH2018 dataset. We also evaluated our method on other datasets, and the experimental results demonstrated that our model has reliable performance. This study indicates that our histopathological image classifier with a soft attention‐guided deep learning model for breast cancer shows significantly better results than the latest methods. It has great potential as an effective tool for automatic evaluation of digital histopathological microscopic images for computer‐aided diagnosis.
T‐cell lymphoma, B‐cell lymphoma, and myelodysplastic syndrome harboring common mutations: Trilineage tumorigenesis from a common founder clone
Authors: Yoshihara Kyoko , Nannya Yasuhito , Matsuda Ikuo , Samori Mami , Utsunomiya Nobuto , Okada Masaya , Hirota Seiichi , Ogawa Seishi , Yoshihara Satoshi
Published: December 2021

A 64‐year‐old man with angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphoma (AITL) subsequently developed diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Genomic profiling of AITL, DLBCL, and MDS samples revealed that the tumor cells from all samples shared common mutations in TET2 and DNMT3A. In addition, the IDH2 mutation was observed in AITL, and TP53 mutation was observed in DLBCL and MDS. These findings illustrate the clonal relationship between AITL and DLBCL in addition to AITL and MDS, with the latter being increasingly reported. The present findings strongly support the theory of multistep and multilineage tumorigenesis from a common founder clone.
Construction of substituted pyrazolo[4,3‐c]quinolines via [5+1] cyclization of pyrazole‐arylamines with alcohols/amines in one pot
Authors: Tang Dong , Mu Yangxiu , Iqbal Zafar , He Lili , Jiang Rui , Hou Jing , Yang Zhixiang , Yang Minghua
Published: December 2021

An efficient protocol has been developed for the synthesis of pyrazolo[4,3‐c]quinoline derivatives, by reacting (1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl)anilines and readily available alcohols/amines. A wide range of substrates with diverse functional groups were smoothly converted to the corresponding products in moderate to good yields, under optimal reaction conditions. Furthermore, the strategy also proceeded well with thiol and amino acid to access pyrazolo[4,3‐c]quinoline derivatives.
Synoptic circulation changes over Central Europe from 1900 to 2100: Reanalyses and Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6
Authors: Herrera‐Lormendez Pedro , Mastrantonas Nikolaos , Douville Hervé , Hoy Andreas , Matschullat Jörg
Published: December 2021

While the evidence for anthropogenic climate change continues to strengthen, and concerns about severe weather events are increasing, global projections of regional climate change are still uncertain due to model‐dependent changes in large‐scale atmospheric circulation, including over North Atlantic and Europe. Here, the Jenkinson–Collison classification of daily circulation patterns is used to evaluate past and future changes in their seasonal frequencies over Central Europe for the 1900–2100 period. Three reanalyses and eight global climate models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6, were used based on daily mean sea‐level pressure data. Best agreement in deriving relative frequencies of the synoptic types was found between the reanalyses. Global models can generally capture the interannual variability of circulation patterns and their climatological state, especially for the less frequent synoptic types. Based on historical data and the shared socioeconomic pathway 5 scenario, the evaluated trends show more robust signals during summer, given their lesser internal variability. Increasing frequencies were found for circulation types characterized by weak pressure gradients, mainly at the expense of decreasing frequencies of westerlies. Our findings indicate that given a high‐emission scenario, these signals will likely emerge from past climate variability towards the mid‐21st century for most altered circulation patterns.
Skilful long‐lead hybrid predictions of the East African short‐rains season
Authors: Colman Andrew
Published: December 2021

We evaluate the skill of predictions of the East African short‐rains (October–December) season, of up to 5 months lead, based on a two‐stage dynamical/statistical hybrid approach. The statistical component is a well‐established, zero‐month lead, method based on observed ocean‐scale patterns of July–September sea surface temperature. A strong advantage of using this method is that its skill is high and also very robustly measured – a correlation of 0.77 between forecast and observed area‐mean rainfall is achieved over the 26 years of real‐time forecasts. Here, we extend the lead time by driving the statistical component with predicted July–September sea surface temperatures available from a number of dynamical model seasonal prediction systems. There is correlation skill near 0.5 for models initialized in May and positive skill from forecasts initialized as early as the previous October.
Evaluation of stress, serum, and salivary ghrelin and cortisol levels in smokers and non‐smokers with Stage III periodontitis: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Rahate Priyanka S. , Kolte Rajashri A. , Kolte Abhay P. , Lathiya Vrushali N. , Gupta Madhur , Chari Suresh
Published: December 2021

Background

The present study aimed to investigate the serum and salivary ghrelin and cortisol levels in smokers and non‐smokers with Stage III Periodontitis.

Methods

The present study comprised of a total of 90 systemically healthy patients categorized in three groups: Group I‐ Periodontally healthy patients; Group II‐Non‐smokers with Stage III Periodontitis and Group III‐Smokers with Stage III periodontitis. Clinical parameters of Probing pocket depth (PPD), Clinical attachment levels (CAL), Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI) and Papillary Bleeding Index (PBI) were recorded and biochemical parameters of serum and salivary ghrelin and cortisol levels were analyzed via Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Stress levels were assessed using Zung's self‐rating depression scale.

Results

Serum and salivary ghrelin values were found to be higher in Group II (620.25 ± 260.86 pg/mL, 892.40 ± 271.65 pg/mL respectively) as compared to Group III. Similarly, salivary as well as serum cortisol levels were higher in Group III (20.78 ± 9.23 pg/mL, 399.37 ±189.21 pg/mL respectively) as compared to Group II (16.36 ± 8.88 pg/mL, 320.68 ± 107.01 pg/mL respectively). In Group III, a direct correlation was observed between stress, serum and salivary cortisol levels while an inverse correlation was found between stress, serum and salivary ghrelin levels. Group III showed a greater number of depressed patients followed by Group II and I.

Conclusion

As per the results smokers with Stage III Periodontitis exhibit an elevated stress and cortisol levels, lower serum and salivary ghrelin levels as compared to the non‐smokers.
Analysis of interaction between mechanical force and chemical effect in cleaning phenomenon by probability density functional method
Authors: Oya‐Hasegawa Miyako , Sato Yuya , Oya Masaru
Published: December 2021

Probability density functional method was used to determine whether interaction between mechanical force and chemical action in cleaning was an additive effect, a synergistic effect, or an offsetting effect. As a soiled sample, iron (III) oxide soiled fabric, Sudan IV soiled fabric, commercially available artificial soiled fabric containing mixed stains, etc. were used and washed with a tergotometer. Mean value μrl and standard deviation σrl of the cleaning force distribution were calculated by using probability density functional method, and the interaction was judged using Δμrl which is the difference between μrl obtained under the two conditions. As results, additive effects between the mechanical force and the pH effect were confirmed in the cleaning of iron (III) oxide soiled fabric and commercially available artificially soiled fabric, and an additive effect between the mechanical force and the effect of the surfactant concentration was confirmed in the cleaning of Sudan IV soiled fabric. Therefore, it was presumed that an additive effect is often established between the mechanical action and the chemical action in cleaning, rather than a synergistic effect or an offsetting effect.
Ultraviolet‐visual spectroscopy estimation of nitrate concentrations in surface waters via machine learning
Authors: Maguire Timothy J. , Dominato Karlynne R. , Weidman R. Paul , Mundle Scott O. C.
Published: December 2021

High‐frequency acquisition of nutrient concentrations in rivers is needed to generate nutrient loading estimates commensurate with flow and discharge data. Although the combination of field sampling and laboratory analysis is the standard approach to riverine water quality analysis, this strategy is expensive and can miss important storm‐related events. Ultraviolet‐visual (UV–Vis) spectroscopy is widely used in drinking water and wastewater systems for high‐frequency concentration estimates. However, surface waters present a unique challenge as co‐occurring constituents in environmental samples cause spectral interference at the wavelengths used to measure concentrations of dissolved nutrients. Partial least squares regression (PLSR), Lasso regression (Lasso), and stepwise multivariate linear regression (Stepwise) models can be effective predictors of nitrate concentrations using UV–Vis absorbance and are used in many available in‐situ nitrate sensors; however, the proliferation of user‐friendly open‐source machine learning (ML) algorithms offers an opportunity to use sophisticated big‐data techniques to predict nutrient concentrations in surface waters. We collected samples from four rivers across southern Ontario with a variety of nitrate concentrations, flow regimes, and interfering co‐contaminants. We demonstrated that ML applications of random forest and gradient boosting models significantly outperformed PLSR, Lasso, and Stepwise methodologies to estimate nitrate concentrations in complex environmental samples via UV–Vis absorbance. Importantly, ML applications outcompete current models at low concentrations. This new predictive methodology provides regulators and stakeholders an opportunity to establish low cost, continuous monitoring environmental programs using UV–Vis approaches.
Secondary Prophylaxis of Gastric Variceal Bleeding: A Systematic Review and Network Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Osman Karim T. , Nayfeh Tarek , Abdelfattah Ahmed M. , Alabdallah Khaled , Hasan Bashar , Firwana Mohammed , Alabaji Homam , Elkhabiry Lina , Mousa Jehan , Prokop Larry J. , Murad M. Hassan , Gordon Fredric
Published: December 2021

There is no clear consensus regarding the optimal approach for secondary prophylaxis of gastric variceal bleeding (GVB) in patients with cirrhosis. We conducted a systematic review and network meta‐analysis (NMA) to compare the efficacy of available treatments. A comprehensive search of several databases from each database's inception to March 23, 2021, was conducted to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Outcomes of interest were rebleeding and mortality. Results were expressed as relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). We followed the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach to rate the certainty of evidence. We included 9 RCTs with 647 patients who had histories of GVB and follow‐ups >6 weeks. A total of 9 interventions were included in the NMA. Balloon‐occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) was associated with a lower risk of rebleeding when compared with β‐blockers (RR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.01‐0.26; low certainty), and endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS)–cyanoacrylate (CYA) (RR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.04‐0.77; low certainty). β‐blockers were associated with a higher risk of rebleeding compared with most interventions and with increased mortality compared with EIS‐CYA (RR, 4.12, 95% CI, 1.50‐11.36; low certainty), and EIS‐CYA + nonselective β‐blockers (RR, 5.61; 95% CI, 1.91‐16.43; low certainty). Analysis based on indirect comparisons suggests that BRTO may be the best intervention in preventing rebleeding, whereas β‐blocker monotherapy is likely the worst in preventing rebleeding and mortality. Head‐to‐head RCTs are needed to validate these results.
BUILDING BRIDGES: HARNESSING A CRITICAL LEADERSHIP SKILL FOR A DIVERSE WORLD
Authors: Singh Deanna
Published: December 2021

The author, who is a bi‐racial woman with a father from India, and a mother from Mississippi, describes her work as Founder and Chief Change Agent of Flying Elephant, an umbrella organization for four social ventures. By observing her parents when she was growing up, “I learned how to build bridges myself, even in the most extreme situations.” She discusses a diversity, equity, and inclusion/DEI framework that she uses with top executives of various organizations. She explains that “the first step in the bridge‐building process is for the organization to lay a foundation for its DEI goals.” These address “three organizational layers: people, practices, and operations.” Rather than explain each of the further layers in this framework, the article focuses on “your starting point as an individual.” Further explanation is provided under the following headings, which in her words are: Learn how to identify your unique position, Pinpoint privileges that society affords your identities, Recognize how your background changes your perspective, Appreciate how the social experience of others influences them, and Develop strategies for elevating others for the benefit of all. You will be “fully celebrating identity and taking concrete steps as a leader to make the world around you more equitable.”