bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Planarized Phenyldithienylboranes: Effects of the Bridging Moieties and π‐Extension on the Photophysical Properties and Lewis Acidity
Authors: Sakai Mika , Mori Masayoshi , Hirai Masato , Ando Naoki , Yamaguchi Shigehiro
Published: April 2022

Two kinds of planarized phenyldithienylboranes, which contain (CH3)2C‐ or CH2‐bridging moieties, were synthesized. The difference of the bridging moieties affects their packing structures and photophysical properties. In particular, the (CH3)2C‐bridged derivative exhibits a large Stokes shift, unusual for such planarized compounds, that results from a large structural relaxation in the excited state. A series of π‐extended derivatives was synthesized, among which ap‐(diphenylamino)phenyl‐substituted derivative shows large solvatochromism in the fluorescence spectra, while maintaining high quantum yields even in polar solvents. The Lewis acidity of the phenyldithienylborane derivatives was also assessed by titration with pyridine. The Lewis acidity of the boron center is affected not only by the difference in the steric bulk of the bridging moieties, but also by the electronic effect of the substituents introduced at remote positions relative to the boron atom. These results demonstrate the characteristic features of planarized phenyldithienylboranes as building blocks for boron‐based π‐electron materials.
Characteristic and complementary chiral recognition ability of four recently developed immobilized chiral stationary phases based on amylose and cellulose phenyl carbamates and benzoates
Authors: Onishi Takafumi , Ueda Takunori , Yoshida Kenichi , Uosaki Kosuke , Ando Hiroyuki , Hamasaki Ryota , Ohnishi Atsushi
Published: April 2022

To date, various immobilized chiral stationary phases (CSPs) have been developed. The immobilized CSPs have opened up possibilities not only maintaining the high chiral recognition abilities as well as corresponding coated ones but also affording high durability to various mobile phase. This report directed to investigate enantioseparation of recently launched four immobilized CSPs with cellulose and amylose backbones under normal phase liquid chromatography conditions. Their chiral recognition abilities were compared with previously developed six immobilized CSPs. Particularly, we focused on the complementarity for chiral recognitions. Among them, amylose tris(3‐chloro‐5‐methylphenylcarbamate) CSP, namely, CHIRALPAK IG, showed notable chiral recognition abilities to various racemates. As expected, the investigated immobilized CSPs represented remarkable durability to wide range of mobile phases, whereas the corresponding coated CSPs could not be run due to the irreversible degradation. Taking advantage of unrestricted solvent compatibility, chiral separation selectivities were improved for some racemates.
[OSSO]‐Type Chromium(III) Complexes for the Reaction of CO2 with Epoxides
Authors: Niknam Fatemeh , Capaccio Vito , Kleybolte Magdalena , Lamparelli David H. , Winnacker Malte , Fiorani Giulia , Capacchione Carmine
Published: April 2022

In this work, four new mononuclear Cr(III) complexes (2–5) bearing bis‐thioether‐diphenolate, [OSSO]‐type ligands, were synthesized and characterized. These complexes in combination with bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium chloride (PPNCl) promoted the coupling of CO2 with epoxides. Depending on the type of substrate and the conditions, the reaction results in the selective formation of either polycarbonate or cyclic carbonate. For example, the reactions in the presence of complex 2 led to the exclusive formation of poly(cyclohexene carbonate, PCHC) from cyclohexene oxide (CHO) (TOF up to 39 h−1, at T=45–100 °C, time=24 h, pCO2=20 bar, epoxide/2 (mol/mol)=1000, and PPNCl/2=0.5–2.0 mol %). Under the same conditions and PPNCl/2=0.5–5.0 mol %, the reactions of CO2 with styrene oxide (SO), epichlorohydrin (ECH), 1,2 epoxydodecane (EDD), and allyl glycidyl ether (AGE) have shown selective conversion to the corresponding cyclic carbonates (TOF up to 41 h−1).
NSSI compared to addiction by NIDA researchers
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: April 2022

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is comparing addiction to non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI). A study by NIDA researchers is based not on clinical work but an analysis of the words used by posters on Reddit, and uses the phrase “non‐suicidal self‐harm” instead of NSSI because that is the name of the Reddit group. Because many posters used language that indicate self‐injury shares characteristics with addiction — “craving” and calling their cutting or other self‐harm an “addiction” and talking about getting “clean,” for example — the researchers correctly assessed that the criteria used to diagnose substance use disorder (SUD) and non‐suicidal self‐harm, could, theoretically, be similar. However, the study, published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions, suggests that people with non‐suicidal self‐harm could be treated by the same methods used to treat addiction. “Non‐suicidal self‐injury is often private and hidden, and like substance use disorders, is highly stigmatized and can lead to significant harm if left undiagnosed and untreated,” said NIDA Director Nora Volkow, M.D., in a statement accompanying the release of the journal article. “Though this study alone does not demonstrate that self‐injury can necessarily be classified as an addiction, learning more about the addictive‐like behaviors of self‐harm will be crucial to improve our understanding and treatment of this condition.” Approximately 17% of adolescents (and 6% of adults) engage in non‐suicidal self‐harm.
USPSTF says not enough evidence to support screening for eating disorders
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: April 2022

The evidence is insufficient to support either the benefits or harms of screening for eating disorders in asymptomatic adults and adolescents, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has determined. In a March 15 recommendation, the quasi‐governmental body made the decision which, basically, precludes insurability of the service and also calls question into its validity at this point.
Genomic basis for an informed conservation management of Pelophylax water frogs in Luxembourg
Authors: Weigand Hannah , Cross Lopez de Llergo Jennifer , Frantz Alain C.
Published: April 2022

Genetic identification methods have become increasingly important for species that are difficult to identify in the field. A case in point is Pelophylax water frogs. While their morphological determination is highly complex, they include species protected under EU law and some that are classified as invasive. Additionally, genetic data can provide insights into their complex breeding systems, which may or may not involve the reproductive dependency of one species on another. Here, we generate baseline data for water frog monitoring in Luxembourg. We applied a countrywide sampling approach and used SNPs generated by ddRAD sequencing to identify individuals and infer the breeding systems present in the country. We found Pelophylax lessonae and P. kl. esculentus throughout Luxembourg, mostly living in syntopy. In general, a reproductive dependency of P. kl. esculentus on P. lessonae (L‐E system) was revealed. Besides this general system, we detected triploid P. kl. esculentus in six ponds. This indicates a modified L‐E system with reproductive dependency of the triploids on the diploid P. kl. esculentus. The invasive P. cf. bedriagae was detected in three ponds in southern Luxembourg, with evidence for hybridization with native water frogs. In addition to the ddRAD data, we tested a simple genetic method for future monitoring based on the MND1 marker. It showed in almost all cases, an identical species identification as the ddRAD data and was successfully applied to DNA extracts from mouth swabs. Combining this method with our baseline data will enable informed choices for the protection of native water frog species in Luxembourg.
Ventricular longitudinal function by cardiovascular magnetic resonance predicts cardiovascular morbidity in HFrEF patients
Authors: Berg Jonathan , Åkesson Julius , Jablonowski Robert , Solem Kristian , Heiberg Einar , Borgquist Rasmus , Arheden Håkan , Carlsson Marcus
Published: April 2022

Aims

Ventricular longitudinal function measured as basal‐apical atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPD) or global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a potent predictor of mortality and could potentially be a predictor of heart failure‐associated morbidity. We hypothesized that low AVPD and GLS are associated with the combined endpoint of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure‐associated morbidity.

Methods and results

Two hundred eighty‐seven patients (age 62 ± 12 years, 78% male) with heart failure with reduced (≤40%) ejection fraction (HFrEF) referred to a cardiovascular magnetic resonance exam were included. Ventricular longitudinal function, ventricular volume, and myocardial fibrosis or infarction were analysed from cine and late gadolinium enhancement images. National registries provided data on causes of cardiovascular hospitalizations and cardiovascular mortality for the combined endpoint. Time‐to‐event analysis capable of including reoccurring events was employed with a 5‐year follow‐up. HFrEF patients had EF 26.5 ± 8.0%, AVPD 7.8 ± 2.4 mm, and GLS −7.5 ± 3.0%. In contrast, ventricular longitudinal function was approximately twice as large in an age‐matched control group (AVPD 15.3 ± 1.6 mm; GLS −20.6 ± 2.0%; P < 0.001 for both). There were 578 events in total, and the majority were HF hospitalizations (n = 418). Other major events were revascularizations (n = 64), cardiovascular deaths (n = 40), and myocardial infarctions (n = 21). One hundred fifty‐five (54%) patients experienced at least one event (mean 2.0, range 0–64). Of these patients, 119 (71%) had three events or fewer, and the first three events comprised 51% of all events (295 events). Patients in the bottom AVPD or GLS tertile (<6.8 mm or >−6.1%) overall experienced more than 3 times as many events as the top tertile (>8.8 mm or <−8.4%; P < 0.001). Patients in this tertile also faced more cardiovascular deaths (P < 0.05), HF hospitalizations (P = 0.001), myocardial infarctions (only GLS: P = 0.032), and accumulated longer in‐hospital length‐of‐stay overall (AVPD 20.9 vs. 9.1 days; GLS 22.4 vs. 6.5 days; P = 0.001 for both), and from HF hospitalizations (AVPD 19.3 vs. 8.3 days; GLS 19.3 vs. 5.4 days; P = 0.001 for both). In multivariate analysis adjusted for significant covariates, AVPD and GLS remained independent predictors of events (hazard ratio 1.12 per‐mm‐decrease and 1.13 per‐%‐increase) alongside hyponatremia (<135 mmol/L), aetiology of HF, and LV end‐diastolic volume index.

Conclusions

Low ventricular longitudinal function is associated with an increase in number of events as well as longer in‐hospital stay from cardiovascular causes. In addition, AVPD and GLS have independent prognostic value for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in HFrEF patients.
R‐based method for quantitative analysis of biofilm thickness by using confocal laser scanning microscopy
Authors: Frühauf Hanna Marianne , Stöckl Markus , Holtmann Dirk
Published: April 2022

Microscopy is mostly the method of choice to analyse biofilms. Due to the high local heterogeneity of biofilms, single and punctual analyses only give an incomplete insight into the local distribution of biofilms. In order to retrieve statistically significant results a quantitative method for biofilm thickness measurements was developed based on confocal laser scanning microscopy and the programming language R. The R‐script allows the analysis of large image volumes with little hands‐on work and outputs statistical information on homogeneity of surface coverage and overall biofilm thickness. The applicability of the script was shown in microbial fuel cell experiments. It was found that Geobacter sulfurreducens responds differently to poised anodes of different material so that the optimum potential for MFC on poised ITO anodes had to be identified with respect to maximum current density, biofilm thickness and MFC start‐up time. Thereby, a positive correlation between current density and biofilm thickness was found, but with no direct link to the applied potential. The optimum potential turned out to be +0.1 V versus SHE. The script proved to be a valuable stand‐alone tool to quantify biofilm thickness in a statistically valid manner, which is required in many studies.
Investigation on emission, performance, and combustion distinctiveness of bael seed cake pyrolysis oil/nano biochar/diesel blend fuelled in a compression ignition engine
Authors: Paramasivam Baranitharan
Published: April 2022

The fossil fuel depletion, harmful emissions, and loss in biodiversity led researches to move toward alternative fuel and fuel up gradation techniques. This study emphasizes on effect of novel Aegle marmelos organic biochar nanoparticles (AMBNs) as an additive to Aegle marmelos (AM) pyrolysis oil blend and their influence on combustion, performance, and emission behavior of diesel engine. The AMBNs are mixed with pyrolysis oil‐diesel blend in the concentration of 25 ppm, and 50 ppm by using ultrasonicator. The physicochemical properties of test fuel opuses were studied. Engine analysis was conducted on direct injection, four‐stroke, and single‐cylinder diesel engine. The experimental investigation was carried out at a constant speed of 1500 rpm and a standard compression ratio of 17.5:1 at varying engine load conditions. The engine behavior of pyrolysis oil‐diesel‐AMB nano additives opuses was compared with neat diesel (ND). The augmenting AMBNs additive to fuel blend has enhanced the combustion, performance and decreasing the fuel‐burning emission. The significances of AMBN50 on engine characteristics was enriched HRR of 53.73 J/deg CA have been obtained, which is 49.41 J/deg CA for neat diesel at peak load. Similarly, higher CP was achieved in AMBN50 of 64.09 bar at CA of 8° after TDC, which is 63.22 bar for diesel fuel at full load condition. The recommended fuel blend AMBN50 exhibits 13.24% of higher BTE, 27.57% lower CO, 19.11% lower HC, 18.46% higher CO2 emissions as compared with ND. Experimental output responses reveal that new hybrid AMBN50 fuel opus is suggested to attain the suitable engine characteristics for a green and eco‐friendly environment.
Understanding historical earthquakes by mapping coseismic landslides in the Loess Plateau, northwest China
Authors: Xu Yueren , Liu‐Zeng Jing , Allen Mark B. , Du Peng , Zhang Weiheng , Li Wenqiao , Tian Qinjian
Published: April 2022

Locating the epicenters and quantifying the magnitudes of historical earthquakes are important, yet difficult, tasks. These tasks often entail estimating seismic intensities based on written documentation, which suffers from biases and uncertainties that are difficult to evaluate. However, past strong earthquakes may trigger numerous landslides that remain in the landscape to the present day, whose number and distribution are correlated with the magnitude and location of the earthquakes. Thus, mapping historical coseismic landslides may provide a useful tool for re‐evaluating the magnitudes of historical earthquakes. We use remote sensing images to map landslides in the southern Loess Plateau, China. We suggested thatc. 5000 preserved landslides are related to the 734ceTianshui earthquake. These landslides are densely distributed along a c. 70‐km‐long section of the West Qinling Fault. Based on the assumption that the length of the zone in which substantial landslides occurred is equal to the fault rupture length, we estimated aMwof 7.2 for the 734ceTianshui event, which is similar to previous estimates (Mw = 6.8–7.5). We confirmed that the 1920ceHaiyuan, 1718ceTongwei, and 1654ceLixian earthquakes did not contribute to the historical landslides observed in the study area by combination of the mapping and Chinese related literature. We estimated anMwof 7.0 for the 1654ceLixian earthquake, which is lower than previous estimates (Mw = 8.0). We suggest that coseismic landslide of medium and large sizes with areas > 104 m2can be used as a criterion to locating and quantifying historical earthquakes, thereby reducing uncertainties in the estimated magnitudes of historical earthquakes that lack instrument records.
Untangling the controls on bedload transport in a wood‐loaded river with RFID tracers and linear mixed modelling
Authors: Clark Miles J. , Bennett Georgina L. , Ryan‐Burkett Sandra E. , Sear David A. , Franco Aldina M. A.
Published: April 2022

Bedload transport is a fundamental process by which coarse sediment is transferred through landscapes by river networks and may be well described stochastically by distributions of grain step length and rest time obtained through tracer studies. To date, none of these published tracer studies have specifically investigated the influence of large wood in the river channel on sediment transport dynamics, limiting the applicability of stochastic sediment transport models in these settings. Large wood is a major component of many forested rivers and is increasing due to anthropogenic ‘Natural Flood Management’ (NFM) practices. This study aims to investigate and model the influence of large wood on grain‐scale bedload transport.

We tagged 957 cobble to pebble sized particles (D50 = 73 mm) and 28 pieces of large wood (> 1 m in length) with radio frequency identification (RFID) tracers in an alpine mountain stream. We monitored the transport distance of tracers annually over 3 years, building distributions of tracer transport distances with which to compare with published distributions from wood free settings. We also applied linear mixed modelling (LMM), to tease out the influence of wood from other controls on likelihood of entrainment, deposition, and the transport distances of sediments.

Tracer sediments accumulated both upstream and downstream of large wood pieces, with LMM analysis confirming a reduction in the probability of entrainment of tracers closer to wood in all 3 years. Upon remobilization, tracers entrained from positions closer to large wood had shorter subsequent transport distances in each year. In 2019, large wood also had a trapping effect, significantly reducing the transport distances of tracer particles entrained from upstream, that is forcing premature deposition of tracers. This study demonstrates the role of large wood in influencing bedload transport in alpine stream environments, with implications for both natural and anthropogenic addition of wood debris in fluvial environments.
Improved Biogas Production from Human Excreta Using Chicken Feather Powder: A Sustainable Option to Eradicating Poverty
Authors: Emetere Moses E. , Chikwendu L. , Afolalu S. A.
Published: April 2022

It has been proposed that providing energy for cooking and lighting would solve over 65% of energy needs in rural communities. The use of biomass resources has been found not sustainable as other bioproducts such as biodiesel and bioethanol depend on it. More so that there is a depletion of bioresources in some parts of the world. The shift into animal waste such as poultry droppings and cattle dung has huge prospects, but it is not sustainable in the long term as rural farmers depend on it. The use of human excreta is the most available and sustainable due to the human population. This research aims to provide a workable blueprint of biogas production to meet energy needs. The research considers a laboratory‐scale experiment whose result is used to project the medium‐scale biodigester. Microbial culturing from human waste is used to initiate the codigestion of human excreta and powdered chicken feathers. It is observed that this procedure drastically reduces the high nitrogen content in the biogas and improves its methane and carbon dioxide content. It is observed that the scaled‐up biodigester in a worst case scenario can function at 67%. Design parameters are documented for the onward adoption of the technique.
Social isolation trajectories in midlife and later‐life: patterns and associations with health
Authors: Luo Mengsha , Li Lydia
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Social isolation has objective and subjective dimensions. Few studies have simultaneously examined trajectories of both dimensions. We integrated multiple indicators of both dimensions to identify social isolation trajectory patterns and investigated how different patterns were related to adults’ physical, mental, cognitive, and self‐rated health.

Methods

We used latent class growth modeling to examine social isolation trajectory patterns, based on data from the 2008—2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (N = 6457). Mixed‐effect linear models were used to examine how trajectory patterns were associated with functional limitations, depressive symptoms, memory deficits, and self‐rated health over the 8‐year study period.

Results

Four social isolation trajectory patterns were identified: severe isolation (15.4%), moderate isolation (37.6%), some objective and rare subjective isolation (35.4%), and rare objective and low subjective isolation (11.6%). Social isolation trajectory patterns showed a gradient in all health domains. The rare objective and low subjective isolation group had the best health (i.e., the fewest functional limitations, depressive symptoms, and memory deficits and the best self‐rated health); the some objective and rare subjective isolation group had the next best health; the moderate isolation group had the second worst health; and the severe isolation group had the worst health.

Conclusions

The prevalence and stability of severe and moderate social isolation suggest it may be necessary to address social isolation at the national level. The most favorable health outcomes associated with the rare objective and low subjective isolation group supports interventions to strengthen social networks and engagement midlife and later‐life.
A synergistic interaction between HDAC‐ and PARP inhibitors in childhood tumors with chromothripsis
Authors: Khalid Umar , Simovic Milena , Hammann Linda A. , Iskar Murat , Wong John K. L. , Kumar Rithu , Jugold Manfred , Sill Martin , Bolkestein Michiel , Kolb Thorsten , Hergt Michaela , Devens Frauke , Ecker Jonas , Kool Marcel , Milde Till , Westermann Frank , Benner Axel , Lewis Joe , Dietrich Sascha , Pfister Stefan M. , Lichter Peter , Zapatka Marc , Ernst Aurélie
Published: April 2022

Chromothripsis is a form of genomic instability characterized by the occurrence of tens to hundreds of clustered DNA double‐strand breaks in a one‐off catastrophic event. Rearrangements associated with chromothripsis are detectable in numerous tumor entities and linked with poor prognosis in some of these, such as Sonic Hedgehog medulloblastoma, neuroblastoma and osteosarcoma. Hence, there is a need for therapeutic strategies eliminating tumor cells with chromothripsis. Defects in DNA double‐strand break repair, and in particular homologous recombination repair, have been linked with chromothripsis. Targeting DNA repair deficiencies by synthetic lethality approaches, we performed a synergy screen using drug libraries (n = 375 compounds, 15 models) combined with either a PARP inhibitor or cisplatin. This revealed a synergistic interaction between the HDAC inhibitor romidepsin and PARP inhibition. Functional assays, transcriptome analyses and in vivo validation in patient‐derived xenograft mouse models confirmed the efficacy of the combinatorial treatment.
Is the Fisher effect asymmetric? Cointegration analysis and expectations measurement
Authors: Cushman David O. , De Vita Glauco , Trachanas Emmanouil
Published: April 2022

Using U.S. post‐war data, we investigate whether the interest rate response to inflation known as the Fisher effect could be asymmetric. The asymmetry considered is that the long‐run change in the interest rate is larger when inflation rises than when it falls. The possibility follows from behavioural hypotheses about the relationship of inflation expectations to actual inflation. Using an asymmetric cointegration approach, we find asymmetric cointegration in the Fisher effect for the post‐war period through 1979, but not subsequently. We then find that starting in 1980, a breakdown developed in the relationship between inflation expectations from surveys and actual recent inflation rates, a breakdown not accounted for by asymmetry. If the survey results approximate true expectations, then econometric testing using actual recent inflation to compute expected inflation will suffer from mismeasurement, which could explain the finding of no cointegrating Fisher effect post‐1979. The paper accounts for breakpoints and uses bootstrapping to conservatively estimate statistical significance.
Being Digital: Why Addressing Culture and Creating a Digital Mindset are Critical to Successful Transformation
Authors: Forsythe John , Rafoth Jason
Published: April 2022

Technology continues to drive nearly every aspect of our daily lives – both personal and professional. As organizations race, and sometimes fail, to adopt digital change, we must continually ask ourselves what drives a successful digital transformation?

We believe that true transformational change can only be achieved when technology & culture are in lockstep, creating the necessary Digital Mindset to not only deploy the correct solutions, but the right organizational culture is in place to adopt and accelerate the technical change. Being Digital is about more than the technology an organization deploys; it is about the very fabric of that organization's character — their Digital DNA.

Only when we fully cultivate the right mindset can we set the conditions for the right culture to flourish and ascend from merely doing digital things to truly Being Digital.
Distributed Cross‐Domain Link Creation for Flexible Data Integration and Manageable Data Interoperability Standards
Authors: Reichwein Axel
Published: April 2022

A distributed link creation strategy represents a shift from the traditional centralized link creation strategy used for data integration. A distributed link creation strategy provides a more flexible, user‐friendly approach for engineers to specify cross‐domain links between different domains of engineering data, which is key to achieving traceability across different product lifecycle phases. A new type of API that allows API clients to find link targets easily and create links makes this possible. Features of this new link‐enabling API include support for the open‐world assumption, embeddable search dialogs, and hypermedia for self‐discovery. Furthermore, a distributed link creation strategy also supports more efficient standardization efforts to achieve data interoperability by only requiring small, thus more manageable, domain‐specific standards in combination with standardized cross‐domain links, in contrast to the typically large, therefore unmanageable, multi‐domain standards.
Cultural responsiveness in applied behavior analysis: Research and practice
Authors: Jimenez‐Gomez Corina , Beaulieu Lauren
Published: April 2022

The new Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts requires that certificants engage in training related to culturally responsive service delivery (BACB, 2020). There is limited work in the area of culturally responsive evidence‐based practice within our field. Therefore, it is incumbent on researchers and practitioners to identify best practices for working with diverse populations. Hence, the purpose of this paper is three‐fold: a) to review research within and outside the field of ABA related to culturally responsive assessment and treatment and provide practice recommendations, b) to examine the extent to which current practices in behavior assessment and treatment align with aspects of culturally responsive practices, and c) to inspire research in the areas of behavior assessment and treatment to identify best practices with regard to culturally responsive behavior analytic practices. The content of this paper is grounded in the framework described by Beaulieu and Jimenez‐Gomez (2022).
2,3′,4,4′,5‐Pentachlorobiphenyl attenuated fast‐twitch fibers and fiber size of skeletal muscle via disturbing thyroid hormone signaling and mitochondrial dynamics
Authors: Zhu Xiaoxia , Zou Yuxin , Qi Xinyu , Sheng Yunlu , Lv Shan , Yu Jing , Wang Xiaodong , Ding Guoxian , Duan Yu
Published: April 2022

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) affect multiple organs, and some of the effects are mediated by interfering with thyroid hormone (TH) signaling that regulates physiological processes in mammals. It remains unclear how PCBs affect skeletal muscle (SM). In our study, wistar rats were injected 2,3′,4,4′,5‐pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB118) intraperitoneally at 0, 10, 100, and 1000 μg/kg/day for 13 weeks, and C2C12 myoblasts were treated PCB118 (0, 0.25, 25, and 50 nM) for 24 h or 48 h. We found that myocyte cross‐sectional area (MCSA) was reduced, MyHC IIa and MyHC IIb mRNA levels significantly decreased, and muscle strength was weakened in PCB118‐exposed rats. TH receptor α (TRα) and iodothyronine deiodinase type 2 (DIO2) were upregulated after PCB118 exposure both in vivo and in vitro. Transmission electron microscopy showed significant mitochondrial abnormalities in PCB118‐treated rats, and the expression of mitochondrial regulators such as PTEN‐induced kinase 1 (PINK1) and GTPase dynamin‐related protein 1 (DRP1) were altered after PCB118 exposure. These results suggest that PCB118 could weaken muscle strength and attenuate fast‐twitch fibers and fiber size of SM in rats. TH signaling, mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy were also disturbed by PCB118, which may contribute to the alternations of SM structure and function.
Inhibition of scopolamine‐induced memory and mitochondrial impairment by betanin
Authors: Salimi Ahmad , Sabur Meysam , Dadkhah Masoomeh , Shabani Mohammad
Published: April 2022

Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are identified to contribute to the mechanisms responsible for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Scopolamine (SCO) as a potent drug for inducing memory and learning impairment is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. In AD clinical trials molecules with antioxidant properties have shown modest benefit. Betanin as a multifunctional molecule with powerful antioxidative properties may be effective in the treatment of neurodegenerative. Hence, this study was designed to investigate the possible therapeutic effect of betanin against SCO‐induced AD on Wistar rats. SCO (1 mg/kg) was administrated intraperitoneally to induce the AD in Wistar rats. The rats were treated with betanin doses (25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for 9 consecutive days. At the end of the 9th day, the animals were subjected to behavioral examination such as novel object recognition and passive avoidance tests and killed to study the mitochondrial and histological parameters. The results showed attenuation of SCO‐induced memory and learning impairment by betanin at 50 mg/kg dose. Also, mitochondrial toxicity parameters such as mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, mitochondrial swelling, decreased activity of succinate dehydrogenase, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were reversed by betanin (50 mg/kg) compared to the SCO group. In addition, the ameliorative effect of betanin against SCO was demonstrated in histopathological results of hippocampus. The present investigation established that the betanin ameliorates the SCO‐induced memory impairments, tissue injuries, and mitochondrial dysfunction by reducing mitochondrial ROS, which may be due to the potent antioxidant action of betanin.
Trans‐cleaving hammerhead ribozyme in specific regions can improve knockdown efficiency in vivo
Authors: Peng Yan , Ai Xilei , Peng Bo
Published: April 2022

Trans‐cleaving techniques have been most enthusiastically embraced in the development of therapy for genetic diseases, particularly in the correction of monogenic recessive mutations at the messenger RNA level. However, easy degradation and poor catalytic activity in vivo remain significant obstacles to trans‐cleaving of the hammerhead ribozyme. Herein, we found a novel scaffold RNA that stabilizes the ribozyme structure in trans‐cleaving and promotes the knockdown efficiency of the hammerhead ribozyme in specific regions of living cells. We can give the trans‐cleaving hammerhead ribozyme the ability to knock down specific genes in specific cell regions by changing different scaffolds. Therefore, our study proves the potential usefulness of the RNA knockdown strategy with high‐specific trans‐cleaving hammerhead ribozyme as a therapeutic approach in gene therapy.
The power of compassion in group psycotherapy
Authors: Griner Derek , Erekson David M. , Beecher Mark E. , Cattani Kara , Burlingame Gary M.
Published: April 2022

Research has repeatedly demonstrated that individual and group psychotherapy are equally effective. Compassion‐focused therapy (CFT) has been shown to be an effective approach to treating individuals with a wide range of presenting mental health concerns. In this study, we discuss the basic tenets of CFT and introduce a 12‐module CFT group psychotherapy approach for college counseling centers. We use a clinical vignette to provide an example of how psychotherapists may implement this approach. We then discuss clinical applications, including strengths and limitations of this approach.
Light and scanning electron microscopic characterization of pollen grains of some wetland angiosperms from India
Authors: Paul Payel , Dhar Sayantan , Das Dipayan , Chowdhury Monoranjan
Published: April 2022

Pollen grains of 58 wetland species of angiosperms belonging to 17 families, growing in different wetlands of Sub‐Himalayan biodiversity hotspots, Northern Bengal and lower Gangetic plains, India were investigated during a 4‐year span of 2015–2019. Freshly collected anthers were processed through the acetolysis method and the obtained pollen grains were accurately studied under LM and SEM and properly photographed. Different attributes viz. shape, size, aperture type and exine ornamentation of pollen grains served as consistent features were used for authentic identification of the studied species. To study the phylogeny of pollen grains, characters like polarity, symmetry, aperture and exine sculpturing were found most significant for species segregation. Investigated pollen grains were mostly prolate‐spheroidal, spheroidal or triangular, rarely prolate or elongated, exine psilate, granulate, reticulate or microechinate type. Most of the observable aperture of pollen grains of studied species were colporate, colpate and porate, while ulcerate and inaperturate grains were also observed in the studied aquatic members of the families Cyperaceae and Potamogetonaceae. All the gathered data were further statistically analyzed through ANOVA, PCA and Pearson Correlation Matrix to understand the interrelationship among the species. The permanent slides of identified pollen grains were deposited at the herbarium of North Bengal University [NBU] for future references.

Highlights

Study of Pollen morphology of 58 wetland species under light & scanning electron microscopy. Unique apertures and exine ornamentation used to understand taxonomic evaluation of studied species. Pollen character supports interrelationship among the studied species. Relationship between exine thickness and the habitat of the wetland plants.
Management of pregnancy in a patient with long‐chain 3‐hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency
Authors: Shakerdi Loai A. , McNulty Jenny , Gillman Barbara , McCarthy Claire M. , Ivory Jessica , Sheerin Alison , O'Byrne James J. , Donnelly Jennifer C. , Treacy Eileen P.
Published: April 2022

Long‐chain 3‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (LCHADD) is a rare mitochondrial defect of β‐oxidation of long‐chain fatty acids. Patients may present with muscle pain, hypotonia, peripheral neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, recurrent rhabdomyolysis and sudden death. Dietary management of LCHADD aims at preventing prolonged fasting and decreasing energy production from long‐chain fatty acids compensated by an increase in medium‐chain triglyceride fat. Herein, we present medical and dietetic management of a successful pregnancy in a LCHADD female patient and the delivery of a healthy baby boy.
Effects of COVID‐19 lockdown on arrhythmias in patients with implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators in southern Italy
Authors: Ducceschi Valentino , de Divitiis Marcello , Bianchi Valter , Calvanese Raimondo , Covino Gregorio , Rapacciuolo Antonio , Russo Vincenzo , Canciello Michelangelo , Volpicelli Mario , Ammirati Giuseppe , Sangiuolo Raffaele , Papaccioli Giovanni , Ciardiello Carmine , Innocenti Sara , D'Onofrio Antonio
Published: April 2022

Background

The effects of lockdown on non‐COVID patients are varied and unexpected. The aim is to evaluate the burden of cardiac arrhythmias during a lockdown period because of COVID‐19 pandemics in a population implanted with cardiac defibrillators and followed by remote monitoring.

Methods

In this retrospective, multicentre cohort study, we included 574 remotely monitored implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy‐defibrillator (CRT‐D) recipients implanted before January 1, 2019, at seven hospitals in the Campania region, comparing the burden of arrhythmias occurred during the lockdown period because of COVID‐19 epidemics (from March 9 to May 1, 2020) with the arrhythmias burden of the corresponding period in 2019 (reference period). Data collection was performed through remote monitoring.

Results

During the lockdown period, we observed ventricular tachyarrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation) in 25 (4.8%) patients while in seasonal reference period we documented ventricular tachyarrhythmias in 12 (2.3%) patients; the comparison between the periods is statistically significant (P < .04). Atrial arrhythmias were detected in 38 (8.2%) subjects during the lockdown period and in 24 (5.2%) during the reference period (P < .004).

Conclusion

In seven hospitals in the Campania region, during the pandemic lockdown period, we observed a higher burden of arrhythmic events in ICD/CRT‐D patients through device remote monitoring.
The power of benevolence: The joint effects of contrasting leader values on follower‐focused leadership and its outcomes
Authors: Sverdlik Noga , Oreg Shaul , Berson Yair
Published: April 2022

The most frequent approach to studying leader attributes has been to demonstrate links between separate dispositions (e.g., traits and values) and leader behavior. Yet, both in the field of personality overall and the field of personal values in particular, there is a growing understanding that to more realistically capture the effects of personality, one needs to study the joint effects of personality dimensions, rather than their separate ones. In the present studies, we demonstrate how a combination of values predicts leaders' follower‐focused behavior and its outcomes. Specifically, we demonstrate that the combination of leaders' power and benevolence values predicts leaders' follower‐focused leadership and follower outcomes. In Study 1, the interaction between 75 school leaders' power and benevolence predicted followers' reports (N = 293) of their leaders' follower‐focused leadership, such that the relationship between power values and follower‐focused leadership was positive and significant only among leaders high on benevolence values. We replicated this effect in Study 2 with data collected in two points in time, from 76 principals and 494 of their subordinates. We also demonstrated the indirect effect of principals' values, through their follower‐focused leadership, on teachers' satisfaction and nurturing behavior.
Compounding precipitation effect in modulating maize yield response to global warming
Authors: Ban Yunyun , Leng Guoyong , Tang Qiuhong
Published: April 2022

High temperature generally causes large‐scale crop yield reduction, and such negative effects are known to depend on the concurrent precipitation. However, the compounding precipitation effect in regulating crop yield response to global warming remains under‐examined. This research aims to evaluate the role of concurrent changes in precipitation in modulating global maize yield response to temperature under 1.5 and 2.0 K temperature rise for RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios, respectively. Empirical linear function is adopted to calculate the function parameters and impact of precipitation modulation based on global census data on maize yield and climate in the baseline period of 1980–2010. The sensitivity of maize yield to temperature is then estimated under condition that with and without removal of precipitation impact. The maize yield sensitivity to temperature is negative in most rain‐fed growing areas in the baseline period of 1980–2010, and the global sensitivity is −9.39%/K if the precipitation impact is considered or −6.92%/K if the precipitation impact is removed. Globally, approximately 30% of the observed strength of relationship between maize yield and temperature is induced by the compounding precipitation effect. Under 1.5 and 2.0 K warming scenarios, global maize yield is projected to decrease by −10.16% to −11.91% and −15.01% to −17.14%, respectively. The world maize yield differences between 1.5 and 2.0 K scenarios will be −4.85% and −5.23% without the compounding precipitation effect and range from −3.52% to −3.89% with the compounding precipitation effect, to which the contribution of compounding precipitation increases to 35%. The modulating impacts of precipitation are the strongest in high latitude countries, while weak effects are found in Argentina, China, India, and South Africa. The research can help us understand the important but uncertain issue that how much the maize yield response to global warming is contributed by the compounding precipitation effect.
UHPLC‐Q‐Orbitrap‐based untargeted lipidomics reveals the variation of yolk lipids during egg storage
Authors: Meng Yaqi , Qiu Ning , Guyonnet Vincent , Keast Russell , Zhu Chunxia , Mine Yoshinori
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Egg yolk is recognized for its excellent nutritional benefit and economic value; however, egg is a perishable food, potentially losing quality if not handled properly between the time from farm production to consumption. Knowledge of the changes of yolk lipid composition under an extreme storage condition close to vitelline membrane breaking, which results in an inedible condition for shelf‐eggs, remains incomplete. Considering the complexity of yolk lipids, the architectural features of yolk lipids at high‐temperature storage (30°C for 10 days versus fresh) were classified through lipidomics.

RESULTS

This strategy yielded 1508 features within the lipid database coupled with 74 significantly different lipids (P < 0.05, fold change > 1.2 or < 0.83), mainly triglycerides, phospholipids, and sphingolipids. Most of them were decreased after storage; for example, triglycerides were assumed to play a role as a ‘buffer’ to maintain the system stability during storage by balancing fatty acid saturation, which strongly reduces the egg edible value for humans. Furthermore, phospholipids, especially the highly unsaturated phosphatidylcholine, decreased significantly and were suggested to be the primary cause for the variation in yolk emulsifying properties and flavor.

CONCLUSION

Altogether, these results deriving from oxidation and lipolysis reactions enhance our understanding of lipid transformation and the biochemical mechanisms, at the molecular level, of the deteriorative process of the egg yolk. These findings may lay the foundation for identifying processes, including some modifications of the lipid composition of rations fed to laying hens, aiming to improve the long‐term shelf‐stability of shell eggs and egg products. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Solvent terminated natural deep eutectic solvent microextraction for concentration of curcuminoids in Curcumae Longae Rhizoma and turmeric tea
Authors: Yang Li , Xie Li‐yuan , Chen Xuan , Bai Xiao‐hong , Hu Shuang
Published: April 2022

A novel solvent terminated microextraction method based on a natural deep eutectic solvent (L‐menthol and lactic acid at a molar ratio of 1:2) coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography was proposed, which was utilized for the separation and enrichment of bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycurcumin and curcumin in Curcumae Longae Rhizoma and turmeric tea. The effects of independent parameters on extraction efficiency were optimized by single‐factor analysis. Subsequently, four predominated parameters affecting the extraction procedure, including extractant volume, salt concentration, demulsifier consumption, and demulsification time, were further evaluated by a central composite design. Under the optimized conditions, the linear ranges of calibration curves were 0.005–0.5 μg/mL for bisdemethoxycurcumin, 0.004–0.4 μg/mL for demethoxycurcumin, and 0.0045–0.45 μg/mL for curcumin, respectively. In addition, the developed method provided low detection limits (0.1–0.4 ng/mL) and high enrichment factors (279–350). Its intra‐day and inter‐day precision were carried out by relative standard deviation ranging from 2.2 to 9.2%. Finally, the applicability of this method was assessed by the analysis of Curcumae Longae Rhizoma and turmeric tea samples. The results showed that these samples were detected successfully and the spiked recoveries over the range of 85.3‐108.9% with relative standard deviations of 1.6‐8.9% were attained, indicating its high relative recoveries with good precision in real sample analysis.
Spatial risk modeling of cattle depredation by black vultures in the midwestern United States
Authors: Quinby Brandon M. , Kluever Bryan M. , Burcham Grant N. , Humberg Lee A. , Jones Landon R. , Wahl Marian L. , Zollner Patrick A.
Published: April 2022

Negative economic impacts resulting from wildlife disrupting livestock operations through depredation of stock are a cause of human‐wildlife conflict. Management of such conflict requires identifying environmental and non‐environmental factors specific to a wildlife species' biology and ecology that influence the potential for livestock depredation to occur. Identification of such factors can improve understanding of the conditions placing livestock at risk. Black vultures (Coragyps atratus) have expanded their historical range northward into the midwestern United States. Concomitantly, an increase in concern among agricultural producers regarding potential black vulture attacks on livestock has occurred. We estimated area with greater or lesser potential for depredation of domestic cattle by black vultures across a 6‐state region in the midwestern United States using an ensemble of small models (ESM). Specifically, we identified landscape‐scale spatial factors, at a zip code resolution, associated with reported black vulture depredation on cattle in midwestern landscapes to predict future potential livestock depredation. We hypothesized that livestock depredation would be greatest in areas with intensive beef cattle production close to preferred black vulture habitat (e.g., areas with fewer old fields and early successional vegetation paired with more direct edge between older forest and agricultural lands). We predicted that the density of cattle within the county, habitat structure, and proximity to anthropogenic landscape features would be the strongest predictors of black vulture livestock‐depredation risk. Our ESM estimated the relative risk of black vulture‐cattle depredation to be between 0.154–0.631 across our entire study area. Consistent with our hypothesis, areas of greatest predicted risk of depredation correspond with locations that are favorable to vulture life‐history requirements and increased potential to encounter livestock. Our results allow wildlife managers the ability to predict where black vulture depredation of cattle is more likely to occur in the future. It is in these areas where extension and outreach efforts aimed at mitigating this conflict should be focused. Researchers and wildlife managers interested in developing or employing tools aimed at mitigating livestock‐vulture conflicts can also leverage our results to select areas where depredation is most likely to occur.