bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
210Pbxs. is a viable alternative to 137Cs for tracing soil redistribution in mountain pastures affected by heterogeneous Chernobyl fallout
Authors: Baccolo Giovanni , El Khair Davide Abu , Nastasi Massimiliano , Sisti Monica , Ferrè Chiara , Alewell Christine , Comolli Roberto
Published: November 2022

Soil mobilization has been investigated by means of fallout radionuclides (FRN) in a first‐order catchment of the Eastern Alps. Caesium‐137, 210Pbxs. (210Pb excess or unsupported fraction), and 241Am have been measured in soil samples collected from a pasture at about 2150 m above sea level. Combining pedological and radioactivity data, including mineral‐related radionuclides (primordial 40K and nuclides belonging to the 232Th and 238U decay chains), the distribution of FRNs, their spatial variability, vertical distribution, and relationships with pedological and topographical variables were assessed. Because of low activity concentration, it was not possible to use artificial long‐lived 241Am as a soil tracer, but preliminary results are encouraging. Inventories of 210Pbxs. and 137Cs have been converted into soil mobilization rates applying the MODERN model. Despite the gentle steepness and the absence of evident signs of erosion, the slopes of the considered catchment are affected by erosion at a rate up to 6 t ha−1 yr−1, likely related to grazing. A comparison between 210Pbxs. and 137Cs has revealed that at this site 137Cs, the most used FRN for estimating soil redistribution, is not suitable for this purpose, probably due to its irregular spatial distribution on snow‐covered ground after the Chernobyl accident. Conversely, 210Pbxs., owing to its continuous input, has provided reliable estimates of soil redistribution rates, in accordance with local morphology. The latter has in fact been related to morphometric variables in a regression model to provide an overview of soil erosion/sedimentation across the entire catchment, confirming that 210Pbxs. is a viable alternative to trace soil erosion and deposition where the Chernobyl fallout occurred on snow‐covered ground.
Do Pharmaceuticals in the Environment Pose a Risk to Wildlife?
Authors: Bean Thomas G. , Chadwick Elizabeth A. , Herrero-Villar Marta , Mateo Rafael , Naidoo Vinny , Rattner Barnett A.
Published: November 2022

The vast majority of knowledge related to the question “To what extent do pharmaceuticals in the environment pose a risk to wildlife?” stems from the Asian vulture crisis (>99% decline of some species of Old World vultures on the Indian subcontinent related to the veterinary use of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug [NSAID] diclofenac). The hazard of diclofenac and other NSAIDs (carprofen, flunixin, ketoprofen, nimesulide, phenylbutazone) to vultures and other avian species has since been demonstrated; indeed, only meloxicam and tolfenamic acid have been found to be vulture-safe. Since diclofenac was approved for veterinary use in Spain and Italy in 2013 (home to ~95% of vultures in Europe), the risk of NSAIDs to vultures in these countries has become one of the principal concerns related to pharmaceuticals and wildlife. Many of the other bodies of work on pharmaceutical exposure, hazard and risk to wildlife also relate to adverse effects in birds (e.g., poisoning of scavenging birds in North America and Europe from animal carcasses containing pentobarbital, secondary and even tertiary poisoning of birds exposed to pesticides used in veterinary medicine as cattle dips, migratory birds as a vector for the transfer of antimicrobial and antifungal resistance). Although there is some research related to endocrine disruption in reptiles and potential exposure of aerial insectivores, there remain numerous knowledge gaps for risk posed by pharmaceuticals to amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. Developing noninvasive sampling techniques and new approach methodologies (e.g., genomic, in vitro, in silico, in ovo) is important if we are to bridge the current knowledge gaps without extensive vertebrate testing. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:595–610. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
Creatine consumption and liver disease manifestations in individuals aged 12 years and over
Authors: Todorovic Nikola , Korovljev Darinka , Stajer Valdemar , Jorga Jagoda , Ostojic Sergej M.
Published: November 2022

Despite the overwhelming safety evidence concerning creatine intake in various settings, there is still incomplete information whether dietary creatine affects liver health at the population level. The main aim of this cross‐sectional population‐based study was to evaluate the association between creatine intake through regular diet and liver disease manifestations, including liver fibrosis and hepatic steatosis, among individuals aged 12 years and over, using open‐source data from the 2017–2018 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). A total of 9254 male and female participants of all ages were included in the 2017–2018 NHANES round. We extracted data from the total sample population for participants who provided dietary data for individual foods via dietary interviews and examination data from liver ultrasound transient elastography. The final study sample consisted of 5957 participants (mean age 44.7 ± 21.0 years; 50.1% women), and the mean dietary creatine intake across the study population was 0.88 ± 0.71 g/day. Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis were diagnosed in 1703 (28.7%) and 288 (4.8%) participants, respectively; hepatic steatosis was identified in 2595 (43.7%) individuals. Binary logistic regression with multivariable model adjusted for age, gender, family income to poverty ratio, body mass index, total energy intake, and alcohol consumption showed that consuming more creatine (≥2 g/day) did not significantly increase the risk of liver fibrosis (OR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.70–1.21, p = .57), cirrhosis (OR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.53–1.65, p = .82), or hepatic steatosis (OR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.59–1.02, p = .07), as compared to participants who ingested <1 g of creatine daily. Dietary exposure to creatine through a regular diet is not associated with an increase in disease manifestations in individuals 12 years and over; further research is warranted to address the effects of excessive creatine intake (≥5 g/day) through a regular diet on liver health at the population level.
Mechanisms of the Ammonium Sulfate Roasting of Spent Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Qu Xin , Tang Yiqi , Li Mengting , Liu DongXu , Gao Shuaibo , Yin Huayi
Published: November 2022

Ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) assisted roasting has been proven to be an effective way to convert spent lithium‐ion battery cathodes to water‐soluble salts. Herein, thermogravimetric (TG) experiments are performed to analyze the mechanism of the sulfation conversion process. First, the reaction activation energies of the sulfate‐assisted roasting are 88.87 and 95.27 kJ mol−1, which are calculated by Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) methods, respectively. Then, nucleation and growth are determined and verified as the sulfation reaction model by the Šatava–Šesták method. Finally, sub‐reactions of the sulfation process are investigated and reaction controlling mechanisms are determined by the contribution of sub‐reaction. Based on the thermogravimetric analysis, the phase boundary reaction is found to dominate in the initial step of the roasting process (α < 0.6) while the nucleation reaction controlls the following step (α > 0.6), agreeing well with changing trend of activation energy. Overall, thermogravimetric analysis is a general way to study the mechanism of the various roasting processes.
Performance analysis and experimental validation of a vee‐corrugated absorber integrated collector storage solar water heater
Authors: Kumar Ayush , Prakash Om
Published: November 2022

This paper focuses on enhancing the energy collection efficiency of an integrated collector storage solar water heater (ICS SWH) by vee‐corrugating the absorber and optimizing the design for the vee‐included angle through simulation and experimental study. This paper presents an efficient algorithm for analyzing a vee‐corrugated absorber ICS SWH using Engineering Equation Solver Software. For validating this algorithm, two models of ICS SWH systems have been fabricated: one with a flat absorber and the other with a 60° vee‐included angle corrugated absorber with eight corrugations. The basic purpose of the fabrication of the flat absorber ICS SWH system was to approximate the absorptivity of the absorber. A typical value of 0.68 was estimated for the absorptivity of the aluminum absorber coated with nonselective black paint. After the experimental investigation of the 60° vee‐included angle ICS SWH system, it was found that the real‐time readings were in close agreement with the numerical model readings. For comparison with the previous work, a five‐corrugation system with an approximate 90° vee‐included angle with the same projected dimensions was modeled and the efficiencies of both the models for the time from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. were calculated. The efficiency of the eight‐corrugation model was 42.56%, which was better than the previous work of the five‐corrugation model, with a 38.86% efficiency for the same ambient conditions. Also, it was theoretically deduced that we had an optimized system at 18 corrugations and a vee‐included angle of 28.78°.
Overexpression of CD86 enhances the ability of THP‐1 macrophages to defend against Talaromyces marneffei
Authors: Chen Rifeng , Yang Di , Shen Linxia , Fang Jinling , Khan Raqib , Liu Donghua
Published: November 2022

Background

Macrophages are the first line of defense against Talaromyces marneffei. CD86 is a surface molecule expressed on antigen‐presenting cells, such as macrophages, that provide costimulatory signals necessary for T cell activation and survival. In a prior study, it was shown that as infection progressed, CD86 expression levels in macrophages considerably declined while CD86 concentrations in the supernatant significantly increased. Additionally, M1 macrophage polarization was insufficient and switched to M2 macrophage polarization. Besides costimulation, however, additional roles of CD86 are not known or well‐studies. Therefore, we hypothesized that upregulating CD86 on macrophages might promote T. marneffei defense.

Methods

A lentivirus vector, called Lenti‐CD86, was used to infect THP‐1 cells to overexpress secretory CD86. Through killing assay, nitric oxide detection, and cytokine detection, the capacity of THP‐1 macrophages to phagocytose and kill T. marneffei was examined.

Results

In the current study, Lenti‐CD86 transfection of THP‐1 cells resulted in a signifant expression of CD86. Additionally, the THP‐1 macrophages stably transfected with Lenti‐CD86 showed higher nitric oxide and IL‐1β production, faster polarization, and stronger phagocytosis and killing capabilities than the non‐transfected or control virus transfected cells.

Conclusion

Our study shows that lentivirus‐mediated CD86 overexpression improves THP‐1 macrophages' capacity to phagocytose and eliminate T. marneffei.
Volatility spillovers, hedging and safe‐havens under pandemics: All that glitters is not gold!
Authors: Ghabri Yosra , Huynh Luu Duc Toan , Nasir Muhammad Ali
Published: November 2022

In the context of the COVID‐19's outbreak and its implications for the financial sector, this study analyses the aspect of hedging and safe‐haven under the pandemic. Drawing on the daily data from 02 August 2019 to 17 April 2020, our key findings suggest that the contagious effects in financial assets' returns significantly increased under COVID‐19, indicating exacerbated market risk. The connectedness spiked in the middle of March, consistent with lockdown timings in major economies. The effect became severe with the WHO's declaration of a pandemic, confirming negative news effects. The return connectedness suggests that COVID‐19 has been a catalyst of contagious effects on the financial markets. The crude oil and the government bonds are however not as much affected by the spillovers as their endogenous innovation. In terms of spillovers, we do find the safe‐haven function of Gold and Bitcoin. Comparatively, the safe‐haven effectiveness of Bitcoin is unstable over the pandemic. Whereas, GOLD is the most promising hedge and safe‐haven asset, as it remains robust during the current crisis of COVID‐19 and thus exhibits superiority over Bitcoin and Tether. Our findings are useful for investors, portfolio managers and policymakers interested in spillovers and safe havens during the current pandemic.
A rare case of placenta accreta after a first‐trimester abortion
Authors: Berriozabal Cristina , De La Rosa Jesús Hilario , Lobo Ignacio , Beiro Eva , Dehesa Tamara
Published: November 2022

Synopsis

We present the case of placenta accreta after a first‐trimester abortion: its differential diagnosis and management.
Evaluation of interleukins 37 and 38 and vitamin D status in the serum of women with Graves' disease
Authors: Ibrahim Hiba Y. , Sulaiman Ghassan M. , Al‐shammaa Mohamed S. , Ad'hiah Ali H.
Published: November 2022

Background

Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune thyroid disorder and recent studies have proposed a role for interleukin (IL)‐37, IL‐38, and vitamin D (VitD) in the pathophysiology of disease. Therefore, this study investigated the expression of IL‐37, IL‐38, and VitD in the serum of GD patients and correlations of their levels with some demographic and clinical characteristics.

Methods

Serum IL‐37, IL‐38, and VitD levels were evaluated in 90 women with GD and 93 control women using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits. Depending on therapy, six patients were newly diagnosed (ND; untreated), and 50 patients were receiving only carbimazole (CMZ), while 34 patients were also on CMZ but also received one (31 patients), two (one patient), or three (two patients) doses of radioactive iodine (RAI).

Results

IL‐37 levels were significantly higher in GD patients than in controls, while IL‐38 and VitD levels were significantly decreased. As indicated by the area under the curve (AUC), receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated the potential of IL‐37, IL‐38, and VitD as biomarkers to distinguish GD patients from controls (AUC = 0.953, 0.959, and 0.793, respectively). Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that altered levels of IL‐37, IL‐38, and VitD were most likely associated with the pathogenesis of GD. IL‐37 was negatively correlated with IL‐38 and VitD, while IL‐38 and VitD were positively correlated.

Conclusion

Serum Il‐37 levels were upregulated in women with GD, while IL‐38 and VitD levels showed downregulated levels. The latter two were positively correlated while they showed a negative correlation with IL‐37.
Giant plasma cells with multiple immature nuclei in a young woman with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Authors: Giudice Valentina , De Novellis Danilo , Guariglia Roberto , Fumo Rosalba , Ciancia Giuseppe , Serio Bianca , Selleri Carmine
Published: November 2022

Background

Multiple myeloma with giant multinucleated plasma cells is a very rare entity and mostly reported cases are dated. This plasma cell morphology has been observed after monoclonal antibody treatments, such as daratumumab, and patients have experienced a worse prognosis with partial responses and a high rate of relapse.

Results

Here, we showed a newly diagnosed multiple myeloma with giant plasma cells with multiple (up to 13) immature nuclei who achieved a complete remission after a first line therapy and underwent to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, as per international guidelines.
Neonatal intestinal failure: Growth pattern and nutrition intakes in accordance with weaning from parenteral nutrition
Authors: Roggero Paola , Liotto Nadia , Piemontese Pasqua , Menis Camilla , Perrone Michela , Tabasso Chiara , Amato Orsola , Orsi Anna , Pesenti Nicola , Leva Ernesto , Mosca Fabio
Published: November 2022

Background

Short bowel syndrome is the most common cause of intestinal failure (IF) in infants. We aimed to evaluate growth, nutrition intakes, and predictors of weaning from parenteral nutrition (PN) of infants with IF.

Methods

Clinical parameters, nutrition intakes, body weight and length z‐scores were compared monthly from the 1st to 12th and at 18 and 24 months among infants receiving PN and those weaned. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the predictors of weaning.

Results

We included 23 infants (10/23 weaned). Median [range: minimum; maximum] birth weight and gestational age were 1620 [590; 3490] g and 31 [24; 39] weeks, respectively. All infants showed growth retardation with similar median delta weight z‐score from birth to discharge: −1.48 [−1.92; −0.94] in not‐weaned and −1.18 [−2.70; 0.31] in weaned infants (P = 0.833) and a subsequent regain after the discharge: 0.20 [−3.47; 3.25] and 0.84 [−0.03; 2.58], respectively (P = 0.518). No differences in length z‐score were found. After the sixth month, infants weaned from PN received lower PN energy and protein intakes compared with those not‐weaned. Infants weaned from PN showed lower PN dependency index (PNDI%) from 5 months onward (45% for weaned and 113% for not‐weaned infants at 5 months: P < 0.001). The Belza score, a predictor of enteral autonomy computed at 6 months, is associated with being weaned from PN within 24 months (odds ratio: 1.906; P = 0.039).

Conclusion

Infants weaned and not‐weaned showed similar growth patterns. Our findings support the clinical relevance of Belza score and PNDI% as predictors of weaning from PN.
Red Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes: Recent Advances and Perspectives
Authors: Yu Yi , Tang Yingyi , Wang Bingfeng , Zhang Kai , Tang Jian‐Xin , Li Yan‐Qing
Published: November 2022

Metal halide perovskite (MHP) materials have shown great advantages for the next‐generation optoelectronic devices, especially for light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), on account of their outstanding photoelectric properties and facile solution processability. However, the performances of red perovskite LEDs (PeLEDs) are not ready for commercialization, presumably due to the instability both of the emission spectra and operation conditions, and the toxicity of lead ions. In this review, the structures, physical properties, and preparation approaches of red emissive perovskite materials are first introduced, including 3D bulk perovskites, 2D and quasi‐2D perovskites, and colloidal perovskite nanocrystals (NCs). In addition, several strategies that contribute to the recent development and achievement of red PeLEDs are summarized in detail, mainly involving component engineering, dimension, and phase distribution modulation, ligand engineering, additive engineering, interfacial engineering, and strategies for the light out‐coupling device structure. Moreover, the challenges and corresponding solutions are discussed from three aspects of spectral stability, operational stability, and lead‐free red PeLEDs. Finally, the conclusion and outlook on the promising future of the red PeLEDs are raised.
Chitosan‐Placental ECM Composite Thermos‐Responsive Hydrogel as a Biomimetic Wound Dressing with Angiogenic Property
Authors: Azadbakht Abdolnaser , Alizadeh Sanaz , Aliakbar Ahovan Zahra , Khosrowpour Zahra , Majidi Mohammad , Pakzad Saeedreza , Shojaei Shahrokh , Chauhan Narendra Pal Singh , Jafari Marzieh , Gholipourmalekabadi Mazaher
Published: November 2022

Attempts are being made to develop an ideal wound dressing with excellent biomechanical and biological properties. Here, a thermos‐responsive hydrogel is fabricated using chitosan (CTS) with various concentrations (1%, 2.5%, and 5% w/v) of solubilized placental extracellular matrix (ECM) and 20% β‐glycerophosphate to optimize a smart wound dressing hydrogel with improved biological behavior. The thermo‐responsive CTS (TCTS) alone or loaded with ECMs (ECM‐TCTS) demonstrate uniform morphology using SEM. TCTS and ECM1%‐TCTS and ECM2.5%‐TCTS show a gelation time of 5 min at 37 °C, while no gel formation is observed at 4 and 25 °C. ECM5%‐TCTS forms gel at both 25 and 37 °C. The degradation and swelling ratios increase as the ECM content of the hydrogel increase. All the constructs show excellent biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo, however, the hydrogels with a higher concentration of ECM demonstrate better cell adhesion for fibroblast cells and induce expression of angiogenic factors (VEGF and VEGFR) from HUVEC. Only the ECM5%‐TCTS has antibacterial activity against Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606. The data obtained from the current study suggest the ECM2.5%‐TCTS as an optimized smart biomimetic wound dressing with improved angiogenic properties now promises to proceed with pre‐clinical and clinical investigations.
Estimate of genetic variants using CNV‐Seq for fetuses with oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios
Authors: Shi Panlai , Hou Yaqin , Chen Duo , Ren Huanan , Xia Yanjie , Kong Xiangdong
Published: November 2022

Background

Oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios, is associated with chromosomal aberrations, particularly aneuploidy. However, its correlation with copy number variation (CNV) remains unclear.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 428 cases with an abnormal level of amniotic fluid, comprising of 139 cases of single ultrasound findings (SU group) and 289 cases of multiple ultrasound findings (MU group), by CNV sequencing (CNV‐Seq) and followed their pregnancy outcomes.

Results

The overall detection rate of clinically significant findings was 8%, with 5% in the SU group and 11% in MU group. Besides, 18 microdeletion/microduplication syndromes were detected, with the highest rate of renal cysts and diabetes syndrome (22%, 4/18). Also, the rate of termination of pregnancy in MU group was much higher than that in the SU group (29% vs. 10%, ***p < 0.001), and in the MU‐oligohydramnios subgroup, it was the highest (34%), regardless of cases with chromosomal anomaly and lost to follow‐up.

Conclusion

Our results showed that the abnormal level of amniotic fluid, especially combined with other ultrasound abnormalities, is closely related to chromosomal abnormalities and genetic CNVs. CNV‐Seq may be useful in investigating pregnancies with an abnormal amniotic fluid level.
Cytochrome‐mediated direct electron uptake from metallic iron by Methanosarcina acetivorans
Authors: Holmes Dawn E. , Tang Haiyan , Woodard Trevor , Liang Dandan , Zhou Jinjie , Liu Xinying , Lovley Derek R.
Published: November 2022

Impact statement

Methane‐producing microorganisms accelerate the corrosion of iron‐containing metals. Previous studies have inferred that some methanogens might directly accept electrons from Fe(0), but when this possibility was more intensively investigated, H2 was shown to be an intermediary electron carrier between Fe(0) and methanogens. Here, we report that Methanosarcina acetivorans catalyzes direct metal‐to‐microbe electron transfer to support methane production. Deletion of the gene for the multiheme, outer‐surface c‐type cytochrome MmcA eliminated methane production from Fe(0), consistent with the key role of MmcA in other forms of extracellular electron exchange. These findings, coupled with the previous demonstration that outer‐surface c‐type cytochromes are also electrical contacts for electron uptake from Fe(0) by Geobacter and Shewanella species, suggest that the presence of multiheme c‐type cytochromes on corrosion surfaces might be diagnostic for direct metal‐to‐microbe electron transfer and that interfering with cytochrome function might be a strategy to mitigate corrosion.
Surgeon and physiotherapist approaches to operative or non‐operative management of people with recurrent patellar dislocation: A case‐based UK survey
Authors: Irving Lisa , Smith Toby O. , Mandalia Vipul I. , Pratt Arthur , Dowen Daniel
Published: November 2022

Background

Physiotherapists are often key decision‐makers on when to refer patients with recurrent patellar dislocation for surgical opinion. Limited guidance exists to aid this decision. Differences in orthopaedic surgeons' and physiotherapists' views on which patients and when to refer people for surgical consideration or non‐operative care may affect outcome. This study aimed to explore orthopaedic surgeons and physiotherapists decision‐making surrounding treatment opinions for patients with recurrent patellar dislocation.

Methods

An online survey performed. UK registered and practicing orthopaedic surgeons and physiotherapists were invited to participate. The survey utilised two vignettes and a series of related questions to ascertain respondents' views on decision‐making to surgical referral for people with recurrent patellar dislocation. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistical tests to explore factors related to responses.

Results

Eighty four respondent surveys were analysed (38 surgeons, 46 physiotherapists). Overall, there was a low level of agreement amongst respondents for the management of the vignettes (k = 0.215, p = < 0.0005). Some disparity existed between the professions on the definition of recurrent patellar dislocations and the clinical features which may require an early surgical assessment. Physiotherapists were three times more likely to delay a surgical opinion for the vignettes presented in this study than the surgeons.

Conclusion

This is the first study to investigate orthopaedic surgeons' and physiotherapists' views on decision‐making around surgical or non‐operative management for recurrent patellar dislocations. High‐quality research is required to underpin explicit guidance on decision‐making regarding management of recurrent patellar dislocation.
Path analysis of factors affecting depression in medical students
Authors: Bahroodi Parisasadat , Zeighami Reza , Sheidaei Ali
Published: November 2022

Depression is more prevalent among medical students. Its level can be changed by different factors. The present study was designed and implemented in order to determine the path analysis of factors affecting depression in students of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. This descriptive‐analytical study was conducted on 291 randomly selected students of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2018. Data were collected using demographic characteristics questionnaires, Beck Depression Inventory and Gadzla Academic Stress Questionnaire. The data were analysed using one‐way ANOVA and F test, independent t‐test, and Pearson correlation coefficient in SPSS software version 22, and significance level 0.05. According to the path analysis final model, there was a significant relationship between age and hope for continuing education with academic stress, and there was no significant relationship between satisfaction and academic stress. There was a significant relationship between age, hope for continuing education, academic satisfaction and stress with depression (p < 0.001). According to the obtained results, measures should be taken in order to reduce individual and environmental stresses and factors effective in depression. Detection and follow‐up in disease cases, especially in the younger generation, is important in preventing debilitative effects of the disease, and its consequences should be prevented by quick and timely detection.
A tale of two lipids: Lipid unsaturation commands ferroptosis sensitivity
Authors: Rodencal Jason , Dixon Scott J.
Published: November 2022

Membrane lipids play important roles in the regulation of cell fate, including the execution of ferroptosis. Ferroptosis is a non‐apoptotic cell death mechanism defined by iron‐dependent membrane lipid peroxidation. Phospholipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are highly vulnerable to peroxidation and are essential for ferroptosis execution. By contrast, the incorporation of less oxidizable monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) in membrane phospholipids protects cells from ferroptosis. The enzymes and pathways that govern PUFA and MUFA metabolism therefore play a critical role in determining cellular sensitivity to ferroptosis. Here, we review three lipid metabolic processes—fatty acid biosynthesis, ether lipid biosynthesis, and phospholipid remodeling—that can govern ferroptosis sensitivity by regulating the balance of PUFAs and MUFAs in membrane phospholipids.
Neuropeptide F regulates feeding via the juvenile hormone pathway in Ostrinia furnacalis larvae
Authors: Yu Zhuofan , Shi Jian , Jiang Xuemin , Song Yu , Du Juan , Zhao Zhangwu
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

Feeding by pests is one of the most important reasons for reductions in agricultural crop yield. This study aimed to reveal how juvenile hormone (JH) participates in larval feeding regulation of the Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis.

RESULTS

Larvae of O. furnacalis exhibit a daily circadian feeding rhythm, with a peak at ZT18 and a trough at ZT6 under both photoperiod (LD) and constant dark (DD) conditions, which may be eliminated by application of fenoxycarb, a JH active analogue. JH negatively regulates larval feeding as a downstream factor of neuropeptide F (NPF), in which knocking down JH increases larval feeding amount along with body weight and length. The production of JH in the brain–corpora cardiaca–corpora allata (brain–CC–CA) is regulated by brain NPF rather than gut NPF, which was demonstrated in Drosophila larvae through GAL4/UAS genetic analysis. In addition, feeding regulation of JH is closely related to energy homeostasis in the fat body by inhibiting energy storage and promoting degradation. The JH analogue fenoxycarb is an effective pesticide against O. furnacalis, controlling feeding and metabolism.

CONCLUSION

The brain NPF system regulates JH, with functions in food consumption, feeding rhythms, energy homeostasis and body size. This study provides an important basis for understanding the feeding mechanism and potential pest control of O. furnacalis. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Physics‐data‐fusion based decoupling model for coupled faults of complex electromechanical systems
Authors: Xu Jinjin , Wang Rongxi , Liang Zeming , Liu Pengpeng , Gao Jianmin , Wang Zhen
Published: November 2022

Coupled faults are formed by the nonlinear coupling of multiple lower‐level faults in complex electromechanical systems (CES). Although fault decoupling plays a crucial role in locating fault cause and isolating fault components, it still faces challenges due to the harsh reality of common mode failure, networked propagation, and a lack of accurate fault mechanism knowledge in the fault coupling process. A novel physics‐data‐fusion‐based decoupling model for coupled faults of CES was proposed using standard meta components, rigorous formulation, and intuitive representation. First, a hierarchical graph representing the static complex decoupling model was defined by composing proposed meta models. Second, the dynamic model parameters inspired by the time‐varying fault characteristics were determined using real‐time operation data analysis. Then, based on a proposed numerical reasoning formula, the most likely fault cause was determined, which can also identify fault level by level. Finally, the decoupling model was proved to be reasonable and effective with an offshore wind turbine case. As a graphical modelling method, it handles the decoupling process by fusing static physics and dynamic data of coupled faults. While inheriting the benefits of conventional models, it overcomes the limitations of these existing methods for real‐time results. Moreover, the proposed method provided a foundation for tracing the root cause of performance fluctuations, fault detection, and isolation of CES.
A comparative analysis of maximum likelihood estimation and artificial neural network modeling to assess electrical component reliability
Authors: Çolak Andaç Batur , Sindhu Tabassum Naz , Lone Showkat Ahmad , Akhtar Md Tanwir , Shafiq Anum
Published: November 2022

This study focuses on accurately predicting the behavior of new power function distribution using neural network and optimizing it using maximum likelihood estimation. The main motivation of this study is that there is no study in the literature that optimizes and predicts the reliability analysis of lifetime models by combining artificial neural networks and maximum likelihood estimation methods. The numerical findings of the reliability investigations and the values got from maximum likelihood estimation and artificial neural network modeling have been examined and investigated carefully. For the artificial neural network models, the R value was 0.99999 and the deviation ratios were lower than 0.08%. The findings reveal that artificial neural networks are a powerful and useful mathematical tool for analyzing the reliability of lifetime models and numerical study findings via maximum likelihood estimation are completely in accord with artificial neural network prediction results.
A Giant solitary fibrous tumour resected through median sternotomy
Authors: Rimpa Theofani , Athanassiadi Kalliopi , Eleftheriou Kostantinos , Vourlakou Christina , Chrysovergis Ioannis , Diakonikolaou Zacharias , Katsaounou Paraskevi , Kalomenidis Ioannis
Published: November 2022

Solitary fibrous tumour of the pleura (SFT) is rare neoplasms and consist less than 5% of the primary tumours of the pleura. In the English literature, very few cases of giant solitary fibrous tumours have been described. We report a clinical case of an intrathoracic giant SFT of the pleura in a 62‐year‐old female patient. Additionally, we reviewed the clinical, imaging and histopathological features, the therapeutic management and the clinical course of giant SFTs published in the English literature. For this, we conducted a comprehensive electronic search at the PubMed using the key words giant, huge, big and enormous.
Unknown input observer design for linear time‐invariant systems—A unifying framework
Authors: Tranninger Markus , Niederwieser Helmut , Seeber Richard , Horn Martin
Published: November 2022

This article presents a new observer design approach for linear time invariant multivariable systems subject to unknown inputs. The design is based on a transformation to the so‐called special coordinate basis (SCB). This form reveals important system properties like invertability or the finite and infinite zero structure. Depending on the system's strong observability properties, the SCB allows for a straightforward unknown input observer design utilizing linear or nonlinear observers design techniques. The chosen observer design technique does not only depend on the system properties, but also on the desired convergence behavior of the observer. Hence, the proposed design procedure can be seen as a unifying framework for unknown input observer design.
Distributed adaptive NN control for nonlinear multi‐agent systems with function constraints on states
Authors: Ma Yuzhen , Yuan Fengyi , Liu Yan‐Jun , Liu Lei , Xu Tongyu
Published: November 2022

An adaptive neural network (NN) distributed tracking control strategy is proposed for nonlinear strict‐feedback multi‐agent systems, which is affected by time‐varying full state constraints. The influence of asymmetric state constraints is also considered. The constraint bounds are related to both state vectors and time. Different from the usual constant boundary or function boundary, the constraint boundary adopted in this article not only considers the influence of state variables, but also takes time into consideration, which makes the constraint boundary more flexible and more difficult to solve. In addition, in order to solve the disturbance of the unknown function in the system, this article adopts the NN technology to realize the approximation effect of the unknown function, and designs a adaptive distributed controller based on the asymmetric obstacle Lyapunov function and backward step method, the closed‐loop signals are proved to be CSUUB. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by a simulation example.
Nanostructure Engineering of Sn‐Based Catalysts for Efficient Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Authors: Ren Tiyao , Miao Zhengpei , Ren Lu , Xie Huan , Li Qing , Xia Changlei
Published: November 2022

Excessive anthropogenic CO2 emission has caused a series of ecological and environmental issues, which threatens mankind's sustainable development. Mimicking the natural photosynthesis process (i.e., artificial photosynthesis) by electrochemically converting CO2 into value‐added products is a promising way to alleviate CO2 emission and relieve the dependence on fossil fuels. Recently, Sn‐based catalysts have attracted increasing research attentions due to the merits of low price, abundance, non‐toxicity, and environmental benignancy. In this review, the paradigm of nanostructure engineering for efficient electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECO2R) on Sn‐based catalysts is systematically summarized. First, the nanostructure engineering of size, composition, atomic structure, morphology, defect, surficial modification, catalyst/substrate interface, and single‐atom structure, are systematically discussed. The influence of nanostructure engineering on the electronic structure and adsorption property of intermediates, as well as the performance of Sn‐based catalysts for ECO2R are highlighted. Second, the potential chemical state changes and the role of surface hydroxides on Sn‐based catalysts during ECO2R are introduced. Third, the challenges and opportunities of Sn‐based catalysts for ECO2R are proposed. It is expected that this review inspires the further development of highly efficient Sn‐based catalysts, meanwhile offer protocols for the investigation of Sn‐based catalysts.
Synergistic Effect of Fe Single‐Atom Catalyst for Highly Efficient Microwave‐Stimulated Remediation of Chloramphenicol‐Contaminated Soil
Authors: Zhou Chang , Sun Qi‐Meng , Cao Qiang , He Jing‐Hui , Lu Jian‐Mei
Published: November 2022

Chloramphenicol (CAP) has long been used extensively in agriculture and is severely toxic to the biological environment. Microwave catalysis appears a promising method for soil remediation due to its fast and effective heat transfer, but it is challenging to prepare catalysts with good electromagnetic wave absorption and robust catalytic activity. In this study, atomically dispersed Fe on three‐dimensional N‐doped carbon supports (3D Fe‐NC) is firstly used for microwave remediation of soil. Thanks to the synergistic effect of microwave “hot spots” and reactive oxygen species (•OH, •O2−), 3D Fe‐NC can completely remove 99.9% of CAP in 5 min. The removal rate constant is nearly twice that of commercial activated carbon. Significantly, the germination rate of lettuce seeds in microwave‐repaired soil contaminated by CAP reaches 70%. This work demonstrates the application of Fe single‐atom catalyst in microwave remediation of contaminated soil, providing a novel insight for agricultural soil remediation.
Brain‐Targeted HFn‐Cu‐REGO Nanoplatform for Site‐Specific Delivery and Manipulation of Autophagy and Cuproptosis in Glioblastoma
Authors: Jia Wenhui , Tian Hailong , Jiang Jingwen , Zhou Li , Li Lei , Luo Maochao , Ding Ning , Nice Edouard C. , Huang Canhua , Zhang Haiyuan
Published: November 2022

Durable glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) management requires long‐term chemotherapy after surgery to eliminate remaining cancerous tissues. Among chemotherapeutics, temozolomide is considered as the first‐line drug for GBM therapy, but the treatment outcome is not satisfactory. Notably, regorafenib, an oral multi‐kinase inhibitor, has been reported to exert a markedly superior effect on GBM suppression compared with temozolomide. However, poor site‐specific delivery and bioavailability significantly restrict the efficient permeability of regorafenib to brain lesions and compromise its treatment efficacy. Therefore, human H‐ferritin (HFn), regorafenib, and Cu2+ are rationally designed as a brain‐targeted nanoplatform (HFn‐Cu‐REGO NPs), fulfilling the task of site‐specific delivery and manipulating autophagy and cuproptosis against GBM. Herein, HFn affords a preferential accumulation capacity to GBM due to transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1)‐mediated active targeting and pH‐responsive delivery behavior. Moreover, regorafenib can inhibit autophagosome‐lysosome fusion, resulting in lethal autophagy arrest in GBM cells. Furthermore, Cu2+ not only facilitates the encapsulation of regorafenib to HFn through coordination interaction but also disturbs copper homeostasis for triggering cuproptosis, resulting in a synergistical effect with regorafenib‐mediated lethal autophagy arrest against GBM. Therefore, this work may broaden the clinical application scope of Cu2+ and regorafenib in GBM treatment via modulating autophagy and cuproptosis.
Interfacial Engineering of Co3O4/Fe2O3 Nano‐Heterostructure Toward Superior Li‐O2 Batteries
Authors: Zhao Yajun , Tang Wenhao , Liu Wenhong , Kong Xianghua , Zhang Dawei , Luo Hao , Teng Kewei , Liu Ruiping
Published: November 2022

A major issue with Li‐O2 batteries is their slow oxygen reduction and evolution kinetics, necessitating catalysts with high catalytic activity to improve reaction kinetics and cycle stability. Herein, a nano‐heterostructured catalyst composed of Co3O4 and Fe2O3 (Co3O4/Fe2O3) with a porous rod morphology is achieved through an interfacial engineering strategy by constructing Fe2O3 on the Co3O4 surface, which can function as a high‐performance cathode in order to efficiently encourage the oxygen reduction and evolution while also reduce the battery polarization during charging and discharging. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations show the differences in charge density at the interface of nano‐heterostructures, demonstrating the occurrence of an electron transfer process in the interface region of Co3O4 and Fe2O3, implying a strong electronic coupling transfer, and in turn changing the electronic structure of the Co3O4. This significantly reduces the adsorption energy of LiO2 intermediates, thereby effectively lowering the overpotential. The resultant Li‐O2 battery has larger discharge specific capacity, lower overpotential for the efficient oxygen evolution/reduction, as well as good cycling stability of 280 cycles. This work demonstrates an effective method to fabricate the nano‐heterostrucutred materials with enhanced catalytic efficiency for advanced energy applications.
Temperature‐Regulated Core Swelling and Asymmetric Shrinkage for Tunable Yolk@Shell Polydopamine@Mesoporous Silica Nanostructures
Authors: Qiao Minghang , Xing Yi , Xie Lei , Kong Biao , Kleitz Freddy , Li Xiaoyu , Du Xin
Published: November 2022

Facile and controllable synthesis of functional yolk@shell structured nanospheres with a tunable inner core (‘yolk') and mesoporous shell is highly desirable, yet it remains a great challenge. Herein, xx developed a strategy based on temperature‐regulated swelling and restricted asymmetric shrinkage of polydopamine (PDA) nanospheres, combined with heterogeneous interface self‐assembly growth. This method allows a simple and versatile preparation of PDA@mesoporous silica (MS) nanospheres exhibiting tunable yolk@shell architectures and shell pore sizes. Through reaction temperature‐regulated swelling degree and confined shrinkage of PDA nanospheres, the volume ratio of the hollow cavity that the PDA core occupies can easily be tuned from ca. 2/3 to ca. 1/2, then to ca. 2/5, finally to ca. 1/3. Owing to the presence of PDA with excellent photothermal conversion capacity, the PDA@MS nanocomposites with asymmetric yolk distributions can become a colloidal nanomotor propelled by near‐infrared (NIR) light. Noteworthily, the PDA@MS with half PDA yolk and microcracks in silica shell reaches 2.18 µm2s−1of effective diffusion coefficient (De) in the presence of 1.0 W cm−2NIR light. This temperature‐controlled swelling approach may provide new insight into the design and facile preparation of functional PDA‐based yolk@shell structured nanocomposites for wide applications in biology and medicine.
Validated thin‐layer chromatography method for simultaneous determination of sulfacetamide sodium and hydrocortisone acetate in the ophthalmic formulation
Authors: Patel Satish , Baria Dharmendra
Published: November 2022

High‐performance thin‐layer chromatography has the utmost separation efficiency. High‐performance thin‐layer chromatography methods can be used to separate, detect, and estimate the different phytochemicals and drug components along with additives. A simple, accurate, precise, and robust high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation of sulfacetamide sodium and hydrocortisone acetate in eye drops. The separation was carried out on pre‐coated silica gel aluminum plate 60 F254 as a stationary phase using ethyl acetate: toluene: methanol: triethylamine (6:2:2:0.1) as a mobile phase. The densitometric measurement of separated components was performed at 254 nm. The method was validated for accuracy, precision, reproducibility, robustness, the limit of detection, and the limit of quantification as per International Council for Harmonization (Q2[R1]) guidelines. The regression coefficients (r2) for sulfacetamide sodium and hydrocortisone acetate were found to be 0.9998 and 0.9994, respectively. The values for percentage recoveries of sulfacetamide sodium and hydrocortisone acetate were found to be 100.2%–100.9% and 101.1%–101.2%, respectively. The developed thin‐layer chromatography method can be used for the analysis of sulfacetamide sodium and hydrocortisone acetate in eye drops.
Synthesizing Carbon‐Supported, High‐Loading, Ultra‐Small Pt3Ni Nanoparticles via Tuning the Surface Electrostatic Effect
Authors: Li Shuke , Xie Hua , Dong Qi , Jing Shuangshuang , Li Tangyuan , Xu Lin , Hu Liangbing
Published: November 2022

Carbon‐supported nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used as catalysts in fuel cells and electrolyzers. While it is well known that NPs with smaller size and higher loading often lead to better catalytic activity, they remain challenging to synthesize due to the weak control over the surface properties of the support. Herein, a facile approach to synthesize carbon‐supported, high‐loading, and ultra‐small Pt3Ni NPs via applying thermal shock on strongly interacted carbon support with metal salt is reported. Specifically, sodium citrate is introduced into the precursor solution and substrate mixture, which induces strong electrostatic effect between metal salts and carbon particles that markedly improves precursor anchoring and dispersion, thereby achieving high particle loading as well as small size and distribution. As a proof‐of‐concept, the synthesis of Pt3Ni NPs supported on carbon black with particle size of 1.56 ± 0.36 nm at 30 wt% loading and 1.66 ± 0.56 nm at 40 wt% loading is reported, where the sizes are among the smallest while the loadings are among the highest in the literature. This approach can be readily extended to many compositions and substrates, with tunable particle size and loading, thereby substantially expanding the synthesis space for NP catalysts in various electrochemical applications.
Characteristics of Self‐Excited Rail Brake Using Capacitors
Authors: Ukita Keigo , Sakamoto Yasuaki , Sato Mitsuhide , Mizuno Tsutomu
Published: November 2022

Rail brakes are a type of brakes for railway vehicles that can generate braking force by electromagnetic force. The authors of this article proposed a rail brake that applies the capacitor self‐excitation technique of induction machines to an excitation method. It does not require supplying power from the vehicle and can suppress heating rails during braking operation. This article proposes a practical excitation circuit that solves the problem of self‐excitation of rail brakes where residual magnetic flux cannot be used for the initial excitation. The results of bench tests using a full‐scale armature indicated that the rail brake can be driven by the proposed method. In addition, the results show the characteristics of rail brakes with capacitor self‐excitation. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
The power of gratitude
Authors: Read Claire
Published: November 2022

For Katie Ford, no achievement ever felt like it was enough – and it was making her miserable. So she started on a personal development journey which took her into coaching and to discovering the impact of gratitude. Claire Read reports.