bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single extracellular vesicle analysis in human amniotic fluid shows evidence of phenotype alterations in preeclampsia
Authors: Gebara Natalia , Scheel Julia , Skovronova Renata , Grange Cristina , Marozio Luca , Gupta Shailendra , Giorgione Veronica , Caicci Federico , Benedetto Chiara , Khalil Asma , Bussolati Benedetta
Published: May 2022

Amniotic fluid surrounding the developing fetus is a complex biological fluid rich in metabolically active bio‐factors. The presence of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in amniotic fluid has been mainly related to foetal urine. We here characterized EVs from term amniotic fluid in terms of surface marker expression using different orthogonal techniques. EVs appeared to be a heterogeneous population expressing markers of renal, placental, epithelial and stem cells. Moreover, we compared amniotic fluid EVs from normal pregnancies with those of preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder affecting up to 8% of pregnancies worldwide. An increase of CD105 (endoglin) expressing EVs was observed in preeclamptic amniotic fluid by bead‐based cytofluorimetric analysis, and further confirmed using a chip‐based analysis. HLA‐G, a typical placental marker, was not co‐expressed by the majority of CD105+ EVs, in analogy with amniotic fluid stromal cell derived‐EVs. At a functional level, preeclampsia‐derived EVs, but not normal pregnancy EVs, showed an antiangiogenic effect, possibly due to the decoy effect of endoglin. Our results provide a characterization of term amniotic fluid‐EVs, supporting their origin from foetal and placental cells. In preeclampsia, the observed antiangiogenic characteristics of amniotic fluid‐EVs may reflect the hypoxic and antiangiogenic microenvironment and could possibly impact on the developing fetus or on the surrounding foetal membranes.
A randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled trial analyzing the effect of synbiotics on infectious complications following living donor liver transplant—PREPRO trial
Authors: Mallick Shweta , Kathirvel Manikandan , Nair Krishnanunni , Durairaj Madhu S. , Varghese Christi Titus , Sivasankara Pillai Thankamony Amma Binoj , Balakrishnan Dinesh , Gopalakrishnan Unnikrishnan , Othiyil Vayoth Sudheer , Sudhindran Surendran
Published: May 2022

Background

Following liver transplantation (LT), bacterial infections occur in over 70% of recipients leading to significant morbidity and mortality. While synbiotics have been reported to decrease infectious complications in various surgical procedures, the evidence of their benefits following LT remains limited.

Methods

In this 18‐month double‐blinded, investigator‐initiated, placebo‐controlled trial, 100 recipients of live donor liver transplant (LDLT) were randomized to receive either the synbiotic drug Prowel® (Prepro arm) or a placebo, starting 2 days pretransplant and continued for 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was culture‐proven bacterial infection in blood, urine or drain fluid within 30 days. Secondary endpoints were hospital stay, noninfectious complications, antibiotic usage and 30‐day mortality.

Results

Overall infectious complications were significantly lower in the Prepro arm in comparison to the Placebo arm (44% vs 22%, P = .019, OR 0.359; CI: 0.150–0.858). Blood stream infections were significantly less in the study arm (21.7% vs 53.3%, P = .020, OR 0.243; CI: 0.072–0.826), whereas urinary tract and intra‐abdominal infections were similar. Length of hospital stay, noninfectious complications, deviation from protocol antibiotics and 30‐day mortality were comparable.

Conclusion

Synbiotics administered for 2 weeks following LDLT significantly reduced overall and blood stream infectious complications in the early postoperative period. However, there was no difference in hospital stay, noninfectious complications, antibiotic usage and mortality.

Clinical Trial Registry of India registration number – CTRI/2017/09/009869.
Evaluation of the performance of a dynamic wave climate ensemble simulated using with EURO‐CORDEX winds in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov
Authors: Çakmak Recep Emre , Çalışır Emre , Lemos Gil , Akpınar Adem , Semedo Alvaro , Cardoso Rita M. , Soares Pedro M. M.
Published: May 2022

This study evaluates the performance of a dynamic ensemble of wave climate simulations for the Black Sea. The ensemble members (and ensemble means) are evaluated for the historical period (1979–2005). The spectral wave model (simulating waves nearshore [SWAN]) was forced with eight Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) based Regional Climate Models (RCMs) wind fields to obtain each of the eight ensemble members. The RCM‐forcings used belongs to the European branch of the Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (EURO‐CORDEX). The ensemble members' historical wave climate is thoroughly compared against the ERA5 reanalysis, in situ observations, and altimeter measurements. In addition to the individual evaluation of ensemble members, the results for the 8‐member ensemble mean are also examined. The performance of the ensemble members in reproducing the mean and extreme significant wave heights, mean wave periods, and mean wave directions is found to be good, with differences generally between +25 and −15% in comparison to ERA5. Differences between +10% and −30% were found for the comparison with altimeter measurements. We conclude that the ensemble better represents the wave climate of the Black Sea, than its individual members. The 8‐member ensemble provides a more balanced dataset for the Black Sea wave climate and a better representation of the associated uncertainty. Thus, further wave climate projections for the Black Sea should rely on the use of an ensemble.
Vibrational spectroscopic evaluation of hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties of oxide surfaces
Authors: Takeuchi Masato , Kurosawa Ryo , Ryu Junichi
Published: May 2022

Herein, we evaluated the hydrophilic or hydrophobic surface properties of various oxides using vibrational spectroscopy, such as FT‐IR (mid‐IR) and near‐IR spectroscopy. Pristine SiO2 showed hydrophobic properties because H2O molecules weakly interacted with the hydroxyl groups via hydrogen bonding. Furthermore, the hydrophobic SiO2 adsorbed less toluene, as a hydrophobic probe molecule. In case of the alkyl‐groups‐modified SiO2, H2O molecules were barely adsorbed on the surface even in air, confirming the water‐repellent property. The TiO2 and Al2O3 surfaces adsorbed larger amounts of H2O than did pristine SiO2, indicating hydrophilic properties, because the Ti4+ and Al3+ sites play an essential role in strong interactions with H2O molecules via coordinative adsorption. Furthermore, the hydrophilic TiO2 and Al2O3 showed a high affinity to toluene, indicating oleophilic (affinity to oil or non‐polar compounds) properties, because the aromatic compounds were adsorbed on the cation sites by cation‐π interaction. Moreover, MgO reacted with H2O molecules to yield Mg(OH)2, indicating a greater hydrophilicity than TiO2 or Al2O3. Based on the considerations, when evaluating the hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties of oxide surfaces, the hydroxyl groups and the cation sites on the surface must be considered.
Long‐term change in metabolism phenology in north temperate lakes
Authors: Ladwig Robert , Appling Alison P. , Delany Austin , Dugan Hilary A. , Gao Qiantong , Lottig Noah , Stachelek Jemma , Hanson Paul C.
Published: May 2022

The phenology of dissolved oxygen (DO) dynamics and metabolism in north temperate lakes offers a basis for comparing metabolic cycles over multi‐year time scales. Although proximal control over lake DO can be attributed to metabolism and physical processes, how those processes evolve over decades largely remains unexplored. Metabolism phenology may reveal the importance of coherence among lakes and facilitate general conclusions about the controls on lake metabolism at regional scales. We developed a Bayesian modeling framework to estimate DO concentrations and metabolism in eight lakes in contrasting landscapes in Wisconsin, USA. We identify the DO and metabolism phenologies for each lake, and use those to compare how decadal patterns relate to trophic state and landscape setting. We show that lakes can be categorized by their hypolimnetic oxygen consumption dynamics, with oligotrophic lakes having a diverse set of patterns and eutrophic lakes having uniform trends of increased oxygen consumption over the last decade. Metabolism phenology is likewise diverse for oligotrophic lakes, whereas eutrophic lakes in southern Wisconsin share consistent long‐term patterns of metabolic trends and seasonal DO consumption highlighting the importance of trophic state driving metabolism. Eutrophic lakes had higher magnitudes and more seasonal variation in net ecosystem production in contrast to oligotrophic lakes. Generally, long‐term metabolic trends of north temperate lakes suggest a limited influence of climate on lake metabolism and that temporal coherence of long‐term metabolism change is driven primarily by the landscape setting.
Recent Advances in Polysaccharide‐Based Physical Hydrogels and Their Potential Applications for Biomedical and Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Hu Xinyu , Zhang Liangliang , Yan Linlin , Tang Lihua
Published: May 2022

Polysaccharides are widely employed to fabricate hydrogels owing to their intrinsic properties including biocompatibility, biodegradability, sustainability, and easy modification. However, a considerable amount of polysaccharide‐based hydrogels are prepared by chemical crosslinking method using organic solvents or toxic crosslinkers. The presence of reaction by‐products and residual toxic substances in the obtained materials causes a potential secondary pollution risk and thus severely limits their practical applications. In contrast, polysaccharide‐based physical hydrogels are preferred over chemically derived hydrogels and can be used to address existing drawbacks of chemical hydrogels. The polysaccharide chains of such hydrogel are typically crosslinked by dynamic noncovalent bonds, and the co‐existence of multiple physical interactions stabilizes the hydrogel network. This review focuses on providing a detailed outlook for the design strategies and formation mechanisms of polysaccharide‐based physical hydrogels as well as their specific applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery, wound healing, and wastewater treatment. The main preparation principles, future challenges, and potential improvements are also outlined. It is hoped that this review can provide valuable information for the rational fabrication of polysaccharide‐based physical hydrogel. The specific research works listed in the review can provide a systematic and solid research basis for the reliable development of polysaccharide‐based physical hydrogel.
Impacts of entrepreneurial experience on firm performance in IPO firms
Authors: Choi Yongeun , Eum Wonsub , Kang Taewon , Lee Jeong‐Dong
Published: May 2022

This study examines the relationship between an entrepreneur's experience and firm performance and the changes in this relationship following an initial public offering (IPO). The analysis uses unique panel data (2000–2017) of all newly listed 251 high‐tech small‐ and medium‐sized Korean firms to find an inverse U‐shaped relationship between the entrepreneur's age at the time of establishment, as a proxy of experience, and entrepreneurial performance. The results suggest that accumulated experience plays an important role in entrepreneurial performance, and current policies for young entrepreneurs need to be redesigned.
Convective‐scale numerical weather prediction and warnings over Lake Victoria: Part I—Evaluating a lightning diagnostic
Authors: Mittermaier Marion , Wilkinson Jonathan , Csima Gabriella , Goodman Steven , Virts Katrina
Published: May 2022

Recently a new lightning diagnostic was added to convective‐scale configurations of the Met Office Unified Model (UM). The characteristics and skill of the hourly total ‘flash origin density’ in the 4.4 km Tropical Africa UM were evaluated against Earth Network (EN) lightning observations specifically deployed in the greater Lake Victoria region as part of the HIGHWeather impact lAke sYstem (HIGHWAY) project. Lightning poses a significant risk to fishermen on Lake Victoria, and better forecasts over the lake would be advantageous for the development of better warning systems. The model lightning density was evaluated in two ways: a classical gridded categorical data analysis and the spatial coverage–distance–intensity method. Given the spatial sparseness of the observation type, Gaussian kernel dressing was applied for the latter, to increase the horizontal ‘footprint’, partly to reflect that lightning can travel horizontally for more than 10 km, and to reduce the representativeness mismatch between the lightning observations and the model forecast lightning density. Considering hourly forecasts, lightning shows a marked diurnal, geographical and seasonal variation over to the west and east of the lake. The model is not producing enough lightning flashes over the lake, nor does it produce enough spatially, especially overnight. The forecast location of lightning shows little skill, with timing differences in the peak, especially over the lake. For warnings, the removal of timing offsets through the creation of a ‘maximum‐in‐the‐day’ field is considerably less biased and more skilful than using the hourly flash densities.
Intake of a Chicken Protein‐Based or Soy Protein‐Based Diet Differentially Affects Growth Performance, Absorptive Capacity, and Gut Microbiota in Young Rats
Authors: Zhao Fan , Wang Chong , Song Shangxin , Fang Chao , Kristiansen Karsten , Li Chunbao
Published: May 2022

Scope

Both plant and animal products provide protein for human demands. However, the effect of protein sources on the physiological responses and the composition and functions of the gut microbiota during the early stage of life have received little attention.

Methods and results

In the present study, chicken protein and soy protein are fed to young weaning rats for 14 days based on the AIN‐93G diet formulation. The growth performance is recorded, and the morphology of the small intestine is analyzed to estimate the absorptive capacity. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing is applied to analyze the cecal microbiota. The chicken protein‐based diet (CHPD) enhances growth performance and absorptive capacity in young rats compared to the soy protein‐based diet (SPD). The CHPD maintains higher levels of Lactobacillus species, associated with glutathione synthesis.

Conclusion

The CHPD seems favorable for young growing rats in relation to growth performance and absorptive capacity, correlated with changes in the composition and functional potential of the gut microbiota.
A fidelity‐embedded learning for metal artifact reduction in dental CBCT
Authors: Park Hyoung Suk , Seo Jin Keun , Hyun Chang Min , Lee Sung Min , Jeon Kiwan
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Dental cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been increasingly used for dental and maxillofacial imaging. However, the presence of metallic inserts, such as implants, crowns, and dental braces, violates the CT model assumption, which leads to severe metal artifacts in the reconstructed CBCT image, resulting in the degradation of diagnostic performance. In this study, we used deep learning to reduce metal artifacts.

Methods

The metal artifacts, appearing as streaks and shadows, are nonlocal and highly associated with various factors, including the geometry of metallic inserts, energy‐dependent attenuation, and energy spectrum of the incident X‐ray beam, making it difficult to learn their complicated structures directly. To provide a step‐by‐step environment in which deep learning can be trained, we propose an iterative learning approach in which the network at each iteration step learns the correction error caused by the previous network, while enforcing the data fidelity in the projection domain. To generate a realistic paired training dataset, metal‐free CBCT scans were collected from patients without metallic inserts, and then simulated metal projection data were added to generate the corresponding metal‐corrupted projection data.

Results

The feasibility of the proposed method was investigated in clinical metal‐affected CBCT scans, as well as simulated metal‐affected CBCT scans. The results show that the proposed method significantly reduces metal artifacts while preserving the morphological structures near metallic objects and outperforms direct image domain learning.

Conclusion

The proposed fidelity‐embedded learning can effectively reduce metal artifacts in dental CBCT compared with direct image domain learning.
Approximations for the distribution of perpetuities with small discount rates
Authors: Blanchet Jose , Glynn Peter
Published: May 2022

Perpetuities (i.e., random variables of the form play an important role in many application settings. We develop approximations for the distribution of when the “accumulated short rate process”, , is small. We provide: (1) characterizations for the distribution of when and are driven by Markov processes; (2) general sufficient conditions under which weak convergence results can be derived for , and (3) Edgeworth expansions for the distribution of in the iid case and the case in which is a Levy process and the interest rate is a function of an ergodic Markov process.
Pyrolysis of bottle‐grade polyethylene terephthalate: Effect of carrier gases on carriage of pyrolysis products
Authors: Atashi Farid , Gholizadeh Mortaza , Ataei Farshad
Published: May 2022

The production of widely‐used bottle‐grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is now considered an environmental problem on a global scale. The urgent need for renewable energy reveals the necessity of employing thermochemical recycling methods. The use of a carrier gas is among the parameters affecting the pyrolysis process, for it is responsible for carrying pyrolysis products to separate condensable products. In this study, PET granules were pyrolyzed at 500°C with three carrier gases: N2, He, and Ar. According to the results, using a gas with lower molecular weights increased the production of gaseous products (30.94%). However, using a gas with higher molecular weights led to the production of further char (20.2%) associated with the increased reforming reaction rate and hydrogen production in the gaseous phase. The presence of different carrier gases changed tar composition and aromatics; therefore, the highest acid benzoic level was detected in the nitrogen atmosphere. Evaluating the thermal stability of wax and char indicated that the weight loss of char was larger in nitrogen (44.8 wt%) than in the other two carrier gases. However, there were further heavy oxygenated components in wax under the helium and nitrogen atmospheres. Those components degraded more difficultly.
Thermal Stability of L12‐Modified Al2.5Cu0.5Ti Particles in Al Matrix
Authors: Yadav Manasi Shrikrishna , Watanabe Yoshimi , Sato Hisashi
Published: May 2022

Herein, the thermal stability of two morphologically differently shaped L12‐modified Al2.5Cu0.5Ti intermetallic compound particles in the same Al matrix is studied by heating the Al–Al2.5Cu0.5Ti refiner fabricated by spark plasma sintering. Studying the thermal stability of two morphologically differently shaped L12‐modified Al2.5Cu0.5Ti intermetallic compound particles in the same Al matrix allows us to control the external experimental factors for both particles at the same time. This gives better results for comparative studies. The result shows that the heat treatment conditions and the different morphology of the L12‐modified Al2.5Cu0.5Ti particles can affect the thermal stability of Al2.5Cu0.5Ti particles in the Al matrix. In addition, the effect of heat treatment on the hardness behavior is evaluated with the Vickers microhardness test. The result shows the variation in hardness with increased heating time.
Standard and reference‐based conditional mean imputation
Authors: Wolbers Marcel , Noci Alessandro , Delmar Paul , Gower‐Page Craig , Yiu Sean , Bartlett Jonathan W.
Published: May 2022

Clinical trials with longitudinal outcomes typically include missing data due to missed assessments or structural missingness of outcomes after intercurrent events handled with a hypothetical strategy. Approaches based on Bayesian random multiple imputation and Rubin's rules for pooling results across multiple imputed data sets are increasingly used in order to align the analysis of these trials with the targeted estimand. We propose and justify deterministic conditional mean imputation combined with the jackknife for inference as an alternative approach. The method is applicable to imputations under a missing‐at‐random assumption as well as for reference‐based imputation approaches. In an application and a simulation study, we demonstrate that it provides consistent treatment effect estimates with the Bayesian approach and reliable frequentist inference with accurate standard error estimation and type I error control. A further advantage of the method is that it does not rely on random sampling and is therefore replicable and unaffected by Monte Carlo error.
Vagus nerve stimulated by microbiota‐derived hydrogen sulfide mediates the regulation of berberine on microglia in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion rats
Authors: Ni Sai‐jia , Yao Zeng‐Ying , Wei Xiaotong , Heng Xia , Qu Shu‐Yue , Zhao Xin , Qi Yi‐Yu , Ge Ping‐Yuan , Xu Cai‐Ping , Yang Nian‐Yun , Cao Yi , Zhu Hua‐Xu , Guo Rui , Zhang Qi‐Chun
Published: May 2022

Amelioration of neuroinflammation via modulating microglia is a promising approach for cerebral ischemia therapy. The aim of the present study was to explore gut–brain axis signals in berberine‐modulating microglia polarization following cerebral ischemia. The potential pathway was determined through analyzing the activation of the vagus nerve, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) metabolism, and cysteine persulfides of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptor. The cerebral microenvironment feature was explored with a metabolomics assay. The data indicated that berberine ameliorated behavioral deficiency in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion rats through modulating microglia polarization and neuroinflammation depending on microbiota. Enhanced vagus nerve activity following berberine treatment was blocked by antibiotic cocktails, capsazepine, or sodium molybdate, respectively. Berberine‐induced H2S production was responsible for vagus nerve stimulation achieved through assimilatory and dissimilatory sulfate reduction with increased synthetic enzymes. Sulfation of the TRPV1 receptor resulted in vagus nerve activation and promoted the c‐fos and ChAT in the nucleus tractus solitaries with berberine. Sphingolipid metabolism is the primary metabolic characteristic with berberine in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebral spinal fluid disrupted by antibiotics. Berberine, in conclusion, modulates microglia polarization in a microbiota‐dependent manner. H2S stimulates the vagus nerve through TRPV1 is responsible for the berberine‐induced gut–brain axis signal transmission. Sphingolipid metabolism might mediate the neuroinflammation amelioration following vagus afferent fiber activation.
Probability forecasts of ice accretion on wind turbines derived from multiphysics and neighbourhood ensembles
Authors: Strauss Lukas , Serafin Stefano , Dorninger Manfred
Published: May 2022

This study explores the potential of a multiphysics regional ensemble prediction system to improve forecasts of wind turbine icing, examining several error‐representation schemes to capture the forecasting uncertainties of the icing process. An 11‐member multiphysics ensemble based on the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is run for two winter periods over Europe. Regional verification of surface variables shows that parametrization diversity makes the multiphysics ensemble less underdispersive compared with the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) global ensemble, without deteriorating the overall forecast accuracy significantly, in particular at forecast ranges below 36 hr. Probability forecasts of active ice growth in the day‐ahead time range (12–36 hr) are derived for two wind farms on hilly terrain in Central Europe and their skill is assessed in terms of relative operating characteristics, reliability, and potential economic value (PEV). Probability forecasts enhance the maximum PEV significantly, but the improvement of the multiphysics ensemble seems modest compared with a simple neighbourhood ensemble approach. Icing forecasts are affected by a considerable degree of overconfidence, meaning that forecast probabilities cannot be used at face value, but require calibration for users to draw benefit from them. The multiphysics ensemble fares slightly better in this regard; however, results point to persistent ensemble underdispersiveness and yet underrepresented forecast uncertainty. Overall, findings show that a large portion of the gain in skill through the use of probabilistic icing forecasts is obtained with a computationally cheap neighbourhood method, a technique easily accessible to forecast users without complex ensemble prediction systems.
Cooperative multigroup multicast beamforming for cache‐enabled ultra‐dense low earth orbit satellite constellation networks
Authors: Tong Jianfei , Wang Cheng , Zhao Xiaoyan , Cui Gaofeng , Wang Weidong
Published: May 2022

The ultra‐dense low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation (UD‐LSC) networks are expected to be incorporated in future wireless networks, particularly 6G networks, to provide global wireless access with enhanced data rates. This paper investigates the downlink multigroup multicast transmission for UD‐LSC networks, in which LEO satellites provide the multicast service for ground users with full frequency reuse. Moreover, in‐network caching, as a key enabling technology of information‐centric networking, is brought into UD‐LSC networks to achieve both bandwidths saving and delay reduction. However, the multicast capacity is constrained by the signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) of bottleneck users in each multicast group. Besides, the high‐speed movement of LEO satellites makes cache placement and updating more challenging than ground networks with immobile base stations. To track these problems, we first propose a cache‐enabled multi‐satellite cooperation framework and formulate the multicast transmission problem and the content caching problem. Then, to reduce the average content delivery delay (CDD) of ground users, we propose a cooperative multicast beamforming and transmission‐aware dynamic caching (CMB‐TDC) algorithm based on the sample average approach and successive convex approximation. Simulation results show that the proposed CMB‐TDC algorithm can improve the multicast capacity, and then the average CDD is reduced for UD‐LSC networks.
The Advancement of Gas‐Generating Nanoplatforms in Biomedical Fields: Current Frontiers and Future Perspectives
Authors: Yan Jiahui , Wang Yanan , Song Xinyu , Yan Xuefeng , Zhao Yi , Yu Liangmin , He Zhiyu
Published: May 2022

Diverse gases (NO, CO, H2S, H2, etc.) have been widely applied in the medical intervention of various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, ischemia‐reperfusion injury, bacterial infection, etc., attributing to their inherent biomedical activities. Although many gases have many biomedical activities, their clinical use is still limited due to the rapid and free diffusion behavior of these gases molecules, which may cause potential side effects and/or ineffective treatment. Gas‐generating nanoplatforms (GGNs) are effective strategies to address the aforementioned challenges of gas therapy by preventing gas production or release at nonspecific sites, enhancing GGNs accumulation at targeted sites, and controlling gas release in response to exogenous (UV, NIR, US, etc.) or endogenous (H2O2, GSH, pH, etc.) stimuli at the lesion site, further maintaining gas concentration within the effective range and achieving the purpose of disease treatment. This review comprehensively summarizes the advancements of “state‐of‐the‐art” GGNs in the recent three years, with emphasis on the composition, structure, preparation process, and gas release mechanism of the nanocarriers. Furthermore, the therapeutic effects and limitations of GGNs in preclinical studies using cell/animal models are discussed. Overall, this review enlightens the further development of this field and promotes the clinical transformation of gas therapy.
Optical Chemical Sensing of Iodide Ions: A Comprehensive Review for the Synthetic Strategies of Iodide Sensing Probes, Challenges, and Future Aspects
Authors: Mansha Muhammad , Akram Khan Safyan , Aziz Md. Abdul , Zeeshan Khan Abdul , Ali Shahid , Khan Majad
Published: May 2022

Among several anions, iodide (I−) ions play a crucial role in human biological activities. In it's molecular form (I2), iodine is utilized for several industrial applications such as syntheses of medicines, fabric dyes, food additives, solar cell electrolytes, catalysts, and agrochemicals. The excess or deficiency of I− ions in the human body and environmental samples have certain consequences. Therefore, the selective and sensitive detection of I− ions in the human body and environment is vital for monitoring their overall profile. Amongst various analytical techniques for the estimation of I− ions, optical–chemical sensing possesses the merits of high sensitivity, selectivity, and utilizing the least amount of sensing materials. The distinctive aims of this manuscript are (i) To comprehensively review the development of optical chemical sensors (fluorescent & colorimetric) reported between 2001–2021 using organic fluorescent molecules, supramolecular materials, conjugated polymers, and metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs). (ii) To illustrate the design and synthetic strategies to create specific binding and high affinity of I− ions which could help minimize negative consequences associated with its large size and high polarizability. (iii) The challenges associated with sensitivity and selectivity of I− ions in aqueous and real samples. The probable future aspects concerning the optical chemical detection of I− ions have also been discussed in detail.
Model Predictive Current Control for the Grid‐Connecting Three‐Level NPC Inverters Based on an Effective Harmonic Extraction Method Under a Low‐Switching Frequency
Authors: Hou Wenbao , Tan Guojun , Li Delu
Published: May 2022

Current control of the grid‐connecting inverters usually has an important influence on the control performance especially when the inverters operate at a low‐switching frequency for it would result in a severe harmonic distortion in the output current components. To improve the current control performance, a novel model predictive current control (MPCC) strategy based on an effective harmonic extraction method was present for a high‐power three‐level NPC inverter in this paper. First, an effective amplitudes extraction method called generalized sliding discrete Fourier transform (GSDFT) was designed for the fundamental and low‐order harmonic current components, and which would be taken as a part of the cost function for the MPCC besides the consideration of switch losses and neutral point potential balancing issues. Experimental results verify that this kind of novel control strategy not only has a characteristic similar with the selective harmonic elimination, also could realize a nice current control performance even the switching frequency is low than 500 Hz as well as a neutral point potential balancing. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Isoliquiritigenin ameliorates advanced glycation end‐products toxicity on renal proximal tubular epithelial cells
Authors: Lin Chin‐Yi , Lin Yu‐Cheng , Paul Catherine Reena , Hsieh Dennis Jine‐Yuan , Day Cecilia Hsuan , Chen Ray‐Jade , Kuo Chia‐Hua , Ho Tsung‐Jung , Shibu Marthandam Asokan , Lai Chin‐Hu , Shih Tzu‐Ching , Kuo Wei‐Wen , Huang Chih‐Yang
Published: May 2022

Diabetic nephropathy is a serious chronic complication affecting at least 25% of diabetic patients. Hyperglycemia associated advanced glycation end‐products (AGEs) increase tubular epithelial‐myofibroblast transdifferentiation (TEMT) and extracellular matrix synthesis and thereby causes renal fibrosis. The chalcone isoliquiritigenin, found in many herbs of Glycyrrhiza family, is known for potential health‐promoting effects. However, their effects on AGE‐associated renal proximal tubular fibrosis are not known yet. In this study, the effect of isoliquiritigenin on AGE‐induced renal proximal tubular fibrosis was determined in cultured HK‐2 cell line. The results show that 200 μg/mL of AGE‐induced TEMT and the formed myofibroblasts synthesized collagen to increase extracellular matrix formation thereby lead to renal tubular fibrosis. However, treatment with 200 nM of isoliquiritigenin considerably inhibited the TEMT and suppressed the TGFβ/STAT3 mechanism to inhibit collagen secretion. Therefore, isoliquiritigenin effectively suppressed AGE‐induced renal tubular fibrosis.
Removal of color and COD from textile dyeing effluent by adsorption technique using montmorillonite clay
Authors: Dasalukunte Ananda Kiran , Suresh Akshay Kumar
Published: May 2022

The study involves the removal of color and COD from textile dyeing effluents using the method of adsorption. Montmorillonite clay is used as an adsorbent. The surface area of the adsorbent is increased using acid treatment techniques with Para Toluene Sulfonic Acid (PTSA) and Phenol Di‐Sulfonic Acid (PDSA) solutions. In addition, the dosage of adsorbent for maximum removal of color and COD, the effect of contact time on adsorption, and the treatment cost of montmorillonite clay with PTSA and PDSA were determined. From the results, the surface area of montmorillonite clay increased from 30 to 119 m2/g and 246 m2/g upon treating it with PTSA and PDSA solutions, respectively. Raw montmorillonite clay was able to adsorb 89% of acid dye with a dosage of 1.8 g/100 ml and 93% of basic dye with a dosage of 1.0 g/100 ml for a dye having an initial concentration of 2000 mg/L. With an increase in the surface area of modified montmorillonite clay, it was able to adsorb about 95% of acid dye with a dosage of 1.2 g/100 ml and 96% of basic dye with a dosage of 0.5 g/100 ml. Concerning Acid Blue1 dye, about 86%, 90%, and 93% of the dye were adsorbed in the initial 2 min for raw montmorillonite clay, modified montmorillonite clay treated with PTSA, and PDSA solution, respectively. In the case of Basic Yellow2 dye, about 86% of the dye was adsorbed in the initial 2 min for raw montmorillonite clay and the clay treated with PTSA solution, whereas about 96% of the dye was adsorbed onto clay treated with PDSA. Regarding Basic Violet1, about 98%, 96%, and 99% of the dye were adsorbed in the initial 2 min for raw montmorillonite clay, clay treated with PTSA, and clay treated with PDSA solution, respectively. The cost of treatment of clay with PTSA and PDSA solutions is found to be Rs. 1.70/g or 0.023 $ per gram and Rs. 6.6/g or 0.089 $ per gram of clay, respectively. Therefore, considering the cost of treatment, clay treated with PTSA is preferred over clay treated with PDSA solution.
Latex bag contrast system for the diagnosis of oesophageal and rectal strictures in two cats
Authors: Kuo Chia‐Chi , Lin Yi‐Hsuan , Hu Ji‐Yu , Yeh Lih‐Seng
Published: May 2022

A common problem we often encounter during traditional contrast radiography is that contrast media are not adequately retained in the target region, especially during oesophagography and proctography. Patients with oesophageal disorders often have dysphagia or regurgitation, which increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia. Stercoroma in patients with rectal disease often prevents clinicians from obtaining good‐quality proctography for diagnosis. In the present case report, we introduce a novel contrast diagnostic system that has been used to diagnose oesophageal and rectal strictures. Latex bags (commercial latex condoms) are thin with good elasticity, producing a delicate interface for contrast filling, thereby providing better image quality. The watertight design of the latex bag system facilitates the retrieval of contrast media after radiographic examination. Furthermore, it significantly decreases the risk of aspiration pneumonia during the diagnostic process.
The legacy of Jaime Lerner and Curitiba, Brazil
Authors: Bleviss Deborah L.
Published: May 2022

More than 30 years have passed since Curitiba, Brazil, and Jaime Lerner, the three‐time mayor of the city, first became famous for the innovations that were implemented there, many environmental in focus. The most famous of these was the creation of a highly used and efficient public transportation system based on buses. Many have sought to emulate elements of the innovation put in place in that city. In recent years, however, both the country and the city have been beset by political scandals, economic malaise, and social problems, which have adversely affected many of these innovations. As a result, some question whether Curitiba remains relevant today as a model for the rest of the world. This perspective will examine the legacy of Lerner and Curitiba. Focusing on the public transportation system, it will make the case that the innovative principles underlying the original design of the public transportation system remain as relevant today for Curitiba and cities globally as they were then. These principles are design of an efficient and hierarchical public transportation system that takes its users from their first mile of commute to their last mile; construction of an urban infrastructure that supports and enhances use of public transportation; establishment of an effective public–private partnership where the private sector owns, operates and upgrades the vehicles while the public sector plans and oversees the system; and creation of a metropolitan governance strategy when the needs for public transportation go beyond city borders.

This article is categorized under:

Cities and Transportation > Transit Systems

Cities and Transportation > Urban Planning

Climate and Environment > Net Zero Planning and Decarbonization
Prairie dogs, cattle subsidies and alternative prey: seasonal and spatial variation in coyote diet in a temperate grassland
Authors: Lingle Susan , Breiter C‐Jae , Schowalter David B. , Wilmshurst John F.
Published: May 2022

As the dominant predator on North America's grasslands, coyotes Canis latrans have a large influence on biodiversity, both on working ranches and in protected parks. Ground squirrel (sciurid) species and livestock carrion are often abundant on grasslands worldwide and have the potential to influence a predator's consumption of alternative prey. We collected 1321 scats in four seasons over two years in and adjacent to Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, to test the hypothesis that seasonal and spatial variation in consumption of sciurid prey and cattle Bos taurus carrion influenced coyote consumption of alternative prey. Sciurid (black‐tailed prairie dog Cynomys ludovicianus and Richardson's ground squirrel Urocitellus richardsonii) remains were common from spring to fall and had a strong inverse relationship with deer (mule deer Odocoileus hemionus and white‐tailed deer O. virginianus), which were most common in winter scats. Cattle remains were most common during spring, fall and winter, and occurred in 10.6% of scats annually. Biomass estimates suggest that cattle was the highest ranked food on cattle grazing land year‐round, and the 2nd ranked food, after deer, during winter on the portion of the park from which cattle were excluded. Closer proximity of scats to a prairie dog colony increased the likelihood of prairie dog remains throughout the year and reduced the likelihood of cattle remains in scats from spring to fall, but not during winter. Individual differences in foraging and ranging behavior may explain the spatial distribution of prairie dog versus cattle in scats. Further work is needed to determine whether sciurid prey, deer, or livestock carrion support large predator populations on grassland habitats to a level that may negatively affect coexisting prey species, including species at risk.
Interaction between a screw dislocation and an elliptical hole or rigid inclusion by using the angular basis function
Authors: Chen Jeng‐Tzong , Lee Jia‐Wei , Kao Shing‐Kai , Tai Wei‐Chen
Published: May 2022

The complex‐valued fundamental solution ln(z) can be decomposed into the radial basis function (RBF) and the angular basis function (ABF). In this paper, not only the RBF but also the ABF are employed to solve the problem of interaction between a screw dislocation and an elliptical hole or rigid inclusion. The problem is decomposed into a free field with a screw dislocation and a boundary value problem subject to a specific boundary condition. The boundary value problem is solved by using the RBF and the boundary integral equation. Since the geometric shape is an ellipse, the degenerate kernel is expanded to a series form under the elliptic coordinates, while the unknown boundary densities are expanded to Fourier series. By combining the degenerate kernel and the null‐field integral equation, the boundary value problem can be easily solved. Finally, two examples are demonstrated to verify the validity of the present approach.
Der Realität auf die Sprünge helfen. Zum Kontingenzdilemma im Kontext von popularisierten Praktiken digitaler Selbstvermessung von Gesundheitsdaten
Authors: Achatz Johannes , Selke Stefan
Published: May 2022

Kontingenz beschreibt was weder vollständig determiniert noch rein zufällig ist. Individuelle Kontingenz bezeichnet die Schwierigkeit, in einer sich wandelnden und technisch komplexer werdenden Welt feste Koordinaten zur Bestimmung des eigenen Handelns zu finden. Digitale Selbstvermessung dient dabei als Technik der individuellen Kontingenzreduktion. Die als feste Daten erfahrenen Ergebnisse digitaler Selbstvermessung entlasten von der Schwierigkeit der selbsttätigen Orientierung und Handlungsplanung, führen aber in ein Dilemma: Der Einsatz technisch komplexer und oft auch vernetzter digitaler Selbstvermessungsanwendungen kann individuelle Kontingenz reduzieren. Die verbreitete Anwendung unverstandener Technik führt jedoch zu einer Zunahme (überindividueller) lebensweltlicher Kontingenz – die Welt wird insgesamt technisch komplexer und undurchsichtiger. Dieses Kontingenzdilemma im Kontext von popularisierten Praktiken digitaler Selbstvermessung von Gesundheitsdaten wird einer Mehrebenen-Analyse unterzogen. Im Fokus steht die Situation vulnerabler SelbstvermesserInnen, die anhand qualitativer Einzel-, Gruppen- und ExpertInneninterviews, konventionstheoretischen Rahmenbedingungen und pragmatischer Handlungstheorie auf pathologische Effekte und mögliche Lösungswege hin untersucht werden.﻿
Picturing Food. Zum Verhältnis von situativer Health Literacy und subjektiver Selbstinszenierung auf Instagram
Authors: Reichert Ramón , Cappel Valeska , Kappler Karolin
Published: May 2022

Die globale Verbreitung sozial geteilter Bildinhalte und die konzernorientierte Ausrichtung von Online-Plattformen, Messenger-Diensten und Sozialen Medien haben den Stellenwert der Ernährungskultur weitreichend verändert. Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht das Ernährungshandeln und das Ernährungsverhalten in online vernetzten Kommunikationsräumen unter anderem vor dem Hintergrund einer gesundheitssoziologischen Wissensintervention. Dabei liegt ein besonderes Augenmerk auf der Gegenüberstellung zweier Perspektiven der Bildkommunikation von Nahrungsmitteln. Aus einer medientheoretischen Perspektive bildet ein subjektorientierter Ansatz einen gängigen Ausgangspunkt, da er die Bildkommunikation von Nahrungsmitteln anhand neuer Medien, wie Instagram, untersuchen soll. Da sich in diesem Kontext allerdings zeigt, dass die situative Ausgestaltung der Bildkommunikation an Relevanz gewinnt, soll diesem Ansatz eine zweite Perspektive erweiternd gegenübergestellt werden, die beleuchtet, welche Bildkommunikation überhaupt für alle Beteiligten, warum an Relevanz gewinnen kann. Dazu soll der subjektzentrierten Perspektive die der EC gegenübergestellt werden, die von einem zugrunde liegenden Situationalismus ausgeht. Im ersten Ansatz, dem sich auch Pierre Bourdieus Habitustheorie zuordnen lässt, ist Wissen an Gruppen oder Personen gebunden. Im zweiten Ansatz der EC wird die Gültigkeit von Wissen und die Wertigkeit von Personen, Objekten und Kommunikation hingegen immer an die Situation gebunden. Ziel dieser spezifischen situations- und konventionenbezogenen Sichtweise soll es sein, die Perspektive der Medientheorie dahingehend zu erweitern, dass insbesondere auch die Pluralität der Anwendung von Medien und der Gültigkeit ihrer Inhalte situativ und bei der gleichen Person erklärt werden kann.

Im Beitrag wird schließlich aufgezeigt, dass die technisch-medialen Dispositive der Online-Plattform Instagram auch dazu beitragen, dass sich Konventionen dauerhaft fixieren können. In diesem Sinne bildet das mediale Dispositiv soziale Konventionen aus, die auf situative Erfahrungen einwirken und diese prägen. Es sind nicht die situativen Erfahrungen der beteiligten Anwender, die das mediale Dispositiv individualisieren, sondern die technisch-medialen Dispositive generieren eine neue Erfahrbarkeit von situativen Erfahrungen, die als grundsätzlich medialisiert wahrgenommen werden.
Algebra of diffeomorphism-invariant observables in Jackiw-Teitelboim gravity
Authors: Harlow Daniel , Wu Jie-qiang
Published: May 2022

Abstract

In this paper we use the covariant Peierls bracket to compute the algebra of a sizable number of diffeomorphism-invariant observables in classical Jackiw-Teitelboim gravity coupled to fairly arbitrary matter. We then show that many recent results, including the construction of traversable wormholes, the existence of a family of SL(2, ℝ) algebras acting on the matter fields, and the calculation of the scrambling time, can be recast as simple consequences of this algebra. We also use it to clarify the question of when the creation of an excitation deep in the bulk increases or decreases the boundary energy, which is of crucial importance for the “typical state” versions of the firewall paradox. Unlike the “Schwarzian” or “boundary particle” formalism, our techniques involve no unphysical degrees of freedom and naturally generalize to higher dimensions. We do a few higher-dimensional calculations to illustrate this, which indicate that the results we obtain in JT gravity are fairly robust.