bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanical Valves for On‐Board Flow Control of Inflatable Robots
Authors: Jin Lishuai , Forte Antonio Elia , Bertoldi Katia
Published: September 2021

Inflatable robots are becoming increasingly popular, especially in applications where safe interactions are a priority. However, designing multifunctional robots that can operate with a single pressure input is challenging. A potential solution is to couple inflatables with passive valves that can harness the flow characteristics to create functionality. In this study, simple, easy to fabricate, lightweight, and inexpensive mechanical valves are presented that harness viscous flow and snapping arch principles. The mechanical valves can be fully integrated on‐board, enabling the control of the incoming airflow to realize multifunctional robots that operate with a single pressure input, with no need for electronic components, cables, or wires. By means of three robotic demos and guided by a numerical model, the capabilities of the valves are demonstrated and optimal input profiles are identified to achieve prescribed functionalities. The study enriches the array of available mechanical valves for inflatable robots and enables new strategies to realize multifunctional robots with on‐board flow control.
Ocular Delivery of Predatory Bacteria with Cryomicroneedles Against Eye Infection
Authors: Cui Mingyue , Zheng Mengjia , Wiraja Christian , Chew Sharon Wan Ting , Mishra Arti , Mayandi Venkatesh , Lakshminarayanan Rajamani , Xu Chenjie
Published: September 2021

The development of potent antibiotic alternatives with rapid bactericidal properties is of great importance in addressing the current antibiotic crisis. One representative example is the topical delivery of predatory bacteria to treat ocular bacterial infections. However, there is a lack of suitable methods for the delivery of predatory bacteria into ocular tissue. This work introduces cryomicroneedles (cryoMN) for the ocular delivery of predatory Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus (B. bacteriovorus) bacteria. The cryoMN patches are prepared by freezing B. bacteriovorus containing a cryoprotectant medium in a microneedle template. The viability of B. bacteriovorus in cryoMNs remains above 80% as found in long‐term storage studies, and they successfully impede the growth of gram‐negative bacteria in vitro or in a rodent eye infection model. The infection is significantly relieved by nearly six times through 2.5 days of treatment without substantial effects on the cornea thickness and morphology. This approach represents the safe and efficient delivery of new class of antimicrobial armamentarium to otherwise impermeable ocular surface and opens up new avenues for the treatment of ocular surface disorders.
Mammary Tumor Organoid Culture in Non‐Adhesive Alginate for Luminal Mechanics and High‐Throughput Drug Screening
Authors: Fang Guocheng , Lu Hongxu , Rodriguez de la Fuente Laura , Law Andrew M. K. , Lin Gungun , Jin Dayong , Gallego‐Ortega David
Published: September 2021

Mammary tumor organoids have become a promising in vitro model for drug screening and personalized medicine. However, the dependency on the basement membrane extract (BME) as the growth matrices limits their comprehensive application. In this work, mouse mammary tumor organoids are established by encapsulating tumor pieces in non‐adhesive alginate. High‐throughput generation of organoids in alginate microbeads is achieved utilizing microfluidic droplet technology. Tumor pieces within the alginate microbeads developed both luminal‐ and solid‐like structures and displayed a high similarity to the original fresh tumor in cellular phenotypes and lineages. The mechanical forces of the luminal organoids in the alginate capsules are analyzed with the theory of the thick‐wall pressure vessel (TWPV) model. The luminal pressure of the organoids increase with the lumen growth and can reach 2 kPa after two weeks’ culture. Finally, the mammary tumor organoids are treated with doxorubicin and latrunculin A to evaluate their application as a drug screening platform. It is found that the drug response is related to the luminal size and pressures of organoids. This high‐throughput culture for mammary tumor organoids may present a promising tool for preclinical drug target validation and personalized medicine.
A Framework of Paracellular Transport via Nanoparticles‐Induced Endothelial Leakiness
Authors: Lee Myeongsang , Ni Nengyi , Tang Huayuan , Li Yuhuan , Wei Wei , Kakinen Aleksandr , Wan Xulin , Davis Thomas P. , Song Yang , Leong David Tai , Ding Feng , Ke Pu Chun
Published: September 2021

Nanomaterial‐induced endothelial leakiness (NanoEL) is an interfacial phenomenon denoting the paracellular transport of nanoparticles that is pertinent to nanotoxicology, nanomedicine and biomedical engineering. While the NanoEL phenomenon is complementary to the enhanced permeability and retention effect in terms of their common applicability to delineating the permeability and behavior of nanoparticles in tumoral environments, these two effects significantly differ in scope, origin, and manifestation. In the current study, the descriptors are fully examined of the NanoEL phenomenon elicited by generic citrate‐coated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of changing size and concentration, from microscopic gap formation and actin reorganization down to molecular signaling pathways and nanoscale interactions of AuNPs with VE‐cadherin and its intra/extracellular cofactors. Employing synergistic in silico methodologies, for the first time the molecular and statistical mechanics of cadherin pair disruption, especially in response to AuNPs of the smallest size and highest concentration are revealed. This study marks a major advancement toward establishing a comprehensive NanoEL framework for complementing the understanding of the transcytotic pathway and for guiding the design and application of future nanomedicines harnessing the myriad functions of the mammalian vasculature.
Development and Applications of Double Diels‐Alder Reaction in Organic Synthesis
Authors: Mali Ghanshyam , Chauhan Amar Nath Singh , Chavan Kailas Arjun , Erande Rohan D.
Published: September 2021

The class of Double Diels‐Alder (DDA) reactions leading the targets concisely where numerous synthetic pursuits have been rewarded with conceptually novel and streamlined methods. After the tremendous development and discoveries in various Diels‐Alder reactions including its key role applications in many natural products syntheses, the DDA reaction is considered as a growing branch of Diels‐Alder reaction where two consecutive [4+2] cycloadditions trigger the streamlined construction of polycyclic and macrocyclic architectures. In light of the ever‐increasing importance of DDA reactions in chemical sciences, we review the comprehensive studies and recent advances in DDA reactions in organic synthesis. This review summarizes key achievements of DDA for the preparation of macrocyclic, bicyclic, heterocyclic, and polycyclic structures documented since its revelation in 1980 to 2020. Emphasis is put on the synthesis of various structural classes based on the selectivity of the DDA reaction.
A Catalyst/Oxidant/Base Free Benzylic Csp3−H Alkoxylation of toluidines via Electro‐oxidative Csp3−O‐Coupling with Alcohols
Authors: Chowdhury Sushobhan , Pandey Shubham
Published: September 2021

Functionalization of Csp3−H bond meets various challenges owing to their well‐known inertness. The task becomes even more challenging for carbon‐heteroatom coupling e. g., Csp3−O coupling. Herein we report an electrochemical approach for the direct regioselctive cross‐dehydrogenative hetero‐coupling of benzylic Csp3−H bonds of toluidines with alcohols at room temperature under external catalyst, oxidant and base‐free condition. The developed protocol utilizes benzylic substrates as the limiting reagent for the site‐selective coupling and demonstrates wide substrate scope with respect to both the coupling partners synthesizing corresponding benzylic ethers in moderate to excellent yields.
Diagnostic and prognostic plasma biomarkers for preclinical Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Chatterjee Pratishtha , Pedrini Steve , Ashton Nicholas J. , Tegg Michelle , Goozee Kathryn , Singh Abhay K. , Karikari Thomas K. , Simrén Joel , Vanmechelen Eugeen , Armstrong Nicola J. , Hone Eugene , Asih Prita R. , Taddei Kevin , Doré Vincent , Villemagne Victor L. , Sohrabi Hamid R. , Zetterberg Henrik , Masters Colin L. , Blennow Kaj , Martins Ralph N.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

This study involved a parallel comparison of the diagnostic and longitudinal monitoring potential of plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), total tau (t‐tau), phosphorylated tau (p‐tau181 and p‐tau231), and neurofilament light (NFL) in preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

Plasma proteins were measured using Simoa assays in cognitively unimpaired older adults (CU), with either absence (Aβ−) or presence (Aβ+) of brain amyloidosis.

Results

Plasma GFAP, t‐tau, p‐tau181, and p‐tau231 concentrations were higher in Aβ+ CU compared with Aβ− CU cross‐sectionally. GFAP had the highest effect size and area under the curve (AUC) in differentiating between Aβ+ and Aβ− CU; however, no statistically significant differences were observed between the AUCs of GFAP, p‐tau181, and p‐tau231, but all were significantly higher than the AUC of NFL, and the AUC of GFAP was higher than the AUC of t‐tau. The combination of a base model (BM), comprising the AD risk factors, age, sex, and apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) ε4 status with GFAP was observed to have a higher AUC (>90%) compared with the combination of BM with any of the other proteins investigated in the current study. Longitudinal analyses showed increased GFAP and p‐tau181 in Aβ+ CU and increased NFL in Aβ− CU, over a 12‐month duration. GFAP, p‐tau181, p‐tau231, and NFL showed significant correlations with cognition, whereas no significant correlations were observed with hippocampal volume.

Discussion

These findings highlight the diagnostic and longitudinal monitoring potential of GFAP and p‐tau for preclinical AD.
Asymmetric Synthesis of 2,2‐Difluorotetrahydrofurans through Palladium‐Catalyzed Formal [3+2] Cycloaddition
Authors: Liu Jun , Yu Longhui , Zheng Changwu , Zhao Gang
Published: September 2021

The asymmetric synthesis of 2,2‐difluorinated tetrahydrofurans was accomplished via enantioselective formal [3+2] cycloaddition catalyzed by palladium. The asymmetric reaction between gem‐difluoroalkenes and racemic vinyl epoxides or vinylethylene carbonates resulted in the formation of enantioenriched 2,2‐difluorotetrahydrofurans with an enantioselectivity up to 98 %. Notably, the reaction used the readily available (R)‐BINAP as the ligand at a low loading and yielded a wide variety of difluorinated products in moderate to high yields. Both chiral diastereomers could be obtained in a single sequence.
Chemical vapor deposition graphene transfer onto asymmetric PMMA support
Authors: Vivas Vinícius Henrique , Flores Marcelo Costa , Jesus Wander Pereira , Ferlauto André Santarosa , Da Cunha Thiago Henrique Rodrigues , De Souza Figueiredo Katia Cecília
Published: September 2021

Graphene is a promising material for membrane applications. However, the graphene production with large specific area and good structural quality is a challenge. Therefore, the production and characterization of composite membranes with graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) over a porous polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) substrate was investigated. The experimental strategy consisted in applying CVD‐graphene on a PMMA surface using PMMA‐assisted graphene wet transfer. The proposed methodology resulted in large‐area membranes with 2 cm diameter. The samples were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, indicating the presence of graphene in good quality and relative structural integrity. The analysis by scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of a microporous support with an asymmetric structure. The gas permeation measurements of graphene/PMMA membranes showed a permeability reduction of 81.9% for CO2 and 83.7% for N2. The contribution of PMMA to flow resistance was 2% and 11% for CO2 and N2, respectively, and the contribution of graphene was 98% and 89% for CO2 and N2. Therefore, this research presents a potential advance in transferring graphene to porous support, and the impermeability process of membranes composed of graphene/PMMA, a fundamental step for the development of graphene membranes before the production of controlled‐sized pores.
New Insights into Structural Evolution of LiNiO2 Revealed by Operando Neutron Diffraction
Authors: Chien Po‐Hsiu , Wu Xianyang , Song Bohang , Yang Zhijie , Waters Crystal K. , Everett Michelle S. , Lin Feng , Du Zhijia , Liu Jue
Published: September 2021

LiNiO2 (LNO) represents the end member in the compositional space of the LiNi1‐x‐yMnxCoyO2 (as x and y approach zero) cathode system. Despite its high theoretical specific capacity (275 mAh/g), LNO suffers from phase transitions with large volume change and unfavorable reactions upon electrochemical cycling, which restricts its practical use in the application of lithium‐ion batteries. While the contributing factor to the structural instability is commonly linked to the undesired volume collapse associated with the H2‐H3 phase transition, detailed analysis of structural evolution following the entire route of phase transitions (H1‐M‐H2‐H3) in real time under battery operating conditions remains a challenging task. In this work, we employ operando neutron diffraction to study the structural changes (crystal lattice, Li/Ni−O bond length, O−Ni−O bond angles, and LiO2/NiO2 layer thickness) of LNO cathode in a home‐built LixNiO2||graphite full cell during Li+ de‐/intercalation. In particular, the anomalous increase(decrease) of Ni−O(Li−O) bond length at high SOC (>∼85 %) in the H3 phase is discussed in the context of O2− (2p)→Ni4+(3d) negative charge transfer.
Raman spectroscopy as a process analytical technology to investigate biopharmaceutical freeze concentration processes
Authors: Weber Dennis , Hubbuch Jürgen
Published: September 2021

Freezing processes are a well‐established unit operation in the biopharmaceutical industry to increase the shelf‐life of protein‐based drugs. While freezing reduces degradation reaction rates, it may also exert stresses such as freeze concentration. Macroscopic freeze concentration in large‐scale freezing processes has been described thoroughly by examination of frozen bulk material, but the transient process leading to such freeze concentration profiles has not been monitored yet for biopharmaceutical solutions. In this study, Raman spectroscopy as a process analytical technology is demonstrated for model formulations containing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) in varying concentrations of sucrose and buffer salts. Therefore, a Raman probe was immersed into a bulk volume at different heights, monitoring the freeze concentration in the liquid phase during the freezing processes. Partial least square regression models were used to quantitatively discriminate between the protein and excipients simultaneously. The freeze concentration profiles were dependend on freezing temperature and formulation with freeze concentrations up to 2.4‐fold. Convection currents at the bottom of the freezing container were observed with a maximum height of 1 mm. Furthermore, freeze concentration was correlated with the sucrose concentration in a formulation. Analysis of the freeze concentration slope indicated diffusion from the bottom to the top of the container. In summary, Raman spectroscopy is a valuable tool for process validation of freeze concentration simulations and to overcome scale‐dependent challenges.
Predictors of survival rate in patients with pancreatic cancer: A multi‐center analytical study in Iran
Authors: Bahardoust Mansour , Abyazi Mohammad Ali , Emami Sayed Ali , Ghadimi Parmida , Khodabandeh Mehrdad , Mahmoudi Farhad , Hosseinzadeh Ramin , Heiat Mohammad , Agah Shahram
Published: September 2021

Background

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is among the deadliest cancers of the gastrointestinal tract worldwide and a growing global health concern.

Aim

This study was aimed to evaluate the survival rate and prognostic factors of survival in patients with PC.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, the records of 556 patients with PC registered in the hospital cancer registration system from September 2007 to September 2020 were evaluated. In this regard, demographic data, tumor characteristics, received treatments, and patients' final status were analyzed. Kaplan–Meier and Cox's regression were used for univariate and multivariate analyses, respectively.

Results

The 5‐year survival rate was found to be 4.3%. The median survival time was 12.4 ± 6.6 months. Univariate analysis showed that age, BMI (kg/m2), blood transfusions, differentiation, tumor stage, tumor size, number of involved lymph nodes, lymph node ratio (LNR), and type of treatment received were significantly associated with patient survival (p < .05). Multivariate Cox regression indicated that the age ≥60 years [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03–1.49], BMI <18 (kg/m2; HR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.13–2.14), poor differentiation (HR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.75–2.49), tumor size >2.5 cm (HR = 4.61, 95% CI = 3.30–6.78), metastasis presence (HR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.49–2.60), more than two involved lymph nodes (HR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.31–1.77), LNR <0.2 (HR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.36–0.77), and adjuvant therapy with surgery and chemotherapy (HR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.28–0.61) are the most important prognostic factors of survival in patients with PC (p < .05).

Conclusions

This study showed that the survival rate of patients with pancreatic cancer varies based on the characteristics of the tumor and the type of treatment received.
Device‐centric data reordering and buffer management for mobile Internet using Multipath Transmission Control Protocol
Authors: Kumar Vimal , Tyagi Neeraj
Published: September 2021

Today's smart mobile devices (SMDs) are equipped with multiple interfaces, powerful processors, and workable battery power. Such SMDs are making future networks truly heterogeneous. In such future mobile networks, there is an opportunity to utilize the SMD's interfaces concurrently. There are challenges in the implementation of this idea, because regular TCP does not support path aggregation, multihoming, and full‐mesh networking. The multipath TCP (MPTCP) is a power set of TCP extensions that provide the subflows on each SMD's interface. The MPTCP runs over the existing infrastructure of the TCP by using TCP options field, without compromising the normal TCP functions. An end‐to‐end data scheduling and data reordering are important issues in such mobile Internet across multiple subflows of MPTCP. In this paper, we proposed the mechanisms for multipath scheduling, device‐centric data reordering, and buffer management to achieve concurrent utilization of SMD's LTE and Wi‐Fi interfaces for video stream applications on mobile Internet. We modeled the approaches for multipath scheduling and reordering to ensure the improved utilization of SMD's interfaces and decrease the buffer usage. The proposed approaches consider the outstanding data bytes and latency of each MPTCP subflow. The proposed approaches are tested on a MPTCP‐supported testbed, and captured data are analyzed in terms of gross throughput, buffer usage, end‐to‐end performance, and path utilization of subflows on SMD's LTE and Wi‐Fi interfaces. The performance is evaluated and compared with related state‐of‐the‐art approaches, and significant improvement is observed.
Diel timing of nest predation changes across breeding season in a subtropical shorebird
Authors: Sládeček Martin , Brynychová Kateřina , Elhassan Esmat , Šálek Miroslav E. , Janatová Veronika , Vozabulová Eva , Chajma Petr , Firlová Veronika , Pešková Lucie , Almuhery Aisha , Bulla Martin
Published: September 2021

Predation is the most common cause of nest failure in birds. While nest predation is relatively well studied in general, our knowledge is unevenly distributed across the globe and taxa, with, for example, limited information on shorebirds breeding in subtropics. Importantly, we know fairly little about the timing of predation within a day. Here, we followed 444 nests of the red‐wattled lapwing (Vanellus indicus), a ground‐nesting shorebird, for a sum of 7,828 days to estimate a nest predation rate, and continuously monitored 230 of these nests for a sum of 2,779 days to reveal how the timing of predation changes over the day and season in a subtropical desert. We found that 312 nests (70%) hatched, 76 nests (17%) were predated, 23 (5%) failed for other reasons, and 33 (7%) had an unknown fate. Daily predation rate was 0.95% (95%CrI: 0.76% – 1.19%), which for a 30‐day long incubation period translates into ~25% (20% – 30%) chance of nest being predated. Such a predation rate is low compared to most other avian species. Predation events (N = 25) were evenly distributed across day and night, with a tendency for increased predation around sunrise, and evenly distributed also across the season, although night predation was more common later in the season, perhaps because predators reduce their activity during daylight to avoid extreme heat. Indeed, nests were never predated when midday ground temperatures exceeded 45℃. Whether the diel activity pattern of resident predators undeniably changes across the breeding season and whether the described predation patterns hold for other populations, species, and geographical regions await future investigations.
Age is not just a number—Mathematical model suggests senescence affects how fish populations respond to different fishing regimes
Authors: Ahti Pauliina A. , Uusi‐Heikkilä Silva , Marjomäki Timo J. , Kuparinen Anna
Published: September 2021

Senescence is often described as an age‐dependent increase in natural mortality (known as actuarial senescence) and an age‐dependent decrease in fecundity (known as reproductive senescence), and its role in nature is still poorly understood. Based on empirical estimates of reproductive and actuarial senescence, we used mathematical simulations to explore how senescence affects the population dynamics ofCoregonus albula, a small, schooling salmonid fish. Using an empirically based eco‐evolutionary model, we investigated how the presence or absence of senescence affects the eco‐evolutionary dynamics of a fish population during pristine, intensive harvest, and recovery phases. Our simulation results showed that the presence or absence of senescence affected how the population responded to the selection regime. At an individual level, gillnetting caused a larger decline in asymptotic length when senescence was present, compared to the nonsenescent population, and the opposite occurred when fishing was done by trawling. This change was accompanied by evolution toward younger age at maturity. At the population level, the change in biomass and number of fish in response to different fishery size‐selection patterns depended on the presence or absence of senescence. Since most life‐history and fisheries models ignore senescence, they may be over‐estimating reproductive capacity and under‐estimating natural mortality. Our results highlight the need to understand the combined effects of life‐history characters such as senescence and fisheries selection regime to ensure the successful management of our natural resources.
Transgenerational effects of parent plant competition on offspring development in contrasting conditions
Authors: Waterman Robin , Sultan Sonia E.
Published: September 2021

Conditions during a parent’s lifetime can induce phenotypic changes in offspring, providing a potentially important source of variation in natural populations. Yet, to date, biotic factors have seldom been tested as sources of transgenerational effects in plants. In a greenhouse experiment with the generalist annualPolygonum persicaria, we tested for effects of parental competition on offspring by growing isogenic parent plants either individually or in competitive arrays and comparing their seedling progeny in contrasting growth environments. Offspring of competing vs. non‐competing parents showed significantly altered development, resulting in greater biomass and total leaf area, but only when growing in neighbor or simulated canopy shade, rather than sunny dry conditions. A follow‐up experiment in which parent plants instead competed in dry soil found that offspring in dry soil had slightly reduced growth, both with and without competitors. In neither experiment were effects of parental competition explained by changes in seed provisioning, suggesting a more complex mode of regulatory inheritance. We hypothesize that parental competition in moist soil (i.e., primarily for light) confers specific developmental effects that are beneficial for light‐limited offspring, while parental competition in dry soil (i.e., primarily for belowground resources) produces offspring of slightly lower overall quality. Together, these results indicate that competitive conditions during the parental generation can contribute significantly to offspring variation, but these transgenerational effects will depend on the abiotic resources available to both parents and progeny.
Predator complementarity dampens variability of phytoplankton biomass in a diversity‐stability trophic cascade
Authors: Rakowski Chase J. , Farrior Caroline E. , Manning Schonna R. , Leibold Mathew A.
Published: September 2021

Trophic cascades – indirect effects of predators that propagate down through food webs – have been extensively documented in many ecosystem types. It has also been shown that predator diversity can mediate these trophic cascades and, separately, that herbivore biomass can influence the stability of primary producers. However, whether predator diversity can cause cascading effects on the stability of lower trophic levels has not yet been studied. We conducted a laboratory microcosm experiment and a field mesocosm experiment manipulating the presence and coexistence of two heteropteran predators and measuring their effects on zooplankton herbivores and phytoplankton basal resources. We predicted that if the predators partitioned their zooplankton prey, for example by size, then the co‐presence of the predators would reduce zooplankton prey mass and lead to (1) increased biomass of, and (2) decreased temporal variability of phytoplankton basal resources. We present evidence that the predators partitioned their zooplankton prey, leading to a synergistic suppression of zooplankton. In turn, this enhanced zooplankton suppression led to only a weak, non‐significant increase in the central tendency of phytoplankton biomass, but significantly reduced its variability. Our results demonstrate that predator diversity may indirectly stabilize basal resource biomass via a “diversity‐stability trophic cascade,” seemingly dependent on predator complementarity, even when there is no significant classic trophic cascade altering the central tendency of biomass. Therefore predator diversity, especially if correlated with diversity of prey use, could play a role in regulating ecosystem stability. This link between predator diversity and producer stability has implications for conservation and for potential biological control methods to improve crop yield reliability.
Experimental Investigation of the Collective Impact of Electric Current and Ambient Temperature on the Thermal and Electrical Parameters of Lithium Iron Phosphate Cells
Authors: Naik Indraneel , Nandgaonkar Milankumar
Published: September 2021

The performance of a lithium‐ion battery depends on the collective impact of discharge current and ambient temperature. Herein, three aspects of such impact are investigated. The first is the relationship between the thermal parameters. At 0 ºC ambient temperature and 1 C discharge rate, the heat generation rate initially increases to more than 50 kW m−3 and then dips by almost 20% due to a consequent rise in battery temperature. The second aspect is the relationship between the thermal and the electrical parameters. The steep rise in battery temperature at low ambient temperatures lifts up the voltage and improves the electrical performance more than expected. The third aspect is the collective impact of ambient temperature and electric current on the battery performance. At 0 °C ambient temperature, an increase in current from 1 to 1.5 C increases the temperature rise rate by more than two. This increases the battery capacity by at least 6% compared with that at a 1 C rate. The investigation results are expected to improve the understanding of the collective impact of current and ambient temperature on battery performance and provide a guideline for developing an optimized thermal management system.
Direct AMPK Activation Corrects NASH in Rodents Through Metabolic Effects and Direct Action on Inflammation and Fibrogenesis
Authors: Gluais‐Dagorn Pascale , Foretz Marc , Steinberg Gregory R. , Batchuluun Battsetseg , Zawistowska‐Deniziak Anna , Lambooij Joost M. , Guigas Bruno , Carling David , Monternier Pierre‐Axel , Moller David E. , Bolze Sebastien , Hallakou‐Bozec Sophie
Published: September 2021

No approved therapies are available for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a central regulator of cell metabolism; its activation has been suggested as a therapeutic approach to NASH. Here we aimed to fully characterize the potential for direct AMPK activation in preclinical models and to determine mechanisms that could contribute to efficacy for this disease. A novel small‐molecule direct AMPK activator, PXL770, was used. Enzyme activity was measured with recombinant complexes. De novo lipogenesis (DNL) was quantitated in vivo and in mouse and human primary hepatocytes. Metabolic efficacy was assessed in ob/ob and high‐fat diet–fed mice. Liver histology, biochemical measures, and immune cell profiling were assessed in diet‐induced NASH mice. Direct effects on inflammation and fibrogenesis were assessed using primary mouse and human hepatic stellate cells, mouse adipose tissue explants, and human immune cells. PXL770 directly activated AMPK in vitro and reduced DNL in primary hepatocytes. In rodent models with metabolic syndrome, PXL770 improved glycemia, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. In mice with NASH, PXL770 reduced hepatic steatosis, ballooning, inflammation, and fibrogenesis. PXL770 exhibited direct inhibitory effects on pro‐inflammatory cytokine production and activation of primary hepatic stellate cells. Conclusion: In rodent models, direct activation of AMPK is sufficient to produce improvements in all core components of NASH and to ameliorate related hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and systemic inflammation. Novel properties of direct AMPK activation were also unveiled: improved insulin resistance and direct suppression of inflammation and fibrogenesis. Given effects also documented in human cells (reduced DNL, suppression of inflammation and stellate cell activation), these studies support the potential for direct AMPK activation to effectively treat patients with NASH.
Prognostic ability of five clinical risk scores in follicular lymphoma: A single‐center evaluation
Authors: Mozas Pablo , Rivero Andrea , Rivas‐Delgado Alfredo , Correa Juan Gonzalo , Condom Maria , Nadeu Ferran , Giné Eva , Delgado Julio , Villamor Neus , Campo Elías , Magnano Laura , López‐Guillermo Armando
Published: September 2021

With the intention of identifying follicular lymphoma (FL) patients at higher risk of progression, early relapse (POD24), histological transformation (HT) or death, multiple risk scores (RS) have been proposed. However, it has not yet been established whether any of them globally outperforms the others. We evaluated the clinical utility and statistical performance of the five most widely used clinical scores (IPI, ILI, FLIPI, FLIPI2, PRIMA‐PI) in a single‐center series of 414 grade 1‐3A FL patients diagnosed in the rituximab era. Overall concordance (proportion of patients allocated to the same risk category by all five RS) was 24%. FLIPI and FLIPI2 were predictive of time to first treatment. All five scores were predictive of response, POD24, progression‐free, and OS, while only FLIPI predicted HT. IPI identified a small subset (7%) of truly high‐risk patients (10‐year OS of 16%). In subgroup analyses, we showed that ILI is useful in the prognostication of limited‐disease patients, and PRIMA‐PI is an age‐independent score that can identify a high‐risk subset of older patients. Performance metrics were slightly better for IPI in terms of calibration (Harrell's c‐index 0.73), without major differences among RS regarding other parameters. Although the incorporation of molecular and imaging data will continue to refine the stratification of FL patients, FLIPI remains the most powerful clinical prognostic index in the rituximab era, predicting the greatest number of endpoints.
The dark side of leader–member exchange: Observers' reactions when leaders target their teammates for abuse
Authors: Hu Jia (Jasmine) , Zheng Xiaoming , Tepper Benett J. , Li Ning , Liu Xin , Yu Jia
Published: September 2021

We draw on deonance theory and social learning theory to propose a framework that explains how individual team members with varying levels of leader–member exchange (LMX) with their team leader have different emotional and behavioral responses upon observing teammate‐directed abusive supervision. After employing a social relations paradigm with two‐wave round‐robin data collected from a sample of 378 engineers on 89 work teams, we did not find that witnessing teammate‐targeted abusive supervision increased sympathy for the targeted teammates, but we did find that observers with a higher level of LMX were more likely to legitimize such abuse and less likely to sympathize with its victims. Furthermore, we found that for individuals with a higher level of LMX, perceiving leaders' abusive supervision of teammates was negatively related to providing help to those teammates through the mediating role of sympathy for the teammates.
Distinct types of amyloid‐β oligomers displaying diverse neurotoxicity mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Madhu Priyanka , Mukhopadhyay Samrat
Published: September 2021

Soluble oligomers of amyloid‐β (Aβ) are recognized as key pernicious species in Alzheimer's disease (AD) that cause synaptic dysfunction and memory impairments. Numerous studies have identified various types of Aβ oligomers having heterogeneous peptide length, size distribution, structure, appearance, and toxicity. Here, we review the characteristics of soluble Aβ oligomers based on their morphology, size, and structural reactivity toward the conformation‐specific antibodies and then describe their formation, localization, and cellular effects in AD brains, in vivo and in vitro. We also summarize the mechanistic pathways by which these soluble Aβ oligomers cause proteasomal impairment, calcium dyshomeostasis, inhibition of long‐term potentiation, apoptosis, mitochondrial damage, and cognitive decline. These cellular events include three distinct molecular mechanisms: (i) high‐affinity binding with the receptors for Aβ oligomers such as N‐methyl‐
d‐aspartate receptors, cellular prion protein, nerve growth factor, insulin receptors, and frizzled receptors; (ii) the interaction of Aβ oligomers with the lipid membranes; (iii) intraneuronal accumulation of Aβ by α7‐nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, apolipoprotein E, and receptor for advanced glycation end products. These studies indicate that there is a pressing need to carefully examine the role of size, appearance, and the conformation of oligomers in identifying the specific mechanism of neurotoxicity that may uncover potential targets for designing AD therapeutics.
A new approach to determine the absolute photodissociation cross section of molecules in a cell
Authors: Lin Yen‐Hsiu , Lin Jim Jr‐Min
Published: September 2021

We demonstrate a method to determine the absolute value of the photodissociation cross section of a molecule of interest in a cell without knowing its absolute concentration. The target molecule can be either stable or unstable species. Proof‐of‐principle experiments have been demonstrated for the UV cross sections of CH2I2 and NO2. The relative concentrations of the target molecule were measured by monitoring its time‐resolved UV–visible absorption spectra with a high‐speed CMOS‐camera spectrometer before and after its photodissociation by a pulsed 248‐ or 352‐nm excimer laser beam. The absolute value of the photodissociation cross section can be deduced from the used laser fluence. The inhomogeneity of the photolysis laser beam has been found to be the major source of systematic error. However, this effect can be corrected by performing a calibration experiment on a molecule of which the photodissociation cross section is known. In some cases, post‐photolysis reactions may affect the measurements. If the kinetics of the post‐photolysis reactions is known, it is feasible to estimate their effect and retrieve the correct value of the photodissociation cross section. To our best knowledge, this is the first demonstration of such a method.
Expression regulation of chitin‐binding protein and metal‐binding peptide in new Bacillus velezensis: MALDI‐TOF MS/MS analysis
Authors: Etemadzadeh Shekoofeh S. , Emtiazi Giti
Published: September 2021

Metallothionein and metal‐binding peptides are small cysteine‐rich proteins produced by different organisms in stress conditions. In this study, the metal‐binding peptide was detected in extracellular proteins of a new Bacillus velezensis strain, isolated from metal contaminated soil, and grown on the lead‐enriched medium, for the first time. The presence of sulfide peptide was assayed by two simple tests (lead sulfide and Ellman's reagent test) for preliminary, and subsequently confirmed using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at media with different lead concentrations that the low‐molecular‐weight protein fragments (≈10 kDa) were observed while none were detected in the medium containing sodium chloride or calcium salt. The amino acids of the observed fragments were analyzed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS/MS). Also, the metal adsorption was confirmed using sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) by staining with chromium solution. The results showed that the putative sulfide peptide is metallothionein, which is induced in stress conditions. It was interesting that in all SDS profiles, one protein fragment (≈18 kDa) was inhibited in lead‐enriched media. The data from MALDI‐TOF MS/MS analysis showed that this fraction was a chitin‐binding protein whose production was regulated by metal contamination. It is anticipated that these two proteins regulate the toxicity of lead.
Influence of Juniper on Montezuma Quail Habitat Use in Texas
Authors: Stewart Kristyn G. , HernÁndez Fidel , Grahmann Eric D. , Wester DAvid B. , Perez Robert M. , Brennan Leonard A. , Perotto‐Baldivieso Humberto L.
Published: September 2021

Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) inhabit oak (Quercus spp.)‐juniper (Juniperus spp.) woodlands throughout Mexico and the southwestern United States. In Texas, USA, Montezuma quail occur in the Edwards Plateau and Trans‐Pecos Mountains and Basins (Trans‐Pecos), 2 ecoregions with contrasting juniper patterns. Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) dominates in the Edwards Plateau and has been increasing over decades, whereas alligator juniper (Juniperus deppeana) is a co‐dominant in the Trans‐Pecos and appears to have stable Montezuma quail populations. Our objectives were to compare between ecoregions the relative abundance and habitat use of Montezuma quail in relation to juniper and quantify the influence of juniper on key features of Montezuma quail habitat (grass height, grass cover, forb cover, and forb species richness). We conducted a study from March–August 2018‒2020 in the Edwards Plateau (Kinney and Edwards counties) and Trans‐Pecos ecoregions (Jeff Davis County) to evaluate these objectives. We conducted call‐back surveys to estimate relative abundance (number of detections/hr) of Montezuma quail and identify used locations. We collected vegetation data at a micro‐scale (16‐m) at used (n = 32–30 points) and random locations (n = 70–60 points) in each ecoregion. Relative abundance of Montezuma quail was considerably lower in the Edwards Plateau (0.06 ± 0.01 detections/survey hr; ± SE) than in the Trans‐Pecos (1.10 ± 0.30 detections/survey hr). In addition, Montezuma quail selected areas of low Ashe juniper cover (<23% cover), density (<7 trees/80 m2), and height (<2 m) in the Edwards Plateau but selected areas of high alligator juniper cover (>18% cover), density (>4 trees/80 m2), and height (2–8 m) in the Trans‐Pecos. Moreover, Ashe juniper cover had a significant, negative influence on herbaceous features, whereas alligator juniper exerted little to no influence. Our results suggest that these 2 juniper species have contrasting effects on Montezuma quail space use and their habitat, possibly as a result of the contrasting influence of these junipers on herbaceous understory. Creating habitat for Montezuma quail in the Edwards Plateau generally will involve the reduction of Ashe juniper and creating patches that possess juniper trees of small stature (<2 m) with low amounts of cover (<23%) and density (<7 trees/80 m2), whereas management in the Trans‐Pecos will require site‐specific assessments based on current alligator juniper influence. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Pain Management Following Otological Surgery: A Prospective Study of Different Strategies
Authors: Dahm Valerie , Lui Justin T. , Chen Joseph M. , Kiss Alex , Hamour Amr F. , Le Trung N. , Lin Vincent Y.
Published: September 2021

Objectives

The aim of this study was to prospectively assess pain and associated analgesic consumption after otological surgery comparing two prescription patterns.

Study Design

A prospective nonrandomized consecutive cohort study.

Methods

125 adult patients undergoing ambulatory otologic surgery‐cochlear implantation and endaural middle ear surgery, were assigned (according to surgeon's preference) and prospectively studied in two arms: 1) acetaminophen 500 mg + ibuprofen 400 mg; 2) acetaminophen 500 mg + codeine 30 mg. Pain levels, medication dose, disposal patterns of opioids, and suspected side effects were evaluated.

Results

All patients reported mild to moderate pain. There was a statistically significant reduction of pain from day to day, which was on average 0.26 lower than the day before. Sufficient pain control could be achieved with both drug regimens with no significant difference in pain levels. Only 50% of patients who were prescribed opioids used them. Additionally, the median tablet intake was 3 tablets while 10 to 20 tablets were prescribed. The majority of patients (97%) did not dispose of these drugs safely.

Conclusion

Adequate analgesia was achieved in both arms of this study. Pain control following otologic surgery with a combination of acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs is recommended unless contraindications or chronic opioid use are present. If opioids such as codeine (30 mg) are prescribed, the amount should be reduced as low as possible, such as five tablets, based on our studied population.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 132:204–211, 2022
Model Simulation of Creep and Thermal Ratcheting of Engineering Polymers
Authors: Spathis Gerasimos , Kontou Evagelia
Published: September 2021

In the present work, the creep response at specific temperatures and stress level of several polymers has been modeled by a viscoelastic model, analyzed in previous works. In particular, the experimental creep results under thermal cycling of polymers used in bolted flange connections, utilized as components of pressure vessel and piping are employed. The analysis is focused on the experimental results for polymeric flange materials like high density polyethylene and three types of gasket materials, namely poly‐tetrafluoroethylene PTFE (expanded e‐ and virgin v‐) and clickable nucleic acid. It has been proved that by the implementation of the model on a simple creep curve at a specific temperature, the model parameters could be evaluated. Hereafter, by imposing a thermal cycling process, two more parameters, associated with thermal ratcheting, could be acquired. It is found that the thermal ratcheting behavior exhibited by the employed materials, could be captured with a good accuracy. Given that the effect of thermal ratcheting on the long‐time performance of polymers in targeted applications is a crucial issue, the research findings in the present work are encouraging for the design of appropriate materials, and the prediction of thermal ratcheting.
Traveling waves for a four‐compartment lattice epidemic system with exposed class and standard incidence
Authors: Zhang Ran , Yu Xiaoqing
Published: September 2021

This paper is considering the problem of traveling wave solutions (TWS) for a susceptible‐exposed‐infectious‐recovered (SEIR) epidemic model with discrete diffusion. The threshold condition for the existence and nonexistence of TWS is obtained. More specifically, such kind of solutions are governed by the threshold number ℜ0. We can find a critical wave speed c∗ if ℜ0 > 1, by employing the Schauder's fixed point theorem, limiting argument and two‐sided Laplace transform, we confirm that there exists TWS for c > c∗, while there exists no TWS for c < c∗. We also obtain the nonexistence of TWS for ℜ0   ≤   1. At last, we give some biological explanations from the epidemiological perspective.
Synchronization of quaternion‐valued coupled systems with time‐varying coupling via event‐triggered impulsive control
Authors: Liu Yan , Lin Yutong
Published: September 2021

In this paper, the problem of exponential synchronization of quaternion‐valued coupled systems based on event‐triggered impulsive control is investigated for the first time. It should be pointed out that the coupling strength is quaternion‐valued and time‐varying, which makes our model more in line with practical models. First, we prove that event‐triggered impulsive control can exclude Zeno behavior. Then, based on the Lyapunov method and the graph theory, some sufficient conditions are derived to ensure that quaternion‐valued coupled systems reach synchronization. Furthermore, as an application of our theoretical results, exponential synchronization of quaternion‐valued Kuramoto oscillators is studied in detail and a synchronization criterion is presented. Finally, some numerical simulations are given to show the effectiveness of our theoretical results.
Predicting Polymer Properties via a Coupled Kinetic, Stochastic and Rheological Modeling Approach from Reaction Conditions
Authors: Zentel Kristina M. , Busch Markus
Published: September 2021

A three‐step multiscale modeling approach to predict and thus control polymer properties, such as flow behavior and linear as well as non‐linear rheology, based on polymerization conditions, is developed and applied for long‐chain branched low‐density polyethylene (LDPE). The approach consists of i) a deterministic kinetic model for the description of conversion and average polymer characteristics, ii) a hybrid stochastic Monte Carlo model for the description of the polymeric microstructure, and iii) a rheology model for the evaluation of polymer melt flow properties. The modeling approach is validated via high‐pressure miniplant LDPE samples with a special focus on long‐chain branching. In the next step, the modeling approach can be successfully transferred to a tubular reactor of industrial scale. Due to its universality the approach opens up possible applications for other polymer and also copolymer systems.