bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive separation of a wide variety of compounds from olive leaves by counter‐current chromatography with three‐phase solvent system
Authors: Jing Jun‐Xian , Sun Xiao , Wang Ning‐Li , Pei Dong , Di Duo‐Long , Huang Xin‐Yi
Published: March 2022

The three‐phase solvent system counter‐current chromatography has been of great research interest, because it can separate compounds with a wide range of polarity. The solvent system of n‐hexane/methyl tert‐butyl ether/acetonitrile/water (5:5:7:5, v/v) was used for counter‐current chromatographic comprehensive separation of olive leaves. The study adopted the normal elution mode. The middle phase and the lower phase (at a volume ratio of 7:3) were pumped into the column simultaneously, followed by eluting with the upper, middle, and lower phases in sequence. The retention rate of the stationary phase measured by the experiment was 73.5%. The upper phase was used to elute the nonpolar compounds, then the mobile phase was switched to the middle phase to elute the moderately hydrophobic compounds, finally, the polar compounds were eluted by the lower phase remaining in the chromatographic column. This method successfully separated eight compounds in one step within 270 min and five compounds were identified. The logP values of these five compounds were 7.44, 7.86, 4.16, −0.11, and 0.96, respectively, covering a wide range of polarities. The present study demonstrated that the three‐phase solvent has a strong extraction capacity for ingredients from extremely hydrophilic compounds to extremely hydrophobic compounds.
Sustainability transitions of contaminated sites: A global meta‐analysis on economic effects of remediation behaviour
Authors: Li Xiaonuo , Yi Shiyi , Cundy Andrew B. , Chen Weiping
Published: March 2022

The worldwide diversity of contaminated sites, coupled with a scarcity of available land presents a challenge for urban spatial planning and, has led to an increasing political significance for brownfield conservation and reuse to achieve land resource sustainability. In this study, economic or the so‐called ‘rebound effects’ of land regeneration are studied via a global meta‐analysis on value fluctuation of surrounding property. To this end, a total of 91 observations from 28 HPM (hedonic pricing model) studies were synthesized to conduct a meta‐analysis following a conditional random effects procedure. The empirical results indicate that, in line with expectations, the conservation and recycling of land resource indeed generate significant rebound in the implicit price of residential houses, especially for those located within 2 km of contaminated sites. Before land remediation and reuse, dwellings closest in distance to contaminated sites experience the greatest value loss. On average, the depreciation in property values within the first 1 km distance from a contaminated site is about 8.18%, significantly at the 1% level, while the corresponding adverse impact from 1 to 2 km distance is a 4.8% price premium significantly at the 5% level. The significance of the stigma or rebound effects depends on 12 attributes, in which, house age, location, floor area ratio (FAR), and central business district (CBD) variables have the largest impact of −37.38% to 37.5%. From a practical perspective, the findings of this meta‐analysis: (1) help refine contributing parameters in HPM studies to evaluate environmental economics; and (2) provide meaningful decision‐making support for cost‐effective remediation and benefit maximization.
Spatial heterogeneity of ecosystem services in response to landscape patterns under the Grain for Green Program: A case‐study in Kaihua County, China
Authors: Ma Shuai , Wang Liang‐Jie , Wang Hui‐Yong , Zhang Xiaomian , Jiang Jiang
Published: March 2022

Understanding the impact of landscape patterns on ecosystem services (ES) is crucial for the design and management of ecological restoration programs. However, the impacts of landscape configuration on ES from a geospatial perspective have not been studied sufficiently. This study analyzed the landscape composition and pattern changes and quantified the changes in water yield, carbon storage, soil retention, water purification, and habitat quality under the Grain for Green Program (GFGP) from 2000 to 2020 in Kaihua County. The responses of ES to landscape patterns were revealed by geographic detector and geographically weighted regression models. The results showed that landscape fragmentation and diversity increased, and forest landscape area and aggregation increased because of the GFGP implementation. Water yield declined with the decrease in the mean patch area of the landscape, while other ES improved due to the increase in Shannon's diversity index and largest patch index. The interspersion and juxtaposition of cropland and forest land played an important role in improving ES under the GFGP. In addition, some ES may be closely related to natural factors and connection to landscape patterns, such as soil retention and topography, water yield and precipitation, but this response to landscape pattern changes was captured due to the subjective nature of the GFGP. The results can provide scientific guidance for forest landscape restoration to better improve ES.
Study on the chemotherapeutic effect and mechanism of cucurbitacin E on laryngeal cancer stem cells
Authors: Jiang Xuelian , Ma Binjuan , Wei Xudong , Xu Xiaoyan , Cao Jiyan , Zhang Jingyue
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Study on the chemotherapeutic effect and mechanism of cucurbitacin E (CuE) on laryngeal cancer stem cells.

Methods

We used flow cytometry to sort out CD133+ laryngeal cancer stem cells; trypan blue rejection assay to detect the survival rate of laryngeal cancer stem cells; Cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay to detect the effect of CuE on the proliferation ability of stem cells and the chemotherapeutic potentiation of doxorubicin; Transwell assay to observe the effect of CuE on the migration ability of stem cells; and Western Blot to detect the effect of CuE on the expression level of stem cell‐associated proteins. The tumor volume of nude mice was measured at the end of the experiment, and paraffin sections of nude mice tumor tissues were prepared and stained with Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). The expression of c‐MYC in tumor tissues of nude mice was further detected by immunohistochemistry, and the effect of CuE on the expression level of related proteins in tumor tissues of nude mice was detected by Western Blot.

Results

CuE reduced the survival rate, proliferation ability, and migration ability of laryngeal cancer stem cells in vitro, and that CuE had a chemotherapeutic potentiating effect on doxorubicin. The possible mechanism of the chemotherapeutic effect of CuE was to reduce the expression of c‐MYC protein, and the possible mechanism of chemotherapy synergy was to reduce the expression of ABCG2 and P‐gp protein.

Conclusion

CuE has a chemotherapeutic effect on laryngeal cancer stem cells, as well as a chemotherapy synergy.
Polyarginine as a Simultaneous Antimicrobial, Immunomodulatory, and miRNA Delivery Agent within Polyanionic Hydrogel
Authors: Gribova Varvara , Petit Lauriane , Kocgozlu Leyla , Seguin Cendrine , Fournel Sylvie , Kichler Antoine , Vrana Nihal Engin , Lavalle Philippe
Published: March 2022

Implantation of biomedical devices is followed by immune response to the implant, as well as occasionally bacterial, yeast, and/or fungal infections. In this context, new implant materials and coatings that deal with medical device‐associated complications are required. Antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory materials are also required for wound healing applications, especially in diabetic patients with chronic wounds. In this work, hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels with triple activity: antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and miRNA delivery agent, are presented. It is demonstrated that polyarginine with a degree of polymerization of 30 (PAR30), which is previously shown to have a prolonged antibacterial activity, decreases inflammatory response of lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated macrophages. In addition, PAR30 accelerates fibroblast migration in macrophage/fibroblast coculture system, suggesting a positive effect on wound healing. Furthermore, PAR30 allows to load miRNA into HA hydrogels, and then to deliver them into the cells. To the authors knowledge, this study is the first describing miRNA‐loaded hydrogels with antibacterial effect and anti‐inflammatory features. Such system can become a tool for the treatment of infected wounds, e.g., diabetic ulcers, as well as for foreign body response modulation.
Enhanced corrosion and wear properties of H13 steel with Co‐based alloy coating prepared by laser cladding
Authors: Li Qian , Zhang Liang , Wang Qian , Zhang Guang Shun , Zhang Ya Long , Jin Hui , Zhang Jun Wei
Published: March 2022

In this study, Stellite 21 Co‐based alloy coating was prepared on the surface of the H13 steel substrate by laser cladding. The phase composition, microstructure, chemical constitution, microhardness, and wear property of the coating were studied, respectively. The corrosion resistance of the coating was evaluated by electrochemical test and salt spray test. The results show that the coating is mainly composed of γ‐Co, CoCx, and Cr7C3 phases. γ‐Co solid solution matrix separates within the dendrites, while Mo‐rich intermetallic phases and carbides separate in the interdendritic regions. The average microhardness of the coating is twice that of the H13 substrate. The wear loss of the coating is 74.3% lower than that of the substrate, exhibiting better wear resistance. The main strengthening mechanisms of the coating are solid solution strengthening and second phase strengthening. The self‐corrosion potential of the coating is more positive than that of the H13 steel and the corrosion current density is only 1/160 of the H13 steel. The salt spray test after 168 h reveals that the coating exhibits much better corrosion resistance than that of the substrate.
Molecular Simulation Study on Electronic Property and Thermal Conductivity of Graphyne/Polypyrrole Composite
Authors: Luo Min , Yin Qinjian , Jiang Bo , Zhou Ge
Published: March 2022

Graphyne is a new carbon material with excellent electrical conductivity. It is a research hotspot that using graphyne as polymer filler to enhance the thermal conductivity of composite materials. In this study, the structure, electronic properties, and thermal conductivity of graphyne (GY), polypyrrole (PPy), and graphyne/polypyrrole (GY/PPy) composite materials are studied using density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics simulation (MD), and nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulation (NEMD). It is found that graphyne with approximate aspect ratio has better electronic conductivity. The thermal conductivity of GY/PPy composites with different mass fractions is studied by NEMD. The results show that when 7‐GY‐2 is 20%, the thermal conductivity of GY/PPy composite is about 90% higher than that of pure PPy. In order to further study the interaction of GY/PPy, the electronic properties of the local configuration (GY‐PPy) of the composite are studied. The results show that the strong interaction between graphyne and polypyrrole improves the conductivity of GY‐PPy. This study provides some research ideas and theoretical exploration for improving the electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity of polymer doped with graphyne.
A forkhead transcription factor contributes to the regulatory differences of pathogenicity in closely related fungal pathogens
Authors: Ke Weixin , Xie Yuyan , Hu Yue , Ding Hao , Fan Xin , Huang Jingjing , Tian Xiuyun , Zhang Baokun , Xu Yingchun , Liu Xiao , Yang Ying , Wang Linqi
Published: March 2022

Cryptococcus neoformans and its sister species Cryptococcus deuterogattii are important human fungal pathogens. Despite their phylogenetically close relationship, these two Cryptococcus pathogens are greatly different in their clinical characteristics. However, the determinants underlying the regulatory differences of their pathogenicity remain largely unknown. Here, we show that the forkhead transcription factor Hcm1 promotes infection in C. neoformans but not in C. deuterogattii. Monitoring in vitro and in vivo fitness outcomes of multiple clinical isolates from the two pathogens indicates that Hcm1 mediates pathogenicity in C. neoformans through its key involvement in oxidative stress defense. By comparison, Hcm1 is not critical for antioxidation in C. deuterogattii. Furthermore, we identified SRX1, which encodes the antioxidant sulfiredoxin, as a conserved target of Hcm1 in two Cryptococcus pathogens. Like HCM1, SRX1 had a greater role in antioxidation in C. neoformans than in C. deuterogattii. Significantly, overexpression of SRX1 can largely rescue the defective pathogenicity caused by the absence of Hcm1 in C. neoformans. Conversely, Srx1 is dispensable for virulence in C. deuterogattii. Overall, our findings demonstrate that the difference in the contribution of the antioxidant sulfiredoxin to oxidative stress defense underlies the Hcm1‐mediated regulatory differences of pathogenicity in two closely related pathogens.
Cinnamaldehyde Regulates the Generation of γ‐aminobutyric Acid to Exert Sedation via Irreversible Inhibition of ENO1 in the Cerebellar Granular Layer
Authors: Ma Xiaoyao , Liu Kaixin , Han Yiman , Bai Yongping , Shen Fukui , Wang Mukuo , Wei Wei , Qin Jianfeng , Hao Erwei , Hou Xiaotao , Hou Yuanyuan , Bai Gang
Published: March 2022

Scope

Glutamate (Glu) and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) are the major excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters that control information flow in the brain. GABA dysfunction is a general vulnerability factor for mental illness. Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is found to have sedation in a mental illness model. However, the specific targets and molecular mechanisms related to the sedative effects of CA have not been elucidated.

Methods and Results

Metabolomics analysis and target fishing showed CA could increase the expression of GABA in vivo, and α‐enolase (ENO1) is the primary target protein of CA associated with sedation. CA mainly binds with ENO1 in the cerebellar granular layer of brain, which influences the first transformations of the input signals arriving in the cerebellar cortex. The α,β‐unsaturated aldehyde group of CA blocks the hydroxy group of Ser40, which induces a loss in ENO1 activation. CA also disturbs the glycolysis pathway and influences the tricarboxylic acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, which activate gluconeogenesis to provide energy to the brain. This mechanism is verified in zebrafish with ENO1 or glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) deficiency.

Conclusions

CA demonstrates sedation and alleviates GABA dysfunction via covalent binding ENO1, which shows the potential to improve the therapy of mental illness.
Demonstration of fast and equilibrium human muscle creatine CEST imaging at 3 T
Authors: Liu Zhou , Yang Qian , Luo Honghong , Luo Dehong , Qian Long , Liu Xin , Zheng Hairong , Sun Phillip Zhe , Wu Yin
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Creatine chemical exchange saturation transfer (CrCEST) MRI is used increasingly in muscle imaging. However, the CrCEST measurement depends on the RF saturation duration (Ts) and relaxation delay (Td), and it is challenging to compare the results of different scan parameters. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the quasi‐steady‐state (QUASS) CrCEST MRI on clinical 3T scanners.

Methods

T1 and CEST MRI scans of Ts/Td of 1 s/1 s and 2 s/2 s were obtained from a multi‐compartment creatine phantom and 5 healthy volunteers. The CrCEST effect was quantified with asymmetry analysis in the phantom, whereas 5‐pool Lorentzian fitting was applied to isolate creatine from phosphocreatine, amide proton transfer, combined magnetization transfer and nuclear Overhauser enhancement effects, and direct water saturation in four major muscle groups of the lower leg. The routine and QUASS CrCEST measurements were compared under two different imaging conditions. Paired Student's t‐test was performed with p‐values less than 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results

The phantom study showed a substantial influence of Ts/Td on the routine CrCEST quantification (p = 0.02), and such impact was mitigated with the QUASS algorithm (p = 0.20). The volunteer experiment showed that the routine CrCEST, amide proton transfer, and combined magnetization transfer and nuclear Overhauser enhancement effects increased significantly with Ts and Td (p < 0.05) and were significantly smaller than the corresponding QUASS indices (p < 0.01). In comparison, the QUASS CrCEST MRI showed little dependence on Ts and Td, indicating its robustness and accuracy.

Conclusion

The QUASS CrCEST MRI is feasible to provide fast and accurate muscle creatine imaging.
Nonprofit organization communication, crisis planning, and strategic responses to the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Fuller Ryan P. , Rice Ronald E.
Published: March 2022

Nonprofit organizations have somewhat different foci, contexts, and resources than typical for‐profit organizations, so may have experienced and responded to COVID‐19 in ways not covered in traditional corporate research. We investigate the influence of nonprofit organizations' communication support and use, crisis experience and preparation, and extent and impacts of COVID‐19 on their strategic responses to the crisis (from retrenchment to perseverance to innovation). Our study is a longitudinal panel survey conducted with 578 U.S. public charities, once before the pandemic and the other 6 months into it. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to characterize the sample, and hierarchical regressions to assess the influences on strategic responses to the COVID‐19 pandemic. A major finding is that communication with external stakeholders predicted organizations' abilities to maintain core activities (perseverance) during a crisis and to pivot (innovating) on mission delivery. Practical applications for nonprofit organizations are addressed, with particular attention to COVID‐19.
Longitudinal relationship of baseline functional brain networks with intentional weight loss in older adults
Authors: Burdette Jonathan H. , Bahrami Mohsen , Laurienti Paul J. , Simpson Sean L. , Nicklas Barbara J. , Fanning Jason , Rejeski W. Jack
Published: March 2022

Objective

The goal of this study was to determine whether the degree of weight loss after 6 months of a behavior‐based intervention is related to baseline connectivity within two functional networks (FNs) of interest, FN1 and FN2, in a group of older adults with obesity.

Methods

Baseline functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected following an overnight fast in 71 older adults with obesity involved in a weight‐loss intervention. Functional brain networks in a resting state and during a food‐cue task were analyzed using a mixed‐regression framework to examine the relationships between baseline networks and 6‐month change in weight.

Results

During the resting condition, the relationship of baseline brain functional connectivity and network clustering in FN1, which includes the visual cortex and sensorimotor areas, was significantly associated with 6‐month weight loss. During the food‐cue condition, 6‐month weight loss was significantly associated with the relationship between baseline brain connectivity and network global efficiency in FN2, which includes executive control, attention, and limbic regions.

Conclusion

These findings provide further insight into complex functional circuits in the brain related to successful weight loss and may ultimately aid in developing tailored behavior‐based treatment regimens that target specific brain circuitry.
Scoping the psychological support practices of Australian health professionals working with people with primary brain tumor and their families
Authors: Ownsworth Tamara , Lion Katarzyna , Sansom‐Daly Ursula M. , Pike Kerryn , Koh Eng‐Siew , Halkett Georgia K. B. , Pinkham Mark B. , Chan Raymond J. , Dhillon Haryana M. ,   for the BRAINS Program Investigators
Published: March 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to scope the psychological support practices of Australian health professionals providing supportive care to adults with primary brain tumor.

Method

Health professionals from multidisciplinary organizations and cancer support services completed an online survey focused on psychological support for people with brain tumor (PwBT) and family members, and perceived barriers or gaps in support provision.

Results

107 professionals, mainly from psychology (45%), nursing (20%), and social work (10%) backgrounds, completed the survey. Scope of practice differed according to discipline, with psychologists and nurses most likely to screen for psychological distress (71%–76%), and psychologists more typically providing at least one psychological support session (78%). Psychologists were more likely to screen for cognitive impairment (31%), whereas nurses and social workers more commonly provided family‐based support (62%–73%). Psychological support was more frequently provided in the long‐term management phase (78%) than early post‐diagnosis/treatment (45%). System‐level barriers to accessing psychological support were most frequently identified, which included limited resources and funding, insufficient staff time, lengthy waitlists and costs, poor service coordination, and lack of staff with brain tumor‐specific training.

Conclusions

The provision of psychological support for PwBT varies according to discipline, setting and management phase. Further research on different models of psychosocial care is needed to inform strategies to address organizational and policy factors impacting professionals' scope of practice.
The effects of thiamethoxam on coffee seedling morphophysiology and Neotropical leaf miner (Leucoptera coffeella) infestations
Authors: Leite Suzany A , Guedes Raul Narciso C , da Costa Daniela R , Colmenarez Yelitza C , Matsumoto Sylvana N , dos Santos Mateus P , Coelho Beatriz S , Moreira Aldenise A , Castellani Maria A
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is one of the main commodities produced in Brazil. Insecticides like the (systemic) neonicotinoid thiamethoxam are widely used to suppress pest populations during coffee production, in particular the Neotropical leaf miner (Leucoptera coffeella Guérin‐Mèneville & Perrottet, 1842) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae). In addition to its efficacy against this pest species, thiamethoxam is also thought to be a bioactivator of plant metabolism, but has not yet been tested for such activity. Thus, the objectives of the present study were (1) to assess the concentration‐response effects of thiamethoxam on the vegetative vigor of coffee seedlings (C. arabica ‘Catuaí 144’ cultivar) at different concentrations [2, 20, 40, 80 and 200 mg active ingredient (a.i.) kg−1] applied via soil drenching and (2) to evaluate if the plant response interferes with the effectiveness of thiamethoxam in controlling leaf miner populations. The morphophysiological traits of the coffee seedlings were evaluated 20, 40, 60 and 80 days after application, and leaf miner infestations were recorded starting 20 days after the insecticide application with the releasing of adults, and every 20 days afterwards.

RESULTS

The results indicated that thiamethoxam has a deleterious effect on the morphophysiological traits of the plants compromising their development with increase in concentrations. However, leaf area exhibited a different pattern with a peak at 50 mg a.i. kg−1 consistent with thiamethoxam‐induced hormesis (i.e. biphasic response with stimulatory effect at sublethal range of a toxic substance at the higher concentration). Nonetheless, such bioactivator effect did not affect thiamethoxan effectiveness against the leaf miner even at the lowest concentration tested.

CONCLUSION

Thiamethoxan exhibited bioactivation effect on leaf at low concentration, but without compromising efficacy against leaf miner populations. Therefore, its proposed metabolism‐boosting properties may encourage the unnecessary use of this insecticide, potentially leading to higher selection for insecticide resistance and an eventual decline in its effectiveness against the Neotropical leaf miner. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Reducing the spin‐up of a regional NWP system without data assimilation
Authors: Short Chris J. , Petch Jon
Published: March 2022

In both operational and research settings, kilometre‐scale regional numerical weather prediction (NWP) models are often initialised by interpolating analyses from a global modelling system on to the finer regional grid. When initialised in this way (known as a cold start), the first few hours of the forecast are characterised by a rapid growth of precipitation as the system develops convective‐scale structures. This is the well‐known spin‐up problem. Spin‐up effects limit the utility of cold‐start models for short‐range forecasting of severe weather events and model development activities. In this article, we present a method for reducing the spin‐up of regional NWP models, without data assimilation (DA). The basis of our method is periodically to insert large‐scale information from global model analyses into a continuously cycling regional model, thus updating the large scales whilst preserving fine‐scale structures. We refer to this as a warm start. Our method is tested in a regional model over Darwin, for a 10‐week period in the 2016/2017 wet season. It is shown that warm‐starting indeed reduces the spin‐up of precipitation significantly in the first 6–12 hr of the forecast compared with cold‐starting. Full objective verification against both radar and satellite observations reveals that precipitation forecast skill is also improved during this time. In addition, the large scales remain closer to global analyses (taken as a best guess of reality) than in a free‐running model in which the large scales are updated only via the lateral boundary conditions. Our warm‐start technique thus provides a considerable improvement on standard cold‐starting and could also be integrated into a regional modelling system with full convective‐scale DA as a means of reducing analysis errors on large scales.
Optimal periodic switching strategy for a two‐unit warm standby degradation system
Authors: Bai Senyang , Jia Xiang , Cheng Zhijun , Guo Bo , Zhao Qian
Published: March 2022

In the traditional switching policy of a standby system, the standby unit is switched to the normal operation state only after the active unit fails. In contrast, in satellite engineering, a new periodic switching strategy is used by technicians in the satellite gyroscope standby system. Due to the performance degradation of the gyroscope in the long‐term operation and standby process, satellites may fail on orbit. For this problem, an operation optimization model is established for a two‐unit warm standby degradation system considering the periodic switching strategy. First, the degradation process of the units is described by a multiphase Wiener process. Second, based on the first‐hitting time theory, the analytic expressions of reliability and mean time to failure (MTTF) of the degradation system are derived. Third, the optimal periodic switching interval is determined to maximize the system MTTF by using the particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO). Finally, a numerical example of a gyroscope warm standby subsystem is provided to validate the proposed model.
Marginal, conditional, and pseudo likelihood ratio approaches for biomarker combination to predict a binary disease outcome
Authors: Liu Danping , Han Yongli , Liu Aiyi
Published: March 2022

It is a common practice in public health research that multiple biomarkers are collected to diagnose or predict a disease outcome. A natural question is how to combine multiple biomarkers to improve the diagnostic accuracy. It has been shown by Neyman‐Pearson lemma that the likelihood ratio statistic achieves the optimal AUC in theory. However, practical difficulty often lies in the estimation of the multivariate density functions. We propose three novel methods for the biomarker combination, with the idea of breaking down the joint densities to a series of univariate densities. The marginal likelihood ratio approach only assumes the marginal distribution of each biomarker. While the conditional likelihood ratio (CLR) and pseudo likelihood ratio (PLR) approaches assume the conditional distributions of a marker given others, and hence make use of the correlation structure to estimate the combination rules. The proposed methods make it much easier to assume and validate the univariate distributions of a biomarker than making multivariate distributional assumptions. Extensive simulation studies demonstrate that the CLR and the PLR approaches outperform many existing methods, and are therefore recommended for practical use. The proposed methods are motivated by and applied to a biomarker study to diagnose childhood autism/autism spectrum disorder.
Mixed‐type multivariate response regression with covariance estimation
Authors: Ekvall Karl Oskar , Molstad Aaron J.
Published: March 2022

We propose a new method for multivariate response regression and covariance estimation when elements of the response vector are of mixed types, for example some continuous and some discrete. Our method is based on a model which assumes the observable mixed‐type response vector is connected to a latent multivariate normal response linear regression through a link function. We explore the properties of this model and show its parameters are identifiable under reasonable conditions. We impose no parametric restrictions on the covariance of the latent normal other than positive definiteness, thereby avoiding assumptions about unobservable variables which can be difficult to verify in practice. To accommodate this generality, we propose a novel algorithm for approximate maximum likelihood estimation that works “off‐the‐shelf” with many different combinations of response types, and which scales well in the dimension of the response vector. Our method typically gives better predictions and parameter estimates than fitting separate models for the different response types and allows for approximate likelihood ratio testing of relevant hypotheses such as independence of responses. The usefulness of the proposed method is illustrated in simulations; and one biomedical and one genomic data example.
Kreislaufwirtschaft im Stahl‐ und Metallleichtbau
Authors: Kuhnhenne Markus , Pyschny Dominik , Bartsch Helen , Richter Carl
Published: March 2022

Die Umsetzung der Prinzipien der Kreislaufwirtschaft im Bausektor hat großen Einfluss auf die globalen klimapolitischen Ziele und besitzt großes Potenzial, die Umweltauswirkungen der Herstellung von Bauprodukten und die Abhängigkeit von nicht erneuerbaren natürlichen Ressourcen zu reduzieren. Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über verschiedene Strategien zur Umsetzung von Nachhaltigkeit und Kreislaufwirtschaft im Allgemeinen und in Bezug auf das Bauwesen. Darüber hinaus werden verschiedene Beispiele und Initiativen beschrieben, die sich mit der Umsetzung dieser Strategien im Stahl‐ und Metallleichtbau beschäftigen. Insbesondere sind dies die Ressourceneffizienz, die Wiederverwendung sowie das Bauen im und mit dem Bestand.
High Performance Study of Lithium Carboxymethylcellulose as Water‐Soluble Binder for Lithium Supplementation in Lithium Batteries
Authors: Qiu Lei , Yang Wen , Hu XueBu , Li WenSheng
Published: March 2022

Using cotton and lithium ethoxide as raw materials, carboxymethyl cellulose lithium (CMC‐Li) is synthesized and obtained , and it is used as a water‐based binder in the negative electrode of lithium batteries. The synthesis method of a new type of CMC‐Li is mainly studied as a lithium battery negative material binder, and water is used as a dispersant to assemble a battery and the relevant electrochemical performance is tested. CMC‐Li as a lithium‐replenishing binder for lithium batteries has better electrochemical performance. It can reduce the internal resistance of the battery by about 10%, significantly improve the phenomenon of lithium precipitation, the redox peak is reduced by 50% to 0.20 V, and the impedance is also significantly improved, reducing by more than 50%. Under the same conditions, the cycle period can reach 2500 circles, the lifespan is increased by more than 20%, and the effect of lithium supplementation is obvious. It shows that CMC‐Li as a binder can greatly increase the content of lithium ions in the entire lithium battery, and improve the ion conductivity and ion conduction rate, which further verifies the advantages of lithium‐replenishing binders.
Empirische Ergebnisse
Authors: Lütters Stefanie
Published: March 2022

In Anschluss an die theoretische und empirische Auseinandersetzung wurde in den vorherigen Kapiteln der Wert politisch relevanter Netzwerke konzeptualisiert, Daten zu deren Messung erhoben und diese für die statistische Analyse aufbereitet. Auf dieser Grundlage werden nun die zentralen Annahmen dieser Untersuchung getestet, wobei bezugnehmend auf das einleitende Zitat von einem erweiterten Matthäus-Effekt ausgegangen wird. Wesentlich wird erwartet, dass die unterschiedliche Netzwerkeinbindung differenzieller Statusgruppen politische Beteiligungsunterschiede bedingt und sonach soziale Verzerrungen im politischen Sektor erklärt. Zur statistischen Überprüfung dieser Grundannahmen werden zunächst deskriptive Ergebnisse erörtert, die unter anderem als Ausgangspunkt für die nachfolgende hypothesentestende Untersuchung fungieren.
RG of GR from on-shell amplitudes
Authors: Baratella Pietro , Haslehner Dominik , Ruhdorfer Maximilian , Serra Javi , Weiler Andreas
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We study the renormalization group of generic effective field theories that include gravity. We follow the on-shell amplitude approach, which provides a simple and efficient method to extract anomalous dimensions avoiding complications from gauge redundancies. As an invaluable tool we introduce a modified helicity $$ \tilde{h} $$

h
˜

under which gravitons carry one unit instead of two. With this modified helicity we easily explain old and uncover new non-renormalization theorems for theories including gravitons. We provide complete results for the one-loop gravitational renormalization of a generic minimally coupled gauge theory with scalars and fermions and all orders in MPl, as well as for the renormalization of dimension-six operators including at least one graviton, all up to four external particles.
NNLO positivity bounds on chiral perturbation theory for a general number of flavours
Authors: Alvarez Benjamin , Bijnens Johan , Sjö Mattias
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We present positivity bounds, derived from the principles of analyticity, unitarity and crossing symmetry, that constrain the low-energy constants of chiral perturbation theory. Bounds are produced for 2, 3 or more flavours in meson-meson scattering with equal meson masses, up to and including next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO), using the second and higher derivatives of the amplitude. We enhance the bounds by using the most general isospin combinations posible (or higher-flavour counterparts thereof) and by analytically integrating the low-energy range of the discontinuities. In addition, we present a powerful and general mathematical framework for efficiently managing large numbers of positivity bounds.
A COMBINATORIAL TRANSLATION PRINCIPLE AND DIAGRAM COMBINATORICS FOR THE GENERAL LINEAR GROUP
Authors: TANGE R.
Published: March 2022

Let k be an algebraically closed field of characteristic p > 0. We compute the Weyl filtration multiplicities in indecomposable tilting modules and the decomposition numbers for the general linear group over k in terms of cap diagrams under the assumption that p is bigger than the greatest hook length in the partitions involved. Then we introduce and study the rational Schur functor from a category of GLn-modules to the category of modules for the walled Brauer algebra. As a corollary, we obtain the decomposition numbers for the walled Brauer algebra when p is bigger than the greatest hook length in the partitions involved. This is a sequel to an earlier paper on the symplectic group and the Brauer algebra.
Temporal stability of fecal cortisol metabolites in mountain-dwelling ungulates
Authors: Donini Valerio , Iacona Elisa , Pedrotti Luca , Macho-Maschler Sabine , Palme Rupert , Corlatti Luca
Published: March 2022

Fecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs) are widely used to track stress responses in wildlife and captive species. Rules of thumb suggest that samples should be collected as soon as possible after defecation, to avoid decay of FCMs. To date, however, only a few studies investigated the stability of defecated FCMs over time, and most of them were conducted in controlled laboratory conditions. Here, we investigated the stability of FCMs over seven consecutive days, in two mountain-dwelling ungulates, under natural environmental conditions using a semi-experimental approach. Fecal samples from Northern chamoisRupicapra rupicapra(n = 24) and red deerCervus elaphus(n = 22) were collected in summer of 2020 within the Stelvio National Park, Italy, and placed in an open area above 2000 m a.s.l. For the next 7 days, we collected a portion of each sample, and all sub-samples were analyzed with an 11-oxoetiocholanolone enzyme immunoassay. Exposure, temperature, and precipitation were fitted as covariates in non-linear generalized mixed models to assess FCM variation over time, and competing models were selected using AICc. For chamois, the best model included only time as a predictor, while for red deer, it included time, precipitation, and exposure. For both species, FCM values decreased rapidly from the first days after deposition until the fourth day. For red deer, in northern-exposed samples, FCM values decreased slower than in south-exposed ones; furthermore, FCM values increased with increasing precipitation. Our results offer a solid methodological basis to wildlife researchers and practitioners interested in the investigation of the ecological factors affecting stress variation in wildlife and support the recommendation to collect samples as fresh as possible, to avoid misleading inference. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the stability of FCMs when other enzyme immunoassays are used.
In vitro angiotensin-converting enzyme and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitory, and antioxidant activity of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) byssus collagen hydrolysates
Authors: CunhaNeves Adriana , Harnedy-Rothwell Pádraigín A. , FitzGerald Richard J.
Published: March 2022

Large quantities of mussel byssus are generated annually as a co-product of the mussel-processing industry. This fibrous material is a rich source of collagen, which when extracted has potential uses as an alternative source of collagen for food applications. However, due the complex structure of the material, the extraction of the collagenous components using food-friendly strategies has proved challenging to date. An enzyme-aided method, using a proline endoproteinase, was employed for the extraction of collagen from mussel byssus yielding 138.82 ± 2.25 mg collagen/g dry weight. Hydrolysates of the collagen extract were generated using five food-grade enzyme preparations with Corolase® PP giving the highest extent of hydrolysis. Reversed-phase and gel permeation high-performance liquid chromatography of the extracted collagen and its enzymatic hydrolysates showed significant hydrolysis of collagen. The hydrolysates generated with Corolase® PP showed the highest in vitro bioactivities: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) IC50 = 0.79 ± 0.17 mg/ml, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) IC50 = 0.66 ± 0.17 mg/ml and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) activity = 311.23 ± 13.41 µmol trolox equivalents (TE)/g. The results presented herein indicate that in addition to acting as an alternative source of collagen for food applications, mussel byssus collagen-derived hydrolysates have potential applications as functional food ingredients for the management of metabolic diseases such as type II diabetes and hypertension.
Surgical Task‐Sharing in the Western Canadian Arctic: A Networked Model Between Family Physicians with Enhanced Surgical Skills and Specialist Surgeons
Authors: Falk Ryan , Topstad Dawnelle , Lee Laura
Published: March 2022

Background

With the loss of generalism in the surgical specialties, there has been a move in Canada to train family physicians in enhanced surgical skills (FP‐ESS) to address the surgical needs of rural and remote populations. This research project sought to describe one network integrating FP‐ESS and specialist surgeons, focusing on the role of FP‐ESS and their relationship with specialist surgeons, in the surgical care of the Beaufort Delta Region of the Northwest Territories of Canada.

Methods

Using a participatory approach, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 22 stakeholders within the surgical system. Interviews were transcribed and reviewed, then imported into NVivo 12 for analysis. First‐level coding was performed based on both deductive and inductive reasoning in an iterative fashion during interview collection to develop and refine the codebook. This was followed by second‐level categorizing.

Results

The FP‐ESS physicians provide cesarean section services to maintain a local obstetrics program, to provide gastrointestinal endoscopy, and to provide emergency on‐call support, as described by one stakeholder. FP‐ESS work together with specialist surgeons through an informal network keeping surgical care as close to home as possible. FP‐ESS within this health regions were seen as “a really big gain to the system.”

Conclusions

This study deepens our understanding of rural surgical service delivery, in particular where FP‐ESS and specialist surgeons function collaboratively. It also contributes to strengthening rural surgical systems in Canada and therefore to addressing the health gap between rural/remote/indigenous and urban populations.
Possible climatically driven, later prehistoric woodland decline on Ben Lomond, central Scotland
Authors: Barclay Rebecca , Ferreira Carla , Ballantyne Emma , Tipping Richard , Tisdall Eileen
Published: March 2022

Later prehistoric woodland decline over most parts of Scotland is widely regarded as having been anthropogenic, via a range of mechanisms, to create farmland. Climatic causes are seen only to have driven the rapid expansion and then terminal decline of Pinus sylvestris around 2000 cal BC. Here we report radiocarbon dated analyses of pollen, microscopic charcoal, coprophilous fungal spores and peat humification from a small, water-shedding interfluve peat bog at 230 m elevation on the west-facing slope of the mountain Ben Lomond in west-central Scotland. The record spans the interval ca. 3450 − 200 cal BC. It shows marked and rapid changes in woodland composition before ca. 2600 cal BC, and from then to ca. 1940 cal BC a gradual decline of Betula woodland. This happened with no palaeoecological or archaeological evidence for anthropogenic activity. Woodland decline is interpreted at this site as climatically driven, perhaps through paludification or, more likely, exposure to wind, within a period of pronounced climatic deterioration. Anthropogenic activities are hinted at only after ca. 850 cal BC.
Comparisons of the risk of myopericarditis between COVID-19 patients and individuals receiving COVID-19 vaccines: a population-based study
Authors: Chou Oscar Hou In , Zhou Jiandong , Lee Teddy Tai Loy , Kot Thompson , Lee Sharen , Wai Abraham Ka Chung , Wong Wing Tak , Zhang Qingpeng , Cheng Shuk Han , Liu Tong , Vassiliou Vassilios S. , Cheung Bernard Man Yung , Tse Gary
Published: March 2022

Background

Both COVID-19 infection and COVID-19 vaccines have been associated with the development of myopericarditis. The objective of this study is to (1) analyse the rates of myopericarditis after COVID-19 infection and COVID-19 vaccination in Hong Kong, (2) compared to the background rates, and (3) compare the rates of myopericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination to those reported in other countries.

Methods

This was a population-based cohort study from Hong Kong, China. Patients with positive RT-PCR test for COVID-19 between 1st January 2020 and 30th June 2021 or individuals who received COVID-19 vaccination until 31st August were included. The main exposures were COVID-19 positivity or COVID-19 vaccination. The primary outcome was myopericarditis.

Results

This study included 11,441 COVID-19 patients from Hong Kong, four of whom suffered from myopericarditis (rate per million: 326; 95% confidence interval [CI] 127–838). The rate was higher than the pre-COVID-19 background rate in 2019 (rate per million: 5.5, 95% CI 4.1–7.4) with a rate ratio of 55.0 (95% CI 21.4–141). Compared to the background rate, the rate of myopericarditis among vaccinated subjects in Hong Kong was similar (rate per million: 5.5; 95% CI 4.1–7.4) with a rate ratio of 0.93 (95% CI 0.69–1.26). The rates of myocarditis after vaccination in Hong Kong were comparable to those vaccinated in the United States, Israel, and the United Kingdom.

Conclusions

COVID-19 infection was associated with significantly higher rate of myopericarditis compared to the vaccine-associated myopericarditis.

Graphical abstract
Simulation of ITD-Dependent Single-Neuron Responses Under Electrical Stimulation and with Amplitude-Modulated Acoustic Stimuli
Authors: Hu Hongmei , Klug Jonas , Dietz Mathias
Published: March 2022

Interaural time difference (ITD) sensitivity with cochlear implant stimulation is remarkably similar to envelope ITD sensitivity using conventional acoustic stimulation. This holds true for human perception, as well as for neural response rates recorded in the inferior colliculus of several mammalian species. We hypothesize that robust excitatory-inhibitory (EI) interaction is the dominant mechanism. Therefore, we connected the same single EI-model neuron to either a model of the normal acoustic auditory periphery or to a model of the electrically stimulated auditory nerve. The model captured most features of the experimentally obtained response properties with electric stimulation, such as the shape of rate-ITD functions, the dependence on stimulation level, and the pulse rate or modulation-frequency dependence. Rate-ITD functions with high-rate, amplitude-modulated electric stimuli were very similar to their acoustic counterparts. Responses obtained with unmodulated electric pulse trains most resembled acoustic filtered clicks. The fairly rapid decline of ITD sensitivity at rates above 300 pulses or cycles per second is correctly simulated by the 3.1-ms time constant of the inhibitory post-synaptic conductance. As the model accounts for these basic properties, it is expected to help in understanding and quantifying the binaural hearing abilities with electric stimulation when integrated in bigger simulation frameworks.