bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new agent‐based framework combining authentication, access control and user behavior analysis for secure and flexible cloud‐based healthcare environment
Authors: Ennahbaoui Mohammed , Idrissi Hind
Published: November 2021

Cloud computing is an emerging paradigm for hosting and delivering Internet services. This technological trend is increasingly attracting individuals and organizations in different disciplines. Healthcare is at the top of fields where cloud becomes widely adopted to provide remote services and real‐time monitoring for patients and medical stakeholders. However, as sensitive health data are sent over insecure cloud networks and stored in the cloud anywhere across the globe, a reliable system meeting security requirements is of utmost importance, particularity in terms of authentication, access control and traceability. In this article, we propose an innovative security‐aware framework typically dedicated for cloud‐assisted healthcare environments. Our framework is mainly based on three efficient mechanisms. First, we introduce an anonymous authentication process based on mobile agents and elliptic curve cryptography to ensure a secure and flexible communication between the cloud and users. The second mechanism designs a fine‐grained data access control model, which beneficially associates the notions of attribute, role, task, constraint, and session. Moreover, we integrate a user behavior analysis performed by mobile agents, which perceive and trace users behaviors to depict potential vulnerabilities and anomalous activities on sensitive resources. The security analysis and the experiments being conducted demonstrate that our contribution is provably secure and shows very promising features.
Supramolecular Assembly and Circularly Polarized Phosphorescence of Tridentate Platinum‐Isocyanide Complexes Modified with a Chiral Leucine Derivative
Authors: Gong Zhong‐Liang , Dan Ti‐Xiong , Yao Jiannian , Zhong Yu‐Wu
Published: November 2021

Recently, the exploration of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL)‐active materials has attracted extensive attention. Herein, a pair of enantiomeric tridentate platinum‐isocyanide complexes (D/L)‐5 decorated with a chiral leucine methyl ester are reported. The enhanced red phosphorescence and amplified CPL of (D/L)‐5 with a luminescent dissymmetric factor up to 0.008 and quantum yield of 67% are achieved via solution‐state aggregation, benefiting from the highly‐ordered nanobelt assembly as revealed by microscopic analyses. On the basis of the temperature‐dependent absorption, 2D NOESY NMR and powder X‐ray diffraction spectral investigations, these nanobelts are proposed to form via the cooperative assembly pathway with a head‐to‐tail molecular stacking. This work provides insight into the mechanism of supramolecular chirality amplification and important information for the design and synthesis of high‐performance CPL‐active materials.
A new slew rate enhancement technique for operational transconductance amplifiers
Authors: Ebrahimi Emad , Roozbakhsh Amin , Rasekhi Mohammadreza
Published: November 2021

This paper presents a new symmetric slew rate enhancement (SRE) circuit suitable for operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs). The proposed SRE circuit is composed of two auxiliary circuits which are automatically activated during fast signal transitions (slewing) by comparing the input and output signals. The auxiliary circuits pump required current in/out the load capacitance. In this way, the slew rate of the amplifier is significantly improved without any extra static power dissipation. The proposed technique can be applied to a variety of operational amplifiers. However, incorporating the proposed SRE circuit into a folded‐cascode amplifier (FCA) results in 7× slew rate improvement and 66.6% settling time reduction, while the frequency response and small‐signal operation of the amplifier are not degraded. The proposed SRE circuit is designed and simulated in a 0.13‐μm Complementary Metal‐Oxide‐Semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Post‐layout simulation results show that the circuit has a slew rate of 1465 V/μs and 9.75‐ns settling time for a total 3‐pF load capacitance while the power consumption is 841 μW at 1.2‐V supply voltage; that indicates 7‐time SR improvement with lower power dissipation compared to the conventional FCA and an excellent FOMLof 6.26 ([V/μs] × pF/μA). Moreover, simulation results of the circuit for worst corner and temperature cases as well as 10% supply variation verify the robustness of the circuit against PVT changes.
Population dynamics of the glacial relict amphipods in a subarctic lake: role of density‐dependent and density‐independent factors
Authors: Maximov Alexey A.
Published: November 2021

Relative role of intrinsic density‐dependent factors (such as inter‐ and intraspecific competition, predation) and extrinsic density‐independent factors (environmental changes) in population dynamics is a key issue in ecology. Density‐dependent mechanisms are considered as important drivers of population dynamics in many vertebrate and insect species; however, their influence on the population dynamics of freshwater invertebrates is not clearly understood. In this study, I examined interannual variations in the abundance of the glacial relict amphipod Monoporeia affinis in a small subarctic lake based on long‐term (2002–2019) monitoring data. The results suggest that the population dynamics of amphipods in the lake is influenced by the combined effects of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The reproductive success of amphipod cohorts was inversely related to its initial abundance, indicating it is influenced by density‐dependent factors. M. affinis recruitment was negatively correlated with population density and near‐bottom temperature but positively correlated with food availability, which is defined as the concentration of chlorophyll a. Multiple regression with chlorophyll, temperature, and abundance of parent cohort as independent factors explained about 80% of the variation in the reproductive success of amphipods. The negative correlation between amphipod recruitment and water temperature indicates that the current climate conditions adversely affect the populations of glacial relict amphipods even in cold‐water lakes of the subarctic zone. Results of this study can be useful in environmental assessments to separate population oscillations connected with density‐dependent mechanisms from human‐mediated changes.
Spatial and temporal scales of canopy disturbance and recovery across an old‐growth tropical rain forest landscape
Authors: Clark David B. , Clark Deborah A. , Kellner James R.
Published: November 2021

The distribution of canopy heights in tropical rain forests directly affects carbon storage and the maintenance of biodiversity. We report results from a unique 20‐yr record of annual monitoring of canopy‐height distributions across an old‐growth tropical rain forest landscape at the La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica. Canopy heights to 15 m were measured annually in 18 0.50‐ha plots at 231 points on a 5 × 5 m grid from 1999–2018 (nine plots in 1999), and heights >15 m were classified as “high canopy.” During the study two major disturbance events (one immediately prior to the study) dominated the landscape‐scale distribution of canopy heights. Height recovery from the 1997–1998 strong El Niño disturbance took approximately 15 yr. Frequency of canopy gaps varied an order of magnitude among years and 96% disappeared in ≤2 yr. High‐canopy coverage and gap frequency varied substantially across the local gradients of soil nutrients and topography, and plot‐level conditions and trends frequently differed from the landscape‐level patterns. In contrast to the two major landscape‐level disturbances, significant plot‐level disturbances were common throughout two decades. Including a similar data set taken in 1992, canopy‐height distributions for the last three decades over this old‐growth tropical rain forest landscape are most parsimoniously interpreted as showing local disturbance and recovery and no unidirectional trends over time. Together these results suggest that understanding the landscape‐ and plot‐level dynamics of tropical rain forest canopy‐height distributions will require repeat sampling for multiple decades, while accurately measuring gap frequency and recovery will require sample intervals of ≤2 yr.
Expanding NEON biodiversity surveys with new instrumentation and machine learning approaches
Authors: Kitzes Justin , Blake Rachael , Bombaci Sara , Chapman Melissa , Duran Sandra M. , Huang Tao , Joseph Maxwell B. , Lapp Samuel , Marconi Sergio , Oestreich William K. , Rhinehart Tessa A. , Schweiger Anna K. , Song Yiluan , Surasinghe Thilina , Yang Di , Yule Kelsey
Published: November 2021

A core goal of the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is to measure changes in biodiversity across the 30‐yr horizon of the network. In contrast to NEON’s extensive use of automated instruments to collect environmental data, NEON’s biodiversity surveys are almost entirely conducted using traditional human‐centric field methods. We believe that the combination of instrumentation for remote data collection and machine learning models to process such data represents an important opportunity for NEON to expand the scope, scale, and usability of its biodiversity data collection while potentially reducing long‐term costs. In this manuscript, we first review the current status of instrument‐based biodiversity surveys within the NEON project and previous research at the intersection of biodiversity, instrumentation, and machine learning at NEON sites. We then survey methods that have been developed at other locations but could potentially be employed at NEON sites in future. Finally, we expand on these ideas in five case studies that we believe suggest particularly fruitful future paths for automated biodiversity measurement at NEON sites: acoustic recorders for sound‐producing taxa, camera traps for medium and large mammals, hydroacoustic and remote imagery for aquatic diversity, expanded remote and ground‐based measurements for plant biodiversity, and laboratory‐based imaging for physical specimens and samples in the NEON biorepository. Through its data science‐literate staff and user community, NEON has a unique role to play in supporting the growth of such automated biodiversity survey methods, as well as demonstrating their ability to help answer key ecological questions that cannot be answered at the more limited spatiotemporal scales of human‐driven surveys.
Immuno‐oncological role of 20S proteasome alpha‐subunit 3 in aggravating the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Liu Jinyan , Shao Jingwen , Zhang Chaoqi , Qin Guohui , Liu Jiayin , Li Miaomiao , Wu Peng , Zhao Xuan , Zhang Yi
Published: November 2021

PSMA3, a member of the proteasome subunit, has been shown to play a major player in protein degradation. Reportedly, PSMA3 functions as a negative regulator in various cancers including colon, pancreatic and gastric cancers. However, the contributions of PSMA3 to the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether PSMA3 is involved in ESCC progression and the potential underlying mechanism. The results revealed that PSMA3 was highly expressed in the ESCC tumor tissues and functioned as a negative indicator according to the data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)/Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets and clinical patients’ samples. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that PSMA3 was closely correlated with ESCC cancer stemness and the inflammatory response; however, this correlation was absent after knockdown of PSMA3 in vitro. We further demonstrated that PSMA3 suppressed CD8+ T‐cells infiltration depending on the C‐C motif chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3)/C‐C motif chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) axis. Collectively, these results demonstrate the role of PSMA3 in ESCC cancer stemness and the negative regulation of CD8 T‐cells infiltration mediated by PSMA3. The results of this study may provide a potential target for the immuno‐oncology effect of PSMA3 in ESCC therapy.
Short communication: A simple and accurate method of measuring the zeta‐potential of microfluidic channels
Authors: Fernández‐Mateo Raúl , García‐Sánchez Pablo , Calero Víctor , Ramos Antonio , Morgan Hywel
Published: November 2021

We describe an improved method for determining the electroosmotic mobility and zeta potential of surfaces based on a current‐monitoring method. This technique eliminates the requirement for measurements of channel dimensions and sample conductivities, leading to a simple high precision measurement. The zeta potential of PDMS is measured for native surfaces and surfaces treated with a nonionic surfactant in low‐conductivity electrolytes.
Boron nitride nanosheet‐assisted matrix solid‐phase dispersion microextraction of alkaloids from lotus plumule by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detection and ion mobility quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Shi Min‐Zhen , Yu Ya‐Ling , Zhu Si‐Chen , Gu Yu‐Xin , Yue Zi‐Xuan , Yan Tian‐Ci , Zheng Hui , Cao Jun
Published: November 2021

A boron nitride nanosheet (BNNS)‐assisted matrix solid‐phase dispersion method was established to microextract alkaloids from medicinal plants. The target compounds were identified by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detection and ion mobility quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. During the experimental process, several important parameters, including the type of dispersant, the amount of dispersant, the grinding time, and the type of elution solvent, were optimized. Finally, the BNNSs were chosen as the best dispersant, and their microcosmic morphologies were identified by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Because of the special property of BNNSs, the cost of this experiment was greatly reduced, especially in elution volume, sample amount (50 mg), and extraction time (2 min). Under the best conditions, 50 mg of sample powder was dispersed with 50 mg of BNNSs, the grinding time was 120 s, the mixed powder was eluted with 200 μL of methanol, and good linearity (r2 > 0.9993) and satisfactory recoveries (80–100%) were obtained. The inter‐ and intraday precisions were acceptable, with RSDs lower than 2.01 and 4.84%, respectively. The limits of detection ranged from 2.54 to 15.00 ng/mL, and the limits of quantitation were 8.47 to 50.00 ng/mL. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of liensinine, isoliensinine, and neferine in lotus plumule.
Modeling cycles and interdependence in irregularly sampled geophysical time series
Authors: Tunnicliffe Wilson Granville , Haywood John , Petherick Lynda
Published: November 2021

We show how an autoregressive Gaussian process model incorporating a time scale coefficient can be used to represent irregularly sampled geophysical time series. Selection of this coefficient, together with the order of autoregression, provides flexibility of the model appropriate to the structure of the data. This leads to a valuable improvement in the identification of the periodicities within and dependence between such series, which arise frequently and are often acquired at some cost in time and effort. We carefully explain the modeling procedure and demonstrate its efficacy for identifying periodic behavior in the context of an application to dust flux measurements from lake sediments in a region of subtropical eastern Australia. The model is further applied to the measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and temperature obtained from Antarctic ice cores. The model identifies periods in the glacial‐interglacial cycles of these series that are associated with astronomical forcing, determines that they are causally related, and, by application to current measurements, confirms the prediction of climate warming.
Coral Ecotoxicological Data Evaluation for the Environmental Safety Assessment of Ultraviolet Filters
Authors: Burns Emily E. , Davies Iain A.
Published: November 2021

There is growing interest in the environmental safety of ultraviolet (UV) filters found in cosmetic and personal care products (CPCPs). The CPCP industry is assessing appropriate environmental risk assessment (ERA) methods to conduct robust environmental safety assessments for these ingredients. Relevant and reliable data are needed for ERA, particularly when the assessment is supporting regulatory decision-making. In the present study, we apply a data evaluation approach to incorporate nonstandard toxicity data into the ERA process through an expanded range of reliability scores over commonly used approaches (e.g., Klimisch scores). The method employs an upfront screening followed by a data quality assessment based largely on the Criteria for Reporting and Evaluating Ecotoxicity Data (CRED) approach. The method was applied in a coral case study in which UV filter toxicity data was evaluated to identify data points potentially suitable for higher tier and/or regulatory ERA. This is an optimal case study because there are no standard coral toxicity test methods, and UV filter bans are being enacted based on findings reported in the current peer-reviewed data set. Eight studies comprising nine assays were identified; four of the assays did not pass the initial screening assessment. None of the remaining five assays received a high enough reliability score (Rn) to be considered of decision-making quality (i.e., R1 or R2). Four assays were suitable for a preliminary ERA (i.e., R3 or R4), and one assay was not reliable (i.e., R6). These results highlight a need for higher quality coral toxicity studies, potentially through the development of standard test protocols, to generate reliable toxicity endpoints. These data can then be used for ERA to inform environmental protection and sustainability decision-making. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:3441–3464. © 2021 Personal Care Products Council. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
IL‐6–induced cGGNBP2 encodes a protein to promote cell growth and metastasis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Li Hui , Lan Tian , Liu Hailing , Liu Chang , Dai Junlong , Xu Lin , Cai Yunshi , Hou Guimin , Xie Kunlin , Liao Mingheng , Li Jiaxin , Huang Jiwei , Yuan Kefei , Wang Genshu , Zeng Yong , Wu Hong
Published: November 2021

Background and Aims

IL‐6–induced tumor progression has been well established through the induction of antiapoptotic and proliferative genes. However, whether other mechanisms such as IL‐6 regulation of circular RNAs (circRNAs) may also contribute to tumor development remains unknown.

Approach and Results

High‐throughput RNA sequencing was used to identify the differentially expressed circRNAs on IL‐6 stimulation in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) cells. CircRNA GGNBP2 (derived from ggnbp2 gene, termed as cGGNBP2) was up‐regulated by IL‐6 treatment in a time and concentration‐dependent manner. The biogenesis of cGGNBP2 was regulated by RNA‐binding protein DEx‐H Box Helicase 9, which was also mediated by IL‐6 exposure. Mass spectrometry and western blotting identified a protein cGGNBP2‐184aa encoded by cGGNBP2. cGGNBP2‐184aa promoted ICC cell proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, cGGNBP2‐184aa directly interacted with signal transducers and activators of transduction‐3 (STAT3), phosphorylated STAT3Tyr705, and played a positive regulatory role in modulating IL‐6/STAT3 signaling. IL‐6/cGGNBP2‐184aa/STAT3 formed a positive feedback loop to sustain constitutive activation of IL‐6/STAT3 signaling. Elevated cGGNBP2 expression was correlated with poor prognosis of patients with ICC and was identified as an independent risk factor for patient prognosis.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that cGGNBP2‐184aa, a protein encoded by IL‐6–induced cGGNBP2, formed a positive feedback loop to facilitate ICC progression and may serve as an auxiliary target for clinical IL‐6/STAT3‐targeting treatments in ICC.
Numerical simulation of the effect of LPG blending on the characteristics of a diesel engine
Authors: Al‐Dawody Mohamed F. , Idan Al‐Chlaihawi Kadhim K. , Al‐Farhany Khaled A.
Published: November 2021

The present work aims to investigate numerically the effect of LPG blending on the characteristics of diesel engines subjected to variable compression ratio, injection timing, and engine speed. Three blends of LPG are used, which are 10% LPG + 90% diesel, 20% LPG + 80% diesel, and 30% LPG + 70% diesel. The numerical investigation is carried out using the simulation software Diesel‐RK. Increasing the percentage of LPG in diesel starts combustion early where the lowest delay period is recorded for a blend of 30% LPG + 70% diesel 6.36 deg. The combustion pressure and heat release are decreased due to the difference in the heating values of blended fuels. Although the peak energy release for diesel is 0.05458 (1/deg.) at 375 deg. BTDC, it was 0.0542, 0.05424, and 0.0537 (1/deg.) at 375 deg. BTDC for 10%, 20%, 30% LPG, respectively. Diesel with 30% LPG has a higher spray penetration followed by 20% LPG then 10% LPG and diesel come last. The diesel with 10% LPG gives a 5.35% reduction in NOx, while diesel with 20% and 30% LPG emit less NOx emission by 9.05% and 16.5%, respectively. Increasing the percentage of LPG in diesel yields to reduce soot concentration because LPG has lower carbon to hydrogen ratio. The lowest ability to emit smoke is detected for fuel with 30% LPG where a 7.4% reduction is obtained. It is worth noting that blending LPG with diesel can fight the trade‐off relation between Soot‐NOx as a reduction in both of them is obtained. Based on the results obtained, the blending ratio is 30% LPG. The obtained results are validated with the results of other researchers.
The contribution of neuropilin‐1 in the stability of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells through the TGF‐β1/Smads signaling pathway in the presence of lipopolysaccharides
Authors: Gao Yulei , Zhang Xiang , Wang Ziyi , Qiu Yuting , Liu Yancun , Shou Songtao , Chai Yanfen
Published: November 2021

Introduction

This study investigates the synergistic effect of TGF‐β1 and Nrp‐1 on CD4+CD25+ Tregs' stabilization, and the associated pathways of signal transduction, in vitro models in the presence of LPS.

Materials and Methods

Spleen CD4+CD25+ Tregs cells of mice models in the presence of LPS, were transfected with an shRNA targeting Nrp‐1, Smad2, or Smad3, may or may not be treated with recombinant TGF‐β1. Followed by subsequent determination of cellular proliferation, rate of apoptosis, observation of the Foxp3, CTLA‐4, and TGF‐β1m+ expression levels, foxp3‐TSDR methylation, secretion levels of the inhibitory cytokines IL‐10 and TGF‐β1, and Smad2/3 of CD4+CD25+ Tregs expression.

Results

A remarkable stimulation in CD4+CD25+ Tregs' stability is noted after administering recombinant TGF‐β1 in the presence of LPS, and promoted cellular viability, increased Foxp3, CTLA‐4, and TGF‐β1m+ expression, and elevated secretion of IL‐10 and TGF‐β1. This also inhibited the apoptosis and methylation of foxp3‐ TSDR of CD4+CD25+ Tregs. The shRNA transfection silenced Nrp‐1 and Smad3, but not Smad2, resulting in the suppression of the recombinant TGF‐β1‐mediated effects in the presence of LPS.

Conclusions

According to the results, Nrp‐1 mediates TGF‐β1 to improve the stability of regulatory CD4+CD25+ T cells and maybe a possible therapeutic target with the ability to improve the CD4+CD25+ Tregs associated negative immunoregulation that is related to the TGF‐β1/Smads cell signaling during sepsis.
Coming of Age of Computational Chemistry from a Resilient Past to a Promising Future
Authors: Sunoj Raghavan B.
Published: November 2021

Computational chemistry has evolved over the years into a highly interdisciplinary domain of vigorous activities. This essay is a compilation of how the author viewed these myriads of achievements of computational chemistry that helped in shaping up a molecular view of the world around us. The write‐up is set in an all‐encompassing backdrop of historic, personal, and the most modern manifestations of computational chemistry.
Fetal reduction from twin to singleton gestation: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Bardin Ron , Gupta Mamta , Greenberg Gal , Nandrajog Anchal , Tenenbaum‐Gavish Kinneret , Gupta Nikhil , Perlman Sharon , Shmueli Anat , Hadar Eran
Published: November 2021

Objective

To evaluate outcomes of fetal reduction in twin pregnancy.

Search strategy

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar were searched from 1980 through December 2020.

Selection criteria

Prospective or retrospective studies of pregnant women with twin gestations who had a transabdominal reduction of twin to singleton pregnancy with a comparison group of ongoing twin gestations.

Data collection and analysis

Outcomes were meta‐analyzed only if reported in at least three studies.

Main results

Six studies with a pooled sample of 2867 women with a twin pregnancy of whom 624 underwent 2‐to‐1 reduction and 2243 did not. In the fetal reduction group, the odds of preterm birth before 34 and 37 weeks of pregnancy were lower by 36% (odds ratio [OR] 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48–0.86, P < 0.003) and 77% (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.12–0.44, P < 0.001), respectively, than in the control group, and the odds of hypertensive disorders and cesarean delivery were lower by 75% (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.15–0.43, P < 0.001) and 65% (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.20–0.62, P < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusion

Twin reduction to singleton pregnancy decreased the possibility of preterm birth, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and cesarean delivery. Sufficiently powered prospective studies are needed to support these findings.
Catch crop planting and residue incorporation to reduce nitrogen leaching in intensive vegetable greenhouse field
Authors: Kang Lingyun , Chen Shuo , Liang Bin , Qin Wei , Chen Qing
Published: November 2021

Summer catch crop planting is commonly adapted to increase soil biodiversity and effectively reduce N leaching in intensively managed vegetable fields with double‐cropping systems (winter‐spring season and autumn‐winter season) in China. However, little has been reported on the combined effects of summer catch crops (i.e., sweet corn [Zea mays L.]) and the incorporation of their shoot residue on N transformation and mobility in the soil profile. Here, we quantified dissolved organic N (DON) leaching, N release from the incorporated residue of sweet corn, and N movement in the rootzone using the 15N isotopic labeling technique and a lysimeter in a vegetable greenhouse field. The results showed that catch crop planting in addition to shoot incorporation significantly increased DON by 127 and 158% in the leachate at a depth of 0.6 m, accounting for 40% of the total leached dissolved N at the first season, whereas catch crop planting without shoot incorporation resulted in the lowest N surplus. Approximately 46 and 69% of the total N in the root residue and shoot residue of sweet corn was measured in the collected leachates during the succeeding cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. ‘Zhongnong No. 26’) season, accounting for 8 and 62% of the total leached N, respectively. Hence, catch crop planting is feasible for removing legacy N from soil during summer fallow; however, residue incorporation should be assessed due to the increase in N leaching derived from the shoots of the catch crop in the following season.
Intrinsic circadian timekeeping properties of the thalamic lateral geniculate nucleus
Authors: Chrobok Lukasz , Pradel Kamil , Janik Marcelina Elzbieta , Sanetra Anna Magdalena , Bubka Monika , Myung Jihwan , Ridla Rahim Amalia , Klich Jasmin Daniela , Jeczmien‐Lazur Jagoda Stanislawa , Palus‐Chramiec Katarzyna , Lewandowski Marian Henryk
Published: November 2021

Circadian rhythmicity in mammals is sustained by the central brain clock—the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SCN), entrained to the ambient light–dark conditions through a dense retinal input. However, recent discoveries of autonomous clock gene expression cast doubt on the supremacy of the SCN and suggest circadian timekeeping mechanisms devolve to local brain clocks. Here, we use a combination of molecular, electrophysiological, and optogenetic tools to evaluate intrinsic clock properties of the main retinorecipient thalamic center—the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in male rats and mice. We identify the dorsolateral geniculate nucleus as a slave oscillator, which exhibits core clock gene expression exclusivelyin vivo. Additionally, we provide compelling evidence for intrinsic clock gene expression accompanied by circadian variation in neuronal activity in the intergeniculate leaflet and ventrolateral geniculate nucleus (VLG). Finally, our optogenetic experiments propose the VLG as a light‐entrainable oscillator, whose phase may be advanced by retinal input at the beginning of the projected night. Altogether, this study for the first time demonstrates autonomous timekeeping mechanisms shaping circadian physiology of the LGN.
Stronger together: Understanding when and why group ethical voice inhibits group abusive supervision
Authors: Babalola Mayowa T. , Garcia Patrick Raymund James M. , Ren Shuang , Ogunfowora Babatunde , Gok Kubilay
Published: November 2021

In this research, we integrate social impact theory (SIT) and social cognitive theory (SCT) to examine how group ethical voice, as a form of social influence, reduces group abusive supervision. Drawing on SIT, we hypothesize that the strength of this relationship is contingent on the group's power, size, and social distance from the group leader (i.e., interaction frequency). Results from data collected over two time periods from 521 employees in 98 work groups (Study 1) reveal that group ethical voice reduces group abusive supervision, controlling for general group voice and group performance. Furthermore, we found that the relationship between group ethical voice and group abusive supervision was strongest when the group is larger, powerful, and interacts frequently with the group leader. These findings are replicated in Study 2, a time‐lagged study of employees across three time periods. Study 2 also shows that the interactive effects of group ethical voice, group power, and social distance (but not group size) on abusive supervision are mediated by leader reflective moral attentiveness. Specifically, in powerful and socially proximal groups, group ethical voice reduces abusive supervision by fostering greater reflective moral attentiveness in group leaders.
Not Worth My Time: Applying a Value‐Based Framework of Creative Idea Appraisals to Predict Investments of Time Toward Implementing Others' Ideas
Authors: Nguyen Tin L. , Hunter Samuel T.
Published: November 2021

Drawing on an economic, value‐based framework of creative idea appraisals, we predict that the attributes of idea usefulness and novelty jointly inform people's decisions to allocate time toward collaborative implementation efforts. In a correlational design, we found support in our first study (n = 82) for an interaction between perceived idea usefulness and novelty. Specifically, perceived novelty reduced the effect of usefulness on effort (time invested) in implementation planning. Using experimental methods in our second study (n = 162), we applied expectancy theories to explain the subjective judgments behind why people might withhold effort when developing and planning the implementation of others' creative ideas. Results of this study revealed that perceived instrumentality of implementation activities mediated the joint effects of idea usefulness and novelty perceptions on implementation planning effort (as self‐reported effort and time invested). Together, both studies highlight the importance of idea appraisals in determining implementation behavior. Practical implications about cultivating support for the final production of creative ideas are discussed.
Fabrication and characterization of octenyl succinic anhydride modified pullulan micelles for encapsulating curcumin
Authors: Zhao Li , Tong Qunyi , Liu Yutong , Geng Ziwei , Yin Lichen , Xu Wentian , Rehman Abdur
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

Curcumin has become increasingly popular in functional foods and beverages field as a result of its high biological activity. Nevertheless, the application of curcumin is usually limited by its poor water solubility, low absorption, rapid metabolism and instability. Accordingly, the development of an appropriate wall material is crucial for its effective use. In the present study, curcumin‐octenyl succinic anhydride modified pullulan (Cur‐OSAP) micelles were successfully prepared by an anti‐solvent co‐precipitation method.

RESULTS

Octenyl succinic anhydride modified pullulan (OSAP) micelles exhibited the highest encapsulation efficiency (57.31%) and loading capacity (5.73%) of curcumin when the mass ratio of OSAP to curcumin was 10:1 and the degree of substitution of OSAP was 0.0469, at which point Cur‐OSAP micelles formed via hydrogen binding and hydrophobic interactions, as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared and fluorescence techniques. The transmission electron microscopy results showed that the Cur‐OSAP micelles were roughly spherical in shape with diameters in the approximate range 30–60 nm.

CONCLUSION

The encapsulation of OSAP greatly improved photostability and sustained release properties of curcumin in Cur‐OSAP micelles. These findings suggest that OSAP can be used as a carrier to encapsulate and protect hydrophobic food ingredients. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Valorization of lignins from energy crops and agro‐industrial byproducts as antioxidant and antibacterial materials
Authors: Verrillo Mariavittoria , Savy Davide , Cangemi Silvana , Savarese Claudia , Cozzolino Vincenza , Piccolo Alessandro
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

Developing eco‐friendly antioxidant and antimicrobial substances originating from biomass residues has recently attracted considerable interest. In this study, two lignosulfonates and various oxidized water‐soluble lignins were investigated for their antioxidant properties, as assessed by ABTS, DPPH and Folin–Ciocalteu methods, and their antimicrobial activity against some bacterial strains responsible for human pathologies.

RESULTS

The lignosulfonates showed the largest antiradical/antimicrobial capacity, whereas the other substrates were less effective. The observed antioxidant/antibacterial properties were positively correlated with lignin aromatic/phenolic content. The positive correlation between antiradical and antimicrobial activities suggests that lignin scavenging capacity was also involved in its antibacterial activity. A greater antimicrobial performance was generally observed against Gram‐positive bacterial strains, and it was attributed to the intrinsic larger susceptibility of Gram‐positive bacteria to lignin phenols. A significant though lesser inhibitory activity was also found against Escherichia coli.

CONCLUSION

Our results confirmed the dependence of lignin antioxidant/antibacterial power on its extraction method and chemical structure, as well as on the type of bacterial strains. Identifying the relationship between lignin molecular composition and its antioxidant/antibacterial features represents an advance on the potential future use of renewable and eco‐compatible lignin materials in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Chinese Version of the Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale
Authors: Xu Xin‐Da , Luo Hui‐Ping , Jie Jun‐Qin , Li Ya‐Xian , Chi Fang‐Lu
Published: November 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

To translate and cross‐culturally adapt vestibular disorders activities of daily living (VADL) scale to Chinese population, and verify its psychometric characteristics.

Study Design

A methodology study to translate, validate, and verify the reliability of the VADL scale.

Methods

The translation of the VADL from English to Chinese was carried out in accordance with the recommendations proposed by the Process of Cross‐Cultural Adaptation guideline. All 185 Subjects with chief complaints of dizziness or vertigo were continuously invited to the study from January 2021 to June 2021. Investigation using the Chinese version of VADL (VADL‐C) was completed by all the participants. Complete data from all 124 participants were used for reliability and internal consistency analysis by using SPSS 22.0.

Results

Through careful and complete translation and adaptation, the VADL‐C was successfully created. The content validity of the VADL‐C was 0.887, the internal consistency was 0.951, and the test–retest reliability was 0.989.

Conclusions

The VADL‐C has an excellent internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and content validity. It will be a new tool to be used in China and for overseas Chinese speakers to explore the functional capacity of individuals with vestibular diseases and guide therapy planning, particularly in vestibular rehabilitation training program. Laryngoscope, 132:1446–1451, 2022
Super Strong and Tough Polybenzimidazole/Metal Ions Coordination Networks: Reinforcing Mechanism, Recyclability, and Anti‐Counterfeiting Applications
Authors: Liu Tianmeng , Huang Hong , Wang Yan , Yu Junrong , Hu Zuming
Published: November 2021

Nature has provided many delicate strategies for optimizing the structural characteristics of biological materials. One such strategy is the strengthening and toughening of matrix materials by aduandant and hierarchically arranged non‐covalent crosslinking. However, efficient strengthening and toughening of high‐performance aromatic polymers by non‐covalent bonds has rarely been reported yet. Herein, we report the preparation and characterizations of a metal coordination bonds crosslinked polybenzimidazole (PBI) network. By optimizing the synthetic parameters, the strength of copper ion (Cu2+) crosslinked PBI is improved from 87.8 to 218.4 MPa, and the toughness is increased from 19.4 to 111.9 MJ m−3, corresponding to increments of 148.7 % and 476.8 %, respectively, which surpass all previously reported non‐covalent bonds crosslinked high‐performance polymers. PBI with varied chain flexibility are then synthesized to deeply understand the stregnening and toughening mechanism. In addition, the glass transition temperature of PBI is dramatically increased by 75 °C after Cu2+ crosslinking. Moreover, the chemical recycling of PBI from crosslinekd network, and the development of a novel high‐temperature resistant or high‐temperature rewritable anti‐counterfeiting films based on Cu2+ crosslinked PBI are also demonstrated. This study is expected to shed light on design principle for future supramolecularly crosslinked and recyclable high‐performance polymers.
Conformable fractional Sturm–Liouville problems on time scales
Authors: Allahverdiev Bilender P. , Tuna Hüseyin
Published: November 2021

We consider a conformable fractional Sturm–Liouville problem on bounded time scales. Firstly, the existence and uniqueness of solutions of the conformable fractional Sturm–Liouville problem are proved. Maximal and minimal symmetric operators are introduced and some results are given. Finally, the Green's function of this problem is constructed, and an eigenfunction expansion is given.
On Pandemic Privilege: Reflections on a “Home‐Bound Pandemic Ethnography”
Authors: Horton Sarah Bronwen
Published: November 2021

This essay examines the experience of conducting a “home‐bound pandemic ethnography”—one that toggles back and forth between the ethnographer’s own experience of the pandemic while in quarantine and the very different pandemic experiences of her Latina immigrant essential worker interviewees. Maintaining a split gaze between one’s own experience and those of one’s interviewees, a home‐bound pandemic ethnography lends itself to a kind of reflexivity and comparison that traditional ethnographic “immersion” does not. Involving the disjunctive knowledge of “being here” while listening to the very different experience of “being there,” it throws into stark relief asymmetries built deep into the ethnographic relationship. While ethnographic immersion rests on the illusion of ethnographers’ acculturation so they become a kind of insider–outsider, a “home‐bound” ethnography refuses the claims of traditional ethnography to “truly understand” the plight of the marginalized populations with whom we work. Just as critiques have emerged of anthropologists’ silence regarding our relative immunity from climate catastrophes (Jobson, Am Anthropol, 122, 2020, 259) and from state violence (Gomberg‐Muñoz, J Anthropol N Am, 21, 2018, 36) in comparison to those whom we research, the pandemic also demands an honest reckoning with the chasm that has widened anew between the lived realities of ethnographers and those of our research “subjects.” Highlighting the discomfort of disjunctive lived realities, a home‐bound pandemic ethnography creates a careful ledger of the ethnographer’s comparative privilege, and questions the very premises of ethnographic immersion.
Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs associated acute kidney injury in hospitalized children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Gong Jun , Ma Lingyue , Li Mengya , Ma Lingyun , Chen Chaoyang , Zhao Simiao , Zhou Ying , Cui Yimin
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are regarded as nephrotoxins. Children commonly use NSAIDs and are susceptible to nephropathy, but the relationship between acute kidney injury (AKI) and use of NSAIDs is not well examined yet.

Objective

To evaluate the relationship between AKI and use of NSAIDs in hospitalized pediatric patients who are susceptible to nephropathy.

Methods

We conducted this systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies by searching PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Database for articles published up to June 1, 2020. Reports included involved children (age < 18 years) who used NSAIDs for various reasons and were admitted in the hospital. The main outcome measure was whether AKI occurred, and pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using generic inverse variance methods.

Results

Seven studies reporting risk of AKI in the hospitalized pediatric patients receiving NSAIDs were included applying a random‐effects model. In the hospitalized pediatric population, the pooled OR of AKI for present NSAID exposure was 1.55 (95%CI 1.26–1.92).

Conclusions

NSAID exposure was associated with an approximate 1.6‐fold rise in the odds of developing AKI in hospitalized pediatric patients. Avoidance, cautious use of NSAIDs and further evidence are needed. This study was registered with PROSPERO (identifier: CRD42021219779).
α‐Fe2O3 Nanoparticles Embedded in a g‐C3N4 Nanocomposite: Optical, Magnetic and Electrochemical Study
Authors: Dutta Shubhamita , Jana Tushar K. , Maiti Ramaprasad , De Kalyanashis , Chatterjee Kuntal
Published: November 2021

The development of low‐cost and high‐efficient electrocatalysts with multifunctionality by nanocomposite formation is an emerging route for addressing sustainable energy issues. This study reports the nanocomposite of α‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles embedded in g‐C3N4nanosheets synthesized by a facile chemical route. The synthesized nanocomposite was examined for structural, chemical, and morphological details. The optical study of the sample exhibits the potential capability of photon capture and electron‐hole separation towards photo‐excited applications. Magnetic study of the α‐Fe2O3/g‐C3N4 nanocomposite reveals that composite formation does not possess characteristic blocking temperature as present in bare α‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles at 62 K accompanying enhancement of remanent magnetization and coercivity at 5 K.The prepared nanocomposite was tested for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in an alkaline medium and it exhibited appreciable catalytic performance with considerable methanol tolerance and excellent durability. It also reveals that the composite catalyzes ORR by two steps: first by two‐electron transfer and then immediately by 4‐electron direct pathway resulting in complete reduction of oxygen to water.
Acyl Glucuronide of Oxidized Lenabasum (JBT‐101) as Human Major Metabolite: Identification, Large‐Scale Synthesis, and Activity Characterization
Authors: Deng Hongfeng , Leigh Clifton , Yang Yun , Jin Zhuang , Sun Gang , Zhang Lipeng , Feng Xiao , Moshos Kristos , White Barbara
Published: November 2021

A metabolite identification study of the phase 3 investigational drug lenabasum (JBT‐101) pinpointed a unique acyl glucuronide (AG) as a major human metabolite. Mass spectrometry data suggested five possible isomeric structures, i. e., a C9‐carboxyl glucuronide with one of the five methyl groups having been oxidized into a hydroxymethyl group. Total synthesis of the possible metabolites confirmed 1‐((6aR,10aR)‐1‐hydroxy‐3‐((R)‐1‐hydroxy‐2‐methyloctan‐2‐yl)‐6,6‐dimethyl‐6a,7,10,10a‐tetrahydro‐6H‐benzo[c]chromene‐9‐carboxyl)‐β‐D‐glucopyranuronic acid (5 b) as the major metabolite, with its absolute stereochemistry determined by 2D NMR analysis and X‐ray crystallography. To support an animal toxicity study, robust synthetic protocols were developed for large‐scale synthesis of 5 b, which include tetrahydrocannabinol skeleton formation, SeO2‐mediated allylic oxidation, Pinnick oxidation, glucuronidation, and phenol‐mediated p‐methoxybenzyl deprotection. 5 b showed no activity on cannabinoid receptors (Ki > 5 uM) and demonstrated a half‐life of 24.2 h in potassium phosphate buffer, suggesting that it is a highly stable AG with a low risk of toxicity from covalent binding to endogenous proteins or DNAs.
Alkali Metal Dithiocarbamato Carboxylates (DTCCs) – Synthesis, Properties, and Crystal Structures
Authors: Liebing Phil , Heinrich Julian , Witzorke Juliane , Kühling Marcel , Busse Sabine , Swanson Claudia
Published: November 2021

A series of alkali metal salts of dithiocarbamate‐substituted carboxylate (DTCC) anions were prepared by reaction of the parent amino acids with carbon disulfide and an alkali metal hydroxide. The target compounds, which were isolated in anhydrous form or as hydrates, were extensively characterized by elemental analyses, IR and NMR spectroscopy, thermal analyses, cyclic voltammetry, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The isolated compounds are more or less hygroscopic and display a varying dehydratization and decomposition behavior upon heating. The assumed degradation of the DTCC scaffold was found to depend on the substitution pattern as well as on the alkali metal counterion, and covers a range between 200 and 340 °C. In aqueous solution, the DTCC anions show irreversible electrochemical oxidations, where the corresponding redox potentials are governed by the substitution pattern of the nitrogen atom. Single‐crystal structural analyses of sodium and potassium derivatives revealed that these compounds exist as two‐ or three‐dimensional coordination polymers in the solid state, with the alkali‐metal ions adopting typical irregular coordination environments with coordination numbers of six or higher.
Programmable Self‐Regulation with Wrinkled Hydrogels and Plasmonic Nanoparticle Lattices
Authors: Lee Young‐Ah Lucy , Mousavikhamene Zeynab , Amrithanath Abhishek Kottaram , Neidhart Suzanne M. , Krishnaswamy Sridhar , Schatz George C. , Odom Teri W.
Published: November 2021

This paper describes a self‐regulating system that combines wrinkle‐patterned hydrogels with plasmonic nanoparticle (NP) lattices. In the feedback loop, the wrinkle patterns flatten in response to moisture, which then allows light to reach the NP lattice on the bottom layer. Upon light absorption, the NP lattice produces a photothermal effect that dries the hydrogel, and the system then returns to the initial wrinkled configuration. The timescale of this regulatory cycle can be programmed by tuning the degree of photothermal heating by NP size and substrate material. Time‐dependent finite element analysis reveals the thermal and mechanical mechanisms of wrinkle formation. This self‐regulating system couples morphological, optical, and thermo‐mechanical properties of different materials components and offers promising design principles for future smart systems.