bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relation between harsh parenting and bullying involvement and the moderating role of child inhibitory control: A population‐based study
Authors: Hogye Sara I. , Jansen Pauline W. , Lucassen Nicole , Keizer Renske
Published: December 2021

Harsh parenting has been linked to children's bullying involvement in three distinct roles: perpetrators, targets (of bullying), and perpetrator‐targets. To understand how the same parenting behavior is associated with three different types of bulling involvement, we examined the moderating roles of children's inhibitory control and sex. In addition, we differentiated between mothers’ and fathers’ harsh parenting. We analyzed multi‐informant questionnaire data from 2131 families participating in the Dutch Generation R birth cohort study. When children were three years old, parents reported on their own harsh parenting practices. When children were four, mothers reported on their children's inhibitory control. At child age six, teachers reported on children's bullying involvement. Our results revealed that fathers’, and not mothers’, harsh parenting increased the odds of being a perpetrator. No moderation effects with children's inhibitory control and sex were found for the likelihood of being a perpetrator. Moderation effects were present for the likelihood of being a target and a perpetrator‐target, albeit only with mothers’ harsh parenting. Specifically, for boys with lower‐level inhibitory control problems, mothers’ harsh parenting increased the odds of being a target. In contrast, for boys with higher‐level inhibitory control problems, mothers’ harsh parenting decreased the odds of being a target. Furthermore, for girls with higher‐level inhibitory control problems, mothers’ harsh parenting increased the odds of being a perpetrator‐target. Overall, our results underscore the importance of differentiating by children's cognitive skills and by parent and child sex to fully understand how harsh parenting and bullying involvement are related.
An Intermediate Unit‐Mediated, Continuous Structural Inheritance Strategy for the Dilemma between Injectability and Robustness of Hydrogels
Authors: Li Sidi , Yu Jiaqi , Zhang Man , Ma Zhenyu , Chen Ning , Li Xueping , Ban Jiamin , Xie Jiunan , Chen Zhennan , Ma Jiasheng , Tian Chunxi , Qin Yashuai , Wang Jian , Gao Weicheng , Long Lixia , Zhao Jin , Hou Xin , Yuan Xubo
Published: December 2021

Hydrogels with injectability and robustness have great promise in clinical practice. However, current injectable hydrogels are usually mechanically weak. Here, an idea, “preformed hydrogel reversion”, is proposed to develop robust injectable hydrogels through an intermediate unit‐mediated, continuous structural inheritance strategy. In this strategy, robust preformed hydrogels are physically disassembled into intermediate injectable structure‐inherited microgels (SIMs), and upon encountering water in physiological environment, the SIMs can construct a macroscopical robust structure with the driving force of hydrogen bonds (H‐bonds). The physical disassembly and construction process enables the inheritance of robust structures through SIMs, thereby realizing both excellent injectability and robustness. Beyond that, the SIMs also exhibit long‐term storage stability and convenient usability. Using protein drug loading and hemostasis as examples, it is demonstrated that the SIM system shows superiorities in biomedical applications. The proposed idea of “preformed hydrogel reversion” can open new horizons for developing robust injectable hydrogels for diverse applications.
Millimeter‐Sized Clusters of Triple Cation Perovskite Enables Highly Efficient and Reproducible Roll‐to‐Roll Fabricated Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Othman Mostafa , Zheng Fei , Seeber Aaron , Chesman Anthony S. R. , Scully Andrew D. , Ghiggino Kenneth P. , Gao Mei , Etheridge Joanne , Angmo Dechan
Published: December 2021

The high‐power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) on lab‐scale devices trigger the need to develop scalable manufacturing processes to accelerate their commercialization transition. A roll‐to‐roll (R2R) vacuum‐free printing on flexible substrates allows for high‐volume and low‐cost manufacturing which is especially well‐suited for PSCs due to its solution processibility and low‐temperature annealing requirements. Herein, a facile hot deposition technique is reported to fabricate triple‐cation (Cs0.07FA0.79MA0.14Pb(I0.83Br0.17)3) perovskite films in an ambient environment using a R2R slot‐die coating method. This perovskite composition, whilst being most studied in lab devices due to its high efficiency and stability, has not been applied in R2R fabrication thus far. The demonstrated R2R slot‐die coated flexible PSCs achieve stabilized PCE reaching 12% at maximum power point in inverted “p‐i‐n” architectures, the highest efficiency reported to date for R2R inverted PSCs. To achieve this, the underlying hole transport layer (poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate) is modified with guanidinium iodide additive which leads to the formation of large millimeter‐sized perovskite clusters, improved perovskite crystallinity, and enhanced charge‐transfer efficiency. This study highlights the potential of the facile hot‐deposition method while providing critical insights into the role of interfacial engineering in eliminating performance losses and fabricating efficient printed flexible PSCs.
Size‐Dependent Catalytic Behavior of Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Liang Chen , Cheong Jun Young , Sitaru Gabriel , Rosenfeldt Sabine , Schenk Anna S. , Gekle Stephan , Kim II‐Doo , Greiner Andreas
Published: December 2021

Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) are widely used for reaction catalysis. The common understanding is that the smaller the particles, the more reactive they are. It is reported here that this is not always the case for citrate (Ct) or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) stabilized AuNP in the catalytic reduction of 4‐nitrophenol with sodium borohydride (NaBH4), when the total surface area is kept constant. The results prove that for AuNP in the size range of 10–58 nm, the reactivity increases with increasing particle diameter for the investigated model reaction. The trend of catalytic activity is independent of the conjugated ligands for citrate and PVP ligands. Purely based on size and resulting surface area, the trend in catalytic activity is unexpected. Only a more detailed structural investigation revealed that internal structure parameters like defect tendency also play a strong role. Larger AuNP possess more defects between crystalline domains. Further, the influence of the ligand density on the surface of AuNP and the diffusion effect of reactants are excluded for the nitrophenol reduction.
Capacitive Ammonia Sensor Based on Graphene Oxide/Polyaniline Nanocomposites
Authors: Wu Chenggen , Han Lei , Zhang Jichao , Wang Yongqing , Wang Rui , Chen LiJun
Published: December 2021

Toxic and irritant gases such as ammonia in enclosure space could destroy the respiratory system with an unobtrusive way. Monitoring high‐risk gases are imperative when humans expose in a vulnerable environment with unpredictable gases. Capacitive sensors are supposed to be an ideal choice applying to contactless gas sensing in enclosed space. This research develops an innovative model based on barrier capacitance theory for capacitive ammonia sensor. A capacitive ammonia sensor based on graphene oxide/polyaniline (GO/PANI) nanocomposites, which can be attached to enclosure space (pipes, storage tanks, etc.), is manufactured and exhibits high sensitivity (49.3 × 10–5 ppm) and fast response (≈200 s) in the ammonia concentration range of 0–100 ppm. In particular, GO/PANI nanocomposites are modeled as barrier capacitance. The model of ammonia sensor is described as width variation of space charge region in GO/PANI barrier capacitance which is caused by electron injection from adsorbed ammonia molecule. Variation trend of the model is consistent with the experimental results. Maximum deviation is limited to 9.25% in ammonia concentration range of 0–100 ppm between theoretical and experimental results. The model is able to accomplish the accurate quantitative analysis for capacitive ammonia sensors and provides an exhilarating enlightenment for other capacitive gas sensors.
A Rational Molecular Design Strategy of TADF Emitter for Achieving Device Efficiency Exceeding 36%
Authors: Yi Chih‐Lun , Lin Chun‐Yen , Tang Yukun , Wang Chun‐Yu , Huang Chih‐Wei , Gong Xu , Gong Shaolong , Wu Chung‐Chih , Wong Ken‐Tsung
Published: December 2021

An excellent thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitter requires a sophisticated molecular design strategy to incorporate structural features to simultaneously achieve high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and high horizontal emission dipole ratio (Θ//). This work reports the uses of heteroarenes and dicarbonitrile benzenes to design four new acceptors PymCN, PyoCN, PmmCN, and PmoCN, which are linked to a common donor dimethylacridine (DMAC) for making new TADF emitters. The emission wavelength, ΔEST, krisc, kr, and the resulting PLQY of the target TADF emitters are governed by the combined natures of the heteroaryl bridges (Py vs Pm) and the CN‐substituted patterns (o‐CN vs m‐CN). The photophysical and device characteristics reveal the best acceptor to be PyoCN, which is further coupled with spiroacridine to afford a new emitter SpiroAC‐PyoCN with an enhanced PLQY of 100% compared to that (91%) of the DMAC‐based counterpart DMAC‐PyoCN. Furthermore, linking PyoCN with spiro‐bisacridine (SBAC) gives an A–D–A‐configured TADF emitter SBAC‐PyoCN with both enhanced PLQY (100%) and Θ// (90%). The device employing SBAC‐PyoCN as emitter renders a maximum external quantum efficiency up to 36.1% owing to its unity PLQY and superior light out‐coupling efficiency. This rational molecular design strategy provides a feasible means to achieve an excellent TADF emitter design.
Minisci‐Type Alkylation of N‐Heteroarenes by N‐(Acyloxy)phthalimide Esters Mediated by a Hantzsch Ester And Blue LED Light
Authors: Li Jiacheng , Siang Tan Suan , Kyne Sara Helen , Wai Hong Chan Philip
Published: December 2021

A synthetic method that enables the Hantzsch ester‐mediated Minisci‐type C2‐alkylation of quinolines, isoquinolines and pyridines by N‐(acyloxy)phthalimide esters (NHPI) under blue LED (light emitting diode) light (456 nm) is described. Achieved under mild reaction conditions at room temperature, the metal‐free synthetic protocol was shown to be applicable to primary, secondary and tertiary NHPIs to give the alkylated N‐heterocyclic products in yields of 21–99%. On introducing a chiral phosphoric acid, an asymmetric version of the reaction was also realised and provided product enantiomeric excess (ee) values of 53–99%. The reaction mechanism was delineated to involve excitation of an electron‐donor acceptor (EDA) complex, formed from weak electrostatic interactions between the Hantzsch ester and NHPI, which generates the posited radical species of the redox active ester that undergoes addition to the N‐heterocycle.

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Materials Characterization and Electrical Performance of Bilayer Structures for Enhanced Electrodeposition in Programmable Metallization Cells
Authors: Chamele Ninad , Balaban Mehmet B. , Patadia Arshey , Swain Smitha S. , Gonzalez‐Velo Yago , Roldan Manuel , Kozicki Michael
Published: December 2021

Long channel lateral programmable metallization cell (PMC) devices, in which a metal electrodeposit is formed on a solid electrolyte between two coplanar electrodes several microns apart, have a variety of applications beyond standard microelectronics. Whereas fast electrodeposit growth over considerable distances can be achieved using high ion mobility chalcogenide electrolytes, the use of more foundry‐friendly materials, including copper‐doped transition metal oxides, leads to extremely low electrodeposit growth rates due to their low ion mobility and high resistivity. In this paper, a material system comprising a Cu2O/CuWO3bilayer formed by low temperature oxidation of Cu on WO3is examined. The Cu2O overlayer provides a low resistance parallel path for electrons, allowing electrodeposition to occur along the entire length of the device, thereby increasing the rate at which the electrodeposit fills the channel. A study of devices prepared under different conditions, resulting in different copper oxide thicknesses and copper concentrations in the layers, shows the influence of processing conditions on material composition, activation energy for current transport, electrodeposit morphology, and electrical characteristics. It is demonstrated that a very wide range of operating conditions is possible, including the bridging of 14 μm long channels in under 3 s using 2 V bias.
Introducing Water‐Network‐Assisted Proton Transfer for Boosted Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution with Cobalt Corrole
Authors: Li Xialiang , Lv Bin , Zhang Xue‐Peng , Jin Xiaotong , Guo Kai , Zhou Dexia , Bian Hongtao , Zhang Wei , Apfel Ulf‐Peter , Cao Rui
Published: December 2021

Proton transfer is vital for many biological and chemical reactions. Hydrogen‐bonded water‐containing networks are often found in enzymes to assist proton transfer, but similar strategy has been rarely presented by synthetic catalysts. We herein report the Co corrole 1 with an appended crown ether unit and its boosted activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Crystallographic and 1H NMR studies proved that the crown ether of 1 can grab water via hydrogen bonds. By using protic acids as proton sources, the HER activity of 1 was largely boosted with added water, while the activity of crown‐ether‐free analogues showed very small enhancement. Inhibition studies by adding 1) external 18‐crown‐6‐ether to extract water molecules and 2) potassium ion or N‐benzyl‐n‐butylamine to block the crown ether of 1 further confirmed its critical role in assisting proton transfer via grabbed water molecules. This work presents a synthetic example to boost HER through water‐containing networks.
Microfluidic Fabrication of Hierarchical‐Ordered ZIF‐L(Zn)@Ti3C2Tx Core–Sheath Fibers for High‐Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitors
Authors: Wu Guan , Sun Suya , Zhu Xiaolin , Ma Ziyang , Zhang Yuman , Bao Ningzhong
Published: December 2021

We report hierarchical‐ordered ZIF−L(Zn)@Ti3C2Tx MXene core–sheath fibers, in which a ZIF−L(Zn) nanowall array sheath is grown vertically on an anisotropic Ti3C2Tx core by Ti−O−Zn/Ti−F−Zn chemical bonds. Through highly efficient microfluidic assembly and microchannel reactions, ZIF−L(Zn)@Ti3C2Tx exhibits well‐developed micro‐/mesoporosity, ordered ionic pathways, fast interfacial electron conduction and large‐scale fabrication, significantly boosting charges dynamic transport and intercalation. The resultant ZIF−L(Zn)@Ti3C2Tx fiber presents large capacitance (1700 F cm−3) and outstanding rate performance in a 1 M H2SO4 electrolyte. Additionally, ZIF−L(Zn)@Ti3C2Tx fiber‐based solid‐state asymmetric supercapacitors deliver high energy density (19.0 mWh cm−3), excellent capacitance (854 F cm−3), large deformable/wearable capabilities and long‐time cyclic stability (20 000 cycles), which realize natural sunlight‐induced self‐powered applications to drive water level/earthquake alarm devices.
Implementation of Quantum Level Addressability and Geometric Phase Manipulation in Aligned Endohedral Fullerene Qudits
Authors: Zhou Shen , Yuan Jiayue , Wang Zi‐Yu , Ling Kun , Fu Peng‐Xiang , Fang Yu‐Hui , Wang Ye‐Xin , Liu Zheng , Porfyrakis Kyriakos , Briggs G. Andrew D. , Gao Song , Jiang Shang‐Da
Published: December 2021

Endohedral nitrogen fullerenes have been proposed as building blocks for quantum information processing due to their long spin coherence time. However, addressability of the individual electron spin levels in such a multiplet system of 4S3/2 has never been achieved because of the molecular isotropy and transition degeneracy among the Zeeman levels. Herein, by molecular engineering, we lifted the degeneracy by zero‐field splitting effects and made the multiple transitions addressable by a liquid‐crystal‐assisted method. The endohedral nitrogen fullerene derivatives with rigid addends of spiro structure and large aspect ratios of regioselective bis‐addition improve the ordering of the spin ensemble. These samples empower endohedral‐fullerene‐based qudits, in which the transitions between the 4 electron spin levels were respectively addressed and coherently manipulated. The quantum geometric phase manipulation, which has long been proposed for the advantages in error tolerance and gating speed, was implemented in a pure electron spin system using molecules for the first time.
Aberrant post‐translational modifications in endosomal trafficking are potential therapeutic targets to avert therapy resistance in solid cancers
Authors: Onglao Winona , Khew‐Goodall Yeesim , Belle Leila , Lonic Ana
Published: December 2021

Drugs targeting a single TK/RTK in the treatment of solid cancers has not had the same success seen in blood cancers. This is, in part, due to acquired resistance in solid cancers arising from a range of mechanisms including the upregulation of compensatory RTK signalling. Rather than attempting to inhibit individual compensatory RTK—requiring knowledge of which RTKs are upregulated in any given tumour—strategies to universally inhibit signalling from multiple RTKs may represent an effective alternative. Endosomal trafficking of RTKs is a common conduit that can regulate signalling from multiple RTKs simultaneously. As such, we posit that targeting endosomal trafficking—in particular, aberrant post‐translational modifications in cancers that contribute to dysregulated endosomal trafficking—could inhibit oncogenic signalling driven by multiple RTKs and pave the way for the development of a novel class of inhibitors that shift the trafficking of RTKs to inhibit tumour growth.
Metabolomic analysis of amino acids and organic acids in aging mouse eyes using gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Seo Chan , Park Sehoon , Kim Youngbae , Ji Moongi , Lee Hyeon‐Seong , Hwang Yun‐Ho , Choi Subin , Min Jeuk , Oh Song‐Jin , Yee Sung‐Tae , Lee Wonjae , Paik Man‐Jeong
Published: December 2021

This is a metabolomics study for monitoring altered amino acid (AA) and organic acid (OA) metabolism of in eyes from aging an mouse model at 8 and 18 weeks and 18 months. Simultaneous metabolic profiling analysis of OAs and AAs was performed as ethoxycarbonyl/methoxime/tert‐butyldimethylsilyl derivatives by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 42 metabolites—24 AAs and 18 OAs—were determined and their composition values were normalized to the corresponding mean values of 8‐week‐old mice as the control group. Then their normalized values were plotted as star graphs, which were distorted and readily distinguishable for each age‐related group. Among the 42 metabolites, 18 AAs and 11 OAs were age dependent and significantly different (p < 0.05). Principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis showed unclear separation between 8‐ and 18‐week‐old mice but clear separation between these and 18‐month‐old mice. In particular, the variable importance in projection scores of 4‐hydroxyproline, cis‐aconitic acid, glycine, isocitric acid, leucine, pipecolic acid and lysine from partial least‐squares–discriminant analysis were higher than 1.3. A heatmap for the classification and visualization of 42 metabolites showed differences in metabolite changes with aging. Altered AA and OA profiles were monitored, which may explain the metabolic disturbance of AA and OA. These findings are related to mitochondrial dysfunctions related to energy metabolism and the impaired antioxidant system in the aging eye. Therefore, the present metabolomics results of the association between physiological states and altered metabolism of AA and OA will be useful for understanding the aging eye and related diseases.
Resolvin D1‐loaded nanoliposomes promote M2 macrophage polarization and are effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis
Authors: Dravid Ameya A. , M. Dhanabalan Kaamini , Agarwal Smriti , Agarwal Rachit
Published: December 2021

Current treatments for osteoarthritis (OA) offer symptomatic relief but do not prevent or halt the disease progression. Chronic low‐grade inflammation is considered a significant driver of OA. Specialized proresolution mediators are powerful agents of resolution but have a short in vivo half‐life. In this study, we have engineered a Resolvin D1 (RvD1)‐loaded nanoliposomal formulation (Lipo‐RvD1) that targets and resolves the OA‐associated inflammation. This formulation creates a depot of the RvD1 molecules that allows the controlled release of the molecule for up to 11 days in vitro. In surgically induced mice model of OA, only controlled‐release formulation of Lipo‐RvD1 was able to treat the progressing cartilage damage when administered a month after the surgery, while the free drug was unable to prevent cartilage damage. We found that Lipo‐RvD1 functions by damping the proinflammatory activity of synovial macrophages and recruiting a higher number of M2 macrophages at the site of inflammation. Our Lipo‐RvD1 formulation was able to target and suppress the formation of the osteophytes and showed analgesic effect, thus emphasizing its ability to treat clinical symptoms of OA. Such controlled‐release formulation of RvD1 could represent a patient‐compliant treatment for OA.
Comparative Performance of PETase as a Function of Reaction Conditions, Substrate Properties, and Product Accumulation
Authors: Erickson Erika , Shakespeare Thomas J. , Bratti Felicia , Buss Bonnie L. , Graham Rosie , Hawkins McKenzie A. , König Gerhard , Michener William E. , Miscall Joel , Ramirez Kelsey J. , Rorrer Nicholas A. , Zahn Michael , Pickford Andrew R. , McGeehan John E. , Beckham Gregg T.
Published: December 2021

Invited for this month′s cover is the BOTTLE Consortium, featuring Gregg Beckham's laboratory from NREL and John McGeehan's laboratory from the University of Portsmouth. The cover image shows the application of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) hydrolase enzymes on post‐consumer waste plastic, towards the development of an enzymatic PET recycling strategy. The Full Paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.202101932.
Nitrogen fertilization and high plant growing temperature increase herbivore performance
Authors: Raharivololoniaina Ange , Berweiler Svenja , Fischer Klaus
Published: December 2021

Global environmental change exerts growing pressure on biodiversity. Anthropogenic climate and land use change are particularly important drivers of biodiversity loss. While their effects on biodiversity have been widely studied individually, interactions among them are poorly understood. Here, we investigate the effects of two common drivers of global change, increased temperature and nitrogen fertilization, on host‐plant quality and herbivore performance in the butterfly Lycaena tityrus. We show that butterfly performance was positively affected by plants grown at increased temperatures and nitrogen fertilization, the latter being in line with the nitrogen limitation hypothesis. Effects were largely consistent across treatments; that is, nitrogen deposition and temperature did not interact strongly to affect herbivore performance. Overall, females suffered more strongly than males from poor host‐plant quality. Our study demonstrates changes in host‐plant quality caused by variation in temperature and nitrogen availability, which induced indirect effects in an herbivore. Such indirect effects of global environmental change are an important source of variation and should be considered in order to reduce uncertainties with regard to the effects of global change on biodiversity.
Phospholipase activity of acyloxyacyl hydrolase induces IL‐22‐producing CD1a‐autoreactive T cells in individuals with psoriasis
Authors: Singh Randeep , Chen Yi‐Ling , Ng Soo Weei , Cain David , Etherington Rachel , Hardman Clare , Ogg Graham
Published: December 2021

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by Th17 responses. Recent evidence has identified Langerhans cells to have a key role in disease pathogenesis, with constitutive high expression of CD1a and capacity to present lipid antigens to T cells. Phospholipase A2 enzymes generate neolipid antigens for recognition by CD1a‐reactive T cells; however, the broader enzymatic pathways of CD1a lipid ligand generation have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we used immunofluorescence of skin and ELISpot analyses of CD1a‐reactive T cells to investigate the role of the lipase acyloxyacyl hydrolase (AOAH) in CD1a ligand generation with relevance to the pathogenesis of psoriasis. We found that the PLA2 activity of rAOAH leads to the activation of circulating CD1a auto‐reactive T cells, leading to the production of IFN‐γ and IL‐22. Circulating AOAH‐responsive CD1a‐reactive T cells from patients with psoriasis showed elevated IL‐22 production. We observed that AOAH is highly expressed in psoriatic lesions compared to healthy skin. Overall, these data present a role for AOAH in generating antigens that activate circulating lipid‐specific CD1a‐restricted T cells and, thus, contribute to psoriatic inflammation. These findings suggest that inhibition of PLA2 activity of AOAH may have therapeutic potential for individuals with psoriasis.
Why higher education alternative credentials’ market and providers are here to stay
Authors: Dennis Marguerite J.
Published: December 2021

“College programs aren't moving fast enough to keep up with the demands of employers.” — Jeff Maggioncalda, Chief Executive Officer, Coursera
A Macro‐Distinct Element Model (M‐DEM) for simulating in‐plane/out‐of‐plane interaction and combined failure mechanisms of unreinforced masonry structures
Authors: Malomo Daniele , DeJong Matthew J.
Published: December 2021

In the seismic analysis of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures, the modeling of out‐of‐plane (OOP) modes and their mechanical interaction with in‐plane (IP) loaded components are typically neglected when using simplified numerical methods. Although this may result in unconservative predictions, the high computational expense entailed by more refined approaches is often prohibitive for applied researchers and practitioners. To overcome these limitations, the demonstrated capabilities of a recently developed low‐cost Macro‐Distinct Element Model (M‐DEM) to simulate IP and OOP modes are extended in this work towards the modeling of IP/OOP interaction and combined failure mechanisms of URM assemblies. In the M‐DEM framework, shear and flexural damage are accounted for by zero‐thickness interface spring layers, whose layout is determined a priori as a function of the masonry texture, while crushing failure is modeled through homogenized finite element macro‐blocks. To adapt and validate this M‐DEM scheme to model IP/OOP interaction, past experiments on full‐scale C‐, U‐, and I‐shaped URM specimens tested under quasi‐static loading were simulated. The shake‐table response of a full‐scale C‐shaped URM assembly with openings was also numerically simulated up to collapse, representing a major improvement over previous macro‐element methods. After the comparison with experimental tests, a parametric investigation of the response of reference URM walls under combined IP/OOP actions was conducted, and the influence of previous IP damage on one‐ and two‐way OOP bending capacity is quantified. This aspect, despite being widely identified as of relevant interest, has only been marginally investigated in previous research, both experimentally and numerically.
Comparison of Species Sensitivity Distributions for Sediment-Associated Nonionic Organic Chemicals Through Equilibrium Partitioning Theory and Spiked-Sediment Toxicity Tests with Invertebrates
Authors: Hiki Kyoshiro , Iwasaki Yuichi , Watanabe Haruna , Yamamoto Hiroshi
Published: December 2021

Equilibrium partitioning (EqP) theory and spiked-sediment toxicity tests are useful methods to develop sediment quality benchmarks. However, neither approach has been directly compared based on species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) to date. In the present study, we compared SSDs for 10 nonionic hydrophobic chemicals (e.g., pyrethroid insecticides, other insecticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) based on 10–14-day spiked-sediment toxicity test data with those based on EqP theory using acute water-only tests. Because the exposure periods were different between the two tests, effective concentrations (i.e., median effective/lethal concentration) were corrected to compare SSDs. Accordingly, we found that hazardous concentrations for 50% and 5% of species (HC50 and HC5, respectively) differed by up to a factor of 100 and 129 between the two approaches, respectively. However, when five or more species were used for SSD estimation, their differences were reduced to a factor of 1.7 and 5.1 for HC50 and HC5, respectively, and the 95% confidence intervals of HC50 values overlapped considerably between the two approaches. These results suggest that when the number of test species is adequate, SSDs based on EqP theory and spiked-sediment tests are comparable in sediment risk assessments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:462–473. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Abstract

Species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) for nonionic organic chemicals were compared based on two approches: Equilibrium partitioning (EqP) theory and spiked-sediment toxicity tests.
Deep transfer learning of structural magnetic resonance imaging fused with blood parameters improves brain age prediction
Authors: Ren Bingyu , Wu Yingtong , Huang Liumei , Zhang Zhiguo , Huang Bingsheng , Zhang Huajie , Ma Jinting , Li Bing , Liu Xukun , Wu Guangyao , Zhang Jian , Shen Liming , Liu Qiong , Ni Jiazuan
Published: December 2021

Machine learning has been applied to neuroimaging data for estimating brain age and capturing early cognitive impairment in neurodegenerative diseases. Blood parameters like neurofilament light chain are associated with aging. In order to improve brain age predictive accuracy, we constructed a model based on both brain structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) and blood parameters. Healthy subjects (n = 93; 37 males; aged 50–85 years) were recruited. A deep learning network was firstly pretrained on a large set of MRI scans (n = 1,481; 659 males; aged 50–85 years) downloaded from multiple open‐source datasets, to provide weights on our recruited dataset. Evaluating the network on the recruited dataset resulted in mean absolute error (MAE) of 4.91 years and a high correlation (r = .67, p <.001) against chronological age. The sMRI data were then combined with five blood biochemical indicators including GLU, TG, TC, ApoA1 and ApoB, and 9 dementia‐associated biomarkers including ApoE genotype, HCY, NFL, TREM2, Aβ40, Aβ42, T‐tau, TIMP1, and VLDLR to construct a bilinear fusion model, which achieved a more accurate prediction of brain age (MAE, 3.96 years; r = .76, p <.001). Notably, the fusion model achieved better improvement in the group of older subjects (70–85 years). Extracted attention maps of the network showed that amygdala, pallidum, and olfactory were effective for age estimation. Mediation analysis further showed that brain structural features and blood parameters provided independent and significant impact. The constructed age prediction model may have promising potential in evaluation of brain health based on MRI and blood parameters.
RNA N6‐methyladenosine in nonocular and ocular disease
Authors: Wang Nan , Yao Fei , Liu Die , Jiang Haibo , Xia Xiaobo , Xiong Siqi
Published: December 2021

N6‐methyladenosine (m6A), the sixth N methylation of adenylate (A) in RNA, is the most abundant transcriptome modification in eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNAs). m6A modification exists in both coding mRNA and noncoding RNAs, and its functions are controlled by methyltransferase, demethylase, and m6A reading proteins. Methylation modification of m6A can regulate RNA cleavage, transport, stability, and expression. This review summarizes the enzymes involved in RNA m6A methylation and the commonly used detection methods. The role of m6A modification in physiological processes is described, and its impact on tumorigenesis, viral infection, and diabetes is further highlighted. Moreover, up‐to‐date knowledge of the implications of RNA m6A modification in ocular diseases such as uveal melanoma and diabetic retinopathy is introduced. Clarifying the mechanism of RNA m6A methylation will help elucidate the pathogenesis of various diseases, providing options for subsequent treatment.
Algae bioprocess to deal with cosmetic chemical pollutants in natural ecosystems: A comprehensive review
Authors: Mishra Prabhakar , Kiran N. S. , Romanholo Ferreira Luiz Fernando , Mulla Sikandar I.
Published: December 2021

Elevated demand and extensive exploitation of cosmetics in day‐to‐day life have hiked up its industrial productions worldwide. Organic and inorganic chemicals like parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and so forth are being applied as constituents towards the formulations, which tend to be the mainspring ecological complication due to their enduring nature and accumulation properties in various sections of the ecosystem. These cosmetic chemicals get accrued into the terrestrial and aquatic systems on account of various anthropogenic activities involving agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and domestic effluents. Recently, the use of microbes for remediating persistent cosmetic chemicals has gained immense interest. Among different forms of the microbial community being applied as an environmental beneficiary, algae play a vital role in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by their biologically beneficial metabolites and molecules, resulting in the biobenign and efficacious consequences. The use of various bacterial, fungal, and higher plant species has been studied intensely for their bioremediation elements. The bioremediating property of the algal cells through biosorption, bioassimilation, biotransformation, and biodegradation has made it favorable for the removal of persistent and toxic pollutants from the environment. However, the research investigation concerned with the bioremediation potential of the algal kingdom is limited. This review summarizes and provides updated and comprehensive insights into the potential remediation capabilities of algal species against ecologically hazardous pollutants concerning cosmetic chemicals.
Inventory and assessment of pH in cropland and grassland soils in Germany#
Authors: Müller Theresia Sophia , Dechow René , Flessa Heinz
Published: December 2021

Background

Soil pH is one of the key factors affecting soil fertility. For optimal plant growth on agricultural land, suitable liming management is recommended. The basis of appropriate soil pH management in agriculture is provided by recommendations on site‐specific optimum pH ranges and lime application.

Aims

This study determined the current variability of soil pH of cropland and grassland in Germany, analysed the factors associated with this variability, evaluated pH management on German agricultural land and developed a national map of current pH values in agricultural soils.

Methods

The study mainly focused on the topsoil layers of 2197 cropland sites (0–30 cm) and 812 permanent grasslands sites (0–10 cm) in the German Agricultural Soil Inventory, but reports soil pH (CaCl2) down to 50 cm. Random forest models were applied to identify environmental and management factors related to soil pH and develop a map of pH values in agricultural topsoils in Germany. The current pH status of the sampled sites was classified in accordance with German lime requirement recommendations.

Results

The soil pH of both land‐use types showed a bimodal distribution, with peaks at pH 6.1 and 7.3 for cropland and pH 5.0 and 7.1 for grassland. Soils with pH <5 were mainly found on sandy soils in northern Germany and acidic parent material in southern Germany. Alkaline soils predominated in central and southern Germany on loess and carbonate‐rich material. The carbonate content was the major factor explaining soil pH variability, but its effect was restricted to pH values >6. Only 35.4% of the cropland sites and 23.9% of the grassland sites were within the recommended optimum pH range. The percentage of sites below the recommended pH range was greater for grassland than for cropland (52.0% and 41.0%, respectively).

Conclusions

Soil pH of German agricultural land is influenced by natural factors and pH management. The first national inventory of soil pH showed that many agricultural soils exhibited pH values lower than those recommended. More conscientious pH management could help improve soil fertility and crop yield. This should be based on the regular topsoil pH analysis conducted by most farmers every five years, together with the determination of plant‐available potassium and phosphorus in soils.
Using the cobweb classification system as a digital location system for the neurologic compression in cervical degenerative disease
Authors: Xiong Yang , Yang Ying‐Li , Yu Xing , Wang Feng‐Xian , Yang Yong‐Dong , Zhao Ding‐Yan , Zhao He , Li Chuan‐Hong , Yang Kai‐Tan
Published: December 2021

Objective

To provide the cobweb classification system (CCS) for the precise digital location and description of the neurological compression in cervical degenerative disease (CDD), and the reliability and the clinical subgroup analysis of the system were tested and analyzed.

Methods

The CCS consisted of three parts: compression zones (1‐12), degrees (a, b) and ossification (s, m, h). Computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images from 238 CDD patients were reviewed. All compression cases were classified by five independent reviewers with varied clinical experience in spine surgery. The reliability of the CCS was tested by calculating the kappa (κ) statistics value. Finally, 74 patients with anterior cervical surgery treatment were enrolled for the clinical subgroup analysis.

Results

For the small compression, including single and double compression zones, there was a good interobserver reliability between the reviewers (κ coefficient = .855, P < .001). For the large compression with three or more involved zones, there was a fair reliability between the reviewers (κ coefficient = .696, P < .001). The whole intraobserver reliability was good (κ coefficient = .923, P < .001). For clinical practice, the operative time in the large compression and the m/h group was significantly longer than the small compression and the s group, respectively (P < .05), and the blood loss in the m/h group was significantly increased as well (P < .01). Though the preoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association score in Group b was lower than Group a (P < .05), all patients had achieved significant clinical improvement at last follow‐up.

Conclusions

The CCS can be used to provide detailed and objective descriptions of the location, extent, and severity of neurological compressions in CDD with satisfactory reliability. Surgeons should pay more attention to the patient with large zone, degree b, and ossification compression, because the operation may be more challenging.
Ternary Transition Metal Dichalcogenides for High Power Vector Dissipative Soliton Ultrafast Fiber Laser
Authors: Li Lu , Pang Lihui , Wang Rongfeng , Zhang Xiaogang , Hui Zhanqiang , Han Dongdong , Zhao Feng , Liu Wenjun
Published: December 2021

2D ternary transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have been studied widely by researchers from the fields of nanotechnology to materials science because of the extraordinary chemical/physical characteristics, and significant potential in nanoscale device applications. Here, the application of NbxRe(1−x)S2 nanosheets in ultrafast photonics is studied. The few‐layer NbxRe(1−x)S2 nanosheets are fabricated through liquid phase exfoliation method and a NbxRe(1−x)S2‐microfiber device is constructed by depositing these nanosheets onto the tapered region of a microfiber. After incorporating the NbxRe(1−x)S2‐microfiber saturable absorber (SA) into a net positive dispersion Er‐doped fiber (EDF) laser cavity, the generation of stable dissipative soliton pulses with a pulse duration of 1.03 ps proved as polarization‐locked vector solitons upon further study. With pump power growing to 900 mW, the average output power increases to 116.9 mW without pulse splitting. Besides, the pulse width can be compressed to 149.6 fs outside the cavity by using a single‐mode fiber. Compared with previous works based on 2D materials‐based saturable absorbers, the NbxRe(1−x)S2‐based mode‐locked fiber laser proposed herein, reveals superior comprehensive performance.
Laser Frequency Combs with Fast Gain Recovery: Physics and Applications
Authors: Piccardo Marco , Capasso Federico
Published: December 2021

The dynamics of semiconductor lasers with fast gain is generally considered to suppress amplitude modulation, resulting in a frequency‐modulated output. Since their first demonstration of frequency comb operation, quantum cascade lasers—ideal representatives of this class of lasers with fast gain dynamics—were indeed shown to emit frequency‐modulated combs. The understanding of these frequency comb regimes has progressively evolved, being refined from simpler arguments to more advanced theories, considering the role of Kerr nonlinearity and linewidth enhancement factor. By now, the traditional frequency‐modulated combs are rather well understood in quantum cascade lasers, but new types of frequency combs have emerged, reopening interesting physics questions in these lasers. Recent advancements on two open frontiers will be discussed: harmonic frequency combs, characterized by mode skipping of many free spectral ranges, and spatiotemporal structures with solitonic features, recently reported in unidirectional ring cavities. These new types of frequency combs open technological and fundamental perspectives, sprouting new interest in quantum cascade lasers.
Graph‐like spaces approximated by discrete graphs and applications
Authors: Post Olaf , Simmer Jan
Published: December 2021

We define a distance between energy forms on a graph‐like metric measure space and on a suitable discrete weighted graph using the concept of quasi‐unitary equivalence. We apply this result to metric graphs, graph‐like manifolds (e.g. a small neighbourhood of an embedded metric graph) or pcf self‐similar fractals as metric measure spaces with energy forms associated with canonical Laplacians, e.g., the Kirchhoff Laplacian on a metric graph resp. the (Neumann) Laplacian on a manifold (with boundary), and express the distance of the associated energy forms in terms of geometric quantities. In particular, we show that there is a sequence of domains converging to a pcf self‐similar fractal such that the corresponding (Neumann) energy forms converge to the fractal energy form. As a consequence, the spectra and suitable functions of the associated Laplacians converge, the latter in operator norm.
Sertaconazole provokes proapoptotic autophagy via stabilizing TRADD in nonsmall cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Zhang Wenhui , Zhou Li , Qin Siyuan , Jiang Jingwen , Huang Zhao , Zhang Zhe , Zhang Xiyu , Shi Zheng , Lin Jie
Published: December 2021

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed and lethal cancers characterized by relatively low overall cure and poor survival rates with great challenge for consistent effective clinical treatment. Here we demonstrated that the antifungal sertaconazole displays potent anti‐NSCLC effect by promoting apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Further studies found that sertaconazole induces complete autophagic flux, which contributes to sertaconazole‐induced apoptosis and subsequent growth suppression in NSCLC cells. Further studies demonstrated that sertaconazole provokes TNF receptor type 1 associated death domain protein (TRADD) expression via stabilizing it from ubiquitination‐mediated degradation, which results in Akt dephosphorylation and thereby triggers proapoptotic autophagy in NSCLC cells. Moreover, we found that TRADD suppression reverses sertaconazole‐induced proapoptotic autophagy and relieves growth suppression, indicating the vital role of TRADD‐regulated proapoptotic autophagy in the anti‐NSCLC activity of sertaconazole. In summary, our findings suggest that sertaconazole could be a highly promising anti‐NSCLC drug by triggering proapoptotic autophagy via stabilizing TRADD, which may provide a new potential therapeutic option for patients with NSCLC.
When crowding‐in and when crowding‐out? The boundary conditions on the relationship between negative online reviews and online sales
Authors: Shen Ao , Wang Peng , Ma Yongyuan
Published: December 2021

Drawing on the motivation crowding theory, we propose a novel framework concerning the moderating effects of customer‐initiated reviews and merchant‐initiated replies on the relationship between negative online reviews and online sales performance. Using 14,096 online reviews collected from Meituan.com, we found that the detrimental effect of negative online reviews will be mitigated with a greater level of customer‐initiated reviews and a medium level of merchant‐initiated replies. This study enhances the current understanding of the dyadic interaction between online customers and offline merchants, thereby suggesting the crowding‐in and crowding‐out effects of the merchant online replies toward negative online reviews.
Functional nanoparticles in electrospun fibers for biomedical applications
Authors: Saiding Qimanguli , Cui Wenguo
Published: December 2021

Electrospinning provides a facile route for generating fibers with diameters ranging from hundreds of nanometers to several micrometers. This technology has been widely explored in many biomedical areas including drug delivery systems (DDS), disease diagnosis and treatment, biosensing as well as tissue engineering. However, there are still existing challenges for electrospinning fibers in achieving complex regenerative or reconstructive processes through pure surface modification or simple drug loading. With the rise of nanotechnology, functional nanoparticles (NPs) made by various materials rapidly emerged in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Due to the objective size difference between NPs and electrospun fibers, doping NPs into electrospun nanofibers makes it possible to produce functional fibers having the inherent merits of both the guest NPs and the host fibers. In this review, we focus on the recent progress in preparing nanoparticle bearing electrospun hybrid fibers for biomedical applications. The organic, inorganic and mesoporous nanoparticles combined with electrospun nanofibers for different biological scenarios with several notable examples were systematically reviewed. Then, we finish with challenges and future perspectives of electrospun hybrid fiber materials for drug delivery and regenerative medicine.