bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards Understanding the Corrosion Behavior of Zinc‐Metal Anode in Aqueous Systems: From Fundamentals to Strategies
Authors: Li Qian , Han Lishun , Luo Qun , Liu Xiaoyu , Yi Jin
Published: February 2022

Owing to the properties of cost‐efficient, high‐energy density and environmental friendliness, rechargeable aqueous zinc‐metal batteries (RAZMBs) are promising candidates for the next generation metal‐based batteries in large‐scale energy storage systems. However, the practical applications of RAZMBs are severely limited due to the presence of inevitable side reactions referring to zinc corrosion and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) occurring at the electrode‐electrolyte interface. The uninterrupted interfacial side reactions at the expense of continuous capacity fading and reduced reversibility of zinc are required to give more attention to mitigate them. Given the above concerns, in this review, the fundamental principles of corrosion thermodynamics and kinetics of zinc electrodes in aqueous media are elucidated. Furthermore, the recent optimization strategies targeting enhanced stability of zinc electrodes are reviewed including electrolyte additives, zinc alloying, electrodeposited Zn and coating treatments. Finally, considering the current main research orientations, some perspectives are provided to facilitate the development of future applications of zinc anodes.
Impact of early palliative care according to baseline symptom severity: Secondary analysis of a cluster‐randomized controlled trial in patients with advanced cancer
Authors: Rodin Rebecca , Swami Nadia , Pope Ashley , Hui David , Hannon Breffni , Le Lisa W. , Zimmermann Camilla
Published: February 2022

Background

Early palliative care (EPC) improves the quality of life but may not be feasible for all patients with advanced cancer. Symptom screening has been suggested to triage patients for EPC, but scant evidence exists for this practice.

Methods

We conducted a subgroup analysis of a cluster‐randomized controlled trial of EPC vs. standard oncology care according to patients' baseline symptom scores (high [>23] vs. low [≤23] Edmonton Symptom Assessment System Distress Score [ESAS SDS]). A linear mixed‐effects model was used to account for correlation within clusters, adjusting for the baseline outcome score and all covariates in the original trial.

Results

Among the 461 participants, baseline symptom scores were high in 229 patients (127 intervention, 102 control) and low in 232 (101 intervention and 131 control). Among those with high baseline symptoms, there was improved quality of life in the EPC arm compared to controls at 4 months (adjusted difference in primary outcome of FACIT‐Sp change score [95% CI], 8.7 [2.8 to 14.5], p = 0.01; adjusted difference in QUAL‐E, 4.2 [0.9–7.5], p = 0.02); there was also improved satisfaction with care (6.9 [3.8–9.9], p = 0.001) and clinician‐patient interactions (−1.7 [−3.4 to −0.1], p = 0.04), but no significant difference in ESAS SDS (−5.6 [−12.7 to 1.4], p = 0.11). In the low baseline symptom group, there were no significant differences between arms for any outcomes.

Conclusion

EPC improved quality of life, satisfaction with care, and clinician‐patient interactions only in those with high baseline symptoms. Symptom severity may be an appropriate criterion to trigger early referrals to palliative care.
Effortless online shopping? How online shopping contexts prime heuristic processing
Authors: Niza Braga João , Jacinto Sofia
Published: February 2022

Online shopping is often motivated by the opportunity to save resources due to its high convenience and accessibility. We thus propose that online‐shopping contexts can prime low effort processing, which increase heuristic decisions, when compared with offline contexts. Four experimental studies test this hypothesis. Study 1 shows that consumers expect to spend fewer resources in online than in offline shopping decisions. Studies 2 to 4 show that priming an online (vs. offline) shopping context increases reliance on heuristic cues in probability judgments (Study 2) and in product choices (Studies 3 and 4). Results further show that systematic processing of relevant nonheuristic information is reduced after priming online‐shopping contexts and suggest that resource‐saving expectations associated to online‐shopping mediate attitudes toward systematic‐options. This research brings novel and important contributions by investigating the role of online shopping contexts on the activation of resource‐saving expectations and on the use heuristic cues in consumer decisions. Limits and implications are discussed.
Variation in Compositions and Biological Activities of Essential Oils from Four Citrus Species: Citrus limon, Citrus sinensis, Citrus paradisi, and Citrus reticulata
Authors: Li Chunlian , Cai Qiuyang , Wu Xianyi , Tan Zekai , Huang Shiyuan , Wei Chuqi , Zhang Weicheng , Chen Zhuoyu , Zhang Lanyue , Xiang Hongping
Published: February 2022

Species of the genus Citrus are cultivated in many regions of China and are widely used for medicinal purposes. In the present study, essential oils (EOs) were extracted from four different Citrus species using steam distillation. The chemical components of these four essential oils were separated using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, and 52 compounds were confirmed. D‐limonene was found to be the most abundant compound. All four essential oils demonstrated varied but remarkable radical scavenging capacity (IC50; 0.77–13.9 %). Citrus paradisi essential oil exhibited excellent antioxidant activity. Compared to ibuprofen, topical application of the four Citrus spp. essential oils significantly inhibited ear edema formation in mice. Furthermore, essential oils from the four Citrus species reduced the expression levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and nuclear transcription factor kappa B p65 (NF‐κB) to different degrees. The cytotoxicity of the four essential oils on BV2 microglial cells was determined using the MTT assay (IC50; 321.37–1558.87 μg/mL), wherein Citrus limon essential oil showed the lowest cytotoxicity. The essential oils of Citrus limon, Citrus reticulata, and Citrus paradisi had an inhibitory effect on the lung cancer cell lines H1299 by inducing a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. Cluster and principal component analyses were used to determine the relationship among the Citrus species. These results suggest that the four Citrus essential oils have potential for use as active ingredients in functional foods or cosmeceutical products.
USP25 inhibits DNA damage by stabilizing BARD1 protein in a house dust mite‐induced asthmatic model in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Gan Cong , Wang Ye , Zhao Qian , Kong Mi , Chen Jinnan , Zhang Wanying , Tan Lingxiao , Tian Man
Published: February 2022

House dust mites (HDM) can cause DNA double‐strand breaks in the lungs of asthmatic patients. However, the molecular mechanisms driving DNA damage and repair in HDM‐induced asthma are yet to be elucidated. Thus, in this study, HDM treatment was applied to BEAS‐2B cells and mice to mimic the pathological process of asthma in vitro and in vivo, respectively. γ‐H2AX foci and expression were measured by immunofluorescence staining and western blot, respectively. The levels of interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐6, IL‐13, and tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) were measured using enzyme‐linked immunoassay. The expression of USP25 and BARD1 was measured by reverse transcription quantitative PCR and western blot. Co‐immunoprecipitation and ubiquitination assays were employed to detect the relationship between USP25 and BARD1. As per the results, it was found that the deubiquitylating enzyme USP25 repressed HDM‐induced DNA damage and the production of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF‐α, IL‐4, IL‐8, and IL‐13, in BEAS‐2B cells; in contrast, the depletion of USP25 led to the opposite effects. USP25‐mediated inhibition of DNA damage and inflammation was facilitated by the stabilizing protein BARD1, which is a tumor suppressor that principally functions by promoting DNA repair and replication in BEAS‐2B cells. Furthermore, USP25 was found to robustly augment BARD1 protein abundance and prevent HDM‐induced DNA damage and inflammation in vivo. Taken together, these results suggest a novel mechanism contributing to DNA damage and repair in HDM‐induced asthma and that selectively modulating this pathway could lead to a novel therapeutic approach for controlling and managing asthma due to HDM exposure.
PMM2‐CDG and nephrotic syndrome: A case report
Authors: Banderali Giuseppe , Salvatici Elisabetta , Rovelli Valentina , Jaeken Jaak
Published: February 2022

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are a group of rare metabolic diseases, characterized by a defect in the protein glycosylation process. Enzymes involved in this metabolic mechanism have ubiquitous distribution; thus, their alteration can cause systemic involvement and considerable phenotypic variability. Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a clinical condition characterized by edema, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and proteinuria. We hereby report the case of a girl with central hypotonia, epilepsy, and severe psychomotor delay diagnosed with phosphomannomutase 2 deficiency (PMM2‐CDG) after presenting with nephrotic syndrome at age 4 years.
REAL‐world clinical effectiveness of ivacaftor therapy in the first 24 months in two infants with cystic fibrosis and different gating mutations—A case report
Authors: Fuchs Teresa , Appelt Dorothea , Niedermayr Katharina , Ellemunter Helmut
Published: February 2022

This study summarizes efficacy of ivacaftor treatment in 2 infants in a real‐world setting. A distinct decline of sweat chloride and lung clearance index plus increase in fecal elastase was seen. The results underline the early and sustainable effect and give cause for discussing whether a reduction in standard cystic fibrosis therapy is possible.
Cutaneous diphtheria complicated oncologic reconstruction surgery in osteosarcoma
Authors: Abdolkarimi Babak , Amanati Ali , Bahoush Mehdiabadi Gholamreza
Published: February 2022

Diphtheria is an uncommon bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract. We described a surgical site infection in a young adolescent female on maintenance chemotherapy. Corynebacterium diphtheriae was recovered from the wound, and she was treated with antibiotics and antitoxin. Cutaneous diphtheria should be considered in immunocompromised patients receiving chemotherapy.
Clinical response in metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) cases treated with supra‐physiological doses of testosterone: Bipolar androgen therapy
Authors: Hoshi Senji , Bilim Vladimir , Hoshi Kiyotsugu , Nakagawa Takuya , Sato Sadanobu , Sakagami Rie , Konno Masato , Kudo Takashi , Numahata Kenji , Sasagawa Isoji
Published: February 2022

Androgen deprivation therapy is a standard of care for metastatic prostate cancer. A paradoxical approach utilizing high doses of testosterone in castration‐resistant prostate cancer patients demonstrated clinical responses. Here, we report on four heavily pretreated Japanese patients (including one patient on hemodialysis) successfully treated with supra‐physiological doses of testosterone.
Utilization of Silver Silicate for the Formation of Highly Dispersed Silver on Silica Catalysts
Authors: Keijzer Petra H. , de Jongh Petra E. , de Jong Krijn P.
Published: February 2022

Supported silver catalysts with small and uniform particle sizes are promising for selective hydrogenation or oxidation reactions. However, during catalyst preparation, transport of the silver precursors often leads to large silver particles, especially at higher silver loadings. In this paper, the use of silver silicate as an intermediate for the preparation of silica‐supported silver nanoparticles is reported. Supported silver silicate was prepared by reacting silver nitrate with silica. Subsequently, the silver silicate was reduced to prepare supported silver nanoparticles of ∼2 nm in size at a loading of 15 wt% Ag. The utilization of silver silicate limited the transport of silver species during precursor decomposition, resulting in silver nanoparticles 20 times smaller than those formed by direct reduction of a supported silver nitrate precursor. The catalysts were applied in carbon monoxide oxidation, which confirmed the high dispersion as well as the excellent stability of the supported silver nanoparticles thus prepared.
Solidified and Immobilized Heteropolyacids for the Valorization of Lignocellulose
Authors: Hombach Lea , Simitsis Natalia , Vossen Jeroen Thomas , Vorholt Andreas J. , Beine Anna Katharina
Published: February 2022

Heteropolyacids have been identified as promising for catalyzing the reaction types, hydration and dehydration, which play an important role in the valorization of lignocellulose. Not only do they possess adaptable Brønsted acidity, but they also show a redox multi functionality. To increase the industrial applicability of this promising class of catalysts and to enable recycling, many different approaches for immobilization (such as multiphasic catalysis or grafting) and solidification (such as salt formation) have been pursued in recent years. This review summarizes these efforts and highlights the studied acid‐catalyzed lignocellulose conversions, trends and current challenges.
Elucidating Ru Distribution State of Ru‐Promoted Pr2Sn2O7 Pyrochlore and its Effect on the Catalytic Performance for Toluene Deep Oxidation
Authors: Liu Jianjun , Zeng Lanling , Xu Xianglan , Xu Junwei , Fang Xiuzhong , Bian Yijun , Wang Xiang
Published: February 2022

To obtain applicable catalysts for toluene combustion, Ru‐promoted Pr2Sn2O7 has been prepared with impregnation (Ru/Pr2Sn2O7) and hydrothermal method (Ru−Pr2Sn2O7). For the two Ru/Pr2Sn2O7 catalysts, Ru scatters on the surface of Pr2Sn2O7 as both metallic Ru and RuO2. In contrast, for the two Ru−Pr2Sn2O7 catalysts, Ru is substituted into Pr2Sn2O7 lattice as Ru4+. The distribution states of Ru affect significantly the active surface oxygen amount and the toluene adsorption capacity, which are the two major reasons influencing the reactivity. On Ru/Pr2Sn2O7, a greater quantity of active oxygen sites can be formed than on Ru−Pr2Sn2O7. Furthermore, the presence of surface Ru0 facilitates also toluene adsorption. As a consequence, the intrinsic activity of the two Ru/Pr2Sn2O7 catalysts are much higher than the two Ru−Pr2Sn2O7 catalysts. It is concluded that supporting Ru on Pr2Sn2O7 surface is a better way than doping Ru into its lattice to fabricate more active and applicable catalysts.
Refractories from fire to fire
Authors: Rigaud Michel , Poirier Jacques
Published: February 2022

A brief description of the evolution of the making and usage of crucible and heat containing linings to the development of today eco‐designed refractories materials is offered to illustrate the gigantic steps the refractory constituency has accomplished. Eco for Ecological, Economical, Eco‐Energetical. That is fire to FIRE.

To prolong Professor T. Planje's vision, the research and education needs are to be secured. This will require unified efforts of all stakeholders of our brotherhood. A brief description of FIRE's role for such a purpose is hence recalled, insisting on the implementation of the conception, design, implementation, organization approach to support the refractory industry needs for young innovators.
Investigating a Boronate‐Affinity‐Guided Acylation Reaction for Labelling Native Antibodies
Authors: Adak Avijit K. , Huang Kuan‐Ting , Liao Chien‐Yu , Lee Yuan‐Jung , Kuo Wen‐Hua , Huo Yi‐Ren , Li Pei‐Jhen , Chen Yi‐Ju , Chen Bo‐Shiun , Chen Yu‐Ju , Chu Hwang Kuo , Wayne Chang Wun‐Shang , Lin Chun‐Cheng
Published: February 2022

The excellent molecular recognition capabilities of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have opened up exciting opportunities for biotherapeutic discovery. Taking advantage of the full potential of this tool necessitates affinity ligands capable of conjugating directly with small molecules to a defined degree of biorthogonality, especially when modifying natural Abs. Herein, a bioorthogonal boronate‐affinity‐based Ab ligand featuring a 4‐(dimethylamino)pyridine and an S‐aryl thioester to label full‐length Abs is reported. The photoactivatable linker in the acyl donor facilitated purification of azide‐labelled Ab (N3‐Ab) was quantitatively cleaved upon brief exposure to UV light while retaining the original Ab activity. Click reactions enabled the precise addition of biotin, a fluorophore, and a pharmacological agent to the purified N3‐Abs. The resulting immunoconjugate showed selectivity against targeted cells. Bioorthogonal traceless design and reagentless purification allow this strategy to be a powerful tool to engineer native antibodies amenable to therapeutic intervention.
Capture of Gaseous Iodine in Isoreticular Zirconium‐Based UiO‐n Metal‐Organic Frameworks: Influence of Amino Functionalization, DFT Calculations, Raman and EPR Spectroscopic Investigation
Authors: Leloire Maeva , Walshe Catherine , Devaux Philippe , Giovine Raynald , Duval Sylvain , Bousquet Till , Chibani Siwar , Paul Jean‐Francois , Moissette Alain , Vezin Hervé , Nerisson Philippe , Cantrel Laurent , Volkringer Christophe , Loiseau Thierry
Published: February 2022

A series of Zr‐based UiO‐n MOF materials (n=66, 67, 68) have been studied for iodine capture. Gaseous iodine adsorption was collected kinetically from a home‐made set‐up allowing the continuous measurement of iodine content trapped within UiO‐n compounds, with organic functionalities (−H, −CH3, −Cl, −Br, −(OH)2, −NO2, −NH2, (−NH2)2, −CH2 NH2) by in‐situ UV‐Vis spectroscopy. This study emphasizes the role of the amino groups attached to the aromatic rings of the ligands connecting the {Zr6O4(OH)4} brick. In particular, the preferential interaction of iodine with lone‐pair groups, such as amino functions, has been experimentally observed and is also based on DFT calculations. Indeed, higher iodine contents were systematically measured for amino‐functionalized UiO‐66 or UiO‐67, compared to the pristine material (up to 1211 mg/g for UiO‐67‐(NH2)2). However, DFT calculations revealed the highest computed interaction energies for alkylamine groups (−CH2NH2) in UiO‐67 (−128.5 kJ/mol for the octahedral cavity), and pointed out the influence of this specific functionality compared with that of an aromatic amine. The encapsulation of iodine within the pore system of UiO‐n materials and their amino‐derivatives has been analyzed by UV‐Vis and Raman spectroscopy. We showed that a systematic conversion of molecular iodine (I2) species into anionic I− ones, stabilized as I−⋅⋅⋅I2 or I3− complexes within the MOF cavities, occurs when I2@UiO‐n samples are left in ambient light.
Helical Chiral N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands in Enantioselective Gold Catalysis
Authors: Pallova Lenka , Abella Laura , Jean Marion , Vanthuyne Nicolas , Barthes Cécile , Vendier Laure , Autschbach Jochen , Crassous Jeanne , Bastin Stéphanie , César Vincent
Published: February 2022

The first chiral helicene‐NHC gold(I) complexes efficient in enantioselective catalysis were prepared. The L‐shaped chiral ligand is composed of an imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridin‐3‐ylidene (IPy) scaffold laterally substituted by a configurationally stable [5]‐helicenoid unit. The chiral information was introduced in a key post‐functionalization step of a NHC‐gold(I) complex bearing a symmetrical anionic fluoreno[5]helicene substituent, leading to a racemic mixture of complexes featuring three correlated elements of chirality, namely central, axial and helical chirality. After HPLC enantiomeric resolution, X‐ray crystallography and theoretical calculations enabled structural and stereochemical characterization of these configurationally stable NHC‐gold(I) complexes. The high potential in asymmetric catalysis is demonstrated in the benchmark cycloisomerization of N‐tethered 1,6‐enynes with up to 95 : 5 er.
A porosity model for medical image segmentation of vessels
Authors: Goodarzi Ardakani Vahid , Gambaruto Alberto M. , Silva Goncalo , Pereira Ricardo
Published: February 2022

A physics‐based medical image segmentation method is developed. Specifically, the image greyscale intensity is used to infer the voxel partial volumes and subsequently formulate a porous medium analogy. The method involves first translating the medical image volumetric data into a three‐dimensional computational domain of a porous material. A velocity field is then obtained from numerical simulations of incompressible fluid flow in the porous material, and finally a velocity iso‐surface provides the surface description of the target object. The approach is tested on CT images of eight patient‐specific cases, where cerebral aneurysms, nasal cavities (NC), and an aortic arch (AA) are the objects of interest. In the aneurysm cases, the results are compared against constant greyscale thresholding and manual segmentation. The manual segmentations of the aneurysms are validated by a clinical practitioner. Only a qualitative comparison is available for the NC, and the AA geometries. The results show that the proposed method is effective and capable of extracting the target object in a noisy domain. A sensitivity study is carried out to verify the method's performance with respect to modelling or user choices. The segmentation by the proposed method is also evaluated by performing computational fluid dynamics simulation, including a near‐wall flow analysis, to ensure that the segmented geometry and the resulting computed solution are representative and meaningful.
Wet surface wall model for latent heat exchange during evaporation
Authors: Inthavong Kiao , Fletcher David F. , Khamooshi Mehrdad , Vahaji Sara , Salati Hana
Published: February 2022

Air conditioning is a dual heat and mass transfer process, and the human nasal cavity achieves this through the mucosal wall surface, which is supplied with an energy source through the sub‐epithelial network of capillaries. Computational studies of air conditioning in the nasal cavity have included temperature and humidity, but most studies solved these flow parameters separately, and in some cases, a constant mucosal surface temperature was used. Recent developments demonstrated that both heat and mass transfer need to be modeled. This work expands on existing modeling efforts in accounting for the nasal cavity's dual heat and mass transfer process by introducing a new subwall model, given in the Supplementary Materials. The model was applied to a pipe geometry, and a human nasal cavity was recreated from CT‐scans, and six inhalation conditions were studied. The results showed that when the energy transfer from the latent heat of evaporation is included, there is a cooling effect on the mucosal surface temperature.
Prediction model for discomfort luminance levels of head‐mounted displays
Authors: Ha Hyeyoung , Kwak Youngshin
Published: February 2022

To predict the luminance threshold of head‐mounted displays (HMDs), which can cause discomfort due to excessive brightness, a psychophysical experiment was conducted with 20 participants through a yes/no task under a wide luminance range (2–284 cd/m2). The participants were asked to adapt to the luminance of the HMD and further answer whether the test luminance of the HMD caused discomfort. The discomfort threshold was determined for each individual at each adaptation luminance, and a prediction model was proposed based on the mean value of each participant's discomfort luminance level. The proposed model represents that individuals may experience discomfort using an HMD with a luminance of about 280 cd/m2, regardless of whether they are provided time to adapt to the luminance for 2 min.
Colored skins and vibrant hybrids: Manipulating visual perceptions of depth and form in double‐curved architectural surfaces through informed use of color, transparency and light
Authors: Zboinska Malgorzata A. , Dumitrescu Delia , Billger Monica , Amborg Eva
Published: February 2022

The past decades of research on color and light yielded vast knowledge supporting their informed use in architectural design. While there currently exists a rich body of knowledge and methods geared to affect the perception of depth and form in tiled, opaque architectural surfaces, not many such methods have been developed for double‐curved, transparent, in‐mass colored surfaces. The perception of depth and form in these surfaces relies on a complex blend of parameters, such as color combinations, illumination source, angle of viewing, location of shadows and reflections, material thickness and grade of transparency. To determine the visual effects caused by some of these parameters, experiments based on visual observations were carried out involving handcrafted, in‐mass colored, undulant architectural surfaces. The insights from the experiments then served to develop four color strategies for architectural surface design harnessing the discovered effects in diverse ways. Through this, the study has sought first to observe and understand the effects of color and light in perceiving undulant surfaces, and second to highlight the potentials of harnessing these effects in the design of expressive architectural elements. The main insight from the study is that informed and deliberate application of color and light yields a wide range of potentially interesting perceptual effects in double‐curved architectural surfaces, such as spatial filtering, gradient screening, vibrant massing and animate reshaping. Such effects, applied in an architectural context, can help to fulfill the demand for physical environmental enrichment in the digital era.
Identification of Risk Factors for COVID‐19 Hospitalization in Patients With Anti‐Rheumatic Drugs: Results From a Multicenter Nested Case Control Study
Authors: Opdam Merel A. A. , Benoy Sophie , Verhoef Lise M. , Van Bijnen Sandra , Lamers‐Karnebeek Femke , Traksel René A. M. , Vos Petra , den Broeder Alfons A. , Broen Jasper
Published: February 2022

Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) do not have an increased risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) compared with the general population. However, it remains uncertain whether subgroups of patients with IRD using different immunosuppressive antirheumatic drugs carry a higher risk for severe COVID‐19 compared with other patients with IRD. The aim of this study is to identify risk factors for severe COVID‐19, requiring hospitalization in patients with IRD. This is a multicenter nested case control study conducted in the Netherlands. Cases are hospital known patients with IRD requiring hospitalization for COVID‐19 between March 1, 2020, and May 31, 2020. Controls are hospital known patients with IRD not requiring hospitalization for COVID‐19 in this period, included at a 4:1 ratio. Patient, disease, and treatment characteristics were extracted from electronic medical records and a questionnaire. Potential risk factors were analyzed using unconditional logistic regression, corrected for confounders and multiple testing. Eighty‐one cases and 396 controls were included. General risk factors of older age and obesity apply to patients with IRD as well (odds ratio (OR) for age ≥ 75 3.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9–6.3, OR for body mass index ≥ 40 4.5, 95% CI 1.5–14). No significantly increased ORs for COVID‐19 hospitalization were found for any antirheumatic agent or IRD. A protective effect was found for use of methotrexate (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.31–0.92). In conclusion, similar to the general population, elderly and obese patients with IRD have a higher risk for hospitalization for COVID‐19. We did not identify a specific antirheumatic agent or IRD to increase the risk of COVID‐19 hospitalization in patients with IRD, except for a possible protective effect of methotrexate.
Design and performance analysis of an ultra‐high‐speed 5‐2 compressor
Authors: Fathi Amir , Ghasemi Mir Majid , Khoei Abdollah
Published: February 2022

A novel ultra‐high‐speed 5‐2 compressor is presented and discussed in this paper. The proposed structure is developed by modifying the truth table focusing on the carry rippling problem. By reducing the number of the states in the truth table and the complexity of the structure, the total delay is reduced while the power and active area are also improved. The proposed compressor is compared with the best recently reported ones where the designed architecture shows 9%–80% improvement in power delay product (PDP). For a better demonstration of the advantages, the proposed structure is placed in the body of a 16 × 16‐bit multiplier and is compared with the other multipliers consisting of the other 5‐2 compressor architectures. The results indicate an improvement equal to 13%. It must also be mentioned that the gate‐level delay calculation is emphasized in this paper, where a precise estimation method is utilized considering the capacitances at the middle‐stage nodes. Based on the calculations, the designed circuit has the minimum gate‐level delay compared to the other related works due to its minimal intermediate connections. For simulating the proposed structure, a standard CMOS 0.18‐μm process along with HSPICE software is used, where the results show a delay of 266.5 ps with a power consumption of 164 μw.
The relationship between cognitive engagement and better memory in midlife
Authors: Bransby Lisa , Buckley Rachel F. , Rosenich Emily , Franks Katherine H. , Yassi Nawaf , Maruff Paul , Pase Matthew P. , Lim Yen Ying
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Engagement in cognitively stimulating work and activities may slow cognitive decline and dementia. We examined the individual and combined associations of four cognitive engagement indices (educational attainment, occupational complexity, social engagement, and cognitively stimulating leisure activities) with objective and subjective cognition.

Methods

Middle‐aged adults (n = 1864) enrolled in the Healthy Brain Project completed the Cogstate Brief Battery, the Cognitive Function Instrument, and self‐report questionnaires of cognitive engagement.

Results

Educational attainment and leisure activity engagement were individually associated with memory performance. Participants were classified based on whether they rated highly in zero to four cognitive engagement indices. Compared to participants with no indices, participants with two or more indices performed moderately better on memory.

Discussion

Results suggest that greater variety of cognitive engagement across different areas of life is related to better memory in midlife. Possible explanation for this relationship may be increased opportunity for enhancing cognitive reserve, but further investigations are required.
Validation of the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) Lewy Body Disease Module neuropsychological tests
Authors: Rahman‐Filipiak Annalise , Sadaghiyani Shima , Davis Katrail , Bhaumik Arijit K. , Paulson Henry L. , Giordani Bruno , Hampstead Benjamin M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

This study assessed the construct validity and clinical utility of the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) Module, consisting of the Speeded Attention and Noise Pareidolia Tasks.

Methods

Participants included 459 older adults diagnosed as cognitively normal (n = 202), or with non‐amnestic mild cognitive impairment (n = 61), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (n = 96), Alzheimer's disease dementia (n = 44), or LBD (n = 56).

Results

Speeded Attention demonstrated strong convergent validity and moderate discriminant validity when compared to established neuropsychological tests. Noise Pareidolia demonstrated strong discriminant validity, but limited convergent validity. Noise Pareidolia scores were significantly lower in those with reported hallucinations, delusions, or REM sleep behavior disorder symptoms. LBD Module tests discriminated well between cognitively normal adults and those with LBD.

Discussion

The LBD Module demonstrates promising construct validity and clinical utility, which support its use across research and clinical settings.
Density‐dependent patterns of multivariate selection on sperm motility and morphology in a broadcast spawning mussel
Authors: Hadlow Jessica H. , Lymbery Rowan A. , Evans Jonathan P.
Published: February 2022

Sperm cells exhibit extraordinary phenotypic variation, both among taxa and within individual species, yet our understanding of the adaptive value of sperm trait variation across multiple contexts is incomplete. For species without the opportunity to choose mating partners, such as sessile broadcast spawning invertebrates, fertilization depends on gamete interactions, which in turn can be strongly influenced by local environmental conditions that alter the concentration of sperm and eggs. However, the way in which such environmental factors impact phenotypic selection on functional gamete traits remains unclear in most systems. Here, we analyze patterns of linear and nonlinear multivariate selection under experimentally altered local sperm densities (densities within the capture zone of eggs) on a range of functionally important sperm traits in the broadcast spawning marine mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis. Specifically, we assay components of sperm motility and morphology across two fertilization environments that simulate either sperm limitation (when there are too few sperm to fertilize all available eggs), or sperm saturation (when there are many more sperm than required for fertilization, and the risk of polyspermy and embryonic failure is heightened). Our findings reveal that the strength, form, and targets of selection on sperm depend on the prevailing fertilization environment. In particular, our analyses revealed multiple significant axes of nonlinear selection on sperm motility traits under sperm limitation, but only significant negative directional selection on flagellum length under sperm saturation. These findings highlight the importance of local sperm densities in driving the adaptation of sperm phenotypes, particularly those related to sperm motility, in broadcast spawning invertebrates.
Nickel (0) Complexes as Promising Chemosensors for Detecting the “Cork Taint” in Wine
Authors: Damiano Caterina , Intrieri Daniela , Sonzini Paolo , Rizzato Silvia , Di Natale Corrado , Paolesse Roberto , Gallo Emma
Published: February 2022

2,4,6‐Trichloroanisole (TCA) is well recognized as one of the most responsible molecules of cork taint, an organoleptic defect of wine which represents a serious problem for wine industries. Up to now, very few examples of TCA‐biosensors have been developed and we report herein a promising nickel (0) complex that can be employed as chemosensor for the TCA detection in cork stoppers. Among the three Ni (0) complexes studied in this work, complex Ni(0)(BINAP)(η2‐PhCN) (2) showed the best reactivity towards pure TCA affording the oxidative addition product 4 in four hours at room temperature. Compound 4 represents an appealing probe for the indirect quantification of TCA due to the presence of the characteristic UV‐adsorption band at 444 nm. Statistical studies on real samples confirmed that the presence of TCA can be detected by employing UV‐Visible spectroscopy, as demonstrated by PCA analyses which allowed distinguishing TCA‐contaminated samples from non‐contaminated ones. Even if the present study has to be considered a preliminary approach for the realization of a chemosensor usable in real systems, the here reported Ni (0)‐based sensing procedure represents the first examples of TCA chemical detection.
Metals in Medicine
Authors: Glazer Edith C. , Casini Angela
Published: February 2022

The field of “Metals in Medicine” presents an unusual marriage of disciplines, merging the hard science of inorganic chemistry with the intricacy and variability of biochemistry and physiology. Researchers in the field dedicate themselves to understanding, and perturbing, the activities of metals that are found in biology and influence human health, or to introducing unnatural inorganic systems and materials for the detection, monitoring, and treatment of disease.
New record of Polygonatum multiflorum in Hyrcanian forests, north of Iran
Authors: Zare Habib , Amini Tayebeh
Published: February 2022

Polygonatum multiflorum (L.) All. (Asparagaceae) is a geophyte and remarkable forest species and the specimens have been collected from woodlands of highland forests in the Hyrcanian region. In this study, this species is described for the first time as a new record for the flora of Iran. Besides, based on localities of the observed and collected areas, the geographical distribution of the species is mapped in the Caspian forest zone from East to central parts of northern slopes of Alborz Mountain. According to the population status of the species, IUCN threat categories of these species have been discussed.
Endangered Species Act Expenditures for Fish Taxa Managed by The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Are Predicted by Lawsuits, Captive Propagation, and Region
Authors: Shirey Patrick D , Colvin Susan A R
Published: February 2022

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) established a priority ranking system in 1983 to guide expenditure allocations for implementing recovery plans. Priorities were intended to be based on factors such as magnitude and immediacy of threat as well as distinctiveness of gene pools. We examined what predicts expenditures for fish taxa listed under the Endangered Species Act and managed by the USFWS. Multiple log-linear regressions on combined state and federal expenditures for listed species for each fiscal year from 2012 to 2017 indicated that expenditures varied between USFWS legacy regions, and increased with species geographic range and if a species has been propagated in captivity or litigated. If a species is litigated, the corresponding expected increase in expenditures ranges from 166% to 606% depending on the year. If a species is propagated, the corresponding increase in expenditures ranges from 142% to 494% depending on the year. We recommend that the USFWS evaluate the priority ranking system in the context of litigation, propagation, and legacy region being predictors of expenditures.
Building Toward a Balanced Energy Future: Daniel Yergin's Views
Authors: Smead Richard G.
Published: February 2022

This month, March 7–11, “CERA Week” kicks off in Houston. Called by CNBC the “Superbowl of Energy,” the event is known for attracting heads of state, former presidents, CEOs of energy companies from across the world, and an enormous international attendee list, all paying very high fees to listen to several panels. What I have always found noteworthy is the sheer quantity of Rolls Royces, Maybachs, Aston Martins and Lambos that converge on the area around the George R. Brown Convention Center. The founder and chairman of the event is Daniel Yergin, chairman of IHS Markit, which absorbed his old company, CERA—the company name has changed, but the annual conference still pays tribute to the old name.
Authenticity and Clinical Decision‐Making
Authors: Haupt Laura
Published: February 2022

Two articles in the January‐February 2022 issue of the Hastings Center Report concern authenticity as an aid to clinical decision‐making. The lead article, by Matilda Carter, intervenes in a debate concerning decision‐making on behalf of people with advance directives instructing that, should they develop dementia, they not be given life‐sustaining treatment and who now have the illness and are unable to make informed medical decisions. Carter develops her position on the authority an advance directive should hold in such cases by arguing that the only principle needed for substitute decision‐making is that of determining authenticity. In the second article, Ryan Nelson et al. identify pediatric authenticity as an important decision‐making standard, especially in caring for children too young to assent to treatment.
On Ethicists and Their Diets
Authors: DeGrazia David
Published: February 2022

Factory farming is one of the most destructive institutions in human history. In the United States alone, it raises and kills ten billion animals every year. Conditions in which animals live and the way they are treated in transit are exceptionally cruel. Factory farming is also an environmental disaster. Do ethicists have a greater obligation than the average person to maintain an ethical diet? Various psychological and cultural factors explain why most people in our society regularly consume meat, eggs, and dairy products from factory farms even though there is an overwhelmingly strong case that doing so is wrong. But ethicists are supposed to be good at examining important ethical questions. So, while they have the same obligation as everyone else, ethicists have no excuses for failing to understand dietary ethics and living accordingly.
Disability Affirmative Action Requirements for the U.S. HHS and Academic Medical Centers
Authors: Lawson Nicholas D.
Published: February 2022

Medical professionals exert enormous influence over the lives of persons with disabilities by providing medical care and by generating medical research and medical information about them that form the basis for policies and practices that affect their everyday lives. Yet persons with disabilities remain substantially underrepresented within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ workforce, among academic medical centers’ employees, and in the health professions. The U.S. HHS and academic medical centers appear to be noncompliant with their obligations to engage in disability affirmative action under sections 501 and 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. This essay describes these requirements and contrasts them with medical leaders’ “well‐being” agendas. It also describes ongoing medical research on “burnout” being conducted on medical employees and further enabled through the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act. The essay calls for a wholesale change in approaches to persons with disabilities within the health and medical professions.
Less is more: Removing a modality of an expected olfactory‐visual stimulation enhances brain activation
Authors: Schicker Doris , Blankenagel Sonja , Zimmer Claus , Hauner Hans , Freiherr Jessica
Published: February 2022

In recent years, multisensory integration of visual and olfactory stimuli has extensively been explored resulting in the identification of responsible brain areas. As the experimental designs of previous research often include alternating presentations of unimodal and bimodal stimuli, the conditions cannot be regarded as completely independent. This could lead to effects of an expected but surprisingly missing sensory modality. In our experiment, we used a common functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study design with alternating strong unimodal and bimodal olfactory‐visual food stimuli, in addition to a slight overhang of the bimodal stimuli in an effort to examine the effects of removing a visual or olfactory congruent stimulus for older people (41–83 years). Our results suggest that the processing of olfactory and visual stimuli stays intact over a wide age‐range and that the utilization of strong stimuli does not lead to superadditive multisensory integration in accordance with the principle of inverse effectiveness. However, our results demonstrate that the removal of a stimulus modality leads to an activation of additional brain areas. For example, when the visual stimulus modality is missing, the right posterior superior temporal gyrus shows higher activation, whereas the removal of the olfactory stimulus modality leads to higher activation in the amygdala/hippocampus and the postcentral gyrus. These brain areas are related to attention, memory, and the search of the missing stimulus. Consequently, careful attention must be paid to the design of a valid, multimodal sensory experiment while also controlling for cognitive expectancy effects that might confound multimodal results.
Reading to bilingual preschoolers: An experimental study of two book formats
Authors: Brouillard Melanie , Dubé Daphnée , Byers‐Heinlein Krista
Published: February 2022

Reading stories to children provides opportunities for word learning. Bilingual children, however, encounter new words in each of their languages during shared storybook reading, and the way in which these words are presented can vary. We compared learning from two types of bilingual book materials: single‐language books and bilingual books. Five‐year‐old English‐French bilinguals (n = 67) were randomly assigned to hear an original story from a balanced bilingual experimenter in one of the two book formats. Children's learning of English and French labels for five novel objects embedded in the story was assessed via a pointing task. Children were successful at learning words in both languages, and performance was not affected by book format nor children's language proficiency. These results suggest that children are flexible word learners and that shared book reading – regardless of book format – is an effective way to teach bilingual children new words in two languages.

Highlights

In a shared storybook reading task, bilingual 5‐year‐olds encountered new words in two languages via single‐language or bilingual books.

Word learning from the two book formats was compared. Both formats supported word learning, regardless of children's language proficiency.

Bilingual children are flexible word learners, and shared book reading – regardless of book format – supports bilingual literacy development.
Professional quality of life in home visitors: Core components of the reflective supervisory relationship and IMH‐E® Endorsement® engagement
Authors: Eaves Tanika , Robinson JoAnn L. , Brown Edna , Britner Preston
Published: February 2022

Infant and early childhood home visiting models are gaining prominence as effective programs for families. Most U.S. state infant mental health associations (IMHAs) recommend reflective supervision (RS) and Infant Mental Health (IMH‐E®) Endorsement® as components of home visitor professional development. These efforts may promote workforce professional quality of life. It is unknown whether a workplace policy to provide RS improves the likelihood that best practice guidelines, especially core components of a reflective supervisory relationship, are experienced by the workforce. We sought to investigate associations between home visitor well‐being indicated by professional quality of life (i.e., burnout, secondary traumatic stress, compassion satisfaction) and a workplace policy providing RS, consistent experience of core components of a reflective supervisory relationship, and engagement in endorsement. We also examined differences in consistently experiencing core components of the reflective supervisory relationship in home visitors who reported having a workplace policy for providing RS and those who did not, and for home visitors engaged or not engaged in the endorsement process. A Workplace Supports Survey was designed to investigate these associations; we report findings from a sample of home visitor respondents (N = 139).  A policy to provide RS was not associated with professional quality of life. However, analyses suggest an association between a policy to provide RS and consistently experiencing core components of a reflective supervisory relationship. Unanticipated positive associations between engagement in endorsement and burnout and secondary traumatic stress were also found. Finally, engagement in endorsement was associated with less consistent experience of these core components. Implications for future inquiry about the purposes of RS and IECMH Endorsement® as strategies to promote workforce development and well‐being are discussed.