bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicted functional and taxonomic analysis of subgingival biofilm of Grade C periodontitis in young patients under maintenance therapy
Authors: Paz Hélvis E. S. , Monteiro Mabelle F. , Stolf Camila S. , Altabtbaei Khaled , Casati Márcio Z. , Casarin Renato C. V. , Kumar Purnima S.
Published: November 2021

Background

In Grade C periodontitis in young patients (PerioC‐Y), the functional roles of the subgingival community after years of periodontal treatment are still underexplored. This study evaluated the taxonomic and predicted functional content of the subgingival microbiome of PerioC‐Y patients under supportive periodontal therapy (SPT).

Methods

Clinical and microbiological data from subgingival biofilm were assessed from 10 PerioC‐Y patients at two time points: at baseline and after 5.7 ± 1.3 years of SPT. This was compared with 15 patients without a history of periodontitis. The V1‐V3 and V4‐V5 regions of the 16S rRNA were sequenced using the Illumina Miseq. Microbial composition was evaluated by the core microbiome, and alpha‐ and beta‐diversity. The microbiome functional content was predicted using Picrust2, and the gene differential abundance was analyzed with DESeq2.

Results

Clinical improvements were seen in PerioC‐Y‐SPT. Differences in β‐diversity between PerioC‐Y and health were observed (health x PerioC‐Y‐baseline, P = 0.02; health x PerioC‐Y‐SPT, P = 0.05). Moreover, although β‐diversity did not statistically change between baseline and SPT in PerioC‐Y, the microbial correlation evidenced increased Streptococcus and decreased Treponema network contributions during SPT. Based on predicted functional data, treatment induced a reduction in genes related to flagellar protein and signal transduction in PerioC‐Y. However, compared with healthy individuals, some genes remained more highly abundant in PerioC‐Y‐SPT, such as quorum sensing and efflux pump transporters.

Conclusion

Despite clinical improvements and a shift in taxonomic composition, the PerioC‐Y patients' periodontal treatment was not enough to reach a similar microbiome to patients without disease experience. Some functional content in this biofilm remained altered in PerioC‐Y regardless of disease control.
The internationalization of Chinese multinational enterprises under the Belt‐and‐Road Initiative
Authors: Wang Jinmin , Mirsardin Ibragimov , Sun Yutao , Yang Xiangyang
Published: November 2021

This article explores how the Belt‐and‐Road Initiative has affected the internationalization of Chinese multinational enterprises with a case study of China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation. It is found that the Belt‐and‐Road Initiative can be considered as part of China's integration with global production networks, which enhances the ownership, location and internalization advantages of Chinese multinational enterprises. In particular, the Belt‐and‐Road Initiative has had a positive impact on improving the innovation capability and firm performance of Chinese multinational enterprises through promoting R&D internationalization and strengthening the specialization of production.
Seeking agreements while appreciating differences among Chinese new ventures
Authors: Zhang Rui , Su Taoyong , Ji Junzhe , Mao Yufei
Published: November 2021

To attain superior venture performance, entrepreneurs need to extend their networks by engaging many heterogeneous partners and simultaneously casually seeking common goals between their new ventures and these partners. A critical network mechanism underlies the associations between entrepreneurial decision‐making logics, namely effectuation and causation, and entrepreneurial performance. Two network attributes—network heterogeneity and shared goal—play a key role in such a mechanism. Specifically, network heterogeneity mediates the effect of effectuation on entrepreneurial performance, while shared goal not only mediates the effect of causation on entrepreneurial performance but also moderates the network heterogeneity–performance association.
In situ ruminal disappearance of crude protein and phytate from differently processed rapeseed meals in dairy cows
Authors: Haese Eva , Titze Natascha , Rodehutscord Markus
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

The influence of different processing conditions of rapeseed meal on ruminal degradation of crude protein and phytate in dairy cows was investigated. Following oil extraction from the rapeseed, five residence times in the desolventizer/toaster were chosen to remove the solvent from the meal. Rapeseed cake and rapeseed meals were incubated in situ in the rumen of three fistulated dairy cows to determine ruminal degradation parameters.

RESULTS

With increasing residence time in the desolventizer/toaster the ruminal degradation of crude protein decreased significantly for every treatment step. Ruminal phytate degradation and crude protein degradation were affected almost identically.

CONCLUSION

The processing conditions of rapeseed meal have a major impact on the ruminal degradation of crude protein and phytate, indicating a potential conflict of interest regarding the production process. Large amounts of undegradable rumen protein are often intended for high‐yielding dairy cows whereas a high level of ruminal degradation is preferred for phytate to increase absorption of phosphorus in the small intestine. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Diversity in Academic Laryngology: An Evaluation of Academic Advancement and Research Productivity
Authors: Kollu Tejas , Giutashvili Tinatini , Uppal Priya , Ruffner Randall , Mortensen Melissa
Published: November 2021

Background

Diversity within the medical profession with respect to sex and racial minorities has been shown to have a positive effect on health and healthcare. Characterization of a field is key to evaluating trends and the advancement of diversity in an otolaryngology subspecialty.

Study Design

Observational study.

Methods

A comprehensive list of all the academic laryngologists was compiled from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accredited otolaryngology residency programs in 2020. The last 20 past presidents of the American Laryngological Association (ALA) and American Broncho‐Esophogological Association (ABEA) were analyzed. Academic rank and years in practice were determined from departmental websites, with online search tools used as secondary resources. The h‐index was utilized as a measure of research productivity. Regression analysis was performed to analyze these variables.

Results

There are 184 academic laryngologists in the 124 programs. The majority of the population is Caucasian 76.6% (141/184), followed by Asian 16.3% (30/184), African American 4.34% (8/184), and then Hispanic 1% (2/184). There are 47 full professors with 83% Caucasian, 14.1% Asian, and 2.1% African American and 91.5% male and only 8.5% female. Past ALA presidents were 90% male and for the ABEA 75% male. H‐index revealed a statistically significant difference between Caucasian and African American colleagues [Pvalue (<.0005)].

Conclusions

Minorities are disproportionately underrepresented in laryngology. Women are less likely to be in leadership roles in laryngology and become full professors. Laryngology lags behind other surgical specialties in the representation of minorities and women. Continued efforts should be made to increase diversity in the field of laryngology, especially in regard to underrepresented minorities.

Level of Evidence

NALaryngoscope, 132:1245–1250, 2022
Effect of socioeconomic and institutional factors and sustainable land management practices on soil fertility in smallholder farms in the Mahottari District, Nepal
Authors: Chaudhary Ashok Kumar , Pandit Ram , Burton Michael
Published: November 2021

Soil fertility decline is a serious global problem, leading to a decline in crop yields and jeopardizing household food security, particularly in developing countries. This paper examines the impact of socioeconomic and institutional factors and the adoption of sustainable land management practices on soil fertility changes on farms between 2002 and 2018 in the Mahottari District of Nepal. A household survey among 184 smallholder farmers was conducted in 2018 to complement soil survey data collected in 2002. A seemingly unrelated regression model was used to estimate factors influencing soil fertility changes between the two periods. The results showed that soil organic matter (SOM), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and soil pH increased, on average, by about 0.2%, 97 kg/ha, 4 kg/ha, and 0.5 scales, respectively, on the studied farms. The regression results indicated that extension visits and government support (free seedlings) had positive effects, while cooperative membership negatively affected soil fertility changes. Moreover, practicing fallow land use improved soil fertility changes on farms, while practicing conventional tillage using animals deteriorated soil fertility changes. The adoption of agroforestry practices positively affected changes in P and K and negatively affected SOM. Overall, this study highlighted the importance of institutional characteristics and sustainable land management practices to improve soil fertility. The policy implications of these findings for enhancing soil fertility on smallholder farms are: (1) increase the frequency of extension visits to share relevant information with farmers; and (2) incentivize farmers to adopt agroforestry and fallowing practices on their farms.
The PTW microSilicon diode: Performance in small 6 and 15 MV photon fields and utility of density compensation
Authors: Georgiou Georgios , Kumar Sudhir , Würfel Jan U. , Gilmore Martyn , Underwood Tracy S. A. , Rowbottom Carl G. , Fenwick John D.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

We have experimentally and computationally characterized the PTW microSilicon 60023‐type diode's performance in 6 and 15 MV photon fields ≥5 × 5 mm2 projected to isocenter. We tested the detector on‐ and off‐axis at 5 and 15 cm depths in water, and investigated whether its response could be improved by including within it a thin airgap.

Methods

Experimentally, detector readings were taken in fields generated by a Varian TrueBeam linac and compared with doses‐to‐water measured using Gafchromic film and ionization chambers. An unmodified 60023‐type diode was tested along with detectors modified to include 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 mm thick airgaps. Computationally, doses absorbed by water and detectors’ sensitive volumes were calculated using the EGSnrc/BEAMnrc Monte Carlo radiation transport code. Detector response was characterized using , a factor that corrects for differences in the ratio of dose‐to‐water to detector reading between small fields and the reference condition, in this study 5 cm deep on‐axis in a 4 × 4 cm2 field.

Results

The greatest errors in measurements of small field doses made using uncorrected readings from the unmodified 60023‐type detector were over‐responses of 2.6% ± 0.5% and 5.3% ± 2.0% determined computationally and experimentally, relative to the reading‐per‐dose in the reference field. Corresponding largest errors for the earlier 60017‐type detector were 11.9% ± 0.6% and 11.7% ± 1.4% over‐responses. Adding even the thinnest, 0.6 mm, airgap to the 60023‐type detector over‐corrected it, leading to under‐responses of up to 4.8% ± 0.6% and 5.0% ± 1.8% determined computationally and experimentally. Further, Monte Carlo calculations indicate that a detector with a 0.3 mm airgap would read correctly to within 1.3% on‐axis. The ratio of doses at 15 and 5 cm depths in water in a 6 MV 4 × 4 cm2 field was measured more accurately using the unmodified 60023‐type detector than using the 60017‐type detector, and was within 0.3% of the ratio measured using an ion chamber. The 60023‐type diode's sensitivity also varied negligibly as dose‐rate was reduced from 13 to 4 Gy min–1 by decreasing the linac pulse repetition frequency, whereas the sensitivity of the 60017‐type detector fell by 1.5%.

Conclusions

The 60023‐type detector performed well in small fields across a wide range of beam energies, field sizes, depths, and off‐axis positions. Its response can potentially be further improved by adding a thin, 0.3 mm, airgap.
Patients' prior perceptions and expectations of the Enhanced Transtheoretical Model Intervention for chronic low back pain: A qualitative study
Authors: Feldman Ron , Nudelman Yaniv , Haleva‐Amir Sharon , Ben Ami Noa
Published: November 2021

Background

The Enhanced Transtheoretical Model Intervention (ETMI) is an approach for treating chronic low back pain (CLBP), which demonstrated clinical and cost‐effectiveness outcomes. ETMI highlights reassurance, return to normal activities and encouragement of recreational physical activity. In order to optimally implement ETMI, it is important to gain an understanding of the expectations and perceptions of patients before they engage with the intervention.

Objectives

To explore CLBP patients' perceptions and expectations of the ETMI method prior to their first consultation with physiotherapist.

Methods

Qualitative semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 30 CLBP patients. The interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed, coded, and analysed thematically. Patients were first asked about their expectations of treatment, then they were asked to comment on the ETMI method.

Results

Three main themes emerged from the interviews: (1) Patient's perceptions of LBP; (2) patient's expectations from current physiotherapy and (3) Patient's expectations from ETMI method. The patients' perceptions of back pain centred on biomechanical causal factors, a desire for diagnostic tests and beliefs that rest cures the pain. Their expectations from current physiotherapy included pain reduction, passive treatment, a structured exercise program and clear information about LBP. In reference to the ETMI method, patients expected pain reduction, practical tools to self‐manage, and a combination of ETMI with passive treatment.

Conclusion

addressing issues around patient's perceptions and expectations of current physiotherapy and of the ETMI method, prior to their first consultation with physiotherapist, could be beneficial for understanding how to improve the ETMI implementation in the health care system.
Evolution of anisotropy with saturation and its implications for the elastoplastic responses of clay rocks
Authors: Ip Sabrina C.Y. , Borja Ronaldo I.
Published: November 2021

Many clay rocks have distinct bedding planes. Experimental studies have shown that their mechanical properties evolve with the degree of saturation (DOS), often with higher stiffness and strength after drying. For transversely isotropic rocks, the effects of saturation can differ between the bed‐normal (BN) and bed‐parallel (BP) directions, which gives rise to saturation‐dependent stiffness and strength anisotropy. Accurate prediction of the mechanical behavior of clay rocks under partially saturated conditions requires numerical models that can capture the evolving elastic and plastic anisotropy with DOS. In this study, we present an anisotropy framework for coupled solid deformation‐fluid flow in unsaturated elastoplastic media. We incorporate saturation‐dependent strength anisotropy into an anisotropic modified Cam‐Clay (MCC) model and consider the evolving anisotropy in both the elastic and plastic responses. The model was calibrated using experimental data from triaxial tests to demonstrate its capability in capturing strength anisotropy at various levels of saturation. Through numerical simulations, we demonstrate the role of evolving stiffness and strength anisotropy in the mechanical behavior of clay rocks. Plane strain simulations of triaxial compression tests were also conducted to demonstrate the impacts of material anisotropy and DOS on the mechanical and fluid flow responses.
Similarity of anthropogenic stressors is multifaceted and scale dependent
Authors: Orr James A. , Rillig Matthias C. , Jackson Michelle C.
Published: November 2021

Human influences have created a world where all ecosystems are exposed to multiple stressors with diverse characteristics and impacts. Organizing this ever‐expanding list of stressors presents the opportunity to derive general rules, to understand effects and to improve predictions. Assessing the similarity of anthropogenic stressors can be approached from different perspectives, which we synthesize here. Stressors can be compared by asking what they are (traits), why they are present (sources), where they occur (spatial overlap), when they occur (temporal overlap), how they affect organisms (mode of action) and who they affect (co‐tolerance). Some concepts of stressor similarity are thus related to intrinsic features of the stressors themselves (e.g. sources and traits), while other concepts pertain to the similarity of the effects of stressors and are therefore dependent on the ecological scale at which the effects of stressors are measured (e.g. mode of action and co‐tolerance). Viewing stressor similarity as a multi‐faceted and scale‐dependent concept will open new avenues for stressor classification, will enhance predictions of the combined effects of stressors and may even inform the management of novel or emerging stressors.

Keypoints

The anthropogenic stressors that are impacting biodiversity and ecosystem functioning worldwide can be physical (e.g. warming), chemical (e.g. pesticides) or biological (e.g. disease) in nature.

We show that stressors can be compared by asking what they are, why they are present, where they occur, when they occur, how they affect organisms and who, or which organisms, they affect.

Understanding the similarity of stressors requires interdisciplinary collaboration and will help us to manage species and habitats threatend by a growing number of stressors.
Auf der Suche nach kosmischer Antimaterie
Authors: Schael Stefan
Published: November 2021

Im Mai 2011 wurde das Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer mit dem letzten Flug des Space‐Shuttles Endeavour auf die Internationale Raumstation gebracht. Seitdem erfasst es die geladene kosmische Strahlung mit bisher nie erreichter Präzision. Dabei liefert es neue Einblicke in hochenergetische Prozesse in unserer Milchstraße, die uns Rückschlüsse auf die Natur der Dunklen Materie und zur Frage der Materie‐Antimaterie‐Asymmetrie im Universum erlauben. Das Nachfolgeexperiment, AMS‐100, könnte diese Messungen in der nächsten Dekade mit einer nochmals tausendfach höheren Sensitivität fortsetzen.
Selbstkrümmung eines Kekses
Authors: Schlichting Hans‐Joachim
Published: November 2021

Ein einseitig mit einer Schokoladenschicht glasierter Keks krümmt sich allmählich, wenn er ausgepackt ist. Weshalb?
Comparison of image georeferencing strategies for agricultural applications of small unoccupied aircraft systems
Authors: Pugh N. Ace , Thorp Kelly R. , Gonzalez Emmanuel M. , Elshikha Diaa Eldin M. , Pauli Duke
Published: November 2021

Small unoccupied aircraft systems (sUAS) are becoming popular for mapping applications in agriculture, and photogrammetry software is available for developing orthorectified imagery and three‐dimensional surface models. Ground control points (GCPs), which are objects or locations with known geographic coordinates, may be required for accurate image georeferencing. However, few studies have compared global position equipment among sUAS or investigated the effects of GCP number or arrangement on georeferencing accuracy. The objectives of this study were to evaluate numbers and configurations of GCPs for georeferencing sUAS‐acquired images and determine the GCP requirements for sUAS with and without real‐time kinematic (RTK) global positioning equipment. The effects of varying numbers and configurations of GCPs were investigated on both a 0.40‐ha area the size of a typical plant breeding trial and a 64.7‐ha area (i.e., a U.S. quarter section) the size of a typical agricultural production field. Results demonstrated that four GCPs placed at the corners of the breeding‐scale field resulted in two‐dimensional (2D) error of ±3 cm in the absence of RTK, with minimal improvements when including more GCPs. The orthomosaics from the RTK‐equipped sUAS demonstrated improved 2D accuracy even without the use of GCPs, with a maximum mean error of 0.08 m. Four GCPs were found to be sufficient to reduce altitudinal (Z) error, with maximum mean error of only 0.05 and 1.98 m for the RTK and non‐RTK flights, respectively, for the production‐scale field. Thus, using four GCPs, RTK‐equipped sUAS, or a combination will result in improved georeferencing for photogrammetry products.
Design, synthesis, and evaluation of the self‐assembled antimicrobial peptides based on the ovalbumin‐derived peptide TK913
Authors: Tan Ao , Xu Fusheng , Yokoyama Chikako , Yano Shigekazu , Konno Hiroyuki
Published: November 2021

The preparation, self‐assembly, and antimicrobial activity of peptides based on TK913 is described. TK9Z4 incorporating a Pro‐Pro motif exhibited self‐assembly but no cytotoxicity. However, peptide TKZ3 (obtained by changing the amino acid sequence of TK9Z4) showed morphological changes at different concentrations, potent antimicrobial activity, low cytotoxicity, and trypsin resistance. Accordingly, TKZ3 is proposed as new AMP derived from ovalbumin‐derived peptides.
Using the Bayesian detection of potential risk using inference on blinded safety data (BDRIBS) method to support the decision to refer an event for unblinded evaluation
Authors: Waterhouse Brian , Hartford Alan , Mukhopadhyay Saurabh , Ferguson Ryan , Hendrickson Barbara A.
Published: November 2021

In the Sponsor Responsibilities—Safety Reporting Requirements and Safety Assessment for IND and Bioavailability/Bioequivalence Studies: Draft Guidance for Industry (June 2021) the Food and Drug Administration recommends that sponsors develop a Safety Surveillance Plan as a key element of a systematic approach to safety surveillance and describes two possible approaches to assess the aggregate safety data. One approach regularly analyzes unblinded serious adverse events (SAEs) by treatment group. The alternative approach prespecifies estimated background rates for anticipated SAEs in the study population (e.g., myocardial infarctions in an older adult population). If the event rate in the blinded data from the study population exceeds a “trigger rate,” then an unblinded analysis by treatment group is conducted. The Bayesian detection of potential risk using inference on blinded safety data (BDRIBS) method has been previously described and offers a quantitative approach for assessing blinded events. In this article we provide a procedural workflow for blinded review of safety data that is consistent with the unblinding “trigger approach” for aggregate safety review. In addition, this publication contextualizes the use of BDRIBS within the broader safety surveillance framework, extends the method to allow for multiple studies, and offers examples of its use in various settings via an R‐Shiny application that allows for dynamic visualization and assessment.
On the anomalous development of a series of heavy rainfall events from central to north China during 19–21 July 2016
Authors: Xia Rudi , Zhang Da‐Lin , Fu Shenming , Yin Jinfang , Wang Hongyan
Published: November 2021

This study examines the development of a series of heavy rainfall events over four different geographical regions from central to north China on 19–21 July 2016, with the maximum 48‐hr‐accumulated and hourly rainfall amounts of 875 and 139 mm, respectively. Results show that the heavy rainfall events occurred in an environment with an anomalous deep trough associated with unusual extratropical cyclogenesis during this warm month and a pronounced moisture anomaly compared to a 30‐year climatology. The cyclogenesis coincided with dry‐air intrusion from the lower stratosphere, and its merging with a northwest and a southwest vortex in the lower troposphere, After its formation, the cyclone moved northward on the east side of Mt. Taihang and then northeastward across Mt. Yanshan. The presence of the southwest vortex and an abnormally strong western Pacific subtropical high contributed to the maintenance and intensification of a southwesterly low‐level jet (LLJ) carrying ample moisture, leading to the heavy rainfall in central China. The further enhanced southwesterly LLJ through the cyclogenesis and its accompanying southeasterly LLJ provided much needed precipitable water for the heavy rainfall events over north China. It was the quasi‐geostrophic forcing of the extratropical cyclone, together with its cold/warm frontal systems, and especially its northward movement with the approaching airflows near‐perpendicular to the general mountain orientations that provided optimized settings for the generation of a series of heavy rainfall events along the windward foothills of the major mountains in north China.
Morphological Processing in Children with Developmental Dyslexia: A Visual Masked Priming Study
Authors: Law Jeremy M , Ghesquière Pol
Published: November 2021

This study examined the processing of derivational morphology and its association with early phonological skills of 24 Dutch‐speaking children with dyslexia and 46 controls matched for age. A masked priming experiment was conducted where the semantic overlap between morphologically related pairs was manipulated as part of a lexical decision task. Results suggest that morphological processing is intact in children with dyslexia when compared to age‐matched controls. Significant priming effects were found in each group. Children with dyslexia were found to solely benefit from the morpho‐semantic information, while the morpho‐orthographic form the properties of morphemes‐influenced controls. Due to the longitudinal nature of the data set, an examination of early phonological awareness’s role in the later development of morphological processing skills was possible. In line with the psycholinguistic grain‐size theory, fifth‐grade morphological processing in children with dyslexia was found to be negatively correlated to earlier second‐grade PA skills. A similar relation was not found among the controls. Results indicate a potential shift in the cognitive processes involved during reading to compensate for the observed phonological deficits of children with dyslexia.
Recent Update on Transition Metal‐Free C(sp2)−H Bond Halogenation in (Hetero) Arenes
Authors: Mal Sourav , Jana Manoranjan , Sarkar Satinath
Published: November 2021

Halogen incorporated arenes and heteroarenes are often used as useful intermediates as well as target products in organic synthesis. Often, C−H bond halogenation is attempted using transition metals (Pd, Cu, Au, Rh etc.). However, keeping the environmental concerns in mind, transition metal free protocols are more relevant and essential in recent times. In this context, improvised methods are widely being developed to evade transition metals. A great deal of work has been done on this topic in recent times and still going on. The intention of this review is to cover recent works on transition metal‐free C(sp2)−H bond halogenations on arenes as well as heteroarenes.
Synthesis of Angular Triquinane and [4.3.3]Propellane Derivatives via Ring‐Rearrangement Olefin Metathesis
Authors: Kotha Sambasivarao , Agrawal Arpit , Ansari Saima
Published: November 2021

Herein, a simple and useful approach to angular triquinane and [4.3.3]propellane moieties is described via olefin metathesis starting from exo and endo Diels‐Alder (DA) adducts containing norbornene unit. This approach involves DA reaction, and ring‐rearrangement metathesis (RRM) as key steps. Strained norbornene derivatives on allylation at bridgehead position(s) followed by ring‐opening metathesis and ring‐closing metathesis sequence delivered angular triquinane and also stereochemically different propellane derivatives.
Highly Efficient Silylative Kinetic Resolution of Racemic trans‐2‐Alkyl‐1‐indanols Catalyzed by Chiral Guanidine
Authors: Suzuki Takeshi , Iwakura Manaya , Nakata Kenya
Published: November 2021

Chiral guanidine catalyzed silylative kinetic resolution of racemic trans‐2‐alkyl‐1‐indanols using Ph3SiCl was achieved with high s‐values. A variety of substrates bearing alkyl groups at the C‐2 position and substituents on the aromatic rings of the indanol moiety were applicable in the reaction achieving good to high selectivity, irrespective of the type of substituent present. In addition to exhibiting high selectivity, the guanidine catalyst was found to be highly active and the reactions could be performed using a catalyst loading of only 0.5 mol %. It was revealed that the relative stereochemistry of the stereogenic centers of the substrates was important and that the reaction using cis‐substrates did not proceed at all, whereas the reaction can be selectively carried out using trans‐substrates.
Accelerating Triple Transport in Zinc‐Air Batteries and Water Electrolysis by Spatially Confining Co Nanoparticles in Breathable Honeycomb‐Like Macroporous N‐Doped Carbon
Authors: Wang Haiyan , Jiao Yakun , Wang Saijun , Ye Pengcheng , Ning Jiqiang , Zhong Yijun , Hu Yong
Published: November 2021

Rational engineering electrode structure to achieve an efficient triple‐phase contact line is vital for applications such as in zinc‐air batteries and water electrolysis. Herein, a facile “MOF‐in situ‐leaching and confined‐growth‐MOF” strategy is developed to construct a breathable trifunctional electrocatalyst based on N‐doped graphitic carbon with Co nanoparticles spatially confined in an inherited honeycomb‐like macroporous structure (denoted as Co@HMNC). The unique orderly arranged macroporous channels and the “ships in a bottle” confinement effect jointly expedite the triple transport, endowing the catalysts with fast reaction kinetics. As a result, the obtained Co@HMNC catalyst presents superb trifunctional performance with a positive half‐wave potential (E1/2) of 0.90 V for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and low overpotentials of 318 and 51 mV for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at 10 mA cm−2, respectively. The Co@HMNC‐based liquid Zn‐air battery reaches a large specific capacity of 859 mA h gZn−1, a high‐power density of 198 mW cm−2, and long‐term stability for 375 h, suggesting its promise for actual applications.
Polyphenylene Sulfide‐Based Solid‐State Separator for Limited Li Metal Battery
Authors: Zhou Haitao , Yu Chongchen , Gao Hongquan , Wu Jian‐Chun , Hou Dong , Liu Menghao , Zhang Minghui , Xu Zifu , Yang Jianhong , Chen De
Published: November 2021

The urgent need for high energy batteries is pushing the battery studies toward the Li metal and solid‐state direction, and the most central question is finding proper solid‐state electrolyte (SSE). So far, the recently studied electrolytes have obvious advantages and fatal weaknesses, resulting in indecisive plans for industrial production. In this work, a thin and dense lithiated polyphenylene sulfide‐based solid state separator (PPS‐SSS) prepared by a solvent‐free process in pilot stage is proposed. Moreover, the PPS surface is functionalized to immobilize the anions, increasing the Li+ transference number to 0.8−0.9, and widening the electrochemical potential window (EPW > 5.1 V). At 25 °C, the PPS‐SSS exhibits high intrinsic Li+ diffusion coefficient and ionic conductivity (>10−4 S cm−1), and Li+ transport rectifying effect, resulting in homogenous Li‐plating on Cu at 2 mA cm−2 density. Based on the limited Li‐plated Cu anode or anode‐free Cu, high loadings cathode and high voltage, the Li‐metal batteries (LMBs) with polyethylene (PE) protected PPS‐SSSs deliver high energy and power densities (>1000 Wh L−1 and 900 W L−1) with >200 cycling life and high safety, exceeding those of state‐of‐the‐art Li‐ion batteries. The results promote the Li metal battery toward practicality.
Bone histology of dinocephalians (Therapsida, Dinocephalia): palaeobiological and palaeoecological inferences
Authors: Bhat Mohd Shafi , Shelton Christen D. , Chinsamy Anusuya
Published: November 2021

We investigate the bone histology of multiple skeletal elements of dinocephalian taxa from the middle PermianTapinocephalusAssemblage Zone of the Karoo Basin of South Africa. The results show that the cortex is predominantly composed of fibrolamellar bone, suggesting rapid osteogenesis for these basal non‐mammalian therapsids. However, in a few skeletal elements, growth marks interrupt the deposition of the fibrolamellar bone tissue, indicating periodic arrests in growth. Ontogenetic differences are observed among the specimens studied: the majority have fibrolamellar bone deposited up to the peripheral margin of the bone wall, indicating continuous fast growth right up to the time of death, while a few specimens have avascular lamellar bone tissue with multiple, closely spaced rest lines, indicating maturity and a slowing down of growth prior to death. Several taxon‐specific histological variations in terms of orientation of vascular canals and primary osteons, incidence of growth marks, and extent of secondary medullary reconstruction suggest slight differences in growth trajectories between the different taxa. The skeletal elements of the herbivorous taxa (Keratocephalus,MoschopsandStruthiocephalus) and the omnivorousJonkeria, previously studied, are characterized by a thick cortex, and extensively developed medullary spongiosa, suggestive of semi‐aquatic habits. In contrast, the femoral histology of the carnivorousAnteosaurussuggests that it was more terrestrial.
Neubau Negrellisteg
Authors: Bernhard Pascal , Paratte Mathieu , Deplazes Martin , Bronzini Gianfranco
Published: November 2021

Im Frühling 2021 wurde der Negrellisteg über das Zürcher Gleisfeld eröffnet. Damit gingen intensive und anregende Planungs‐ und Bauphasen zu Ende. Dieser Bericht gibt Einblick in die technischen Aspekte der Konstruktion und des Bauvorgangs dieser 160 m langen Fußgängerbrücke. Dabei wird auf die besonderen Herausforderungen eines monolithischen Bauwerks, welches auf bestehenden Betonbauwerken fundiert wurde, eingegangen. Weiter wird die für stählerne Fußgängerbrücken besonders relevante Schwingungsthematik beleuchtet. Der Bauvorgang im innerstädtischen Umfeld über dem Gleisfeld des größten Schweizer Bahnhofs erforderte bei der Ausführung ebenfalls besonderes Augenmerk.
An improved Lubliner strength model based on Ottosen failure criterion for concrete under multiaxial stress state
Authors: Lei Bo , Qi Taiyue , Li Yan , Qin Shaojie
Published: November 2021

The Lubliner strength criterion (SC) can achieve desirable responses in the tension‐dominated and plane compressive stress states but overestimates the concrete strength under triaxial compression. Moreover, additional breakpoints without continuous derivatives occur along the hydrostatic pressure axis. The primary causes for these problems include the Lubliner SC constant γ parameter and breakpoints along the piecewise linear meridians. Therefore, a new Lubliner–Ottosen SC is developed with the parameter γ determined based on the Ottosen SC. The meridian contains smoothly connected straight and curved lines. Moreover, the deviatoric traces of the corresponding failure surface gradually change from curved triangles to approximate circles with increasing hydrostatic pressure. Finally, the proposed Lubliner–Ottosen SC is compared with other failure criteria and experimental results for concrete. Regardless of triaxial or nontriaxial compression, the new criterion can suitably represent the failure behavior of concrete in the various multiaxial stress states.
Linguistically Responsive Instruction for Latinx Teacher Candidates: Surfacing Language Ideological Dilemmas
Authors: Lindahl Kristen , Fallas‐Escobar Christian , Henderson Kathryn I.
Published: November 2021

This qualitative study explored Linguistically Responsive Instruction (LRI) for linguistically diverse Latinx preservice Teacher Candidates (TCs) at a tertiary institution in the southwest region of the United States. To provide an example of preparing TCs to engage in LRI by helping them reflect upon ideological orientations, we operationalized LRI as a series of three reflective tasks—language portraits, ideology trees, and utterance analysis—designed to pose linguistic ideological dilemmas (LIDs) for participants. Findings from multimodal thematic analysis suggest that during the study, engaging in LRI afforded teacher candidates space to explore tensions surrounding broader ideologies in circulation (ideological infrastructures), as well as personal ideological orientations towards themselves, their future learners, and society. These tensions generated dilemmas that caused participants to engage in language and ethnicity gatekeeping in ways that revealed the impact of institutionalized ideological stances toward linguistically and ethnically diverse speakers. Implications include (1) potential ways for faculty and students interested in LRI implementation to interrogate sociopolitical dimensions of language use across disciplines, (2) better understanding of whether and what type of ideological clarity may emerge from LRI in tertiary classrooms, and (3) how LRI might contribute to the disruption of less nuanced approaches to serving linguistically diverse learners in higher education.
Potential anticancer effects of cyclo(‐Pro‐Tyr) against N‐diethyl nitrosamine induced hepatocellular carcinoma in mouse through PI3K/AKT signaling
Authors: Karanam Gayathri , Arumugam Madan Kumar
Published: November 2021

The oceans are considered as magnificent source of bioactive metabolites, of which marine sponges associated organisms are being the most effective producers of various bioactive molecules. We previously reported that cyclo(‐Pro‐Tyr) (CPT), a dipeptide from marine sponge Callyspongia fistularis associated Bacillus pumilus AMK1 bacteria for its anti‐proliferative activity through down regulating PI3K signaling and inducing mitochondrial mediated apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Further we emphasize to study the role of CPT against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced by N‐diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in male swiss albino mice in vivo. In this study, HCC was induced by the administration of DEN (75 mg/kg b.wt) dissolved in saline once/week for 3 weeks, then 100 mg/kg b.wt for another successive 3 weeks and observed for 18 weeks. CPT (100 mg/kg b.wt) treatment was started after 14 weeks of DEN induction. The obtained results demonstrated that CPT altered DEN induced oxidative stress by decreasing serum SGOT and SGPT followed increment in the antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. This was accompanied by decreased accumulation of glycoconjugates and argyophilic nucleolar organizing regions in the treatment groups. Further, CPT significantly reduced the levels of phospho‐PI3Kinase p85 and phospho‐AKT and upregulation of PTEN compared with DEN induced group. Besides this, decreased expression of Bcl‐2 and increased expression of Bax, Caspase 3, and p53 was observed in CPT treated mice. Therefore, the anticancer mechanism of CPT against DEN induced HCC may be associated with the regulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which ultimately stimulates apoptosis.
Subacute exposure to aluminum chloride causes prolonged morphological insults in the ventral male prostate and in the female prostate of adult gerbils
Authors: da Silva Lima Danilo , da Silva Gomes Liana , de Sousa Figueredo Esther , e Silva Yasmin Inocêncio Fernandes , Silva Edvaldo Mendes , de Souza Bovi Thais , Taboga Sebastião Roberto , Marques Mara Rúbia , Biancardi Manoel Francisco , dos Santos Fernanda Cristina Alcantara
Published: November 2021

Aluminum (Al) is a widespread metal in the environment, and is found in fresh or processed foods, household utensils, packaging, and medicines. In addition to its high toxicity, Al can also have estrogenic agonistic effects on target organs. Considering that the Al effects on the prostate are little known, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) subacute exposure on the morphophysiology of the male ventral prostate and the female prostate of adult gerbils. Furthermore, the glandular restoration capacity in face of the Al insults was evaluated in gerbils that were submitted to 30 days of recovery. Male and female gerbils were orally exposed to AlCl3 (10 mg/kg) for 30 consecutive days. The animals were euthanized 1 day (Al1D) or 30 days (Al30D) after the end of treatment. Prostates were dissected out and processed for structural, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical analyses. Male ventral prostates and female prostates of the Al1D group showed increased cell proliferation, glandular hyperplasia, increased secretory activity and greater androgen receptor immunoreactivity. In males, Al withdrawal (Al30D) allowed a partial recovery of the prostate, as the glandular secretory activity, and frequency of androgen receptor positive cells were similar to the control group. In females, the recuperation interval (Al30D) was not enough to restore the prostatic morphology, since the gland remained hyperplastic, proliferative, and with greater androgen and estrogen receptor immunoreactivity. These data alert to the importance of avoiding Al exposure, since this metal can have a harmful and prolonged action on the prostate.
The environmental flows implementation challenge: Insights and recommendations across water‐limited systems
Authors: Wineland Sean M. , Bașağaoğlu Hakan , Fleming Jeri , Friedman Jack , Garza‐Diaz Laura , Kellogg Wayne , Koch Jennifer , Lane Belize A. , Mirchi Ali , Nava Luzma F. , Neeson Thomas M. , Ortiz‐Partida J. Pablo , Paladino Stephanie , Plassin Sophie , Gomez‐Quiroga Grace , Saiz‐Rodriguez Ramon , Sandoval‐Solis Samuel , Wagner Kevin , Weber Newakis , Winterle James , Wootten Adrienne M.
Published: November 2021

Environmental flows (e‐flows) are powerful tools for sustaining freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem services, but their widespread implementation faces numerous social, political, and economic barriers. These barriers are amplified in water‐limited systems where strong trade‐offs exist between human water needs and freshwater ecosystem protection. We synthesize the complex, multidisciplinary challenges that exist in these systems to help identify targeted solutions to accelerate the adoption and implementation of environmental flows initiatives. We present case studies from three water‐limited systems in North America and synthesize the major barriers to implementing environmental flows. We identify four common barriers: (a) lack of authority to implement e‐flows in water governance structures, (b) fragmented water governance in transboundary water systems, (c) declining water availability and increasing variability under climate change, and (d) lack of consideration of non‐biophysical factors. We then formulate actionable recommendations for decision makers facing these barriers when working towards implementing environmental flows: (a) modify or establish a water governance framework to recognize or allow e‐flows, (b) strive for collaboration across political jurisdictions and social, economic, and environmental sectors, and (c) manage adaptively for climate change in e‐flows planning and recommendations.

This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness

Human Water > Water Governance

Engineering Water > Planning Water
Drazin-Star and Star-Drazin Inverses of Bounded Finite Potent Operators on Hilbert Spaces
Authors: Pablos Romo Fernando
Published: November 2021

The aim of this work is to extend to bounded finite potent endomorphisms on arbitrary Hilbert spaces the notions of the Drazin-Star and the Star-Drazin of matrices that have been recently introduced by D. Mosić. The existence, structure and main properties of these operators are given. In particular, we obtain new properties of the Drazin-Star and the Star-Drazin of a finite complex matrix. Moreover, the explicit solutions of some infinite linear systems on Hilbert spaces from the Drazin-Star inverse of a bounded finite potent endomorphism are studied.
Early molecular imaging response assessment based on determination of total viable tumor burden in [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT independently predicts overall survival in [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 radioligand therapy
Authors: Rosar Florian , Wenner Felix , Khreish Fadi , Dewes Sebastian , Wagenpfeil Gudrun , Hoffmann Manuela A. , Schreckenberger Mathias , Bartholomä Mark , Ezziddin Samer
Published: November 2021

Purpose

In patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with prostate-specific membrane antigen-targeted radioligand therapy (PSMA-RLT), the predictive value of PSMA PET/CT-derived response is still under investigation. Early molecular imaging response based on total viable tumor burden and its association with overall survival (OS) was explored in this study.

Methods

Sixty-six mCRPC patients who received [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 RLT within a prospective patient registry (REALITY Study, NCT04833517) were analyzed. Patients received a [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT scan before the first and after the second cycle of PSMA-RLT. Total lesion PSMA (TLP) was determined by semiautomatic whole-body tumor segmentation. Molecular imaging response was assessed by change in TLP and modified PERCIST criteria. Biochemical response was assessed using standard serum PSA and PCWG3 criteria. Both response assessment methods and additional baseline parameters were analyzed regarding their association with OS by univariate and multivariable analysis.

Results

By molecular imaging, 40/66 (60.6%) patients showed partial remission (PR), 19/66 (28.7%) stable disease (SD), and 7/66 (10.6%) progressive disease (PD). Biochemical response assessment revealed PR in 34/66 (51.5%) patients, SD in 20/66 (30.3%), and PD in 12/66 (18.2%). Response assessments were concordant in 49/66 (74.3%) cases. On univariate analysis, both molecular and biochemical response (p = 0.001 and 0.008, respectively) as well as two baseline characteristics (ALP and ECOG) were each significantly associated with OS. The median OS of patients showing molecular PR was 24.6 versus 10.7 months in the remaining patients (with SD or PD). On multivariable analysis molecular imaging response remained an independent predictor of OS (p = 0.002), eliminating biochemical response as insignificant (p = 0.515).

Conclusion

The new whole-body molecular imaging–derived biomarker, early change of total lesion PSMA (TLP), independently predicts overall survival in [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 RLT in mCRPC, outperforming conventional PSA-based response assessment. TLP might be considered a more distinguished and advanced biomarker for monitoring PSMA-RLT over commonly used serum PSA.