bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Government transfers, COVID‐19 shock, and food insecurity: Evidence from rural households in India
Authors: Kumar Anjani , Mishra Ashok K. , Saroj Sunil , Rashid Shahidur
Published: May 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has decimated the lives and livelihoods of people worldwide. The impact of COVID‐19 has been especially devastating for low‐income families in rural areas of India. Soon after the nationwide lockdown was announced, food insecurity became pervasive in rural areas, as many families relied on daily wage work to fund necessities. By providing cash transfers and additional foodgrains, Indian policymakers acted swiftly to reduce the financial impact on family income and consumption. This paper investigates the factors affecting rural families' participation in the cash transfer program and the effect of government cash transfers on food insecurity. Results indicate that India's government cash transfer program decreased moderate food insecurity by 2.4% and severe food insecurity by about 0.92% [EconLit Citations: O12, I31, I32, I38].
Cunoniaceae infructescences from the early Eocene Laguna del Hunco flora, Patagonia, Argentina
Authors: Matel Theodore P. , Gandolfo María A. , Hermsen Elizabeth J. , Wilf Peter
Published: May 2022

Premise

Two distinct types of fossil infructescences from the early Eocene Laguna del Hunco flora, Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina, preserve features of the family Cunoniaceae. The goal of the study was to assess their affinities within Cunoniaceae and to interpret their evolutionary and biogeographical significance.

Methods

Specimens were collected from the Tufolitas Laguna del Hunco, Huitrera Formation. They were prepared, photographed, and compared morphologically with similar extant and fossil fruits and infructescences using published literature and herbarium material.

Results

The fruit and infructescence morphology place the fossil taxa within Cunoniaceae. They do not conform to any extant genus, supporting the erection of two new fossil genera. Racemofructus gen. nov. shares diagnostic features of the tribe Cunonieae, especially Weinmannia s.l., and exhibits two tribal morphological synapomorphies: a racemose inflorescence and a replum composed of a single column. Cunoniocarpa gen. nov. specimens are paniculate inflorescences with basipetally dehiscent, bicarpellate capsules that have persistent styles and calyces. Its replum morphology suggests an affinity to the tribe Caldcluvieae, particularly to the genus Ackama.

Conclusions

The new Patagonian fossils described herein constitute the oldest record of cunoniaceous capsules globally, supplementing a significant body of fossil evidence from pollen, wood, and reproductive structures from southern South America and Antarctica that suggests that the Cunoniaceae were diversified and widely distributed in the southern hemisphere by the early Eocene. Racemofructus and Cunoniocarpa are, respectively, the first fossil records from South America of reproductive structures with affinity to tribes Cunonieae and Caldcluvieae.
Trajectories of quality of life recovery and symptom burden after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation in multiple myeloma
Authors: D'Souza Anita , Brazauskas Ruta , Stadtmauer Edward A. , Pasquini Marcelo C. , Hari Parameswaran , Bashey Asad , Callander Natalie , Devine Steven , Efebera Yvonne , Ganguly Siddhartha , Gasparetto Cristina , Geller Nancy , Horowitz Mary M. , Koreth John , Landau Heather , Brunstein Claudio , McCarthy Philip , Qazilbash Muzaffar H. , Giralt Sergio , Krishnan Amrita , Flynn Kathryn E.
Published: May 2022

Early autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) with post‐transplant maintenance therapy is standard of care in multiple myeloma (MM). While short‐term quality of life (QOL) deterioration after AHCT is known, the long‐term trajectories and symptom burden after transplantation are largely unknown. Toward this goal, a secondary analysis of QOL data of the BMT CTN 0702, a randomized controlled trial comparing outcomes of three treatment interventions after a single AHCT (N = 758), was conducted. FACT‐BMT scores up to 4 years post‐AHCT were analyzed. Symptom burden was studied using responses to 17 individual symptoms dichotomized as ‘none/mild’ for scores 0–2 and ‘moderate/severe’ for scores of 3 or 4. Patients with no moderate/severe symptom ratings were considered to have low symptom burden at 1‐year. Mean age at enrollment was 55.5 years with 17% African Americans. Median follow‐up was 6 years (range, 0.4–8.5 years). FACT‐BMT scores improved between enrollment and 1‐year and remained stable thereafter. Low symptom burden was reported by 27% of patients at baseline, 38% at 1‐year, and 32% at 4 years post‐AHCT. Predictors of low symptom burden at 1‐year included low symptom burden at baseline: OR 2.7 (1.8–4.1), p < 0.0001; older age: OR 2.1 (1.3–3.2), p = 0.0007; and was related to being employed: OR 2.1 (1.4–3.2), p = 0.0004). We conclude that MM survivors who achieve disease control after AHCT have excellent recovery of FACT‐BMT and subscale scores to population norms by 1‐year post‐transplant, though many patients continue to report moderate to severe severity in some symptoms at 1‐year and beyond.
Deciphering complex rearrangements at the breakpoint of an apparently balanced reciprocal translocation t(4:18)(q31;q11.2)dn and at a cryptic deletion: Further evidence of TLL1 as a causative gene for atrial septal defect
Authors: Yamada Mamiko , Suzuki Hisato , Miya Fuyuki , Takenouchi Toshiki , Kosaki Kenjiro
Published: May 2022

When a de novo balanced reciprocal translocation is identified in patients with multiple congenital abnormalities, attempts are often made to infer the relationship between the phenotype of the patient and genes in the proximity of the breakpoint. Here, we report a patient with intellectual disability, atrial septal defect, syndactyly, and cleft lip and palate who had an “apparently balanced” de novo reciprocal translocation t(4:18)(q31;q11.2) as well as a 7‐Mb cryptic deletion spanning the HOXD cluster on chromosome 2q31 that was unrelated to the reciprocal translocation. Further analysis using a nanopore long‐read sequencer showed complex rearrangements on both derivative chromosomes 4 and 18 and the deleted chromosome 2. First, the TLL1 locus, which is associated with atrial septal defect, was disrupted by the rearrangement involving chromosome 4. Second, the deleted interval at 2q31 included the entire HOXD cluster, the deletion of which is known to cause toe syndactyly, and the DLX1 and DLX2 loci, which are responsible for cleft lip and palate. Among the haplo‐sensitive genes within the deleted interval on 2q31, only the RAPGEF4 gene is known to be associated with an autistic phenotype. Hence, most of the clinical features of the patient could be ascribed to specific genomic rearrangements. We have shown the effectiveness of long‐read sequencing in defining, in detail, the likely effects of an apparently balanced translocation and cryptic deletion. The results of the present analysis suggest the possibility of phenotypic prediction through a detailed analysis of structural abnormalities, including balanced translocations and deletions.
Recent Advances in Synthesis and Medicinal Evaluation of 1,2‐Benzothiazine Analogues
Authors: Reetu Reetu , Gujjarappa Raghuram , Malakar Chandi C.
Published: May 2022

Benzothiazines are one of the significant nitrogen containing heterocyclic scaffolds which are found to be multipurpose in the fields of drug discovery and medicinal chemistry. They are realized to be effective in curing enzymatic diseases caused by COX‐2, ALR‐2 (Aldose reductase enzyme), ALP (Alkaline phosphatase), 11β‐HSD 1 (11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1) and proteolytic enzyme. These motifs act as a worthy candidate against cancerous cells, microorganisms, reactive oxygen species (ROS), viruses (HIV‐1, HCV‐NS5B) and monoamine oxidases. The objective of this review is to shed lime light on the medicinal and pharmacological aspects of 1,2‐benzothiazine derivatives which have been discovered in recent times for the benefit of broad range of readers in chemistry fraternity
Understanding dietary ecology in great apes from dental macrowear analysis
Authors: Fiorenza Luca , Harty Teagan , Janocha Marcel M. , Kullmer Ottmar , Nguyen Huynh N. , Bortolini Eugenio , Benazzi Stefano
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Dietary diversity in primates is reflected in their dental morphology, with differences in size and shape of teeth. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between molar morphology and macrowear patterns in Pongo, Gorilla, and Pan to obtain dietary information.

Methods

We have examined 68 second lower molars using the Occlusal Fingerprint Analysis method including 18 chimpanzees, 28 gorillas, and 22 orangutans. We selected only molars from wildshot specimens characterized by a moderate degree of wear. High‐resolution digital models of teeth were created using a white scanning light system with a resolution of 45 μm.

Results

The macrowear patterns of Pan were significantly different from those of Gorilla and of Pongo, differences that are mostly due to shearing wear. Gorilla and Pongo macrowear patterns are dominated by phase II areas, followed by lingual phase I facets, while in Pan we observe a significant increase in buccal phase I facets. The latter group also displays the highest macrowear variation across the sample examined in this study.

Conclusions

The molar macrowear patterns of the great apes analyzed in this study did not confirm our initial hypothesis of finding larger crushing and grinding areas in Pongo and more shearing wear in Gorilla. Pan shows the most variable macrowear, which is probably associated with their more flexible diet. The similarity between Pongo and Gorilla macrowear patterns may be due to a larger intake of mechanically challenging foods that could obfuscate dietary wear signals generated by softer foods.
Phase‐Separated Multienzyme Compartmentalization for Terpene Biosynthesis in a Prokaryote
Authors: Wang Yue , Liu Min , Wei Qixin , Wu Wanjie , He Yanping , Gao Jiayang , Zhou Renjie , Jiang Liwen , Qu Jianan , Xia Jiang
Published: May 2022

Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) forms biomolecular condensates or coacervates in cells. Metabolic enzymes can form phase‐separated subcellular compartments that enrich enzymes, cofactors, and substrates. Herein, we report the construction of synthetic multienzyme condensates that catalyze the biosynthesis of a terpene, α‐farnesene, in the prokaryote E. coli. RGGRGG derived from LAF‐1 was used as the scaffold protein to form the condensates by LLPS. Multienzyme condensates were then formed by assembling two enzymes Idi and IspA through an RIAD/RIDD interaction. Multienzyme condensates constructed inside E. coli cells compartmentalized the cytosolic space into regions of high and low enzyme density and led to a significant enhancement of α‐farnesene production. This work demonstrates LLPS‐driven compartmentalization of the cytosolic space of prokaryotic cells, condensation of a biosynthetic pathway, and enhancement of the biosynthesis of α‐farnesene.
A DNA Barcode‐Based Aptasensor Enables Rapid Testing of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Viruses in Swine Saliva Using Electrochemical Readout
Authors: Victorious Amanda , Zhang Zijie , Chang Dingran , Maclachlan Roderick , Pandey Richa , Xia Jianrun , Gu Jimmy , Hoare Todd , Soleymani Leyla , Li Yingfu
Published: May 2022

Pen‐side testing of farm animals for infectious diseases is critical for preventing transmission in herds and providing timely intervention. However, most existing pathogen tests have to be conducted in centralized labs with sample‐to‐result times of 2–4 days. Herein we introduce a test that uses a dual‐electrode electrochemical chip (DEE‐Chip) and a barcode‐releasing electroactive aptamer for rapid on‐farm detection of porcine epidemic diarrhea viruses (PEDv). The sensor exploits inter‐electrode spacing reduction and active field mediated transport to accelerate barcode movement from electroactive aptamers to the detection electrode, thus expediting assay operation. The test yielded a clinically relevant limit‐of‐detection of 6 nM (0.37 μg mL−1) in saliva‐spiked PEDv samples. Clinical evaluation of this biosensor with 12 porcine saliva samples demonstrated a diagnostic sensitivity of 83 % and specificity of 100 % with a concordance value of 92 % at an analysis time of one hour.
Improvement of thermo‐mechanical and fatigue crack growth resistance of tire sidewall compound by introducing syndiotactic polybutadiene
Authors: Sen Amit Kumar , Chanda Jagannath , Shee Biswajit , Mazumder Amrita , Dasgupta Mridul , Ghosh Prasenjit , Mukhopadhyay Rabindra
Published: May 2022

Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) has potential to meet stringent requirements of reduced rolling resistance coefficient (RRc) of tires by lowering the hysteresis of the compound. Syndiotactic polymers could impart their reinforcing nature to the matrix, enhancing compound modulus, hysteresis and fatigue cut growth (FCG) properties with an added advantage of compound weight reduction. In this study, two grades of VCR (Vinyl Cis Rubber) with 12% (VCR412) and 17% (VCR617) of syndiotacticity have been introduced in a 50/50 Natural rubber (NR)/cis‐Butadiene rubber (BR) based sidewall compound. 50% and 100% replacement of BR by VCR have been experimented in modified formulations from where 15 phr of carbon black is also withdrawn. This modification led to reduction of 24% and 18% in loss factor (tan δ) at 70°C in VCR412 and VCR617 respectively in comparison with reference compound. Improvement in 12% dynamic stiffness is also found by employing 50 phr of VCR617. Homogeneous dispersion of VCR in rubber matrix is confirmed by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis. Fatigue Crack Growth (FCG) rate of sidewall compound with VCR617 reveals lower crack propagation realized by crack path deviation. Complete replacement of BR by VCR617 lead to optimized thermo‐mechanical properties related to hysteresis, dynamic stiffness and fatigue resistance.
Prediction of SEI Formation in All‐Solid‐State Batteries: Computational Insights from PCL‐based Polymer Electrolyte Decomposition on Lithium‐Metal
Authors: Wu Liang‐Ting , Nachimuthu Santhanamoorthi , Brandell Daniel , Jiang Jyh‐Chiang
Published: May 2022

Identifying the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) components in all‐solid‐state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) is essential when developing strategies for improving this battery technology. However, a comprehensive understanding of the interfacial stability and decomposition reactions of solid polymer electrolyte with lithium metal anode remains a challenge, not least outside the dominating poly(ethylene oxide)‐based materials. Here, we report the reactivity of an electrolyte system composed of a polyester (poly‐ϵ‐caprolactone, PCL) and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) salt on Li (100) surface, and the subsequent SEI formation, using ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations. The step‐by‐step electrolyte decomposition on the anode surface is monitored, and the resultant major SEI components are analyzed by Bader charges to correlate with X‐ray photoelectron (XPS) signal. The presence of PCL at the Li surface promotes a rapid initial reduction of LiTFSI salt via cleavage of S−N and C−S bonds, and its complete dissociation and formation of major SEI components such as LiF, Li2O, Li2S, and C‐containing species. Furthermore, a computational analysis of relevant XPS spectra is performed to support the degradation compounds.
A Pressure Responsive Artificial Interphase Layer of BaTiO3 against Dendrite Growth for Stable Lithium Metal Anodes
Authors: Li Zhuo , Yu Rui , Gui Siwei , Yang Hui , Guo Xin
Published: May 2022

Development of lithium (Li) metal anodes in high‐energy‐density batteries is considerably impeded by uncontrolled dendrite growth, side reactions, and related volume changes. In this work, a pressure responsive artificial interphase layer of piezoelectric BaTiO3 (BTO) is constructed on Li anodes to prevent the formation of Li dendrites. Once protruding Li buds compress the interfacial space, the extruded piezoelectric layer generates an internal electric field to effectively change the local electric field around the bud tips, thus promoting homogeneous plating/stripping of Li. The artificial interphase layer not only offers a physical protection to the Li anode, but also helps to regulate the Li flux at the Li/electrolyte interface, which then leads to the uniform Li deposition. Consequently, the BTO‐protected Li anode exhibits stable cycling and small polarization in both Li||Li and Li||Cu cells. When paired with S, LiFePO4 and Ni‐rich high‐voltage cathodes, the Li‐metal batteries also exhibit improved cycling stability and high Coulombic efficiency.
Dibromorhodamine‐based photoredox catalysis under visible light for the colorimetric detection of Hg(II) ion
Authors: Nganga Joseph B. , Jung Young Jae , Choi Won Oh , Lee Hyosun , Lee Jeong Tae , Lee Jungkyu K.
Published: May 2022

We demonstrated a colorimetric readout of Hg(II) ion through visible‐light‐induced polymerization, initiated by an Hg(II)‐responsive photoredox initiator/catalyst under aerobic conditions. Thiosemicarbazide‐functionalized 4′,5′‐dibromorhodamine was synthesized as a stimuli‐responsive photoredox catalyst. The rhodamine derivatives bearing thiosemicarbazide have been known as fluorogenic probes of Hg(II) ion with excellent sensitivity and selectivity. In this work, we incorporated a heavy halogen atom (i.e., Br) onto the xanthene core ring of the rhodamine derivative to improve the photoredox catalytic performance of rhodamine 6G, which exhibits a low catalytic performance, presumably due to the poor quantum yield of intersystem crossing. Thus, this photoredox catalyst led to the formation of a hydrogel with Hg(II) ion in a concentration of 10 μM, as the catalyst initiated free‐radical polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate and N‐vinylpyrrolidone with triethanolamine under visible light for 1 min.
Effects of vindoline on rat cytochrome P450 isoform activities in vitro
Authors: Zhang Yuqian , Xie Weiwei , Liu Jian , Zhang Zhiqing , Jin Yiran
Published: May 2022

A specific ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC–Q‐TOF–MS/MS) method has been described for the simultaneous determination of the metabolites of tacrine, bupropion, diclofenac, dextromethorphan and midazolam, which are the five probe drugs of the five cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isoforms CYP1A2, CYP2B, CYP2C11, CYP2D1 and CYP3A4. The inhibition degree was determined by calculating the IC50. The chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column with a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile. The mass spectrometric analysis was conducted in positive electrospray ionization mode. The IC50 values of CYP1A2, CYP2B, CYP2C11, CYP2D1 and CYP3A were 113.4, 83.78, 22.50, 9.081 and 52.76 μmol L−1, respectively. The in vitro results demonstrated that vindoline could inhibit CYP2D1 activity in rats, and weak inhibitory effect on CYP2C11 and CYP3A, but had no obvious effects on CYP1A2 and CYP2B.
The impact of green finance on the level of decarbonization of the economies: An analysis of the United States', China's, and Russia's current agenda
Authors: Jia Qingxian
Published: May 2022

With growing global concern for mainstreaming of environmental protection measures, the promotion of climate change and sustainable development policies, the international community, represented by international organizations, research institutions, and world‐wide businesses, has focused on green finance. Existing research on green finance in the context of environmental trends has been reviewed in terms of the products and determinants of green finance. This study aims to assess the impact of green finance on the decarbonization of economies in the context of a review of current and potential problems and prospects. Based on the examples of the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, and the United States of America, the study suggests that today green finance has not yet demonstrated a tangible effect in these countries. Based on the results of the study, it can be argued that in the three countries, the main tool of green finance in the field of decarbonization is green bonds; other types of green finance are used to a limited extent. The progress of the United States and China is not so obvious, but based on the overall involvement of relevant government agencies and businesses in the green bond market, it can be assumed that the results will be observed in the near future.
Novel protein contact points among TP53 and minichromosome maintenance complex proteins 2, 3, and 5
Authors: Schaefer‐Ramadan Stephanie , Aleksic Jovana , Al‐Thani Nayra M. , Malek Joel A.
Published: May 2022

Objective

Identify protein contact points between TP53 and minichromosome maintenance (MCM) complex proteins 2, 3, and 5 with high resolution allowing for potential novel Cancer drug design.

Methods

A next‐generation sequencing‐based protein–protein interaction method developed in our laboratory called AVA‐Seq was applied to a gold‐standard human protein interaction set. Proteins including TP53, MCM2, MCM3, MCM5, HSP90AA1, PCNA, NOD1, and others were sheared and ligated into the AVA‐Seq system. Protein–protein interactions were then identified in both mild and stringent selective conditions.

Results

Known interactions among MCM2, MCM3, and MCM5 were identified with the AVA‐Seq system. The interacting regions detected between these three proteins overlap with the structural data of the MCM complex, and novel domains were identified with high resolution determined by multiple overlapping fragments. Fragments of wild type TP53 were shown to interact with MCM2, MCM3, and MCM5, and details on the location of the interactions were provided. Finally, a mini‐network of known and novel cancer protein interactions was provided, which could have implications for fundamental changes in multiple cancers.

Conclusion

We provide a high‐resolution mini‐interactome that could direct novel drug targets and implicate possible effects of specific cancer mutations.
A novel Pyroptosis‐related long non‐codingRNAsignature for predicting the prognosis and immune landscape of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Chongchang , Shen Yiming , Jin Yangli , Shen Zhisen , Ye Dong , Shen Yi , Deng Hongxia
Published: May 2022

Background

Pyroptosis plays an essential function in carcinogenesis and the antitumor immune response. Herein, we constructed a pyroptosis‐related long noncoding RNA (prLncRNA) signature to predict therapeutic effects and outcomes for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients.

Methods

Patients obtained from the TCGA‐HNSC project were divided randomly into the training as well as the validation sets at a ratio of 7:3. A novel prognostic prLncRNA signature was constructed from the results of the training set using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operation. The medium value was used as the basis for categorizing all HNSCC patients into a low‐ or high‐risk cohort. Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier (KM) survival analyses were executed to estimate the prognostic value. We also evaluated the functional enrichment, tumor microenvironment, immune cell infiltration, and the sensitivity to chemotherapy and immunotherapy between the high‐ and low‐risk cohorts.

Results

Nineteen prognostic prlncRNAs were identified to establish the prognostic signature. Multivariate Cox regression and KM survival analyses confirmed that this prlncRNA signature might serve as an independent prognostic indicator of patient survival, which was subsequently confirmed using a validating dataset. Multiple ROC curves indicated the prlncRNA signature presented a more predictive power than clinicopathological factors (age, sex, tumor grade, and tumor stage). GO, KEGG, and GSEA enrichment analysis disclosed several immune‐related pathways which appeared to be enhanced in the low‐risk cohort. ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, and ssGSEA algorithms indicated considerable differences in the tumor microenvironment and immune cell infiltration in the low‐ and high‐risk cohorts. Furthermore, the low‐risk cohort was predicted to achieve a better response to immunotherapeutic drugs, while in contrast, the high‐risk cohort would be more sensitive to chemotherapy drugs.

Conclusions

Our findings robustly demonstrate that our constructed prlncRNA signature could serve as an efficient indicator of prognosis, immunotherapy response, and chemosensitivity for HNSCC patients.
Risk factors for early mortality of lung cancer patients in France: A nationwide analysis
Authors: Goussault Hélène , Gendarme Sébastien , Assié Jean‐Baptiste , Jung Camille , Epaud Salomé , Algans Christelle , Salaun‐Penquer Noémie , Rousseau Mathilde , Lazatti Andrea , Chouaïd Christos
Published: May 2022

Background

Despite therapeutic advances, lung cancer remains the first cause of death from cancer. The main objective of this study was to identify risk factors associated with death within 3‐months of the first hospitalization for lung cancer in France.

Methods

This analysis included patients with a first hospitalization for lung cancer (between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018) according to diagnosis‐related groups entered into the French national medical‐administrative database. Clinical and socioeconomic parameters and characteristics of that first hospitalization were analyzed. A model predictive of early mortality was developed based on those variables.

Results

The 144,087 included patients were 67% men; median age of 68 [interquartile range 60–76] years; 47% had metastatic disease at diagnosis; and 34% and 23%, respectively, had received systemic treatment or undergone curative surgery. The 3‐month mortality was 19%, and significantly higher for those ≥70 versus <70 years old (OR 1.33, 1.22–1.45), men versus. women (OR 1.50, 1.44–1.55), those with metastatic disease at diagnosis (OR, 3.30, 3.18–3.43), first hospitalization via the emergency room (OR 1.65 1.59–1.71) and first hospitalization lasting >30 days (OR, 1.58 1.49–1.68). In contrast, no socioeconomic characteristic was associated with early mortality.

Conclusion

Almost 1 in 5 patients diagnosed with lung cancer in France died within 3 months post‐diagnosis. Improving survival requires diagnosis at an earlier stage and better organization of diagnosis and specific care pathways.
The Silent Treatment? Changes in patient emotional expression after silence
Authors: Soma Christina S. , Wampold Bruce E. , Flemotomos Nikolaos , Peri Raghuveer , Narayanan Shrikanth , Atkins David C. , Imel Zac E.
Published: May 2022

Psychotherapy can be an emotionally laden conversation, where both verbal and nonverbal interventions may impact the therapeutic process. Prior research has postulated mixed results regarding how clients emotionally react following a silence after the therapist is finished talking, potentially due to studying a limited range of silences with primarily qualitative and self‐report methodologies. A quantitative exploration may illuminate new findings. Utilising research and automatic data processing from the field of linguistics, we analysed the full range of silence lengths (0.2–24.01 s), and measures of emotional expression—vocally encoded arousal and emotional valence from the works spoken—of 84 audio recordings of Motivational Interviewing sessions. We hypothesised that both the level and the variance of client emotional expression would change as a function of silence length; however, due to the mixed results in the literature, the direction of emotional change was unclear. We conducted a multilevel linear regression to examine how the level of client emotional expression changed across silence length, and an ANOVA to examine the variability of client emotional expression across silence lengths. Results of both analyses indicated that as silence length increased, emotional expression largely remained the same. Broadly, we demonstrated a weak connection between silence length and emotional expression, indicating no persuasive evidence that silence leads to client emotional processing and expression.
Quality‐relevant and process‐relevant fault monitoring based on GNPER and the fault quantification index for industrial processes
Authors: Mou Miao , Zhao Xiaoqiang
Published: May 2022

Traditional quality‐relevant fault monitoring methods focus on extracting the relationship between the global structural features of the process and quality variables but ignore the local features. At the same time, they lack the quantification of quality‐relevant faults. To solve these problems, a quality‐relevant and process‐relevant fault monitoring method and its fault quantification index based on global neighbourhood preserving embedding regression (GNPER) are proposed. First, by seeking the direction of maximum global variance, the global objective function is applied to neighbourhood preserving embedding algorithm, and the global neighbourhood preserving embedding (GNPE) model is established to fully extract the global and local information of process data. Second, on the basis of GNPE, through the idea of projection regression, the GNPER model is established to obtain mapping relationships among process variables and quality variables, and quality‐relevant subspace and process‐relevant subspace are extracted, the corresponding subspace statistics are established for fault monitoring. Finally, the fault quantification index is established for the faults in the two subspaces, which can provide more meaningful fault monitoring results. A numerical example, the hot rolling mill and the Tennessee Eastman (TE) process, verify the superiority and accuracy of the proposed method.
Coordination Polymerization of Renewable (E)‐4,8‐Dimethyl‐1,3,7‐Nonatriene by Rare‐Earth Metal Catalysts
Authors: Jiang Yang , Zhang Zhen , Li Shihui , Cui Dongmei
Published: May 2022

Comprehensive Summary

Coordination polymerization of renewable (E)‐4,8‐dimethyl‐1,3,7‐nonatriene (DMNT) has been performed using pyridyl‐methylene‐ fluorenyl scandium complex 1, half‐sandwich scandium complex 2, diiminophosphinato rare‐earth metal complexes 3a—3c and 4a—4b, bis(phosphino)carbazolide yttrium complex 5 and β‐diketiminato yttrium complex 6. Fluorenyl scandium complexes 1 and 2, activated by [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] and AliBu3, are moderately active and show perfect 1,2‐regioselective (1,2 > 99%). Conversely, asymmetric diiminophophinato complexes 3a—3c promote the DMNT polymerization to produce high trans‐1,4 regulated products with the activity trend: Sc < Lu < Y. Complexes 4—6 are virtually inactive for the DMNT polymerization although they are highly active in isoprene polymerization. A diblock copolymer bearing 3,4‐polyisoprene block and trans‐1,4‐poly(DMNT) block is obtained using complex 3c in one‐pot reaction. Hydrogenation of trans‐1,4‐poly(DMNT) affords an elastomer with a Tg of –10°C. The epoxidation reaction of trans‐1,4‐poly(DMNT) with 3‐chloroperbenzoic acid transfers the pendant double bonds in the cis configuration into the epoxy groups.
Teens with most severe SUDs do not “age out” of symptoms: NIDA
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: May 2022

Contrary to popular belief, not all adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs) grow out of them. Those with mild SUDs may, but those with severe SUDs are likely to continue to have them and other problems in adulthood, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open this month.
ntEdit+Sealer: Efficient Targeted Error Resolution and Automated Finishing of Long‐Read Genome Assemblies
Authors: Li Janet X. , Coombe Lauren , Wong Johnathan , Birol Inanç , Warren René L.
Published: May 2022

High‐quality genome assemblies are crucial to many biological studies, and utilizing long sequencing reads can help achieve higher assembly contiguity. While long reads can resolve complex and repetitive regions of a genome, their relatively high associated error rates are still a major limitation. Long reads generally produce draft genome assemblies with lower base quality, which must be corrected with a genome polishing step. Hybrid genome polishing solutions can greatly improve the quality of long‐read genome assemblies by utilizing more accurate short reads to validate bases and correct errors. Currently available hybrid polishing methods rely on read alignments, and are therefore memory‐intensive and do not scale well to large genomes. Here we describe ntEdit+Sealer, an alignment‐free, k‐mer‐based genome finishing protocol that employs memory‐efficient Bloom filters. The protocol includes ntEdit for correcting base errors and small indels, and for marking potentially problematic regions, then Sealer for filling both assembly gaps and problematic regions flagged by ntEdit. ntEdit+Sealer produces highly accurate, error‐corrected genome assemblies, and is available as a Makefile pipeline from https://github.com/bcgsc/ntedit_sealer_protocol. © 2022 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol: Automated long‐read genome finishing with short reads

Support Protocol: Selecting optimal values for k‐mer lengths (k) and Bloom filter size (b)
Co‐Doped Mn3O4 Nanocubes via Galvanic Replacement Reactions for Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 with High Turnover Number
Authors: Huang Shengfu , Wang Mang , Su Dai‐Jian , Liang Jing , Sun Fengke , Tian Wenming , Zhao Liu‐Bin , Liu Jinxuan
Published: May 2022

The synthesis of Co‐doped Mn3O4 nanocubes was achieved via galvanic replacement reactions for photo‐reduction of CO2. Co@Mn3O4 nanocubes could efficiently photo‐reduce CO2 to CO with a remarkable turnover number of 581.8 using [Ru(bpy)3]Cl2 ⋅ 6H2O as photosensitizer and triethanolamine as sacrificial agent in acetonitrile and water. The galvanic replaced Co species are homogeneously distributed at the outer surface of Mn3O4, providing catalytic active sites during CO2 reduction reactions, which facilitate the separation and migration of photogenerated charge carriers, further benefiting the outstanding photocatalytic performance of CO2 reduction. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the decreasing of conduction band maximum in Co@Mn3O4 was beneficial to the electron attachment from the excited sensitized molecule, which promoted photocatalytic reduction of CO2.
The evolution of spectral flow cytometry
Authors: Nolan John P.
Published: May 2022

This special issue of Cytometry marks the transition of spectral flow cytometry from an emerging technology into a transformative force that will shape the fields of cytometry and single‐cell analysis for some time to come. Tracing its roots to the earliest years of flow cytometry, spectral flow cytometry has evolved from the domain of individual researchers pushing the limits of hardware, reagents, and software to the mainstream, where it is being harnessed and adapted to meet the analytical challenges presented by modern biomedical research. In particular, the current form of spectral flow technology has arisen to address the needs of multiparameter immunophenotyping of immune cells in basic and translational research, and much of the current instrumentation and software reflects the needs of those applications. Yet, the possibilities enabled by high‐resolution analysis of the spectral properties of optical absorbance, scatter, and emission have only begun to be exploited. In this brief review, the author highlights the origins and early milestones of single‐cell spectral analysis, assesses the current state of instrumentation and software, and speculates as to future directions of spectral flow cytometry technology and applications.
Cytomorphometric and flow cytometric analyses using liquid‐based cytology materials in subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Tanaka Ryota , Fujiwara Masachika , Sakamoto Norihiko , Suzuki Hitomi , Tachibana Keisei , Ohtsuka Kouki , Kishimoto Koji , Kamma Hiroshi , Shibahara Junji , Kondo Haruhiko
Published: May 2022

Background

The histological classifications of invasive lung adenocarcinoma subtypes are considered to predict patient prognosis after surgical treatment. The objectives of this study were to evaluate cytomorphological characteristics and proliferative activities among the histological predominant patterns by performing cytomorphometric and flow cytometric analyses using liquid‐based cytology materials.

Methods

Cytological samples fixed by liquid‐based cytology preservatives from 53 surgically‐resected lung adenocarcinoma specimens were obtained between August 2018 and November 2019. The Papanicolaou‐stained and paired Ki‐67‐stained slides were analyzed for calculating nuclear morphology (nuclear area, nuclear perimeter and nuclear circularity) and Ki‐67 labeling index using software. The cell proliferation index (CPIx) was calculated and cellular information including cell cycle stage of tumor cells was obtained by flow cytometry.

Results

The 53 cases included papillary (n = 29), acinar (n = 8), lepidic (n = 5), and solid (n = 4) subtypes, and invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (n = 7) were also included. In the lepidic pattern, nuclear area (79.6 ± 28.8 μm2) and perimeter (34.1 ± 6.1 μm) were relatively larger and longer than those of the other predominant patterns. The Ki‐67 labeling index of the solid pattern (27.9 ± 12.5%) was highest compared with those of other predominant patterns. There were statistically significant differences in the lepidic versus solid patterns and the papillary versus solid patterns (p = .013 and p = .039, respectively). The calculated mean CPIx of the lepidic and the acinar patterns were approximately two‐fold higher than those of the other predominant patterns.

Conclusion

By revealing the differences of cytomorphological characteristics, these methodologies might be used for diagnosing cytopathological materials using digital cytopathology.
Red blood cell distribution width as a novel marker for predicting bleeding after endoscopic resection for early gastric cancer
Authors: Yumemi Takada , Yoshii Shinji , Yamakawa Tsukasa , Hayashi Yuki , Miyake Takakazu , Yokoyama Yoshihiro , Sudo Gota , Mitsuhashi Kei , Nojima Masanori , Yamano Hiro‐o , Nakase Hiroshi
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Endoscopic resection (ER) is a minimally invasive treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC); however, there is a high occurrence of bleeding. This study aimed to clarify the significance of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) as a predictive risk factor for bleeding after ER for EGC.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study based on data for patients who underwent ER for EGC from 2019 to 2021. This study included 79 lesions in 54 patients who underwent ER for EGC. The primary outcome was the association between RDW before ER and bleeding within 28 days of treatment. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed, wherein areas under the curve (AUCs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to compare the discriminatory power of RDW for predicting bleeding.

Results

Endoscopic submucosal dissection was used as the resection method for 73 lesions, whereas endoscopic mucosal resection was used for six lesions. En bloc resection was performed in all cases. There were no cases of perforation; however, bleeding after ER occurred in five cases (9.3%). ROC curve analysis of bleeding after ER showed that the AUC was 0.843 with a good diagnostic performance. When the cut‐off value of RDW was set at 14.4%, sensitivity and specificity were 80% and 85.7%, respectively. There was a bleeding rate of 36.4% (4/11) at an RDW of ≥14.4%, which was significantly higher than that of 2.3% (1/43) at an RDW of <14.4%.

Conclusion

RDW can be a predictor of bleeding risk after ER for EGC.
Trace residue identification, characterization, and longitudinal monitoring of the novel synthetic opioid β‐U10, from discarded drug paraphernalia
Authors: West Henry , Fitzgerald John L. , Hopkins Katherine L. , Leeming Michael G. , DiRago Matthew , Gerostamoulos Dimitri , Clark Nicolas , Dietze Paul , White Jonathan M. , Ziogas James , Reid Gavin E.
Published: May 2022

Empirical data regarding dynamic alterations in illicit drug supply markets in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, including the potential for introduction of novel drug substances and/or increased poly‐drug combination use at the “street” level, that is, directly proximal to the point of consumption, are currently lacking. Here, a high‐throughput strategy employing ambient ionization‐mass spectrometry is described for the trace residue identification, characterization, and longitudinal monitoring of illicit drug substances found within >6,600 discarded drug paraphernalia (DDP) samples collected during a pilot study of an early warning system for illicit drug use in Melbourne, Australia from August 2020 to February 2021, while significant COVID‐19 lockdown conditions were imposed. The utility of this approach is demonstrated for the de novo identification and structural characterization of β‐U10, a previously unreported naphthamide analog within the “U‐series” of synthetic opioid drugs, including differentiation from its α‐U10 isomer without need for sample preparation or chromatographic separation prior to analysis. Notably, β‐U10 was observed with 23 other drug substances, most commonly in temporally distinct clusters with heroin, etizolam, and diphenhydramine, and in a total of 182 different poly‐drug combinations. Longitudinal monitoring of the number and weekly “average signal intensity” (ASI) values of identified substances, developed here as a semi‐quantitative proxy indicator of changes in availability, relative purity and compositions of street level drug samples, revealed that increases in the number of identifications and ASI for β‐U10 and etizolam coincided with a 50% decrease in the number of positive detections and an order of magnitude decrease in the ASI for heroin.
Core eating disorder fears: Prevalence and differences in eating disorder fears across eating disorder diagnoses
Authors: Brown Mackenzie L. , Levinson Cheri A.
Published: May 2022

Objective

Fear and anxiety are key maintaining factors for eating disorder (ED) pathology. Maladaptive fears lead to ED behaviors and avoidance, which provide temporary relief, but ultimately reinforce the fear and contribute to a cycle that maintains the ED. To date, fears of food and weight gain are the most explored fears underlying ED pathology. However, recently other important ED fears have been identified, including fears of social consequences and personal consequences.

Method

The current study (N = 229 individuals with an ED) aimed to better characterize ED fears. Specifically, this study examined which ED fears were most endorsed across and within ED diagnoses, and if there were differences in ED fears by diagnosis and by weight status.

Results

Overall, fear of gaining weight was the most frequently endorsed fear, followed by fear of food, and fear of judgment. Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) most frequently endorsed fear of food, individuals with atypical AN and bulimia nervosa: fear of gaining weight, and those with other specified feeding and eating disorder: fear of judgment. Limited differences were found between diagnoses. When examining by weight category, participants with underweight most frequently endorsed fear of food, participants with normal weight: fear of gaining weight, and participants with overweight and obesity: fear of judgment.

Discussion

These findings suggest ED fears are heterogenous. Given such high heterogeneity, this work highlights the importance of assessing for specific ED fears at the beginning of treatment, which could be used to deliver personalized exposure treatment.

Public Significance Statement

Eating disorders (EDs) are serious mental illnesses with high rates of medical and psychiatric comorbidities. Fear plays an important role in the development and maintenance of EDs. The present study found fear of food, weight gain, and judgment are the most frequently endorsed fears for individuals with EDs and found few differences in fears based on ED diagnosis. These findings highlight the importance of assessing individuals' specific ED fears for treatment.
Food quality, security, and thermal refuge influence the use of microsites and patches by pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) across landscapes and seasons
Authors: Olsoy Peter J. , Milling Charlotte R. , Nobler Jordan D. , Camp Meghan J. , Shipley Lisa A. , Forbey Jennifer S. , Rachlow Janet L. , Thornton Daniel H.
Published: May 2022

How intensely animals use habitat features depends on their functional properties (i.e., how the feature influences fitness) and the spatial and temporal scale considered. For herbivores, habitat use is expected to reflect the competing risks of starvation, predation, and thermal stress, but the relative influence of each functional property is expected to vary in space and time. We examined how a dietary and habitat specialist, the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis), used these functional properties of its sagebrush habitat—food quality, security, and thermal refuge—at two hierarchical spatial scales (microsite and patch) across two seasons (winter and summer). At the microsite and patch scales, we determined which plant functional traits predicted the number of bites (i.e., foraging) by pygmy rabbits and the number of their fecal pellets (i.e., general habitat use). Pygmy rabbits used microsites and patches more intensely that had higher crude protein and aerial concealment cover and were closer to burrows. Food quality was more influential when rabbits used microsites within patches. Security was more influential in winter than summer, and more at Cedar Gulch than Camas. However, the influence of functional properties depended on phytochemical and structural properties of sagebrush and was not spatiotemporally consistent. These results show function‐dependent habitat use that varied according to specific activities by a central‐place browsing herbivore. Making spatially explicit predictions of the relative value of habitat features that influence different types of habitat use (i.e., foraging, hiding, and thermoregulating) will improve how we predict patterns of habitat use by herbivores and how we monitor and manage functional traits within habitats for wildlife.
Zooplankton shifts from headwater to lowland streams: Insights into the role of water quality to assist the protection and restoration of agricultural waterways
Authors: Gutierrez María Florencia , Mayora Gisela , Licursi Magdalena , Michlig Melina , Repetti María Rosa , Negro Leandro
Published: May 2022

Despite the critical importance of zooplankton for many ecological processes, knowledge of its structure and distribution patterns in small streams subject to intensive land uses remains limited. Here we analysed changes in zooplankton community and composition in 10 sites located in streams from first‐order to sixteenth‐order, according to Shreve's classification, in a small catchment influenced by intensive agriculture. Using univariate and multivariate methods, we investigated the extent to which local scale environmental factors explained the spatial patterns of zooplankton community. We found that environmental conditions of headwaters differed markedly from those of lowland streams, especially with respect to nutrient levels, which were higher in the former than the latter. Zooplankton community was mainly composed by microphagous rotifers, and the overall species composition differed with the stream order. While zooplankton diversity and evenness increased with stream order and correlated negatively with nutrient level, zooplankton abundance and biomass showed the opposite trend. The mechanistic processes creating these patterns remain unknown but are likely linked to the effects of greater water mixing and dilution in lowland streams, as well as ecological processes such as predation and resource diversification. No clear pattern was found for presence or concentrations of pesticides in relation to the stream order. However, water quality seemed to be an important factor influencing zooplankton assemblages, which were significantly associated with pesticides and trophic state variables. Our findings suggest that agricultural pollution is impacting the zooplankton community, which may have implications for the food webs and overall health of the stream systems.