bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brain‐implanted conductors amplify radiofrequency fields in rodents: Advantages and risks
Authors: Vöröslakos Mihály , Yaghmazadeh Omid , Alon Leeor , Sodickson Daniel K. , Buzsáki György
Published: October 2023

Over the past few decades, daily exposure to radiofrequency (RF) fields has been increasing due to the rapid development of wireless and medical imaging technologies. Under extreme circumstances, exposure to very strong RF energy can lead to heating of body tissue, even resulting in tissue injury. The presence of implanted devices, moreover, can amplify RF effects on surrounding tissue. Therefore, it is important to understand the interactions of RF fields with tissue in the presence of implants, in order to establish appropriate wireless safety protocols, and also to extend the benefits of medical imaging to increasing numbers of people with implanted medical devices. This study explored the neurological effects of RF exposure in rodents implanted with neuronal recording electrodes. We exposed freely moving and anesthetized rats and mice to 950 MHz RF energy while monitoring their brain activity, temperature, and behavior. We found that RF exposure could induce fast onset firing of single neurons without heat injury. In addition, brain implants enhanced the effect of RF stimulation resulting in reversible behavioral changes. Using an optical temperature measurement system, we found greater than tenfold increase in brain temperature in the vicinity of the implant. On the one hand, our results underline the importance of careful safety assessment for brain‐implanted devices, but on the other hand, we also show that metal implants may be used for neurostimulation if brain temperature can be kept within safe limits.
Candida albicans chitinase 3 with potential as a vaccine antigen: production, purification, and characterisation
Authors: Costa‐Barbosa Augusto , Ferreira Diogo , Pacheco Maria Inês , Casal Margarida , Duarte Henrique Oliveira , Gomes Catarina , Barbosa Ana Margarida , Torrado Egídio , Sampaio Paula , Collins Tony
Published: October 2023

Chitinases are widely studied enzymes that have already found widespread application. Their continued development and valorisation will be driven by the identification of new and improved variants and/or novel applications bringing benefits to industry and society. We previously identified a novel application for chitinases wherein the Candida albicans cell wall surface chitinase 3 (Cht3) was shown to have potential in vaccine applications as a subunit antigen against fungal infections. In the present study, this enzyme was investigated further, developing production and purification protocols, enriching our understanding of its properties, and advancing its application potential. Cht3 was heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris and a 4‐step purification protocol developed and optimised: this involves activated carbon treatment, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, ammonium sulphate precipitation, and gel filtration chromatography. The recombinant enzyme was shown to be mainly O‐glycosylated and to retain the epitopes of the native protein. Functional studies showed it to be highly specific, displaying activity on chitin, chitosan, and chito‐oligosaccharides larger than chitotriose only. Furthermore, it was shown to be a stable enzyme, exhibiting activity, and stability over broad pH and temperature ranges. This study represents an important step forward in our understanding of Cht3 and contributes to its development for application.
Identification and characterization of CHO host‐cell proteins in monoclonal antibody bioprocessing
Authors: Oh Young Hoon , Mendola Kerri M. , Choe Leila H. , Min Lie , Lavoie Ashton R. , Sripada Sobhana A. , Williams Taufika Islam , Lee Kelvin H. , Yigzaw Yinges , Seay Alexander , Bill Jerome , Li Xuanwen , Roush David J. , Cramer Steven M. , Menegatti Stefano , Lenhoff Abraham M.
Published: October 2023

Host‐cell proteins (HCPs) are the foremost class of process‐related impurities to be controlled and removed in downstream processing steps in monoclonal antibody (mAb) manufacturing. However, some HCPs may evade clearance in multiple purification steps and reach the final drug product, potentially threatening drug stability and patient safety. This study extends prior work on HCP characterization and persistence in mAb process streams by using mass spectrometry (MS)‐based methods to track HCPs through downstream processing steps for seven mAbs that were generated by five different cell lines. The results show considerable variability in HCP identities in the processing steps but extensive commonality in the identities and quantities of the most abundant HCPs in the harvests for different processes. Analysis of HCP abundance in the harvests shows a likely relationship between abundance and the reproducibility of quantification measurements and suggests that some groups of HCPs may hinder the characterization. Quantitative monitoring of HCPs persisting through purification steps coupled with the findings from the harvest analysis suggest that multiple factors, including HCP abundance and mAb‐HCP interactions, can contribute to the persistence of individual HCPs and the identification of groups of common, persistent HCPs in mAb manufacturing.
Bioprinted dermis with human adipose tissue‐derived microvascular fragments promotes wound healing
Authors: Zhang Zhiqiang , Xu Chi , Xu Lei , Wan Jiaming , Cao Gaobiao , Liu Zhe , Ji Pengxiang , Jin Qianheng , Fu Yi , Le Yingying , Ju Jihui , Hou Ruixing , Zhang Guangliang
Published: October 2023

Tissue‐engineered skin is an effective material for treating large skin defects in a clinical setting. However, its use is limited owing to vascular complications. Human adipose tissue‐derived microvascular fragments (HaMVFs) are vascularized units that form vascular networks by rapid reassembly. In this study, we designed a vascularized bionic skin tissue using a three‐dimensional (3D) bioprinter of HaMVFs and human fibroblasts encapsulated in a hybrid hydrogel composed of GelMA, HAMA, and fibrinogen. Tissues incorporating HaMVFs showed good in vitro vascularization and mechanical properties after UV crosslinking and thrombin exposure. Thus, the tissue could be sutured appropriately to the wound. In vivo, the vascularized 3D bioprinted skin promoted epidermal regeneration, collagen maturation in the dermal tissue, and vascularization of the skin tissue to accelerate wound healing. Overall, vascularized 3D bioprinted skin with HaMVFs is an effective material for treating skin defects and may be clinically applicable to reduce the necrosis rate of skin grafts.
Remote accessible/fully controllable fiber optic systems laboratory design and implementation
Authors: Aslan Akyol Zuhal , Yucel Murat
Published: October 2023

In private and expensive experimental laboratory studies, there are problems such as difficulty in accessing measuring devices and materials, space and time problems, and insufficient technical support due to the need for expertise. In this study, a fiber optic laboratory (FOL), which can be used for educational and scientific research purposes, has high installation costs and has difficulty in accessing devices, was designed and realized as a remote accessible/fully controllable. All devices in the proposed laboratory have been virtualized on the MATLAB App Designer platform, and communication protocols have been defined and made remotely accessible and controllable. In the proposed system, the user accessed remotely can perform all device controls, record the measurement results, take the measurement average as much as he wants to increase the measurement accuracy, monitor the experimental setup with a camera, and receive expert support. Afterward, a sample experiment was set up on the system and the results were compared. The proposed laboratory has a high potential to establish international collaborations in remote/flexible work and scientific research. Finally, a scale was applied to FOL undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral student groups. The Cronbach α coefficient showing the reliability of the applied model was found to be .934.
Dynamic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy for the Evaluation of Localised Corrosion on Aluminium Alloys
Authors: Mysliu Erlind , Holm Thomas , ten Cate Mattijs , Erbe Andreas
Published: October 2023

Dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (dEIS), an extension of conventional EIS, was used for rapid measurements of initiation of localised corrosion on 3005 aluminium alloys with different Mn (1.08–1.39 wt. %) and Cu (0.15–0.22 wt. %) content by evaluating the onset and evolution of a Faradaic process observed in 0.5 M Na2SO4+0.1 M NaCl. Differences between samples were detected with highest sensitivity from the charge transfer resistance during chronoamperometry at ca. 120 mV above the corrosion potential. These differences were caused by differences in pitting initiation, and correlated well with filament density from a filiform corrosion (FFC) test of samples coated with a 20 μm epoxy topcoat. The observation can be explained by the role of pitting in FFC initiation and the similarity in FFC propagation with pit growth. The results suggest that dEIS is an efficient method for screening alloys for their FFC susceptibility.
Enhancing Triplet‐Triplet Annihilation Upconversion of Pyrene Derivatives for Photoredox Catalysis via Molecular Engineering
Authors: Song Xiaojuan , Liu Heyuan , Liu Shanshan , Li Tianyu , Lv Liping , Cui Boce , Wang Tianying , Chen Wenmiao , Chen Yanli , Li Xiyou
Published: October 2023

Triplet‐triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA‐UC) has the potential to enhance photoredox catalysis yield. It includes a sensitizer and an annihilator. Efficient and stable annihilators are essential for photoredox catalysis, yet only a few examples are reported. Herein, we designed four novel pyrene annihilators (1, 2, 3 and 4) via introducing aryl‐alkynyl groups onto pyrene to systematically modulate their singlet and triplet energies. Coupled with platinum octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP), the TTA‐UC efficiency is enhanced gradually as the number of aryl‐alkynyl group increases. When combining 4 with palladium tetraphenyl‐tetrabenzoporphyrin (PdTPTBP), we achieved the highest red‐to‐green upconversion efficiency (22.4±0.3 %) (out of a 50 % maximum) so far. Then, this pair was used to activate photooxidation of aryl boronic acid under red light (630 nm), which achieved a great improved reaction yield compared to that activated by green light directly. The results not only provide a design strategy for efficient annihilators, but also show the advantage of applying TTA‐UC into improving the photoredox catalysis yield.
Customized Synthesis of MOF Nanoplates via Molecular Scalpel Strategy for Efficient Oxygen Reduction in Zn−Air Batteries
Authors: Duan Xinde , Ge Fayuan , Yan Qi , Liu Yang , Zheng Hegen
Published: October 2023

The production of metal–organic framework (MOF) nanoplates with well‐defined geometric morphology is remarkable for expanding their applications. Herein, the cobalt‐based MOF nanoplates with hexagonal channels from a layer‐pillared MOF are accomplished, via a molecular scalpel strategy, utilizing monodentate pyridine to replace the bidentate 4,4′‐bipyridine. The morphology can be modified from nanorods to nanoplates with controllable thickness tuned by the amounts of pyridine. Succeeding carbonization treatment transforms the MOF nanoplates into Co particles homogeneously encapsulated in the nitrogen‐doped carbon layers. The prepared catalyst with a unique platelike morphology displays a high half‐wave potential of 0.88 V in oxygen reduction reaction. When used in primary Zn−air batteries, it delivers a high peak power density of 280 mW cm−2. This work clarifies the structure‐morphology‐reactivity connection of MOF nanoplates.
Aerobic Granular Sludge: Perspectives for Excess Sludge Management and Resource Recovery
Authors: Dababat Salahaldeen , Enaime Ghizlane , Wichern Marc , Lübken Manfred
Published: October 2023

Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) technology is gaining increasing interest globally. However, several aspects are still challenging its installation, as the integration into existing municipal wastewater treatment plants. The operation of AGS units in continuous flow mode could facilitate that integration; yet has only been experienced at lab and pilot scales. Further, handling of excess granular sludge constitutes a prominent challenge. Even that, adopting effective strategies for its management holds promising contributions to the circular economy by fostering the reuse and recovery of valuable resources. The recovery of phosphorus and alginate‐like polymers holds significant commercial potential worldwide, with broad applications in agriculture, food, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.
Organo‐Pillared‐Clay: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications for Treatment of Perfluoroalkyl Substances
Authors: Scapan Paul , Hassler Jannis , Piribauer Christoph , Pavón Sandra , Aubel Ines , Werner Jan , Bertau Martin
Published: October 2023

Anthropogenic toxic pollutants are ubiquitous and need to be removed from the environment. This study investigates the preparation of an inorganic‐organic modified clay (organo‐pillared‐clay) for the removal of contaminants. The present work investigates the compositional, structural and sorption properties of modified clay materials for the removal of perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA). The chemical compositions of the clay materials used were determined by interlayer and surface analysis. The results showed changes in interlayer spacing and external surface area due to modification and surfactant addition during the cation exchange reaction. The combination of adsorption and irradiation increased removal efficiency, although photodegradation was partially inhibited. Modified clays show promise for PFHpA remediation, with potential for optimizing photodegradation processes.
Überleben im Giftgasnebel
Authors: Tetsch Larissa
Published: October 2023

Bienenwölfe legen ihre Eier auf einer erbeuteten Honigbiene ab, die den schlüpfenden Larven als Nahrung dient. Für ihr Überleben sind sie auf bakterielle Symbionten angewiesen, die in der Bruthöhle von der Mutter auf die Larven übertragen werden. Doch in der Höhle herrschen für Mikroben tödliche Bedingungen, vor denen der Bienenwolf seine Symbionten schützen muss.
Effects of using primary percutaneous coronary interventions on the incidence of new‐onset atrial fibrillation following an acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Pan Li‐Hua , Yan Bo‐Yu , Zhu Jing , Lu Qi , Hui Jie
Published: October 2023

Background

Acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and new‐onset atrial fibrillation (AF) are associated with increased risk of mortality.

Hypothesis

This study aimed to determine the proportion of patients who go on to develop new‐onset a AF after undergoing a primary or delayed percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for an acute STEMI and to explore possible risk factors.

Methods

One hundred and fifty‐four patients who underwent PCI after STEMI were included in the study. Patient characteristics, baseline blood tests and cardiac parameters, type of PCI, and incidence of new‐onset AF within 3 months of PCI were recorded and analyzed.

Results

Fifteen developed new‐onset AF following the PCI, and 139 patients maintained a sinus rhythm. Univariate analysis showed significant differences between the two patient groups in terms of age, nature of the PCI (primary vs. delayed), left atrial diameter, and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (p < .05). Age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.065, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.007–1.127, p < .05) and left atrial diameter (OR = 1.165, 95% CI: 1.008–1.347, p < .05), were independent predictors of new‐onset AF after PCI. Primary PCI (OR = 0.232, 95% CI: 0.066–0.814, p < .05) was an independent protective factor.

Conclusion

Age and left atrial diameter were independent risk factors of new‐onset AF in patients undergoing a PCI following an acute myocardial infarction, while primary PCI was a protective factor. This discovery can help reduce mortality rate, improve long‐term prognosis, and provide a theoretical basis for the prevention of new‐onset AF.
A designable sulfur‐linked carbonyl compound anchored on reduced graphene oxide for high‐rate organic lithium batteries
Authors: Wu Dabei , Nzabahimana Joseph , Hu Xianluo
Published: October 2023

The development of organic lithium batteries (OLBs) offers a promising opportunity for the advancement of green and sustainable energy storage systems. However, organic cathode materials face challenges in terms of conductivity, electrochemical activity, and dissolution. Here, we address these limitations by introducing a sulfur‐linked carbonyl compound called poly(dichlorobenzoquinone sulfide) (PDBS), which is polymerized in situ on reduced graphene oxide by a mixed solvent thermal method. The resulting carbonyl compound electrode materials exhibit favorable properties as organic cathode materials for OLBs. After 4000 cycles at a current density of 1000 mA g−1, the carbonyl compound electrodes exhibit a discharge capacity of 102 mAh g−1. This remarkable performance indicates excellent stability and long cycle life, which are crucial for practical applications. These results suggest that PDBS, a designable sulfur‐linked carbonyl compound, holds great promise as an effective organic cathode material for OLBs. In addition, this work provides valuable insights into improving the electrochemical performance of organic cathode materials.
Compiler‐driven approach for automating nonblocking synchronization in concurrent data abstractions
Authors: Zhang Jiange , Yi Qing , Peterson Christina , Dechev Damian
Published: October 2023

This paper presents an extended version of our previous work on using compiler technology to automatically convert sequential C++ data abstractions, for example, queues, stacks, maps, and trees, to concurrent lock‐free implementations. A key difference between our work and existing research in software transactional memory (STM) is that our compiler‐based approach automatically selects the best state‐of‐the‐practice nonblocking synchronization method for the underlying sequential implementation of the data structure. The extended material includes a broader collection of the state‐of‐the‐practice lock‐free synchronization techniques, additional formal correctness proofs of the overall integration of the different synchronizations in our system, and a more comprehensive experimental study of the integrated techniques. We evaluate our compiler‐generated nonblocking data structures both by using a collection of micro‐benchmarks, including the Synchrobench suite, and by using a multi‐threaded application Dedup from PARSEC. Our automatically synchronized code attains performance competitive to that of concurrent data structures manually‐written by experts and much better performance than heavier‐weight support by STM.
Hybrid grey wolf optimizer for solving permutation flow shop scheduling problem
Authors: Chen Shuilin , Zheng Jianguo
Published: October 2023

The permutation flow shop scheduling problem, as a classical problem in the scheduling field, is an NP‐hard problem. However, most of the reported algorithms are difficult to achieve good accuracy and efficiency. To address this problem, a hybrid grey wolf optimizer (HGWO) is proposed in this paper. First, one cooperative initialization strategy is proposed to improve the quality of the initial solution based on the improved Nawaz‐Enscore‐Ham (NEH) method and the tent chaotic map method. Second, a levy flight strategy is introduced to balance the exploitation and exploration of the algorithm for the problem's characteristics. Third, the crossover and mutation strategy, and the critical block exchange based on critical path strategy are proposed to avoid falling into the local optimum. In addition, for the best individual, the variable neighborhood descent strategy is proposed to enhance the convergence accuracy of the algorithm. To verify the performance of the proposed algorithm, three different types of instances are selected for comparison experiments with other existing methods, and the experimental results show that the proposed HGWO outperforms other comparison algorithms in solving the problem.
Demonstrating Pressure Jumping as a Tool to Address the Pressure Gap in High Pressure Photoelectron Spectroscopy of CO and CO2 Hydrogenation on Rh(211)
Authors: Degerman David , Goodwin Christopher M. , Lömker Patrick , García‐Martínez Fernando , Shipilin Mikhail , Gloskovskii Andrei , Nilsson Anders
Published: October 2023

Operando probing by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of certain hydrogenation reactions are often limited by the scattering of photoelectrons in the gas phase. This work describes a method designed to partially circumvent this so called pressure gap. By performing a rapid switch from a high pressure (where acquisition is impossible) to a lower pressure we can for a short while probe a “remnant” of the high pressure surface as well as the time dynamics during the re‐equilibration to the new pressure. This methodology is demonstrated using the CO2 and the CO hydrogenation reaction over Rh(211). In the CO2 hydrogenation reaction, the remnant surface of a 2 bar pressure shows an adsorbate distribution which favors chemisorbed CHx adsorbates over chemisorbed CO. This contrasts against previous static operando spectra acquired at lower pressures. Furthermore, the pressure jumping method yields a faster acquisition and more detailed spectra than static operando measurements above 1 bar. In the CO hydrogenation reaction, we observe that CHx accumulated faster during the 275 mbar low pressure regime, and different hypotheses are presented regarding this observation.
Unmasking the tumourigenic role of SIN1/MAPKAP1 in the mTOR complex 2
Authors: Ezine Emilien , Lebbe Céleste , Dumaz Nicolas
Published: October 2023

Background

Although the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is one of the most altered pathways in human tumours, therapies targeting this pathway have shown numerous adverse effects due to positive feedback paradoxically activating upstream signaling nodes. The somewhat limited clinical efficacy of these inhibitors calls for the development of novel and more effective approaches for targeting the PI3K pathway for therapeutic benefit in cancer.

Main body

Recent studies have shown the central role of mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2) as a pro‐tumourigenic factor of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in a number of cancers. SIN1/MAPKAP1 is a major partner of mTORC2, acting as a scaffold and responsible for the substrate specificity of the mTOR catalytic subunit. Its overexpression promotes the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of certain cancers whereas its inhibition decreases tumour growth in vitro and in vivo. It is also involved in epithelial‐mesenchymal transition, stress response and lipogenesis. Moreover, the numerous interactions of SIN1 inside or outside mTORC2 connect it with other signaling pathways, which are often disrupted in human tumours such as Hippo, WNT, Notch and MAPK.

Conclusion

Therefore, SIN1's fundamental characteristics and numerous connexions with oncogenic pathways make it a particularly interesting therapeutic target. This review is an opportunity to highlight the tumourigenic role of SIN1 across many solid cancers and demonstrates the importance of targeting SIN1 with a specific therapy.
Preconception episodes of severe hypoglycemia and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Gong Yixin , Luo Sihui , Shi Jie , Wei Tian , Wang Jing , Liu Yujie , Yan Jinhua , Yang Daizhi , Li Ling , Sun Zilin , Zheng Xueying , Weng Jianping
Published: October 2023

Aims

To explore the relationship between preconception severe hypoglycemia (PSH) and pregnancy outcomes in pregnancies complicated with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Materials and Methods

In this multicenter prospective cohort study, women with pregestational T1DM were stratified by episodes of severe hypoglycemia within 1 year before conception: No PSH, sporadic PSH (1–6 times/year), and recurrent PSH (>6 times/year). We analysed the predictive ability of PSH for maternal and neonatal outcomes using log‐binomial regression models and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

Of the 124 women studied, 37.1% experienced at least one episode of severe hypoglycemia preconception. In the multiple adjusted regression models, recurrent PSH was significantly associated with increased incidence of preeclampsia (RR 17.59, 95% CI: 2.89–150.62, p for trend = 0.007), preterm birth (RR 6.34, 95% CI: 1.22–40.63, p for trend = 0.027), neonatal hypoglycemia (RR 4.52, 95% CI: 1.14–17.16, p for trend = 0.017), neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (RR 4.12, 95% CI: 1.11–15.56, p for trend = 0.004), and composite neonatal outcome (RR 3.85, 95% CI: 1.01–19.61, p for trend = 0.003). In the ROC analysis, PSH predicted preeclampsia, preterm birth, neonatal hypoglycemia, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, and composite neonatal outcome with areas under the ROC curve all ≥0.6.

Conclusions

Recurrent preconception severe hypoglycemia is associated with increased risks of adverse outcomes in pregnant women with T1DM.
Prescribed fire increases plant–pollinator network robustness to losses of rare native forbs
Authors: Waters Susan M. , Mitchell Rachel M. , Brown Emily R. , Taber Ethan M.
Published: October 2023

Restoration efforts often focus on changing the composition and structure of invaded plant communities, with two implicit assumptions: (1) functional interactions with species of other trophic levels, such as pollinators, will reassemble automatically when native plant diversity is restored and (2) restored communities will be more resilient to future stressors. However, the impact of restoration activities on pollinator richness, plant–pollinator interaction network structure, and network robustness is incompletely understood. Leveraging a restoration chronosequence in Pacific Northwest prairies, we examined the effects of restoration‐focused prescribed fire and native forb replanting on floral resources, pollinator visitation, and plant–pollinator network structure. We then simulated the effects of plant species loss/removal scenarios on secondary extinction cascades in the networks. Specifically, we explored three management‐relevant plant loss scenarios (removal of an abundant exotic forb, removal of an abundant forb designated a noxious weed, and loss of the rarest native forb) and compared them to control scenarios. Pyrodiversity and proportion of area recently burned increased the abundance and diversity of floral resources, with concomitant increases in pollinator visitation and diversity. Pyrodiversity also decreased network connectance and nestedness, increased modularity, and buffered networks against secondary extinction cascades. Rare forbs contributed disproportionately to network robustness in less restored prairies, while removal of typical “problem” plants like exotic and noxious species had relatively small impacts on network robustness, particularly in prairies with a long history of restoration activities. Restoration actions aimed mainly at improving the diversity and abundance of pollinator‐provisioning plants may also produce plant–pollinator networks with increased resilience to plant species losses.
Dining with a glutton: an intraguild interaction between scavenging wolverine (Gulo gulo) and lynx (Lynx canadensis)
Authors: Jung Thomas S. , Peers Michael J. L. , Drummond Ryan , Taylor Shawn D.
Published: October 2023

Intraspecific interactions between mesocarnivores are not commonly observed and consequentially not well understood, particularly for species inhabiting wilderness regions. Using a remote camera, we captured interactions between a Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) and wolverine (Gulo gulo) scavenging on the remains of a bison (Bison bison). Over a 23‐min period representing nine photographic sequences (1–3 photographs per sequence), we observed (1) a wolverine approach the remains that were being fed on by a lynx, (2) the two animals feeding on the remains at the same time for about 19 min, (3) the wolverine chasing the lynx off of the carcass and, thereafter, (4) the wolverine excluding the lynx from the carcass. Our observation is of potential scientific value because it sheds light on behavioral interactions between these two species, particularly at a rich food source. Intraguild interactions between these species appear to include tolerance toward one another, as well as interference competition, with the wolverine being the dominant species. Our observation highlights the new information on interactions between mesocarnivores that are becoming illuminated with the use of remote cameras, revealing that these interactions may be more complex than once thought.
Dapagliflozin treatment and cardiovascular outcome in RBP4/TTRVal30Met (transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis) mice
Authors: Li Zonglin , Lv Fang , Wen Xin , Guo Chengcheng , Li Li , Cai Xiaoling , Lin Chu , Zhang Mengqing , Yang Wenjia , Ji Linong
Published: October 2023

Aims

Whether sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors are effective for heart failure caused by ATTR‐CA (transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis) remains uncertain. The aim of this study is to investigate the cardiovascular prognosis in ATTR‐CA mice model with dapagliflozin treatment.

Methods and results

Humanized RBP4/TTRVal50Met and RBP4/TTR mice models were constructed with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and associated Cas9 endonuclease (CRISPR‐Cas9) techniques and multiple generations breeding. A total of 6 RBP4/TTR mice received placebo treatment, when 12 RBP4/TTRVal50Met received dapagliflozin (1 mg/kg/day, 6 mice) and placebo (6 mice) treatment. Fasting glucose, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentration were measured at Day 0, Week 2, and Week 4. BNP, transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β), collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1) protein levels, and Cola1, TGFβ1, TNFα, IL‐1β, BNP relative quantities in cardiac, along with cardiac pathology examination including right ventricular collagen percentage, ventricular septum thickness, left ventricular wall thickness, and left ventricular internal diameter were measured at Week 4 after treatment procedure. All 18 mice completed the experiment. The baseline characteristics were balanced among three treatment groups. In placebo‐treated mice, the cardiac BNP relative quantity was significantly higher in RBP4/TTRVal50Met mice than RBP4/TTR mice (RBP4[KI/KI], TTR [KI/KI]: 0.72 ± 0.46, RBP4[KI/KI], TTRVal50Met[KI/KI]: 1.44 ± 0.60, P = 0.043), indicating more significant heart failure progression in ATTR‐CA mice than normal mice. In ATTR‐CA mice, the cardiovascular prognosis measurements including heart failure (plasma BNP concentration and relative quantities of BNP), cardiac inflammation (relative quantities of Cola1, TGFβ1, TNFα, and IL‐1β), and pathological changes (right ventricular collagen percentage, ventricular septum thickness, left ventricular wall thickness, and left ventricular internal diameter) were statistically comparable between those under dapagliflozin and placebo treatment.

Conclusions

Dapagliflozin did not improve cardiovascular prognosis including the progression of heart failure, cardiac inflammation, and pathological changes in ATTR‐CA mice compared with placebo. The results of this study were not in support of dapagliflozin's therapeutic effects for ATTR‐CA. More pre‐clinical and clinical researches to validate these findings and demonstrate the underlying mechanisms are still required.
Optimal Sizing of Battery Energy Storage Systems Considering Degradation Effect for Operating and Electricity Cost Minimization in Microgrids
Authors: Vaka Srinivas Sandeep Kumar Reddy , Sailaja Kumari Matam
Published: October 2023

A microgrid is a low‐voltage distribution network designed to provide power for small‐scale and isolated communities consisting of distributed generation and energy storage systems. In order to achieve reliable power and proper energy utilization, energy storage systems plays a vital role in microgrids by storing energy during off peak hours and discharges energy during peak hours. One of the major issues in the isolated microgrids with intermittent nature of distributed generations is the balance of energy demand. This can be achieved by appending renewable energy sources with suitable battery energy storage systems (BESS), to provide the reserve support in meeting the load demand. Battery degradation effect plays a major role in analyzing the performance of BESS lifetime. Battery degradation effect relates the capacity reduction of energy of BESS that is to be delivered to meet the load demand. Therefore, microgrid systems with BESS considering degradation effect should be optimized in such a way as to obtain minimum operating cost while ensuring minimum electricity cost to customers. Simulations of hourly battery discharges rates and simulation of actual discharge rates with obtained simulated rates need to be calculated to determine the degradation effect. The battery degradation cost and lifetime can be calculated correspondingly to minimize the objectives. Correspondingly, herein, an optimization algorithm for microgrid operating cost and customer electricity cost minimization for 24 h time horizon while considering BESS degradation effect by determining kWh and MWh throughput is presented. Particle swarm optimization (PSO), accelerated particle swarm optimization (APSO), Jaya optimization (JAYA) technique, and linear programming interior point algorithm (LP‐IP) are applied to determine the optimal operating cost and electricity cost by simulating BESS degradation parameters. Results obtained using PSO, APSO, JAYA are compared with LP‐IP solver‐based algorithm for BESS lifetime, BESS degradation cost, microgrid operating cost, and customer electricity cost for 24 h.
Energy, Exergy, Economic, Environmental, Exergoenvironmental, Exergoeconomic, and Enviroeconomic Analysis of Photovoltaic/Thermal System with Double‐Fan Arrangement for Effective Condensation and Evaporation: An Experimental Approach
Authors: Ravindran Santhiya , Balachandran Gurukarthik Babu , Murugesan Pravin , David Prince Winston
Published: October 2023

Water is one of the basic needs for all living and nonliving things. It is important to sustain the available water resources effectively for future generations. A lot of studies are employed already to improve the performance of solar desalination systems rather than conventional methods. Subsequently, an experimental approach is proposed with energy, exergy, economic, environmental, exergoenvironmental, exergoeconomic, and enviroeconomic performance of photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) solar distillation system using two methods to enhance the fresh water yield production at feasible cost. First is the conventional solar still (CSS) with PV and second is PV with double fan solar still (DFSS) with optimized running time of the double fan, which increases the productivity of the solar distillation system. The results show that average daily energy and exergy efficiency of the system improve with DFSS (19.98%, 1.36%) than CSS (11.74%, 0.36%). The daily yield productivity of CSS is 1.618 L m−2 and is increased as 2.482 L m−2 with DFSS. Average cost of water yield production is also reduced with DFSS and estimated as 0.018$, 0.016$, and 0.015$ for the lifetime of 15, 20, and 30 years for CSS and 0.014, 0.013, and 0.012$ for DFSS. Overall, the proposed methodology shows promising results than the conventional approach.
Effect of Turbulence and Diffusional–Thermal Instability on Hydrogen‐Rich Syngas Turbulent Premixed Flame
Authors: Zhang Guo‐Peng , Li Guo‐Xiu , Li Hong‐Meng , Cao Jian‐Bin
Published: October 2023

As a kind of fuel with low‐carbon emissions, hydrogen‐rich syngas has a large resource potential and is a promising alternative energy resource. A series of experiments in a constant volume combustion bomb are carried out to investigate the effects of turbulence and diffusional–thermal (DT) instability on a hydrogen‐rich syngas turbulent premixed flame. The flow field in the constant volume combustion bomb is calibrated, and the turbulent flow field's homogeneity and isotropy were investigated. The effects of different speeds of fan (1366–4273 rpm), hydrogen fractions (55%–95%), pressures (1.0–3.0 bar), and equivalence ratios (0.6–1.0) on the hydrogen‐rich syngas turbulent premixed flame are studied. According to the analyses, the flow field in the experimental device exhibits good homogeneous and isotropic characteristics. With the increase of turbulence intensity, equivalence ratio, hydrogen fraction, or pressure, the turbulent flame propagation speed increases gradually. As the hydrogen fraction increases or the equivalence ratio decreases, the effective Lewis number decreases, and the effect of DT instability on the flame increases. The research in this article is crucial for the clean and efficient utilization of hydrogen‐rich syngas and the design of related burners.
Optimal power allocation of battery energy storage system (BESS) using dense LSTM in active distribution network
Authors: Pattanaik Sushree Samikshya , Sahoo Ashwin Kumar , Panda Rajesh , Dawn Subhojit , Ustun Taha Selim
Published: October 2023

Forecasting of renewable energy plays a major role in deregulated power systems. The rapid change in climatic conditions poses many challenges in recent years throughout the globe to policymakers and due to this, the forecasting of solar energy has become quite difficult to forecast with conventional forecasting methods. As compared to conventional methods, machine learning algorithms have shown better accuracy due to their learning methods with uncertain parameters. The market participants such as solar photovoltaic (SPV), battery energy storage system (BESS), and thermal units undergo challenges with the optimal dispatch strategy under such uncertainties of renewable energy. In addition to the concerned integrated system, other uncertainties affect the optimal operation of the integrated system and these are line contingencies and SPV. In this paper, we have used supervised learning methods such as multilayer perceptron (MLP), recurrent neural network (RNN), and long short‐term memory (LSTM) to forecast the hourly SPV in the day‐ahead market. Among the three methods of machine learning, results show LSTM with dense has been a better forecasting method with high accuracy obtained. The role of BESS in the optimal operation of day‐ahead hourly forecasted SPV along with the hourly thermal unit dispatch in DC optimal power flow (OPF) has been investigated in the paper. The main objective of the paper is to optimally allocate the BESS in the SPV‐BESS‐Thermal unit integrated system forming an active distribution network (ADN) to minimize the operating cost under different uncertainties such as line contingencies and SPV. The hourly dispatch of thermal units, BESS, and forecasted SPV is obtained for the short‐term market. The proposed approach is validated by a modified IEEE 33 bus system and solved by mixed integer linear programming (MILP).
Nontargeted Screening of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Glen Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant, Botswana
Authors: Selwe Kgato P. , Sallach J. Brett , Dessent Caroline E. H.
Published: October 2023

There is growing concern about the prevalence and impact of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). The environmental monitoring of CECs has, however, been limited in low- and middle-income countries due to the lack of advanced analytical instrumentation locally. In the present study we employed a nontargeted and suspect screening workflow via liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) to identify known and unknown pollutants in the Glen Valley wastewater treatment plant, Botswana, complemented by analysis of groundwater samples. The present study represents the first HRMS analysis of CECs in water samples obtained in Botswana. Suspect screening of 5942 compounds qualitatively identified 28 compounds, including 26 pharmaceuticals and two illicit drugs (2-ethylmethcathinone and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol). Nontargeted analysis tentatively identified the presence of 34 more compounds including (5ξ)-12,13-dihydroxypodocarpa-8,11,13-trien-7-one, 12-aminododecanoic acid, atenolol acid, brilliant blue, cyclo leucylprolyl, decanophenone, DL-carnitine, N,N′-dicyclohexylurea, N4-acetylsulfamethoxazole, NP-003672, and 24 polyethylene glycol polymers. The highest number of detections were in influent wastewater (26 CECs) followed by effluent wastewater (10 CECs) and, lastly, groundwater (4 CECs). Seventeen CECs detected in the influent water were not detected in the effluent waters, suggesting reduced emissions due to wastewater treatment. Two antiretroviral compounds (abacavir and tenofovir) were detected in the influent and effluent sources. This suggests that wastewater treatment plants are a major pathway of chemical pollution to the environment in Botswana and will help inform prioritization efforts for monitoring and remediation that is protective of these key ecosystems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:52–61. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Abstract

Samples from the Glen Valley wastewater treatment plant, Botswana, were subjected to nontargeted analysis using liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry to investigate the presence of contaminants of emerging concern.
The effects of different extraction methods on essential oils from orange and tangor: From the peel to the essential oil
Authors: Park Min Kyung , Cha Ji Yoon , Kang Min‐Cheol , Jang Hae Won , Choi Yun‐Sang
Published: October 2023

Citrus fruits are largely consumed due to their unique and pleasant aromas. Citrus hybrids have been developed to enhance their flavors and bioactivities. Citrus aroma depends on the composition of the volatile compounds in citrus essential oils (CEOs), which are mostly located in the peels. During the extraction of CEOs, a specific series of chemical reactions occurred depending on the extraction methods (CP, cold pressing; HD, hydrodistillation), leading to variations in the composition of volatile compounds. In this study, the orange and the tangor which is a hybrid between C. reticulata × C. sinensis were investigated to compare the changes in volatile compounds based on the extraction methods. Results showed that the CP‐specific volatile compounds were sesquiterpenes, oxygenated monoterpenes, and fatty acid derivatives, while the HD‐specific volatile compounds were terpinyl cation derivatives, limonene, and 4‐vinylguaiacol. On the other hand, the contents of some volatile compounds ((E)‐ocimene, α‐terpinene, and α‐terpinolene) were affected by the Citrus species rather than by the extraction methods. In particular, during HD, terpinene‐4‐ol and 4‐vinylguiacol, known as off‐flavor compounds in citrus juice, were formed more abundantly in the orange than in the tangor. In conclusion, these results provide comprehensive data on essential oils, especially those derived from oranges and tangors, for selecting the appropriate extraction method for obtaining a higher yield and quality of citrus flavor.
Separate and overlapping mechanisms of statistical regularities and salience processing in the occipital cortex and dorsal attention network
Authors: Beffara Bertrand , Hadj‐Bouziane Fadila , Hamed Suliann Ben , Boehler C. Nico , Chelazzi Leonardo , Santandrea Elisa , Macaluso Emiliano
Published: October 2023

Attention selects behaviorally relevant inputs for in‐depth processing. Beside the role of traditional signals related to goal‐directed and stimulus‐driven control, a debate exists regarding the mechanisms governing the effect of statistical regularities on attentional selection, and how these are integrated with other control signals. Using a visuo‐spatial search task under fMRI, we tested the joint effects of statistical regularities and stimulus‐driven salience. We found that both types of signals modulated occipital activity in a spatially specific manner. Salience acted primarily by reducing the attention bias towards the target location when associated with irrelevant distractors, while statistical regularities reduced this attention bias when the target was presented at a low probability location, particularly at the lower levels of the visual hierarchy. In addition, we found that both statistical regularities and salience activated the dorsal frontoparietal network. Additional exploratory analyses of functional connectivity revealed that only statistical regularities modulated the inter‐regional coupling between the posterior parietal cortex and the occipital cortex. These results show that statistical regularities and salience signals are both spatially represented at the occipital level, but that their integration into attentional processing priorities relies on dissociable brain mechanisms.
Patient‐reported swallowing outcomes after transoral robotic thyroidectomy: Comparison with conventional transcervical thyroidectomy
Authors: Lee Seung Yeol , Ryu Soo Rack , Yun Bo Ram , Ji Yong Bae , Song Chang Myeon , Tae Kyung
Published: October 2023

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the swallowing outcomes after transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT) and compare them with those of conventional transcervical thyroidectomy.

Method

We enrolled 146 patients who underwent thyroidectomy (73 TORT; 73 conventional approach). We prospectively analyzed swallowing outcomes using the Swallowing Impairment Index‐6 (SIS‐6) questionnaire, a patient‐reported measure, before and 1, 3, and 6 days; 1, 3, and 6 months; and 1 year after surgery. Propensity score‐matched analysis was performed using three covariates: age, sex, and extent of thyroidectomy.

Results

SIS‐6 scores worsened significantly immediately after surgery and progressively recovered 1 year postoperatively in both groups. Propensity score matching generated two matched groups of 22 patients each. In the propensity score‐matched samples, the SIS‐6 scores did not differ between the TORT and conventional groups, except at 1 day postoperatively.

Conclusion

Patient‐reported swallowing outcomes of TORT were comparable to those of the conventional transcervical procedure.
Dependence of peripheral T‐cell lymphoma on constitutively activated JAK3: Implication for JAK3 inhibition as a therapeutic approach
Authors: Le Kang , Vollenweider Jordan , Han JingJing , Staudinger Nicholas , Stenson Mary , Bayraktar Lara , Wellik Linda E. , Maurer Matthew J. , McPhail Ellen D. , Witzig Thomas E. , Gupta Mamta
Published: October 2023

Peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a clinically heterogeneous group that represents 10%–15% of all lymphomas. Despite improved genetic and molecular understanding, treatment outcomes for PTCL have not shown significant improvement. Although Janus kinase‐2 (JAK2) plays an important role in myeloproliferative neoplasms, the critical role of JAK isoforms in mediating prosurvival signaling in PTCL cells is not well defined. Immunohistochemical analysis of PTCL tumors (n = 96) revealed high levels of constitutively active JAK3 (pJAK3) that significantly (p < 0.04) correlated with the activation state of its canonical substrate STAT3. Furthermore, constitutive activation of JAK3 and STAT3 positively correlated, at least in part, with an oncogenic tyrosine phosphatase PTPN11. Pharmacological inhibition of JAK3 but not JAK1/JAK2 significantly (p < 0.001) decreased PTCL proliferation, survival and STAT3 activation. A sharp contrast was observed in the pJAK3 positivity between ALK+ (85.7%) versus ALK‐negative (10.0%) in human PTCL tumors and PTCL cell lines. Moreover, JAK3 and ALK reciprocally interacted in PTCL cells, forming a complex to possibly regulate STAT3 signaling. Finally, combined inhibition of JAK3 (by WHI‐P154) and ALK (by crizotinib or alectinib) significantly (p < 0.01) decreased the survival of PTCL cells as compared to either agent alone by inhibiting STAT3 downstream signaling. Collectively, our findings establish that JAK3 is a therapeutic target for a subset of PTCL, and provide rationale for the clinical evaluation of JAK3 inhibitors combined with ALK‐targeted therapy in PTCL.