bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of a Cation Exchange Membrane with Largely Reduced Anion Permeability for Advanced Aqueous K‐ion Battery in an Alkaline‐Neutral Electrolyte Decoupling System
Authors: Dong Wenju , Li Luping , Cheng Shuang , Huang Longjun , Yang Lexuan , Liu Yuxiu , Yao Huan , Liu Chenxu , Liu Weizhen , Ji Xu
Published: December 2022

Herein, an efficient method to prepare sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) based cation exchange membranes (CEMs) is developed, where polyethersulfone (PES) is used as an additive. The optimized membrane of 30 wt.%PES/SPEEK‐M exhibits a rather low anion permeability and a high ionic conductivity of 9.52 mS cm−1 together with low volume swelling in water. Meanwhile, tensile strength of the membrane is as high as 31.4 MPa with a tensile strain of 162%. As separators for aqueous K‐ion batteries (AKIBs) with decoupled gel electrolytes (Zn anode in alkaline and Prussian blue (FeHCF) cathode in neutral). Discharge voltage of the AKIB can reach 2.3 V. Meanwhile, Zn dendrites can be effectively suppressed in the gel anolyte. Specific capacities of the FeHCF cathode are 116.7 mAh g−1 at 0.3 A g−1 (close to its theoretical value), and 95.0 mAh g−1 at 1.0 A g−1, indicating good rate performance. Capacity retention of the cathode is as high as 91.2% after 1000 cycles’ cycling owing to the well remained neutral environment of the catholyte. There is almost no pH change for the catholyte after cycling, indicating good anion‐blocking or cation‐selecting ability of the 30 wt.%PES/SPEEK‐M, much better than other membranes.
Air Annealing Facilitates Crystallization Reconstruction of Quasi‐2D Perovskite
Authors: Wang Boxin , Bi Shiqing , Cheng Qian , Huang Gaosheng , Zhang Weichuan , Han Bing , Yang Yingguo , Zhang Yuan , Zhang Hong , Zhou Huiqiong
Published: December 2022

Although the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has reached commercial standards, the processing environment of a purely inert gas atmosphere significantly increases the cost of installing manufacturing facilities in actual manufacturing plants and hinders their commercial mass production. The thermal annealing condition of quasi‐2D perovskite films can significantly affect the self‐assembly behavior of bulky organic cations, which modulates the phase distribution of 2D species with different n values. Herein, the properties of quasi‐2D perovskite annealing in a N2 versus an environment representative of industrial conditions, i.e., open‐air with 30% humidity are compared. It is found that the crystallization process of perovskites is regulated by air annealing, leading to high‐quality 2D perovskite films with reduced trap density, well‐aligned phase distribution, and released residual strain. The resulting devices prepared by air annealing achieve a power conversion efficiency of 18% with high reproducibility and suppressed voltage loss. The enhanced thermal stability of the air‐annealed films is proved by in situ grazing incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering. The combination of air annealing and simple planar structures would facilitate the mass production of PSCs.
Influence of Partitioning Effects on the Retained Austenite Content and Properties of Martensitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Kresser Simona , Schneider Reinhold , Zunko Horst , Sommitsch Christof
Published: December 2022

The effect of a quenching and partitioning (Q&P) heat treatment with a quenching temperature (TQ) range from 20 to 190 °C is investigated for two martensitic stainless tool steels X40Cr14 and “X25CrN13”, focusing on microstructural evolution, hardness, and toughness. The influence on the retained austenite (RA) content, when replacing part of carbon with nitrogen, is of core interest. The amount of RA is analyzed by X‐ray diffraction and is additionally proved with electron backscatter diffraction, and the RA content is thermodynamically calculated. Subsequently, the effect of the microstructure on toughness and hardness is investigated. For both steels, the toughness maximum is reached in the region of the RA maximum. The “X25CrN13” attains higher toughness at higher RA contents. Higher RA contents do not benefit X40Cr14. Furthermore, the effect of double tempering at higher tempering temperatures after Q&P on the steels is investigated. Besides RA contents and hardness, dilatometer curves are used to evaluate the formation of fresh martensite in the microstructure. The secondary hardness maximum of “X25CrN13” is reached at 500 °C and that of X40Cr14 is at 480 °C. For double tempering temperature at 520 °C, TQ has little effect on toughness, and “X25CrN13” shows better values.
Conceptual modeling to support system‐level decision‐making: An industrial case study from the Norwegian energy domain
Authors: Engen Siv , Muller Gerrit , Falk Kristin
Published: December 2022

This article explores conceptual modeling to support system‐level decision‐making during concept evaluation. The system‐level decisions made in the concept phases decide most of the systems' value and cost. The context for our research is the Norwegian energy domain. Through an industrial case study in a global subsea system supplier company, we have explored conceptual modeling to support system‐level decision‐making in the conceptual phase. From the insights and learnings gained in the industry case, the article proposes an approach for using conceptual modeling to support System‐Level Decision‐Making. Further, the article presents three examples of applications to demonstrate the use of the approach. To evaluate the approach's usefulness in the industrial setting, we conducted a survey of 37 engineers in the company of research. The engineers perceive that using the approach would improve awareness of the system context and support a holistic mindset. Furthermore, the engineers perceive the conceptual models as efficient for knowledge sharing and communication, especially in meetings between technical and non‐technical personnel. The engineers identify simplicity as a top benefit of the approach but also as a concern. Balancing the need for abstracting with the need for being specific is a crucial challenge in modeling. The survey also shows concerns about the implementation of the approach and the effort required to use the approach in daily work. The primary outcome of the research is insights into how conceptual modeling can support system‐level decision‐making in the industrial context.
Sing and Play Your Way to Reading: Building Emergent Literacy Skills in Infants and Toddlers Through Music
Authors: Hooper Alison
Published: December 2022

The article highlights connections between music and movement activities and emergent literacy development among infants and toddlers. I review how music is linked to phonological awareness, oral language, vocabulary, and other related skills that support reading, like executive function. I also highlight the benefits of including teacher‐facilitated, hands‐on, active music experiences, even when teachers may lack confidence in their musical abilities and music training. The article provides teachers with easy‐to‐implement activities to use in the classroom to explicitly support literacy through developmentally appropriate and engaging music and movement activities, including songs, instruments, movement, and song‐based picture books.
Primary calibration of photodiodes with monochromatic X‐ray beams using an electrical‐substitution radiometer
Authors: Elvira Víctor H. , Lépy Marie‐Christine , Ménesguen Yves
Published: December 2022

The electrical‐substitution cryogenic detector BOLometer for Use in the range of X‐rays (BOLUX), which was developed some years ago at CEA/DAM, has been set up and restarted now at LNHB. It has been used for the primary measurement of the intensity (total energy per unit time) of monochromatic synchrotron beams in the energy range from 3 to 30 keV. These well‐determined photon beams have been employed for the efficiency calibration of two photodiodes in terms of current induced per unit optical power at different photon energies. In a final step, we explored the possibility to use these primary‐calibrated photodiodes to determine the efficiency curve of an energy‐dispersive spectrometer based on a semiconductor detector (Silicon Drift Detector) using less intense monochromatic photon fluxes. The characteristics of the radiometer BOLUX and its principle of operation are described, and the measurements carried out at the synchrotron beamline are presented, including the determination of the beams' intensities, the direct calibration of photodiodes with respect to BOLUX and the use of one of those photodiodes as a standard transfer for the calibration of the SDD.
Sustainable Green Growth in Agriculture: The Role of Regional Cooperation
Authors: Zaman Kazi Arif Uz , Kalirajan Kaliappa
Published: December 2022

Due to the continuous need to attain food security for the growing population, resource exploitation in the agriculture sector is evident. Hence, both production growth and sustainability have become key policy dilemmas. This paper examines the prospective roles of regional cooperation in attaining sustainable green growth in the agricultural production process. To formulate the Green Growth Index for Agriculture (GGIA), 16 South-through-East Asian countries were considered. The result implies that if the countries could work under a regional cooperation bloc, on average, they can exploit the untapped potential production of 33.8% without deploying any additional resources. Analysis for emission-management reveals that if the countries could work under a regional cooperation bloc, on average, its agriculture emission-management efficiency would be 45%. According to the GGIA, China, Japan, and South Korea have the highest overall efficiency, while Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Thailand have the lowest in this region.
Mechanization and the Intersectoral Migration of Agricultural Labor
Authors: Larson Donald F. , Bloodworth Kevin L.
Published: December 2022

For most countries, the historical path to development includes a sectoral shift of labor from agriculture to other sectors, an inflow of capital to agriculture, and a boost in land productivity. Early in the process of structural transformation, when populations are primarily rural and agrarian, the pace of sectoral migration can appear slow, as births that occur in much larger rural populations nearly match out-migration. As populations become increasingly urban, the dynamics shift, as rural populations experience continued out-migration matched with a declining share of births. This sets the stage for rising wages and labor-saving mechanization in agriculture. In many places, mechanization is associated with economies of scale that encourage a transformation in farm structures toward larger farms. Still, farm structures have been slow to change in Asia and Africa, where most farms are small, limiting potential productivity gains. This chapter uses a cross-country panel of data spanning five decades to examine the relationships among sectoral migration, gaps in sectoral incomes, and mechanization.
Blue Revolution in Asia: The Rise of the Shrimp Sector in Vietnam and the Challenges of Disease Control
Authors: Suzuki Aya , Nam Vu Hoang
Published: December 2022

The aquaculture sector has grown rapidly over the last two decades, particularly in Asia, providing a larger share of seafood for human consumption than capture fisheries. It has received attention for its contribution to poverty reduction and nutrition improvement for the poor. In this essay, we illustrate the brief history of the development of the aquaculture sector in Asia and present a case of the shrimp sector in Vietnam, one of the largest exporters in the global market in recent years. We show how the sector has developed, particularly in relation to rice production, using nationally-representative household-level data. We then examine a persistent challenge faced by the sector, the frequent occurrence of disease outbreaks, based on our analyses using primary data and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Specifically, we consider the role of spillovers among farmers and the importance of quantifying unobserved qualities in promoting the adoption of good practices. The effectiveness of digital technology in this area is discussed.
Solar Power to Transform Food Systems and Rural Livelihoods: Evidence from a Solar-Powered Cold Storage Intervention in Nigeria
Authors: Yamauchi Futoshi , Takeshima Hiroyuki
Published: December 2022

In developing countries, a substantial amount of perishable and often highly nutritious commodities, such as fruits and vegetables, are lost after harvest, mainly caused by the lack of key infrastructures, such as electricity and cold chain facilities. On the other hand, the world has recently seen the potential of solar power in decarbonizing economies and transforming rural livelihoods in developing countries. A new technology, such as solar power photovoltaics, is highly divisible and, therefore, can be easily introduced to overcome the lack of sustainable electricity supply. In 2020–2021, we implemented an intervention to rebuild rural livelihoods in conflict-affected northeast Nigeria by building solar-powered cold storage facilities that can reduce food loss and increase consumption of perishable, micronutrient-rich horticulture products; increase incomes of market agents and producers; and improve employment. The intervention brought a significant increase in the number of days that horticulture products remain fresh, market sales for cold storage users, and the amount of vegetables available to the local population. Cost-benefit analysis showed a significant net economic gain in the long-run. Our example shows that a technological innovation, which overcomes the lack of an essential investment for development, can trigger economic transformation.
Summary and Conclusions
Authors: Estudillo Jonna P. , Kijima Yoko , Sonobe Tetsushi
Published: December 2022

Agricultural development is the major driver of rural transformation in Asia, and the Green Revolution is the flagship of agricultural development. It is characterized by the continuous development of improved seed varieties and their dissemination. The Green Revolution in Asia is focused on three major staples: rice, wheat, and maize.
Toward a Green Revolution in Sub-Saharan Africa: Farm Mechanization in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme
Authors: Njagi Timothy , Mano Yukichi
Published: December 2022

Governments in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have made concerted efforts to improve farmers’ adoption of modern technologies in their farm operations to realize a rice Green Revolution, improve food security, and alleviate poverty. However, smallholder farmers’ access to farm mechanization in SSA remains constrained due to supply-side and demand-side challenges. On the supply side, the market for agricultural machinery services is often underdeveloped. On the demand side, the smallholders with inadequate knowledge of improved rice cultivation practices have limited demand for mechanized services despite increasing wage rates. This study analyzes the mechanization process of rice farmers in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kenya. The Mwea Irrigation Scheme is the most advanced rice production area in SSA, with farmers familiar with improved rice cultivation practices, well-functioning input credit markets, and millers adopting modern milling technologies, enabling local rice to compete with imported Asian rice. Analyzing original data collected in 2011, 2016, and 2018, we found that most farmers in Mwea implemented rotavation using tractor services provided by farmers’ cooperatives, while they implemented leveling using draft animals. Non-cooperative members reduced tractor use and adopted draft animals to implement both harrowing and leveling, implying the importance of a well-developed mechanization service market.
On local regularity estimates for fractional powers of parabolic operators with time-dependent measurable coefficients
Authors: Litsgård Malte , Nyström Kaj
Published: December 2022

We consider fractional operators of the form $$\begin{aligned} {\mathcal {H}}^s=(\partial _t -\text {div}_{x} ( A(x,t)\nabla _{x}))^s,\ (x,t)\in {\mathbb {R}}^n\times {\mathbb {R}}, \end{aligned}$$

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,

where $$s\in (0,1)$$

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and $$A=A(x,t)=\{A_{i,j}(x,t)\}_{i,j=1}^{n}$$

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is an accretive, bounded, complex, measurable, $$n\times n$$

n
×
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-dimensional matrix valued function. We study the fractional operators $${{\mathcal {H}}}^s$$

H

s

and their relation to the initial value problem $$\begin{aligned} \begin{aligned} (\lambda ^{1-2s}\textrm{u}')'(\lambda )&=\lambda ^{1-2s}{\mathcal {H}}\textrm{u}(\lambda ), \quad \lambda \in (0, \infty ), \\ \textrm{u}(0)&= u, \end{aligned} \end{aligned}$$

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in $${\mathbb {R}}_+\times {\mathbb {R}}^n\times {\mathbb {R}}$$

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. Exploring the relation, and making the additional assumption that $$A=A(x,t)=\{A_{i,j}(x,t)\}_{i,j=1}^{n}$$

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is real, we derive some local properties of solutions to the non-local Dirichlet problem $$\begin{aligned} {\mathcal {H}}^su=(\partial _t -\text {div}_{x} ( A(x,t)\nabla _{x}))^su&=0\hbox { for}\ (x,t)\in \Omega \times J,\nonumber \\ u&=f \text{ for } (x,t)\in {\mathbb {R}}^{n+1}\setminus (\Omega \times J). \end{aligned}$$

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Our contribution is that we allow for non-symmetric and time-dependent coefficients.
Characterization of various isomeric photoproducts of ergosterol and vitamin D2 generated by UV irradiation
Authors: Sommer Katrin , Hillinger Marissa , Eigenmann Andrea , Vetter Walter
Published: December 2022

Vitamin D2 is produced from its precursor ergosterol under the impact of ultraviolet (UV) light which is also commercially carried out to increase vitamin D2 contents in mushrooms (‘Novel Food’). However, this process is accompanied by the formation of various isomers that partly co-elute with the target compound and are currently difficult to analyze. For this reason, vitamin D2 and ergosterol were irradiated with the goal to generate and characterize various isomeric photoproducts with three analytical methods. High-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC–UV) was accompanied by using a chiral detector (CD) which was serially linked with the UV detector. Applied for the first time in this research area, HPLC-CD chromatograms provided complementary information which was crucial for the identification of several co-elutions that would have been overlooked without this approach. Additional information was derived from gas chromatography with mass spectrometry analysis. Diagnostic fragment ions in the GC/MS spectra allowed to distinguish four classes of tri- (n = 2), tetra-, and pentacyclic isomer groups. Despite several drawbacks of each of the applied methods, the shared evaluation allowed to characterize more than ten isomeric photoproducts of vitamin D2 including previtamin D2, lumisterol2, tachysterol2,trans-vitamin D2 isomers, and two pentacyclic isomers (suprasterols2 I and II), which were isolated and characterized by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR).
The feasibility and safety of one-shot dilatation compared to conventional sequential dilatation in tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a prospective randomized controlled study
Authors: Ghoneima Waleed , Makki Mohamed , Lotfi Mohamed Amr , Mostafa Amr , Elkady Amr , Rammah Ahmed M.
Published: December 2022

To study the feasibility and safety of One-Shot Dilatation (OSD), versus serial sequential dilatation in tubeless Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL). One Hundred and Fifty patients were randomised into two groups; Group A (One-Shot Dilatation), Group B (Serial Dilatation). Twenty-one patients were excluded from the study. Detailed history was taken and full physical examination was performed. Pre-operative routine laboratory investigations were done. Also, non-contrast Computed Tomography of the Urinary Tract (CTUT) and plain urinary tract x-ray were done. Intra-operative assessments of dilatation, total operative, total fluoroscopy and fluoroscopy during dilatation durations were recorded, as well as estimated blood loss. Post-operatively haemoglobin, creatinine levels and CTUT were performed for all patients. Complications, as urinary leakage time, analgesic requirements and hospitalization time were measured. There were statistically significant differences in the intraoperative durations, where Group A had shorter dilatation time, fluoroscopy time during dilatation and total operative time. Group B had a higher complications rate than Group A; 37.9%, 11.3%, respectively. Also, Group B showed haemoglobin drop by 0.44 mg/dl higher than Group A. More doses of analgesia were required for Group B. Hospitalization time and rate of urinary leakage were both in favour of Group A. For patients undergoing Tubeless PCNL, we have concluded that one-shot dilatation seems to be a safer and more feasible technique than Serial dilatation.
Genetic conflicts and the case for licensed anthropomorphizing
Authors: Ågren J. Arvid , Patten Manus M.
Published: December 2022

The use of intentional language in biology is controversial. It has been commonly applied by researchers in behavioral ecology, who have not shied away from employing agential thinking or even anthropomorphisms, but has been rarer among researchers from more mechanistic corners of the discipline, such as population genetics. One research area where these traditions come into contact—and occasionally clash—is the study of genetic conflicts, and its history offers a good window to the debate over the use of intentional language in biology. We review this debate, paying particular attention to how this interaction has played out in work on genomic imprinting and sex chromosomes. In light of this, we advocate for a synthesis of the two approaches, a form of licensed anthropomorphizing. Here, agential thinking’s creative potential and its ability to identify the fulcrum of evolutionary pressure are combined with the rigidity of formal mathematical modeling.
(Seltene) infektiöse Hepatitiden als wichtige Differenzialdiagnose der unklaren Hepatopathie
Authors: Wührl Michael , Ringelhan Marc , Ehmer Ursula , Schneider Jochen , Kager Juliane , Lahmer Tobias , Schneider Anna , Weichert Wilko , Mogler Carolin
Published: December 2022

Hintergrund

Die (transjuguläre) Leberbiopsie stellt einen essenziellen diagnostischen Baustein im Diagnosealgorithmus der unklaren Hepatopathie bzw. des akuten Leberversagens dar. Die Beurteilung und Auswertung erfordert eine eng verzahnte Zusammenarbeit zwischen Klinikern und Pathologen, die klinischen Umstände und die oftmals lebensbedrohlichen Komplikationen des akuten Leberversagens machen eine zeitnahe Diagnosefindung notwendig. Insbesondere seltenere infektiöse Hepatitiden werden mitunter im klinischen Kontext nicht oder nur verzögert diagnostiziert, sodass dem Pathologen hier eine maßgebliche Rolle zu Teil wird und der Patient so zeitnah einer zielgerichteten Therapie zugeführt werden kann.

Ziel der Arbeit (Fragestellung)

In der Leberbiopsie seltene aber teils sehr prägnante, da unbehandelt mitunter tödlich verlaufende infektiöse Ursachen des unklaren Leberversagens werden vorgestellt.

Material und Methoden

Retrospektive Fälle von Leberbiopsien bei unklarer Hepatopathie und serologisch bzw. molekularbiologisch bestätigter Infektion wurden aus der internen Falldatenbank des Instituts für Pathologie der TU München ausgewählt und hinsichtlich der histomorphologischen Diagnosekriterien der jeweiligen infektiösen Erkrankungen aufgearbeitet.

Ergebnisse und Diskussion

Im Untersuchungsgut wurden neben den klassischen viralen Hepatitiden auch seltene infektiöse Hepatitiden, ausgelöst durch Adenoviren, Herpes-simplex-Virus und Rickettsien, identifiziert. Diese Erkrankungen sind selten, aber mitunter lebensbedrohlich. Durch die Kenntnisse der histomorphologischen Veränderungen lassen sich frühzeitig die weitere Diagnostik und Therapie bahnen und somit unter Umständen lebensbedrohliche Verläufe abwenden.
Reporting quality of interventions using a wearable activity tracker to improve physical activity in patients with inflammatory arthritis or osteoarthritis: a systematic review
Authors: van Wissen M. A. T. , Berger M. A. M. , Schoones J. W. , Gademan M. G. J. , van den Ende C. H. M. , Vliet Vlieland T. P. M. , van Weely S. F. E.
Published: December 2022

To assess the reporting quality of interventions aiming at promoting physical activity (PA) using a wearable activity tracker (WAT) in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) or hip/knee osteoarthritis (OA). A systematic search was performed in eight databases (including PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library) for studies published between 2000 and 2022. Two reviewers independently selected studies and extracted data on study characteristics and the reporting of the PA intervention using a WAT using the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT) (12 items) and Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) E-Health checklist (16 items). The reporting quality of each study was expressed as a percentage of reported items of the total CERT and CONSORT E-Health (50% or less = poor; 51–79% = moderate; and 80–100% = good reporting quality). Sixteen studies were included; three involved patients with IA and 13 with OA. Reporting quality was poor in 6/16 studies and moderate in 10/16 studies, according to the CERT and poor in 8/16 and moderate in 8/16 studies following the CONSORT E-Health checklist. Poorly reported checklist items included: the description of decision rule(s) for determining progression and the starting level, the number of adverse events and how adherence or fidelity was assessed. In clinical trials on PA interventions using a WAT in patients with IA or OA, the reporting quality of delivery process is moderate to poor. The poor reporting quality of the progression and tailoring of the PA programs makes replication difficult. Improvements in reporting quality are necessary.
Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound-based multimodal radiomics modeling for fibrosis detection in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Ge Xin-Yue , Lan Zhong-Kai , Lan Qiao-Qing , Lin Hua-Shan , Wang Guo-Dong , Chen Jing
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To predict kidney fibrosis in patients with chronic kidney disease using radiomics of two-dimensional ultrasound (B-mode) and Sound Touch Elastography (STE) images in combination with clinical features.

Methods

The Mindray Resona 7 ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with SC5-1U convex array probe (bandwidth frequency of 1–5 MHz) was used to perform two-dimensional ultrasound and STE software. The severity of cortical tubulointerstitial fibrosis was divided into three grades: mild interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA), fibrotic area < 25%; moderate IFTA, fibrotic area 26–50%; and severe IFTA, fibrotic area > 50%. After extracting radiomics from B-mode and STE images in these patients, we analyzed two classification schemes: mild versus moderate-to-severe IFTA, and mild-to-moderate versus severe IFTA. A nomogram was constructed based on multiple logistic regression analyses, combining clinical and radiomics. The performance of the nomogram for differentiation was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC), calibration, and decision curves.

Results

A total of 150 patients undergoing kidney biopsy were enrolled (mild IFTA: n = 74; moderate IFTA: n = 33; severe IFTA: n = 43) and randomized into training (n = 105) and validation cohorts (n = 45). To differentiate between mild and moderate-to-severe IFTA, a nomogram incorporating STE radiomics, albumin, and estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rate achieved an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85–0.97) and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.77–0.98) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. Between mild-to-moderate and severe IFTA, the nomogram incorporating B-mode and STE radiomics features, age, and eGFR achieved an AUC of 0.93 (95% CI: 0.89–0.98) and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.70–0.95) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. Finally, we performed a decision curve analysis and found that the nomogram using both radiomics and clinical features exhibited better predictability than any other model (DeLong test, p < 0.05 for the training and validation cohorts).

Conclusion

A nomogram based on two-dimensional ultrasound and STE radiomics and clinical features served as a non-invasive tool capable of differentiating kidney fibrosis of different severities.

Key Points

• Radiomics calculated based on the ultrasound imaging may be used to predict the severities of kidney fibrosis.

• Radiomics may be used to identify clinical features associated with the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in patients with CKD.

• Non-invasive ultrasound imaging-based radiomics method with accuracy aids in detecting renal fibrosis with different IFTA severities.
Long-term analysis of chronic pain associated with lower extremity injuries
Authors: Rauer Thomas , Friedl Eva , Gamble Jamison G. , Zelle Boris A. , Pape Hans-Christoph , Pfeifer Roman
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The main objective of this study is to examine chronic pain and limping in relation to lower extremity and pelvic fracture location in addition to fracture combinations if multiple fractures are present on the same leg that have not been previously reported. We hypothesize that fracture pattern and location of lower extremity and pelvis fractures of multiple injured patients influence their long-term pain outcome.

Materials and methods

Retrospective cohort study. Patients with treated multiple lower limb and pelvic fractures at a level 1 trauma center and followed up for at least 10 years postinjury were assessed. Lower leg pain subdivided into persistent, load-dependent and intermittent pain, as well as limping were recorded by using self-administered patient questionnaires and standardized physical examinations performed by a trauma surgeon. Descriptive statistics were used to present comparative measurements between groups.

Results

Fifty-seven percent of patients (n = 301) showed chronic lower limb pain 10 years postinjury. Ten percent of all patients with chronic pain displayed persistent pain, and here the most common fracture combination was tibial shaft fractures in combination with femoral shaft or proximal tibial fractures (13%). One hundred fifty-one patients reported load-dependent pain, with the most common fracture combinations being fractures of the foot in combination with femoral shaft fractures or distal tibial fractures (11%). One hundred twenty patients reported intermittent pain, with the most common fracture combinations involving the shaft of the tibia with either the femoral shaft or distal tibia (9%). Two hundred fifteen patients showed a persistent limp, and here the most common fractures were fractures of the femoral shaft (19%), tibial shaft (17%), and pelvis (15%).

Conclusions

In multiple injured patients with lower extremity injuries, the combination of fractures and their location are critical factors in long-term outcome. Patients with chronic persistent or load-dependent pain often had underlying femoral shaft fractures in combination with joint fractures.
Lactobacillus helveticus HY7801 ameliorates bacterial vaginosis by inhibiting biofilm formation and epithelial cell adhesion of Gardnerella vaginalis
Authors: Kim Joo Yun , Moon Eun Chae , Kim Ju-Yeon , Kim Hyeon Ji , Heo Keon , Shim Jae-Jung , Lee Jung-Lyoul
Published: December 2022

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by a microbial imbalance in the vaginal ecosystem, which causes genital discomfort and a variety of potential complications in women. This study validated the potential of Lactobacillus helveticus HY7801 as a probiotic to benefit vaginal health. In vivo, HY7801 reduced the number of Gardnerella vaginalis (GV) and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the vagina of GV-induced BV mice and ameliorated vaginal histological changes. In vitro, HY7801 exhibited positive resistance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions, showed excellent adherence ability to the female genital epithelium, and had high lactic acid and H2O2 production capacity. Furthermore, it was found that HY7801 can alleviate BV because it can suppress the expression of virulence factor genes of GV involved in epithelial cell adhesion and biofilm formation along with antibacterial activity against GV. These results indicate that HY7801 can be used as a promising probiotic strain for the maintenance of a healthy vaginal physiological state.
Passive Treatment of Circumneutral Mine Drainage from the St. Louis Mine Tunnel, Rico, CO: Part 1—Case Study: Characteristics of the Mine Drainage
Authors: Moore Terry J. , Riese Arthur C. , Lewis-Russ Anne , Jonas James P. , Johnson Brian S.
Published: December 2022

This publication is a case study of the seasonal variability of mine water drainage from the Saint Louis Tunnel (SLT) at the inactive Rico-Argentine mine site located in southwestern Colorado. It is an introductory paper for the two passive water treatment system technology evaluations contained in this issue. Mine water chemistry changes from baseflow to a snowmelt runoff event (SMRE) where snowmelt runoff follows preferential migration pathways to flush acidic weathering products from the upper mine workings to the SLT. Baseflow mine drainage is characterized as circumneutral, with Zn, Cd, Mn, and Ni concentrations primarily in the dissolved form. Dissolved Zn, Mn, Fe, and potentially Cd illustrate equilibrium with carbonate minerals. Total concentrations of Fe, Cu, Pb, and As are primarily in the suspended form and suggest sorption to Fe oxides. Mine water chemistry during the SMRE reflects mixing of circumneutral baseflow waters with more acidic waters flushing the upper mine workings. Geothermal activity provides for a consistently warm mine water discharge from the SLT. The two seasons that provide the most challenge to passive water treatment of SLT mine drainage are the SMRE period and the low flow stage of the Dolores River. Mine water flow and chemistry during SMRE are highly correlated with Dolores River flow and this site conceptual model was and will be used to assist in pilot project evaluation, water treatment system design, monitoring system design, a seasonal compliance approach, and water management.
Benthic diatoms modify riverine silicon export to a marine zone in a hypertidal estuarine environment
Authors: Wallington Holly , Hendry Katharine , Perkins Rupert , Yallop Marian , Arndt Sandra
Published: December 2022

Riverine dissolved silicon (DSi) and biogenic silica (BSi) are modulated along the estuarine gradient by several biotic and abiotic processes governed by physical forcings. An important area controlling silicon transport in alluvial estuaries with large intertidal mudflats is the benthic diatom-dominated biofilm system. Here, the hypertidal Severn Estuary, UK, has been used as a case study to improve our understanding of silicon transport in these benthic-dominated systems. We present the first time-series dataset of Si concentrations in the Severn. River and tidal hydrodynamics drove spatio-temporal changes in DSi. The longitudinal profile of DSi followed the classical view of dilution with downstream transport. Despite low riverine supply of BSi and low siliceous-phytoplankton production, relatively high BSi concentrations were measured in the Severn Estuary (maximum of 14.9 mg/L), which accounted for over 70% of the total bioavailable silicon present and were characterised by isotopically heavy waters (δ30Si of + 0.9 to + 1.1‰). Benthic biofilms (microphytobenthos) on the intertidal mudflats contained significant biomass (measured as chlorophyll a concentration with a maximum of 116.8 ± 16.2 µg/g dw. sed) with high productivity, driven by their photoprotective adaptions to these harsh intertidal environments, contributing to isotopically heavy mudflat water (δ30Si of + 1.19 to + 2.03‰), and resulting in high benthic BSi content in the spring (0.74 ± 0.03%) and summer (0.76 ± 0.05%). The fast-flowing tidal currents resulted in high bottom shear stress which likely exceeded the erosion thresholds of the biofilms, transporting the sediment-BSi matrix into the water column. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) and BSi remained tightly coupled in the estuarine water column (bioflocculation), and experienced the series of erosion–deposition events, burial/dissolution and export out of the estuary. Our novel observations improve understanding of the complex processes governing Si transport in hypertidal, benthic-dominated estuaries, and highlights the importance of tightly coupled benthic-pelagic systems in influencing the terrestrial silicon export to a marine zone.
AKT-driven epithelial-mesenchymal transition is affected by copper bioavailability in HER2 negative breast cancer cells via a LOXL2-independent mechanism
Authors: Vitaliti Alessandra , Roccatani Ilenia , Iorio Egidio , Perta Nunzio , Gismondi Angelo , Chirico Mattea , Pisanu Maria Elena , Di Marino Daniele , Canini Antonella , De Luca Anastasia , Rossi Luisa
Published: December 2022

Background

The main mechanism underlying cancer dissemination is the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). This process is orchestrated by cytokines like TGFβ, involving “non-canonical” AKT- or STAT3-driven pathways. Recently, the alteration of copper homeostasis seems involved in the onset and progression of cancer.

Methods

We expose different breast cancer cell lines, including two triple negative (TNBC) ones, an HER2 enriched and one cell line representative of the Luminal A molecular subtype, to short- or long-term copper-chelation by triethylenetetramine (TRIEN). We analyse changes in the expression of EMT markers (E-cadherin, fibronectin, vimentin and αSMA), in the levels and activity of extracellular matrix components (LOXL2, fibronectin and MMP2/9) and of copper homeostasis markers by Western blot analyses, immunofluorescence, enzyme activity assays and RT-qPCR. Boyden Chamber and wound healing assays revealed the impact of copper chelation on cell migration. Additionally, we explored whether perturbation of copper homeostasis affects EMT prompted by TGFβ. Metabolomic and lipidomic analyses were applied to search the effects of copper chelation on the metabolism of breast cancer cells. Finally, bioinformatics analysis of data on breast cancer patients obtained from different databases was employed to correlate changes in kinases and copper markers with patients’ survival.

Results

Remarkably, only HER2 negative breast cancer cells differently responded to short- or long-term exposure to TRIEN, initially becoming more aggressive but, upon prolonged exposure, retrieving epithelial features, reducing their invasiveness. This phenomenon may be related to the different impact of the short and prolonged activation of the AKT kinase and to the repression of STAT3 signalling. Bioinformatics analyses confirmed the positive correlation of breast cancer patients’ survival with AKT activation and up-regulation of CCS. Eventually, metabolomics studies demonstrate a prevalence of glycolysis over mitochondrial energetic metabolism and of lipidome changes in TNBC cells upon TRIEN treatment.

Conclusions

We provide evidence of a pivotal role of copper in AKT-driven EMT activation, acting independently of HER2 in TNBC cells and via a profound change in their metabolism. Our results support the use of copper-chelators as an adjuvant therapeutic strategy for TNBC.
The bio-interactions between plants, insecticides and fertilizers: an innovative approach for the research of xenobiotic substances
Authors: Darriet Frédéric
Published: December 2022

In this experiment carried out on Caribbean chili pepper plants (Capsicum chinensis), the bio-insecticide azadirachtin in combination with an NPK fertilizer proved to have a greater lethal impact on the larvae of Aedes albopictus than each substance on its own. This synergistic effect is noticeably important when both inputs are sprayed directly on the leaves of the plant (foliar application). While the plants treated with azadirachtin or NPK alone cause a 33.6% and 36.4% mortality respectively of the Ae. albopictus larvae, the combination of the two inputs induces a 74.4% mortality on the mosquito larvae. To account for this synergistic effect phenomenon inside the plant, the azadirachtin + NPK combination most likely interacts with the capsaicinoid compounds naturally produced by the plant. Not only does this study carried out on azadirachtin reveal major results but the methodology itself offers a most interesting approach on how to boost the agricultural inputs within the plants. As a matter of fact, this research axis demands developing since the control of pests harmful to men has been dramatically lacking insecticide molecules acting on new targets over the past three decades.

Graphical Abstract
Mood modulates attention in film viewing: an eye tracking study
Authors: DING Ni , CHEN YuDi
Published: December 2022

Dynamic visual media has increasingly become an integral part of our everyday lives. Film is the best carrier to explore dynamic media. How to attract audiences’ attention and improve their experience has always been a core concern. Whether emotional state influence visual attention is still an issue to be discussed. In the present study, we combined two methods, eye tracking methodology and a standardized questionnaire, to explore how audiences’ emotional state influences visual attention during film viewing. The results showed that the audiences have fixation synchrony most of the time during film viewing and pre-negative affect and pre-positive affect significantly influenced visual attention during film viewing. Our research provides a broader perspective for understanding film cognition and film experience.
Waste-Derived Catalysts for Water Electrolysis: Circular Economy-Driven Sustainable Green Hydrogen Energy
Authors: Chen Zhijie , Yun Sining , Wu Lan , Zhang Jiaqi , Shi Xingdong , Wei Wei , Liu Yiwen , Zheng Renji , Han Ning , Ni Bing-Jie
Published: December 2022

The sustainable production of green hydrogen via water electrolysis necessitates cost-effective electrocatalysts. By following the circular economy principle, the utilization of waste-derived catalysts significantly promotes the sustainable development of green hydrogen energy. Currently, diverse waste-derived catalysts have exhibited excellent catalytic performance toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and overall water electrolysis (OWE). Herein, we systematically examine recent achievements in waste-derived electrocatalysts for water electrolysis. The general principles of water electrolysis and design principles of efficient electrocatalysts are discussed, followed by the illustration of current strategies for transforming wastes into electrocatalysts. Then, applications of waste-derived catalysts (i.e., carbon-based catalysts, transitional metal-based catalysts, and carbon-based heterostructure catalysts) in HER, OER, and OWE are reviewed successively. An emphasis is put on correlating the catalysts’ structure–performance relationship. Also, challenges and research directions in this booming field are finally highlighted. This review would provide useful insights into the design, synthesis, and applications of waste-derived electrocatalysts, and thus accelerate the development of the circular economy-driven green hydrogen energy scheme.
Drivers of Human‒wildlife interactions in a co-existence area: a case study of the Ngorongoro conservation area, Tanzania
Authors: Linuma Oswin F. , Mahenge Anesi S. , Mato Rubhera R. A. M. , Greenwood Alex D.
Published: December 2022

Communities in Africa bordering national parks or protected areas commonly overlap with wildlife. However, it is unclear to what degree such overlaps result in interactions with wildlife. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) was designated a multiple land-use conservation area in 1959. Maasai and Datoga pastoralists and Hadzabe hunter-gatherers reside with protected wildlife in NCA. The study was carried out in four Maasai villages within the NCA, including Kayapus, Endulen, Meshili, and Nainokanoka. A cross-sectional study was used to assess drivers of human‒wildlife interactions using questionnaire surveys, focus group discussions, and field visits. A total of 396 households participated in the survey. The collected data were analysed using qualitative data analysis techniques and descriptive statistics such as frequencies and means. The habitat, which comprises water, pasture, shelter, and space, accounted for 100% of interactions, indicating that it is the primary driver of human‒wildlife conflict. Other driving factors for human‒wildlife interactions are the increase in wildlife, collections of firewood, domestic animals kept, and influence of community sleeping arrangements, searching for traditional medicines, and killing of lions for ritual purposes or defense. Large household sizes (36 family members) coupled with climate change have also driven and fuelled human‒wildlife interactions. Challenges identified as threatening human‒wildlife co-existence are injuries, deaths, disease transmission, and destruction of property. To mitigate human‒wildlife conflicts, the following are recommended: the increase in boarding schools coupled with the increase in enrolment of students in boarding schools or providing reliable transport, distribution of tap water, increasing food assistance to the community living in poverty, controlling population increase through reallocation the population in other areas, introducing zero-grazing, using biogas, discouraging community sleeping arrangements, i.e., humans with calves in the same house, improving record-keeping of the wildlife attacks, provisional dissemination of research findings to the community.
DGMP: Identifying Cancer Driver Genes by Jointing DGCN and MLP from Multi-Omics Genomic Data
Authors: Zhang Shao-Wu , Xu Jing-Yu , Zhang Tong
Published: December 2022

Identification of cancer driver genes plays an important role in precision oncology research, which is helpful to understand cancer initiation and progression. However, most existing computational methods mainly used the protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks, or treated the directed gene regulatory networks (GRNs) as the undirected gene–gene association networks to identify the cancer driver genes, which will lose the unique structure regulatory information in the directed GRNs, and then affect the outcome of the cancer driver gene identification. Here, based on the multi-omics pan-cancer data (i.e., gene expression, mutation, copy number variation, and DNA methylation), we propose a novel method (called DGMP) to identify cancer driver genes by jointing directed graph convolutional network (DGCN) and multilayer perceptron (MLP). DGMP learns the multi-omics features of genes as well as the topological structure features in GRN with the DGCN model and uses MLP to weigh more on gene features for mitigating the bias toward the graph topological features in the DGCN learning process. The results on three GRNs show that DGMP outperforms other existing state-of-the-art methods. The ablation experimental results on the DawnNet network indicate that introducing MLP into DGCN can offset the performance degradation of DGCN, and jointing MLP and DGCN can effectively improve the performance of identifying cancer driver genes. DGMP can identify not only the highly mutated cancer driver genes but also the driver genes harboring other kinds of alterations (e.g., differential expression and aberrant DNA methylation) or genes involved in GRNs with other cancer genes. The source code of DGMP can be freely downloaded from https://github.com/NWPU-903PR/DGMP.