bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Juvenile incarceration in an adult correctional facility as a risk factor for adolescent childrearing?
Authors: Silver Ian A. , Brookstein Adrienne J. , D'Amato Christopher
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Recent trends in reproductive rights have contributed to lasting concerns about adolescent childrearing in American society. Beyond being generally unprepared when raising a child, having a child during adolescence is associated with a variety of environmental, social, and psychological consequences for both the parents and the child. It is important to understand the factors contributing to adolescent childrearing. Although research has identified many factors that contribute to adolescent childrearing, a notable gap remains when considering the role of the correctional system and, in particular, the age‐specific effects of confining adolescents in adult correctional facilities.

Methods

The current study examined the age‐specific effects of time spent in adult correctional facilities from 13 to 34 years of age on childrearing between 14 and 35 years of age using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth‐1997 (NLSY97). The NLSY97 is a nationally representative sample of Males (51%) and Females (49%) born in the United States. Respondents of the NLSY97 were interviewed about life events beginning at age 7 and continued to participate in the study as recently as 2021.

Results

The results of the lagged growth curve models suggest that the time spent incarcerated between 13 and 17 years of age heightens the risk of childrearing between 14 and 18 years of age, an effect that is not observed during adulthood.

Conclusion

Overall, the results suggest that the conditions adolescents are exposed to during incarceration in an adult correctional facility could contribute to a heightened likelihood of adolescent childrearing.
Prediction of anorectal malformations with bladder‐neck/urethral‐prostatic fistula using classification and regression tree analysis
Authors: Yuan Peng , Feng Wei , Huang Yao , Wang Yi
Published: October 2022

Background

The anorectal malformations (ARMs) with bladder‐neck/urethral‐prostatic fistula in males are the most complex groups in ARMs. It is essential to diagnose them effectively before the primary operation for both surgical modalities and future functional prognosis can be quite different from other types. Our study aimed to develop a classification and regression tree (CART) model for the prediction of ARMs with bladder‐neck/urethral‐prostatic fistula.

Methods

A total of 132 newborns with ARMs were included retrospectively and randomly assigned to the training sample and test sample in a 3:1 ratio. The pouch‐perineum distance of ultrasound (PPDU), the pouch‐perineum distance of invertogram (PPDI), and the rectum gas above the coccyx (RGAC) on the invertogram were hypothesized can serve as individual predictors. The CART analysis was used to determine the best combination of candidate predictors. The model's performance was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and validated in the test sample.

Results

All three individual predictors were included in the CART model to predict the ARMs with bladder‐neck/urethral‐prostatic fistula in the derivation cohort with the following test characteristics (95% CI): sensitivity 75.6% (60.1 to 86.6); specificity 88.9% (76.7 to 95.4); AUC 0.909 (0.854 to 0.965). The model's predicted accuracy was validated in the test cohort (AUC = 0.883). In all 132 subjects, the AUC of the tree model was significantly superior to that of the best individual index: PPDU (0.901 vs. 0.819; p = 0.005).

Conclusions

A predictive model that consists of PPDU, PPDI, and RGAC may be useful in predicting ARMs with bladder‐neck/urethral‐prostatic fistula.
Shear‐wave elastography evaluation of thenar muscle in carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Shin Kyong Jin , Yi Jisook , Hahn Seok
Published: October 2022

Purpose

We aim to evaluate the shear wave velocity (SWV) of the thenar muscle as an adjunct diagnostic tool for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Methods

Ninety‐two wrists with CTS and 30 control wrists without CTS underwent ultrasonographic evaluation of thenar muscle and median nerve including shear‐wave elastography. Cross sectional area (CSA) of medial nerve and SWV of thenar muscle and median nerve were evaluated. CTS patients were assessed for Boston CTS, Padua CTS, modified Hirani grading scores, and nerve conduction study (NCS). SWVs, CSA, and NCS parameters were compared between two groups.

Results

The SWVs of thenar muscle and median nerve (p < 0.001, respectively), and CSA of median nerve (p < 0.001) were more significantly greater in patients with CTS than in controls. The SWV of median nerve was moderately correlated with CSA of median nerve (r = 0.35, p < 0.001) and modified Hirani CTS score (r = 0.35, p < 0.001). The SWV of thenar muscle was inversely correlated with modified Hirani CTS score (r = −0.21, p = 0.04).

Conclusion

The SWV of thenar muscle and median nerve of CTS were significantly increased compared to that of control, and significantly negatively correlated with NCS parameters (modified Hirani CTS score). SWVs may be used as an adjunct diagnostic tool for CTS.
Cytochrome P450 3A4‐mediated pharmacokinetic interaction study between tadalafil and canagliflozin using high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography
Authors: Ali Al‐Montaser Bellah H. , Abdel‐aal Fatma A. M. , Rageh Azza H. , Mohamed Abdel‐Maaboud I.
Published: October 2022

Diabetes is a known risk factor for sexual dysfunction in men; diabetic men have an increased risk of erectile dysfunction compared to non‐diabetic men. Canagliflozin is one of the common antidiabetic drugs that is readily used in the treatment of type‐2 diabetes. Concomitantly phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, such as tadalafil, can be given to the patient to alleviate erectile dysfunction. Canagliflozin is reported to be one of the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme inhibitors, that might seriously influence blood concentration levels of tadalafil but there is no study till now, discussing this interaction. Therefore, a fast, simple, and sensitive high‐performance thin‐layer chromatographic method was developed, validated, and applied for the simultaneous determination of tadalafil and canagliflozin in spiked and real human plasma. The limit of detection for tadalafil was 0.14 ng/band and for canagliflozin was 0.16 ng/band. The limit of quantitation value for tadalafil was 0.43 ng/band and for canagliflozin was 0.47 ng/band. Tadalafil and canagliflozin were determined simultaneously in real human plasma using the described procedure and the method was applied for in vivo pharmacokinetic drug interaction study between the studied drugs, which proved significant interaction between them when administered simultaneously.
Improve Quantum Yield of Poly(Maleic Anhydride‐Alt‐Vinyl Acetate) via Good Solvents
Authors: Chen Xiang , Hu Chenxi , Wang Yang , Li Ting , Jiang Jie , Huang Jing , Wang Shibo , Liu Tianxi , Dong Weifu , Qiao Jinliang
Published: October 2022

In this study, the optical properties of poly(maleic anhydride‐alt‐vinyl acetate) (PMV) synthesized by different polymerization methods are studied systematically. Compared to self‐stabilized precipitation polymerization (pPMV), solution polymerization produces PMV solids (sPMV) with an extraordinarily high quantum yield (QY) of 20.65%. Additionally, redissolving pPMV in good solvents (rPMV) will also help to increase QY. The rising QY of sPMV and rPMV supports the idea that good solvents will reduce the rigidity of polymer chains and promote cluster formation, which is confirmed by lower glass transition temperature (Tg) and small angle X‐ray scatterer (SAXS). The study also finds that PMV exhibits application potentials in white light‐emitting diodes (WLEDs) and light conversion film.
Apply big data analytics for forecasting the prices of precious metals futures to construct a hedging strategy for industrial material procurement
Authors: Li Sheng‐Tun , Chiu Kuei‐Chen , Wu Chien‐Chang
Published: October 2022

This study explores the critical factors affecting the prices of precious metals by using Granger causality tests through collecting financial market information and network traffic volume of Google Trend keywords and the traditional financial index. It establishes a forecasting model of precious metal price to assist the procurement of precious metals as raw materials which help to reduce material costs and control risks, thus lifting a company's profits. The results reveal that the prices of precious metals have a causality relation with their own exchange‐traded funds, US 10‐year treasury rate, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average but not Google Trends.
Entrepreneurial intention and resilience: An experiment during the Covid‐19 lockdown
Authors: Arve Malin , Desrieux Claudine , Espinosa Romain
Published: October 2022

We study what profiles of individuals were the most likely to give up their entrepreneurial project at the beginning of the Covid‐19 crisis. To do so, we run an experiment during the first lockdown in the United Kingdom. Our results show that the first months of the crisis have a sharp screening effect: 63% of prospective entrepreneurs postpone or cancel their project in May 2020. Taste for risk or competition does not characterize those who stick to their project. Instead, low opportunity costs to continue and concern for one's own interest instead of cooperation are common among entrepreneurs who persist.
Does leg dominance influence anterolateral thigh flap perforators?
Authors: Illg Claudius , Krauss Sabrina , Rachunek Katarzyna , Hoffmann Sebastian , Denzinger Markus , Kolbenschlag Jonas , Daigeler Adrien , Schäfer Ruth Christine
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Thorough knowledge of perforator anatomy can facilitate anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap harvest. The selection of the right or left thigh as donor area may be supported by preoperative perforator imaging and practical considerations. The study aims to determine if the leg dominance should be taken into account, when choosing the donor thigh for ALT free flap harvest, as muscle mass and perfusion might influence perforator quantity.

Methods

ALT perforators were localized by color‐coded duplex sonography and dynamic infrared thermography on both thighs within a defined 250 × 80 mm area in 24 subjects. Perforator number and thickness of subcutaneous tissue and muscle layer were compared in dominant and nondominant legs.

Results

We found no statistically significant difference comparing sonographically identified ALT perforator numbers and hot spot numbers in dominant and nondominant legs. Yet, we found high interindividual differences. The comparison of subcutaneous tissue and muscle thickness yielded no significant difference.

Conclusions

Our study yielded no evidence for preference of the dominant or nondominant leg in ALT free flap harvesting. As we found high interindividual differences in perforator number, we suggest to rely on preoperative perforator imaging when choosing the ALT free flap donor thigh.
MRI of radiation chemistry: First images and investigation of potential mechanisms
Authors: Wancura Joshua , Egan James , Sajo Erno , Sudhyadhom Atchar
Published: October 2022

Background

Paramagnetic species such as O2 and free radicals can enhance T1 and T2 relaxation times. If the change in relaxation time is sufficiently large, the contrast will be generated in magnetic resonance images. Since radiation is known to be capable of altering the concentration of O2 and free radicals during water radiolysis, it may be possible for radiation to induce MR signal change.

Purpose

We present the first reported instance of x‐ray‐induced MR signal changes in water phantoms and investigate potential paramagnetic relaxation enhancement mechanisms associated with radiation chemistry changes in oxygen and free radical concentrations.

Methods

Images of water and 10 mM coumarin phantoms were acquired on a 0.35 T MR‐linac before, during, and after a dose delivery of 80 Gy using an inversion‐recovery dual‐echo sequence with water nullified. Radiation chemistry simulations of these conditions were performed to calculate changes in oxygen and free radical concentrations. Published relaxivity values were then applied to calculate the resulting T1 change, and analytical MR signal equations were used to calculate the associated signal change.

Results

Compared to pre‐irradiation reference images, water phantom images taken during and after irradiation showed little to no change, while coumarin phantom images showed a small signal loss in the irradiated region with a contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) of 1.0–2.5. Radiation chemistry simulations found oxygen depletion of −11 µM in water and −31 µM in coumarin, resulting in a T1 lengthening of 24 ms and 68 ms respectively, and a simulated CNR of 1.0 and 2.8 respectively. This change was consistent with observations in both direction and magnitude. Steady‐state superoxide, hydroxyl, hydroperoxyl, and hydrogen radical concentrations were found to contribute less than 1 ms of T1 change.

Conclusion

Observed radiation‐induced MR signal changes were dominated by an oxygen depletion mechanism. Free radicals were concluded to play a minor secondary role under steady‐state conditions. Future applications may include in vivo FLASH treatment verification but would require an MR sequence with a better signal‐to‐noise ratio and higher temporal resolution than the one used in this study.
Patient experience of negative pressure wound therapy: A qualitative study
Authors: Miyanaga Aiko , Miyanaga Toru , Sakai Keiko , Konya Chizuko , Asano Kimi , Shimada Kenichi
Published: October 2022

Aim

This study aimed to clarify the treatment experience of patients undergoing negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).

Design

This study used a qualitative design.

Methods

Seventeen inpatients were semi‐structured interviewed about their experiences of treatment with negative pressure wound therapy.

Results

Inpatients' answers were categorized into seven themes: pain and discomfort associated with treatment, physical limitations owing to attached device, mental burden owing to the odour and noises of the attached device, social limitations owing to the attached device, advances in medical care and science, device personification and mixed feelings towards medical staff. The patients were able to tolerate the aforementioned limitations while feeling attachment and gratitude towards the device created through advances in medical care and science, and towards medical staff who helped them heal. In the future, we plan to develop an NPWT care guide.
Recent Advances in the Enzyme‐Activatable Organic Fluorescent Probes for Tumor Imaging and Therapy
Authors: Lu Song‐Bo , Wei Luyao , He Wenjing , Bi Zhen‐Yu , Qian Yuhan , Wang Jinghan , Lei Hongqiu , Li Kai
Published: October 2022

The exploration of advanced probes for cancer diagnosis and treatment is of high importance in fundamental research and clinical practice. In comparison with the traditional “always‐on” probes, the emerging activatable probes enjoy advantages in promoted accuracy for tumor theranostics by specifically releasing or activating fluorophores at the targeting sites. The main designing principle for these probes is to incorporate responsive groups that can specifically react with the biomarkers (e. g., enzymes) involved in tumorigenesis and progression, realizing the controlled activation in tumors. In this review, we summarize the latest advances in the molecular design and biomedical application of enzyme‐responsive organic fluorescent probes. Particularly, the fluorophores can be endowed with ability of generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) to afford the photosensitizers, highlighting the potential of these probes in simultaneous tumor imaging and therapy with rational design. We hope that this review could inspire more research interests in the development of tumor‐targeting theranostic probes for advanced biological studies.
Tailoring thermal expansion of mechanically interlocked carbon fiber composite reinforced metal
Authors: Newcomb Bradley A.
Published: October 2022

A method of controlling the thermal expansion of lightweight metals through the insightful incorporation of unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is demonstrated. The local and directional coefficients of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) of a carbon fiber composite reinforced aluminum (CFRP/Al) specimen can be controlled by tailoring the CFRP volume fraction and CFRP layup orientation, with a 36% reduction in CLTE achieved as compared to the baseline 7075 aluminum at a CFRP volume fraction of 0.26. When a unidirectional CFRP reinforcement is considered, the CLTE as predicted by the modulus modified rule of mixtures is within 1.3% of experimentally obtained values for CFRP volume fractions of 0.10, 0.16, and 0.26. Thermal digital image correlation (T‐DIC) was performed to obtain local and directional CLTE values for the anisotropic CFRP/Al specimens which indicated CLTE is heterogeneous across the specimen length and width, which is otherwise undetected using standard quartz rod dilatometry to measure the CLTE of the macroscopic sample. Evidence for a minimum critical CFRP reinforcement length is also considered based upon the local thermal strain data collected by T‐DIC. Using the mixed material approach presented here, it is possible to minimize or eliminate the thermal expansion mismatch effects that occur in mixed material structures, such as an automotive body structure (i.e., body in white).
Characterization of biobased epoxy resins to manufacture eco‐composites showing recycling properties
Authors: Saitta Lorena , Prasad Vishnu , Tosto Claudio , Murphy Neal , Ivankovic Alojz , Cicala Gianluca , Scarselli Gennaro
Published: October 2022

The present study details the composite fabrication, characterization, and full recyclability of the biobased polymer resins with flax fiber as the reinforcement. Two different biobased resins are selected by varying the resin hardener combination and curing parameters for the comparison. The optimum parameters for the composite preparation are finalized by evaluating the neat resin's mechanical and glass transition temperature (Tg) values. According to the results obtained, a biobased epoxy resin cured by a cleavable hardener displayed the highest Tg (i.e., 93.5°C) upon a two‐step cure cycle, guaranteeing full recyclability. Subsequently, eco‐composite flat panels are manufactured using the selected formulation reinforced with commercial flax‐based fabric. These panel's flexural strength, modulus, and interlaminar shear strength are measured after each curing step. The recyclability yield of the composite is tested, through a specific chemical process, demonstrating the possibility of separating and recovering both the constituent fibers and resin from the composite panels.
Two cases of steroid dementia showing partial recovery during 2‐year follow‐up
Authors: Ikeda Natsuko , Yamada Shinichi , Yamamoto Masahiro , Tanaka Katsunori , Fujii Takao , Tsuji Tomikimi , Kimoto Sohei , Takahashi Shun
Published: October 2022

Background

Steroid dementia has been reported since the 1970s. In the current super‐aged society, it increasingly receives attention because of the growing number of elderly people that are medicated with steroids for systemic rheumatic disease.

Case Presentation

We report two cases of steroid dementia that were diagnosed as a result of careful observation of clinical symptoms and biological examination, including nuclear medicine tests. Cognitive and daily living functions were partially recovered in both cases after decrease or discontinuance of steroid medication in 2‐year follow‐up, but their daily living function could not be totally restored to premorbid level.

Conclusion

Cognitive dysfunction caused by steroids is suggested by these cases, although definitive diagnosis in these cases is not possible. It was partially reversible over the course of a few years, but some functional loss remains. Cognitive function should be assessed appropriately before, during, and after steroid treatment. Detailed differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders and longitudinal follow‐up is required when cognitive dysfunction is observed after initiation of steroid therapy.
Dissolution and initial esterification kinetics of 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid in ethylene glycol without a catalyst
Authors: Yang Cui , Ma Zhong‐Sen , Zhi He‐Wen , Li Hao , Hu Ye‐Min , Zhang Ya‐Jie
Published: October 2022

Bio‐based 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) can be used to produce poly(ethylene 2,5‐furandicarboxylate) (PEF), which has a great potential for barrier packaging, and so forth. Herein, the first two steps of the esterification reaction of FDCA with ethylene glycol (EG) were investigated. The dissolution rate of FDCA in EG is fast, the solubility of FDCA in EG and monohydroxyethyl 2,5‐furandicarboxylate (MHEF) reaches 159.12 and 489.84 g kg−1at 180 °C, respectively. The initial esterification of FDCA with EG to form MHEF is a zero‐order reaction (k1 = 266.77 × 10−3 mol kg−1 min−1) with an activation energy of 114.52 kJ mol−1; the esterification of MHEF with EG to form bis(hydroxyethyl) 2,5‐furandicarboxylate (BHEF) is a first‐order reaction (k2 = 9.72 × 10−3 min−1) with an activation energy of 86.12 kJ mol−1. These results identified accurate parameters for the dissolution and esterification processes of FDCA in EG, which provide important guidance for the polymerization of FDCA polyesters.
Morphine stimulates cervical cancer cells and alleviates cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs via opioid receptor‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms
Authors: Yu Zhengwen , Jin Sheng , Tian Shiming , Wang Zhibao
Published: October 2022

Morphine is frequently applied in cancer patients for pain management. However, its effects on cancer are not well understood but observed to be specific to certain cancer types. We previously revealed the stimulatory properties of morphine in esophageal carcinoma. This work addressed the effects of morphine and its underlying mechanisms in cervical cancer. Proliferation, apoptosis, and migration assays were performed to examine the effects of morphine alone and its combinatory effects with chemotherapeutic drugs. Immunoblotting and biochemical analysis were performed to determine the underlying mechanisms of morphine's action. Morphine promoted proliferation in opioid receptor‐dependent manner and stimulated migration in opioid receptor‐independent manner. However, morphine did not affect cervical cancer cell survival. Morphine also interfered with all tested chemotherapeutic drugs (e.g., cisplatin, 5‐FU, and paclitaxel) and alleviates their efficacy. Mechanistically, morphine‐stimulated growth via activating EGFR‐mediated signaling pathways and is opioid‐receptor‐dependent; morphine‐stimulated migration via activating RhoA‐mediated signaling pathways and this is opioid receptor‐independent. Our work suggests a strong correlation of this opioid receptor on growth factor signaling to stimulate growth and opioid receptor‐independent activation of RhoA and consequent migration. Our findings have the potential to guide the clinical use of morphine for patients with cervical cancer.
GaN High‐Electron‐Mobility Transistors with Superconducting Nb Gates for Low‐Noise Cryogenic Applications
Authors: Mebarki Mohamed Aniss , Ferrand-Drake Del Castillo Ragnar , Pavolotsky Alexey , Meledin Denis , Sundin Erik , Thorsell Mattias , Rorsman Niklas , Belitsky Victor , Desmaris Vincent
Published: October 2022

The successful integration of superconducting niobium (Nb) gate electrodes into cryogenic gallium nitride (GaN)‐based high‐electron‐mobility transistors (HEMTs) is reported. This is achieved through a specifically developed microfabrication process. The device's DC, microwave, and noise performances at cryogenic temperatures, down to 4 K, are studied and presented. The superconductivity of the gate is tested using DC end‐to‐end measurements. A clear superconducting state transition at a critical temperature, Tc, of ≈9.2 K is shown. This is further verified with GaN HEMTs with two gate fingers and a gate length of 0.2 μm, through the extraction and validation of a small‐signal model at T < Tc. Additionally, the superconductivity of the gate is verified for several gate widths and lengths, showing a significant reduction of the gate resistance independently of its dimensions. Finally, a comparative study of the cryogenic microwave noise performances of the GaN HEMTs with gold (Au) and Nb gates is presented. The Au‐gated device presents a competitive optimum noise temperature, Tmin‐opt, of ≈8 K at 5 GHz, demonstrating the potential of this technology for cryogenic low‐noise applications. The Nb‐gated device presents a 5 K higher Tmin‐opt, which is found to be related to the suppression of the superconductivity of the Nb gate at the optimum‐noise bias.
Synergetic Effect of Plasma‐Treated Graphene Oxide/Polymer Blends for Electrostatic Dissipative Applications
Authors: Humbe Shankar S. , Joshi Girish Mukundrao , Deshmukh Rajendra R.
Published: October 2022

Prevention of electrostatic discharge is a very important aspect of the electronic domain. The development of electrostatic dissipative (ESD) materials is crucial for packaging materials. The present work focuses on chemical‐free air plasma‐treated graphene oxide (PT GO) loaded polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/polysulfone (PSF) blends for ESD applications. Molecular vibrations and phases of the host polymer system and filler confirmed by Raman spectroscopy were observed. Decreased intensity and interplanar spacing demonstrate exfoliation of GO due to plasma exposure confirmed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD). GO clusters in the host polymer blend system are investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The electrical properties of modified blends are obtained by an impedance analyzer. Enhanced electrical conductivity up to 10−3(AC) and 10−1(DC) S cm−1for plasma‐treated samples demonstrated excellent electronic transportation within the polymer matrix mutually matching the ESD. Reduced area under the curve of impedance confirms the increased electrical conductivity of material due to enhanced conducting boundaries because of plasma exposure. Overall, adequate results of the modified polymer blends by plasma‐treated GO could be emerging material for ESD applications.
Curculigoside rescues hippocampal synaptic deficits elicited by PTSD through activating cAMP‐PKA signaling
Authors: Ji Manman , Zhang Zhengrong , Gao Feng , Yang Shaojie , Wang Juan , Wang Xuncui , Zhu Guoqi
Published: October 2022

Chronic traumatic stress results in various psychiatric disorders, especially posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous study demonstrated that curculigoside (CUR) a component of Rhizoma Curculiginis prevented fear extinction and stress‐induced depression‐like behaviors. However, its effects on PTSD and the mechanisms are still not completely clear. In this study, we observed typical PTSD‐like phenotypes, synaptic deficit, and reduction of BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway in mice receiving modified single prolonged stress and electrical stimulation (SPS&S). By contrast, systemic administration of CUR blocked PTSD‐like phenotypes and synaptic deficits, including reduction of BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway, GluA1 and Arc expression. Importantly, CUR reversed the impairment of PKA signaling pathway elicited by PTSD. We further confirmed that the effects of CUR on synaptic function were through PKA signaling pathway, as H‐89, an inhibitor of PKA blocked the effect of CUR on behavioral changes and BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway. Thereafter, we verified that CUR on synaptic function were through PKA pathway using direct intracerebral injection of CUR and H‐89. Direct intracerebral injection of CUR activated PKA/CREB/BDNF/TrkB, which was blocked by H‐89. Additionally, the docking results showed high binding energies of CUR with A2AR, AC, PRKACA, and PRKAR1A, which might indicate that CUR functions through regulating PKA signaling pathway. In conclusion, CUR prevented the behavioral changes and hippocampal synaptic deficits elicited by PTSD through activating cAMP‐PKA signaling.
Ecological and social poverty traps: Complex interactions moving toward sustainable development
Authors: Yang Zhenshan , Yang Ding , Sun Dongqi , Zhong Linsheng
Published: October 2022

Different types of poverty traps can reinforce each other, and consequently, multiple traps pose challenges for poverty alleviation, especially in rural areas. There remains a lack of understanding of social and ecological poverty traps and their relationship with one another. We considered the Selinco area in the Tibetan highlands of China and investigated social and ecological poverty, for an understanding of the poverty trap through the land‐human relationship lens. We found that ecological and social poverty differ between various townships due to their poor ecological and social environs. We affirmed reinforcing feedback between ecological and social poverty, and that the relative importance of social and ecological poverty differs at various thresholds. These results advance our understanding of different poverty traps and their feedback process. The findings inform the policy‐making process when addressing the land‐human relationship to improve ecosystem stability and promote social equity to foster sustainable development.
A proper statistical inference framework to compare clinical trial and real‐world progression‐free survival data
Authors: Zhu Jian , Tang Rui (Sammi)
Published: October 2022

The past decade has witnessed an increasing trend in utilizing external control data in clinical trials, especially in the form of synthetic control arms (SCA) derived from real‐world or historical trial data. Including such data in clinical trial analysis can improve trial feasibility and efficiency, provided the issues caused by non‐randomization and systematic differences are appropriately addressed. Current methodology development in this area focuses on establishing the comparability of patient baseline characteristics between arms, and more research is needed to ensure comparability of other elements such as endpoints. Motivated by the comparative analysis of SCA progression‐free survival (PFS) and trial arm PFS, we aim to address another important but little discussed issue for external time‐to‐event (TTE) data that depend on disease assessment schedules (DAS). Since DAS are generally inconsistent across different data sources, we propose a proper statistical inference framework that harmonizes the DAS through data augmentation by multiple imputation. We demonstrate through extensive simulations that the proposed framework is unbiased in estimating median TTE and hazard ratio, well controls the type I error and achieves desirable power for log‐rank test, while the unadjusted analysis can be biased and suffer from severe type I error inflation or power loss depending on the direction of the bias. Given the desirable performance, we recommend the proposed framework for comparative analysis using external DAS‐based TTE data in clinical trials.
Au(I)‐Catalyzed Synthesis of [3,2‐b]pyrrole‐fused Pentacyclic Triterpenoids
Authors: Gubaidullin Rinat R. , Spivak Anna Yu. , Maistrenko Valery N. , Parfenova Lyudmila V.
Published: October 2022

Gold(I) chloride complex with triphenylphosphine and metal triflates catalyze the formation of novel [3,2‐b]pyrrole‐fused pentacyclic triterpenoids from accessible 2‐alkynyl derivatives of betulonic, ursonic and oleanonic acids. The reactions proceed in the presence of 5 mol% of the catalyst and provide pyrrole‐containing triterpenoids with the isolated yield of 60–86 %.
Excitation Dynamics Among Impurity Doped Quantum Dot Eigenstates in a Polychromatic Field: Role of Gaussian White Noise
Authors: Datta Swarnab , Arif Sk. Md. , Roy Debi , Ghosh Manas
Published: October 2022

Current study focuses on realizing the role of Gaussian white noise (GWN) and external sinusoidal polychromatic radiation field (PRF) on the time‐average excitation rate (TAER) of impurity doped quantum dot (QD). The PRF induces the transfer of electronic population from the ground state to the excited states in course of time‐evolution. The PRF has been envisaged to be composed of four component fields that maintain either a prime or a non‐prime frequency ratio. GWN couples with the system additively and multiplicatively. The study highlights the role of various physical parameters, presence of noise, mode of application of noise and the features of PRF (amplitude, phase and type of frequency ratio of the components) in shaping the TAER profiles. The TAER profiles have been found to be enriched with steady growth, steady decline, maximization (useful for obtaining large nonlinear optical response), minimization and saturation (the dynamic freezing). The study reveals promising scope of obtaining desired TAER of doped QD by judicious adjustment/regulation of several control parameters which may bear serious technological implications.
Green Synthesis, in vitro Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant Activity and Interaction Studies of CuO Nanoparticles with DNA, Serum Albumin, Hemoglobin and Lysozyme
Authors: Shahabadi Nahid , Zendehcheshm Saba , Khademi Fatemeh
Published: October 2022

The present study reports an environmentally safe synthesis of CuO NPs employing Echinophora platyloba DC extract. The production of CuO NPs was authenticated using various analytical characterization techniques such as FT‐IR, TEM, XRD, SEM‐EDX, DLS, zeta potential, and UV‐Vis. The DPPH assay was employed to assess the scavenging efficacy of synthesized CuO NPs. The results of the MTT assay exhibited that CuO NPs have efficient anticancer potential on two used cancer cell lines (MCF‐7 and Burkitt's lymphoma). Thus, it tempts us to study the synthesized CuO NPs biocompatible aspects by interactions with several biologically significant molecules. The present experimental evidence demonstrates the direct interaction of CuO NPs with DNA, which might be one of the credible highways elevating its anticancer potential. Moreover, we investigated the interaction of CuO NPs with the most important blood proteins (HSA, HHb, and Lys) in simulated physiological conditions using spectroscopic methods. The interaction findings suggest that the native conformation of the above proteins was preserved at the level of secondary structure in spite of complex formations with CuO NPs. The binding constant values revealed the greater binding affinity of CuO NPs with HSA, HHb, and Lys as compared to ct‐DNA; the binding affinity was found in the order HSA>HHb>Lys>ct‐DNA.
SPIDER: An availability‐aware framework for the service function chain placement in distributed scenarios
Authors: Santos Guto Leoni , Endo Patricia Takako , Sadok Djamel , Kelner Judith
Published: October 2022

The network function virtualization (NFV) paradigm replaces hardware‐dependent network functions by virtual network functions (VNFs) that can be deployed in commodity hardware, including legacy servers. Consequently, the use of NFV is expected to reduce operating and capital expenses, as well as improve service deployment operation and management flexibility. For many use cases, the VNFs must be visited and invoked following a specific order of execution in order to compose a complete network service, named service function chain (SFC). Nonetheless, despite the benefits from NFV and SFC virtualization technologies, their introduction must not harm network performance and service availability. On the one hand, redundancy is seen by network service planners as a mechanism well established to combat availability issues. At same time, there is a goal to optimize resource utilization in order to reduce operational expenditure. In this article, we share our experience in the design use of a framework, named SPIDER, focused on SFC placement that considers the network infrastructure condition and the required SFC availability to define the placement strategy. The SPIDER monitors the status of infrastructure nodes and links and defines which servers the VNFs should be placed on and the number of redundant replicas needed. We present a proof‐of‐concept of SPIDER using Kubernetes to launch the VNFs as containers. We also use Kubernetes to forward the traffic between the VNFs, composing the service chain. We perform experiments to evaluate the runtime of SPIDER and the SFC delay under different network conditions.
Synergistic Catalysis on Dual‐Atom Sites for High‐Performance Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Shen Liang , Song Yun-Wei , Wang Juan , Zhao Chang-Xin , Bi Chen-Xi , Sun Shu-Yu , Zhang Xue-Qiang , Li Bo-Quan , Zhang Qiang
Published: October 2022

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries promise ultrahigh theoretical energy density and attract great attention as next‐generation energy storage devices. However, the sluggish sulfur redox kinetics severely restricts the practical performances of Li–S batteries. Introducing electrocatalysts can accelerate the sulfur redox kinetics and enhance the discharge capacity and rate performances, where advanced electrocatalysts are required for better performance promotion. Herein, a Fe–Co‐based dual‐atom catalyst (DAC) is adopted to accelerate the sulfur redox kinetics and construct high‐performance Li–S batteries. The unique structure of the dual‐atom site allows synergistic effect between the adjacent metal atoms, thus enhancing the interactions with lithium polysulfides and promoting the sulfur redox kinetics over the single‐atom counterparts. As a result, Li–S batteries with DAC afford a high discharge capacity of 1034.6 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and excellent rate performances of 728.0 mAh g−1 at 4.0 C. The introduction of DAC demonstrates the promising potential of applying advanced materials for constructing high‐performance Li–S batteries.
Tuning the Kinetic Trapping in Chemically Fueled Self‐Assembly**
Authors: Kriebisch Brigitte A. K. , Kriebisch Christine M. E. , Bergmann Alexander M. , Wanzke Caren , Tena‐Solsona Marta , Boekhoven Job
Published: October 2022

Nature uses dynamic, molecular self‐assembly to create cellular architectures that adapt to their environment. For example, a guanosine triphosphate (GTP)‐driven reaction cycle activates and deactivates tubulin for dynamic assembly into microtubules. Inspired by dynamic self‐assembly in biology, recent studies have developed synthetic analogs of assemblies regulated by chemically fueled reaction cycles. A challenge in these studies is to control the interplay between rapid disassembly and kinetic trapping of building blocks known as dynamic instabilities. In this work, we show how molecular design can tune the tendency of molecules to remain trapped in their assembly. We show how that design can alter the dynamic of emerging assemblies. Our work should give design rules for approaching dynamic instabilities in chemically fueled assemblies to create new adaptive nanotechnologies.
Page curve and symmetries
Authors: Lau Pak Hang Chris , Noumi Toshifumi , Takii Yuhei , Tamaoka Kotaro
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Motivated by the quantum process of black hole evaporation and its implications for symmetries, we consider a qubit system with a random dynamics as a toy model of black hole. We compute its symmetry-resolved entropies and discuss its implications. We first consider the case where charges are conserved and compute the symmetry-resolved entropies. We derive a symmetry-resolved analogue of the Page curve. We then consider the case where symmetry is explicitly broken and charges are no longer conserved. It serves as a toy model for global symmetry breaking in black hole evaporation. Despite the simple framework, the symmetry-resolved entropies capture various interesting features during the analogous process of black hole evaporation in our qubit model.
An expeditious tool for the vulnerability assessment of masonry structures in post-earthquake reconstruction
Authors: De Santis Stefano
Published: October 2022

Post-earthquake reconstruction activities need tools for assessing the vulnerability of structures, based on visual inspection and quick survey. So far, the public administrations in charge of granting the funds and monitoring reconstruction have adopted different methods taken from scientific literature or developed ad hoc for specific events. The time is ripe for a standard method to be developed, treasuring from the lessons learned in the field. This paper proposes an expeditious tool based on visual survey for the assessment of the seismic vulnerability of unreinforced masonry buildings, starting from available methods, whose parameters were reassessed and recalibrated, and scientific evidence from recent literature. The influence of the main structural features was considered to calculate a vulnerability index in the 0–100 range. The effects of materials and arrangement of masonry were quantitatively evaluated through the masonry quality index, which represents an advancement with respect to current practice. The method was validated on a sample of 50 masonry aggregates and nearly 200 structural units of L’Aquila, Italy, where reconstruction is underway after a destructive earthquake in 2009. The sample is representative of the built heritage of other earthquake prone areas in Italy and many European Countries and the proposed method is a step forward the development of a standard tool to be used in future post-earthquake reconstruction scenarios.
Testing citizen science as a tool for monitoring surface water microplastics
Authors: Setälä Outi , Tirroniemi Jyri , Lehtiniemi Maiju
Published: October 2022

The use of citizen science in the collection of surface water marine microplastics (MP) samples with manta trawl was tested in the Baltic Sea, where the collection of surface water samples is often hampered by environmental conditions. Sampling was carried out at 7 locations around the Baltic Sea with a custom-made manta trawl which was operated onboard a sailing boat. The total concentrations of ≥ 0.3 mm MP in the samples ranged from 0.45 to 1.98 MP m−3. Based on the results and experiences from this study, citizen science could be introduced into the toolbox of monitoring large MP. When the common basic constraints of surface water sampling within a regional sea are defined and agreed upon, citizen science could be used for strengthening the power of assessments on the state of the marine environment by increasing the spatial coverage of the monitored area.
Finite Fracture Mechanics extension to dynamic loading scenarios
Authors: Chao Correas A. , Cornetti P. , Corrado M. , Sapora A.
Published: October 2022

The coupled criterion of Finite Fracture Mechanics (FFM) has already been successfully applied to assess the brittle failure initiation in cracked and notched structures subjected to quasi-static loading conditions. The FFM originality lies in addressing failure onset through the simultaneous fulfilment of a stress requirement and the energy balance, both computed over a finite distance ahead of the stress raiser. Accordingly, this length results to be a structural parameter, thus able to interact with the geometry under investigation. This work aims at extending the FFM failure criterion to dynamic loadings. To this end, the general requisites of a proper dynamic failure criterion are first shortlisted. The novel Dynamic extension of FFM (DFFM) is then put forward assuming the existence of a material time interval that is related to the coalescence period of microcracks upon macroscopic failure. On this basis, the DFFM model is investigated in case a one-to-one relation between the external solicitation and both the dynamic stress field and energy release rate holds true. Under such a condition, the DFFM is also validated against suitable experimental data on rock materials from the literature and proven to properly catch the increase of the failure load as the loading rate rises, thus proving to be a novel technique suitable for modelling the rate dependence of failure initiation in brittle and quasi-brittle materials.
Explaining the decline in the US labor share: taxation and automation
Authors: Heer Burkhard , Irmen Andreas , Süssmuth Bernd
Published: October 2022

This study provides evidence for the USA that the secular decline in the labor share is not only explained by technical change or globalization, but also by the dynamics of factor taxation, automation capital (robots), and population growth. First, we empirically find indications of co-integration for the period from the last quarter of the 20th to the first decade of the twenty-first century. Permanent effects on factor shares emanate from relative factor taxation. The latter also have a lasting effect on the use of robots. Variance decompositions reveal that taxing contributes to changes in the two income shares and in automation capital. Second, we analyze and calibrate a neoclassical growth model extended to include factor taxation, automation capital, and capital adjustment costs. Labor and automation capital are perfect substitutes, whereas labor and traditional capital are complements. The model replicates the dynamics of the observed functional income distribution in the USA during the 1965–2015 period. Counterfactual experiments suggest that the fall in the labor share would have been significantly smaller if labor and capital income tax rates had remained at their respective level of the 1960s.
Extraction and characterization of phenolic compounds and their potential antioxidant activities
Authors: Shi Linghong , Zhao Wanrong , Yang Zihong , Subbiah Vigasini , Suleria Hafiz Ansar Rasul
Published: October 2022

For thousands of years, plant has been widely applied in the medical area and is an important part of human diet. A high content of nutrients could be found in all kinds of plants, and the most outstanding group of nutrients that attracts scientists’ attention is the high level of phenolic compounds. Due to the relationship between high phenolic compound content and high antioxidant capacity, plant extracts are expected to become a potential treatment for oxidation stress diseases including diabetes and cancer. However, according to the instability of phenolic compounds to light and oxygen, there are certain difficulties in the extraction of such compounds. But after many years of development, the extraction technology of phenolic compounds has been quite stable, and the only problem is how to obtain high-quality extracts with high efficiency. To further enhance the value of plant extracts, concentration and separation methods are often applied, and when detailed analysis is required, characterization methods including HPLC and LC/GC–MS will be applied to evaluate the number and type of phenolic compounds. A series of antioxidant assays are widely performed in numerous studies to test the antioxidant capacity of the plant extracts, which is also an important basis for evaluating value of extracts. This paper intends to provide a view of a variety of methods used in plants’ phenolic compound extraction, separation, and characterization. Furthermore, this review presents the advantages and disadvantages of techniques involved in phenolic compound research and provides selected representative bibliographic examples.