bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A uniform and versatile surface‐guided radiotherapy procedure and workflow for high‐quality breast deep‐inspiration breath‐hold treatment in a multi‐center institution
Authors: Li Guang , Lu Wei , O'Grady Kyle , Yan Iris , Yorke Ellen , Arriba Laura I Cervino , Powell Simon , Hong Linda
Published: January 2022

Purpose

We share our experiences on uniformly implementing an effective and efficient SGRT procedure with a new clinical workflow for treating breast patients in deep‐inspiration breath‐hold (DIBH) among 9 clinical centers using 26 optical surface imaging (OSI) systems.

Methods

Our procedures have five major components: (1) acquiring both free‐breathing (FB) and DIBH computed tomography (CT) at simulation to quantify the rise of the anterior surface, (2) defining uniformly a large region of interest (ROI) to accommodate large variations in patient anatomy and treatment techniques, (3) performing two‐step setup in FB by first aligning the arm and chin to minimize breast deformation and reproduce local lymphnode positions and then aligning the ROI, (4) aligning the vertical shift precisely from FB to DIBH, and (5) capturing a new on‐site reference image at DIBH to separate residual setup errors from the DIBH motion monitoring uncertainties. Moreover, a new clinical workflow was developed for patient data preparation using 4 OSI offline workstations without interruption of SGRT treatment at 22 OSI online workstations. This procedure/workflow is suitable for all photon planning techniques, including 2‐field, 3‐field, 4‐field, partial breast irradiation (PBI), and volumetric‐modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with or without bolus.

Results

Since 2019, we have developed and applied the uniform breast SGRT DIBH procedure with optimized clinical workflow and ensured treatment accuracy among the nine clinics within our institution. About 150 breast DIBH patients are treated daily and two major upgrades are achieved smoothly throughout our institution, owing to the uniform and versatile procedure, adequate staff training, and efficient workflow with effective clinical supports and backup strategies.

Conclusion

The uniform and versatile breast SGRT DIBH procedure and workflow have been developed to ensure smooth and optimal clinical operations, simplify clinical staff training and clinical troubleshooting, and allow high‐quality SGRT delivery in a busy multi‐center institution.
The Mechanochemical Synthesis and Activation of Carbon‐Richπ‐Conjugated Materials
Authors: Xuan Mingjun , Schumacher Christian , Bolm Carsten , Göstl Robert , Herrmann Andreas
Published: January 2022

Mechanochemistry uses mechanical force to break, form, and manipulate chemical bonds to achieve functional transformations and syntheses. Over the last years, many innovative applications of mechanochemistry have been developed. Specifically for the synthesis and activation of carbon‐richπ‐conjugated materials, mechanochemistry offers reaction pathways that either are inaccessible with other stimuli, such as light and heat, or improve reaction yields, energy consumption, and substrate scope. Therefore, this review summarizes the recent advances in this research field combining the viewpoints of polymer and trituration mechanochemistry. The highlighted mechanochemical transformations includeπ‐conjugated materials as optical force probes, the force‐induced release of small dye molecules, and the mechanochemical synthesis of polyacetylene, carbon allotropes, and otherπ‐conjugated materials.
Chemical–biological approaches for the direct regulation of cell–cell aggregation
Authors: Ma Jia‐Yi , Wang Ya‐Xin , Huang Yan , Zhang Yi , Cui Yun‐Xi , Kong De‐Ming
Published: January 2022

Cell–cell aggregation is one of the most well‐known modes of intercellular communication. The aggregation also plays a vital role in the formation of multicellularity, thus manipulating the growth and development of organisms. In the past decades, cell–cell aggregation‐related bioprocesses and molecular mechanisms have attracted enormous interest from scientists in biology, and bioengineering. People have developed a series of strategies to artificially regulate cell–cell aggregation through chemical–biological approaches. To date, not only the chemical reagents such as coordination compounds and polymers but also the biomacromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids, are employed as the “cell glue” to achieve the control of the cell aggregation. So it is meaningful to review the recent advances of the chemical–biological approaches in cell–cell aggregation manipulation. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms and features of recently developed strategies to control cell–cell aggregation. We introduce molecules and designs relying on chemical reactions and biological conjugations respectively, and talk about their advantages and suitable applications. A perspective on the challenges in future applications in cell manipulation and cell‐based therapy is also proposed. We expect this review could inspire innovative work on manipulating cell–cell aggregation and further modulate cell–cell interactions in the research of bio/chemical fields.
Adiposity and breast, endometrial, and colorectal cancer risk in postmenopausal women: Quantification of the mediating effects of leptin, C‐reactive protein, fasting insulin, and estradiol
Authors: Dashti S. Ghazaleh , Simpson Julie A. , Viallon Vivian , Karahalios Amalia , Moreno‐Betancur Margarita , Brasky Theodore , Pan Kathy , Rohan Thomas E. , Shadyab Aladdin H. , Thomson Cynthia A. , Wild Robert A. , Wassertheil‐Smoller Sylvia , Ho Gloria Y. F. , Strickler Howard D. , English Dallas R. , Gunter Marc J.
Published: January 2022

Background

Mechanisms underlying the adiposity–cancer relationship are incompletely understood. We quantified the mediating roles of C‐reactive protein (CRP), leptin, fasting insulin, and estradiol in the effect of adiposity on estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive breast, endometrial, and colorectal cancer risk in postmenopausal women.

Methods

We used a case–cohort study within the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study, analyzed as a cumulative sampling case–control study. The study included 188 breast cancer cases, 98 endometrial cancer cases, 193 colorectal cancer cases, and 285 controls. Interventional indirect and direct effects on the risk ratio (RR) scale were estimated using causal mediation analysis.

Results

For breast cancer, the total effect RR for BMI ≥30 versus ≥18.5–<25 kg/m2 was 1.87 (95%CI,1.11–3.13). The indirect effect RRs were 1.38 (0.79–2.33) through leptin and CRP, 1.58 (1.17–2.43) through insulin, and 1.11 (0.98–1.30) through estradiol. The direct effect RR was 0.82 (0.39–1.68). For endometrial cancer, the total effect RR was 2.12 (1.12–4.00). The indirect effect RRs were 1.72 (0.85–3.98) through leptin and CRP, 1.42 (0.96–2.26) through insulin, and 1.24 (1.03–1.65) through estradiol. The direct effect RR was 0.70 (0.23–2.04). For colorectal cancer, the total effect RR was 1.70 (1.03–2.79). The indirect effect RRs were 1.04 (0.61–1.72) through leptin and CRP, 1.36 (1.00–1.88) through insulin, and 1.02 (0.88–1.17) through estradiol. The direct effect RR was 1.16 (0.58–2.43).

Conclusion

Leptin, CRP, fasting insulin, and estradiol appear to mediate the effect of high BMI on cancer risk to different extents, with likely varying degrees of importance between cancers. These insights might be important in developing interventions to modify obesity‐associated cancer risk in postmenopausal women.
Evolution and Dynamics of the Coherent Vortices in Contraction and Premix Coaxial Jets
Authors: Ba Zhongren , Hao Zhenhua , Li Junguo , Yang Xin , Li Jiazhou , Zhao Jiantao , Fang Yitian
Published: January 2022

Contraction and premix coaxial jets are commonly employed in gasification and combustion systems. Understanding the spatial development of coherent structures is a prerequisite to improve the mixing and stability characteristics. The evolution and dynamics of coherent vortices under the contraction and premix coaxial jets are visualized and discussed using flow visualization technology. The contraction configuration increases the instability of the outer shear layer corresponding to an organized rolling up of the outer vortex rings. In the premixed configuration, the earlier interaction between the inner and outer shear layers induces the precocious development of the inner Kelvin‐Helmholtz (K‐H) vortices. Two empirical equations are proposed to predict the transition length towards a fully turbulent flow.
Interactions of plant food bioactives‐loaded nano delivery systems at the nano‐bio interface and its pharmacokinetics: An overview
Authors: Shanmugam Haripriya , Rengarajan Chitra , Nataraj Swathika , Sharma Aashima
Published: January 2022

Plant food bioactives (PFBs) offer immense health benefits with a greater scope for treating various life‐threatening diseases and lifestyle disorders. Knowing their therapeutic potentials, a lot of research works are being carried out on formulating PFBs‐loaded nano delivery systems (NDSs) to enhance their bioefficacy. However, limited information are available on the interactions occurring at the nano‐bio interface. Therefore, studies on nano‐bio interactions are of immense importance towards designing/formulating effective NDSs for PFBs. Understanding the significance of nano‐bio interface of food bioactive‐loaded NDSs would help us to predict the formation of biocorona as well as the correlation between the nanoparticles and their surrounding environments that are influenced by the NDS's physicochemical properties. The physicochemical characteristics of NDSs like size, shape, and surface charge will decide their fate in the biological fluids and have been discussed in detail. As the bioactives‐loaded NDS enters the gastrointestinal tract, formation of biocorona including protein and enzyme corona at the nano‐bio interface will takes place. Subsequently, the fate of PFBs‐loaded NDSs influences the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) processes and thereby its bioavailability, bioefficacy, and biosafety. The current review focuses on understanding the journey of PBFs‐loaded NDSs, the nature of interactions happening at nano‐bio interface, and its pharmacokinetics properties. In addition, a specific case study approach on curcumin‐loaded NDSs, and its reported interactions at nano‐bio interface, including ADME mechanism are comprehensively presented.
Mechanism and kinetics of gold leaching from copper anode slime using BmimHSO4 as green solvent
Authors: Hernashki Roya Kafi , Rezvani Ali Reza , Khayati Gholam Reza , Saheli Sania
Published: January 2022

The cyanide process, as the most common approach in the recovery of gold by hydrometallurgical, suffers from its high toxicity to the environment. The effect of practical parameters, viz., temperature, time, concentration, mechanical activation, and the stirring rate, was investigated using a combination of H2O2, BmimHSO4, and thiourea as green solvent to recover the gold from anode copper slime in an electrorefining plant. The leaching kinetics of Au in the selected slime was also investigated. The results showed that leaching reaches 93.48% after 20 h in the activated sample for 10 h at the temperature of 313.15 K and solvent including 60% (v/v) BmimHSO4, 50 g/L thiourea, 1/15 g/ml pulp density, 25 g/L H2O2, and an agitation speed of 400 rpm. Moreover, the leaching of Au follows the shrinkage particle model, and the diffusion of a solvent through the leaching product was the administrated mechanism. The proposed green solvent can also dissolve gold effectively and is an excellent candidate to replace harmful cyanide‐based solvents.
EPA Eyes Emerging Priorities as the Dust Settles From New Administration
Authors: Moody Chris
Published: January 2022

Over the past year, the Biden administration has dedicated substantial effort toward reviewing and considering revisions to Trump administration initiatives, particularly for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Flexible 2D Materials beyond Graphene: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications
Authors: Yu Wenzhi , Gong Kaiwen , Li Yanyong , Ding Binbin , Li Lei , Xu Yongkang , Wang Rong , Li Lianbi , Zhang Guangyu , Lin Shenghuang
Published: January 2022

2D materials are now at the forefront of state‐of‐the‐art nanotechnologies due to their fascinating properties and unique structures. As expected, low‐cost, high‐volume, and high‐quality 2D materials play an important role in the applications of flexible devices. Although considerable progress has been achieved in the integration of a series of novel 2D materials beyond graphene into flexible devices, a lot remains to be known. At this stage of their development, the key issues concern how to make further improvements to high‐performance and scalable‐production. Herein, recent progress in the quest to improve the current state of the art for 2D materials beyond graphene is reviewed. Namely, the properties and synthesis techniques of 2D materials are first introduced. Then, both the advantages and challenges of these 2D materials for flexible devices are also highlighted. Finally, important directions for future advancements toward efficient, low‐cost, and stable flexible devices are outlined.
New Developments in Gastric Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Authors: Exarchou Klaire , Stephens Nathan A. , Moore Andrew R. , Howes Nathan R. , Pritchard D. Mark
Published: January 2022

Purpose of Review

Gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (g-NENs) are a rare type of stomach cancer. The three main subtypes have different pathogeneses, biological behaviours and clinical characteristics, so they require different management strategies. This article will provide an overview of g-NENs and highlight recent advances in the field.

Recent Findings

Molecular profiling has revealed differences between indolent and aggressive g-NENs, as well as a new somatic mutation responsible for some familial type I g-NENs. Novel biomarkers have been developed which will hopefully improve diagnosis, treatment, risk stratification and follow-up. Patient treatment is also changing, as evidence supports the use of less aggressive options (e.g. endoscopic surveillance or resection) in some patients with more indolent tumours.

g-NEN heterogeneity poses challenges in understanding and managing this rare disease. More basic science research is needed to investigate molecular pathogenesis, and future larger clinical studies will hopefully also further improve treatment and patient outcomes.
Ethics, Guidelines, Standards, and Policy: Telemedicine, COVID-19, and Broadening the Ethical Scope
Authors: Kaplan Bonnie
Published: January 2022

The coronavirus crisis is causing considerable disruption and anguish. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent explosion of telehealth services also provide an unparalleled opportunity to consider ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) beyond immediate needs. Ethicists, informaticians, and others can learn from experience, and evaluate information technology practices and evidence on which to base policy and standards, identify significant values and issues, and revise ethical guidelines. This paper builds on professional organizations’ guidelines and ELSI scholarship to develop emerging concerns illuminated by current experience. Four ethical themes characterized previous literature: quality of care and the doctor–patient relationship, access, consent, and privacy. More attention is needed to these and to expanding the scope of ethical analysis to include health information technologies. An applied ethics approach to ELSI would addresses context-specific issues and the relationships between people and technologies, and facilitate effective and ethical institutionalization of telehealth and other health information technologies.
Psychological functioning in paediatric patients with single ventricle heart disease: a systematic review
Authors: McCormick Amanda D. , Wilde Megan M. , Charpie Christine E. , Saylor Kate M. , Yu Sunkyung , Schumacher Kurt R. , Cousino Melissa K.
Published: January 2022

Background:

Patients with single ventricle heart disease are living into adulthood due to medical and surgical advancements but have significant physical comorbidities and an increased risk for psychological comorbidities compared to healthy subjects or those with other CHD diagnoses. This study aimed to systematically review psychological functioning in paediatric single ventricle heart disease.

Methods:

Literature was searched using PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, CINAHL Complete and Scopus. Peer-reviewed articles that included patients ages 0–25 years with single ventricle heart disease, and quantitative measures of psychological outcomes were included. Meta-analysis using a fixed-effect model was conducted for internalising and externalising t-scores, utilised by the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist.

Results:

Twenty-nine records met the criteria for inclusion. 13/24 studies demonstrated increased risk for internalising disorders, such as anxiety/depression; 16/22 studies demonstrated risk for externalising disorders, such as attention or behavioural problems. Meta-analysis of four studies revealed that paediatric single ventricle heart disease patients had no significant difference in internalising and externalising t-scores compared to normative values.

Conclusions:

The current review demonstrates the need for further studies to better understand psychological functioning in patients with single ventricle heart disease, with a majority of studies showing increased risk for psychological problems despite no difference seen in a small meta-analysis. This summary of the literature underscores the need for regular psychological screening, earlier intervention and integrated mental health therapies in paediatric single ventricle heart disease.
Morphological Awareness Performance Profiles of First- Through Sixth-Grade Students
Authors: Apel Kenn , Henbest Victoria S. , Petscher Yaacov
Published: January 2022

Purpose:

We examined whether diverse profiles of strengths and weaknesses would emerge when assessing different aspects of morphological awareness in first- through sixth-grade students using a recently developed standardized test, the Morphological Awareness Test for Reading and Spelling (MATRS; Apel et al., 2021).

Method:

Four thousand fifty-nine first- through sixth-grade students completed the eight morphological awareness tasks of the MATRS. The eight tasks represent the multiple ways that morphological awareness impacts both spoken and written language skills for the English language. Exploratory finite mixture models estimated the number of latent subgroups that best reflected heterogeneity in task-level performance by grade level. Specific profiles were chosen that demonstrated strong reliability and included a set of tasks that were consistent between first- and second-grade students and between third- and sixth-grade students.

Results:

Different performance profiles emerged when the students completed multiple morphological awareness tasks. At each of the six grades (first through sixth), clusters of students performed differentially on specific tasks.

Conclusions:

The findings demonstrate that students can differ in patterns of strength and weaknesses of their morphological awareness given a range of tasks that assess different aspects of morphological awareness. The clinical implications of these findings suggest that by identifying students struggling in specific areas of morphological awareness, clinicians can develop and implement specific prescriptive instructional plans.
Evaluation of temperature resistance of gelatinized modified starch drilling fluid
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhu Mingming , Fan Fan
Published: January 2022

This chapter evaluates and compares the indoor performance of different concentrations of non gelatinized starch and gelatinized starch in drilling fluid, gelatinized modified starch at 80°C, and then aged at high temperature. Taking the plastic viscosity (PV) and filtration loss (FL) as the main evaluation indexes, a formula with better performance was selected as the main additive and used as the follow-up study. At the same time, the inhibition of gelatinized starch in water-based drilling fluid was investigated.
Investigation and Research on the Current Situation of Erosion Gully in Northeast Semi-arid Region
Authors: Gao Shiqian , Zhao Yutong
Published: January 2022

The occurrence and development of erosion gully will increase the area of soil erosion and continuously erode the cultivated land. The treatment of erosion gully is swing in the black soil region of Northeast China. However, they are all directed at the typical black soil area, while the soil erosion caused by the erosion gully in the semi-arid area of Northeast is less concerned. The study uses a combination of RS and census data. Exploring the number of erosion gully and the status of development, The survey results show that :the number of erosion gully is large, and most of them are developmental erosion gully. If the governance measures are not taken in time, the erosion ditch may continue to develop.
Understanding the local chemical environment of bioelectrocatalysis
Authors: Edwardes Moore Esther , Cobb Samuel J. , Coito Ana Margarida , Oliveira Ana Rita , Pereira Inês A. C. , Reisner Erwin
Published: January 2022

Significance

Enzyme bioelectrochemistry concerns the integration of oxidoreductase enzymes into electrodes to enable and study the transfer of electrons between the solid-state material surface and the biological catalyst. To achieve higher enzyme loading, and hence greater current densities, high-surface-area strategies have been employed to immobilize enzymes, but these porous electrode architectures amplify the formation of local chemical gradients. Enzyme selectivity and activity is highly dependent on such changes in local environment, such as substrate concentration, pH, and electrolyte species concentration. Here, electrochemistry and computational techniques are applied to explore, and hence optimize, the local environment of the fuel-producing oxidoreductases, hydrogenase and formate dehydrogenase, within porous electrodes.
A new way of thinking about pains
Authors: Loeser John D.
Published: January 2022

The traditional construct of acute pain vs chronic pain is arbitrary and obscures fundamental differences in clinical pain phenomena. A more powerful dichotomy between peripherally generated pain and centrally maintained pains can facilitate advances in both pain research and clinical care. We should abandon the temporally based pain classification scheme because it does not accurately reflect the underlying principles inherent in the phenomena of pain.
Trends and Disparities in Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease‐Associated Hospitalizations in the United States
Authors: Dybbro Eric , Dongarwar Deepa , Salihu Hamisu M. , Ihekweazu Faith D.
Published: January 2022

Objective:

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a spectrum of disease characterized by accumulation of fat in the liver and is associated with co‐morbidities linked to metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of NAFLD in children has increased in the United States over time and with marked racial differences observed in geographically limited studies. This study aims to provide a current, nation‐wide analysis of temporal trends of pediatric NAFLD‐related hospitalizations and associated co‐morbidities as well as assess for racial/ethnic disparities.

Methods:

A cross‐sectional study was conducted using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2004 to 2018 and included NAFLD‐associated hospitalizations of children ages 0–17 years of age based on ICD‐9/10 diagnosis codes. Rates and patient characteristics analyzed via descriptive statistics and associations via survey logistic regression. Temporal trends assessed via joinpoint regression.

Results:

There was an overall increase in pediatric NAFLD‐associated hospitalizations with an average annual percent change (AAPC) of 6.6 with highest rates among Hispanic patients (AAPC = 11.1) compared to NH‐White (AAPC = 4.1) and NH‐Black (AAPC = 2.1). Analysis of race/ethnicity and NAFLD hospitalization showed an increased association in Hispanic patients (odds ratio [OR] = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.51–1.77) and a decreased association in non‐Hispanic (NH)‐Black patients (OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.45–0.54) when compared to NH‐White patients.

Conclusion:

Utilizing a nation‐wide database we demonstrated significant increases in NAFLD‐associated hospitalizations with highest prevalence and rates seen in Hispanic patients. In addition, sex and comorbidities showed notable correlation to these hospitalization rates displaying the need for further studies on these relationships and highlights the potential for interventions aimed at high‐risk groups.
Assessing maintenance budget elements for building maintenance management in Nigerian built environment: a Delphi study
Authors: Ogunbayo Babatunde Fatai , Ohis Aigbavboa Clinton , Thwala Wellington Didibhuku , Akinradewo Opeoluwa Israel
Published: January 2022

Purpose

A maintenance budget is an element of maintenance management (MM) that deals with financial planning for maintenance operations and execution within a maintenance organisation. Developed countries have standardised MM structures which guides maintenance activities. This, however, cannot be said of developing countries, as there are few or no MM standards adopted. Given this contextual setting, the study aims to validate the relevance of maintenance budget (MB) elements utilised in developed countries for developing countries – using Nigeria as a case study exemplar. Also, the study further examines the effectiveness of the validated maintenance budget elements.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopts qualitative techniques and employs the Delphi survey to collect and analyse primary data from an operational perception through structured questionnaires to solicit views from panellists on the subject being assessed. A relative importance index (RII) was used in measuring consensus for the Delphi study outcomes, while a Cronbach Alpha test was carried out on all the MB elements to determine their level of reliability.

Findings

The key finding from the study reveals that of the 21 elements that influence the implementation of MB, 10 elements have a very high influence on the MM of buildings (VHI: 9.00–10.00), 5 elements had a high influence (HI: 7.00–8.99) and 6 other elements scored medium impact (MI: 5.00–6.99). The elements of MB that recorded very high influence on prompt MM effectiveness include MB implementation, corruption-free maintenance process, reduction in maintenance expenditure, maintenance financial plan, cost implication of maintained asset, cash flow indexing, prioritisation of maintenance financing, maintenance funding, incorporation of financial indicators and audit of operational maintenance cost.

Practical implications

On a practical note, these elements will guide the built environment professionals in organising maintenance activities to best use limited resources.

Originality/value

Cumulatively, the research presented shows that these elements are similar to those of other countries. Effective MM of buildings is assured when these elements are integral to developing a MB.
Building organizational resilience with digital transformation
Authors: He Zeya , Huang Huiling , Choi Hyeyoon , Bilgihan Anil
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Uncertain times [e.g. coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] require service businesses to respond in creative, flexible and resilient ways. This paper aims to develop and test the theoretical relationship between digital transformation and organizational resilience (OR), and the consequences of OR on organizations and employees during turbulent times.

Design/methodology/approach

A scale development was first conducted with an expert panel. Later, 474 participants who work as employees in small and medium-sized service enterprises were recruited for structural equation modeling (SEM). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and path analysis were conducted to test the relationship between dimensions of digital maturity, dimensions of OR and two consequential variables: organizational performance and employees’ state optimism.

Findings

Strategic technology investment helps organizations to develop systematic control sustain operations in crises but may not directly contribute to employees’ capabilities of accurately understanding external turmoil, actively seeking available resources and rapidly developing adaptive solutions. Transformation management intensity equips an organization with transformative vision, governance and culture, and such transformative built-in leadership enables the organization to embrace employees with talents and innovativeness and help employees grow their capabilities when facing crises. The dimensions of OR have different influences on the organization and employees.

Originality/value

This research develops and tests the dimensions and measurement items of OR for the services domain and empirically tested how the dimensions of digital maturity influence the dimensions of OR, and how OR influences the organization’s performance and employees’ state optimism.
The functional differences between paralogous regulators define the control of the general stress response in Sphingopyxis granuli  TFA
Authors: de Dios Rubén , Santero Eduardo , Reyes‐Ramírez Francisca
Published: January 2022

Sphingopyxis granuli TFA is a contaminant degrading alphaproteobacterium that responds to adverse conditions by inducing the general stress response (GSR), an adaptive response that controls the transcription of a variety of genes to overcome adverse conditions. The core GSR regulators (the response regulator PhyR, the anti‐σ factor NepR and the σ factor EcfG) are duplicated in TFA, being PhyR1 and PhyR2, NepR1 and NepR2 and EcfG1 and EcfG2. Based on multiple genetic, phenotypical and biochemical evidences including in vitro transcription assays, we have assigned distinct functional features to each paralogue and assessed their contribution to the GSR regulation, dictating its timing and the intensity. We show that different stress signals are differentially integrated into the GSR by PhyR1 and PhyR2, therefore producing different levels of GSR activation. We demonstrate in vitro that both NepR1 and NepR2 bind EcfG1 and EcfG2, although NepR1 produces a more stable interaction than NepR2. Conversely, NepR2 interacts with phosphorylated PhyR1 and PhyR2 more efficiently than NepR1. We propose an integrative model where NepR2 would play a dual negative role: it would directly inhibit the σ factors upon activation of the GSR and it would modulate the GSR activity indirectly by titrating the PhyR regulators.
Fluid dynamics and cell‐bound Psl polysaccharide allows microplastic capture, aggregation and subsequent sedimentation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water
Authors: Romero Manuel , Carabelli Alessandro , R. Swift Michael , I. Smith Michael
Published: January 2022

Decades after incorporating plastics into consumer markets, research shows that these polymers have spread worldwide. Fragmentation of large debris leads to smaller particles, collectively called microplastics (MPs), which have become ubiquitous in aquatic environments. A fundamental aspect of understanding the implications of MP contamination on ecosystems is resolving the complex interactions of these artificial substrates with microbial cells. Using polystyrene microparticles as model polymers, we conducted an exploratory study where these interactions are quantitatively analyzed using an in vitro system consisting of single‐bacterial species capturing and aggregating MPs in water. Here we show that the production of Psl exopolysaccharide by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) does not alter MPs colloidal stability but plays a key role in microspheres adhesion to the cell surface. Further aggregation of MPs by PA cells depends on bacterial mobility and the presence of sufficient flow to prevent rapid sedimentation of early MP‐PA assembles. Surprisingly, cells in MP‐PA aggregates are not in a sessile state despite the production of Psl, enhancing the motility of the aggregates by an order of magnitude relative to passive diffusion. The generated data could inform the creation of predictive models that accurately describe the dynamics and influence of bacterial growth on plastics debris.
Sagittal crest morphology decoupled from relative bite performance in Pleistocene tapirs (Perissodactyla: Tapiridae)
Authors: VAN LINDEN Lisa , STOOPS Kim , DUMBÁ Larissa C. C. S. , COZZUOL Mario A. , MACLAREN Jamie A.
Published: January 2022

Bite force is often associated with specific morphological features, such as sagittal crests. The presence of a pronounced sagittal crest in some tapirs (Perissodactyla: Tapiridae) was recently shown to be negatively correlated with hard‐object feeding, in contrast with similar cranial structures in carnivorans. The aim of this study was to investigate bite forces and sagittal crest heights across a wide range of modern and extinct tapirs and apply a comparative investigation to establish whether these features are correlated across a broad phylogenetic scope. We examined a sample of 71 specimens representing 15 tapir species (5 extant, 10 extinct) using the dry‐skull method, linear measurements of cranial features, phylogenetic reconstruction, and comparative analyses. Tapirs were found to exhibit variation in bite force and sagittal crest height across their phylogeny and between different biogeographical realms, with high‐crested morphologies occurring mostly in Neotropical species. The highest bite forces within tapirs appear to be driven by estimates for the masseter–pterygoid muscle complex, rather than predicted forces for the temporalis muscle. Our results demonstrate that relative sagittal crest height is poorly correlated with relative cranial bite force, suggesting high force application is not a driver for pronounced sagittal crests in this sample. The divergent biomechanical capabilities of different contemporaneous tapirids may have allowed multiple species to occupy overlapping territories and partition resources to avoid excess competition. Bite forces in tapirs peak in Pleistocene species, independent of body size, suggesting possible dietary shifts as a potential result of climatic changes during this epoch.
Moving beyond basic emotions in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Coundouris Sarah P. , Henry Julie D. , Lehn Alexander C.
Published: January 2022

Objective

Emotion recognition is a fundamental neurocognitive capacity that is a critical predictor of interpersonal function and, in turn, mental health. Although people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often exhibit difficulties recognizing emotions, almost all studies to date have focused on basic emotions (happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust), with little consideration of how more cognitively complex self‐conscious emotions such as contempt, embarrassment, and pride might also be affected. Further, the few studies that have considered self‐conscious emotions have relied on high intensity, static stimuli. The aim of the present study was to therefore provide the first examination of how self‐conscious emotion recognition is affected by PD using a dynamic, dual‐intensity measure that more closely captures how emotion recognition judgements are made in daily life.

Method

People with PD (n = 42) and neurotypical controls (n = 42) completed a validated measure of self‐conscious facial emotion recognition. For comparative purposes, in addition to a broader clinical test battery, both groups also completed a traditional static emotion recognition measure and a measure of self‐conscious emotional experience.

Results

Relative to controls, the PD group did not differ in their capacity to recognize basic emotions but were impaired in their recognition of self‐conscious emotions. These difficulties were associated with elevated negative affect and poorer subjective well‐being.

Conclusions

Difficulties recognizing self‐conscious emotions may be more problematic for people with PD than difficulties recognizing basic ones, with implications for interventions focused on helping people with this disorder develop and maintain strong social networks.

Practitioner points

This is the first direct investigation into how the recognition of self‐conscious emotion is affected in Parkinson’s disease using dynamic, dual‐intensity stimuli, thus providing an important extension to prior literature that has focused solely on basic emotion recognition and/or relied on static, high‐intensity stimuli.

Results revealed preserved basic facial emotional recognition coexisting with impairment in all three self‐conscious emotions assessed, therefore suggesting that the latter stimuli type may function as a more sensitive indicator of Parkinson’s disease‐related social cognitive impairment.

Problems with self‐conscious emotion recognition in people with Parkinson's disease were associated with poorer broader subjective well‐being and increased negative affect. This aligns with the broader literature linking interpersonal difficulties with poorer clinical outcomes in this cohort
Mechanism of anti‐inflammatory effects of rifampicin in an ex vivo culture system of hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: Haferland Isabel , Wallenwein Chantal M. , Ickelsheimer Tanja , Diehl Sandra , Wacker Matthias G. , Schiffmann Susanne , Buerger Claudia , Kaufmann Roland , Koenig Anke , Pinter Andreas
Published: January 2022

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of the hair follicles leading to painful lesions, associated with increased levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Numerous guidelines recommend antibiotics like clindamycin and rifampicin in combination, as first‐line systemic therapy in moderate‐to‐severe forms of inflammation. HS has been proposed to be mainly an auto‐inflammatory disease associated with but not initially provoked by bacteria. Therefore, it has to be assumed that the pro‐inflammatory milieu previously observed in HS skin is not solely dampened by the bacteriostatic inhibition of DNA‐dependent RNA polymerase. To further clarify the mechanism of anti‐inflammatory effects of rifampicin, ex vivo explants of lesional HS from 8 HS patients were treated with rifampicin, and its effect on cytokine production, immune cells as well as the expression of Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) were investigated. Analysis of cell culture medium of rifampicin‐treated HS explants revealed an anti‐inflammatory effect of rifampicin that significantly inhibiting interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α production. Immunohistochemistry of the rifampicin‐treated explants suggested a tendency for it to reduce the expression of TLR2 while not affecting the number of immune cells.
Large quantities of small microplastics permeate the surface ocean to abyssal depths in the South Atlantic Gyre
Authors: Zhao Shiye , Zettler Erik R. , Bos Ryan P. , Lin Peigen , Amaral‐Zettler Linda A. , Mincer Tracy J.
Published: January 2022

Hundreds of studies have surveyed plastic debris in surface ocean gyre and convergence zones, however, comprehensive microplastics (MPs, ≤5 mm) assessments beneath these surface accumulation areas are lacking. Using in situ high‐volume filtration, Manta net and MultiNet sampling, combined with micro‐Fourier‐transform‐infrared imaging, we discovered a high abundance (up to 244.3 pieces per cubic meter [n m−3]) of small microplastics (SMPs, characteristically <100 μm) from the surface to near‐sea floor waters of the remote South Atlantic Subtropical Gyre. Large horizontal and vertical variations in the abundances of SMP were observed, displaying inverse vertical trends in some cases. SMP abundances in pump samples were more than two orders of magnitude higher than large microplastics (LMPs, >300 μm) concurrently collected in MultiNet samples. Higher‐density polymers (e.g., alkyd resins and polyamide) comprised >65% of the total pump sample count, highlighting a discrepancy between polymer compositions from previous ocean surface‐based surveys, typically dominated by buoyant polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene. Contrary to previous reports stating LMP preferentially accumulated at density gradients, SMP with presumably slower sinking rates are much less influenced by density gradients, thus resulting in a more even vertical distribution in the water column, and potentially longer residence times. Overall, our findings suggest that SMP is a critical and largely underexplored constituent of the oceanic plastic inventory. Additionally, our data support that weak current systems contribute to the formation of SMP hotspots at depth, implying a higher encounter rate for subsurface particle feeders. Our study unveils the prevalence of plastics in the entire water column, highlighting the urgency for more quantification of the deep‐ocean MP, particularly the smaller size fraction, to better understand ecosystem exposure and to predict MP fate and impacts.
Microbial mediators of plant community response to long‐term N and P fertilization: Evidence of a role of plant responsiveness to mycorrhizal fungi
Authors: Wang Guangzhou , Koziol Liz , Foster Bryan L. , Bever James D.
Published: January 2022

Climate changes and anthropogenic nutrient enrichment widely threaten plant diversity and ecosystem functions. Understanding the mechanisms governing plant species turnover across nutrient gradients is crucial to developing successful management and restoration strategies. We tested whether and how soil microbes, particularly arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), could mediate plant community response to a 15 years long‐term N (0, 4, 8, and 16 g N m−2 year−1) and P (0 and 8 g N m−2 year−1) enrichment in a grassland system. We found N and P enrichment resulted in plant community diversity decrease and composition change, in which perennial C4 graminoids were dramatically reduced while annuals and perennial forbs increased. Metabarcoding analysis of soil fungal community showed that N and P changed fungal diversity and composition, of which only a cluster of AMF identified by the co‐occurrence networks analysis was highly sensitive to P treatments and was negatively correlated with shifts in percentage cover of perennial C4 graminoids. Moreover, by estimating the mycorrhizal responsiveness (MR) of 41 plant species in the field experiment from 264 independent tests, we found that the community weighted mean MR of the plant community was substantially reduced with nutrient enrichment and was positively correlated with C4 graminoids percentage cover. Both analyses of covariance and structural equation modeling indicated that the shift in MR rather than AMF composition change was the primary predictor of the decline in perennial C4 graminoids, suggesting that the energy cost invested by C4 plants on those sensitive AMF might drive the inferior competitive abilities compared with other groups. Our results suggest that shifts in the competitive ability of mycorrhizal responsive plants can drive plant community change to anthropogenic eutrophication, suggesting a functional benefit of mycorrhizal mutualism in ecological restoration following climatic or anthropogenic degradation of soil communities.
Effects of a collaborative AR‐enhanced learning environment on learning gains and technology implementation beliefs: Evidence from a graduate teacher training course
Authors: Nikimaleki Mitra , Rahimi Mehrak
Published: January 2022

Background

The unimaginable power of emerging technologies has transformed education in terms of content creation and instructional design. Due to high value of AR/VR in education, teachers of the 21st century are expected to empower themselves professionally to be able to utilize these technologies in their instructional practices. Despite detailed examination of teachers' readiness for using AR in terms of perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs, very few studies have incorporated AR in teaching theoretical courses of graduate teacher education programs by utilizing constructivist pedagogical strategies.

Objectives

The current study investigated the impact of a collaborative AR‐enhanced learning environment on learning gains and technology implementation beliefs in a graduate teacher training course.

Methods

Thirty‐one in‐service teachers participated in the study as the experimental (n=15) and control (n=16) groups. An AR app was developed for teaching 20 key concepts of the course Language Curriculum Design. The experimental group was instructed to work collaboratively with the app to learn the content, while the control group learned the concepts using the app in a lecture‐based class. Learning gains were assessed by midterm and final exams and a term project.

Results and Conclusions

The results showed that the experimental group outperformed the control group in learning the content and completing the project; and they had more positive technology implementation beliefs at the end of the experiment. Also, the participants were found to have positive attitudes towards the educational and pedagogical values of AR; and if the curricular and situational constraints are removed, they are highly motivated to use AR in their classes.

Implications

The findings demonstrated the feasibility of incorporating AR technology into teaching abstract concepts in Art and humanities disciplines; and how teacher educators can benefit from integrating a collaborative approach with AR technology to teach advanced courses.
Creation and validation of a photonumeric scale for assessment of lip fullness
Authors: Trevidic Patrick , Carey Wayne , Benedetto Anthony V. , Joseph John H. , Eaton Laura , Antunes Stéphanie , Maffert Pauline
Published: January 2022

Background

Validated, objective clinical scales are needed to assess aesthetic improvement of the lips after augmentation with dermal fillers.

Objective

To develop a lip fullness rating scale and establish its reliability for grading subjects in clinical trials or routine practice, and sensitivity for detecting clinically meaningful changes.

Methods

The Teoxane Lip Fullness Scale (TLFS), a proprietary, 5‐grade photonumeric scale, was developed by clinical experts based on real subject photographs and was validated through both photographic and live subjects' evaluation.

Results

Clinician intra‐ and inter‐rater agreement for the TLFS was substantial to almost perfect. Mean intra‐rater weighted Kappa score between the two rounds of photographic validation was 0.92, and inter‐rater agreement was substantial with an ICC of 0.93 for the combined rounds. Average intra‐rater weighted Kappa score and inter‐rater ICC for the live validation were equally high, reaching 0.91 and 0.89 respectively. Additionally, evaluators identified clinically significant differences between photographs of subjects presenting a 1‐grade or 2‐grade difference on the scale in 90% and 98% of cases, respectively.

Conclusions

The intra‐rater Kappa scores and inter‐rater ICC met their pre‐determined acceptance criteria of >0.70 in the photographic and live validation. The TLFS was shown to be a repeatable and reproducible Clinician Reported Outcome (Clin‐RO) for healthcare providers to classify lip fullness both in clinical trials and in routine patient care. A 1‐grade difference on the TLFS can detect a clinically meaningful difference in lip fullness.