bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preliminary screening of fluorine‐stained osteoblastic apoptosis‐related microRNA
Authors: Deng Qiang , Yang Jitao , Zhouyang Junjie , Sheng Weibin , Gao Shutao , Zhang Yalou , Haopeng Luan , Bingxin Bai , Mengting Wu
Published: July 2021

Endemic fluorosis is a chronic systemic disease that seriously endangers human health. In high fluoride areas, people consume excessive fluoride for a long time through drinking water or food, which leads to chronic cumulative fluorosis in the body. Fluorosis can cause changes in the expression of some miRNA in cells, and the miRNA can participate in fluoride‐induced osteoblast activation through various signal pathways. To observe the differential expression of apoptosis‐related microRNA (miRNA) in mouse osteoblasts under the action of excessive fluoride. Primary cultured mouse osteoblasts, identified by osteocalcin (OC) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, were treated with 20 mg/L sodium fluoride and 40 mg/L sodium fluoride for 12/24 hr, respectively, to establish the fluoride staining model for comparing and analyzing the sequence of miRNA among groups by bioinformatics methods; four miRNA chains were verified by fluorescence quantitative PCR. After treatment with 20 mg/L sodium fluoride for 12 hr and 24 hr, 128 miRNA expressions were up‐regulated while 36 miRNA expressions were down‐regulated. In Group 40 mg/L, 130 miRNA expressions were up‐regulated while 29 miRNA expressions were down‐regulated after 12 hr and 24 hr; 72 miRNA were up‐regulated and 2 miRNA were down‐regulated at the two time points. 10 up‐regulated miRNA and 2 down‐regulated miRNA with higher scores in Bioinformatics software were analyzed the target genes. Fluorescence quantitative PCR verified that the expressions of four miRNA were up‐regulated. Target gene analysis of the 10 selected mouse osteoblastic apoptosis‐related miRNA reveals their involvement of the functions of inhibiting or promoting apoptosis, which has certain theoretical significance for early identification of skeletal fluorosis. The involved signaling pathways include the Wnt signaling pathway, ubiquitin‐regulated proteolysis, Toll signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, pluripotent stem cell signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositide metabolism, FoxO signaling pathway, ErbB signaling pathway, autophagy, and so forth.
2021 American College of Rheumatology/Vasculitis Foundation Guideline for the Management of Polyarteritis Nodosa
Authors: Chung Sharon A. , Gorelik Mark , Langford Carol A. , Maz Mehrdad , Abril Andy , Guyatt Gordon , Archer Amy M. , Conn Doyt L. , Full Kathy A. , Grayson Peter C. , Ibarra Maria F. , Imundo Lisa F. , Kim Susan , Merkel Peter A. , Rhee Rennie L. , Seo Philip , Stone John H. , Sule Sangeeta , Sundel Robert P. , Vitobaldi Omar I. , Warner Ann , Byram Kevin , Dua Anisha B. , Husainat Nedaa , James Karen E. , Kalot Mohamad , Lin Yih Chang , Springer Jason M. , Turgunbaev Marat , Villa‐Forte Alexandra , Turner Amy S. , Mustafa Reem A.
Published: July 2021

Objective

To provide evidence‐based recommendations and expert guidance for the management of systemic polyarteritis nodosa (PAN).

Methods

Twenty‐one clinical questions regarding diagnostic testing, treatment, and management were developed in the population, intervention, comparator, and outcome (PICO) format for systemic, non–hepatitis B–related PAN. Systematic literature reviews were conducted for each PICO question. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology was used to assess the quality of evidence and formulate recommendations. Each recommendation required ≥70% consensus among the Voting Panel.

Results

We present 16 recommendations and 1 ungraded position statement for PAN. Most recommendations were graded as conditional due to the paucity of evidence. These recommendations support early treatment of severe PAN with cyclophosphamide and glucocorticoids, limiting toxicity through minimizing long‐term exposure to both treatments, and the use of imaging and tissue biopsy for disease diagnosis. These recommendations endorse minimizing risk to the patient by using established therapy at disease onset and identify new areas where adjunctive therapy may be warranted.

Conclusion

These recommendations provide guidance regarding diagnostic strategies, use of pharmacologic agents, and imaging for patients with PAN.
Decentralized social‐optimal solution of finite number of average field linear quadratic control
Authors: Li Zhipeng , Marelli Damián , Fu Minyue , Ren Zhigang
Published: July 2021

This paper studies the decentralized solution to the linear quadratic social‐optimal mean field control problem, when a finite number subsystems is considered. We use the term average field, to distinguish this case from the one with infinite subsystems. The goal of each subsystem is to design its input to optimize a common cost of social type. To this end, each subsystem use only real‐time information which can be either its local state, or a linear measurement noisy measurement of it. Our result generalizes previous ones in three senses. First, it permits designing controls when there are a finite number of subsystems. Second, it permits considering heterogeneous subsystems, that is, having different structural parameters. Third, it permits designing not only state feedback controls but also output feedback ones. In particular, we show that the separation principle holds in the latter case.
Coronary artery disease burden relation with the presentation of acute cardiac events and ventricular fibrillation
Authors: Kosmopoulos Marinos , Bartos Jason A. , Raveendran Ganesh , Goslar Tomaz , Kalra Rajat , Hoke Lindsay , Tsangaris Adamantios , Sebastian Pierre , Walser Emily , Yannopoulos Demetris
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Evaluate the differences in coronary artery disease (CAD) burden between patients with ischemic resuscitated, ischemic refractory VT/VF OHCA events and N/STEMI.

Background

Refractory out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest patients presenting with initial shockable rhythms (VT/VF OHCA) have the highest mortality among patients with acute cardiac events. No predictors of VT/VF OHCA refractoriness have been identified.

Methods

A retrospective cohort design was used to assess baseline characteristics, clinical outcomes, and the angiographic severity of disease among patients with VT/VF OHCA undergoing emergent coronary angiography at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. The Gensini score was calculated for all patients to assess the angiographic burden of CAD. For patients with ischemia‐related cardiac arrest, outcomes were further compared to an independent non‐OHCA population presenting with N/STEMI.

Results

During the study period, 538 patients were admitted after VT/VF OHCA. Among them, 305 presented with resuscitated, and 233 with refractory VT/VF. 66% of resuscitated and 70% of refractory VT/VF had an underlying, angiographically documented, ischemic etiology. Ischemic resuscitated and refractory VT/VF had significant differences in Gensini score, (80.7 ± 3.6 and 127.6 ± 7.1, respectively, p < 0.001) and survival (77.3% and 30.0%, respectively, p < 0.001). Both groups had a higher CAD burden and worse survival than the non‐OHCA N/STEMI population (360 patients). Ischemic refractory VT/VF was significantly more likely to present with chronic total occlusion in comparison to both N/STEMI and ischemic resuscitated VT/VF.

Conclusion

Ischemia‐related, refractory VT/VF OHCA has a higher burden of CAD and the presence of CTOs compared to resuscitated VT/VF OHCA and N/STEMI.
An Efficient Bioaggregate Reactor for Enhanced Denitrification of Sewage with Low Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio
Authors: Chen Changlun , Ali Amjad , Su Junfeng , Gao Jing
Published: July 2021

This study developed a bioaggregate reactor by using Pseudomonas strain GF2. The response surface method indicated that the optimal parameters were pH 7, a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 6 h, and an initial nitrate concentration of 25 mg L−1. Nitrate removal reached a maximum of 99.19 % at a C/N ratio of 2. Gas chromatographic detection revealed that nitrogen gas was the main product (98.46 %). 3D fluorescence spectroscopy showed that, with increasing HRT, the amounts of fulvic acid‐like, tryptophan, and protein‐like substances increased, which were consistent with the change in microbial community. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the existence of OH, CH, C=O, and C=C. High‐throughput sequencing showed that Pseudomonas and Azospira were the dominant genera.
Effects of Zinc and Aluminum on the CuO Crystalline Size for Direct Dimethyl Ether Synthesis from Syngas
Authors: Thongkam Montree , Piyabunditgul Nanchapak , Trisupakitti Somsuk , Rungrojchaipon Pesak
Published: July 2021

The effects of zinc and aluminum on the CuO crystalline size for direct dimethyl ether (DME) synthesis from syngas were investigated. Metal oxide catalysts were synthesized with various molar ratios of CuO by the precipitation method, and by the co‐precipitation method with CuO/ZnO (CZ), CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 (CZA), and CZA at ratios of 1:1, 2:2:1, and 6:3:1, respectively. The acid catalysts (γ‐Al2O3, HZSM‐5) were added to the metal oxide catalysts by physical mixing. The catalysts were characterized morphologically and their acidities were determined. Loading of zinc and aluminum at different ratios showed that CZA (2:2:1) gave the smallest CuO crystalline size, appropriate for the methanol synthesis reaction. γ‐Al2O3 has a weak to moderate acidity range, suitable for DME synthesis. Moreover, the bifunctional catalyst, CZA (2:2:1)/γ‐Al2O3, had the highest surface area as well as the highest %CO conversion and %DME selectivity.
Using subspaces of weight matrix for evaluating generative adversarial networks with Fréchet distance
Authors: Eken Enes
Published: July 2021

Fréchet inception distance (FID) has gained a better reputation as an evaluation metric for generative adversarial networks (GANs). However, it is subjected to fluctuation, namely, the same GAN model, when trained at different times can have different FID scores, due to the randomness of the weight matrices in the networks, stochastic gradient descent, and the embedded distribution (activation outputs at a hidden layer). In calculating the FIDs, embedded distribution plays the key role and it is not a trivial question from where obtaining it since it contributes to the fluctuation also. In this article, I showed that embedded distribution can be obtained from three different subspaces of the weight matrix, namely, from the row space, the null space, and the column space, and I analyzed the effect of the each space to Fréchet distances (FDs). Since the different spaces show different behaviors, choosing a subspace is not an insignificant decision. Instead of directly using the embedded distribution obtained from hidden layer's activations to calculate the FD, I proposed to use projection of embedded distribution onto the null space of the weight matrix among the three subspaces to avoid the fluctuations. My simulation results conducted at MNIST, CIFAR10, and CelebA datasets, show that, by projecting the embedded distributions onto the null spaces, possible parasitic effects coming from the randomness are being eliminated and reduces the number of needed simulationsin MNIST dataset,in CIFAR10, andin CelebA dataset.
Tracking the Micro‐Heterogeneity and Hydrogen‐Bonding Interactions in Hydroxyl‐Functionalized Ionic Liquid Solutions: A Combined Experimental and Computational Study
Authors: Zhang Yaqin , Tan Xin , Ding Weilu , Wang Yanlei , He Hongyan , Yu Zhiwu
Published: July 2021

Ionic liquids (ILs) are an important class of media that are usually used in combination with polar solvents to reduce costs and tune their physicochemical properties. In this regard, it is essential to understand the influence of adding solvents on the properties of ILs. In this work, the micro‐heterogeneity and H‐bonding interactions between a hydroxyl‐functionalized IL, [HOEmim][TFSI], and acetonitrile (ACN) were investigated by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and molecular simulations. All studied IL‐ACN mixtures were found to deviate from the ideal mixtures. The degree of deviations reaches the maximum at about x(ACN)=0.7 with the presence of both homogeneous clusters of pure IL/ACN and heterogeneous clusters of IL‐ACN. With the addition of ACN to IL, the mixtures undergo the transformation from “ACN solvated in [HOEmim][TFSI]” to “[HOEmim][TFSI] solvated in ACN”. It is found that the newly formed H‐bonding interactions between the IL and ACN is the main factor that contributes to the red shifts of O−H, C2−H, C4,5−H, and Calkyl−H of [HOEmim]+ cation, and the blue shifts of C−D, C≡N of ACN, and C−F, S=O of [TFSI]− anion. These in‐depth studies on the mixtures of hydroxyl‐functionalized IL and acetonitrile would help to understand the micro‐heterogeneity and H‐bonding interactions of miscible solutions and shed light on exploring their applications.
Therapeutic alliance in psychological therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Howard Ruth , Berry Katherine , Haddock Gillian
Published: July 2021

Background

Therapeutic alliance is a key element of successful therapy. Despite being particularly relevant in people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), due to fear, mistrust and avoidance, there has not yet been a comprehensive systematic review of therapeutic alliance in this population. This review explored (a) variables which may predict alliance and (b) whether alliance predicts PTSD outcomes.

Method

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the review identified 34 eligible studies. Studies were subjected to a quality assessment. Predictors of alliance were considered in a narrative synthesis. Twelve studies were entered into a meta‐analysis of the association between therapeutic alliance and PTSD outcomes.

Results

There was some evidence for individual variables including attachment, coping styles and psychophysiological variables predicting the alliance. Therapy variables did not predict alliance. The therapeutic alliance was found to significantly predict PTSD outcomes, with an aggregated effect size of r = −.34, across both in‐person and remote therapies.

Limitations

Included studies were restricted to peer‐reviewed, English language studies. Quality of included studies was mostly rated weak to moderate, primarily reflecting issues with selection bias in this area of research.

Conclusions

This is the first review to demonstrate that therapeutic alliance is a consistent predictor of PTSD outcomes, in both in‐person and remote therapies, and the effect appears at least as strong as in other populations. This is of relevance to clinicians working with traumatized populations. The review identified a need for further research to determine variables predicting alliance in therapy for PTSD.
The usefulness of sustainable business models: Analysis from oil and gas industry
Authors: Basile Vincenzo , Capobianco Nunzia , Vona Roberto
Published: July 2021

The management of offshore platforms at the end of their production phase is a complex issue for technological, socioeconomic, ecological and safety reasons. The decommissioning or reconversion of offshore platforms in the context of a circular economy (CE) will lead to new knowledge acquisition, changing values and changing behaviours towards sustainability consistent with the ‘new’ business objectives. Multiuse platforms at sea (MUPSs) represent an interesting solution for development of marine infrastructures, including areas in which to start and develop various creative economic activities that are in harmony with the needs of environmental protection including renewable energy, sea shellfish farming, decarbonisation plants, tourism, and recreation. Particularly, the research activity focused on a deep literature review of offshore platform decommissioning and sustainable business model (SBM) in a CE context. This allowed us to access the sustainable business model canvas (SBMC), a conceptual tool that represents a holistic view of the different managerial multiuse options and their social and environmental impacts. Besides, to test the SBMC, we adopt an empirical analysis by semi‐structured questionnaires given to a sample of stakeholders in the decommissioning industry. The methodology was enriched by interviews with key informants to better investigate the business ecosystem and the feasibility of decommissioning applied to the case of an Italian offshore platform located in the Adriatic Sea. This article aims to contribute to supporting SBMs development following a holistic approach in relationship with all stakeholders and propose a multi‐criteria decision‐making analysis for evaluating and comparing alternative decommissioning options.
High functional diversity in deep‐sea fish communities and increasing intraspecific trait variation with increasing latitude
Authors: Myers Elisabeth M. V. , Anderson Marti J. , Liggins Libby , Harvey Euan S. , Roberts Clive D. , Eme David
Published: July 2021

Variation in both inter‐ and intraspecific traits affects community dynamics, yet we know little regarding the relative importance of external environmental filters versus internal biotic interactions that shape the functional space of communities along broad‐scale environmental gradients, such as latitude, elevation, or depth. We examined changes in several key aspects of functional alpha diversity for marine fishes along depth and latitude gradients by quantifying intra‐ and interspecific richness, dispersion, and regularity in functional trait space. We derived eight functional traits related to food acquisition and locomotion and calculated seven complementary indices of functional diversity for 144 species of marine ray‐finned fishes along large‐scale depth (50–1200 m) and latitudinal gradients (29°–51° S) in New Zealand waters. Traits were derived from morphological measurements taken directly from footage obtained using Baited Remote Underwater Stereo‐Video systems and museum specimens. We partitioned functional variation into intra‐ and interspecific components for the first time using a PERMANOVA approach. We also implemented two tree‐based diversity metrics in a functional distance‐based context for the first time: namely, the variance in pairwise functional distance and the variance in nearest neighbor distance. Functional alpha diversity increased with increasing depth and decreased with increasing latitude. More specifically, the dispersion and mean nearest neighbor distances among species in trait space and intraspecific trait variability all increased with depth, whereas functional hypervolume (richness) was stable across depth. In contrast, functional hypervolume, dispersion, and regularity indices all decreased with increasing latitude; however, intraspecific trait variation increased with latitude, suggesting that intraspecific trait variability becomes increasingly important at higher latitudes. These results suggest that competition within and among species are key processes shaping functional multidimensional space for fishes in the deep sea. Increasing morphological dissimilarity with increasing depth may facilitate niche partitioning to promote coexistence, whereas abiotic filtering may be the dominant process structuring communities with increasing latitude.
Soil‐associated drivers of plant traits and functional composition in Atlantic Forest coastal tree communities
Authors: Lourenço Jehová , Newman Erica A. , Ventura José A. , Milanez Camilla Rozindo Dias , Thomaz Luciana Dias , Wandekoken Douglas Tinoco , Enquist Brian J.
Published: July 2021

The severe deforestation of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest and the increasing effects of climate change underscore the need to understand how tree species respond to climate and edaphic factors. To identify the most important environmental drivers of coastal Atlantic Forest diversity and functional composition, we studied 42 plots of coastal Atlantic Forest (restinga), which has a high diversity of plant communities and spans strong environmental gradients. We examined how forest physiognomy and functional composition respond to changes in the environment, hydraulic, and soil properties. We tested different hypotheses relating the roles of nutrients and soil water availability in driving shifts in tropical forest diversity and functioning. We collected wood samples and leaves from ˜85% of the plant species identified in the forest inventory and estimated the community‐weighted tree height, aboveground biomass, basal area of individual plants, specific leaf area, wood density, and the total tree biomass per community by the sum of all trees’ aboveground biomass per plot. We measured water table depth and 24 physicochemical soil parameters. Hypotheses relating to these factors were formalized via both generalized additive models and piecewise structural equation models and null models of community assembly. Increasing drought, as reflected by increasing water table depth, coarse sand, and soil concentration of aluminum (>6 cmol/kg), was found to be a primary driver of shifts in all measured functional traits. Water table depth was found to be the main environmental driver of restinga species diversity, but shifts in species richness were largely decoupled from functional richness and functional dispersion. Our results suggest that decreases in soil water availability are a central driver of local phenotype–environment matching and that increasing water limitation increases the role of environmental filtering on multiple traits. Our results show that drought leads to a strong convergence (standardized effect size < −1.95) in forest function and leads to shifts to smaller statured forest in particular. These findings reveal important differences in the drivers of forest structure and functioning, suggesting that changes in local spatial variation in soil and moisture variables will be a central issue in restinga management and conservation.
Plant–animal interactions mediate climatic effects on selection on flowering time
Authors: Valdés Alicia , Ehrlén Johan
Published: July 2021

Selection on flowering time in plants is often mediated by multiple agents, including climatic conditions and the intensity of mutualistic and antagonistic interactions with animals. These selective agents can have both direct and indirect effects. For example, climate might not only influence phenotypic selection on flowering time directly by affecting plant physiology, but it can also alter selection indirectly by modifying the seasonal activity and relative timing of animals interacting with plants. We used 21 yr of data to identify the drivers of selection on flowering time in the perennial herbLathyrus vernus, and to examine if antagonistic plant–animal interactions mediate effects of climate on selection. We examined the fitness consequences of vertebrate grazing and predispersal seed predation, and how these effects varied among years and among individuals within years. Although both antagonistic plant–animal interactions had important negative effects on plant fitness, only grazing intensity was consistently related to plant phenology, being higher in early‐flowering individuals. Spring temperature influenced the intensity of both plant–animal interactions, as well as the covariance between seed predation and plant phenology. However, only differences in grazing intensity among years were associated with differences in selection on flowering time; the strength of selection for early flowering being stronger in years with lower mean intensity of grazing. Our results illustrate how climatic conditions can influence plant–animal interactions that are important selective agents for plant traits. A broader implication of our findings is that both ecological and evolutionary responses to climatic changes might be indirect, and largely mediated by species interactions.
Decomposing decomposition: isolating direct effects of temperature from other drivers of detrital processing
Authors: Wilmot Oliver J. , Hood James M. , Huryn Alexander D. , Benstead Jonathan P.
Published: July 2021

Understanding the observed temperature dependence of decomposition (i.e., its "apparent" activation energy) requires separation of direct effects of temperature on consumer metabolism (i.e., the "inherent" activation energy) from those driven by indirect seasonal patterns in phenology and biomass, and by longer‐term, climate‐driven shifts in acclimation, adaptation, and community assembly. Such parsing is important because studies that relate temperature to decomposition usually involve multi‐season data and/or spatial proxies for long‐term shifts, and so incorporate these indirect factors. The various effects of such factors can obscure the inherent temperature dependence of detrital processing. Separating the inherent temperature dependence of decomposition from other drivers is important for accurate prediction of the contribution of detritus‐sourced greenhouse gases to climate warming and requires novel approaches to data collection and analysis. Here, we present breakdown rates of red maple litter incubated in coarse‐ and fine‐mesh litterbags (the latter excluding macroinvertebrates) for serial approximately one‐month increments over one year in nine streams along a natural temperature gradient (mean annual: 12.8°–16.4°C) from north Georgia to central Alabama, USA. We analyzed these data using distance‐based redundancy analysis and generalized additive mixed models to parse the dependence of decomposition rates on temperature, seasonality, and shredding macroinvertebrate biomass. Microbial decomposition in fine‐mesh bags was significantly influenced by both temperature and seasonality. Accounting for seasonality corrected the temperature dependence of decomposition rate from 0.25 to 0.08 eV. Shredder assemblage structure in coarse‐mesh bags was related to temperature across both sites and seasons, shifting from “cold” stonefly‐dominated communities to “warm” communities dominated by snails or crayfish. Shredder biomass was not a significant predictor of either coarse‐mesh or macroinvertebrate‐mediated (i.e., coarse‐ minus fine‐mesh) breakdown rates, which were also jointly influenced by temperature and seasonality. Unlike fine‐mesh bags, however, temperature dependence of litter breakdown did not differ between models with and without seasonality for either coarse‐mesh (0.36 eV) or macroinvertebrate‐mediated (0.13 eV) rates. We conclude that indirect (non‐thermal) seasonal and site‐level effects play a variable and potentially strong role in shaping the apparent temperature dependence of detrital breakdown. Such effects should be incorporated into studies designed to estimate inherent temperature dependence of slow ecological processes.
Preparation of Functionalized Ayous Sawdust‐carbon Nanotubes Composite for the Electrochemical Determination of Carbendazim Pesticide
Authors: Fozing Mekeuo Ghislaine Ariane , Despas Christelle , Péguy Nanseu‐Njiki Charles , Walcarius Alain , Ngameni Emmanuel
Published: July 2021

Fine particles of Ayous sawdust (AS) were successfully modified by maleic anhydride to increase their accumulation capability towards carbendazim (Cbz). For a more efficient use of the biosourced material as electrode modifier for electrochemical detection, the functionalized particles were mixed with carbon nanotubes to yield a conductive composite. After electrochemical characterization, the modified GCE was applied to Cbz detection. A sensitivity of (2.61±0.08) μA M−1 and a detection limit of 0.04 μM were obtained under optimized experimental conditions. Moreover, the designed sensor was found efficient for Cbz determination in real samples (spring water and commercial pesticide product).
Probabilistic seismic evaluation of SMA‐based self‐centering braced structures considering uncertainty of regional temperature
Authors: Chen Junbai , Wang Wei , Fang Cheng
Published: July 2021

Smart materials such as shape memory alloys (SMAs) have unique material properties that can potentially mitigate structural damage against earthquake. However, the mechanical behavior of SMAs is sensitive to temperature variation. The traditional deterministic analysis, which does not take into account the influence of temperature, may lead to inaccurate and sometimes unsafe predictions of actual behavior of SMA‐based structures. This research aims to develop a modified framework based on the performance‐based earthquake engineering methodology, taking account of the uncertainty of regional temperature distribution for temperature‐dependent (TD) structures, where the SMA‐based one is considered as a representative case. As the main part of the methodology, regional seismic fragility is generated by combing temperature distribution properties and joint seismic fragility. The proposed methodology is applied to a six‐story self‐centering concentrically‐braced frame (SC‐CBF) with SMA‐based SC braces located in different regions in China. A simplified thermo‐mechanical model capturing the TD characteristics and possible failure of SMA cables is utilized. Deterministic nonlinear static and dynamic analysis is first conducted to understand the structural response. Then, the joint seismic fragility analysis of the SC‐CBF under different intensity levels of ground motion and temperatures is conducted via the incremental dynamic analysis method, by which the seismic performance of the structure can be fully captured. Finally, the proposed methodology is utilized to comprehensively evaluate the regional seismic fragility and collapse risk of the SC‐CBF in different regions. The results indicate that the ignorance of the temperature effect could underestimate the risk of collapse.
Babbling brook to thunderous torrent: Using sound to monitor river stage
Authors: Osborne Wm. Alexander , Hodge Rebecca A. , Love Gordon D. , Hawkin Peter , Hawkin Ruth E.
Published: July 2021

The passive, ambient sound above the water from a river has previously untapped potential for determining flow characteristics such as stage. Measuring sub‐aerial sound could provide a new, efficient way to continuously monitor river stage, without the need for in‐stream infrastructure. Previous published work has suggested that there might be a relationship between sound and river stage, but the analysis has been restricted to a narrow range of flow conditions and river morphologies. We present a method to determine site suitability and the process of how to record and analyse sound. Data collected along a 500 m length of the River Washburn during July 2019 is used to determine what makes a site suitable for sound monitoring. We found that sound is controlled by roughness elements in the channel, such as a boulder or weir, which influences the sound produced. On the basis of these findings, we collect audio recordings from six sites around the northeast of England, covering a range of flow conditions and different roughness elements, since 2019. We use data from those sites collected during storms Ciara and Dennis to produce a relationship between this sound and river stage. Our analysis has shown a positive relationship between an R2 of 0.73 and 0.99 in all rivers, but requires careful site selection and data processing to achieve the best results. We introduce a filter that is capable of isolating a river's sound from other environmental sound. Future work in examining the role of these roughness elements is required to understand the full extent of this technique. By demonstrating that sound can operate as a hydrometric tool, we suggest that sound monitoring could be used to provide cost‐effective monitoring devices, either to detect relative change in a river or, after more research, a reliable stage measurement.
Chironomidae (Midge) Sensitivities to Ammonia Using Multiple Endpoints in China and Australia for the Development of Water Quality Criteria for Freshwater River Systems in China
Authors: Liu Zhihong , Tai Peidong , Li Xiaojun , Kong Lingxue , Matthews Ty G. , Lester Rebecca E. , Mondon Julie A.
Published: July 2021

Deriving water quality criteria (WQC) for aquatic risk assessment requires sufficient toxicity data, which can determine the accuracy of WQC. Given that toxicity data vary between test species and endpoints, there is a great need to compare such data to generate the most suitable data set for WQC derivation. In the present study, a series of 11 ammonia exposure bioassays were conducted on Chironomidae species in either China or Australia, with test species and test endpoints varied (2 Chironomus sp., enzymatic up to lethal endpoints, and no-observed-effect concentration up to median lethal concentration [LC50] as endpoint metrics). There were no statistically significant differences between toxicity results generated from China compared to Australia using Chironomus sp., indicating that published data on native species generated in different countries could be appropriate for inclusion in the development of local Chinese WQC. In addition, the Chironomidae larvae laboratory-based toxicity value (LC50 = 384.6 mg/L) was lower than that of the in situ field-based toxicity value (LC50 ≥ 451.2 mg/L) where sensitive life stages are used, and, specifically for C. riparius, endpoints linked to biochemical and gene expression effects could be as sensitive as or more sensitive than chronic endpoints, both of which were more sensitive than acute endpoints. These findings help in the development of WQC by demonstrating the suitability of inclusion of toxicity data from a range of sources, as well as adding to the overall pool of knowledge regarding sensitivity to ammonia which can be used in aquatic risk assessment. Environ Toxicol Chem  2021;40:2899–2911. © 2021 SETAC
Within-Body Distributions and Feeding Effects of the Neonicotinoid Insecticide Clothianidin in Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris)
Authors: Aarønes Malin Røyset , Paus-Knudsen Julie Sørlie , Nielsen Anders , Rundberget Jan Thomas , Borgå Katrine
Published: July 2021

Bumblebees can be exposed to neonicotinoid pesticides through nectar and pollen collected from treated crops, which can cause lethal and sublethal effects in these nontarget pollinators. However, the body distribution of the compound after exposure to neonicotinoids in bumblebees is not well studied. Bumblebee colonies (Bombus terrestris, n = 20) were exposed to field-realistic concentrations of clothianidin through artificial nectar (3.6–13 µg/L) for 9 d. Comparison of the nominal with the measured exposure in nectar indicated good compliance, confirming the applicability of the method. When quantified, clothianidin showed a concentration-dependent occurrence in the head and body of workers (head: <0.2–2.17 µg/kg; body: <0.2–3.17 µg/kg), and in the body of queens (<0.2–2.49 µg/kg), although concentrations were below those measured in the nectar (bioaccumulation factor = 0.2). Exposure to clothianidin did not affect mortality nor brood production, nor did it have a statistically significant effect on nectar consumption and size of food storage. However, visual inspection suggests higher nectar consumption of nectar with low clothianidin content compared with nectar with no or high clothianidin content. Our results show that dietary clothianidin is taken up in bumblebees, but does not bioaccumulate to elevated levels compared with exposure. Still, clothianidin may elicit responses that affect feeding behavior of the pollinator B. terrestris, although our endpoints were not significantly affected. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2781–2790. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Abstract

Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) was exposed to clothianidin through artificial nectar for 9 d. Post exposure, we measured clothianidin in the head and body of workers and in the body of queens, but not in the stomach, intestine and rectum. The measured concentrations were lower than the exposure concentrations and did not affect mortality, reproduction, nor food storing, but may have affected consumption of clothianidin exposed nectar.
Elaboration, thermogravimetric analysis, and fire testing of a new type of wood‐sawdust composite materials based on epoxy–amine polymers modified with copper(II) hexafluorosilicate
Authors: Kochubei Victoria , Mykhalichko Borys , Lavrenyuk Helen
Published: July 2021

The study reports the development of a new type of wood‐sawdust (WS) composite based on CuSiF6‐modified epoxy–amine polymers (EAPs) with reduced combustibility. The thermo‐oxidative behavior of the obtained WS/EAP–CuSiF6 and WS/EAP specimens was studied using the complex thermal analysis. Thermal analysis data show that incorporating CuSiF6 (flame retardant) into WS/EAP increases the thermal oxidation resistance of WS/EAP–CuSiF6. It is shown that for WS/EAP–CuSiF6 and WS/EAP, thermo‐oxidative destruction ends at 571°C and 625°C, and the maximum temperature of this exothermic process is 435°C and 499°C, respectively. The combustibility of WS/EAP–CuSiF6 and WS/EAP was studied by the “ceramic tube” (CT) method. The CT results obtained demonstrate impressive differences in the combustibility of these two composites; the maximum temperature of gaseous combustion products for WS/EAP–CuSiF6 is 265°C, and for WS/EAP, it is 910°C. Flammability tests for WS/EAP–CuSiF6 and WS/EAP were carried out in accordance with ASTM D635‐18 and ASTM D3801‐19a. According to the results of vertical burning tests, the WS/EAP–CuSiF6 composite material was classified as V‐0.
All Eyes on FERC: Energy vs. Environment
Authors: Russo Thomas N.
Published: July 2021

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) reconsideration of its 1999 Policy Statement on New Interstate Natural Gas Facilities (Pipeline Policy) may be a window into how the Biden Administration plans to handle energy infrastructure projects and environmental issues in the future. FERC's ultimate actions will serve as an example to other federal agencies that are required to review proposed projects and actions pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. One of the more significant questions is whether FERC should be analyzing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and give greater weight to a project's effect on environmental justice (EJ) communities. These questions are complicated by the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) new NEPA regulations which were finalized in September 2020, which in general don't require the aforementioned analyses. Also, the US District Court is reviewing petitions in Wild Virginia v. CEQ at the time of this writing, which could further complicate revisions to the Pipeline Policy.
The Impact of 5G on Energy and Climate
Authors: de Ramos Kevin Monte
Published: July 2021

In April of 2021, this author had the great pleasure of speaking at the McGill University's School of Continuing Education and Emerging Technology Webinar Series, entitled 5G—Health and the Environment. During this session, the topic of sustainability was of particular interest to the moderators and to the audience. This column will share some insights on impact of 5G on the energy industry and decarbonization.
Regional gray matter volume associated with exercise dependence: A voxel‐based morphometry study
Authors: Zhang Feifei , Wang Song , Feng Yang , Qin Kun , Li Huiru , Wu Baolin , Jia Zhiyun , Gong Qiyong
Published: July 2021

Although regular physical exercise has multiple positive benefits for the general population, excessive exercise may lead to exercise dependence (EXD), which is harmful to one's physical and mental health. Increasing evidence suggests that stress is a potential risk factor for the onset and development of EXD. However, little is known about the neural substrates of EXD and the underlying neuropsychological mechanism by which stress affects EXD. Herein, we investigate these issues in 86 individuals who exercise regularly by estimating their cortical gray matter volume (GMV) utilizing a voxel‐based morphometry method based on structural magnetic resonance imaging. Whole‐brain correlation analyses and prediction analyses showed negative relationships between EXD and GMV of the right orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), left subgenual cingulate gyrus (sgCG), and left inferior parietal lobe (IPL). Furthermore, mediation analyses found that the GMV of the right OFC was an important mediator between stress and EXD. Importantly, these results remained significant even when adjusting for sex, age, body mass index, family socioeconomic status, general intelligence and total intracranial volume, as well as depression and anxiety. Collectively, the results of the present study provide crucial evidence of the neuroanatomical basis of EXD and reveal a potential neuropsychological pathway in predicting EXD in which GMV mediates the relationship between stress and EXD.
Characteristic differences in radiation‐inducedDNAdamage response in human papillomavirus‐negative and human papillomavirus‐positive head and neck cancers with accumulation of fractional radiation dose
Authors: Reid Paul , Staudacher Alexander H. , Marcu Loredana G. , Olver Ian , Moghaddasi Leyla , Brown Michael P. , Bezak Eva
Published: July 2021

Background

Superior treatment responses by patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), compared to patients with HNSCC from other causes, drive biomarker research to optimize treatment. Most HNSCC patients receive radiation therapy delivered as a fractionated course. Changing HPV status in HNSCC from a positive prognostic marker to a predictive one requires biomarkers that capture cellular radiation response to cumulative dose.

Methods

Nuclear enlargement, γH2AX expression and micronuclei count, were studied in six HNSCC cell lines after 4 Gy fractionated X‐irradiation.

Results

All HNSCC cell lines displayed altered cellular responses, indicating increasing inability to repair radiation damage with subsequent radiation fractions. Increases in nuclear area were significantly greater among HPV positive cell lines (207% and 67% for the HPV positive and HPV negative groups, respectively).

Conclusions

A different character of DNA repair dysfunction in the HPV positive group suggests greater chromosomal translocation with accumulated radiation dose.
Immunotherapy with adoptive cytomegalovirus‐specific T cells transfer: Summarizing latest gene engineering techniques
Authors: Mehdizadeh Mahshid , Karami Samira , Ghaffari Nazari Haniyeh , Sankanian Ghazaleh , Hamidpour Mohsen , Hajifathali Abbas
Published: July 2021

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains a major complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). T cell response plays a critical role in inducing long‐term immunity against CMV infection/reactivation that impairs during HSCT. Adoptive T cell therapy (ACT) via transferring CMV‐specific T cells from a seropositive donor to the recipient can accelerate virus‐specific immune reconstitution. ACT, as an alternative approach, can restore protective antiviral T cell immunity in patients. Different manufacturing protocols have been introduced to isolate and expand specific T cells for the ACT clinical setting. Nevertheless, HLA restriction, long‐term manufacturing process, risk of alloreactivity, and CMV seropositive donor availability have limited ACT broad applicability. Genetic engineering has developed new strategies to produce TCR‐modified T cells for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of infectious disease. In this review, we presented current strategies required for ACT in posttransplant CMV infection. We also introduced novel gene‐modified T cell discoveries in the context of ACT for CMV infection. It seems that these innovations are enabling to improvement and development of ACT utilization to combat posttransplant CMV infection.
Entropy generation in a micropolar fluid past an inclined channel with velocity slip and heat flux conditions: Variation parameter method
Authors: Mathur Priya , Mishra S. R. , Purohit S. D. , Bohra Mahesh
Published: July 2021

An investigation is carried out on the analysis of entropy on the flow of non‐Newtonian fluid, in particular, micropolar fluid past an inclined channel. To enhance the fluid properties, velocity and thermal slip conditions are taken into consideration. At the outset, the novelty of the present investigation lies on the analysis of entropy generation that occurs due to the temperature differences between the media. The governing nonlinear equations are transformed to nonlinear ODE by the use of suitable transformed nondimensional variables. Furthermore, the motivation for the study is the solution of these governing equations using the semi‐analytical technique, namely, the variation parameter method. The behavior of the flow phenomena is characterized by the contributing parameters, in particular, the Bejan number, on the entropy are displayed via graphs and tables and elaborated in Section 5. The results reveal that the microrotation profile exhibited its dual character with an augmentation of the inclined angle, and both the coupling parameter and the Reynolds number are favorable in resisting entropy.
Joule heating impacts on MHD pulsating flow of Au/CuO‐blood Oldroyd‐B nanofluid in a porous channel
Authors: Venkatesan Gunasekaran , Reddy A. Subramanyam
Published: July 2021

This article deals, the pulsating flow of blood carrying Au/CuO Oldroyd‐B nanofluid through a porous channel with the effects of viscous dissipation, thermal radiation, and Joule (Ohmic) heating, and applied magnetic field. The perturbation technique is employed to get analytic solutions for flow variables. A comparison between analytical and numerical results shows a good agreement. The effect of various parameters is addressed extensively aided by pictorial results. The obtained results present that the velocity is reduced with the higher values of Hartmann number and volume fraction of nanoparticles. The temperature of nanofluid is enhanced with an enhancement of Eckert number and radiation parameter while it reduces with a rise in Hartmann number. Furthermore, the rise of the volume fraction of nanoparticles boosts up the rate of heat transfer.
Impact of single amino acid substitution on the structure and function of TANK‐binding kinase‐1
Authors: Umair Mohd , Khan Shama , Mohammad Taj , Shafie Alaa , Anjum Farah , Islam Asimul , Hassan Md. Imtaiyaz
Published: July 2021

Tank‐binding kinase 1 (TBK1) is a serine/threonine protein kinase involved in various signaling pathways and subsequently regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, antiviral and antitumor immunity. Dysfunction of TBK1 can cause many complex diseases, including autoimmunity, neurodegeneration, and cancer. This dysfunction of TBK1 may result from single amino acid substitutions and subsequent structural alterations. This study analyzed the effect of substituting amino acids on TBK1 structure, function, and subsequent disease using advanced computational methods and various tools. In the initial assessment, a total of 467 mutations were found to be deleterious. After that, in detailed structural and sequential analyses, 13 mutations were found to be pathogenic. Finally, based on the functional importance, two variants (K38D and S172A) of the TBK1 kinase domain were selected and studied in detail by utilizing all‐atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulation for 200 ns. MD simulation, including correlation matrix and principal component analysis, helps to get deeper insights into the TBK1 structure at the atomic level. We observed a substantial change in variants' conformation, which may be possible for structural alteration and subsequent TBK1 dysfunction. However, substitution S172A shows a significant conformational change in TBK1 structure as compared to K38D. Thus, this study provides a structural basis to understand the effect of mutations on the kinase domain of TBK1 and its function associated with disease progression.