bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The combination of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor therapy and high‐frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in Alzheimer’s disease: A preliminary fMRI study
Authors: Cui Dong , Jin Jingna , Wang He , Liu Zhipeng , Yin Tao
Published: February 2022

Background

Basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic dysfunction is one of the characteristics in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI) are approved drus currently used for the clinical treatment of AD. However, drug therapy has considerable side effects, and not everyone can benefit from it. Previous studies have shown that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve cognitive function in patients with AD. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effect of cholinergic treatment on BF functional brain networks using functional connectivity (FC) analysis, and investigate whether donepezil therapy combined with rTMS is superior to monotherapy of AD.

Method

Thirty AD patients received ten sessions of 10Hz high frequency rTMS (HF‐rTMS) at 110% of the motor threshold on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the left lateral parietal cortex (combination therapy group, n=15) or sham stimulation (drug treatment group, n=15), added to their donepezil treatment (5mg/d), in a randomized double‐blind design. Fifteen untreated and age, gender and years of education matched AD patients served as control group. The resting‐state FC of BF was calculated using a seed‐based approach. Spearman correlation with false discovery rate (FDR) correction was used to investigate the relationship between clinical and cognitive tests scores and FC values.

Result

Compared to control group, the combination therapy group showed BF seed‐based FC enhancement in the bilateral posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), superior parietal lobule, left hippocampus, precuneus, and cerebellum. Drug treatment patients showed increased BF‐related FC in the bilateral PCC, and left hippocampus, and cerebellum. In addition, combination therapy group patients had significantly higher BF seed‐based FC in the left PCC and precuneus than drug treatment patients. Moreover, these brain regions are mainly concentrated in the default mode network (DMN).

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the levels of functional connectivity between the BF and the DMN is significantly higher in the combination therapy group than that in the other groups, and which is positively correlated with improvements in MMSE and ADL. HF‐rTMS over the left DLPFC and the left lateral parietal cortex is an add‐on strategy of clinical significance in combination with donepezil in patients with AD.
Within‐ and across‐network relationships between cortical atrophy and hypometabolism across A/T/N subgroups of the Alzheimer's disease continuum
Authors: Stocks Jane , Popuri Karteek , Rosen Howard J. , Beg Mirza Faisal , Wang Lei
Published: February 2022

Background

Neurodegeneration caused by pathological protein aggregation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is reflected in cortical atrophy and glucose hypometabolism, measured with structural MRI and FDG‐PET, but how these disease processes relate to each other within and across brain networks remains unclear. We examine multimodal neuroimaging relationships within and between multiple large‐scale brain networks among CSF‐defined (i.e., amyloid, total tau, and p‐tau) “A/T/N” subgroups of AD.

Method

Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative subjects with CSF analysis, MRI and FDG‐PET: AD‐Continuum (A+(T or N ‐/+), N = 559), Suspected Non‐AD Pathologic Change (SNAP) (A‐(T or N+), N = 149), Normal (A‐T‐N‐, N = 179). T1‐MPRAGE scans underwent FreeSurfer processing to estimate cortical thickness, normalized 18FDG‐PET images were co‐registered and uptake values were projected onto corresponding cortical surface. Using a well‐validated atlas, MRI and FDG‐PET images were parcellated into 360 cortical “patches” corresponding to 12 cortical networks. Partial Pearson correlations were computed between the 360 patches of cortical thickness and FDG metabolism and displayed visually as heatmaps, organized by network. Bonferroni correction was used to account for multiple comparisons.

Result

Limited significant correlations were seen in Normal subjects (Figure 1). Among SNAP subjects, positive within‐network correlations between atrophy and hypometabolism were found within the dorsal attention, frontoparietal and default‐mode networks (Figure 2). Across‐network relationships were also present with hypometabolism in the dorsal attention and frontoparietal networks associated with widespread cortical atrophy. In AD‐Continuum subjects, positive within‐network correlations between cortical atrophy and glucose hypometabolism were most frequent within the dorsal attention, default‐mode and posterior multimodal networks (Figure 3). Across‐network relationships were frequent with atrophy within the dorsal attention and default‐mode networks associated with widespread hypometabolism and hypometabolism within the dorsal attention, frontoparietal and default‐mode networks associated with widespread atrophy.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that, in both SNAP and AD‐Continuum subjects, local and distant relationships between cortical atrophy and hypometabolism are common, especially within regions known to be impacted by AD neuropathology (e.g., frontoparietal and default‐mode networks). SNAP subjects show fewer across‐network correlations as compared to AD‐Continuum, supporting the conclusion that tau aggregation drives local neurodegeneration while the relationships between amyloid and neurodegeneration are less region‐specific.
Associations between cognition, Aβ, and tau in adults with Down syndrome
Authors: Tudorascu Dana L. , HartleyZammit Sigan L.Matthew D. , Cody Karly Alex , Laymon Charles M. , Minhas Davneet S. , Zaman Shahid , Ances Beau M. , Mathis Chester A. , Klunk William E. , Johnson Sterling C. , Handen Benjamin L. , Christian Bradley T. , Cohen Ann D.
Published: February 2022

Background

Adults with Down syndrome (DS) are widely affected by AD pathology by their 30’s and have a 70‐80% chance of clinical dementia by their 60’s. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between cognitive decline and tau pathology using a regression model to explore the associations between longitudinal rates of cognition and the cross‐sectional tau burden in adults with DS.

Method

Ninety‐two participants (age=39.19±8.44 at time of tau scan) with DS with multiple cognitive assessments over a period of 9 years, PiB scans over a period of 8 years, and one [18F]AV‐1451 scan were analyzed. Cognitive assessments included tests of overall function (DSMSE), memory (cued recall), executive function (Stroop), and motor function (Purdue pegboard). FreeSurfer (v5.3.0) was used for the definition of ROIs. A two‐stage analysis was performed for cognition and AV‐1451 correlations or PiB and AV‐1451 correlations: 1) a linear mixed model was applied to estimate the rates of change for cognitive outcomes or PiB over time and 2) the cognitive or PiB estimated rates from the trajectories were used as predictors of interest in a correlation analysis with AV‐1451 for each Braak‐associated (1‐6) region as the outcome.

Result

Statistically significant associations were found between AV‐1451 retention in all Braak regions and cognitive assessments at alpha=0.05 , including cued recall, DSMSE, and the Purdue pegboard task, but not for the Stroop test (Table 1). Statistically significant associations were also found in Braak regions 3‐6 at alpha=0.05 between longitudinal PiB estimated amyloid trajectories and cross‐sectional AV‐1451 retention.

Conclusion

For this DS population, we found inverse associations between rates of neuropsychological decline and higher tau pathology. In particular, decline in global cognition, verbal memory and motor function were all associated with higher tau pathology, while executive function was not. Further, longitudinal analyses demonstrated an association between cross‐sectional and accumulating amyloid pathology with increased tau pathology in regions associated with higher Braak stages.
Associations between misinformation around COVID‐19 pandemic, severity of social isolation, and cognitive impairment
Authors: Marin Anna , Vives‐Rodriguez Ana , DeCaro Renee , Schiloski Kylie A , Hajos Gabor P , Di Crosta Adolfo , Ceccato Irene , La Malva Pasquale , Lahdo Naheer C , Donnelly Kaleigh , Dong Jiali , Kasha Sabrina , Rooney Colleen E , Dayaw Judith Nicole Tejada , Marton Gabrielle , Wack Audrey , Hanger Vanessa A , Di Domenico Alberto , Turk Katherine W , Palumbo Rocco , Budson Andrew
Published: February 2022

Background

In the past year, new research has focused on the degree of misinformation regarding the COVID‐19 pandemic in younger and older adults. However, no study has assessed how social isolation and cognitive status influence misinformation regarding the COVID‐19 pandemic. For this reason, we sought to investigate the differences in misinformation on the current pandemic in older individuals with and without cognitive impairment and social isolation in Boston, MA (United States) and Chieti (Italy).

Method

Data has been obtained from 49 subjects from the Boston cohort and 138 from the Italian cohort. Both healthy older adults and individuals diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) Dementia were included. Cognitive status was assessed with a telephone administered neuropsychological battery and blind MoCA. Social isolation was evaluated with the Lubben social isolation scale and misinformation with a COVID‐19 Misinformation Questionnaire. Associations between these variables were assessed using Pearson correlation and binary logistic regression.

Result

35 participants in our sample (26%) met the cutoff for social isolation. 95 subjects (70%) were cognitively impaired. Subjects that were at a higher risk of being socially isolated were more cognitively impaired (r=0.43, N=181, p<.001). Also, they were less likely to know the correct age group that is most affected by the pandemic (b =0.06; p <0.05) and were less likely to feel informed about protective measures that should be taken to avoid contracting COVID‐19 (r=0.24, N=181, p<.001). Subjects that were more cognitively impaired were more likely to think that the COVID‐19 was a bioweapon developed by a government or terrorist organization (b =0.15; p <.001) and were more likely to incorrectly think that a person could not be COVID‐19 positive and be asymptomatic (b =0.17; p <.01). More analysis will be completed once recruitment is completed.

Conclusion

Social isolation and cognitive impairment were associated with a higher degree of misinformation about COVID‐19 and less information about protective measures against infection, making patients with these characteristics a vulnerable population during the current pandemic.
Understanding the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on patients with Alzheimer’s disease and caregivers using online narratives on social media
Authors: Monfared Amir Abbas Tahami , Stern Yaakov , Doogan Stephen , Bray Margaret , Zhang Quanwu
Published: February 2022

Background

The Covid‐19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted individuals with pre‐existing health conditions. This study aims to describe the challenges of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and their caregivers experienced during the pandemic.

Method

We used the RLytics NLP (Natural Language Processing) platform to analyze key challenges and issues that were shared online over 47 social media sites by patients living with AD and caregivers during the COVID‐19 pandemic between January 2020 and January 2021.

Result

A total of 3,422 narratives were analyzed and reported in aggregate categories, including extensive descriptions on the worsening of AD, difficulties in understanding and maintaining rules of masking and social distancing, limited opportunities of social interactions, reduced caregiver availability, and emotional disturbance or exacerbation with fear, anxiety, and loneliness (Table). Disease worsening manifested with or without COVID‐19 diagnosis, leading to increased reliance and need for caregiver assistance and declining patient wellbeing. The patient challenges were compounded by increased caregiver burden, expressed through the social media on disruptions to Work‐from‐Home routines and the need for additional caregiver support to sustain household income. The caregiver narratives revealed a range of challenges, including common issues of getting access to COVID‐19 vaccines and unique issues of having to reminding or assisting patients with handwashing, social distancing, or staying at home. Patient disease aggravation resulting from restrictive caregiver access to long term care facilities was frequently communicated online by the caregivers, highlighting increased caregiver emotional stress that led to anger, frustration, crying, loneliness, depression and emotional fatigue.

Conclusion

This social media study using NLP uncovers a broad range of challenges experienced by patients with AD and the caregivers during the COVID‐19 pandemic. They appear to have suffered unique health, cognitive, social, emotional, interpersonal, and daily living burden, resulting in worsening of disease and declining wellbeing. The untoward consequences may well likely surpass the pandemic, leading to prolonged deleterious impact in patient and caregiver personal lives and deepened public health crisis with AD.
A day in the life of caregivers to older adults with and without dementia: Comparisons of care time and emotional health
Authors: Freedman Vicki A. , Patterson Sarah E. , Cornman Jennifer C. , Wolff Jennifer L.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

How care‐related time and emotional health over the day differ for those assisting older adults with and without dementia is unclear.

Methods

Using 2134 time diaries from the National Study of Caregiving, we compared emotional health and care time for caregivers of older adults with and without dementia.

Results

Caregivers to older adults with dementia experienced worse (higher scores) on a composite measure of negative emotional health (4.2 vs 3.3; P < .05) and provided more physical/medical care (33.7 vs 16.2 minutes; P < .05) and less transportation assistance (12.6 vs 24.8 minutes; P < .05) than other caregivers. In models, providing physical/medical care was associated with worse emotional health (β = 0.15; P < .01) and socializing with the care recipient was associated with worse emotional health when the recipient had dementia (β = 0.28; P < .01).

Discussion

Findings highlight the opportunity for targeted interventions to address the emotional consequences of different types of care time in the context of dementia.
A new definition of brain reserve
Authors: Hachinski Vladimir , Avan Abolfazl
Published: February 2022

Brain reserve definitions foster debate and disagreements. A consensus definition of brain reserve would fill gaps in converging ongoing research and action plans to promote brain health. Different terms are used for the capacity to adapt to life hardships and cognitive and social compliance and to neutralize or compensate for age‐related neurological degeneration to prevent impaired cognition. Brain reserve, resilience, cognitive reserve, and brain maintenance have been used usually in isolation, but at times interchangeably. However, the need remains for a simplified overarching definition of brain reserve. Brain health is a continuous development and exercise of the brain, and thus the brain reserve requires a definition encompassing this continuum. We propose for discussion a new definition of brain reserve that incorporates available definitions and emphasizes the dynamic and interactive nature of a healthy brain. Brain reserve is the lifelong, dynamic, interactive, accumulating capacity to resist physical, emotional, and/or social harms.
The role of nativity in heterogeneous dementia incidence in a large cohort of three Asian American groups and white older adults in California
Authors: Hayes‐Larson Eleanor , Fong Joseph , Mobley Taylor M. , Gilsanz Paola , Whitmer Rachel A. , Gee Gilbert C. , Brookmeyer Ron , Mayeda Elizabeth Rose
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Literature shows lower dementia incidence in Asian American groups versus whites, varying by Asian ethnicity. One hypothesized driver is nativity differences (eg, healthy immigrant effect).

Methods

We followed a cohort of 6243 Chinese, 4879 Filipino, 3256 Japanese, and 141,158 white Kaiser Permanente Northern California members for incident dementia (2002 to 2020), estimating age‐adjusted dementia incidence rates by ethnicity and nativity, and hazard ratios (HR) for nativity on dementia incidence using ethnicity‐stratified age‐ and sex‐adjusted Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

Dementia incidence appeared higher in foreign‐ versus US‐born Filipinos (HR, 95% confidence interval: 1.39, 1.02 to 1.89); differences were small in Japanese (1.07, 0.88 to 1.30) and Chinese (1.07, 0.92 to 1.24). No nativity differences were observed among whites (1.00, 0.95 to 1.04).

Discussion

Nativity does not explain lower dementia incidence in Asian Americans versus whites, but may contribute to heterogeneity across Asian ethnicities. Future research should explore differential impacts of social and cardiometabolic factors.
Rhodium‐Catalyzed ON‐OFF Switchable Hydrogenation Using a Molecular Shuttle Based on a [2]Rotaxane with a Phosphine Ligand
Authors: Tang Yu‐Ping , Luo Yi‐Er , Xiang Jun‐Feng , He Yan‐Mei , Fan Qing‐Hua
Published: February 2022

A novel pH‐responsive molecular shuttle based on a [2]rotaxane with a phosphine ligand has been designed and synthesized. In the rhodium‐catalyzed hydrogenation of α,β‐dehydroamino acid esters and aryl enamides, ON/OFF‐switchable catalysis was accomplished with high ON/OFF ratios by adjusting the movements of the rotaxane wheels located at the catalyst terminals with acid/base. Mechanistic studies using NMR spectroscopy and quasi in situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that RhIII‐hydride species are possibly formed in a H2 atmosphere when the catalyst is in the OFF state. During the reaction, a heterolytic activation of dihydrogen occurs by the interlocked rotaxane dibenzylamine and RhI catalytic center acting as a frustrated Lewis pair. Subsequent homolytic splitting of dihydrogen with the newly formed RhI‐hydride species generates RhIII‐hydride species. These findings show that a substrate‐selective hydrogenation can be achieved by using the OFF‐state catalyst.
MOF Synthesis Prediction Enabled by Automatic Data Mining and Machine Learning**
Authors: Luo Yi , Bag Saientan , Zaremba Orysia , Cierpka Adrian , Andreo Jacopo , Wuttke Stefan , Friederich Pascal , Tsotsalas Manuel
Published: February 2022

Despite rapid progress in the field of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), the potential of using machine learning (ML) methods to predict MOF synthesis parameters is still untapped. Here, we show how ML can be used for rationalization and acceleration of the MOF discovery process by directly predicting the synthesis conditions of a MOF based on its crystal structure. Our approach is based on: i) establishing the first MOF synthesis database via automatic extraction of synthesis parameters from the literature, ii) training and optimizing ML models by employing the MOF database, and iii) predicting the synthesis conditions for new MOF structures. The ML models, even at an initial stage, exhibit a good prediction performance, outperforming human expert predictions, obtained through a synthesis survey. The automated synthesis prediction is available via a web‐tool on https://mof‐synthesis.aimat.science.
Identification of a novel colon adenocarcinoma cell targeting peptide using phage display library biopanning
Authors: Bakhshinejad Babak , Sadeghizadeh Majid
Published: February 2022

Phage display is well recognized as a promising high‐throughput screening tool for the discovery of novel cancer‐targeting peptides. Here, we screened a phage display library of 7‐mer random peptides through in vitro biopanning to isolate peptide ligands binding to SW480 human colon adenocarcinoma cells. Three rounds of negative and positive selection caused a remarkable enrichment of colon cancer cell‐binding phage clones with a significant enhancement of phage recovery efficiency (about 157‐fold). A number of phage clones were picked out from the eluted phages of last selection round and sequenced. According to the results of cell binding assay and phage cell‐based ELISA, one of the isolated peptides denoted as CCBP1 (with the sequence HAMRAQP) was indicated to have the highest binding efficiency, selectivity, and specificity toward colon cancer cells with no significant binding to control cells. Peptide competitive inhibition assay revealed that binding of the phage‐displayed CCBP1 is competitively inhibited by the same free peptide, suggesting that CCBP1 specific binding to the target cell is independent of the phage context. Taken together, our findings provide support for the notion that CCBP1 binds specifically to colon cancer cells and might be a potential lead candidate for targeted delivery of imaging agents or therapeutic genes/drugs to colon tumors.
Signatures of malignant cells and novel therapeutic targets revealed by single‐cell sequencing in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Liang Jiaqi , Chen Zhencong , Huang Yiwei , Bi Guoshu , Bian Yunyi , Jin Xing , Zhang Huan , Sui Qihai , Zhan Cheng , Wang Qun
Published: February 2022

Background

Single‐cell transcriptomics has been used to investigate various tumors to elucidate the molecular distinction of all cell type compositions of a complex mix.

Aims

This study aimed to investigate malignant‐cell‐specific genes to explore diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers using single‐cell transcriptomic data of lung adenocarcinoma.

Materials & Methods

10X single‐cell RNA‐seq data of fourteen patients with lung adenocarcinoma were analyzed. Genes that expressed differentially and those with higher confidence to distinguish tumor cells from normal cells were picked out using the ROC curves. The LASSO regression method was used to select most markedly correlated genes to predict the malignancy of every single cell within a model. We also conducted further experiments to determine their roles in lung cancer in vitro.

Results

Twenty two thousand four hundred and ninety one tumor and 181 666 normal single cells were analyzed where 369 genes were found to be specifically expressed in single malignant cells. Seventy of them, encoding secreted or membrane‐bound proteins, showed involvement in cell‐to‐cell communications in tumor biology. KRT18 and the other six genes were identified as predictors to distinguish single malignant cells and were integrated to construct an accurate (96.1%) predicting model. Notably, IRX2, SPINK13, and CAPN8 outperformed the other four genes. Further experiments confirmed the upregulation of them in lung adenocarcinoma at both tissue and cell levels. Proliferative capacities of lung adenocarcinoma cells were attenuated by knocking‐down of either of them. However, targeting CAPN8, IRX2, or SPINK13 hardly exerted a cytotoxic effect on these cells.

Discussion

Apart from the current model, similar tools were still warranted using single‐cell RNA‐seq data of more types of tumors. The three genes identified as potential therapeutic targets in the present study still need to be validated in more in lung cancer.

Conclusion

Our model can aid the analyses of single‐cell sequencing data. CAPN8, IRX2, and SPINK13 may serve as novel targets of targeted and immune‐based therapies in lung adenocarcinoma.
Visible‐Light Switching of Metallosupramolecular Assemblies**
Authors: Kennedy Aaron D. W. , DiNardi Ray G. , Fillbrook Lucy L. , Donald William A. , Beves Jonathon E.
Published: February 2022

A photoswitchable ligand and palladium(II) ions form a dynamic mixture of self‐assembled metallosupramolecular structures. The photoswitching ligand is an ortho‐fluoroazobenzene with appended pyridyl groups. Combining the E‐isomer with palladium(II) salts affords a double‐walled triangle with composition [Pd3L6]6+ and a distorted tetrahedron [Pd4L8]8+ (1 : 2 ratio at 298 K). Irradiation with 410 nm light generates a photostationary state with approximately 80 % of the E‐isomer of the ligand and results in the selective disassembly of the tetrahedron, the more thermodynamically stable structure, and the formation of the triangle, the more kinetically inert product. The triangle is then slowly transformed back into the tetrahedron over 2 days at 333 K. The Z‐isomer of the ligand does not form any well‐defined structures and has a thermal half‐life of 25 days at 298 K. This approach shows how a thermodynamically preferred self‐assembled structure can be reversibly pumped to a kinetic trap by small perturbations of the isomer distribution using non‐destructive visible light.
Nonparametric confidence regions via the analytic wild bootstrap
Authors: Burak Katherine L. , Kashlak Adam B.
Published: February 2022

The wild bootstrap is a nonparametric tool that can be used to estimate a sampling distribution in the presence of heteroscedastic errors. In particular, the wild bootstrap enables us to compute confidence regions for regression parameters under non‐i.i.d. models. While the wild bootstrap may perform well in these settings, its obvious drawback is a lack of computational efficiency. The wild bootstrap requires a large number of bootstrap replications, making the use of this tool impractical when dealing with big data. We introduce the analytic wild bootstrap (ANWB), which provides a nonparametric alternative way of constructing confidence regions for regression parameters. The ANWB is superior to the wild bootstrap from a computational standpoint while exhibiting similar finite‐sample performance. We report simulation results for both least squares and ridge regression. Additionally, we test the ANWB on a real dataset and compare its performance with that of other standard approaches.
Taxonomy grooming algorithm ‐ An autodidactic domain specific dimensionality reduction approach for fast clustering of social media text data
Authors: Renjith Shini , Sreekumar A. , Jathavedan M.
Published: February 2022

Social media being the most eminent source toward the growth of big data is important for information retrieval‐based applications to improve the efficiency in proportional to the volume it must deal with. One way to achieve better performance is to upgrade the processing capacity and the alternative option is to improve the processing methodology. The latter can be achieved using smarter processing techniques and/or better algorithms. Reducing the data volume that needs to be processed is a good strategy and it can be achieved by extracting only the relevant information via user segmentation by adopting an appropriate clustering technique. However, while dealing with text content, clustering algorithms do suffer due to the very high dimensions to be dealt with. Since the domain‐specific aspects are getting lost while applying traditional dimensionality reduction approaches, it is important to device an alternate strategy. This work proposes a taxonomy grooming algorithm (TGA), an autodidactic domain‐specific dimensionality reduction approach, for fast clustering of social media text data. Our experiment results are very promising and the dimensionality reduction using TGA resulted in better results in comparison with the traditional dimensionality reduction approaches.
Improved spider monkey optimization‐based multi‐objective software‐defined networking routing with block chain technology for Internet of Things security
Authors: Manocha Prabhjot Singh , Kumar Rajiv
Published: February 2022

Internet of Things (IoT) can be connected with remote smart devices to offer global connectivity, which consists of handling, sensing, and transmission of real‐time data gathered from different devices with human intervention. The conventional security schemes are also faced with limitations like collecting and monitoring data through the IoT network to provide defense against cyber‐attacks for delivering the optimal security. To address the current challenges, this proposed model plans for integrating the energy‐efficient software‐defined networking (SDN) and block chain‐based IoT networks. The proposed model adopts a new meta‐heuristic‐based clustering protocol for optimal communication. The architecture uses the private and public block chains for offering the peer to peer communication to eliminate the proof‐of‐work (POW) issue. The contribution of a deep learning algorithm called optimized deep neural network (ODNN) is employed for detecting the malicious IoT device based on the energy characteristics of each node. Once the malicious nodes are detected, the optimal cluster head selection and optimal routing is accomplished by the adoption of neighborhood‐based spider monkey optimization (N‐SMO). The experimentation results show that the proposed model ensures the efficient cluster head selection and optimal routing protocol on the cluster structure with the traditional meta‐heuristic‐based algorithms.
Yield and nut characteristics of hazelnut genotypes grown in San Joaquin Valley, California
Authors: Jenderek Maria M. , Serimian Jerry C. , Postman Joseph D. , Hummer Kim E. , Yeater Kathleen M.
Published: February 2022

Worldwide, hazelnut (Corylus spp.) (Family Betulaceae) is one of the most economically important nut crops cultivated in the northern hemisphere. With its tasty nuts valued on the global market, emerging discovery of the plant pharmaceutical properties, and its role in sustainable agroecosystems, there is a quest to find and develop cultivars suitable for new growing areas. In a 2‐yr study, 53 hazelnut accessions from the Corvallis germplasm collection were evaluated for nut yield, kernel percentage, weight, and shape in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) of California. The best traits were observed for ‘Lewis’ (PI 617210) and ‘Ennis’ (PI 557045); however, a few other accessions showed characteristics supporting cultivation in the SJV growing conditions. These findings might serve as a guidance for cultivar selection for farming in that region. The evaluation also contributed to the characterization of the USDA–ARS germplasm collection of Corylus.
Metallo‐Ligand Based 3d/4f Coordination Polymers: Synthesis, Structure and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Moutzouris Nikolaos , Moushi Eleni E. , Tziotzi Thomais G. , Tarlas Georgios D. , Tasiopoulos Anastasios J. , Escuer Albert , Papaefstathiou Giannis S.
Published: February 2022

Employment of N,N′‐bis(2‐hydroxy‐4‐carboxyphenyl)oxalamide (H6L) in Cu2+ chemistry afforded the mononuclear complex (Et4N)4[CuL] ⋅ 13H2O (A) which comprises a square planar [CuL]4− complex with several O donor atoms in its periphery. The 1 : 1 reaction between complex A and Ln(NO3)3 ⋅ xH2O (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Yb, x=6 or 9) in 1 : 4 mixture of ethanol/water in the presence of excess of KCl yielded two families of isomorphous 3d/4f coordination polymers, namely (Et4N)0.5[K0.5(H2O)Ln(H2O)4(CuL)] ⋅ 3H2O [Ln=La(1), Ce(2), Pr(3), Nd(4), Sm(5), Eu(6) and Gd(7)] and [K(H2O)Ln(H2O)4(CuL)] ⋅ ⋅6H2O [Ln=Tb(8), Dy(9), Ho(10), Er(11) and Yb(12)]. The crystal structures of 2–4 revealed the presence of 3D coordination polymers while the crystal structure of 9 the presence of a 2D coordination polymer. In both 3d/4f families, complex A retains its original structure and serves as a “metallo‐ligand”. The magnetic properties of 2–4, 7–9, 11 and 12 are discussed.
Brain H+/CO2 sensing and control by glial cells
Authors: Gourine Alexander V. , Dale Nicholas
Published: February 2022

Maintenance of constant brain pH is critically important to support the activity of individual neurons, effective communication within the neuronal circuits, and, thus, efficient processing of information by the brain. This review article focuses on how glial cells detect and respond to changes in brain tissue pH and concentration of CO2, and then trigger systemic and local adaptive mechanisms that ensure a stable milieu for the operation of brain circuits. We give a detailed account of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying sensitivity of glial cells to H+ and CO2 and discuss the role of glial chemosensitivity and signaling in operation of three key mechanisms that work in concert to keep the brain pH constant. We discuss evidence suggesting that astrocytes and marginal glial cells of the brainstem are critically important for central respiratory CO2 chemoreception—a fundamental physiological mechanism that regulates breathing in accord with changes in blood and brain pH and partial pressure of CO2 in order to maintain systemic pH homeostasis. We review evidence suggesting that astrocytes are also responsible for the maintenance of local brain tissue extracellular pH in conditions of variable acid loads associated with changes in the neuronal activity and metabolism, and discuss potential role of these glial cells in mediating the effects of CO2 on cerebral vasculature.
Sinonasal B‐cell lymphomas: A nationwide cohort study, with an emphasis on the prognosis and the recurrence pattern of primary diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Eriksen Patrick R. G. , Clasen‐Linde Erik , Nully Brown Peter de , Haunstrup Laura , Christoffersen Mette , Asdahl Peter , Thomsen Troels Møller , Harwood Cecilie Dupont , Heegaard Steffen , Buchwald Christian von
Published: February 2022

Lymphomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses (NPS) are rare. Knowledge on sinonasal B‐cell lymphoma (SNBCL) primarily comes from case series or single‐center studies on small cohorts. We sought to determine the subtype distribution, clinical characteristics, disease behavior, and prognosis on a nationwide scale, with an emphasis on prognostic factors for the most common sinonasal lymphoma, primary sinonasal diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (PSDLBCL). We collated all data from medical records and national databases on patients registered with SNBCL from 1980 through 2018 in the national pathology registry and collected all tissue samples for validation of diagnosis. We included 205 patients and found 10 different subtypes of lymphoma. Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was the predominant subtype (80%). The incidence of SNBCL was 0.14/100,000 person‐years. The five‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival rates for PSDLBCL were 50% and 56%, respectively. For PSDLBCL, Rituximab showed a statistically significant effect (Hazard Ratio 0.22, p < 0.001), whereas consolidative radiotherapy combined with immunochemotherapy was of limited value (PFS, p = 0.93). When treatment failure occurred, DLBCL showed a distinct pattern of recurrence/dissemination to the NPS, skin, breast, central nervous system (CNS), and/or testis. Collectively, DLBCL comprised a clear majority of SNBCLs, although nine other subtypes were represented. Data showed that immunochemotherapy increased survival for PSDLBCL and that the addition of radiotherapy did not benefit patients. Furthermore, treatment failure for sinonasal DLBCL showed a possible common pathogenesis with primary extranodal lymphomas of specific locations (e.g., CNS, skin, breast, and testis).
Investigation of subsurface connectivity and subsurface stormflow in low mountain ranges—Findings from the two research catchments Obere Brachtpe and Bohlmicke (Germany)
Authors: Chifflard Peter , Zepp Harald
Published: February 2022

The two small research catchments Obere Brachtpe (2.6 km2; 50.989986, 7.752013) and Bohlmicke (1 km2, 51.079319, 7.892988) are located in the Rhenish Massif, a low mountain range in Germany. Land use in both catchments is dominated by pasture land, spruce stands and mixed forests. Mean annual temperature is 9.1°C, and mean annual total precipitation is 1250 mm, with 15%–20% of the annual precipitation falling as snow. The geology is characterized by sandy silty clay shale from the Lower and Middle Devonian. Loamy Cambisols derived from periglacial slope deposits, complemented by Leptosols and Stagnosols, are the most prominent soils in the catchments. Long‐term hydrological datasets of precipitation, throughfall, discharge, groundwater levels and soil moisture (at different soil depths) in a high temporal and spatial resolution are available for further scientific analysis. Both catchments were monitored within the time period 1999 and 2009, in order to understand how the antecedent soil moisture, stratified soils (periglacial cover beds) and topography (slope form) impacted the subsurface connectivity, and the subsurface stormflow generation ‐ a dominant runoff generation process in humid mountainous catchments. Detailed physically based investigations on runoff processes were carried out, and the obtained results helped to better understand subsurface stormflow generation and subsurface connectivity dynamics. The process knowledge gained, which was presented at several conferences, as well as publications, was the basis for the discussion of open questions within the scientific network ‘Subsurface Stormflow ‐ A well‐recognized, but still challenging process in Catchment Hydrology’ (2016–2021), and the research unit ‘Fast and invisible: conquering subsurface stormflow through an interdisciplinary multisite approach’ (2022–2025), both financed by the German Research Foundation (DFG).
Mortality of workers employed in refractory ceramic fiber manufacturing: An update
Authors: LeMasters Grace , Lockey James E. , Hilbert Timothy J. , Burkle Jeff W. , Rice Carol H.
Published: February 2022

This study evaluates the possible association between refractory ceramic fiber (RCF) exposure and all causes of death. Current and former employees (n = 1,119) hired from 1952 to 1999 at manufacturing facilities in New York (NY) state and Indiana were included. Work histories and quarterly plant‐wide sampling from 1987 to 2015 provided cumulative fiber exposure (CFE) estimates. The full cohort was evaluated as well as individuals with lower and higher exposure, <45 and ≥45 fiber‐months/cc. The Life‐Table‐Analysis‐System was used for all standardized mortality rates (SMRs). Person‐years at risk were accumulated from start of employment until 12/31/2019 or date of death. There was no significant association with all causes, all cancers, or lung cancer in any group. In the higher exposed, there was a significant elevation in both malignancies of the “urinary organs” (SMR = 3.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.44, 7.40) and “bladder or other urinary site” (SMR = 4.04, 95% CI 1.10, 10.36), which persisted in comparison to regional mortality rates from NY state and Niagara County. However, six of the nine workers with urinary cancers were known smokers. In the lower exposed, there was a significant elevation in malignancies of the lymphatic and hematopoietic system (SMR = 2.54, 95% CI 1.27, 4.55) and leukemia (SMR = 4.21, 95% CI 1.69, 8.67). There was one pathologically unconfirmed mesothelioma death. A second employee currently living with a pathologically confirmed mesothelioma was identified, but the SMR was non‐significant when both were included in the analyses. The association of these two mesothelioma cases with RCF exposure alone is unclear because of potential past exposure to asbestos.
How surface coatings on titanium implants affect keratinized tissue: A systematic review
Authors: Van den Borre Casper E. , Zigterman Brandaan G. R. , Mommaerts Maurice Y. , Braem Annabel
Published: February 2022

Apart from osseointegration, the stability and long‐term survival of percutaneous titanium implants is also strongly dependent on a qualitative soft‐tissue integration in the transcutaneous region. A firm connective tissue seal is needed to minimize soft‐tissue dehiscence and epithelial downgrowth. It is well‐known that the implant surface plays a key role in controlling the biological response of the surrounding keratinized tissue and several coating systems have been suggested to enhance the soft‐tissue cell interactions. Although some promising results have been obtained in vitro, their clinical significance can be debated. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review is to gain more insight into the effect of such coatings on the interface formed with keratinized soft‐tissue in vivo. A comprehensive search was undertaken in March 2021. Relevant electronic databases were consulted to identify appropriate studies using a set of search strings. In total, 12 out of 4971 publications were included in this review. The reported coating systems were assigned to several subgroups according to their characteristics: metallic, ceramic and composite. Notwithstanding the differences in study characteristics (animal model, implantation period, reported outcomes), it was noticed that several coatings improve the soft‐tissue integration as compared to pristine titanium. Porous titanium coatings having only limited pore sizes (<250 μm) do not support dermal fibroblast tissue attachment. Yet, larger pores (>700 μm) allow extensive vascularized soft‐tissue infiltration, thereby supporting cell attachment. Nanostructured ceramic coatings are found to reduce the inflammatory response in favor of the formation of cell adhesive structures, that is, hemidesmosomes. Biomolecule coatings seem of particular interest to stimulate the soft‐tissue behavior provided that a durable fixation to the implant surface can be ensured. In this respect, fibroblast growth factor‐2 entrapped in a biomimetic apatite coating instigates a close to natural soft‐tissue attachment with epidermal collagen fibers attaching almost perpendicular to the implant surface. However, several studies had limitations with respect to coating characterization and detailed soft‐tissue analysis, small sample size and short implantation periods. To date, robust and long‐term in vivo studies are still lacking. Further investigation is required before a clear consensus on the optimal coating system allowing enhancing the soft‐tissue seal around percutaneous titanium implants can be reached.
Looking Beyond the Dyad: How Transformational Leadership Affects Leader–Member Exchange Quality and Outcomes
Authors: Coleman Robert A. , Donoher William J.
Published: February 2022

Despite the attention given to leadership and its understanding, the overwhelming number of approaches remain focused on one specific theory, resulting in minimal integration across theoretical borders. A leadership typology combining aspects of transformational leadership (TFL) with leader–member exchange (LMX) theory is presented in order to focus attention on the relationship between TFL behaviors and LMX outcomes. The typology demonstrates that LMX outcomes are contingent on context and develop within a richer pattern of behaviors, perceptions, and interactions than typically captured by a focus on dyadic interactions alone. LMX success thus can be seen as the result of a process that co‐evolves on the basis of interactions between leaders and followers by means of specific practices and perceptions.
Difference in the atmospheric water cycle over the Hengduan Mountains between wet and dry summers
Authors: Zhao Yin , Li Jian , Li Puxi
Published: February 2022

The atmospheric water cycle over the Hengduan Mountains (HM) is crucial to the local and downstream ecosystem and social economy, while its characteristics and variability have not been thoroughly revealed yet. Based on a bulk method, the atmospheric water cycle over the HM and its difference between wet and dry summers is analysed in this study. Results show that the summer precipitation recycling ratio over the HM is 11.5% in climatology and is significantly and negatively correlated with precipitation there on interannual timescale. In wet summers, the precipitation recycling ratio decreases by 13% compared to dry summers. The origin of water vapour for precipitation over the HM is mainly contributed by the external water vapour transport (local evaporation) in wet (dry) summers. August is found to have the strongest climatological mean precipitation recycling ratio (15.2%) and atmospheric water cycle among 3 months in summer. Also in August, the difference in precipitation recycling ratio between wet and dry summers is largest. In wet summers, although the increase in the external moisture inflow is the largest in June (3.0 × 107 kg·s−1), the increase of precipitation is the largest in August (2.6 × 107 kg·s−1) due to its stronger atmospheric water cycle. Our study promotes the knowledge of the atmospheric water cycle over the HM and provides a new perspective to understand the interannual variations of the precipitation over the HM.
Rapid determination of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B in milk using Raman spectroscopy and chemometric methods
Authors: Du Yuwan , Huang Hui , Peng Yuan , Wang Jiang , Gao Zhixian
Published: February 2022

Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B poses a serious threat to human health and therefore requires rapid detection. This work is based on Raman spectroscopy to predict the concentration of enterotoxin B in prepared milk samples based on a comparison of four chemometric methods. Based on 31 variables selected by a competitive adaptive reweighting algorithm, valid information could be obtained from 166 spectral data, and a value of 0.2 ng·L−1 of enterotoxin B in milk was detected by the competitive adaptive reweighting algorithm combined with a support vector machine regression prediction model. The correlation coefficients Rc and Rp for the training and test sets (3:1) were 0.9255 and 0.95159, respectively. Study demonstrated the feasibility of a Raman spectroscopy‐based method combined with a chemometric approach for the rapid and effective detection of S. aureus enterotoxin B concentrations in milk.
An in vitro 3D annulus fibrosus cell culture model with type I collagen: An examination of cell–matrix interactions
Authors: Molladavoodi Sara , DeWitte‐Orr Stephanie J. , Gregory Diane E.
Published: February 2022

Background

Disorders of the intervertebral disc (IVD) are widely known to result in low back pain; one of the most common debilitating conditions worldwide. As a multifaceted condition, both inflammatory environment and mechanical factors can play a crucial role in IVD damage, and in particular, in the annulus fibrosus (AF), the highly collagenous outer ring of the IVD. As a result, a better understanding of how cells from the IVD, and specifically the AF, interact and respond to their environment is imperative.

Goal

The goal of this study is to use collagen type I as an in vitro three‐dimensional extracellular matrix for AF cells of IVD and briefly examine both the cellular and mechanical effect of exposure to an inflammatory stimulant.

Methods

We utilized type I collagen as a 3D in vitro model material for culturing AF cells of Sprague Dawley rat tail IVDs.

Results

We showed that the cultured cells are viable and metabolically active; these cells also induced a distinct and significant contraction on their collagen matrix. Furthermore, to demonstrate potential versatility of our model our model and its versatility, we used lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as a known inflammatory stimulant in IVDs, to manipulate the cells and their interaction. LPS treatment resulted in detectable changes to the contraction cells induced on the collagen matrix and affected the mechanical properties of these constructs.