bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The interplay of bedrock fractures and glacial erosion in defining the present‐day land surface topography in mesoscopically isotropic crystalline rocks
Authors: Skyttä Pietari , Nordbäck Nicklas , Ojala Antti , Putkinen Niko , Aaltonen Ismo , Engström Jon , Mattila Jussi , Ovaskainen Nikolas
Published: April 2023

This paper addresses the effect of fractures within crystalline bedrock on glacial erosion processes in fast flowing hard bed glacier environments. In particular, we examine (i) whether the fracture type is critical for the capability of a glacier to erode the bedrock through quarrying/plucking processes and (ii) whether we can recognize specific fracture‐controlled erosion signatures from bedrock surface morphologies. We conducted an investigation within the northern part of the Åland Islands, southern Finland, where the ice‐flow direction (N–S) has remained constant through Late Pleistocene glaciations and where the bedrock is characterized by a lack of any mesoscopic anisotropies (such as foliation) and hence provides an optimal target to recognize the relationships between fractures and erosional morphologies. We characterized the fracture systems within the bedrock using both UAV‐acquired orthophotographs and standard field approaches and extrapolated the results to larger scales using LiDAR‐based digital elevation models. Our findings indicate that individual joints or shear fractures are associated with the development of minor vertical breaks along the bedrock surface. However, they do not provide sufficient mechanical weakness zones in the bedrock to allow effective glacial quarrying, even though their lengths can be relatively large (>50 m). By contrast, the linkage of several parallel shear fractures or the presence of larger faults with gouge‐bearing cores and well‐developed damage zones leads to localized disintegration of the rock material and the subsequent development of distinct topographic depressions along the bedrock surface. Consequently, the results allow predictions to be made about the bedrock features underlying the observed topographic signatures along the bedrock surface. Applied to the area of this investigation, abrasion associated with N–S‐directed glacial flows is responsible for the N–S‐oriented elongate but smooth fjord‐like megagrooves, whereas the more abrupt topographic breaks were generated by quarrying controlled by sub‐vertical, E–W‐trending zones of localized brittle deformation.
Rock–water interaction, chemical weathering and solute transport of two rivers draining contrasting climate gradients in Western Ghats, India
Authors: Raj Vipin T. , J.A Gayathri , M Vandana , K Sreelash , K Maya , D Padmalal , K Sajan
Published: April 2023

Rock–water interactions and chemical weathering are critical factors that determine the quality and quantity of solute transport in river catchments. However, most studies in this field have been limited to temperate regions and data from the tropics and subtropics are scarce, particularly for small rivers that are more responsive to environmental and climate changes. In this study, we investigated chemical weathering, its causal mechanisms and controlling factors that determine changes in the quality and quantity of solutes in two small, tropical mountainous rivers‐the west‐flowing Thuthapuzha river and the east‐flowing Bhavani river‐that drain through contrasting climate and geologic gradients across the southern part of the Western Ghats, in India. This region is an elevated passive continental margin and an ecologically sensitive area. Hydrochemical analysis of river water revealed that the cationic and anionic concentrations in the samples are in descending order of importance Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ and HCO3− > Cl− > SO42−. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that geogenic factors (geology, chemical weathering and leaching/erosion) have a significant role in determining the hydrochemical characteristics of the rivers. To discriminate the relative contributions of silicate weathering in the river basins, we performed a detailed analysis of the major ion ratios along with forward and inverse modelling. The weathering index computed from the molecular ratio of cations and silica concentrations suggested that silicate weathering leads to kaolinite formation in the soil profile. The carbon dioxide consumption rate (CCR) estimated for the Thuthapuzha river, which is draining the humid western flank of the Western Ghats, was 2.18 × 105 mol·km−2 year−1, whereas the Upper Bhavani river, which is draining the semi‐arid area of the Western Ghats was 1.39 × 105 mol·km−2 year−1. Our study highlights the interplay of climatic factors and the geologic characteristics of the terrain that significantly influence the nature and characteristics of solute transport through the rivers in the study area.
Chemical Mixtures and Multiple Stressors: Same but Different?
Authors: Schäfer Ralf B. , Jackson Michelle , Juvigny-Khenafou Noel , Osakpolor Stephen E. , Posthuma Leo , Schneeweiss Anke , Spaak Jürg , Vinebrooke Rolf
Published: April 2023

Ecosystems are strongly influenced by multiple anthropogenic stressors, including a wide range of chemicals and their mixtures. Studies on the effects of multiple stressors have largely focussed on nonchemical stressors, whereas studies on chemical mixtures have largely ignored other stressors. However, both research areas face similar challenges and require similar tools and methods to predict the joint effects of chemicals or nonchemical stressors, and frameworks to integrate multiple chemical and nonchemical stressors are missing. We provide an overview of the research paradigms, tools, and methods commonly used in multiple stressor and chemical mixture research and discuss potential domains of cross-fertilization and joint challenges. First, we compare the general paradigms of ecotoxicology and (applied) ecology to explain the historical divide. Subsequently, we compare methods and approaches for the identification of interactions, stressor characterization, and designing experiments. We suggest that both multiple stressor and chemical mixture research are too focused on interactions and would benefit from integration regarding null model selection. Stressor characterization is typically more costly for chemical mixtures. While for chemical mixtures comprehensive classification systems at suborganismal level have been developed, recent classification systems for multiple stressors account for environmental context. Both research areas suffer from rather simplified experimental designs that focus on only a limited number of stressors, chemicals, and treatments. We discuss concepts that can guide more realistic designs capturing spatiotemporal stressor dynamics. We suggest that process-based and data-driven models are particularly promising to tackle the challenge of prediction of effects of chemical mixtures and nonchemical stressors on (meta-)communities and (meta-)food webs. We propose a framework to integrate the assessment of effects for multiple stressors and chemical mixtures. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1915–1936. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Comparison of Established and Novel Insecticides on Survival and Reproduction of Folsomia candida
Authors: Martin William J. , Sibley Paul K. , Prosser Ryan S.
Published: April 2023

Neonicotinoids have been among the most widely and abundantly used insecticides for most of the current century. The effects of these substances on nontarget terrestrial and aquatic organisms have resulted in a significant decrease in their use in many parts of the world. In response, the application of several novel classes of insecticides including diamides, ketoenols, pyridines, and butenolides has significantly increased. The hexapod subclass Collembola is an ecologically significant and widely distributed group of soil invertebrates often found in leaf litter and in surficial soils. We exposed the parthenogenic collembolan species Folsomia candida to six insecticides in a sandy loam soil for 28 days, including two neonicotinoids (thiamethoxam and clothianidin), a diamide (cyantraniliprole), a ketoenol (spirotetramat), a pyridine (flonicamid), and a butanolide (flupyradifurone) to assess the effect of each insecticide on survival and reproduction. Clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and cyantraniliprole (median effective concentration [EC50] values for reproduction: 0.19, 0.38, and 0.49 mg/kg soil, respectively) had a greater effect on survival and reproduction of F. candida than flupyradifurone, spirotetramat, and flonicamid (EC50 values for reproduction: 0.73, >3.08, and 5.20 mg/kg soil, respectively). All significant impacts found in our study were observed at concentrations below concentrations of the active ingredients that would be expected in agricultural soils. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1516–1528. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Programmable kernel structures of atomically precise metal nanoclusters for tailoring catalytic properties
Authors: Li Ya‐Hui , Zhao Shu‐Na , Zang Shuang‐Quan
Published: April 2023

The unclear structures and polydispersity of metal nanoparticles (NPs) seriously hamper the identification of the active sites and the construction of structure‐reactivity relationships. Fortunately, ligand‐protected metal nanoclusters (NCs) with atomically precise structures and monodispersity have become an ideal candidate for understanding the well‐defined correlations between structure and catalytic property at an atomic level. The programmable kernel structures of atomically precise metal NCs provide a fantastic chance to modulate their size, shape, atomic arrangement, and electron state by the precise modulating of the number, type, and location of metal atoms. Thus, the special focus of this review highlights the most recent process in tailoring the catalytic activity and selectivity over metal NCs by precisely controlling their kernel structures. This review is expected to shed light on the in‐depth understanding of metal NCs’ kernel structures and reactivity relationships.
Sea‐ice anomalies affect the acoustic presence of Antarctic pinnipeds in breeding areas
Authors: Roca Irene T , Kaleschke Lars , Van Opzeeland Ilse
Published: April 2023

Sea ice is crucial for breeding in true Antarctic pinnipeds. Although critical to interpret and mitigate the effects of extreme climatic events on polar species, knowledge of the effects of strong sea‐ice anomalies on the reproductive activity of true Antarctic pinnipeds is scarce. Underwater vocalizations in these species play a key role in reproduction and function as indicators for presence and breeding onset. Using 8 years of recordings, we quantified the effect of sea‐ice concentration and drift on the acoustic presence probability of four pinniped species in their breeding areas. In all four species, acoustic activity timing was constant across years, but decreased when sea‐ice cover conditions were <10%, suggesting that individuals may fail to anticipate rapid changes in sea‐ice cover. In the species’ traditional breeding areas, extreme and regular negative anomalies in early austral‐summer sea ice could affect long‐term reproductive success. Our findings underscore the urgent need for a better understanding of climate‐driven changes in high‐fidelity breeding areas to mitigate current and future anthropogenic pressures, and to sustain the integrity and functionality of the Southern Ocean's ecosystems.
Near‐term forecasts of NEON lakes reveal gradients of environmental predictability across the US
Authors: Thomas R Quinn , McClure Ryan P , Moore Tadhg N , Woelmer Whitney M , Boettiger Carl , Figueiredo Renato J , Hensley Robert T , Carey Cayelan C
Published: April 2023

The US National Ecological Observatory Network's (NEON's) standardized monitoring program provides an unprecedented opportunity for comparing the predictability of ecosystems. To harness the power of NEON data for examining environmental predictability, we scaled a near‐term, iterative, water temperature forecasting system to all six NEON lakes in the conterminous US. We generated 1‐day‐ahead to 35‐days‐ahead forecasts using a process‐based hydrodynamic model that was updated with observations as they became available. Among lakes, forecasts were more accurate than a null model up to 35‐days‐ahead, with an aggregated 1‐day‐ahead root‐mean square error (RMSE) of 0.61°C and a 35‐days‐ahead RMSE of 2.17°C. Water temperature forecast accuracy was positively associated with lake depth and water clarity, and negatively associated with fetch and catchment size. The results of our analysis suggest that lake characteristics interact with weather to control the predictability of thermal structure. Our work provides some of the first probabilistic forecasts of NEON sites and a framework for examining continental‐scale predictability.
A chemometric approach based on a full factorial design to optimize terpene acylation using natural kaolin as eco‐friendly catalyst
Authors: Boukachabia Mourad , Bendjeffal Hacene , Khelassi Mounia Merabet , Riant Olivier
Published: April 2023

A statistical approach was successfully applied to optimize the acylation of l‐menthol 1 in the presence of natural kaolin as an eco‐compatible catalyst. The influence of the main variation of the operating parameters, namely solvent volume, amount of the acyl donor, temperature and the catalytic rate of kaolin, was studied. A full factorial design (FFD) was used to search for the optimum of each parameter affecting the evolution of l‐menthol 1 acylation. A quadratic polynomial regression model was applied to analyse the experimental data with a p‐confidence level <.05 (95%). Statistical analysis of the data confirmed that temperature (T), acyl donor/acceptor ratio (Qa), kaolin mass (Qc) and solvent volume (V) were the significant factors affecting the l‐menthol catalytic acylation process. The determination coefficient of the adopted model was in the order of 98%. A set of optimal reaction conditions was established, and experimental tests were performed to validate the optimal conditions; the threshold of 100% was reached. Monitoring the kinetic profile of the reaction by gas chromatography (GC) showed complete conversion after 30 min of reaction. An upgrade of this developed environmentally benign process was applied to some monoterpenic alcohols, and the corresponding acetates were yielding at 45%–90%.
A database of detrital zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotopes for the Middle East (Iranian and Arabian plates)
Authors: Sun Gaoyuan , Chen Jianuo
Published: April 2023

The detrital zircon records significant information in the ‘source‐sink’ system. With the application of in situ laser ablation technology, a large number of high‐quality detrital zircon data have been published since 2000. In this study, a total of 41,342 detrital zircon U–Pb ages and 6,129 Hf isotopes were compiled from the published literatures of the Middle East (Iranian and Arabian plates). Through data filtering and recalculation, valid data were employed for further analysis. The detrital zircons from the Middle East show a Cambrian–Precambrian age population of 500–1,000 Ma, with a major age peak of ~620 Ma and dispersed εHf(t) values of −35 to +20. The Alborz Mountains and central Iran terrane show a Permo–Triassic age range of 200–300 Ma. The Mesozoic–Cenozoic detrital zircons are mostly occurred in the Zagros orogenic belt and Makran accretionary complex, with three obvious age ranges of 145–180 Ma, 80–110 Ma and 15–65 Ma. The Mesozoic zircons yield positive εHf(t) values, while Cenozoic zircons have varied εHf(t) values. This database allows for the further exploration of the provenance analysis and application in constraining the timing of the major tectonic events in the Middle East, and may also help to explore the affinities of plates, thus guiding future palaeogeographic research efforts.
High‐rate sodium‐ion storage of vanadium nitride via surface‐redox pseudocapacitance
Authors: Wei Qiulong , Huang Tingyi , Huang Xiaojuan , Wang Binhao , Jiang Yalong , Tang Dafu , Peng Dong‐Liang , Dunn Bruce , Mai Liqiang
Published: April 2023

Vanadium nitride (VN) electrode displays high‐rate, pseudocapacitive responses in aqueous electrolytes, however, it remains largely unclear in nonaqueous, Na+‐based electrolytes. The traditional view supposes a conversion‐type mechanism for Na+ storage in VN anodes but does not explain the phenomena of their size‐dependent specific capacities and underlying causes of pseudocapacitive charge storage behaviors. Herein, we insightfully reveal the VN anode exhibits a surface‐redox pseudocapacitive mechanism in nonaqueous, Na+‐based electrolytes, as demonstrated by kinetics analysis, experimental observations, and first‐principles calculations. Through ex situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and semiquantitative analyses, the Na+ storage is characterized by redox reactions occurring with the V5+/V4+ to V3+ at the surface of VN particles, which is different from the well‐known conversion reaction mechanism. The pseudocapacitive performance is enhanced through nanoarchitecture design via oxidized vanadium states at the surface. The optimized VN‐10 nm anode delivers a sodium‐ion storage capability of 106 mAh g−1 at the high specific current of 20 A g−1, and excellent cycling performance of 5000 cycles with negligible capacity losses. This work demonstrates the emerging opportunities of utilizing pseudocapacitive charge storage for realizing high‐rate sodium‐ion storage applications.
Development and application of a thin‐film molecularly imprinted polymer for the measurement of mycophenolic acid in human plasma
Authors: Langille Evan , Bottaro Christina S.
Published: April 2023

Background

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is used to suppress the immune response following organ transplantation; however, complex pharmacokinetic behavior and a large interpersonal variability necessitate therapeutic drug monitoring. To overcome the limitations of current sample preparation techniques, we present a novel thin‐film molecularly imprinted polymer (TF‐MIP) extraction device as part of a simple, sensitive, and fast method for analysis of MPA from human plasma.

Methods

Mycophenolic acid is extracted from plasma using a tailor‐made TF‐MIP that is subsequently desorbed into an organic solvent system compatible with mass spectrometry. The MIP yielded higher recovery of MPA relative to a corresponding non‐imprinted polymer. The method allows for the determination of MPA in 45 min including analysis time and can be scaled for high throughput to process as many as 96 samples per hour.

Results

The method gave an LOD of 0.3 ng mL−1 and was linear from 5 to 250 ng mL−1. Patient plasma samples (35 μL) were diluted using charcoal‐stripped pooled plasma to a final extraction volume of 700 μL; when MPA in patient plasma is high, this ratio can easily be adjusted to ensure samples are within the method linear range. Intra‐ and inter‐day variability were 13.8% and 4.3% (at 15 ng mL−1) and 13.5% and 11.0% (at 85 ng mL−1), respectively (n = 3); inter‐device variability was 9.6% (n = 10).

Conclusions

Low inter‐device variability makes these devices suitable for single use in a clinical setting, and the fast and robust method is suitable for therapeutic drug monitoring, where throughput and time‐to‐result are critical.
Tracking the disulfide rearrangement of heated lactoglobulin by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐in‐source decay top‐down analysis
Authors: Wei Xiaoyun , Luo Peiqi , Zhan Lingpeng
Published: April 2023

Disulfide bond rearrangement is a common occurrence during protein analysis or treatment. A convenient and rapid method has been developed to investigate heat‐induced disulfide rearrangement of lactoglobulin using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐in‐source decay (MALDI‐ISD) technology. By analyzing heated lactoglobulin in reflectron and linear mode, we demonstrated that cysteines C66 and C160 exist as free residues other than linked ones in some protein isomers. This method provides a straightforward and expeditious way to assess the cysteine status and structural changes of proteins under heat stress.
Identification of immunological bioprocesses involved in peri‐implantitis using weighted gene co‐expression network analysis
Authors: Chen Liang‐Wen , Jin Su‐Han , Lu Qian , Zhou Jian‐Guo , Liu Jian‐Guo , Guan Xiao‐Yan , Xia Hai‐Bin , He Hong
Published: April 2023

Background

Peri‐implantitis is an irreversible infectious disease that occurs with high incidence. Exploring the immune responses of peri‐implantitis is key to developing targeted treatment strategies. However, there is limited research on the immune response of peri‐implantitis.

Methods

This study performed a weighted gene co‐expression network analysis to identify the peri‐implantitis related gene network and conducted a functional enrichment analysis of the gene network. Thereafter, the candidate hub genes were selected by constructing a protein‐protein interaction network and drawing an upset plot. The hub genes were identified through their significant associations with disease condition and validated using quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) analysis. Using the gene set variation analysis, the hub genes were further used to explore infiltrating immunocytes and immune factors in peri‐implantitis. Finally, the immunocytes and immune factor related hub genes were intersected to obtain the therapeutic target, which was validated using histological staining.

Results

The peri‐implantitis related gene network was enriched in innate and adaptive immune response. Subsequently, interleukin (IL)1B, IL10, ITGAM, ITGB1, STAT3, and TLR4 were identified as hub genes. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells, macrophages, myeloid‐derived suppressor cells, natural killer T cells, and immature B cells were positively and significantly related to the hub genes IL1B, TLR4, ITGAM, and ITGB1 (correlation coefficient > 0.80). While immune factors CXCL10, IL6, and CXCL12 and hub genes IL10 and IL1B held the highest degree in the immune factors network. IL1B may be a promising therapeutic target.

Conclusion

This study provides new insights into the hub genes, immunocytes, and immune factors underlying peri‐implantitis immunological bioprocess.
Does non‐metastatic gastric cancer of the cardia warrant a different treatment strategy?
Authors: Ajay Pranay S. , NeMoyer Rachel , Goyal Subir , Switchenko Jeffery M. , Lin Yong , Jabbour Salma K. , Carpizo Darren R. , Paulos Chrystal M. , Kennedy Timothy J. , Shah Mihir M.
Published: April 2023

Background

Multimodal treatment strategies with surgery as its centerpiece have been accepted as the standard of care in nonmetastatic cardia gastric cancer (CGC). There remains a lack of consensus regarding the optimal multimodal treatment strategy.

Method

We queried National Cancer Database from 2004 to 2016 to identify patients with resected nonmetastatic CGC who received perioperative chemotherapy (PEC), postoperative chemoradiation therapy (POCR), or postoperative chemotherapy (POC). A subgroup analysis was performed in optimally treated patients defined as initial chemotherapy within 45 days of diagnosis, resection within 45 days of diagnosis, negative margins, adjuvant chemotherapy within 90 days of resection, and standard radiation dose (45 Gy). Kaplan–Meier, Univariate analysis (UVA), and Multivariable analysis (MVA) were performed.

Results

We identified 2387 patients. Median survival was 38.8 months in the PEC group, 36 months in the POCR group, and 32.3 months in the POC group (p = 0.1025). On UVA, patients treated with PEC had an association with improved survival (HR, 0.83; p = 0.037) when compared with POC. On MVA, no significant difference was noted in overall survival (OS) between PEC, POCR, and POC, similar to subgroup analysis of optimally treated cohort.

Conclusion

OS rate in nonmetastatic CGC is not significantly different between patients receiving PEC, POCR, or POC.
A propensity score–matched analysis of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy versus surgery alone for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Kexi , Liang Yicheng , Huang Jing , Xie Xuan , Wu Duoguang , Chen Baishen , Wang Kefeng , Shen Zhuojian , Li Yuquan , Wang Wenjian , Hu Xueting , Wang Minghui
Published: April 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and oncologic outcomes of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy (NICT) group and surgery alone group in the treatment of patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

A series of 232 consecutive patients who underwent surgery with or without NICT from June 2019 to August 2022 were evaluated. We performed propensity score matching between the NICT and surgery alone groups on the basis of estimated propensity scores for each patient.

Results

After propensity score matching, data of 137 patients with clinical stages II–IV ESCC, including 85 receiving surgery alone and 52 receiving NICT, were analyzed. Compared with the surgery alone group (301.7 ± 94.4 min), the operation time was significantly longer in the NICT group (333.4 ± 79.7 min). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the postoperative complications, intraoperative blood loss, thoracic fluid volume, chest tube duration, lengths of intensive care unit stay and postoperative hospitalization. Additionally, 90‐day mortality rate and 30‐day readmission were similar in both groups.

Conclusions

Overall, NICT followed by esophagectomy appears to be safe and feasible for locally advanced ESCC. However, further multicenter prospective clinical trials are needed to validate our results.
An offline column extraction with Presep® PolyChelate resin and AG1‐X8 resin for the determination of the isotope compositions of low‐concentration lead in natural waters by the multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Jiang Shuo , Zhang Jing
Published: April 2023

A new high‐precision offline method for the determination of seawater lead (Pb) isotope ratios was developed, which simplifies and optimizes previously published protocols for the isotopic analysis of trace elements. The procedure involves initial separation of Pb from 250 to 500 mL of seawater by Presep® PolyChelate cation exchange resin and purification by AG1‐X8 anion exchange resin, and subsequently analyzed by Neptune multi‐collector ICP‐MS. For the extraction of Pb in seawater, the Presep® PolyChelate resin was characterized by a wide pH range and a faster adsorption rate, greatly reducing the volume of buffer solution required and significantly shortening the time required for the whole process. The total procedural Pb blank of this method is < 0.05% of the sample extract and the typical Pb recovery is ~ 100%. The method was evaluated by processing GEOTRACES intercalibration samples surface water (GSI, 206Pb/207Pb = 1.1744, 208Pb/206Pb = 2.0844) and GEOTRACES GP15 sample (14140#, 206Pb/207Pb = 1.1685, 208Pb/206Pb = 2.0960). Finally, this method was applied to riverine samples from the Changjiang and seawater samples from the East China Sea, and the in situ extraction was also applied in the Indian Ocean.
Ultralong Single‐Ended Random Fiber Laser and Sensor
Authors: Han Bing , Wu Han , Liu Yang , Dong Shisheng , Rao Yunjiang , Wang Zinan , Xu Jiangming , Ma Lingmei
Published: April 2023

Random fiber laser (RFL) utilizing stimulated Raman scattering and distributed random Rayleigh backscattering in fiber as optical gain and feedback mechanisms, respectively, has been developed rapidly in the past decade. Here, it is found, for the first time, that the combination of a high‐order pump and new transmission fiberthat has lower transmission loss, Rayleigh backscattering coefficient, and Raman gain coefficient than standard single‐mode fibercan break the length limits of both random fiber lasing and sensing. With a higher‐order pump and ultralow loss fiber (ULLF), the position of maximum intracavity lasing power can be shifted toward the far end of the fiber span resulting in more remote pump power for the erbium‐doped fiber (EDF) inserted in the fiber span, which plays a dominant role of cavity length extension in RFL. A 200 km ultralong single‐ended RFL and sensor are experimentally demonstrated, which are the longest single‐ended RFL and sensor with functional remote reflectors reported to date. It is believed that the proposed combination of high‐order random lasing and ULLF with EDF can become a general method to extend the working distance of various fiber sensing systems for safety monitoring of ultralong infrastructures, such as power transmission lines and oil/gas pipelines.
Fast and furious: The neutrophil and its armamentarium in health and disease
Authors: Metzemaekers Mieke , Malengier‐Devlies Bert , Gouwy Mieke , De Somer Lien , Cunha Fernando de Queiroz , Opdenakker Ghislain , Proost Paul
Published: April 2023

Neutrophils are powerful effector cells leading the first wave of acute host‐protective responses. These innate leukocytes are endowed with oxidative and nonoxidative defence mechanisms, and play well‐established roles in fighting invading pathogens. With microbicidal weaponry largely devoid of specificity and an all‐too‐well recognized toxicity potential, collateral damage may occur in neutrophil‐rich diseases. However, emerging evidence suggests that neutrophils are more versatile, heterogeneous, and sophisticated cells than initially thought. At the crossroads of innate and adaptive immunity, neutrophils demonstrate their multifaceted functions in infectious and noninfectious pathologies including cancer, autoinflammation, and autoimmune diseases. Here, we discuss the kinetics of neutrophils and their products of activation from bench to bedside during health and disease, and provide an overview of the versatile functions of neutrophils as key modulators of immune responses and physiological processes. We focus specifically on those activities and concepts that have been validated with primary human cells.
Fat mitigation strategies to improve image quality of radial 4D flow MRI in obese subjects
Authors: Shamim A. M. K. Muntasir , Panagiotopoulos Nikolaos , Spahic Alma , Harris David T. , Roldán‐Alzate Alejandro , Wieben Oliver , Reeder Scott B. , Oechtering Thekla Helene , Johnson Kevin M.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study addresses the challenges in obtaining abdominal 4D flow MRI of obese patients. We aimed to evaluate spectral saturation and inner volume excitation as methods to mitigating artifacts originating from adipose signals, with the goal of enhancing image quality and improving quantification.

Methods

Radial 4D flow MRI acquisitions with fat mitigation (inner volume excitation [IVE] and intermittent fat saturation [FS]) were compared to a standard slab selective excitation (SSE) in a test–retest study of 15 obese participants. IVE selectively excited a cylindrical region of interest, avoiding contamination from peripheral adipose tissue, while FS globally suppressed fat based on spectral selection. Acquisitions were evaluated qualitatively based on expert ratings and quantitatively based on conservation of mass, test–retest repeatability, and a divergence free quality metric. Errors were evaluated statistically using the absolute and relative errors, regression, and Bland–Altman analysis.

Results

IVE demonstrated superior performance quantitatively in the conservation of mass analysis in the portal vein, with higher correlation and lower bias in regression analysis. IVE also produced flow fields with the lowest divergence error and was rated best in overall image quality, delineating small vessels, and producing the least streaking artifacts. Evaluation results did not differ significantly between FS and SSE. Test–retest reproducibility was similarly high for all sequences, with data suggesting biological variations dominate the technical variability.

Conclusion

IVE improved hemodynamic assessment of radial 4D flow MRI in the abdomen of obese participants while FS did not lead to significant improvements in image quality or flow metrics.
Open‐source myocardial T1 mapping with simultaneous multi‐slice acceleration: Combining an auto‐calibrated blipped‐bSSFP readout with VERSE‐MB pulses
Authors: Gaspar Andreia S. , Silva Nuno A. , Price Anthony N. , Ferreira António M. , Nunes Rita G.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Enabling fast and accessible myocardial T1 mapping is crucial for extending its clinical application. We introduce Open‐MOLLI‐SMS combining simultaneous multi‐slice (SMS) with auto‐calibration and variable‐rate selective excitation (VERSE)‐multiband pulses to obtain all slices in a fast single‐shot T1 mapping sequence.

Methods

Open‐MOLLI‐SMS was developed by integrating SMS with the open‐source method Open‐MOLLI previously implemented in Pulseq. Three methods were integrated for Open‐MOLLI‐SMS: (1) auto‐calibration blip patterns to ensure consistency between the data and coil information; (2) a blipped‐balanced SSFP (bSSFP) readout to induce controlled aliasing in parallel imaging shifts without disturbing the bSSFP frequency response; and (3) a VERSE‐multiband pulse for minimizing the achievable TR and the specific absortion rate (SAR) impact of SMS. Two (SMS2) or three (SMS3) slices were excited simultaneously and encoded with an in‐plane acceleration factor of 2. Experiments were performed in the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine/National Institute of Standards and Technology phantom and five healthy volunteers.

Results

Phantom results show accurate T1 estimates for reference values between 400 to 2200 ms. Artifacts were visible for Open‐MOLLI‐SMS3 but not replicated in vivo. In vivo Open‐MOLLI‐SMS (T1SMS2 = 993 ± 10 ms; T1SMS3 = 1031 ± 17 ms) provided similar values to mean T1 single‐band Open‐MOLLI estimates (T1Open‐MOLLI = 1005 ± 47 ms). Open‐MOLLI‐SMS2 provided the closest estimates to the reference.

Conclusion

This proof‐of‐principle implementation study demonstrates the feasibility of speeding up T1‐mapping acquisitions and increasing coverage by combining auto‐calibration strategies with a blipped‐bSFFP readout and VERSE multiband RF excitation pulses. The proposed methodology was built on the Open‐MOLLI mapping sequence, which provides a fast means for prototyping and enables open‐source sharing of the method.
Single‐shot spiral diffusion‐weighted imaging at 7T using expanded encoding with compressed sensing
Authors: Varela‐Mattatall Gabriel , Dubovan Paul I. , Santini Tales , Gilbert Kyle M. , Menon Ravi S. , Baron Corey A.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The expanded encoding model incorporates spatially‐ and time‐varying field perturbations for correction during reconstruction. To date, these reconstructions have used the conjugate gradient method with early stopping used as implicit regularization. However, this approach is likely suboptimal for low‐SNR cases like diffusion or high‐resolution MRI. Here, we investigate the extent that ‐wavelet regularization, or equivalently compressed sensing (CS), combined with expanded encoding improves trade‐offs between spatial resolution, readout time and SNR for single‐shot spiral DWI at 7T. The reconstructions were performed using our open‐source graphics processing unit‐enabled reconstruction toolbox, “MatMRI,” that allows inclusion of the different components of the expanded encoding model, with or without CS.

Methods

In vivo accelerated single‐shot spirals were acquired with five acceleration factors (R) (2×–6×) and three in‐plane spatial resolutions (1.5, 1.3, and 1.1 mm). From the in vivo reconstructions, we estimated diffusion tensors and computed fractional anisotropy maps. Then, simulations were used to quantitatively investigate and validate the impact of CS‐based regularization on image quality when compared to a known ground truth.

Results

In vivo reconstructions revealed improved image quality with retainment of small features when CS was used. Simulations showed that the joint use of the expanded encoding model and CS improves accuracy of image reconstructions (reduced mean‐squared error) over the range of R investigated.

Conclusion

The expanded encoding model and CS regularization are complementary tools for single‐shot spiral diffusion MRI, which enables both higher spatial resolutions and higher R.
Increased nutrition risk is associated with a prolonged negative conversion of viral RNA in children and adolescents with COVID‐19
Authors: Cai Yanliang , Huang Zhifeng , Wu Bin , Wu Peilin , Zhang Yifei , Lin Yueli , Wang Qingwen , Liang Shishan , Chen Suqing
Published: April 2023

Background

This study aimed to determine the factors affecting the time to negative conversion of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in children and adolescents, with particular reference to nutrition risk assessment on admission.

Methods

This retrospective observational study was conducted in a sentinel hospital for novel coronavirus in Quanzhou, China. The study population comprised children and adolescents with COVID‐19 admitted to the isolation wards between March 25 and April 12, 2022. Based on the Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Paediatrics (STAMP), nutrition risk screening was performed within 24 h of admission. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify independent factors for the time to negative viral RNA conversion.

Results

A total of 185 patients with confirmed COVID‐19 were included in this study. The median time to viral RNA conversion (from the first day of a positive nucleic acid test to the first day of consecutive negative results) was 15 days (IQR 12–18 days), ranging from 4 to 25 days. High nutrition risk (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.543, 95% CI: 0.334–0.881) and fever (HR: 0.663; 95% CI: 0.483–0.910) were independent factors influencing the negative conversion of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA.

Conclusion

High nutrition risk and fever were independently associated with delayed viral clearance in children and adolescents with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, so these factors should be considered during the treatment plans for infected children and adolescents.
Design of material regulatory mechanism for electrocatalytic converting NO/NO3−to NH3progress
Authors: Lu Guolong , Gao Sanshuang , Liu Qian , Zhang Shusheng , Luo Jun , Liu Xijun
Published: April 2023

Nitric oxide (NO)/nitrate (NO3−) exists as the most hazardous pollutions in the air/water that severely impacts human health. Conventional disposing methods are energy‐consuming and uneconomic. Moreover, ammonia (NH3) fertilizer resources acquire urgent, eco‐friendly, and economical strategies that can remove NO/NO3−pollution and simultaneously convert nitrate species, maintaining nitrogen balance. Electrochemical nitrogen (N) reduction is attracting more attention, particularly electrocatalytic NO/NO3−reduction (ENR) to ammonia supply an approach to fixed nitrogen and generate ammonia. ENR is capable of achieving high NH3yield and Faradaic efficiency (FE), avoiding competitive hydrogen evolution reactions and easily overcoming strong N≡N triple bond (941 kJ mol−1). There are abundant research studies related to ENR for decreasing hazardous NO/NO3−and supplying profitable NH3. In this review, we discuss different electrocatalytic regulations for crystalline facet engineering, heteroatom doping, heterostructure, surface vacancy engineering, and single‐atom structure, which bring various metal/nonmetal and their combined catalysts to the preferable performance, such as reactivity, selectivity, FE, and stability. Finally, we summarize the challenges and provide the perspectives to promote the industrial application of ENR.

Key Points

This review focusing on systematically introduce the different modification strategies and regulatory mechanism to enhance the electrochemical performance for NORR/NO3RR, including crystalline facet engineering, heteroatom doping, heterostructure, surface vacancy engineering, and single atom structure.
An unconditionally stable artificial compression method for the time‐dependent groundwater‐surface water flows
Authors: Qin Yi , Wang Yang , Hou Yanren , Li Jian
Published: April 2023

In this article, we propose a second order, unconditionally stable artificial compression method for the fully evolutionary Stokes/Darcy and Navier‐Stokes/Darcy equations that model the coupling surface and groundwater flows. It uncouples the surface from the groundwater flow by the Crank‐Nicolson Leapfrog scheme for the discretization in time, and through the artificial compression method without artificial pressure boundary conditions to decouple the velocity and pressure of the incompressible flow. Finally, we have verified the stability and second‐order convergence of the algorithm from theoretical analysis and numerical experiments.
A note on a posteriori error analysis for dual mixed methods with mixed boundary conditions
Authors: Barrios Tomás P. , Bustinza Rommel , Campos Camila
Published: April 2023

In this article, we give a description of a technique to develop an a posteriori error estimator for the dual mixed methods, when applied to elliptic partial differential equations with non homogeneous mixed boundary conditions. The approach considers conforming finite elements for the discrete scheme, and a quasi‐Helmholtz decomposition result to obtain a residual a posteriori error estimator. After applying first a homogenization technique (for the Neumann boundary condition), we derive an a posteriori error estimator, which looks to be expensive to compute. This motivates the derivation of another a posteriori error estimator, that is fully computable. As a consequence, we establish the equivalence between the latter a posteriori error estimator and the natural norm of the error, that is, we prove the reliability and local efficiency of the aforementioned estimator. Finally, we report numerical examples showing the good properties of the estimator, in agreement with the theoretical results of this work.
Venetoclax in combination with chemotherapy as treatment for pediatric advanced hematologic malignancies
Authors: Marinoff Amanda E. , Aaronson Kathryn , Agrawal Anurag K. , Braun Benjamin S. , Golden Carla , Huang Benjamin J. , Michlitsch Jennifer , Southworth Erica , Thrall Allyson , Vo Kieuhoa T. , Stieglitz Elliot
Published: April 2023

Background

Venetoclax is frequently used as salvage treatment in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult (AYA) patients with advanced hematologic malignancies. However, more data are needed from real‐world studies to guide the safe and appropriate use of venetoclax in this population.

Procedure

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients diagnosed with hematologic malignancies less than 30 years of age treated with venetoclax outside of clinical trials at the University of California San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospitals from 2016 to 2022.

Results

We identified 13 patients (acute myeloid leukemia, n = 8; B‐acute lymphoblastic leukemia, n = 3; myelodysplastic syndrome, n = 2) aged 4 months to 27 years. A median of 3 prior lines of therapy weregiven (range 0–5). All patients received venetoclax in combination with either a hypomethylating agent or conventional chemotherapy. Three (23%) patients achieved complete remission (CR); two (15%) achieved partial remission (PR); 3 (23%) had stable disease (SD), and five (42%) had progressive disease. Median survival and time to progression from venetoclax initiation was 9 months (range 2.5–52 months) and 3 months (range 2 weeks to 7.5 months), respectively. Six patients (46%) developed grade 3 or higher infections while receiving venetoclax, including bacteremia due to atypical organisms, invasive pulmonary infections with Aspergillus, cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia, skin infections, and encephalitis with bacterial brain abscesses.

Conclusions

Venetoclax in combination with hypomethylating agents or cytotoxic chemotherapy was effective in a subset of pediatric/AYA patients with advanced hematologic malignancies, but multiple severe infections were observed, particularly among patients who received venetoclax in combination with chemotherapy. Prospective studies will be required to determine the optimal dose and duration of venetoclax in this population.
Self‐healing study of impact damage in carbon fiber composites based on electrostatically spun polyacrylonitrile core–shell nanofibers
Authors: Mao Chi , Cai Haopeng , Gan Yu , Li Mengzhi
Published: April 2023

Carbon fiber composites containing core–shell nanofibers (PAN@CFRP) were prepared by incorporating electrospun polyacrylonitrile core–shell nanofibers between the layers of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites and the damage healing ability was assessed after being subjected to low‐velocity impact. Three impact energies (25.2, 33.5, and 41.9 J) were selected for the study. The incorporation of core–shell nanofibers improved the impact resistance of the composites compared with pure carbon fiber composites (CFRP); the PAN@CFRP specimens were found to have a smaller damage area and a lower damage level by visual observation and optical microscopy. The healing efficiency was 66.3%, 43.5%, and 8.83% for the residual compressive strength and was normalized to the residual compressive strength when the impact energy was less than 37.5 J. The healed materials were found to recover more than 80% of their undamaged residual compressive strength when the impact energy was less than 37.5 J. Therefore, the core–shell nanofiber healing system can, to a certain extent, solve the problems caused by the incorporation of other healing systems, and can largely recover the impact damage encountered in practical applications.
Postnatal genetic testing on cord blood for prenatally identified high‐probability cases
Authors: Adams Sophie , Llorin Hannah , Dobson Lori J. , Studwell Courtney , Wilkins‐Haug Louise , Guseh Stephanie , Gray Kathryn J.
Published: April 2023

Objective

To evaluate the utility of postnatal genetic testing on umbilical cord blood (CB) for prenatally identified high‐probability fetuses.

Method

CB for genetic testing was offered to individuals who met one of the following criteria: (i) fetal anomaly, (ii) positive non‐invasive prenatal screening by cfDNA or biochemical analysis, or (iii) family history. Individuals with diagnostic testing, but not microarray, were also included when recommended by society guidelines. CB was collected at Brigham and Women's and Emerson Hospitals between 2016 and 2021.

Results

448 individuals consented for cord blood testing (370 (82.6%) for fetal anomalies, 51 (11.4%) for high‐probability cfDNA, and 27 (6.0%) for family history) and a total of 393 (87.7%) samples were analyzed. Genetic testing yielded a diagnosis in 92 (23.4%) neonates by karyotype (n = 37), chromosomal microarray (CMA) (n = 32), and other molecular analysis (n = 23). Testing averaged 10.3 days (range 1–118 days). 68 (73.9%) diagnoses potentially impacted neonatal management. MCC could not be definitively excluded in only 1.4% (6/418) of samples.

Conclusion

Prenatal identification of high‐probability fetuses and genetic testing on CB facilitates timely genetic diagnoses and neonatal management. Testing provides reassurance and reduces a postnatal diagnostic odyssey for high‐probability neonates.
Numerical modeling of gas‐phase reactions of tetraethoxysilane/O2/Ar atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge for deposition
Authors: Chang Jiaxin , Dai Dong , Kong Fei , Shao Tao
Published: April 2023

A chemical kinetic model is developed to study the decomposition of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in O2/Ar atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge and compared with gas chromatography and optical emission spectroscopy results. The calculations indicate that the excited Ar dominates the fragmentation of TEOS in the absence of oxygen and mainly breaks the carbon–carbon bonds in TEOS. However, in the presence of oxygen, the primary decomposition process of TEOS is the substitution of ethoxy (–OC2H5) by hydroxyl (–OH). The variation of these two reactions with oxygen composition could explain the transition of the deposition layer from organic to norganic. The model and its results provide a theoretical basis for further modeling and regulating the quality of the deposition layer.