bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultra‐deep desulfurization of mercaptan by cyclic selective adsorption‐reactive regeneration at room temperature
Authors: Yang Cuiting , Miao Guang , Sarbacker Eric , He Haoran , Dong Lei , Wu Bowen , Li Guoqing , Janik Michael J. , Xiao Jing
Published: January 2022

A cyclic process of selective adsorption‐reactive regeneration over bifunctional Z‐sorb was proposed for desulfurization of heavy mercaptan from gasoline under ambient conditions. A pronounced adsorption capacity (25.7 mg‐S/g‐adsorbent) and selectivity (206.1, ~10 times over 1‐hexene) of heptanethiol over bifunctional Z‐sorb were achieved, which can be attributed to the strong adsorbate–adsorbent interaction calculated as high as −44.6 kJ/mol. Catalytic reactive regeneration was proposed to remove stubbornly adsorbed heptanethiol, which achieved complete recovery of Z‐sorb in multiple cycles under room temperature. With the aid of minor H2O2, the strongly adsorbed heptanethiol in the form of metal‐thiolate (Zn‐SR) transformed to readily desorbed disulfide, which was elucidated via the combined experiment and density functional theory calculations. The developed process provides insights to resolve the trade‐off between adsorption selectivity and regenerability, paving the way for energy‐efficient industrial adsorptive de‐mercaptan of gasoline.
Design and optimization of JO‐IEX process for highly efficient quaternary separation of 5′‐ribonucleotides
Authors: Dai Kun , Jiao Pengfei , Peng Xiaoqiang , Kou Jingwei , Yang Pengpeng , Zhuang Wei , Ying Hanjie , Wu Jinglan
Published: January 2022

The developed JO‐IEX technology was applied to continuously separate four 5′‐ribonucleotides here. The unit contained seven columns with three separation steps, among which three columns were for the quaternary separation and the others for regeneration of resins. The operating conditions, that is, the critical flow rates in three separation steps were preliminarily designed according to the equilibrium theory and optimized by a three‐dimensional theoretical separation region approach. The feasibility of the JO‐IEX process and the separation performances were validated by four runs using the actual 5′‐ribonucleotides' enzymatic hydrolysate as feed solutions. The purities and yields of 5′‐ribonucleotides could reach above 97%. The productivity was enhanced to be 0.91 g/(kg h), and the desorbent consumption was reduced to be 1.01 L/g, compared to those of 0.70 g/(kg h) and 1.75 L/g in the fixed‐bed process. The technology proposed could be a potential technique in the continuous multicomponent ion‐exchange separation process.
Indigenous community psychologies, decolonization, and radical imagination within ecologies of knowledges
Authors: Ciofalo Nuria , Dudgeon Patricia , Nikora Linda W.
Published: January 2022

As the American Psychological Association Taskforce on Indigenous Psychology acknowledges, fidelity to the inalienable right to self‐determination is the ethical foundation of Indigenous psychology. The task of decolonizing psychology is not only about divesting from Eurocentric paradigms that have controlled and limited Indigenous wellbeing, but producing new paradigms founded on Indigenous knowledges. The Indigenous paradigm of social and emotional wellbeing is both a new therapeutic practice and theory of wellbeing. As the exploration of the domains of SEWB has shown, findings from the National Empowerment Project indicate that strengthening a connection to culture is identified as of highest importance to the flourishing of Indigenous individuals, families, and communities. Wellbeing in Abya Yala (the Americas) is conceived as Sumak Kawsay or Buen Vivir and Māori constructs of wellbeing as Hauora. These transnational wellbeing conceptualizations can be situated within a larger global health movement, which is centered on strengthening Indigenous cultures of wellbeing, and sustainable planet–people relationships. Indigenous community psychologies are not anthropocentric and are centered on the sacredness of nature, the cultivation of spirituality, and accountability to maintain harmonious ecosystem relationships. Indigenous community psychologies from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and Mexico are brought in plurilogue envisioning international solidarity networks that engage communities, activists, and committed student generations.
Cage‐Opened C60 Isomers with Different Reactivities
Authors: Zhang Sheng , Hashikawa Yoshifumi , Murata Yasujiro
Published: January 2022

We synthesized two cage‐opened C60 isomers with different arrangement of an imine moiety on their orifices and investigated reactivities of them toward nucleophiles. Both isomers underwent the enlargement of the opening by the reaction with N‐methylmorpholine N‐oxide in comparable yields while the reaction with MeOH caused an orifice contraction via a transannular cyclization resulting in obviously different yields. The products in the latter reaction have a new hexagonal or heptagonal ring on their skeletons. The observed difference in reactivity could be explained by the greater thermodynamic stabilization in the hexagon‐containing isomer compared with the other.
Viruses associated with ill health in wild chimpanzees
Authors: Negrey Jacob D. , Mitani John C. , Wrangham Richard W. , Otali Emily , Reddy Rachna B. , Pappas Tressa E. , Grindle Kristine A. , Gern James E. , Machanda Zarin P. , Muller Martin N. , Langergraber Kevin E. , Emery Thompson Melissa , Goldberg Tony L.
Published: January 2022

Viral infection is a major cause of ill health in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), but most evidence to date has come from conspicuous disease outbreaks with high morbidity and mortality. To examine the relationship between viral infection and ill health during periods not associated with disease outbreaks, we conducted a longitudinal study of wild eastern chimpanzees (P. t. schweinfurthii) in the Kanyawara and Ngogo communities of Kibale National Park, Uganda. We collected standardized, observational health data for 4 years and then used metagenomics to characterize gastrointestinal viromes (i.e., all viruses recovered from fecal samples) in individual chimpanzees before and during episodes of clinical disease. We restricted our analyses to viruses thought to infect mammals or primarily associated with mammals, discarding viruses associated with nonmammalian hosts. We found 18 viruses (nine of which were previously identified in this population) from at least five viral families. Viral richness (number of viruses per sample) did not vary by health status. By contrast, total viral load (normalized proportion of sequences mapping to viruses) was significantly higher in ill individuals compared with healthy individuals. Furthermore, when ill, Kanyawara chimpanzees exhibited higher viral loads than Ngogo chimpanzees, and males, but not females, exhibited higher infection rates with certain viruses and higher total viral loads as they aged. Post‐hoc analyses, including the use of a machine‐learning classification method, indicated that one virus, salivirus (Picornaviridae), was the main contributor to health‐related and community‐level variation in viral loads. Another virus, chimpanzee stool‐associated virus (chisavirus; unclassified Picornavirales), was associated with ill health at Ngogo but not at Kanyawara. Chisavirus, chimpanzee adenovirus (Adenoviridae), and bufavirus (Parvoviridae) were also associated with increased age in males. Associations with sex and age are consistent with the hypothesis that nonlethal viral infections cumulatively reflect or contribute to senescence in long‐lived species such as chimpanzees.
Highly Accurate Synthesis of Quasi‐sub‐nanoparticles by Dendron‐assembled Supramolecular Templates
Authors: Tsukamoto Takamasa , Tomozawa Kosuke , Moriai Tatsuya , Yoshida Nozomi , Kambe Tetsuya , Yamamoto Kimihisa
Published: January 2022

Quasi‐sub‐nanomaterials (1–3 nm) have been predicted to exhibit unique properties originating from the gray structures considered both bulk solids and molecules, while their synthesis is extremely difficult. The present study describes a new template synthesis method for quasi‐sub‐nanosized materials using a combination of coordination chemistry and polymer chemistry. Utilizing self‐assembly of guest basic phenylazomethine dendron units onto host acidic core units with six tritylium cations, the dendron‐assembled supramolecules were constructed easily and quantitatively without costly techniques. This huge supramolecular capsule accumulating multiple acidic rhodium salts in its basic ligands enabled a precise synthesis of rhodium particles via formation of multinuclear complexes. The obtained particles (Rh84, ≈1.5 nm) have particle sizes within 1–3 nm range and were larger than conventional sub‐nanoparticles (Rh14, ≈0.85 nm), therefore the precise template synthesis of quasi‐sub‐nanoparticles was successfully demonstrated.
Graphene dispersed by pyrene‐terminated polyethylene glycol for reinforced epoxy composites
Authors: Zheng Yaochen , Xu Hui , Jing Heshun , Ren Qingxin , Liu Zhiqing , Gao Zhengguo , Ban Qingfu
Published: January 2022

Incorporating graphene into epoxy composites is a facile strategy to improve their mechanical performances. However, the uniform and reliable dispersion of graphene within epoxy matrix remains a large challenge owing to the intrinsic difference in chemical properties. Here, pyrene‐functionalized polyethylene glycol (Py‐PEG‐Py) was easily synthesized and utilized as a dispersant to homogenize graphene. The effect of graphene loading on mechanical performances of reinforced epoxy composites was also investigated. As 0.01 to 0.05 wt% of graphene were incorporated in epoxy resin, the resulted composites exhibited excellent improvement in flexural strength and fracture toughness compared with neat epoxy. Typically, the flexural strength increased from 63.57 ± 1.5 MPa for neat epoxy to 108.36 ± 1.9 MPa (about 70.5%) for composite, and the fracture toughness (KIC) increased from 1.25 MPa m1/2 for neat epoxy to 2.15 MPa m1/2 (around 72%) for composite modified with only 0.04 wt% of graphene and 4 wt% of Py‐PEG‐Py. Crack pinning caused by well dispersed graphene was contributed to enhancement of the fracture toughness. This work reveals a tiny amount graphene can also largely improve the mechanical properties of composites, providing a feasible approach to disperse graphene and fabricate high performance graphene composites.
PGA LEAD: Bringing Diversity to Boards Nationally
Authors: Cross Sandy
Published: January 2022

Sandy Cross is chief people officer at the Professional Golfers' Association of America. In this article, she showcases a leadership development program aimed at driving greater diversity within her association's national and regional boards.
ESG Issues Elevated to the Board Room in Spate of 2022 Changes to Regulatory Rules and Benchmarks
Authors: Resnick Stephanie , Fuller John C.
Published: January 2022

Stephanie Resnick, Chair of the Directors' & Officers' Liability & Corporate Governance Practice Group at Fox Rothschild LLP, and John Fuller, Partner in the firm's Directors' & Officers' Liability & Corporate Governance Practice Group. In this article, they discuss regulatory proposals that will impact the care that boards need to take to address environmental, social, and governance issues.
The Critical Appraisal Tool for Anatomical Meta‐analysis: A framework for critically appraising anatomical meta‐analyses
Authors: D'Antoni Anthony V. , Tubbs R. Shane , Patti Alexandria C. , Higgins Quinn M. , Tiburzi Hallie , Battaglia Fortunato
Published: January 2022

The hallmark of evidence‐based medicine is the meta‐analysis (MA). For much of its rich history, the field of anatomy has been dominated by descriptive, cadaveric studies. In the last two decades, quantitative measurements and statistical analyses have frequently accompanied such studies. These studies have directly led to the publication of anatomical MAs, which have ushered in the exciting field of evidence‐based anatomy. Although critical appraisal tools exist for clinical MAs, none of them are specifically tailored for anatomical MAs. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to provide a framework by which clinical anatomists and others can critically appraise anatomical MAs using the Critical Appraisal Tool for Anatomical Meta‐analysis (CATAM). Using a running example from a recently published MA, we show how to use the CATAM rubric in a step‐by‐step fashion. Each scored section of the CATAM rubric is summated into a total score (maximum 50 points). This score is then referenced to a conversion chart, which assigns a qualitative value to the MA in a range from “very good” to “poor.” Future studies can investigate the interrater reliability of the instrument, and possibly subject the CATAM rubric to a Delphi panel. As anatomical MAs become more commonplace at surgical grand rounds and journal clubs in academic medical centers throughout the world, we hope that the CATAM rubric can help facilitate meaningful discussions about the quality and clinical relevance of anatomical MAs.
Supported Iridium Catalyst for Clean Transfer Hydrogenation of Aldehydes and Ketones using Methanol as Hydrogen Source
Authors: Zhu Longfei , Ye Sen , Wang Jing , Zhu Jiazheng , He Guangke , Liu Xiang
Published: January 2022

The use of methanol as abundant and low‐toxic hydrogen source under mild and clean conditions is promising for the development of safe and sustainable reduction processes, but remains a daunting challenge. This work presents a recyclable ZnO‐supported Ir catalyst for the additive‐free transfer hydrogenation of aldehydes and ketones using methanol as hydrogen source at 110 °C, delivering alcohols in up to 98 % yield. Mechanistic studies disclose that methanol is first dehydrogenated to formaldehyde and then fully decomposed into active hydrogen species for hydrogenation. The superior performance is related to the high ratio of positively charged IrOx species and their ultrafine dispersion over ZnO. And the delicate cooperation of IrOx and ZnO enhances the catalytic activities for the selective scission of O−H and less reactive C−H bonds in methanol, maintaining a good balance between methanol decomposition and C=O hydrogenation in this green transfer hydrogenation.
2.4 V All‐Manganese Aqueous Rechargeable Cell
Authors: Xie Minghao , Kong Shuting , Su Linghao
Published: January 2022

We report the construction of 2.4 V aqueous manganese dioxide (MnO2)|manganese (Mn) rechargeable cell, not needing the combination of cation and anion exchange membranes and a third electrolyte chamber. This novel designs using Mn metal as negative electrode and MnSO4 acidic solution as electrolyte, avoids the side reactions of MnO2−Zn batteries in alkaline electrolyte and exhibits 2.1 V operating voltage and 87.8 % of MnO2’s theoretical one‐electron capacity (308 mAh/g) at C/6 rate. After charging and discharging continuously for 100 cycles at 50 % charge depth of MnO2, the capacity retention rate is still 89.2 %.
Retro‐Friedel‐Crafts‐Type Acidic Ring‐Opening of Triptycenes: A New Synthetic Approach to Acenes
Authors: Iwata Takayuki , Kawano Ryusei , Fukami Takuto , Shindo Mitsuru
Published: January 2022

The triptycene scaffold has been ring‐opened by using a retro‐Friedel‐Crafts‐type reaction under acidic conditions to give its corresponding anthrone product. 9‐Hydroxytriptycenes and unsubstituted triptycene undergo ring‐opening reaction under strongly acidic conditions, such as with TfOH. An investigation of the substitution effect has revealed that the electron‐donating group on the arene moiety allows the reaction to proceed in the presence of a weaker acid, such as TFA. In addition, the reaction has been successfully applied toward the synthesis of tetracene.
Enantioselective C−H Functionalization Reactions under Gold Catalysis
Authors: Das Avishek , Patil Nitin T.
Published: January 2022

Transition metal‐catalyzed enantioselective functionalization of ubiquitous C−H bonds has proven to be promising field as it offers the construction of chiral molecular complexity in a step‐ and atom‐economical manner. In recent years, gold has emerged as an attractive contender for catalyzing such reactions. The unique reactivities and selectivities offered by gold catalysts have been exploited to access numerous asymmetric transformations based on gold‐catalyzed C−H functionalization processes. Herein, this review critically highlights the major advances and discoveries made in the enantioselective C−H functionalization under gold catalysis which is accompanied by mechanistic insights at appropriate places.
Automatic detection of exudates and hemorrhages in low‐contrast color fundus images using multi semantic convolutional neural network
Authors: Selçuk Turab , Beyoğlu Abdullah , Alkan Ahmet
Published: January 2022

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a pathology occurring in the optic nerve due to an excessive blood sugar level in human body. It is one of the major reasons for visual impairment in the developed and developing countries. Patients with DR usually suffer from visual damages due to a high blood sugar level in retinal blood vessel walls. These damages may also leak into other retinal layers of the eye within time. As a result of these leakages and nutritional disorders, a number of lesions such as excudate, edema, microaneurysm, and hemorrhage may occur. In this respect, an accurate and effective detection of these lesions in earlier stages of DR plays an important role in the progression of the disease. In the proposed study, exudate and hemorrhages, which are important clinical findings for DR, were automatically detected from low contrast colored fundus images. Exudate and hemorrhages are lesions with different characteristics. However, in this study, high performance was achieved by making a three‐class semantic segmentation. In addition, a color space transformation was performed and the classical U‐Net algorithm was provided to achieve stable high performance in low contrast images. Finally, lesion images which were manually detected by a physician were matched with automatically segmented excudate and hemorrhage images using the proposed method. Thus, both segmentation and lesion detection performances of the proposed method were measured. The findings demonstrated that Dice and Jaccard similarity indexes were calculated nearly as 0.95 for the segmentation performance. A sensitivity of 98% and specificity value of 91% were measured for detection performance. It can be inferred from these figures that the proposed method can be effectively used as a supporting system by physicians for the detection and classification of lesions in the color fundus images for the diagnosis of DR.
Fe2O3/FePO4/FeOOH Ternary Stepped Energy Band Heterojunction Photoanode with Cascade‐Driven Charge Transfer and Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance
Authors: Wang Qian , Zong Xiaohang , Tian Li , Han Yu , Ding Yong , Xu Chao , Tao Ran , Fan Xiaoxing
Published: January 2022

Controlling the charge transfer pathway in semiconductors is an important method to improve charge separation efficiency and enhance photoelectrochemical activity. In this work, a Fe2O3/FePO4/FeOOH nanorod photoanode with stepped energy band structure is prepared by a hydrothermal and water bath method. The charge separation efficiency of the ternary heterojunction is higher than that of the traditional type II heterojunction, which might be due to the efficient cascade charge transfer and separation effect of the ternary stepped energy band heterojunction. The H2 and O2 evolution rates for photoelectrochemical water splitting of Fe2O3/FePO4/FeOOH photoanode are 0.247 and 0.111 μmol min−1, which is 2.15 and 1.95 times that of the Fe2O3/FePO4 photoanode, respectively. The incident photocurrent efficiency (IPCE) of Fe2O3/FePO4/FeOOH photoanode under 365 nm light irradiation is 1.5 and 1.8 times that of Fe2O3/FePO4 and Fe2O3/FeOOH photoanodes, respectively. This work provides an attractive strategy for solar energy conversion to construct efficient photoelectrochemical photoanode materials.
Interfacial engineering of nanostructured photoanode in fiber dye‐sensitized solar cells for self‐charging power systems
Authors: Song Weixing , Bie Zhe , Yan Wei , Zhu Junbo , Ma Weiting
Published: January 2022

Solar cells offer an environmentally sustainable and convenient option for power source of next‐generation wearable electronics. Due to the advantages of low cost, easy fabrication and deformation, fiber dye‐sensitized solar cells (FDSSCs) are required to be suitable for the available wearable electronics. Herein, through introduced nanopillar arrays over the Ti wire and atomic layer deposition of conformal TiO2 layer to make the photoanode, the energy conversion efficiency of the FDSSCs is improved by 45%. The FDSSCs are combined with planar microsupercapacitor (MSC) clusters to make self‐charging power system on a polymer sheet. The interdigital finger electrodes of MSC were obtained in a single‐step method by laser‐inducing on a polyimide film, and two series can be charged up to 1.8 V in 30 s by the FDSSCs under solar irradiation. This power sheet can be attached to various surfaces such as skin, cloths, and electronic devices for practical applications.

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Arresting the spread of invasive species in continental systems
Authors: Hofstadter Daniel F , Kryshak Nicholas F , Wood Connor M , Dotters Brian P , Roberts Kevin N , Kelly Kevin G , Keane John J , Sawyer Sarah C , Shaklee Paula A , Kramer H Anu , Gutiérrez RJ , Peery M Zachariah
Published: January 2022

Invasive species are a primary threat to biodiversity and are challenging to manage once populations become established in previously unoccupied areas. But removing them is further complicated when invasions occur in continental, mixed‐ownership systems. We demonstrate a rare conservation success: the regional‐scale removal of an invasive predator – the barred owl (Strix varia) – to benefit the spotted owl (Strix occidentalis) in California. Barred owl site occupancy declined sixfold, from 0.19 to 0.03, following 1 year of removals, and site extinction (0.92) far exceeded colonization (0.02). Spotted owls recolonized 56% of formerly occupied territories within 1 year, contrasting starkly with removals conducted after barred owls achieved high densities in the Pacific Northwest. Our study therefore averted the otherwise likely extirpation of California spotted owls (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) by barred owl competition. Collectively, leveraging technological advances in population monitoring, early intervention, targeting defensible biogeographic areas, and fostering public–private partnerships will reduce invasive species‐driven extinction of native fauna in continental systems.
Impact of lipid rafts on transient receptor potential channel activities
Authors: Bobkov Danila , Semenova Svetlana
Published: January 2022

Members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily are cation channels that are expressed in nearly every mammalian cell type and respond as cellular sensors to various environmental stimuli. Light, pressure, osmolarity, temperature, and other stimuli can induce TRP calcium conductivity and correspondingly trigger many signaling processes in cells. Disruption of TRP channel activity, as a rule, harms cellular function. Despite numerous studies, the mechanisms of TRP channel regulation are not yet sufficiently clear, in part, because TRP channels are regulated by a broad set of ligands having diverse physical and chemical features. It is now known that some TRP members are located in membrane microdomains termed lipid rafts. Moreover, interaction between specific raft‐associated lipids with channels may be a key regulation mechanism. This review examines recent findings related to the roles of lipid rafts in regulation of TRP channel activity. The mechanistic events of channel interactions with the main lipid raft constituent, cholesterol, are being clarified. Better understanding of mechanisms behind such interactions would help establish the key elements of TRP channel regulation and hence allow control of cellular responses to environmental stimuli.
C/EBPβ promotes the expression of atrophy‐inducing factors by tumours and is a central regulator of cancer cachexia
Authors: AlSudais Hamood , Rajgara Rashida , Saleh Aisha , Wiper‐Bergeron Nadine
Published: January 2022

Background

CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein β (C/EBPβ) is a transcription factor whose high expression in human cancers is associated with tumour aggressiveness and poor outcomes. Most advanced cancer patients will develop cachexia, characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass. In response to secreted factors from cachexia‐inducing tumours, C/EBPβ is stimulated in muscle, leading to both myofibre atrophy and the inhibition of muscle regeneration. Involved in the regulation of immune responses, C/EBPβ induces the expression of many secreted factors, including cytokines. Because tumour‐secreted factors drive cachexia and aggressive tumours have higher expression of C/EBPβ, we examined a potential role for C/EBPβ in the expression of tumour‐derived cachexia‐inducing factors.

Methods

We used gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function approaches in vitro and in vivo to evaluate the role of tumour C/EBPβ expression on the secretion of cachexia‐inducing factors.

Results

We report that C/EBPβ overexpression up‐regulates the expression of 260 secreted protein genes, resulting in a secretome that inhibits myogenic differentiation (−31%, P < 0.05) and myotube maturation [−38% (fusion index) and −25% (myotube diameter), P < 0.05]. We find that knockdown of C/EBPβ in cachexia‐inducing Lewis lung carcinoma cells restores myogenic differentiation (+25%, P < 0.0001) and myotube diameter (+90%, P < 0.0001) in conditioned medium experiments and, in vivo, prevents muscle wasting (−51% for small myofibres vs. controls, P < 0.01; +140% for large myofibres, P < 0.01). Conversely, overexpression of C/EBPβ in non‐cachectic tumours converts their secretome into a cachexia‐inducing one, resulting in reduced myotube diameter (−41%, P < 0.0001, EL4 model) and inhibition of differentiation in culture (−26%, P < 0.01, EL4 model) and muscle wasting in vivo (+98% small fibres, P < 0.001; −76% large fibres, P < 0.001). Comparison of the differently expressed transcripts coding for secreted proteins in C/EBPβ‐overexpressing myoblasts with the secretome from 27 different types of human cancers revealed ~18% similarity between C/EBPβ‐regulated secreted proteins and those secreted by highly cachectic tumours (brain, pancreatic, and stomach cancers). At the protein level, we identified 16 novel secreted factors that are present in human cancer secretomes and are up‐regulated by C/EBPβ. Of these, we tested the effect of three factors (SERPINF1, TNFRSF11B, and CD93) on myotubes and found that all had atrophic potential (−33 to −36% for myotube diameter, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

We find that C/EBPβ is necessary and sufficient to induce the secretion of cachexia‐inducing factors by cancer cells and loss of C/EBPβ in tumours attenuates muscle atrophy in an animal model of cancer cachexia. Our findings establish C/EBPβ as a central regulator of cancer cachexia and an important therapeutic target.
Pharmacological activation of the Sonic hedgehog pathway with a Smoothened small molecule agonist ameliorates the severity of alcohol‐induced morphological and behavioral birth defects in a zebrafish model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Authors: Burton Derek F. , Boa‐Amponsem Oswald M. , Dixon Maria S. , Hopkins Michael J. , Herbin Te‐Andre , Toney Shiquita , Tarpley Michael , Rodriguez Blanca V. , Fish Eric W. , Parnell Scott E. , Cole Gregory J. , Williams Kevin P.
Published: January 2022

Ethanol exposure during the early stages of embryonic development can lead to a range of morphological and behavioral differences termed fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). In a zebrafish model, we have shown that acute ethanol exposure at 8–10 hr postfertilization (hpf), a critical time of development, produces birth defects similar to those clinically characterized in FASD. Dysregulation of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway has been implicated as a molecular basis for many of the birth defects caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. We observed in zebrafish embryos that shh expression was significantly decreased by ethanol exposure at 8–10 hpf, while smo expression was much less affected. Treatment of zebrafish embryos with SAG or purmorphamine, small molecule Smoothened agonists that activate Shh signaling, ameliorated the severity of ethanol‐induced developmental malformations including altered eye size and midline brain development. Furthermore, this rescue effect of Smo activation was dose dependent and occurred primarily when treatment was given after ethanol exposure. Markers of Shh signaling (gli1/2) and eye development (pax6a) were restored in embryos treated with SAG post‐ethanol exposure. Since embryonic ethanol exposure has been shown to produce later‐life neurobehavioral impairments, juvenile zebrafish were examined in the novel tank diving test. Our results further demonstrated that in zebrafish embryos exposed to ethanol, SAG treatment was able to mitigate long‐term neurodevelopmental impairments related to anxiety and risk‐taking behavior. Our results indicate that pharmacological activation of the Shh pathway at specific developmental timing markedly diminishes the severity of alcohol‐induced birth defects.
COVID‐19 infection and its consequences among surgical oncology patients: A systematic analysis, meta‐analysis and meta‐regression
Authors: Kamal Mona , Baudo Massimo , Shmushkevich Shon , Geng Yimin , Hanna Ehab , Goepfert Ryan P. , Lewis Carol M. , Rahouma Mohamed
Published: January 2022

We conducted this meta‐analysis to address the outcomes in cancer patients after oncologic surgery during COVID‐19 pandemic. The primary endpoint was the COVID‐19–related mortality rate. Higher body mass index was significantly and negatively associated with higher all‐cause mortality and in‐hospital COVID‐19 infection rates. Male sex, preoperative respiratory disease, and smoking history were positively and significantly associated with increased all‐cause mortality rates. Furthermore, male sex was positively and significantly associated with the COVID‐19 infection rate.
Discriminating grey wolf kill sites using GPS clusters
Authors: Irvine Courtney C. , Cherry Seth G. , Patterson Brent R.
Published: January 2022

Characteristics of spatio‐temporal clusters of locations from global positioning system (GPS)‐collars have been used to distinguish kill sites of various predators. We deployed GPS collars on 9 grey wolves (Canis lupus) in the southwest area of Prince Albert National Park in central Saskatchewan, Canada, and used a GPS location clustering algorithm to identify kill sites of ungulate and other large‐bodied prey during winter, December 2013–March 2017. We used logistic regression in a model‐selection framework to determine if spatio‐temporal and habitat characteristics of grey wolf GPS clusters could be used to reliably identify sites where wolves had killed prey. Global positioning system clusters were more likely to be wolf kill sites when they had a higher number of location fixes, did not begin within 300 m and 30 days of a previous cluster, did not begin within 1 km and 4 days of a previous cluster, began in the evening, had a high percentage of fixes occurring during the day, occurred farther from open habitat, and had both a high number of location fixes and a high percentage of fixes occurring during the day. Our results highlight the limits of using spatio‐temporal clusters with a fix rate of 1/hour to discriminate wolf kill sites in systems dominated by deer (Odocoileus spp.) because of the associated short handling time with these prey.
Woodland restoration and forest structure affect nightjar abundance in the Ozark Highlands
Authors: Thompson Frank R. , Roach Melissa C. , Bonnot Thomas W.
Published: January 2022

Chuck‐will's‐widow (Antrostomus carolinensis) and eastern whip‐poor‐will (Antrostomus vociferus) are nightjars in eastern North America that have declined 69% and 67%, respectively, in abundance since 1966, resulting in conservation concerns for these species. We investigated relationships between nightjar abundance and landscape composition, forest structure, and application of tree thinning and prescribed fire because of regional interest in woodland restoration and nightjar conservation. We conducted nocturnal nightjar surveys at 385 points in southern Missouri, USA, in 2014 and 2015 and related counts to pine (Pinusspp.) and hardwood basal area, canopy closure, percent forest cover, and percent of area thinned or burned within 500 m of survey points. We modeled abundance of chuck‐will's‐widow and eastern whip‐poor‐will using time‐removal models that included a detection process and an abundance process within a hierarchical Bayesian framework. We detected 534 eastern whip‐poor‐will and 186 chuck‐will's‐widow during surveys. Our data supported global models that included all 6 vegetation and management variables for both species. Chuck‐will's‐widow abundance was negatively related to hardwood basal area and peaked at intermediate values of percent area burned and percent forest cover. Eastern whip‐poor‐will abundance was negatively related to hardwood basal area and canopy cover, positively related to percent forest cover and percent of area burned, and peaked at low to moderate levels of percent of area thinned. Relationships to forest structure and management activities generally supported the conclusion that woodland restoration benefits nightjars and that chuck‐will's‐widow select landscapes with less forest cover than eastern whip‐poor‐will.
Do negative environmental media reports increase environmental information disclosures? A comparative analysis based on political connections and market competition
Authors: Chen Xuan , Zhang Liang
Published: January 2022

Heavily polluting companies listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen are used as the sample, and the difference in difference method is applied to analyze how different companies make environmental information disclosure (EID) decisions following negative environmental media reports. The results indicate that the media's supervisory effects are limited, and political connections do not significantly change EID decisions. However, in‐depth media reports and high‐frequency reports can selectively improve EID when companies are exposed to strongly competitive markets. Further, high‐level political connections increase enthusiasm for EID in strongly competitive markets. In contrast, weak competitive markets have the opposite effect.
High‐resolution quantitative MRI of multiple sclerosis spinal cord lesions
Authors: McDowell Amy R. , Petrova Natalia , Carassiti Daniele , Miquel Marc E. , Thomas David L. , Barker Gareth J. , Schmierer Klaus , Wood Tobias C.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Validation of quantitative MR measures for myelin imaging in the postmortem multiple sclerosis spinal cord.

Methods

Four fixed spinal cord samples were imaged first with a 3T clinical MR scanner to identify areas of interest for scanning, and then with a 7T small bore scanner using a multicomponent‐driven equilibrium single‐pulse observation of T1 and T2 protocol to produce apparent proton density, T1, T2, myelin water, intracellular water, and free‐water fraction maps. After imaging, the cords were sectioned and stained with histological markers (hematoxylin and eosin, myelin basic protein, and neurofilament protein), which were quantitatively compared with the MR maps.

Results

Excellent correspondence was found between high‐resolution MR parameter maps and histology, particularly for apparent proton density MRI and myelin basic protein staining.

Conclusion

High‐resolution quantitative MRI of the spinal cord provides biologically meaningful measures, and could be beneficial to diagnose and track multiple sclerosis lesions in the spinal cord.
Volumetric and multispectral DWI near metallic implants using a non‐linear phase Carr‐Purcell‐Meiboom‐Gill diffusion preparation
Authors: Lee Philip K. , Yoon Daehyun , Sandberg Jesse K. , Vasanawala Shreyas S. , Hargreaves Brian A.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

DWI near metal implants has not been widely explored due to substantial challenges associated with through‐slice and in‐plane distortions, the increased encoding requirement of different spectral bins, and limited SNR. There is no widely adopted clinical protocol for DWI near metal since the commonly used EPI trajectory fails completely due to distortion from extreme off‐resonance ranging from 2 to 20 kHz. We present a sequence that achieves DWI near metal with moderate b‐values (400–500 s/mm2) and volumetric coverage in clinically feasible scan times.

Theory and Methods

Multispectral excitation with Cartesian sampling, view angle tilting, and kz phase encoding reduce in‐plane and through‐plane off‐resonance artifacts, and Carr‐Purcell‐Meiboom‐Gill (CPMG) spin‐echo refocusing trains counteract T2* effects. The effect of random phase on the refocusing train is eliminated using a stimulated echo diffusion preparation. Root‐flipped Shinnar‐Le Roux refocusing pulses permits preparation of a high spectral bandwidth, which improves imaging times by reducing the number of excitations required to cover the desired spectral range. B1 sensitivity is reduced by using an excitation that satisfies the CPMG condition in the preparation. A method for ADC quantification insensitive to background gradients is presented.

Results

Non‐linear phase refocusing pulses reduces the peak B1 by 46% which allows RF bandwidth to be doubled. Simulations and phantom experiments show that a non‐linear phase CPMG pulse pair reduces B1 sensitivity. Application in vivo demonstrates complementary contrast to conventional multispectral acquisitions and improved visualization compared to DW‐EPI.

Conclusion

Volumetric and multispectral DW imaging near metal can be achieved with a 3D encoded sequence.
Inequities in the distribution of flood risk under floodplain restoration and climate change scenarios
Authors: Gourevitch Jesse D. , Diehl Rebecca M. , Wemple Beverley C. , Ricketts Taylor H.
Published: January 2022

The combined impacts of climate change and ecological degradation are expected to worsen inequality within society. These dynamics are exemplified by increases in flood risk globally. In general, low‐income and socially vulnerable populations disproportionately bear the cost of flood damages. Climate change is expected to increase the number of people exposed to fluvial flood risk and cause greater property damages. Floodplain restoration has the potential to mitigate these impacts, but the distribution of future risks among different types of property owners under these altered conditions is often unknown.

Here, we develop a simple probabilistic approach for estimating flood risk to property owners under floodplain restoration and climate change scenarios for a range of flood recurrence intervals. We apply this approach in the Vermont, USA portion of the Lake Champlain Basin.

Over a 100‐year time horizon, we estimate that the value of property damages caused by flood inundation is approximately $2.13 billion under the baseline scenario. Climate change is expected to increase damages to $5.29 billion, a 148% increase; however, floodplain restoration has the potential to reduce these impacts by approximately 20%.

For all scenarios, a larger proportion of lower‐value properties, specifically mobile homes, face greater flood risk compared to higher‐value properties. Climate change is expected to cost higher‐value properties and commercial properties more than other types of properties, but these same groups are also expected to benefit most from floodplain restoration.

In general, these results raise concern that those least able to prepare for and recover from flood damages are also the people who face the greatest threats. In response, public policy interventions must consider not only where flood risk is most severe, but also the vulnerability of people exposed to such risk.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Fiber contribution on elastic properties of cellulose composites: A multiscale numerical study
Authors: Yasuda Shogai , Teramoto Yoshikuni , Ogoe Shinji , Uetsuji Yasutomo
Published: January 2022

Multiscale finite element analysis based on the asymptotic homogenization theory was carried out for short fiber reinforced plastics (FRP), and the effects of fiber morphologies on mechanical properties were systematically organized. Cellulose microfibers were used as the reinforcing fibers and polypropylene was used as the matrix. In order to quantify the enhancement effect of intrinsic fibers on the mechanical properties, a new indicator based on strain energy, contribution proportion of fiber (CPf) was proposed. In this paper, as the first demonstration of introducing the CPf, unidirectionally oriented short FRP was focused and elastic properties were analyzed for fundamental fiber morphologies. In terms of the fluctuation rate based on the elastic modulus of the matrix, when the volume content of fiber is 3.0 vol%, the elastic modulus of composites varied by 106%, 105%, 97.6%, and 35.1%, respectively, depending on the fiber orientation, fiber aspect ratio, fiber/matrix interface and fiber‐to‐fiber distance. Based on the CPf, fiber morphologies could be divided into two. The first factors are fiber orientation angle and fiber content, which determine the rate of change in mechanical properties with respect to the CPf. The second factors are fiber aspect ratio, fiber/matrix interface, and fiber‐to‐fiber distance, which affect the mechanical properties according to the rate of change determined by the first factors. The complicated influence of the fiber morphologies on the mechanical properties could be unified by introducing the CPf. These computations show that CPf is effective for systematic analysis and design of fiber morphologies.
The sensitivity of poverty trends to dimensionality and distribution sensitivity in poverty measures—District level analysis for Pakistan
Authors: Najam Zaira
Published: January 2022

A key feature of recent poverty measurement in many developing countries is the transition from conventional (money metric) approaches to multi‐dimensional approaches. This change in the poverty measurement raises the question of whether the same poverty trends are apparent under the conventional and the multidimensional approaches. To answer this question I used six household‐level surveys for Pakistan fielded between 2004 and 2015. The analysis considers trends at the national, provincial, and district level with a particular focus on the variability in trends due to distribution sensitivity and insensitivity in poverty measures. The district‐level trend analysis leads to the results that the multidimensional measures show a smoother fall in national poverty rates while the conventional measures show rising poverty up until 2008 and then a sharper fall. Almost two‐thirds of all districts show opposite trends in poverty, if conventional rather than multidimensional measures are used, in at least two of the five inter‐survey spells, irrespective of whether distribution‐sensitivity is considered or not. Thus, apparent poverty trends are sensitive to the measurement approach used. Hence, when measurement methods evolve, policy analysts should be cautious in the conclusions they draw from poverty estimates.
Radiating the prostate bed in relapsed oligometastatic prostate cancer: How comprehensive should we be?
Authors: Cao Yilin , Song Daniel Y. , Deville Curtiland , DeWeese Theodore L. , Greco Stephen , Tran Phuoc T. , Deek Matthew P.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

A subset of patients with high‐risk pathological features at radical prostatectomy recur with oligometastatic disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the rate of prostate bed recurrence, with or without history of prostate bed irradiation (PBRT), in oligometastatic prostate cancer (OMPC) patients after metastasis‐directed therapy (MDT).

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of hormone‐sensitive OMPC patients treated initially with curative‐intent radical prostatectomy followed by disease recurrence and metastasis‐directed stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) at our institution. Prostate bed recurrence rates were compared between patients who had PBRT at any point (i.e., before oligometastatic diagnosis or concurrently with MDT) versus those with no history of PBRT.

Results

Seventy‐seven patients were included, and 68.8% had received PBRT. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between those who had received and had not received PBRT. There were five prostate bed recurrences following MDT, specifically with a 24‐month cumulative incidence of 30.4% in patients who did not have PBRT and 2.4% in those who did (p = 0.03). Three of the five recurrences were isolated to the prostate bed at time of recurrence.

Conclusions

Relapsed oligometastatic prostate cancer patients who have not received maximal local consolidative therapy to the prostate bed may have higher rates of local failure. Prospective studies are warranted investigating when prostate bed irradiation should be considered for patients after radical prostatectomy who ultimately have oligometastatic prostate cancer.
Applying multispectral UAV imagery to delineate in and near stream cover along a small urban stream
Authors: Sessanna Riley , Iavorivska Lidiia , Kelleher Christa
Published: January 2022

Traditional remote sensing methods are rarely applied to headwater streams because of a mismatch in spatial scale. With improved technology, remote sensing using unoccupied aerial vehicles enables imagery to be collected at high spatial and temporal resolution. However, these innovations have been used less frequently to detect changes within the water column. In addition, it is unclear whether classification methods developed along a single reach can be transferred through space (to other reaches) and through time, or how much information is needed to perform such classifications. This study combines methods of remote sensing, image processing, and machine learning to classify land cover and submerged aquatic vegetation along four urban stream reaches (170–325 m). A linear discriminant analysis (LDA) model was developed to provide land and water cover classification maps using training data. This method proved to be robust when classifying land cover along a single reach with minimal training data required. Using 200 pixels per land cover class resulted in 100% classification confidence for more than 93% of the pixels; when reducing this to only 50 pixels per land cover class, LDA yielded 100% classification confidence for nearly 80% of the total pixels. Through attempts to transfer relationships across reaches and flight dates, we found a greater percentage of misclassified pixels (upwards of 45% misclassification for flights on one date) when classifying across reaches on a single date as opposed to classification along a single reach for multiple dates. Overall, we recommend passive optical approaches, like the one used here, consider lighting conditions, reach orientation, and shading in data acquisition planning to mitigate the uncertainty they may introduce in delineating water column quality and cover.