bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of chlorhexidine digluconate on biocompatibility of cements: Morphological and immunohistochemistry analysis
Authors: de Morais Sampaio Gêisa Aiane , de Meneses Izaura Helena Chaves , Vieira Rayssa Amaral , Pithon Matheus Melo , Alves Polliana Muniz , Lacerda‐Santos Rogério
Published: March 2022

In this study, the in vivo biocompatibility was evaluated by using conventional ionomer cements modified with Chlorhexidine (CHX) in different time intervals. In total, 105 male Wistar rats were randomized into seven groups: control, groups M, M10, M18 and groups RL, RL10, RL18 (M‐Meron and RL‐RivaLuting, and added CHX‐10% and CHX‐18%, respectively). Histological analyses of inflammatory infiltrate and collagen fibers, and immunohistochemistry of CD68+ for macrophages (MOs) and multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) were performed. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn (p < .05) tests. Intense inflammatory infiltrate was demonstrated in Group Riva CHX‐18% within 7 and 15 days (p < .05), without differences after 30 days. For collagenization, healing of the groups was compatible with that of control in 15 and 30 days (p > .05). Immunomarking of CD68+ was more significant in the groups with higher concentration of CHX. There was significant difference in quantity of MGCs in groups with 18% CHX, Meron (p = .001) in 7 days, and in Riva at 30 days (p = .001). Significant difference was also found in quantities of MOs in Groups Meron and Riva in 7 days (p = .001), and only in Riva at 15 and 30 days (p = .001). The cements with addition of CHX demonstrated biocompatibility with tissues. Riva CHX‐18% had the most effect on cells of the inflammatory process but showed satisfactory tissue repair.

Research Highlights

The concentration of 18% chlorhexidine was shown to be biocompatible with tissues; the slow release of chlorhexidine by the cements could significantly prolong its antibacterial effect on the oral medium.
A useful science: Criminal interrogation and the turn to psychology in Germany around 1800
Authors: Hofman Elwin
Published: March 2022

This article argues that psychology gained prestige as a useful and practical science in Germany in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Focusing on discussions of the practice of criminal interrogation, the article shows that around 1800, legal scholars increasingly turned to psychology as a solution to practical problems of criminal justice that had arisen with the abolition of judicial torture. Whereas up to the eighteenth century most German legal scholars had found that their own “experience” sufficed to advise on interrogations, around 1800 they started to point out the necessity of psychological knowledge. Psychology hence became not only a field with specialists, journals, and courses but also a field of knowledge that people turned to to solve problems in wholly different areas.
Exercise history predicts focal differences in bone volume fraction, mineral density and microdamage in the proximal sesamoid bones of Thoroughbred racehorses
Authors: Shaffer Sarah K. , Garcia Tanya C. , Stover Susan M. , Fyhrie David P.
Published: March 2022

Medial proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs) from Thoroughbred racehorses that did (Case) or did not (Control) experience unilateral biaxial PSB fracture were evaluated for bone volume fraction (BVF), apparent mineral density (AMD), tissue mineral density (TMD), and microdamage in Case fractured, Case contralateral limb intact, and Control bones. A majority of Case bones had a subchondral lesion with high microdamage density, and low BVF, AMD, and TMD. Lesion microdamage and densitometric measures were associated with training history by robust linear regression. Exercise intensity was negatively related to BVF (0.07 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.12) and positively related to microcrack areal density (0.21 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.29) in the lesion; however, in an undamaged site, the relationships were opposite in direction. Regardless of location, TMD decreased with event frequency for both Case and Control, suggesting increased bone remodeling with exercise. Measures of how often animals were removed from active training (layups) predicted a decrease in TMD, AMD, BVF, and microdamage at regions away from the lesion site. A steady‐state compartment model was used to organize the differences in the correlations between variables within the data set. The overall conclusions are that at the osteopenic lesion site, repair of microdamage by remodeling was not successful (e.g., lower bone mass, increased damage, and lower mineralization) but that in regions away from the lesion remodeling successfully controlled damage (e.g., higher bone mass, less microdamage, and lower mineralization).
New insights into taphonomic analysis of the Upper Pleistocene Ursus spelaeus bone deposit from Bàsura cave (Toirano, NW Italy)
Authors: Zunino Marta , Starnini Elisabetta , Arobba Daniele , Avanzini Marco , Citton Paolo , Firpo Marco , Negrino Fabio , Romano Marco , Salvador Isabella , Rellini Ivano
Published: March 2022

Bàsura Cave (Toirano, NW Italy) became famous worldwide in 1950 for the discovery of prehistoric human footprints and of an impressive Ursus spelaeus bone deposit baptized by the first explorers ‘Cimitero degli Orsi’ (Bear Cemetery). Bear remains belonging to the deeper layer of the deposit have been left in situ and are now one of the principal attractions for visitors. A new research project aimed at re‐evaluating the legacy and collections from this important cave involved the taphonomic study of the bones, along with sedimentological and micromorphological analyses and new radiocarbon dates to understand the nature and chronology of the deposit. In the present study, element quantification and state of preservation of bone surfaces displayed by distinct skeletal elements were analysed to assess the origin of bone accumulation, the composition of the assemblage in terms of age and species, and the representation of the different portions of the carcasses. Bone sorting, the orientation of skeletal elements along with oxidation pattern and micromorphological data indicate intense reworking of sediments and bones. The site can be considered among those known in Europe as representative of the last populations of U. spelaeus before the demise of this species during the Last Glacial Maximum.
Protective mechanisms of three antioxidants against T‐2 toxin‐induced muscle protein deterioration in shrimp
Authors: Huang Xiaoyue , Huang Zhanrui , Sun Lijun , Qiu Mei , Deng Qi , Fang Zhijia , Wang Yaling
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Quercetin (Q), tea polyphenols (TP), and rutin (R) are widely used plant‐derived active ingredients. They possess antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐tumor properties, and can reduce the muscle damage caused by mycotoxins. However, few studies have examined the protective mechanisms of quercetin, tea polyphenols, and rutin on muscle quality. To elucidate their protective mechanisms, shrimp were exposed to both T‐2 toxin and these three antioxidants for 20 days in a dose‐escalating trial. The changes in the protein composition of shrimp muscle were measured. The target proteins associated with T‐2 and antioxidants were screened and identified by non‐labeled quantitative proteomics.

RESULTS

The T‐2 toxin induced abnormal expression of 21 target proteins, leading to the deterioration of muscle proteins in shrimp. The three antioxidants ameliorated the T‐2 toxin‐induced damage to muscle proteins by increasing the sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar protein content and decreasing the alkali‐soluble protein content. Quercetin had the strongest protective effect. The protective processes of these antioxidants involved the upregulation of target proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism (enolase, malate dehydrogenase), protein translation (elongation factor 1‐alpha and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit alpha), and cytoskeleton component (actin 2, fast‐type skeletal muscle actin 1). Quercetin regulated the largest number of target proteins, making it the best protective agent against T‐2 toxin.

CONCLUSION

The T‐2 toxin (4.80–24.30 mg/kg feed) induced changes in target proteins and muscle composition of shrimp, leading to a deterioration in muscle proteins. Quercetin (2.00–32.00 g/kg feed) had significant protective effects against this deterioration in muscle protein in shrimp. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Reflection on the Springer Nature initial public offering attempts in an evolving academic publishing market
Authors: Teixeira da Silva Jaime A. , Fassin Yves
Published: March 2022

Springer Nature became a formidable market leader in academic publishing after a 2015 merger. In 2018, Springer Nature made an initial public offering (IPO) attempt to reduce company debt and fortify company value. Three media sources (Reuters, Bloomberg and Nasdaq) indicated that there was a second IPO attempt in 2020, but neither of those IPO attempts reached fruition. This paper summarizes the main events surrounding those IPOs and offers some possible discussion points about them, including economic and market fluctuations. This case also highlights the highly competitive nature of the commercial publishing landscape in a non‐profit academic environment.
Evaluating benthic flux measurements from a gradient flux system
Authors: Coogan Jeff , Rheuban Jennie E. , Long Matthew H.
Published: March 2022

Multiple methods exist to measure the benthic flux of dissolved oxygen (DO), but many are limited by short deployments and provide only a snapshot of the processes occurring at the sediment–water interface. The gradient flux (GF) method measures near bed gradients of DO and estimates the eddy diffusivity from existing turbulence closure methods to solve for the benthic flux. This study compares measurements at a seagrass, reef, and sand environment with measurements from two other methods, eddy covariance and benthic chambers, to highlight the strengths, weaknesses, and uncertainty of measurements being made. The results show three major areas of primary importance when using the GF method: (1) a sufficient DO gradient is critical to use this method and is limited by the DO sensor precision and gradient variability; (2) it is important to use similar methods when comparing across sites or time, as many of the methods showed good agreement but were often biased larger or smaller based on the method; and (3) in complex bottom types, estimates of the length scale and placement of the DO sensors can lead to large sources of error. Careful consideration of these potential errors is needed when using the GF method, but when properly addressed, this method showed high agreement with the other methods and may prove a useful tool for measuring long‐term benthic fluxes of DO or other chemical sensors or constituents of interest that are incompatible with other methods.
Nonlinear Exciton‐Mie Coupling in Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Nanoresonators
Authors: Popkova Anna A. , Antropov Ilya M. , Tselikov Gleb I. , Ermolaev Georgy A. , Ozerov Igor , Kirtaev Roman V. , Novikov Sergey M. , Evlyukhin Andrey B. , Arsenin Aleksey V. , Bessonov Vladimir O. , Volkov Valentyn S. , Fedyanin Andrey A.
Published: March 2022

Thanks to a high refractive index, giant optical anisotropy, and pronounced excitonic response, bulk transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have recently been discovered to be an ideal foundation for post‐silicon photonics. The inversion symmetry of bulk TMDCs, on the other hand, prevents their use in nonlinear‐optical processes such as second‐harmonic generation (SHG). To overcome this obstacle and broaden the application scope of TMDCs, MoS2 nanodisks are engineered to couple Mie resonances with C‐excitons. As a result, their alliance produces 23‐fold enhancement of SHG intensity with respect to the resonant SHG from a high‐quality exfoliated MoS2 monolayer under C‐exciton excitation. Furthermore, SHG demonstrates a strongly anisotropic response typical of a MoS2 monolayer due to the single‐crystal structure of the fabricated nanodisks, providing a polarization degree of freedom to manipulate SHG. Hence, these results significantly improve the potential of bulk TMDCs enabling an avenue for next‐generation nonlinear photonics.
FINCA syndrome—Defining neurobehavioral phenotype in survivors into late childhood
Authors: Badura‐Stronka Magdalena , Śmigiel Robert , Rutkowska Karolina , Szymańska Krystyna , Hirschfeld Adam Sebastian , Monkiewicz Michał , Kosińska Joanna , Wolańska Ewelina , Rydzanicz Małgorzata , Latos‐Bieleńska Anna , Płoski Rafał
Published: March 2022

Background

By 2021, 10 cases of fibrosis, neurodegeneration, and cerebral angiomatosis (FINCA, MIM #618278) syndrome have been reported, and five causative variants in the NHLRC2 gene (*618277) have been identified. First reported patients presented with recurrent respiratory distress, leading to death before the age of 3. In the recent publication by Rapp, Van Dijck, and Laugwitz et al., six more patients were described. The authors underlined the possibility of survival beyond infancy and neurodevelopmental delay occurrence.

Methods

Our goal is to characterize further neurobehavioral phenotype of patients with the NHLRC2 gene variants. Therefore, we describe three previously unreported patients with FINCA's clinical features who survived into late childhood and reviewed the neurobehavioral phenotype of all known cases.

Results

We identify the so far unfamiliar neurological features of FINCA syndrome and a novel variant in the NHLRC2: c.977G>T, p.(G326V) detected in one of the patients.
Providers blast Texas opinion equating gender‐affirming care to child abuse
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: March 2022

Mental health professionals in Texas are reacting with a combination of disgust and confusion over what appears to be an unprecedented opinion from the state attorney general that some gender‐affirming health care services for transgender youth constitute child abuse.
Psychologists to address climate change with new action plan
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: March 2022

Psychologists have conducted valuable work on the climate crisis and can make even greater contributions to understanding the crisis, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and achieving climate justice, according to a new action‐based report, released last month by the American Psychological Association (APA) Task Force on Climate Change.
Treatment of multiple limb lymphedema with combined supermicrosurgical techniques
Authors: Chu Carrie K. , Hanasono Matthew M. , Chang Edward I.
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Lymphedema surgery including lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) and vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) are effective treatments for lymphedema; however, treating multiple limbs in a single operation using both approaches has not been described. We hypothesize multiple limb lymphedema can be treated effectively in one operation.

Patient and Methods

Retrospective review of seven patients undergoing extreme lymphedema surgery (mean age: 53.2 years; range: 33–66 years) with an average BMI of 34.8 kg/m2 (range: 17.6–53.6 kg/m2). Two patients developed bilateral upper extremity (UE) lymphedema secondary to breast cancer treatment, three had bilateral lower extremity (LE) lymphedema, and two suffered from lymphedema of all four extremities due to breast cancer treatment.

Results

One patient with bilateral UE lymphedema was treated with bilateral inguinal node transfers with LVA and the other with combined bilateral DIEP flaps and inguinal node transfers with LVA. Three patients had bilateral LE lymphedema: two were treated with split omental/gastroepiploic nodes, and one underwent simultaneous supraclavicular and submental node transfers. LVAs were performed in one leg in each patient. Two patients with four‐limb lymphedema underwent bilateral inguinal node transfers with DIEP flaps and bilateral LE LVA. In total, there were eight UE and 10 LE treated. Average follow‐up was 15.8 months (range: 12.6–28.4 months), all patients reported subjective improvement in symptoms, were able to decrease use of compression garments and pumps, and no patients developed cellulitis.

Conclusion

Patients suffering from lymphedema of multiple extremities can be treated safely and effectively combining both LVA and VLNT in a single operation.
Existence and concentration of ground state solutions for Kirchhoff type equations with general nonlinearities
Authors: Chen Jing , Li Yiqing
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we study the following singularly perturbed Kirchhoff type equation in subcritical case

where ε > 0 is a parameter,
and
. Under some suitable conditions, we obtain that there exists a ground state solution of the equation concentrating at a global minimum of V in the semiclassical limit by applying some new techniques and subtle analyses. Moreover, we use Moser iteration to conquer the difficulty caused by the lack of Sobolev inequality.
Spatial pattern formation and delay induced destabilization in predator–prey model with fear effect
Authors: Mishra Swati , Upadhyay Ranjit Kumar
Published: March 2022

Recent field experiments have shown that predators influence the prey population not only by direct consumption but also by stimulating various defensive strategies. The cost of these defensive strategies can include energetic investment in defensive structures, reduced energy income, lower mating success, and emigration which ultimately reduces the reproduction of prey. To explore the effect of these defensive strategies (anti‐predator behaviors), a modified Leslie–Gower predator–prey model with the cost of fear has been considered. Gestation delay is also incorporated in the system for a more realistic formulation. Boundedness, equilibria and stability analysis are performed for the temporal system. By considering gestation delay as a bifurcation parameter, the existence of Hopf‐bifurcation around the interior equilibrium point is discussed together with the direction, stability, and period of bifurcating solutions arising through Hopf‐bifurcation. The spatial extension of the proposed model incorporating density‐dependent cross‐diffusion is also investigated and the conditions for diffusion‐driven instability are obtained. To illustrate the analytical findings, detailed numerical simulations are performed. Biologically realistic Turing patterns such as spots, spots and stripes mixture, and labyrinthine type patterns are identified. It is found that the fear level has a stabilizing impact on delay induced destabilization and both stabilizing and destabilizing effects on Turing instability.
Experimental demonstration of improved magnetorelaxometry imaging performance using optimized coil configurations
Authors: Schier Peter , Liebl Maik , Steinhoff Uwe , Wiekhorst Frank , Baumgarten Daniel
Published: March 2022

Background

Magnetorelaxometry imaging is an experimental imaging technique capable of reconstructing magnetic nanoparticle distributions inside a volume noninvasively and with high specificity. Thus, magnetorelaxometry imaging is a promising candidate for monitoring a number of therapeutical approaches that employ magnetic nanoparticles, such as magnetic drug targeting and magnetic hyperthermia, to guarantee their safety and efficacy. Prior to a potential clinical application of this imaging modality, it is necessary to optimize magnetorelaxometry imaging systems to produce reliable imaging results and to maximize the reconstruction accuracy of the magnetic nanoparticle distributions. Multiple optimization approaches were already applied throughout a number of simulation studies, all of which yielded increased imaging qualities compared to intuitively designed measurement setups.

Purpose

None of these simulative approaches was conducted in practice such that it still remains unclear if the theoretical results are achievable in an experimental setting. In this study, we demonstrate the technical feasibility and the increased reconstruction accuracy of optimized coil configurations in two distinct magnetorelaxometry setups.

Methods

The electromagnetic coil positions and radii of a cuboidal as well as a cylindrical magnetorelaxometry imaging setup are optimized by minimizing the system matrix condition numbers of their corresponding linear forward models. The optimized coil configurations are manufactured alongside with two regular coil grids. Magnetorelaxometry measurements of three cuboidal and four cylindrical magnetic nanoparticle phantoms are conducted, and the resulting reconstruction qualities of the optimized and the regular coil configurations are compared.

Results

The computed condition numbers of the optimized coil configurations are approximately one order of magnitude lower compared to the regular coil grids. The reconstruction results show that for both setups, every phantom is recovered more accurately by the optimized coil configurations compared to the regular coil grids. Additionally, the optimized coil configurations yield better signal qualities.

Conclusions

The presented experimental study provides a proof of the practicality and the efficacy of optimizing magnetorelaxometry imaging systems with respect to the condition numbers of their system matrices, previously only demonstrated in simulations. From the promising results of our study, we infer that the minimization of the system matrix condition number will also enable the practical optimization of other design parameters of magnetorelaxometry imaging setups (e.g., sensor configuration, coil currents, etc.) in order to improve the achievable reconstruction qualities even further, eventually paving the way towards clinical application of this imaging modality.
Quantitative chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging of nuclear overhauser effects in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Msayib Yunus , Harston George W. J. , Ray Kevin J. , Larkin James R. , Sutherland Brad A. , Sheerin Fintan , Blockley Nicholas P. , Okell Thomas W. , Jezzard Peter , Baldwin Andrew , Sibson Nicola R. , Kennedy James , Chappell Michael A.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

In chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging, saturation effects between 2 to 5 ppm (nuclear Overhauser effects, NOEs) have been shown to exhibit contrast in preclinical stroke models. Our previous work on NOEs in human stroke used an analysis model that combined NOEs and semisolid MT; however their combination might feasibly have reduced sensitivity to changes in NOEs. The aim of this study was to explore the information a 4‐pool Bloch–McConnell model provides about the NOE contribution in ischemic stroke, contrasting that with an intentionally approximate 3‐pool model.

Methods

MRI data from 12 patients presenting with ischemic stroke were retrospectively analyzed, as well as from six animals induced with an ischemic lesion. Two Bloch–McConnell models (4 pools, and a 3‐pool approximation) were compared for their ability to distinguish pathological tissue in acute stroke. The association of NOEs with pH was also explored, using pH phantoms that mimic the intracellular environment of naïve mouse brain.

Results

The 4‐pool measure of NOEs exhibited a different association with tissue outcome compared to 3‐pool approximation in the ischemic core and in tissue that underwent delayed infarction. In the ischemic core, the 4‐pool measure was elevated in patient white matter () and in animals (). In the naïve brain pH phantoms, significant positive correlation between the NOE and pH was observed.

Conclusion

Associations of NOEs with tissue pathology were found using the 4‐pool metric that were not observed using the 3‐pool approximation. The 4‐pool model more adequately captured in vivo changes in NOEs and revealed trends depending on tissue pathology in stroke.
Subcutaneous and visceral fat assessment by DXA and MRI in older adults and children
Authors: Maskarinec Gertraud , Shvetsov Yurii B. , Wong Michael C. , Garber Andrea , Monroe Kristine , Ernst Thomas M. , Buchthal Steven D. , Lim Unhee , Le Marchand Loïc , Heymsfield Steven B. , Shepherd John A.
Published: March 2022

Objective

Given the importance of body fat distribution in chronic disease development, feasible methods to assess body fat are essential. This study compared dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) in measuring visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT and SAT) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

VAT and SAT were assessed using similar DXA and MRI protocols among 1,795 elderly participants of the Adiposity Phenotype Study (APS) and 309 children/adolescents in Shape Up! Kids (SKids). Spearman correlations, Bland–Altman plots, and coefficients of determination (R2) assessed agreement between DXA and MRI measures.

Results

DXA overestimated SAT values in APS (315 vs. 229 cm2) and SKids (212 vs. 161 cm2), whereas DXA underestimated VAT measures (141 vs. 167 cm2) in adults only. The correlations between DXA and MRI values were stronger for SAT than VAT (APS: r = 0.92 vs. 0.88; SKids: 0.90 vs. 0.74). Bland–Altman plots confirmed better agreement for SAT than VAT despite differences by sex, ethnicity, and weight status with respective R2 values for SAT and VAT of 0.88 and 0.84 (APS) and 0.81 and 0.69 (SKids).

Conclusion

These findings indicate that SAT by DXA reflects MRI measures in children and older adults, whereas agreement for VAT is weaker for individuals with low VAT levels.
Chemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological activities, and toxicity of Quercitrin
Authors: Chen Junren , Li Gangmin , Sun Chen , Peng Fu , Yu Lei , Chen Yan , Tan Yuzhu , Cao Xiaoyu , Tang Yunli , Xie Xiaofang , Peng Cheng
Published: March 2022

Quercitrin is a naturally available type of flavonoid that commonly functions as the dietary ingredient and supplement. So far, a wide spectrum of bioactivities of quercitrin have been revealed, including antioxidative stress, antiinflammation, anti‐microorganisms, immunomodulation, analgesia, wound healing, and vasodilation. Based on these various pharmacological activities, increasing studies have focused on the potency of quercitrin in diverse diseases in recent years, such as bone metabolic diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and others. In this paper, by collecting and summarizing publications from the recent years, the natural sources, pharmacological activities and roles in various diseases, pharmacokinetics, structure–activity relationship, as well as the toxicity of quercitrin were systematically reviewed. In addition, the underlying molecular mechanisms of quercitrin in treating related diseases, the dose‐effect relationships, and the novel preparations were discussed on the purpose of broadening the application prospect of quercitrin as functional food and providing reference for its clinical application. Notably, clinical studies of quercitrin are insufficient at present, further high‐quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of quercitrin.
Enriching organic carbon bioavailability can mitigate soil acidification induced by nitrogen fertilization in croplands through microbial nitrogen immobilization
Authors: Guan Peng , Wang Ruhai , Nkoh Jackson Nkoh , Shi Renyong , Pan Xiaoying , Li Jiuyu , Xu Renkou
Published: March 2022

Excessive application of ammonium‐based N fertilizers promote nitrification, which is mainly responsible for intensive acidification in cropland soils. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of control measures to manage soil acidification induced by N fertilization. In this study, we investigated the potential of enriching organic C bioavailability to mitigate acidification induced by N fertilization through microbial N immobilization using an indoor incubation experiment. Results showed that the sole application of ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4] or urea to a cropland soil promoted nitrification of fertilizer N, and subsequently soil pH decreased by 0.48–1.00 units after 45‐d incubation. The combined application of glucose with N fertilizers induced microbial immobilization of almost all fertilizer N within 1 d and gradually induced mineralization of soil organic N after 1 wk of incubation. More than 65% of immobilized total extractable N was returned to soil solution and mainly existed as NH4+–N and extractable organic N, with the pH decrement being <0.10 units after 45‐d incubation. These results indicated that (a) enriching organic C bioavailability in cropland soils intensified microbial N immobilization, (b) intensification of microbial N immobilization induced a buffering effect to regulate soil inorganic N supply, and (c) microbial N immobilization had great potential to inhibit soil acidification and retard aluminum mobilization. The results obtained in this study provide a theoretical strategy to control soil acidification and increase N use efficiency in croplands.
Appraising the nexus between influencers and sustainability‐oriented innovation adoption in affordable housing projects
Authors: Moghayedi Alireza , Awuzie Bankole , Omotayo Temitope , Le Jeune Karen , Massyn Mark
Published: March 2022

The emergence of a plethora of innovative construction methods, materials and technologies in the construction industry has been projected to enhance the effective delivery of sustainable affordable housing. However, a lack of empirical evidence buttressing an extensive analysis of the effect of internal and external influencers on adopting these innovations within the affordable housing context in developing countries persists. This study examines the nexus between company and project characteristics as internal influencers, and challenges as external influencers, on the extent of use of sustainability‐oriented innovations (SOIs), on affordable housing projects. Variables emanating from an extensive literature review were presented in a causal model detailing sustainable, innovative, and affordable housing (SIAH). The model and the inherent causality between the constructs were validated through a survey administered on a population of registered South African home developers. The results of structural equation modelling posit a minimal positive impact of internal influencers and moderate negative effects of external challenges on the extent of use of SOIs by home developers. Also, results highlighted the negative mediating impact of challenges on the relationship between internal influences and the extent of use of SOI in affordable housing projects. The study concludes that the external challenges are the key drivers of adopting innovation in SIAH, and by addressing these challenges, the extent of use will significantly improve. The validated causal model can be used as a framework to enhance SOIs adoption in SIAH.
Facile Synthesis of Monodisperse Pt Nanoparticles on Graphitic Carbon Nitride for High‐Performance Photocatalytic H2 evolution
Authors: Liu Yuan , Gao Manyi , Yang Weiwei , Yu Yongsheng
Published: March 2022

Graphitic carbon nitride decorated with appropriate co‐catalysts has attracted widespread attention owing to its excellent photocatalytic H2 evolution activity. Herein, monodisperse Pt nanoparticles are synthesized by a facile method and anchored on graphitic carbon nitride (PCN) via self‐assembly route. Among the different Pt content, the 3 % Pt‐loaded PCN (Pt/PCN3) hybrid reveals highest photocatalytic activity for water splitting with the H2 evolution rate of 2.02 mmol g−1 h−1, about 4 times higher than that of Pt‐PCN by traditional photo‐deposition way. This work provides a new strategy for constructing high‐performance Pt‐based co‐catalysts on PCN to boost its photocatalytic activity.
Promoting the Water‐Reduction Kinetics and Alkali Tolerance of MoNi4 Nanocrystals via a Mo2TiC2Tx Induced Built‐In Electric Field
Authors: Zhao Xiangyuan , Tang Kewei , Lee Carmen , Du Cheng‐Feng , Yu Hong , Wang Xiaomei , Qi Weihong , Ye Qian , Yan Qingyu
Published: March 2022

Mo‐Ni alloy‐based electrocatalysts are regarded as promising candidates for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), despite their vulnerable stability in alkaline solution that hampers further application. Herein, Mo2TiC2Tx MXene, is employed as a support for MoNi4 alloy nanocrystals (NCs) to fabricate a unique nanoflower‐like MoNi4–MXn electrocatalyst. A remarkably strong built‐in electric field is established at the interface of two components, which facilitates the electron transfer from Mo2TiC2Tx to MoNi4. Due to the accumulation of electrons at the MoNi4 sites, the adsorption of the catalytic intermediates and ionic species on MoNi4 is affected consequently. As a result, the MoNi4–MX10 nanohybrid exhibits the lowest overpotential, even lower than 10% Pt/C catalyst at the current density of 10 mA cm−2 in 1 m KOH solution (122.19 vs 129.07 mV, respectively). Furthermore, a lower Tafel slope of 55.88 mV dec−1 is reported as compared to that of the 10% Pt/C (65.64 mV dec−1). Additionally, the MoNi4–MX10 catalyst also displays extraordinary chemical stability in alkaline solution, with an activity loss of only 0.15% per hour over 300 h of operation. This reflects the great potential of using MXene‐based interfacial engineering for the synthesis of a highly efficient and stable electrocatalyst.
Interfaced Ag/Cu nanostructures derived from metal thiolate nanoplates: A highly selective catalyst for electrochemical reduction of CO2 to ethanol
Authors: Abeyweera Sasitha C. , Simukaitis Matas , Wei Qilin , Sun Yugang
Published: March 2022

Selective reduction of CO2 into liquid products such as ethanol through electrochemical catalysis is promising in storing renewable energy in more deliverable chemicals and balancing the carbon footprint in the environment. However, the lack of efficient catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (eCO2RR) makes the promise challenging because the formation of C2+ alcohols requires coupling reactions between the shallow reduction intermediates and deep reduction intermediates that are usually difficult to form on uniform catalyst surfaces simultaneously with appropriate transient kinetics. Herein, we report a new strategy for synthesizing bimetallic nanostructures with high densities of interfaced Ag/Cu boundaries, which facilitate the coupling reaction of the high‐oxidation‐number intermediates (CO) formed on the Ag surface and the low‐oxidation‐number intermediates (CHx) formed on the Cu surface. The synthesis relies on the electrochemical reduction of bilayered nanoplates made of silver thiolate and copper thiolate, resulting in Ag/Cu nanostructures exposing Ag surface, Cu surface, and the Ag/Cu interfaced boundaries. Balancing the accessible surface areas of the Ag surface, Cu surface, and Ag/Cu boundaries is beneficial for maximizing the activity and selectivity of eCO2RR towards ethanol production. Faradaic efficiency of forming ethanol has been observed as high as about 50% using the Ag/Cu nanostructure catalyst with molar ratio nAg:nCu of 1:1. Moreover, the promoted coupling reaction at the Ag/Cu boundaries and surface modification with thiolate anions significantly suppress the undesirable hydrogen evolution reaction, particularly at high cathodic potentials, maintaining high energy efficiency for eCO2RR.
The Origin of Low Contact Resistance in Monolayer Organic Field‐Effect Transistors with van der Waals Electrodes
Authors: Chen Ming , Peng Boyu , Sporea Radu A. , Podzorov Vitaly , Chan Paddy Kwok Leung
Published: March 2022

The successful commercialization of organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) for advanced integrated organic electronics requires reducing device sizes, which inevitably clashes with the constraints imposed by the contact effects. Herein, it is demonstrated that the contact resistance in OFETs based on monolayer organic semiconductors is extremely low, especially at mild biasing conditions. The contributions of the access resistance and the metal–organic interface resistance are successfully disentangled for the first time. It is shown that, contrary to the conventional view, the contact resistance of monolayer OFETs in the saturation regime exhibits a very weak dependence on the source electrode length. In the monolayer OFETs based on 2,9‐didecyldinaphtho[2,3‐b:2’,3’‐f]thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (C10‐DNTT), a gate‐voltage‐independent access resistivity (2.2 × 10−2 Ω cm2) at VDS = −1 mV is obtained, while the interfacial metal–organic Schottky contact resistance is found to be negligible. The depletion of a diode associated with the metal–organic interface expands with increasing VDS and eventually bottlenecks the device performance. Finally, how to overcome such a carrier depletion contact resistance bottleneck and achieve OFETs with outstanding performance are shown. These findings pave the way toward sophisticated organic electronic applications based on the use of monolayer OFETs.
Disruptions, systems and individual agents—Exploring the intersections
Authors: Mackay Jonathon , Pepper Matthew , Munoz Albert
Published: March 2022

Open systems possess a dilemma whereby they both depend upon‐and are subject to disruptions arising from‐their exogenous environments. Organisations display this dilemma through the need to both manage the inbound flow of supply from upstream nodes and outputs towards downstream customers, whilst also managing issues arising from interactions with these other systems. At the centre of this dilemma sits individual agents, whether they be managers of organisations, business‐level functions or customer‐facing roles. This paper explores how individuals perceive and react towards disruptions and the wider, systemic implications of their actions. This article uses interviews with individuals based on a theoretical framework incorporating general systems theory (GST) and a series of decision theories (namely Protection Motivation Theory) to highlight the commonalities across various actions and strategies that individuals can undertake to address disruptions.
Tanshinone IIA prevents acetaminophen‐induced nephrotoxicity through the activation of the Nrf2‐Mrp2/4 pathway in mice
Authors: Zhang Xiqian , Long Fangyi , Li Ruina , Yang Yujie , Wang Ting , He Qin , Xu Min , Wang Ling , Jiang Xuehua
Published: March 2022

It's known that APAP overdose often leads to hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. In the present study, we investigated the preventative effect of Tan IIA on APAP‐induced nephrotoxicity. Mice were orally administrated with Tan IIA (10 or 30 mg/kg/day) for 1 week and subsequently gavaged with 200 mg/kg of APAP. Tan IIA reduced APAP‐induced nephrotoxicity as evidenced by histopathological evaluation and serum creatinine levels. Tan IIA pretreatment promoted the efflux of the toxic intermediate metabolite N‐acetyl‐p‐benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), thus reduced its injury to mouse kidney. After Tan IIA pretreatment, a remarkable increase in mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 and its target genes Mrp2 and Mrp4 was observed in Nrf2+/+ mice kidneys, however, no obvious change of Mrp2 and Mrp4 mRNA and protein expression was detected in Nrf2−/− mice kidneys. HK‐2 cells were used for exploring the roles of Tan IIA in the Nrf2‐MRPs pathway in vitro. Consistently, Tan IIA up‐regulated the Nrf2‐MRPs pathway and promoted the nuclear Nrf2 accumulation in HK‐2 cells. Collectively, our findings suggested that Tan IIA facilitated the clearance of toxic intermediate metabolite NAPQI from the kidney through upregulation of the Nrf2‐MRP2/4 pathway, thereby, performing preventive effects against APAP‐induced nephrotoxicity.
Vaginal foreign bodies in six nonhuman primates with underlying pathological conditions
Authors: Lamglait Benjamin , Moresco Anneke , Couture Émilie L. , Ferrell Shannon T. , Lair Stéphane
Published: March 2022

Four female Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) from the same group as well as Wolf's guenon (Cercopithecus wolfi) and a Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) from a second institution presented with vaginal foreign bodies in parallel with diseases of the urogenital tract or with endocrine disorders. These foreign bodies were associated with a mild to marked, diffuse vaginitis in all cases. Underlying pathological conditions consisted of a cavernous uterine hemangioma in a 20‐year‐old macaque, diffuse endometritis in a 21‐year‐old macaque, an in situ endometrial carcinoma in a 24‐year‐old macaque, endometritis and an ovarian cyst‐like structure in the 27‐year‐old Western lowland gorilla, chronic cystitis and chronic renal disease in a 24‐year‐old macaque, and a history of hypothyroidism with irregular reproductive cycles in the 12‐year‐old Wolf's guenon. Vaginal foreign bodies have been reported in nonhuman primates used in biomedical research, but their concurrence with underlying conditions has not been explored. In women, vaginal foreign bodies have been linked to serious underlying medical conditions. This case series emphasizes the recommendation to investigate this abnormal behavior for underlying medical or adverse psychosocial conditions in primates under human care.
The Impact of a Fantasy
Authors: Strand Roger
Published: March 2022

Personalized medicine is a sociotechnical imaginary: a collective vision for the coproduction of a future science, technology and society. This vision has long historical roots but is also the result of a specific context with ongoing changes in society, including the political economy of science. Part of this vision is a fantasy that runs counter to current scientific understanding of illness and disease. One may argue against such fantasies by appealing to facts. Such arguments tend to prove ineffective. If we can explain why they are ineffective this might shed light on possible implications of this state of affair. In this chapter, I draw on Rayner’s concept of “socially constructed ignorance” to indicate the non-modern character of the beliefs in fantasies of personalized medicine, while at the same time personalized medicine is yet another attempt to realize the Cartesian dream. Antonio Gramsci (Lettere dal carcere. Torino: Einaudi. English edition: Gramsci, A. 2011. Prison notebooks, Vol. I. Columbia University Press, New York, 1947) famously wrote: “The crisis consists precisely in the fact that the old is dying and the new cannot be born; in this interregnum a great variety of morbid symptoms appear.” Is the Cartesian dream coming to its end, with personalized medicine as a morbid symptom, a reductio ad absurdum? If so, what it the new that cannot be born?
Efficacy and Safety of Teriparatide in Beta-Thalassemia Major Associated Osteoporosis: A Real-Life Experience
Authors: Gagliardi Irene , Celico Mariella , Gamberini Maria Rita , Pontrelli Margherita , Fortini Monica , Carnevale Aldo , Napoli Nicola , Zatelli Maria Chiara , Ambrosio Maria Rosaria
Published: March 2022

Osteoporosis represents a relevant cause of morbidity in adult Thalassemia Major (TM) population. Antiresorptive drugs such as bisphosphonates were demonstrated effective in preventing bone loss. Teriparatide (TP) is an anabolic agent approved for osteoporosis management in the general population, but its use has been very limited in TM patients so far. We evaluated TP efficacy and safety in TM-associated osteoporosis in real-life clinical practice. Retrospective evaluation of 11 TM patients (6 males, 5 females; mean age = 45 ± 4.38 years) with severe osteoporosis and multiple fractures under TP treatment. Mean TP treatment duration was 19 ± 7 months. TP withdrawal was due to poor compliance and side effects (fever and osteo-muscular pain) in two and three patients, respectively. After 12 and 24 months, BMD significantly increased at lumbar (+ 19% and 22%) and femoral sites (+ 13% and 13%). Osteocalcin and cross-laps levels increased after 12 and 24 months (+ 225 and + 54.2%; + 159 and 141%, respectively). No new fractures were detected during TP treatment. Baseline VAS score values (3 ± 3) did not significantly change after 12 and 24 months (3 ± 3 and 2 ± 3, respectively). Five out of eleven patients developed side effects. TP might be an effective treatment for TM-associated osteoporosis since it improves BMD, especially at the lumbar spine, and prevents fragility fractures. TM patients may have a higher frequency of side effects, especially muscle and bone pain under TP treatment, as compared to no TM population. Further studies are needed.
Epigenetische Veränderungen am Promotor des fragilen Histidin-Trias(FHIT)-Gens in menschlichen Sebozyten unter dem Einfluss der In-vitro-Kultur
Authors: Jotzo Magdalena , Zouboulis Christos C. , Ballhausen Wolfgang G.
Published: March 2022

Hintergrund

Fehlt die Tumorsuppressorfunktion des fragilen Histidin-Trias(FHIT)-Genprodukts, so können Talgdrüsenkarzinome entstehen.

Fragestellung

Am Modell der Sebozytenlinie SZ95 sollten methylierte CpG-Inseln am 5′-Ende des FHIT-Gens identifiziert, die Abnahme der Genexpression und die Zunahme von DNA-Doppelstrang(ds)-Brüchen untersucht werden.

Material und Methoden

Methylierungs‑, Immunfluoreszenzanalysen, Promotorsequenzierung sowie Behandlung der SZ95-Zellen mit 5‑Azacytidin/Trichostatin A (TSA).

Ergebnisse

Die Kultivierung der Sebozyten verlief mit einer zunehmenden Methylierung der CpGs, einer Abnahme der FHIT-Genexpression sowie Anhäufung von DNA-ds-Brüchen. Die Behandlung mit 5‑Azacytidin/TSA zeigte eine Abnahme der DNA-Methylierung sowie Re-Expression von FHIT-Transkripten.

Diskussion

Durch In-vitro-Zellkultur werden epigenetische Veränderungen im zellulären Genom hervorgerufen. Es folgt eine positive Selektion von Sebozyten mit epigenetischer Inaktivierung des FHIT-Genorts.
Assessing life-space mobility
Authors: Ullrich Phoebe , Werner Christian , Abel Bastian , Hummel Merit , Bauer Jürgen M. , Hauer Klaus
Published: March 2022

Background

Life-space mobility (LSM), as the extent of mobility within one’s environment, is a key for successful aging and has become a relevant concept in gerontology and geriatric research. Adequate assessment instruments are needed to identify older persons with LSM restrictions, and to initiate, adapt or evaluate intervention strategies.

Objective

To systematically identify, describe and analyze the psychometric properties of LSM questionnaires, with a special focus on their availability in the German language.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Studies that examined at least one psychometric property of LSM questionnaires published up to August 2021 were included and evaluated based on the consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments (COSMIN) guidelines.

Results

This study included 37 validation studies describing 13 different LSM questionnaires. Methodological quality and comprehensiveness of validations were heterogeneous. Based on comprehensive and high-quality results, four LSM questionnaires stood out: the University of Alabama at Birmingham life-space assessment (UAB-LSA), life-space assessment in persons with cognitive impairment (LSA-CI), interview-based and proxy-based versions of the life-space assessment in institutionalized settings (LSA-IS), all of them available in the German language.

Conclusion

This systematic review provides a concise overview of available LSM questionnaires and their psychometric properties to facilitate the selection for use in clinical practice and research. The UAB-LSA and LSA-CI for community settings and the interview-based or proxy-based LSA-IS for institutional settings were found to be the most appropriate LSM questionnaires.