bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RETRACTED: Applying geoarchaeological principles to marine archaeology: A reappraisal of the “first marine” and “in situ” lithic scatters in the Dampier Archipelago, NW Australia
Authors: Ward Ingrid , Larcombe Piers , Ross Peter J. , Fandry Chris
Published: June 2022

The absence of known prehistoric underwater cultural heritage (UCH) sites on the Australian inner shelf stands in stark contrast to the thousands of sites revealed elsewhere in the world. Two recent claims—Dortch et al. (D2019) and Benjamin et al. (B2020)—put forward the first in situ (i.e., primary context) UCH sites in the shallow waters of the Dampier Archipelago, North West Australia, each arguing that the stone artefact scatters are at least 7000 years old and are now submerged because of postglacial sea‐level rise. We present new hydrodynamic modelling and data on coastal erosion and bathymetry, and reassess each site's sedimentary setting and archaeological site‐formation history. D2019 and B2020 clearly present lithic cultural artefacts, but the arguments for their sites being of primary context and reflecting early Holocene land surfaces are mistaken. Rather, these sites occur in the intertidal zone, and many or all artefacts are likely to have been reworked. Sites of secondary context, if treated appropriately, can inform our understanding of site‐formation process and change, and may support more powerful contributions to submerged archaeology than attempts to seek the first or the oldest.
Food system policy making and innovation at the local level: Exploring the response of Australian local governments to critical food systems issues
Authors: Carrad Amy , Aguirre‐Bielschowsky Ikerne , Rose Nick , Charlton Karen , Reeve Belinda
Published: June 2022

Issues addressed

Urgent action is required by all levels of government to create a food system capable of nourishing a rapidly growing population while remaining within planetary boundaries. This study investigated policies and programs implemented by Australian local governments (LGs) that aim to contribute to a healthy, sustainable and equitable food system.

Methods

An online survey was completed by LGs (n = 64) in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia. Questions focused on LGs' food system‐related policies and programs, barriers to and enablers of engaging in food system work and organisational responsibilities for food system work.

Results

Preventing food waste, organising food‐related social/cultural events and providing potable water were the most commonly reported activities. Few LGs reported policies/activities on market gardening or sustainable agricultural practices, or strengthening food system resilience. LGs implemented a wide range of initiatives, such as hosting food forums, using research to identify and address food access issues and providing healthy food and drink options within LG‐owned/managed facilities. Enablers of food system work included internal LG support, human resources, external funding and partnerships. Barriers included lack of community interest, short‐term and/or project‐based funding, internal governance issues and restrictive state government planning frameworks.

Conclusion

Australian LGs undertake a wide range of actions addressing diverse food system issues; however, internal and external barriers constrain their involvement in creating a healthy, sustainable and equitable food system.

So what?

Legislative reform, combined with increased financial and human resource capacity, would support LGs to expand, strengthen and sustain their food system work.
A review of regulatory modeling frameworks supporting numeric water quality criteria development in the United States
Authors: Barnhart Brad , Flinders Camille
Published: June 2022

The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has a long history of leveraging environmental models and integrated modeling frameworks to support the regulatory development of numeric ambient water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic life and human health. Primary modeling types include conceptual, mechanistic, and data-driven empirical models; Bayesian and probabilistic models; and risk-based modeling frameworks. These models and modeling frameworks differ in their applicability to and suitability for various water quality criteria objectives. They require varying knowledge of system processes and stressor-response relationships, data availability, and expertise of stakeholders. In addition, models can be distinguished by their ability to characterize variability and uncertainty. In this work, we review USEPA recommendations for model use in existing regulatory frameworks, technical support documents, and peer-reviewed literature. We characterize key attributes, identify knowledge gaps and opportunities for future research, and highlight where renewed USEPA guidance is needed to promote the development and use of models in numeric criteria derivation. These outcomes then inform a decision-based framework for determining model suitability under particular scenarios of available knowledge, data, and access to technical resources. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:191–201. © 2022 SETAC
Weeks of life lost to COVID‐19, the case of the United States
Authors: Vu Manh Cuong
Published: June 2022

Background

Years of life lost (YLL) is a preferable indicator to assess the mortality impact of COVID‐19. This indicator still has limits, however. Therefore, a new approach and its early‐death weeks (eDW) index has been recently proposed to alter YLL. This study aims to add a new approach, the moving excess‐deficit mortality model, and its method, the weeks of life lost (WLL) index. The new method was then used to measure WLL associated with COVID‐19 in the United States (US).

Methods

The natural mortality law and the random pattern of spreading COVID‐19 were employed to support calculating WLL. The natural mortality law implied that under the same living conditions and the weaker would die earlier. The random spreading of COVID‐19 assumed that COVID‐19 causes the weekly number of early deaths in equal proportions from all of those who would have died eventually distributed through the pandemic.

Results

From Week 02 of 2020 to Week 44 of 2021, we found that the US population has lost 56,270,300 weeks to COVID‐19; the average WLL per COVID‐19‐related death is 74 or 1.4 in the unit of years.

Conclusions

The results do not depend on the high heterogeneity of deaths (e.g., age, gender, health status) and on whether COVID‐19 is the main cause of death. The moving excess‐deficit mortality model and WLL index can be applied promptly at any time and anywhere once excess deaths occurred during the pandemic. The index also provides critical insights into COVID‐19, which can support making public health policies and decisions.
Overexpression of long noncoding RNA LINC00638 inhibits inflammation and oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast‐like synoviocytes by regulating the Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway
Authors: Sun Yanqiu , Liu Jian , Wen Jianting , Huang Dan , Zhou Qin , Zhang Xianheng , Ding Xiang , Chen Xiaolu
Published: June 2022

Background

Abnormal expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is involved in several autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we intended to explore the expression of lncRNA LINC00638 in RA and its potential mechanism of action related to inflammation and oxidative stress.

Methods

The level of LINC00638 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from 45 RA patients and 30 normal controls was analyzed and its correlation with clinical indicators was investigated. In vitro, we used tumor necrosis factor‐α to stimulate fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) of RA patients for cell based experiments. Subsequently, the overexpressed plasmid and small interfering RNA of LINC00638 were designed. Furthermore, we further analyzed the potential effects of LINC00638 on the proliferation and migration of RA‐FLS and the nuclear factor erythrocyte derived 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO‐1) pathway.

Results

LINC00638 expression was found to be significantly decreased in PBMCs of RA patients, and it was negatively correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, interleukin (IL)‐17, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and disease activity scores for 28 joints (DAS28). Overexpression of LINC00638 activated the Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway, markedly decreased the expressions of IL‐6, IL‐17, IL‐23, ROS, as well as malondialdehyde, increased the total antioxidant capacity, and attenuated the proliferation and migration of RA‐FLS, while silencing of LINC00638 reversed these manifestations.

Conclusions

LINC00638 was found to be expressed at low levels in RA patients and was associated with immune inflammation, oxidative stress, and disease activity. Overexpression of LINC00638 can reduce the proliferation as well as migration of RA‐FLS, and activate the Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway to inhibit the inflammation and oxidative stress.
Antiviral activity of triptolide on herpes simplex virus in vitro
Authors: Aliabadi Nasrin , Jamalidoust Marzieh , Pouladfar Gholamreza , Ziyaeyan Atoosa , Ziyaeyan Mazyar
Published: June 2022

Background

Herpes simplex virus‐type 1 (HSV‐1) can cause diseases, especially amongst neonates and immunocompromised hosts. Hence, developing a novel anti‐HSV‐1 drug with low‐level toxicity is vital. Triptolide (TP), a diterpenoid triepoxide is a natural product with range of bioactivity qualities.

Methods

In this study, viral infection was assessed in different phases of the HSV‐1 replication cycle on A549 cells, using various assays, such as adsorption inhibition assay, penetration inhibition assay, time‐of‐addition assay, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

Results

The results indicate that TP can effectively inhibit HSV‐1 infection in the lowest range of concentration. TP exhibited significant inhibitory effect on HSV‐1 plaque formation, with 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 0.05 µM. Furthermore, the time‐of‐addition assay suggests that TP has viral inhibitory effects when it was added less than 8 h postinfection (h.p.i.). This result is further confirmed by decline in the expression viral immediate‐early genes (ICP4, ICP22, and ICP27) in 6 h.p.i in the TP‐treated group compared to the control group, evaluated by real‐time qPCR. The Western blotting result was also consistent with the previous findings, which confirms that TP can positively affect ICP4 during HSV‐1 infection.

Conclusions

The TP also showed antiviral activity against HSV‐1. This dose‐dependent activity is an indication of a particular cellular component, rather than cytotoxicity that has mediated its function. Finally, the result suggest a new approach for an effective treatment option of the HSV‐1 infections.
Risk factors for discontinuing oral immunotherapy in children with persistent cow milk allergy
Authors: Benelli Elisa , Trombetta Andrea , Badina Laura , Andrade Stefanny , Zamagni Giulia , Prisco Antonio , Traini Eugenio , Barbi Egidio , Berti Irene
Published: June 2022

Background

There are no universally accepted criteria for discontinuing milk oral immunotherapy (MOIT) in patients with persistent cow milk allergy (CMA) and little data are available on predictive risk factors for dropping out from oral immunotherapy (OIT), due to allergic reactions or other reasons.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed clinical records of patients with persistent severe CMA undergoing MOIT in a tertiary care center hospital to investigate risk factors associated with discontinuation of OIT. Persistent and severe allergy was defined as the history of systemic reactions and any milk protein‐specific IgE level >85 kU/ml. All patients were first admitted for an in‐hospital rush phase eventually followed by an at‐home dose increase. We evaluated the effect of various factors on two primary outcomes: the highest dose of milk ingested during the in‐hospital rush phase and during the home OIT phase.

Results

We identified 391 patients, of whom 131 met the inclusion criteria for the retrospective study, 54 females and 77 males. Data of the home OIT phase were available for 104 patients (27%).

Regarding the home OIT outcome, an association for having a cow milk avoiding diet was found with reaching a dose below 10 ml during the in‐hospital rush phase (relative risks [RR]: 2.33, confidence interval [CI]: 0.85; 6.42), an age above than 10 years from the time of admission (RR: 3.29, CI: 0.85; 12.73), and a higher total number of reactions occurred during the hospitalization (RR: 1.54, CI: 1.02; 2.32), whereas the presence of respiratory reactions with wheezing (RR: 1.93, CI: 0.49; 7.61) and an IM adrenaline use was related to a higher risk of having an OIT still in progress (RR: 5.47, CI: 0.33; 7.73).

Conclusions

In this cohort of children with persistent CMA undergoing OIT who presented with respiratory reactions with wheezing, the development of anaphylaxis with the need for IM adrenaline, and age above 10 years were predictors of poor long‐term outcome.
Family structure and delinquency: Antisocial cognition as a mediating mechanism
Authors: Walters Glenn D. , Runell Lindsey , Kremser Jonathan
Published: June 2022

Introduction

This study investigates the direct and indirect effects of family structure on future delinquency using cognitive insensitivity and cognitive impulsivity as mediators.

Methods

Employing a sample of 845 middle school students (406 boys, 439 girls), this study examined the effects of family structure on future delinquency and antisocial cognition as students progressed through the middle school years—that is, sixth through eighth grade.

Results

Family structure, assessed as a three‐level variable (two‐parent home vs. stepparent/grandparent home vs. single‐parent home) or as a two‐level variable (two‐parent/stepparent home vs. other), predicted delinquency 2 years later. Adding antisocial cognition—cognitive insensitivity and cognitive impulsivity—to the model produced significant indirect effects in which both cognitive insensitivity and cognitive impulsivity mediated the family structure–delinquency relationship.

Conclusions

Based on these results, it would appear that antisocial cognition plays a salient role in the association known to exist between family structure and later delinquency. The research and practical implications of these results include a call for greater use of a mediation methodology when studying the family structure–delinquency relationship and finding ways to assist families in creating control and moral values in their children.
Assessing image‐based sexual abuse: Measurement, prevalence, and temporal stability of sextortion and nonconsensual sexting (“revenge porn”) among adolescents
Authors: Gámez‐Guadix Manuel , Mateos‐Pérez Estibaliz , Wachs Sebastian , Wright Michelle , Martínez Jone , Íncera Daniel
Published: June 2022

Introduction

The aim of this study is to develop a new measure of victimization and perpetration of two frequent forms of image‐based sexual abuse, namely sextortion (i.e., the threat of distributing sexual images to pressure the victim into doing something) and nonconsensual sexting (i.e., distributing sexual images of someone without the consent of the victim). Additional aims were to analyze the prevalence of these forms of victimization and perpetration and to examine their temporal stability over a 1‐year period.

Methods

The sample was made up of 1820 Spanish adolescents (mean age = 13.38, SD = 1.42; 929 girls, 878 boys, 3 nonbinary, and 10 did not indicate gender) who completed self‐report instruments on image‐based sexual abuse and related variables (e.g., cyberbullying victimization).

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis supported a structure composed of the four hypothesized factors: sextortion victimization and perpetration, and nonconsensual sexting victimization and perpetration. Higher sexting, cyberbullying victimization, and symptoms of depression and anxiety had stronger associations with image‐based sexual victimization than with perpetration, which showed evidence of concurrent validity. Prevalence was 2.6% and 0.7% for sextortion victimization and perpetration, respectively, and 3.4% and 4.9% for nonconsensual sexting victimization and perpetration, respectively. Temporal stability over 1 year was .26 for sextortion victimization, .19 for nonconsensual sexting victimization, .33 for nonconsensual sexting perpetration (all ps < .001), and nonsignificant for sextortion perpetration. The stability of nonconsensual sexting victimization was significantly higher for girls compared to boys, whereas nonconsensual sexting perpetration was more stable over 1 year for boys.

Conclusions

Future studies must advance the analysis of the predictors and consequences of image‐based sexual abuse among adolescents to better prevent this problem. Prevalence of sextortion and nonconsensual sexting is not negligible, and these problems should be particularly addressed in prevention programs.
The effect of a bis‐structured Schiff base on apoptosis, cytotoxicity, and DNA damage of breast cancer cells
Authors: Tülüce Yasin , Hussein Azhee Ibrahim , Koyuncu İsmail , Kiliç Ahmet , Durgun Mustafa
Published: June 2022

Developing new anticancer agents are crucial for cancer treatment. Antiproliferative activity of L1H as a bis‐structured Schiff base was subjected to preliminary research in eight different kinds of cell lines by the cell viability method using different concentrations to determine their inhibitory concentration. L1H demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity in human breast cancer cell line MCF‐7. In this perspective, the MCF‐7 cell line was cultured for the examination of different molecular techniques, including MTT, apoptosis analysis by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and comet assay. Moreover, the DNA ladder, acridine orange/ethidium bromide as another apoptotic cell analysis, markers of oxidative stress, and total antioxidant status, total thiol, and GSH as nonenzymatic antioxidants assay were conducted. The above techniques have proven that L1H is a growth inhibitor effect when compared to cisplatin as a positive control in human breast cancer cells, especially those affected by L1H. The findings clearly show that L1H evaluated in MCF‐7 cell lines causes rising or induced apoptosis, DNA damage, diminished antioxidant status against the increase of oxidized protein, and prevents cell proliferation. Manifold evidence supported our hypothesis that L1H has a potential therapeutically improved effect against the MCF‐7 cell line, and then without a doubt is a suitable candidate drug for investigating cancers next.
Embedding in MDS codes and Latin cubes
Authors: Potapov Vladimir N.
Published: June 2022

An embedding of a code is a mapping that preserves distances between codewords. We prove that any code with code distance and length can be embedded into an maximum distance separable (MDS) code with the same code distance and length but under a larger alphabet. As a corollary we obtain embeddings of systems of partial mutually orthogonal Latin cubes and ‐ary quasigroups.
Flexible list colorings in graphs with special degeneracy conditions
Authors: Bradshaw Peter , Masařík Tomáš , Stacho Ladislav
Published: June 2022

For a given , we say that a graph is ‐flexibly ‐choosable if the following holds: for any assignment of color lists of size on , if a preferred color from a list is requested at any set of vertices, then at least of these requests are satisfied by some ‐coloring. We consider the question of flexible choosability in several graph classes with certain degeneracy conditions. We characterize the graphs of maximum degree that are ‐flexibly ‐choosable for some , which answers a question of Dvořák Norin, and Postle [List coloring with requests, JGT 2019]. In particular, we show that for any , any graph of maximum degree that is not isomorphic to is ‐flexibly ‐choosable. Our fraction of is within a constant factor of being the best possible. We also show that graphs of treewidth 2 are ‐flexibly 3‐choosable, answering a question of Choi et al. [Flexibility of planar graphs‐sharpening the tools to get lists of size four, DAM 2022], and we give conditions for list assignments by which graphs of treewidth are ‐flexibly ‐choosable. We show furthermore that graphs of treedepth are ‐flexibly ‐choosable. Finally, we introduce a notion of flexible degeneracy, which strengthens flexible choosability, and we show that apart from a well‐understood class of exceptions, 3‐connected nonregular graphs of maximum degree are flexibly ‐degenerate.
Dynamic alterations of the mice gut virome after Coxsackievirus B3 infection
Authors: Bao Siwen , Wang Hao , Li Wang , Ji Likai , Wang Xiaochun , Shen Quan , Yang Shixing , Zhou Chenglin , Zhang Wen
Published: June 2022

The gut microbiome plays an essential role in the human health and dysbiosis has been implicated in numerous diseases. Coxsackievirus B3 infects millions of humans yearly and yet limited research has explored dynamic alterations of the gut virome after infection. Here, we established the mouse model of Coxsackievirus B3 infection and collected fecal samples at several time points to investigate alterations of the gut virome using viral metagenomic analysis. We found that the mice virome was dominated by Caudovirales and Microviridae, and phylogenetic analyses showed that both Caudovirales and Microviridae had high diversity. The gut virome had significant variations with the increase of Caudovirales and the decrease of Microviridae after infection. We proposed that Caudovirales and Microviridae may be biomarkers for the Coxsackievirus infection process. This study provides a reference for the dynamic changes of the gut virome after human Enterovirus infection, which may help guide the rational drug use in clinical treatment and provide new ideas for preventing Enterovirus infection.
Rate constant and products of the reaction of O(3P) atoms with thiirane over the temperature range 220–950 K
Authors: Bedjanian Yuri
Published: June 2022

A discharge‐flow modulated molecular beam mass spectrometry technique has been used to determine the rate constant for the reaction of ground state oxygen atoms with C2H4S in the temperature range 220–950 K. The reaction rate constant has been determined directly by monitoring C2H4S in an excess of O atoms and through competitive reaction of oxygen atoms with C2H4S and Br2. Weak, negative temperature dependence is observed below 300 K, whereas positive temperature dependence is observed above 380 K: k = 1.13 × 10–12 (T/298)2.18 exp(733/T) cm3 molecule–1 s–1. We estimate this expression to be accurate within 15% over the investigated temperature range. SO and C2H4 have been detected as reaction products and a branching ratio of unity (with uncertainty of 10%) has been found for the channel forming these two species in the temperature range 300–900 K, confirming that the title reaction is an efficient source of SO radicals.
Branching High‐Order Exceptional Points in Non‐Hermitian Optical Systems
Authors: Tschernig Konrad , Busch Kurt , Christodoulides Demetrios N. , Perez‐Leija Armando
Published: June 2022

Exceptional points are complex‐valued spectral singularities that lead to a host of intriguing features such as loss‐induced transparency—a counterintuitive process in which an increase in the system's overall loss can lead to enhanced transmission. In general, the associated enhancements scale with the order of the exceptional points. Consequently, it is of great interest to devise new strategies to implement realistic devices capable of exhibiting high‐order exceptional points. Here, it is shown that high‐order ‐photon exceptional points can be generated by exciting non‐Hermitian waveguide arrangements with coherent light states. Using photon‐number resolving detectors it then becomes possible to observe ‐photon enhanced loss‐induced transparency in the quantum realm. Further, it is analytically shown that the number‐resolved dynamics occurring in the same nonconservative waveguide arrays will exhibit eigenspectral ramifications having several exceptional points associated to different sets of eigenmodes and dissipation rates.
Highly Stretchable and Transparent Conductive Electrodes for Resistive Strain Sensors
Authors: Chen Ke , Ren Quanbin , Li Chunxiang
Published: June 2022

Conductive organic materials are a crucial component of resistive strain sensors because phase separation limits the concentration of inorganic materials in polymer matrices, leading to poor electrical conductivity. However, traditional conductive polymers are not good candidates for use in flexible electric devices due to their low or ultralow sensitivity and stretchability. In this paper, the development of transparent, highly stretchable polymer electrodes by a one‐step solution process is reported. The polymer electrodes tolerate extreme strains exceeding 150% and feature an ionic conductivity of 1.4 × 10−4 S cm−1. These metal‐free electrodes also exhibit a high optical transparency of 60%, suggesting that they have great potential for optoelectronic applications. Strain sensors are fabricated by covering the conductive polymer electrodes with polyimide film in a simple, low‐cost, and scalable process. The as‐assembled strain sensors can be used for both stretching and compressing with high sensitivity (a maximum gauge factor of 1049.9), an ultralow limit of detection (0.5% strain), and excellent reliability and stability (>5000 stretching cycles).
The Role of Denture Adhesives on the Oral Health of Partial Denture Wearers: A Numerical Study
Authors: Ramakrishnan Anantha Narayanan , Röhrle Oliver , Ludtka Christopher , Köhler Josephine , Kiesow Andreas , Schwan Stefan
Published: June 2022

Removable partial dentures (RPDs) significantly influence the mechanical stress characteristics of the entire dental arch. Unlike normal teeth, they are not anchored firmly in the jaws and hence are prone to denture slippage. The aim of this study is to examine numerically using finite element (FE) method, the role of denture adhesive creams in the stress response of the dental structures, and to understand its impact on the oral health of denture wearers. For this purpose, computer tomography data of the jawbone and RPDs are utilized to develop corresponding 3D models, which are further used for FE simulations. The partial denture system is bonded onto the surface of the oral mucosa with the help of a viscoelastic adhesive layer and is also supported by three abutment teeth. The application of bite forces on the denture generates varying contact mechanical response to the stimulus, across the partial denture, which are compared with the clinical pressure pain threshold (PPT) value for soft tissue, which potentially lowers the risk of pain. The model with the denture adhesive shows better retention and are within the PPT and hence can potentially lower the risks associated with denture slippage.
Surface Modification of Polyvinyl Alcohol‐Nanocellulose Composites for Hydrophobic Self‐Cleaning Solar Panel Cover
Authors: Khadka Nishan , Acharya Rabindra , Parajuli Sulav , Sapkota Pritam , Giri Jyoti , Adhikari Rameshwar , Neupane Sanjaya
Published: June 2022

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposites are studied as a green alternative to counteract solar panel soiling. CNC synthesized from acid hydrolysis is blended with PVA, and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is blended with powdered silica (SiO2) for surface modification to produce a transparent, hydrophobic, and durable film. The objective is to test the composite film for transparency, hydrophobicity, and durability to determine its suitability as a self‐cleaning solar panel cover. The composite film exhibits an average transmittance of 93% of the incident light in the solar photo‐voltaic working spectra (420–700 nm). Results show an average water contact angle (WCA) of 87.25°, and when subjected to photocatalytic and hydrolytic decay, the film shows minimal changes in the characteristic peaks of the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) plot of PVA/CNC, confirming its durability. The study points out the prospect of PVA/CNC with PBT/SiO2 film as a transparent, hydrophobic, durable self‐cleaning covers against solar soiling and warranted further research to make suitable properties.
Morphology, Deformation, and Micromechanical Behavior of Electrospun Nano‐hydroxyapatite Blended Biohybrid Scaffolds
Authors: Malla Komal P. , Henning Sven , Lach Ralf , Jennissen Herbert , Michler Goerg , Beiner Mario , Yadav Ram Jeewan , Adhikari Rameshwar
Published: June 2022

For bone tissue engineering, nano‐hydroxyapatite (nano‐HAp) is a widely used bioceramic filler in polymer fibrous scaffolds that changes the morphology and micromechanical behavior of fibers. In this study, different volume fraction percentages of nano‐HAp and vitamin D3 (VD3) are incorporated into electrospun polymer blend fibrous scaffolds comprising polycaprolactone (PCL), poly‐L‐lactic acid (PLLA), and gelatin (GEL). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and uniaxial tensile testing are used to characterize the chemical, morphological, and micromechanical properties of the scaffolds. The FTIR analysis showed the presence of functional groups of fillers and polymers and their molecular interactions in the fibers. In the microscopic analysis, the fillers are found to affect the fiber morphology (including diameter, phase separation, and texture) and the response of the fibers under tensile deformation. The addition of 3% by volume of filler suspension results in maximum diameter of 4.34 µm, and the addition of 6%–12% filler leads to an increase in tensile strength from 0.7 to 5.6 MPa and strain at break from 2% to 37% for the composite fibers compared to neat fibers. The crazing behavior of the fiber is more noticeable at a low filler content (0%), whereas thin‐layer yielding becomes predominant at a higher filler content (12%). Thus, the study shows that scaffold fibers undergo brittle‐to‐ductile transitions as the filler percentage in the polymer blend increases from 0% to 12%. It has been further found that morphogens used as growth factors can be easily released from hydroxyapatite after adsorption.
Methodological Characterization of Rubber–Filler Interactions in Silica‐Filled SBR/BR Systems
Authors: Sökmen Selin , Oßwald Katja , Reincke Katrin , Ilisch Sybill
Published: June 2022

Since some decades, styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) and butadiene rubber (BR) polymers have been used to prepare silica‐filled raw mixtures basing on SBR/BR binary blends for green tire technology. Utilization of high filler concentrations and various components in these complex reinforced rubber systems make the analysis of rubber–filler interactions difficult. Developing new characterization methods and carrying out some methodological characterizations are important for the material and property investigations in this field. In this study, direct and indirect characterization methods mostly used for investigations of rubber–filler and filler–filler interactions, their potential relationships to each other and the problems of characterization methods especially imaging techniques at micro and nanoscale, are discussed for silica‐filled SBR and BR systems.
Influence of Media–Thermal Ageing on the Long‐Term Creep Behavior of Polypropylene
Authors: Berthold Anja , Mathew Kuriakose , Lach Ralf , Langer Beate
Published: June 2022

Plastic components subjected to a constant load, such as pipes or load‐bearing structures in motor vehicles, tend to creep and show increased deformation over time. In special applications for example coolant expansion tanks, increased temperatures and media also affect the long‐term creep behavior. In this study, the influence of media–thermal aging on the long‐term creep behavior is investigated for predicting service life.
Targeting mitochondrial metabolism for metastatic cancer therapy
Authors: Passaniti Antonino , Kim Myoung Sook , Polster Brian M. , Shapiro Paul
Published: June 2022

Primary tumors evolve metabolic mechanisms favoring glycolysis for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation and antioxidant defenses. In contrast, metastatic cells frequently depend on mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos). This reliance of metastatic cells on OxPhos can be exploited using drugs that target mitochondrial metabolism. Therefore, therapeutic agents that act via diverse mechanisms, including the activation of signaling pathways that promote the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or a reduction in antioxidant defenses may elevate oxidative stress and inhibit tumor cell survival. In this review, we will provide (1) a mechanistic analysis of function‐selective extracellular signal‐regulated kinase‐1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibitors that inhibit cancer cells through enhanced ROS, (2) a review of the role of mitochondrial ATP synthase in redox regulation and drug resistance, (3) a rationale for inhibiting ERK signaling and mitochondrial OxPhos toward the therapeutic goal of reducing tumor metastasis and treatment resistance. Recent reports from our laboratories using metastatic melanoma and breast cancer models have shown the preclinical efficacy of novel and rationally designed therapeutic agents that target ERK1/2 signaling and mitochondrial ATP synthase, which modulate ROS events that may prevent or treat metastatic cancer. These findings and those of others suggest that targeting a tumor's metabolic requirements and vulnerabilities may inhibit metastatic pathways and tumor growth. Approaches that exploit the ability of therapeutic agents to alter oxidative balance in tumor cells may be selective for cancer cells and may ultimately have an impact on clinical efficacy and safety. Elucidating the translational potential of metabolic targeting could lead to the discovery of new approaches for treatment of metastatic cancer.
Controlling centrality: The inverse ranking problem for spectral centralities of complex networks
Authors: García Esther , Romance Miguel
Published: June 2022

In this paper, some results about the controllability of spectral centrality in a complex network are presented. In particular, the inverse problem of designing an unweigthed graph with a prescribed centrality is considered. We show that for every possible ranking, eventually with ties, an unweighted directed/undirected complex network can be found whose PageRank or eigenvector centrality gives the ranking considered. Different families of networks are presented in order to analytically solve this problem either for directed and undirected graphs with and without loops.
Mechanisms regulating the initiation of porcine conceptus elongation
Authors: Miles Jeremy R. , Walsh Sophie C. , Rempel Lea A. , Pannier Angela K.
Published: June 2022

Significant increases in litter size within commercial swine production over the past decades have led to increases in preweaning piglet mortality due to increase within‐litter birthweight variation, typically due to mortality of the smallest littermate piglets. Therefore, identifying mechanisms to reduce variation in placental development and subsequent fetal growth are critical to normalizing birthweight variation and improving piglet survivability in high‐producing commercial pigs. A major contributing factor to induction of within‐litter variation occurs during the peri‐implantation period as the pig blastocyst elongates from spherical to filamentous morphology in a short period of time and rapidly begins superficial implantation. During this period, there is significant within‐litter variation in the timing and extent of elongation among littermates. As a result, delays and deficiencies in conceptus elongation not only contribute directly to early embryonic mortality, but also influence subsequent within‐litter birthweight variation. This study will highlight key aspects of conceptus elongation and provide some recent evidence pertaining to specific mechanisms from ‐omics studies (i.e., metabolomics of the uterine environment and transcriptomics of the conceptus) that may specifically regulate the initiation of conceptus elongation to identify potential factors to reduce within‐litter variation and improve piglet survivability.
Effects of a lifestyle intervention on postpartum weight retention among women with elevated weight
Authors: Liu Jihong , Wilcox Sara , Hutto Brent , Turner‐McGrievy Gabrielle , Wingard Ellen
Published: June 2022

Objective

The effectiveness of a pregnancy and postpartum behavioral lifestyle intervention on postpartum weight retention was examined.

Methods

Pregnant women with overweight and obesity in South Carolina were recruited into a theory‐based randomized controlled trial (n = 112 intervention, n = 107 standard care), which was designed to reduce gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention.

Results

Participants (44% African American, 56% White) had a mean prepregnancy BMI of 32.3 kg/m2 and were at 12.6 weeks’ gestation at baseline. From prepregnancy to 6 months post partum, intervention participants retained less weight than standard care women (mean difference: −3.6 kg, 95% CI: −5.5 to −1.8). The intervention effect was maintained at 12 months post partum (mean difference: −2.4 kg, 95% CI: −4.3 to −0.5). Intervention women had 2.3 times higher odds of having no weight retention at 6 months post partum versus standard care women (95% CI: 1.2 to 4.4). Intervention participants also had lower odds of retaining ≥5% of their prepregnancy weight after delivery (adjusted odds ratio: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1 to 0.5 at 6 months; adjusted odds ratio: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.2 to 0.6 at 12 months).

Conclusion

This theory‐based lifestyle intervention resulted in significantly less weight retention at 6 and 12 months after delivery among pregnant women with overweight and obesity.
Process parameter–mechanical property relationships and influence mechanism of advanced CFF/PEEK thermoplastic composites
Authors: Hu Jiqiang , Zhang Hanqi , Li Shuai , Ji Chunming , Chen Shuai , Zhou Zhengong , Wang Bing
Published: June 2022

Process parameters, as the core factor to control the forming quality of composites, are crucial for the processing of composites. In this paper, plain‐woven carbon fiber fabric reinforced polyether ether ketone (CFF/PEEK) thermoplastic composites are fabricated by hot‐pressing process. Influence of the critical process parameters, including molding temperature, molding pressure and holding time, on mechanical properties of CFF/PEEK composites are investigated. The tensile, flexural and short‐beam shear properties of CFF/PEEK composites fabricated by different process parameters were tested as evaluation indicators to achieve the optimization of process parameters. Most importantly, to deeply and systematically reveal the influence mechanism of process parameters, the high‐temperature contact angle of CFF‐PEEK and the viscosity‐temperature characteristics of PEEK were observed and analyzed. In addition, the forming quality and microscopic failure modes of CFF/PEEK composites were observed by optical, metallographic and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. This work provides a research idea and technical route for studying the process parameters of fiber reinforced polymer composites and revealing their influence mechanism on mechanical properties.
Rage or rationality: Exposure to Internet censorship and the impact on individual information behaviors in China
Authors: Zhang Langcheng , Tandoc Edson C. , Han Sukhee
Published: June 2022

Studies showed that personal experience with censorship can trigger psychological and behavioral resistance in individual users. However, it is still unclear whether this impact goes beyond those who are censored and to those who witness or are made aware of censorship at work. Through a survey of 481 college students in China, this study examined the relationships between censorship exposure, emotions, and information behaviors on sensitive issues online. The result shows that more exposure, though with a modest effect, predicts higher levels of anger and acquisition and production of information on censored topics. Anger itself is also a predictor of higher information acquisition and production, while fear is only negatively related to information production. Implications are made for future research and Internet policy evaluation.
Capturing the geometry, function, and evolution of enzymes with 3D templates
Authors: Riziotis Ioannis G. , Thornton Janet M.
Published: June 2022

Structural templates are 3D signatures representing protein functional sites, such as ligand binding cavities, metal coordination motifs, or catalytic sites. Here we explore methods to generate template libraries and algorithms to query structures for conserved 3D motifs. Applications of templates are discussed, as well as some exemplar cases for examining evolutionary links in enzymes. We also introduce the concept of using more than one template per structure to represent flexible sites, as an approach to better understand catalysis through snapshots captured in enzyme structures. Functional annotation from structure is an important topic that has recently resurfaced due to the new more accurate methods of protein structure prediction. Therefore, we anticipate that template‐based functional site detection will be a powerful tool in the task of characterizing a vast number of new protein models.
Adipose tissue‐derived stem cells as a potential candidate in treatment of Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review on preclinical studies
Authors: Madani Neishaboori Arian , Eshraghi Azadeh , Tasouji Asl Arezou , Shariatpanahi Marjan , Yousefifard Mahmoud , Gorji Ali
Published: June 2022

In recent years, numerous investigations have evaluated the efficacy of adipose tissue‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) and their exosome transplantation in managing Alzheimer's disease (AD) in different animal models. However, there are still many contradictions among the studies that hinder reaching a reliable conclusion. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review the existing evidence regarding the efficacy of ADSCs administration in treatment of AD. The systematic search was conducted in the databases of Medline (via PubMed), Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science, in addition to the manual search in Google and Google scholar, to find articles published until March 13, 2021. Preclinical studies were included and two independent reviewers summarized the eligible papers. Ten articles were included in our review. The treatment strategies varied between isolated ADSC, ADSCs exosomes, ADSCs conditioned medium, and combination therapy (ADSCs plus conditioned medium in one study, and ADSCs plus melatonin in another study). Overview of the included articles showed promising results of ADSCs and its conditioned medium/exosome administration in animal models of AD. These studies showed significant learning and memory improvements through ADSCs and their conditioned medium/exosome administration in animal models of AD. In addition, the application of ADSCs reduced the amyloid‐beta plaque deposits in the hippocampus and neocortex of these animals. Based on the aforementioned evidence, studies have suggested potential beneficial effects of ADSCs in the treatment of AD, particularly through decreasing the size of Aβ plaques and improvement of cognitive deficits. Further investigations regarding the subject are encouraged to achieve more accurate conclusions.
Vision‐assisted deep stall landing for a fixed‐wing UAV
Authors: Kim Doyoung , Park Sanghyuk
Published: June 2022

This paper reports a guidance and control method for vision‐assisted deep stall landing for a fixed‐wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). With a deep stall maneuver, a fixed‐wing UAV can land on a confined area with a deep flight path angle. This paper combines vision‐assisted guidance for approach and deep stall maneuvers for intuitive fixed‐wing UAV operation. A target landing area is chosen and tracked by a human operator with a computer mouse on the aerial image. Then, a line‐of‐sight vector is created to generate a guidance command. The proposed method is composed of two phases: a vision‐assisted approach (Phase I) and vision‐assisted deep stall landing (Phase II). In Phase I, the UAV is guided toward a mouse‐tracked landing area while maintaining the flight speed and altitude. In Phase II, the deep stall is initiated by a deep stall start algorithm, and the UAV is guided to the mouse‐tracked target landing area. The feasibility of the suggested method is verified by a series of flight tests, where the testbed UAV successfully landed on a 10 m × 10 m target.
Emergence of Elastic Properties in a Minimalist Resilin‐Derived Heptapeptide upon Bromination
Authors: Pizzi Andrea , Sori Lorenzo , Pigliacelli Claudia , Gautieri Alfonso , Andolina Clara , Bergamaschi Greta , Gori Alessandro , Panine Pierre , Grande Antonio Mattia , Linder Markus B. , Baldelli Bombelli Francesca , Soncini Monica , Metrangolo Pierangelo
Published: June 2022

Bromination is herein exploited to promote the emergence of elastic behavior in a short peptide—SDSYGAP—derived from resilin, a rubber‐like protein exerting its role in the jumping and flight systems of insects. Elastic and resilient hydrogels are obtained, which also show self‐healing behavior, thanks to the promoted non‐covalent interactions that limit deformations and contribute to the structural recovery of the peptide‐based hydrogel. In particular, halogen bonds may stabilize the β‐sheet organization working as non‐covalent cross‐links between nearby peptide strands. Importantly, the unmodified peptide (i.e., wild type) does not show such properties. Thus, SDSY(3,5‐Br)GAP is a novel minimalist peptide elastomer.
Engineering Fe and V Coordinated Bimetallic Oxide Nanocatalyst Enables Enhanced Polysulfides Mediation for High Energy Density Li‐S Battery
Authors: Cheng Hao , Zhang Shichao , Li Siyuan , Gao Cheng , Zhao Sihan , Lu Yingying , Wang Miao
Published: June 2022

Lithium sulfur (Li‐S) batteries are expected to become the next‐generation rechargeable energy storage devices owing to their high theoretical energy density, environmental benignity, and economic benefits. However, the undesirable lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) shuttling and sluggish redox kinetics of sulfur electrochemistry severely degenerate the wide‐ranging electrochemical performances, hindering the commercialization process of Li‐S batteries. Herein, a Fe and V coordinated bimetallic oxide FeVO4 (denote FVO) nanocatalyst with three‐dimensional (3D) ordered structure is thoughtfully tailored and cooperated with the commercialized carbon nanotubes (CNT) to modify polypropylene (PP) separator for achieving high efficiencies of restraining the LiPSs shuttling and boosting the redox conversion of sulfur species. The Fe and V coordinated bimetallic oxide demonstrates enhanced anchoring and catalyzing activities toward sulfur species than single metal oxides of Fe and V with homometallic valence states due to the reconfiguration of the 3d‐band. Impressively, the Li‐S pouch cell with the FVO/CNT@PP separator achieves an energy density up to 341 Wh kg−1. The bimetallic oxide nanocatalyst used in this work enlightens a new designing route toward the separator modification for the development of high energy density Li‐S batteries.