bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential local adaptation in populations of invasive reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) across an urbanization gradient
Authors: Weston Leah M. , Mattingly Kali Z. , Day Charles T. C. , Hovick Stephen M.
Published: July 2021

Urban stressors represent strong selective gradients that can elicit evolutionary change, especially in non‐native species that may harbor substantial within‐population variability. To test whether urban stressors drive phenotypic differentiation and influence local adaptation, we compared stress responses of populations of a ubiquitous invader, reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea). Specifically, we quantified responses to salt, copper, and zinc additions by reed canary grass collected from four populations spanning an urbanization gradient (natural, rural, moderate urban, and intense urban). We measured ten phenotypic traits and trait plasticities, because reed canary grass is known to be highly plastic and because plasticity may enhance invasion success. We tested the following hypotheses: (a) Source populations vary systematically in their stress response, with the intense urban population least sensitive and the natural population most sensitive, and (b) plastic responses are adaptive under stressful conditions. We found clear trait variation among populations, with the greatest divergence in traits and trait plasticities between the natural and intense urban populations. The intense urban population showed stress tolerator characteristics for resource acquisition traits including leaf dry matter content and specific root length. Trait plasticity varied among populations for over half the traits measured, highlighting that plasticity differences were as common as trait differences. Plasticity in root mass ratio and specific root length were adaptive in some contexts, suggesting that natural selection by anthropogenic stressors may have contributed to root trait differences. Reed canary grass populations in highly urbanized wetlands may therefore be evolving enhanced tolerance to urban stressors, suggesting a mechanism by which invasive species may proliferate across urban wetland systems generally.
Chimeric antigen receptor‐modified human regulatory T cells that constitutively express IL‐10 maintain their phenotype and are potently suppressive
Authors: Mohseni Yasmin R. , Saleem Adeel , Tung Sim L. , Dudreuilh Caroline , Lang Cameron , Peng Qi , Volpe Alessia , Adigbli George , Cross Amy , Hester Joanna , Farzaneh Farzin , Scotta Cristiano , Lechler Robert I. , Issa Fadi , Fruhwirth Gilbert O. , Lombardi Giovanna
Published: July 2021

Clinical trials of Treg therapy in transplantation are currently entering phases IIa and IIb, with the majority of these employing polyclonal Treg populations that harbor a broad specificity. Enhancing Treg specificity is possible with the use of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which can be customized to respond to a specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA). In this study, we build on our previous work in the development of HLA‐A2 CAR‐Tregs by further equipping cells with the constitutive expression of interleukin 10 (IL‐10) and an imaging reporter as additional payloads. Cells were engineered to express combinations of these domains and assessed for phenotype and function. Cells expressing the full construct maintained a stable phenotype after transduction, were specifically activated by HLA‐A2, and suppressed alloresponses potently. The addition of IL‐10 provided an additional advantage to suppressive capacity. This study therefore provides an important proof‐of‐principle for this cell engineering approach for next‐generation Treg therapy in transplantation.
Terminal Imido Complexes of the Groups 9–11: Electronic Structure and Developments in the Last Decade
Authors: Grünwald Annette , Anjana S. S. , Munz Dominik
Published: July 2021

We thank the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie (Liebig fellowship for D.M.), the German‐American Fulbright Commission (Fulbright‐Cottrell Award for D.M.) as well as the Bavarian Equal Opportunities Sponsorship – Realization of Equal Opportunities for Women in Research and Teaching (fellowship for A.G.) for financial support. We thank the RRZ Erlangen for computational resources.
Base‐Catalyzed Hydrosilylation of Nitriles to Amines and Esters to Alcohols
Authors: Clarke Joshua A. , van der Est Art , Nikonov Georgii I.
Published: July 2021

Base‐catalyzed hydrosilylation of nitriles to amines and esters to silylated alcohols is reported. This protocol tolerates electron‐rich and electron‐neutral olefins and works in the presence of basic functional groups (e. g. tertiary amines) but fails for acidic substrates, such as phenols and NH anilines. This catalytic system does not tolerate carbonyl groups, such as aldehydes, ketones, esters and carbamides, which are reduced to corresponding alcohols and amines. With the exact amount of silane, esters can be selectively reduced in the presence of nitriles, but the selectivity drops for the pairs ester/carboxamide and carboxamide/nitrile. Through competition experiments, the following preference in functional group reactivity was determined: ester > carboxamide > nitrile.
Estimating real‐world probabilities: A forward‐looking behavioral framework
Authors: Crisóstomo Ricardo
Published: July 2021

We show that disentangling sentiment‐induced biases from fundamental expectations significantly improves the accuracy and consistency of probabilistic forecasts. Using data from 1994 to 2017, we analyze 15 stochastic models and risk‐preference combinations and in all possible cases a simple behavioral transformation delivers substantial forecast gains. Our results are robust across different evaluation methods, risk‐preference hypotheses, and sentiment calibrations, demonstrating that behavioral effects can be effectively used to forecast asset prices. We also implement a trading strategy that shows how behavioral biases can be exploited to generate trading profits. Further analyses confirm that our real‐world densities outperform forecasts recalibrated to avoid past mistakes and improve predictive models where risk aversion is dynamically estimated from option prices.
Addressing Social Adversity to Improve Outcomes for Children After Liver Transplant
Authors: Wadhwani Sharad I. , Gottlieb Laura , Bucuvalas John C. , Lyles Courtney , Lai Jennifer C.
Published: July 2021

The social determinants of health, defined as the conditions in which we live, learn, work, and play, undoubtedly impact health outcomes. Social adversity in childhood perpetuates over the life course and has consequences extending into adulthood. This link between social adversity and adverse outcomes extends to children undergoing liver transplant, with children from socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods experiencing a greater burden of morbidity and mortality after transplant. Yet, we lack an in‐depth understanding of how to address social adversity for these children. Herein, we lay out a strategy to develop and test interventions to address social adversity for children undergoing liver transplant. To do so, we believe that more granular data on how specific social risk factors (e.g., food insecurity) impact outcomes for children after liver transplant are needed. This will provide the liver transplant community with knowledge on the most pressing problems. Then, using the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s framework for integrating social needs into medical care, the health system can start to develop and test health system interventions. We believe that attending to our patients’ social adversity will realize improved outcomes for children undergoing liver transplant.
Alkaloid leonurine exerts anti‐inflammatory effects via modulating MST1 expression in trophoblast cells
Authors: Zong Fang , Zhao Yingzi
Published: July 2021

Background

Pre‐eclampsia (PE) is mainly attributed to the inflammation of trophoblast cells in pregnant women, which results in damage to the maternal organs and growth retardation of the fetus. Alkaloid leonurine (LNR) is a plant compound and has anti‐inflammatory effects. Here we aimed to investigate the effects of LNR on human and mouse trophoblast cells and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

The levels of the inflammatory factors in trophoblast cells under lipopolysaccharides (LPS) stimulation were analyzed with ELISA. Western blot was employed to examine the protein expression. Trophoblast cells in Mammalian ste20‐like kinase 1 (MST1−/−) or wild type (WT) mice were isolated to examine the expression of signal molecules in the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) pathway. Concentration‐dependent activity of NF‐κB was examined. The regulation of LNR and MST1 in MST1−/− trophoblast cells was studied as well.

Results

Our data showed that LNR exhibited anti‐inflammatory effects and suppressed the NF‐κB signaling by inhibiting LPS‐induced inflammation in trophoblast cells. LNR upregulated the expression of MST1, and the anti‐inflammatory role of LNR was greatly relieved in MST1‐knockout trophoblast cells, although it displayed weak roles in NF‐κB signaling.

Conclusion

LNR exhibits anti‐inflammatory effects on human and mouse trophoblast cells by upregulating MST1 in the NF‐κB signal pathway.
Multienvironment evaluation of St. Augustinegrass breeding lines for turf performance via a mixed‐models approach
Authors: Pereira Carlos Henrique , Paudel Dev , Nunes José Airton Rodrigues , Unruh Joseph Bryan , Quesenberry Kenneth , Kenworthy Kevin , Rios Esteban
Published: July 2021

St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walter) Kuntze] is a turfgrass extensively used in managed landscapes in Florida and throughout the southeastern United States. To develop cultivars with broad adaptation, it is necessary to understand the effect of genotype × environment interactions. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters in St. Augustinegrass for coverage, turf quality (TQ), and turf color (TC) in a multienvironment trial across five locations in Florida (Arcadia, Hague, Citra, Cocoa Beach, and Jay) evaluated over 5 yr (2011–2016). The experiment consisted of 26 advanced breeding lines, and four cultivars: ‘Floraverde’, ‘SS‐100’ (Palmetto®), ‘NUF‐76’ (Captiva®), and ‘Floratam’. Trials were arranged as randomized complete block designs with three replications. Linear mixed models with repeated measures were implemented in ASReml‐R. Significant differences were observed among genotypes. The estimates of genotype‐mean broad‐sense heritabilities ranged from 0.37 to 0.96 for coverage, 0.00 to 0.37 for TC, and 0.27 to 0.93 for TQ. Genotypic correlations ranged from 0.05 to 0.90 for coverage, 0.48 to 0.69 for TC, and 0.35 to 0.83 for TQ, indicating stable genotypic performance for TQ and TC between locations. For coverage, most genotypes clustered together, whereas greater genotypic variability was observed for TQ and TC. Genotypes ‘04‐4‐1‐4‐6’ and ‘FSA1602’ showed the best overall performance across the different traits analyzed for most locations and both genotypes are recommended for further use in future crosses in the breeding program. FSA1602 was recently released as FSA1602 and is being commercialized under the trademark CitraBlue®.
miR‐126 regulates the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of non‐small lung cancer cells via AKT2/HK2 axis
Authors: Huang Bin , Wu Gongzhi , Peng Chongxiong , Peng Xuyang , Huang Mingjiang , Ding Jianyang , Zhang Huaizhong , Wu Xuhui
Published: July 2021

This study tended to clarify the role of miR‐126 in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell biological behaviors in vitro, containing cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. miRNA expression microarray related to NSCLC was accessed from gene expression omnibus (GEO) database and subjected to differential analysis using the “limma” package. Real‐time quantitative PCR was conducted to assess the expression of miR‐126 in NSCLC cell lines. wIn vitro experiments including 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2‐H‐tetrazolium bromide (MTT), wound healing assay, Transwell, and flow cytometry assay were used for evaluating the effect of miR‐126 on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. Additionally, target mRNA for miR‐126 was predicted and further validated by bioinformatics analysis and dual‐luciferase reporter assay, respectively. It suggested that miR‐126 was significantly down‐regulated in NSCLS based on the expression microarray, and similar expression trend was exhibited in cancer cell lines. In the meantime, overexpression of miR‐126 was found to result in inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while promotion of cell apoptosis, with reductions in protein expression of AKT2 and phosphorylated HK2 (p‐HK2) as well. AKT2, identified to be a direct target of miR‐126 in NSCLC as judged by dual‐luciferase reporter assay. Additionally, overexpression of AKT2 was observed to have the ability of elevating p‐HK2 protein expression and reversing the effect of miR‐126 on NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Given the above findings, we can see that miR‐126 exerts its role in NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis with the aid of AKT2/HK2 axis.
Implementation strategy for teaching the pharmacists' patient care process to first year student pharmacists
Authors: Bacci Jennifer L. , Odegard Peggy , Jefferson Curtis G. , Blanchard Carrie M.
Published: July 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to (1) name, define, and operationalize an implementation strategy utilized to teach the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process (PPCP) within a first‐year pharmacy practice course series and (2) evaluate the strategy's impact on students' self‐reported competence in providing the PPCP and subjective, objective, assessment, and plan (SOAP) note performance.

Methods

The implementation strategy was described using the Expert Recommendations for Implementation Change (ERIC) terminology and the reporting recommendations developed by Proctor and colleagues. The implementation strategy consisted of developing educational material and conducting training via 7 in‐class workshops and auditing and providing feedback via a 6‐part longitudinal assignment. The validated Comprehensive Medication Management Patient Care Process Fidelity Assessment (CMM PCPFA) was adapted to the educational context and administered to students in March 2020 after completion of the course series to retrospectively assess their self‐perceived change in competence in providing the PPCP. Items were aggregated at the essential function (EF) level. Mean retrospective pre and post EF scores were compared using paired sample t‐tests. Students' performance on SOAP note submissions were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

One hundred seven students (98%) completed the adapted CMM PCPFA and were included in this analysis. The paired t tests showed a statistically significant change in students' self‐reported competence for each essential function. The mean individual student score on their SOAP note was 87.6% ± 11%.

Conclusions

Findings suggest the implementation strategy was successful in increasing students' perceived competence in providing the PPCP. Employing an effective implementation strategy across pharmacy curricula is key to developing competent pharmacists and consistency in patient care delivery in practice.
Macrophage depletion increases target specificity of bone‐targeted nanoparticles
Authors: Ackun‐Farmmer Marian A. , Xiao Baixue , Newman Maureen R. , Benoit Danielle S.W.
Published: July 2021

Despite efforts to achieve tissue selectivity, the majority of systemically administered drug delivery systems (DDSs) are cleared by the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) before reaching target tissues regardless of disease or injury pathology. Previously, we showed that while tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) binding peptide (TBP)‐targeted polymeric nanoparticles (TBP‐NP) delivering a bone regenerative Wnt agonist improved NP fracture accumulation and expedited healing compared with controls, there was also significant MPS accumulation. Here we show that TBP‐NPs are taken up by liver, spleen, lung, and bone marrow macrophages (Mϕ), with 76 ± 4%, 49 ± 11%, 27 ± 9%, and 92 ± 5% of tissue‐specific Mϕ positive for NP, respectively. Clodronate liposomes (CLO) significantly depleted liver and spleen Mϕ, resulting in 1.8‐fold and 3‐fold lower liver and spleen and 1.3‐fold and 1.6‐fold greater fracture and naïve femur accumulation of TBP‐NP. Interestingly, depletion and saturation of MPS using 10‐fold greater TBP‐NP doses also resulted in significantly higher TBP‐NP accumulation at lungs and kidneys, potentially through compensatory clearance mechanisms. The higher NP dose resulted in greater TBP‐NP accumulation at naïve bone tissue; however, other MPS tissues (i.e., heart and lungs) exhibited greater TBP‐NP accumulation, suggesting uptake by other cell types. Most importantly, neither Mϕ depletion nor saturation strategies improved fracture site selectivity of TBP‐NPs, possibly due to a reduction of Mϕ‐derived osteoclasts, which deposit the TRAP epitope. Altogether, these data support that MPS‐mediated clearance is a key obstacle in robust and selective fracture accumulation for systemically administered bone‐targeted DDS and motivates the development of more sophisticated approaches to further improve fracture selectivity of DDS.
Betaine downregulates microRNA 34a expression via a p53‐dependent manner in cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity in rats
Authors: Hussein Rasha M. , Al‐Dalain Saed M.
Published: July 2021

Cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity limits its wide application as a chemotherapeutic drug. Betaine is a natural trimethylglycine compound involved in several biological reactions. In this study, the protective effect of betaine against cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity through modulating the expression of microRNA 34a (miRNA 34a), p53, apoptosis, and inflammation was investigated. Adult Wistar rats were divided into normal group (received vehicle); betaine group (received 250 mg betaine/kg BW/day via oral gavage from Day 1 to Day 25); cisplatin group (received a single intraperitoneal dose of cisplatin at 5 mg/kg BW on Day 21) and betaine + cisplatin group (received the same doses of betaine and cisplatin). The results demonstrated that the cisplatin group exhibited severe kidney tissue damage and an increase in blood creatinine and urea levels. Furthermore, the cisplatin group showed a significant upregulation of miRNA 34a and higher levels of phospho‐p53, caspase 3, cytochrome c, NFkB, and IL‐1β compared to the normal group. Remarkably, the betaine + cisplatin group showed significantly decreased blood creatinine and urea concentrations, decreased levels of miRNA 34a, phospho‐p53, caspase 3, cytochrome c, NFkB, and IL‐1β as well as improved kidney tissue integrity compared to the cisplatin group. In conclusion, cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity in rats was associated with upregulation of miRNA 34a expression, apoptosis, and inflammation in p53‐dependent manner. These effects were reversed by betaine administration that ultimately improved the kidney function and tissue integrity.
β‐Caryophyllene induces apoptosis and inhibits cell proliferation by deregulation of STAT‐3/mTOR/AKT signaling in human bladder cancer cells: An in vitro study
Authors: Yu Xiaodong , Liao Bo , Zhu Pingyu , Cheng Shulin , Du Zhongbo , Jiang Guo
Published: July 2021

The current study aimed to explore the antitumor effect of β‐caryophyllene (BCP) on two different cell lines of T24 and 5637 human bladder cancer (BC) cells and its potential molecular mechanisms in inhibition of STAT‐3/mTOR/AKT signaling pathways and the inductive process of apoptosis mechanism. The results indicated that BCP showed significant cytotoxicity in BC T24 and 5637 cells in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner, and IC50 values were 40 µg/ml in the BC cells T24 and 5637. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) synthesis and apoptosis induction were significantly developed, but the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) decreased on BCP treatment as detected by the fluorescence method. Moreover, cell migration was markedly reduced in BCP and Bax, Bcl‐2 mRNA expression was modified. Finally, it was found that the STAT‐3, mTOR, and AKT protein expressions were suppressed via inhibition of cytotoxicity in T24 and 5637 cells. Therefore, we finally concluded that BCP is an effective treatment against BC T24 and 5637 cells, and it has great chemotherapeutic potential for further bladder carcinoma treatment.
Emission spectra from the 5D1 excited state of the compounds containing Eu3+
Authors: Wang Yu‐Ting , Song Chih‐Yi , Lii Kwang‐Hwa , Chang Bor‐Chen
Published: July 2021

Excitation, photoluminescence, and time‐resolved emission spectra of the Eu3+‐containing compounds, YxEu2‐x(CHDC)3, Eu(NO3)3·5H2O, and Eu2O3 were obtained. The coordination polymers, R2(C8H10O4)3, (R = Eu or Y), were synthesized by mid‐temperature hydrothermal technique with the 1,4‐cyclohexanedicarboxylate (C8H10O4, CHDC) ligands. Blue‐shift emission signals were observed in the emission spectra of these Eu3+‐containing compounds at 561 nm excitation. Power dependence and temperature dependence experiments indicate the blue‐shift emission results from one‐photon hot band transition to the 5D1 excited state. The Eu3+ 5D1→7FJ emission decay curves and 5D0→7FJ emission rising curves of these compounds were acquired. The 5D1 state emission lifetimes are quite different in these compounds and are correlated with the 5D1 → 5D0 relaxation rates. Our analysis shows two possible (Eu3+‐Eu3+ and Eu3+‐CHDC) cross‐relaxation processes that relax 5D1 to 5D0 with different rates in these compounds.
The Dirty Underbelly of Prosocial Behavior: Reconceptualizing Greater Good as an Ecosystem with Unintended Consequences
Authors: Labroo Aparna A. , Goldsmith Kelly
Published: July 2021

This article is part of the issue “Consumer Psychology for the Greater Good”
Elucidating the structural, anticancer, and antibacterial traits of Punica granatum peel extracts‐mediated Ag and Ag/GO nanocomposites
Authors: J. Emima Jeronsia , R. Ragu , A. Jerline Mary , S. Jerome Das
Published: July 2021

Ag nanoparticles and Ag/GO nanocomposites have been synthesized by facile, eco‐friendly, and cost‐effective green approach using the peel extracts of Punica granatum. The synthesized Silver Nanoparticles and Silver Graphene Oxide nanocomposites were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared analysis. AgNPs revealed spherical morphology with particle size ranging from 30 to 40 nm. Scanning electron microscopy results revealed silver nanoparticles with an average size of 35 nm being uniformly distributed over GO sheets. The surface plasmon band appears at 433 nm for AgNPs and 458 nm for Ag/GO nanocomposites. The green synthesized nanoparticles were found to have excellent antibacterial efficacy against both gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and gram negative (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli) bacterial strains. The results showed that Ag/GO nanocomposites showed better antibacterial activity than pure AgNPs with maximum inhibitory zone of 28 mm for Escherichia coli. This attributes to the role of GO sheets in preventing AgNPs from agglomerating and oxidizing. The anticancer activity of AgNPs and Ag/GO nanocomposites were tested against human breast cancer cell line (MCF‐7) which demonstrated a dose dependent activity with half minimum inhibitory concentration of 100 and 150 μg/ml.
A novel approach to estimate the abatement of ammonia emissions from mitigation techniques at farm‐scale slurry stores exemplified by a semifloating cover
Authors: Kupper Thomas , Eugster Roy , Sintermann Jörg , Neftel Albrecht , Häni Christoph
Published: July 2021

Ammonia (NH3) losses from livestock slurry stores substantially contribute to agricultural emissions to the atmosphere. Gas release from slurry storage facilities is driven by interactions between store operations and meteorological conditions. This study quantifies the abating effect of an impermeable semifloating cover as an emission mitigation technique at a farm‐scale slurry storage tank. Emissions were measured over 1 yr and compared with the preceding 2 yr of measurements with the uncovered tank. In this novel approach, emission data were aggregated to categories within 1 h measuring intervals according to five key factors influencing emissions (time span after agitation and tank‐filling level as surrogates for natural crust occurrence; the meteorological parameters precipitation, air temperature, and wind speed) for the two consecutive measurement campaigns with and without the cover. The emission abatement effect of the cover was determined by emission modeling of the entire measuring campaign based on measuring intervals of the uncovered and the covered tank where the aggregated categories of influencing factors were equal. The resulting average emission abatement was 48%. An average abatement of 37 and 54% was achieved during periods with and without a surface crust, respectively. The emission reduction was less with low tank filling level due to higher air exchange through openings of the cover. The presented approach is applicable to evaluate emission mitigation techniques for single farm‐scale stores. With adequate measurement duration, it is appropriate to produce reliable emission data reflecting the complex interactions between emissions and influencing factors occurring at real‐world storage facilities.
Evaluation of Weather Research and Forecasting model downscaled rainfall and its variability over India
Authors: Prathipati Vinay Kumar , Viswanadhapalli Yesubabu , Chennu Venkateswara Naidu , Dasari Hari Prasad
Published: July 2021

Long‐term variations in the frequencies of different rainfall events during summer monsoon season (June through September) are analysed over a period of 38‐years (1980–2017) using the simulations of weather research and forecasting (WRF) model evaluated against the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Further, we have divided the study period into two sub‐periods such as before (1980–1998), and after the mega ENSO event (1999–2017). Our analysis suggests the WRF exhibits good skill in capturing the increased trends in the frequency of heavy and very heavy (extreme) rainfall events during the recent epoch (1999–2017).We have assessed the skill of WRF in capturing the observed probability distributions of daily rain rates over different sub‐regions of India. Our results depict that the downscaled products of WRF captured well the extreme rainfall as observed in IMD, signifying that this dynamically downscaled model with continuous 36‐hr re‐initialization makes it suitable to simulate extreme rainfall events compared to light rainfall event. However, our analysis reports that there is a slight overestimation in WRF rainfall and fails in capturing the light rainfall events compared to IMD. The overestimation of rainfall by WRF possibly be due to increased pressure gradients and enhances the convection in the upper streams and associated rainfall. Our study emphasizes that the variability in summer monsoon rainfall during the recent period is due to the changes in the monsoon circulations, particularly monsoon low‐level jet that leads to alter the moisture budget in terms of moisture convergence and transport. Moreover, the variability in frequencies of rainfall events are analysed for strong La Niña/El Niño years and observed an increase in extremes over major part of India during strong La Niña except over parts of Central India and NEI where strong El Niño dominates; which is well captured by the WRF model.
Nuclear factor‐kappa B decoy oligodeoxynucleotide‐loaded poly lactic‐co‐glycolic acid nanospheres promote periodontal tissue healing after tooth replantation in rats
Authors: Li Kai , Ishida Yuji , Hatano‐Sato Kasumi , Ongprakobkul Narubhorn , Hosomichi Jun , Usumi‐Fujita Risa , Kaneko Sawa , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Ono Takashi
Published: July 2021

Background

Excessive inflammation in the periodontal tissue after tooth replantation can lead to inflammatory root resorption and interrupt periodontal tissue regeneration. We tested the hypothesis that nuclear factor‐κB decoy oligodeoxynucleotide‐loaded poly lactic‐co‐glycolic acid nanospheres (NF‐PLGA) inhibit excessive inflammation and promote healing of periodontal tissue after replantation in rats.

Methods

The upper right incisors of rats were extracted, immersed in different specific solutions, and replanted. The rats were euthanized at 7, 14, and 28 days after replantation. Morphological evaluation with micro‐CT and histological assessment with hematoxylin and eosin and tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was performed. Additionally, we examined the expression of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), and fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) in the periodontal ligament (PDL) by performing immunohistological assessment.

Results

The NF‐PLGA group showed significantly greater dental root thickness than the other experimental groups. Root resorption was not observed after the application of NF‐PLGA on day 7. The application of NF‐PLGA also resulted in a significantly lower number of TRAP‐positive osteoclasts on days 7 and 14 after replantation. Significantly lower expression of IL‐1β and IL‐6 and higher expression of TGF‐β1 and FGF‐2 were observed under the application of NF‐PLGA in the PDL.

Conclusions

NF‐PLGA promoted the healing process by inhibiting the initial excessive inflammatory response in the PDL, preventing root resorption, and promoting periodontal tissue regeneration. The findings also suggested that the PLGA nanospheres‐mediated transfection of the decoy oligodeoxynucleotides can be useful for the clinical application of replanted tooth root surfaces.
Twenty‐One for 2021: The Most Influential Papers in Laryngology Since 2000
Authors: Ryan Marisa A. , Brodsky Martin B. , Blumin Joel H. , Bock Jonathan M. , Carroll Thomas L. , Garrett C. Gaelyn , Lechien Jerome R. , Ongkasuwan Julina , Simpson C. Blake , Akst Lee M.
Published: July 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

To identify the most influential publications in laryngology since 2000.

Study Design

Modified Delphi process.

Methods

Samples of laryngologists drawn from editors of leading journals, organization officers, and thought leaders were invited to participate in a modified Delphi identification of influential laryngology papers. Influential was defined as follows: yielding meaningful practice changes, catalyzing further work as a foundation for an important topic, altering traditional views, or demonstrating durability over time. Quality and validity were not among the selection criteria. Each participant nominated 5 to 10 papers in Round 1. These nominations, augmented with papers from bibliometric analysis, were narrowed further in Round 2 as participants identified their top 20. The 40 papers with the most Round 2 votes were discussed by video conference and then subjected to Round 3 voting, with each participant again selecting their top 20 most influential papers. Final results were collated by the number of Round 3 votes.

Results

Sixteen of 18 invited laryngologists participated overall (all 16 in Rounds 1 and 3; 14 in Round 2). Twenty‐one papers were identified as most influential. One paper appeared on all 16 Round 3 lists; three papers with eight (50%) votes each were lasted to make the list. Eleven of these 21 focused on voice; three each related to cancer, airway, and swallowing; and one encompassed all of these clinical areas.

Conclusions

This list of 21 influential laryngology papers serves to focus further research, provides perspective on recent advances within the field, and is an educational resource for trainees and practicing physicians.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 132:406–412, 2022
Porcine small intestine graft for reconstruction of oral defects
Authors: Membreno Petra V. , Eid Anas A. , Vanison Christopher C. , Gillespie M. Boyd , Gleysteen John P.
Published: July 2021

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of porcine submucosal allograft (Biodesign Sinonasal Repair Graft [Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN]) in oral cavity and oropharynx reconstruction after ablative surgery.

Methods

We conducted a prospective and retrospective review of patients who underwent Biodesign Sinonasal Repair Graft reconstruction for oral and oropharyngeal surgical defects at a single institution between 2018 and 2020. A total of 11 patients were included in the study. Data points included their perioperative medical and demographic data, immediate postoperative course, and follow‐up visits at 10 days and at 2 months. The clinicopathologic characteristics of their disease, postoperative esthetic, and functional outcomes were recorded and analyzed.

Results

Eleven procedures have been performed, and all patients received Biodesign reconstruction either immediately after ablation or after they failed a previous reconstruction. None of the patients had bone exposure. The subsites included oral tongue (n = 6), floor of the mouth (n = 3), buccal mucosa (n = 1), and soft palate (n = 1). In all cases, the operations and the postoperative course were uneventful. The mean defect size was 22 cm2. The median start of oral intake was at 2 days postoperatively. The Biodesign graft healed well in all patients with no total graft loss. There was one complication that required revision surgery due to obstruction of Wharton's duct by the Biodesign material.

Conclusions

Biodesign can be a viable option for small and medium‐sized oral and oropharyngeal defects in patients who are medically unfit or do not want to undergo a free flap surgery.

Level of Evidence

4.
Convolutional neural network for quality of transmission prediction of unestablished lightpaths
Authors: Usmani Fehmida , Khan Ihtesham , Masood Muhammad Umar , Ahmad Arsalan , Shahzad Muhammad , Curri Vittorio
Published: July 2021

With the advancement in evolving concepts of software‐defined networks and elastic‐optical‐network, the number of design parameters is growing dramatically, making the lightpath (LP) deployment more complex. Typically, worst‐case assumptions are utilized to calculate the quality‐of‐transmission (QoT) with the provisioning of high‐margin requirements. To this aim, precise and advanced estimation of the QoT of the LP is essential for reducing this provisioning margin. In this investigation, we present convolutional‐neural‐networks (CNN) based architecture to accurately calculate QoT before the actual deployment of LP in an unseen network. The proposed model is trained on the data acquired from already established LP of a completely different network. The metric considered to evaluate the QoT of LP is the generalized signal‐to‐noise ratio (GSNR). The synthetic dataset is generated by utilizing well appraised GNPy simulation tool. Promising results are achieved, showing that the proposed CNN model considerably minimizes the GSNR uncertainty and, consequently, the provisioning margin.
DNA precipitation revisited: A quantitative analysis
Authors: He Shupeng , Cao Bozhi , Yi Yi , Huang Shenhao , Chen Xiao , Luo Sheng , Mou Xiaoyu , Guo Tong , Wang Yujie , Wang Yanwei , Yang Guangcan
Published: July 2021

We have quantitatively investigated the precipitation of DNA in different valence cations and in various ethanol concentration solution. In free ethanol condition, monovalent ion cannot induce DNA condensation and in turn to precipitation. Divalent ion can cause DNA precipitation as the concentrations of both Mg2+ (MgCl2) and Ca2+ (CaCl2) go up to a critical value of about 50 mM. After adding ethanol, monovalent ion and divalent ion can promote DNA precipitation significantly, but it has no effect on the process by trivalent ions. In monovalent ion solution of 100 mM, the critical volume ratio of ethanol is about 52% for DNA precipitation. However, the value decreases significantly to 4% in 25 mM divalent ion solution. Based on the precipitation curves, we quantitatively calculated the binding energies between the cations and phosphate group of DNA. For monovalent ions and in aqueous solution, the Na+‐DNA binding energy is about −5.52 KJ·Mol−1 (−2.63 kBT, the precipitation temperature is 253 Kelvin) and the K+‐DNA binding energy is about −4.77 KJ·Mol−1 (−2.27 kBT). For divalent ions and in the same condition, the Ca2+‐DNA binding energy is about −8.25 KJ·Mol−1 (−3.93 kBT) and the Mg2+‐DNA binding energy is about −8.67 KJ·Mol−1 (−4.13 kBT). The scenario of DNA precipitation modulation by ethanol and zwitterionic ions is demonstrated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging intuitively.
Optimal decentralized control of a wind turbine and diesel generator system
Authors: Shojaee Milad , Azizi S. Mohsen
Published: July 2021

This article presents a decentralized optimal controller design technique for the frequency and power control of a coupled wind turbine and diesel generator. The decentralized controller consists of two proportional‐integral (PI)‐lead controllers which are designed and optimized simultaneously using a quasi‐Newton based optimization technique, namely, Davidon–Fletcher–Powell algorithm. The optimal PI‐lead controllers are designed in such a way that there are no communication links between them. Simulation results show the superior performance of the proposed controller with a lower order structure compared to the benchmark decentralized linear‐quadratic Gaussian integral controllers of orders 4 and 11. It is also shown that the proposed controller demonstrates an effective performance in damping the disturbances from load and wind power, as well as a robust performance against the parameter changes of the power system.
Improved electrochemical performance of symmetric polyaniline/activated carbon hybrid for high supercapacitance: Comparison with indirect capacitance
Authors: Singh Gyan , Kumar Yogesh , Husain Samina
Published: July 2021

Polyaniline (PANI) chains doped with very small amount of Activated Carbon (AC) as an electrode material in aqueous H2SO4 electrolyte was successfully employed in this work to enhance the electrochemical capacitive properties of PANI. The aim of this research is to improve overall specific capacitance of PANI by incorporating only minute amount of AC as a PANI dopant. There are many reports available on PANI/AC but the use of such a minute amount of AC in H2SO4 electrolyte which enhances the overall specific capacity of the composite has not been reported elsewhere. An improvement in the specific capacitance from 763.44 to 897.50 F g−1 in aqueous 0.1 M H2SO4 electrolyte solution is observed by adding mere 0.04 g of AC. It is envisaged that AC enhances SO4−2 ion transportation, forwards a stable and fast surface redox reactions, hence collectively improving the overall capacitive performance of supercapacitor electrode. The charge/discharge measurements shows that AC particles stops the PANI chains degradation during charge/discharge cycle. Also, the retention rate (54%) of PANI1.0/AC0.04 indicates approximately 11% more stability than pure PANI (43%) electrode alone. It was further observed that the electrochemical impedance parameters viz., that charge transfer resistance (Rct) (0.79 Ω), response frequency (0.26 Hz), response time (3.84 s) and knee frequency (9.16 Hz) of PANI1.0/AC0.04 electrode material shows excellent performance of the PANI doped AC. Considering its high specific capacitance, low‐cost and ease of synthesis, PANI1.0/AC0.04 seems to be a promising electrode material for next generation symmetric supercapacitors.
Physicochemical properties and bio‐interfacial interactions of surface modified PDLLA‐PAMAM linear dendritic block copolymers
Authors: Simms Briana L. , Ji Nan , Chandrasiri Indika , Zia Mohammad Farid , Udemgba Chinwe S. , Kaur Ravinder , Delcamp Jared H. , Flynt Alex , Tan Chalet , Watkins Davita L.
Published: July 2021

Here, we demonstrate the applicability of self‐assembling linear‐dendritic block copolymers (LDBCs) and their nanoaggregates possessing varied surfaces as therapeutic nanocarriers. These LDBCs are comprised of a hydrophobic, linear polyester chemically coupled to a hydrophilic dendron polyamidoamine (PAMAM)—the latter of which acts as the surface of the self‐assembled nanoaggregate in aqueous media. To better understand how surface charge density affects the overall operability of these nanomaterials, we modified the nanoaggregate surface to yield cationic (NH3+), neutral (OH), and anionic (COO−) surfaces. The effect of these modifications on the physicochemical properties (i.e., size, morphology, and surface charge density), colloidal stability, and cellular uptake mechanism of the polymeric nanocarrier were investigated. This comparative study demonstrates the viability of nanoaggregates formed from PDLLA‐PAMAM LDBCs to serve as nanocarriers for applications in drug delivery.
Tough transitions: Family caregiver experiences with a pediatric long‐term ventilation discharge pathway
Authors: Chiang Jackie , Karim Allia , Hoffman Andrea , Dryden‐Palmer Karen , Keilty Krista , Syed Faiza , Janevski Joanna , Dutta Tilak , Fellin Maryanne , Lindsay Sally , Beaune Laura , Amin Reshma
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Discharging a child home on long‐term ventilation (LTV) via tracheostomy is complex and involves multiple healthcare providers across healthcare sectors. To date, there has been a paucity of data with respect to the experiences of families transitioning a child home on LTV. Our objective was to explore the perceptions of family caregivers (FCs) who have completed a newly developed LTV discharge pathway as they transitioned home.

Methods

We conducted 11 semi‐structured interviews with FCs. Interviews focused on FC's experience with the training process, perception of competency from a knowledge and skill perspective, and opportunities for improvement. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach.

Results

Eight mothers and three fathers of ten children participated. Six primary themes were identified: (1) making an informed decision, (2) transitioning to rehabilitation, (3) building capacity for self‐care, (4) coordinating case management, (5) readying for discharge home, and (6) experiencing home care.

Conclusion

Overall, FCs felt that the preparation and transition support obtained through the application of a standardized LTV discharge pathway allowed successful attainment of new knowledge and skills necessary to care for their child with LTV at home.
The asthma predictive index as a surrogate diagnostic tool in preschoolers: Analysis of a longitudinal birth cohort
Authors: Castro‐Rodriguez Jose A. , Forno Erick , Padilla Oslando , Casanello Paola , Krause Bernardo J. , Borzutzky Arturo
Published: July 2021

Diagnosing asthma in preschool children remains an unsolved challenge, at a time when early identification would allow for better education and treatment to prevent morbidity and lung function deterioration.

Objective

To evaluate if the asthma predictive index (API) can be used as surrogate for asthma diagnosis in preschoolers.

Methods

Birth cohort of 339 pregnant women enrolled at delivery and their offspring, who were followed for atopy, wheezing, and other respiratory illnesses through 30 months of age. The API was determined at 30 months of age by the researchers; and examined its association with physician‐diagnosed asthma during the first 30 months, made independently by the primary care physician not involved in the study.

Results

Among 307 offspring with complete follow‐up, 44 (14.3%) were API+. Maternal body mass index, maternal education, past oral contraceptive use, birthweight, placenta weight, age of daycare at 12 m, gastroesophageal reflux disease at 12 m, acute otitis media at 18 m, bronchiolitis, croup and pneumonia, cord blood adiponectin were all associated with API+. In the multivariable analysis, API+ was associated with almost sixfold odds of asthma diagnosis (adjusted OR = 5.7, 95% CI [2.6–12.3]), after adjusting for the relevant covariates above including respiratory infections like bronchiolitis and pneumonia. The API sensitivity was 48%, specificity 92%, 61% PPV, 88% NPV, 6.4 LR+, 0.56 LR−, 0.84 diagnosis accuracy. The adjusted odds for asthma was 11.4.

Conclusions

This longitudinal birth cohort suggests, for first time, that API (a structured definition for asthma), could be used as a diagnostic tool, not only as a prognostic tool, in toddlers and preschoolers.
Phase I monitoring of serially correlated nonparametric profiles by mixed‐effects modeling
Authors: Zhou Qin , Qiu Peihua
Published: July 2021

Profile monitoring is an active research area in statistical process control (SPC) because it has many important applications in manufacturing and other industries. Early profile monitoring methods often impose model assumptions that the mean profile function has a parametric form (e.g., linear), profile observations have a parametric distribution (e.g., normal), and within‐profile observations are independent of each other. These assumptions have been lifted in some recent profile monitoring research, making the related methods more reliable to use in various applications. One notoriously challenging task in profile monitoring research is to properly accommodate serial data correlation among profiles observed at different time points, and this task has not been properly addressed in the SPC literature yet. Serial data correlation is common in practice, and it has been well demonstrated in the literature that control charts are unreliable to use if the serial data correlation is ignored. In this paper, we suggest a novel mixed‐effects model for describing serially correlated univariate profile data. Based on this model, a Phase I profile monitoring chart is developed. This chart is flexible in the sense that it does not require any parametric forms for describing the mean profile function and the profile data distribution. It can accommodate both the within‐profile and between‐profile data correlation. Numerical studies show that it works well in different cases.
Arboreal camera trapping: a reliable tool to monitor plant‐frugivore interactions in the trees on large scales
Authors: Zhu Chen , Li Wande , Gregory Tremaine , Wang Duorun , Ren Peng , Zeng Di , Kang Yi , Ding Ping , Si Xingfeng
Published: July 2021

Although arboreal camera trapping is a growing field, it has rarely been used for monitoring plant‐frugivore interactions in the trees. Frugivore foraging behavior generally occurs in trees, hence arboreal camera trapping can be a potentially useful tool for frugivory research. We developed a camera trap sampling method to monitor plant‐frugivore interactions during mature fruiting periods. We used this method to monitor 318 individuals (camera sites) of 18 fleshy‐fruit plant species on 22 subtropical land‐bridge islands in the Thousand Island Lake, China. We recorded a total of at least 52 frugivorous animals, including a ground‐foraging bird species (Lophura nycthemera) and several mammals with foraging behaviors in the trees. We also recorded 4399 independent interaction events, including 275 unique plant‐bird interactions. We proposed a framework to classify interaction types and performed a sampling completeness test. We found that a sampling strategy that covered approximately a third of the fruit maturation period when most fruits were ripe was sufficient to sample plant‐frugivore interactions. Our results demonstrated that our sampling method with camera transects is reliable to monitor plant‐frugivore interactions in a fragmented landscape. This study helps to lay the methodological foundation for building networks of plant‐frugivore interactions with arboreal camera trapping on large spatial/temporal scales. As a non‐invasive, labor‐saving, and largely unbiased sampling method, the field application of arboreal camera trapping in different regions can advance the technology of biodiversity monitoring and lead to more accurate biodiversity inventories in arboreal environments.