bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alexithymia and facial emotion recognition in patients with craniofacial pain and association of alexithymia with anxiety and depression: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: La Touche Roy , García-Salgado Alberto , Cuenca-Martínez Ferran , Angulo-Díaz-Parreño Santiago , Paris-Alemany Alba , Suso-Martí Luis , Herranz-Gómez Aida
Published: November 2021

Background

We aimed to determine the presence of alexithymia in patients with craniofacial pain (CFP) compared with asymptomatic individuals. Our secondary aims were to assess the relationship of alexithymia with anxiety and depression levels, as well as to assess the presence of facial emotion recognition deficit.

Methods

Medline, Scielo and Google Scholar were searched, with the last search performed in 8 September 2021. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% CIs were calculated for relevant outcomes and were pooled in a meta-analysis using the random effects model. In addition, meta-analyses of correlations and a meta-regression of alexithymia with depression and anxiety were performed.

Results

Regarding alexithymia, assessed through the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), the results showed significant differences, with higher values in patients compared with asymptomatic individuals, with a large clinical effect (SMD 0.46; 95% CI [0.22–0.71]; heterogeneity-Q 66.86; p < 0.001; inconsistency (I2) = 81%). We found statistically significant correlations with a small clinical effect of alexithymia with anxiety and depression. The meta-regression showed no significant association between the TAS and anxiety or depression. With respect to facial emotion recognition, the results showed statistically significant differences, with greater recognition difficulty in patients compared with asymptomatic individuals, with a large clinical effect (SMD −1.17; 95% CI [−2.01 to −0.33]; heterogeneity-Q 2.97; p = 0.080; I2 = 66%).

Conclusions

Patients with CFP showed alexithymia with moderate evidence. There was also moderate evidence indicating that these patients had significant deficits in facial emotion recognition compared with asymptomatic individuals. Furthermore, alexithymia showed statistically significant correlations with anxiety and depression levels.
Lifestyle factors and their impact on the networks of attention
Authors: McCormick Colin R.
Published: November 2021

In 2002, Fan and his colleagues developed the Attention Network Test (ANT), a cognitive tool that provides a score for each of the attentional networks (alerting, orienting, and executive functioning). Since publication, this study has been cited over 3 500 times. The authors state one of the indicated uses of this tool is to measure how different interventions, both behavioral and pharmacological, influence the networks of attention. The present review focuses on this premise and investigates how various aspects of lifestyle differently impact the networks of attention. Whether trying to optimize the attentional networks to improve cognitive performance, or to prevent the cognitive decline that occurs with age, this review summarizes what practices promote efficiency within the alerting, orienting, and executive functioning networks. The specific areas of lifestyle this review focuses on are meditation, exercise, drug use, sleep, and environmental or social factors.
Anti‐PD‐L1 DNAzyme Loaded Photothermal Mn2+/Fe3+ Hybrid Metal‐Phenolic Networks for Cyclically Amplified Tumor Ferroptosis‐Immunotherapy
Authors: Liu Peng , Shi Xinyi , Peng Ying , Hu Jianming , Ding Jinsong , Zhou Wenhu
Published: November 2021

Ferroptosis can activate immune response via inducing tumor cells immunogenic cell death (ICD), and antitumor immunity in turn boosts the efficacy of ferroptosis by excreting interferon gamma (IFN‐γ), which shows a promising combo for synergistically amplified tumor treatment. However, their combination is strictly limited by the complexity of tumor microenvironment, including poor ferroptosis response and immunosuppressive factors in tumor. Herein, a metal‐phenolic networks (MPNs) nanoplatform with all‐active components is constructed to favor the ferroptosis‐immunotherapy cyclical synergism. The photothermal MPNs are assembled via coordination between tannic acid (TA) and metal‐ion complex of Fe3+/Mn2+, through which a PD‐L1 inhibiting DNAzyme (DZ) is loaded to regulate the immunosuppressive PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway. After intracellular delivery, each component of MPNs exerts their respective functions: Fe2+ is in situ generated from Fe3+ by TA reduction to trigger ferroptosis, while DZ is activated by Mn2+ to effectively silence PD‐L1. With external laser irradiation, photothermal therapy is initiated to synergize with ferroptosis for enhanced ICD, which induces strong antitumor immunes. Combined with DZ‐mediated PD‐L1 suppression, a cyclically amplified tumor ferroptosis‐immunotherapy is achieved, resulting in obliteration of both primary and distant tumor. This work provides a smart, simple, yet robust nanomedicine‐based combination for self‐amplified tumor treatment.
Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Difluorinated Architectures from Trifluoromethyl Groups
Authors: Zhao Feng , Zhou Wenlong , Zuo Zuo
Published: November 2021

Fluorine‐containing moieties are widely used in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and material fields. Thus, these structures are of immense interest in the fields of organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry. Among various fluorinated groups, the difluoromethyl unit has drawn increasing attention due to its unique pharmaceutical properties. In recent years, several methods for the synthesis of difluoromethylated compounds have been rapidly developed. However, most of these methods treat aromatic compounds with excess difluoromethylating reagents, which often contain organometallic compounds, so these transformations are generally less environmentally friendly and atom‐economical. In this review, we summarize the recent development of new methods for the synthesis of difluoromethyl motifs or difluoroalkenes from trifluoromethylated aromatic compounds or trifluoromethyl alkenes via single C(sp3)−F bond cleavage.

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Cartilaginous Extracellular Matrix Enriched with Human Gingival Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived “Matrix Bound Extracellular Vesicles” Enabled Functional Reconstruction of Tracheal Defect
Authors: Zeng Tian , Yuan Pingping , Liang Lirong , Zhang Xinchi , Zhang Hui , Wu Wei
Published: November 2021

Stem cells derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) conceive cues essential for tissue repair. Mammalian cartilaginous extracellular matrix (cECM) may not be optimally inductive for tracheal regeneration because of the granulomatous, instead of regenerative, responses in injured adult mammalian tracheas. Given the high regenerative capacity of gingiva, it is hypothesized human gingival mesenchymal stem cells derived EVs (gEVs) can induce mammalian tracheal epithelia regeneration. Coculturing chondrocytes with GMSCs produce abundant “matrix bound gEVs (gMVs)” in forming cartilaginous ECM, which are further preserved in acellular cECM (cACM) following mild, short‐period decellularization. The results show that gMVs‐cACM could be well anchored on polyglycerol sebacate microporous patch thus enforce the surgical suturability and mechanical strength. In rabbit tracheal defect, the gMVs‐cACM patch induces rapid regeneration of vascularized ciliated columnar epithelium, which supports long‐term survival of animals. gMVs‐cACM treated groups exhibit proliferation of tracheal progenitors‐basal epithelial cells, as well as, activation of JAK2/STAT1 pathway in reparative cells. This study departs from conventional focuses on tissue derived ECM and introduces a new approach for tracheal tissue regeneration.
Cellular Features Revealed by Transverse Laser Modes in Frequency Domain
Authors: Qiao Zhen , Xu Hongmei , Zhang Na , Gong Xuerui , Gong Chaoyang , Yang Guang , Chew Sing Yian , Huang Changjin , Chen Yu‐Cheng
Published: November 2021

Biological lasers which utilize Fabry–Pérot (FP) cavities have attracted tremendous interest due to their potential in amplifying subtle biological changes. Transverse laser modes generated from cells serve as distinct fingerprints of individual cells; however, most lasing signals lack the ability to provide key information about the cell due to high complexity of transverse modes. The missing key, therefore, hinders it from practical applications in biomedicine. This study reveals the key mechanism governing the frequency distributions of transverse modes in cellular lasers. Spatial information of cells including curvature can be interpreted through spectral information of transverse modes by means of hyperspectral imaging. Theoretical studies are conducted to explore the correlation between the cross‐sectional morphology of a cell and lasing frequencies of transverse modes. Experimentally, the spectral characteristics of transverse modes are investigated in live and fixed cells with different morphological features. By extracting laser modes in frequency domain, the proposed concept is applied for studying cell adhesion process and cell classification from rat cortices. This study expands a new analytical dimension of cell lasers, opening an avenue for subcellular analysis in biophotonic applications.
Heterozygous lipoprotein lipase knockout mice exhibit impaired hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell compartment
Authors: Shi Guiying , Li Xinyue , Li Keya , Huang Yiying , Lei Xuepei , Bai Lin , Qin Chuan
Published: November 2021

Background

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) maintain the hematopoietic system homeostasis through self‐renewal and multilineage differentiation potential. HSC are regulated by the microenvironment, cytokine signaling, and transcription factors. Recent results have shown that lipid pathways play a key role in the regulation of HSC quiescence, proliferation, and division. However, the mechanism by which lipid metabolism regulates HSC proliferation and differentiation remains to be clarified. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is an essential enzyme in the anabolism and catabolism of very low‐density lipoprotein, chylomicrons, and triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins.

Methods

The percentage of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and immune cells were determined by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS). The function and the mechanism of HSCs were analyzed by cell colony forming assay and qPCR analysis. The changes in LPL+/− HSC microenvironment were detected by transplantation assays using red fluorescent protein (RFP) transgenic mice.

Results

To explore the function of LPL in HSC regulation, heterozygous LPL‐knockout mice (LPL+/−) were established and analyzed by FACS. LPL+/− mice displayed decreased hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell compartments. In vitro single‐cell clonogenic assays and cell‐cycle assays using FACS promoted the cell cycle and increased proliferation ability. qPCR analysis showed the expression of p57KIP2 and p21WAF1/CIP1 in LPL+/− mice was upregulated.

Conclusions

LPL+/− mice exhibited HSC compartment impairment due to promotion of HSC proliferation, without any effects on the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment.
Cranial functional morphology of the pseudosuchian Effigia and implications for its ecological role in the Triassic
Authors: Bestwick Jordan , Jones Andrew S. , Nesbitt Sterling J. , Lautenschlager Stephan , Rayfield Emily J. , Cuff Andrew R. , Button David J. , Barrett Paul M. , Porro Laura B. , Butler Richard J.
Published: November 2021

Pseudosuchians, archosaurian reptiles more closely related to crocodylians than to birds, exhibited high morphological diversity during the Triassic with numerous examples of morphological convergence described between Triassic pseudosuchians and post‐Triassic dinosaurs. One example is the shuvosaurid Effigia okeeffeae which exhibits an “ostrich‐like” bauplan comprising a gracile skeleton with edentulous jaws and large orbits, similar to ornithomimid dinosaurs and extant palaeognaths. This bauplan is regarded as an adaptation for herbivory, but this hypothesis assumes morphological convergence confers functional convergence, and has received little explicit testing. Here, we restore the skull morphology of Effigia, perform myological reconstructions, and apply finite element analysis to quantitatively investigate skull function. We also perform finite element analysis on the crania of the ornithomimid dinosaur Ornithomimus edmontonicus, the extant palaeognath Struthio camelus and the extant pseudosuchian Alligator mississippiensis to assess the degree of functional convergence with a taxon that exhibit “ostrich‐like” bauplans and its closest extant relatives. We find that Effigia possesses a mosaic of mechanically strong and weak features, including a weak mandible that likely restricted feeding to the anterior portion of the jaws. We find limited functional convergence with Ornithomimus and Struthio and limited evidence of phylogenetic constraints with extant pseudosuchians. We infer that Effigia was a specialist herbivore that likely fed on softer plant material, a niche unique among the study taxa and potentially among contemporaneous Triassic herbivores. This study increases the known functional diversity of pseudosuchians and highlights that superficial morphological similarity between unrelated taxa does not always imply functional and ecological convergence.
IR780 loaded gelatin‐PEG coated gold core silica shell nanorods for cancer‐targeted photothermal/photodynamic therapy
Authors: Gonçalves Ariana S. C. , Rodrigues Carolina F. , Fernandes Natanael , de Melo‐Diogo Duarte , Ferreira Paula , Moreira André F. , Correia Ilídio J.
Published: November 2021

Gold core silica shell (AuMSS) nanorods present excellent physicochemical properties that allow their application as photothermal and drug delivery agents. Herein, AuMSS nanorods were dual‐functionalized with Polyethylene glycol methyl ether (PEG‐CH3) and Gelatin (GEL) to enhance both the colloidal stability and uptake by HeLa cancer cells. Additionally, the AuMSS nanorods were combined for the first time with IR780 (a heptamethine cyanine molecule) and its photothermal and photodynamic capacities were determined. The obtained results reveal that the encapsulation of IR780 (65 µg per AuMSS mg) increases the photothermal conversion efficiency of AuMSS nanorods by 10%, and this enhanced heat generation was maintained even after three irradiation cycles with a NIR (808 nm) laser. Moreover, the IR780‐loaded AuMSS/T‐PEG‐CH3/T‐GEL presented ≈2‐times higher uptake in HeLa cells, when compared to the non‐coated counterparts, and successfully mediated the light‐triggered generation of reactive oxygen species. Overall, the combination of photodynamic and photothermal therapy mediated by IR780‐loaded AuMSS/T‐PEG‐CH3/T‐GEL nanorods effectively promoted the ablation of HeLa cancer cells.
Waiting longer, feeling fatter: Effects of response delay on tactile distance estimation and confidence in females with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Engel Manja M. , Gadsby Stephen , Corcoran Andrew W. , Keizer Anouk , Dijkerman H. Chris , Hohwy Jakob
Published: November 2021

Background

Research suggests that patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) exhibit differences in the perceptual processing of their own bodies. However, some researchers suggest that these differences are better explained with reference to non‐perceptual factors, such as demand characteristics or emotional responses to the task. In this study, we investigated whether overestimation of tactile distances in participants with AN results from differences in tactile processing or non‐perceptual factors, by measuring the role of allowed response time in an adapted version of the tactile distance estimation task (TDE‐D). We further investigated the relationship between allowed response time and participants' confidence in their tactile judgments.

Method

Our sample consisted of females: participants with AN (n = 30), recovered (REC) participants (n = 29) and healthy controls (HC) (n = 31). Participants were asked to estimate tactile distances presented on the skin of either a salient (abdomen) or non‐salient (arm) body part, either directly after stimulus presentation (direct condition) or after a 5 s delay (delayed condition). Confidence of estimation accuracy was measured after each response.

Results

Results showed that allowing AN and REC more time to respond caused them to estimate tactile distances as larger. Additionally, participants with AN became less confident when given more time to respond.

Conclusions

These results suggest that non‐perceptual influences cause participants with AN to increase their estimates of tactile distances and become less certain of these estimates. We speculate that previous findings—where participants with AN estimate tactile distances as larger than HC—may be due to non‐perceptual differences.
Highly Stable Univalent Copper of a Cu@Al/SBA‐15 Nanocomposite Catalyzes the Synthesis of Fluorescent Aminobenzotriazoles Derivatives
Authors: Luo Xianghao , Tian Anqi , Pei Mengyu , Yan Jiaying , Liu Xiang , Wang Long
Published: November 2021

With the development of green chemistry, it is still a challenge to maintain the unstable valence state of the metal in heterogeneous catalysts and realize new catalytic synthesis methods. In this paper, it is reported that an univalent copper nanocomposite (Cu@Al/SBA‐15) can efficiently catalyze the formation of novel amino‐containing benzotriazoles with great fluorescence properties in a new synthetic strategy. Subsequently, its application is further verified by an acylation reaction to produce a series of novel benzotriazoles derivatives with high yield. It is worth noting that the Cu@Al/SBA‐15 nanocomposites not only enable the reaction completed with high yield in a short time, but can also be recycled many times without a significant reduction in activity, and the leaching of copper and aluminum species in reaction system is negligible. Finally, the detailed and feasible reaction mechanism is also provided.
Enhanced Desalination Polyamide Membranes Incorporating Pillar[5]arene through in‐Situ Aggregation‐Interfacial Polymerization‐isAGRIP
Authors: Strilets Dmytro , Cerneaux Sophie , Barboiu Mihail
Published: November 2021

Membrane‐based desalination have an important role in water purification. Inspired by highly performant biological proteins, artificial water channels (AWC) have been proposed as active components to overcome the permeability/selectivity trade‐off of desalination processes. Promising performances have been reported with Pillararene crystalline phases revealing impressive molecular‐scale separation performances, when used as selective porous materials. Herein, we demonstrate that Pillar[5]arene PA[5] aggregates are in‐situ generated and incorporated during the interfacial polymerization, within industrially relevant reverse osmosis polyamide‐PA membranes. In particular, we explore the best combination between PA[5] aggregates and m‐phenylenediamine (MPD) and trimesoylchloride (TMC) monomers to achieve their seamless incorporation in a defect‐free hybrid polyamide PA[5]‐PA membranes for enhanced desalination. The performances of the reference and hybrid membranes are evaluated by cross‐flow filtration under real reverse osmosis conditions (15.5 bar of applied pressure) by filtration of brackish feed streams. The optimized membranes achieve a ∼40 % improvement, in water permeance of ∼2.76±0.5 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 and high 99.5 % NaCl rejection with respect to the reference TFC membrane and a similar water permeance compared to one of the best commercial BW30 membranes (3.0 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 and 99.5 % NaCl rejection).
Hybrid cuckoo–red deer algorithm for multiobjective localization strategy in wireless sensor network
Authors: Agoramoorthy Moorthy , Praveen Joe Irudaya Raj
Published: November 2021

For the past 5 years, localization has become an emerging area in the field of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), which can be applicable for diverse applications, such as outdoor environments and monitoring of objects located in indoor environments. The major constraint in localization is allocating a location for each node as diverse sensor nodes are employed to retrieve the information in WSN. Recent research works in node localization have generally moved by multihop range‐free localization approaches for achieving high accuracy through reducing the localization error among the actual and estimated position of nodes. The conventional approaches are aimed to improve the localization accuracy without considering efficiency concerned with algorithm's convergence time and energy costs. The main intent of this paper is to model the WSN localization model, which focuses on the localization of anchor nodes concerning the target nodes. The multiobjective function is developed by considering the distance function, received signal strength (RSS), and energy. Here, a hybrid metaheuristic algorithm named hybrid cuckoo–red deer algorithm (HC‐RDA) with the integration of red deer algorithm (RDA) and cuckoo search algorithm (CSA) is adopted for localization of unknown nodes. The fitness function of the developed model is the minimization of the derived multiobjective function. Both simulation studies and theoretical analysis demonstrate that the proposed approach can improve localization performance with a better convergence rate, thus ensuring high localization accuracy compared to conventional metaheuristic models.
Evaluation of microfluidics‐based droplet PCR combined with multiplex STR system in forensic science
Authors: Zhu Qiang , Wang Haoyu , Cao Yueyan , Huang Yuguo , Hu Yuhan , Zhou Yijun , Wei Yifan , Li Xi , Hou Tingyun , Wang Yuting , Shu Panyin , Song Feng , Zhang Ji
Published: November 2021

Because of its excellent monodispersity, high throughput, and low volume, microfluidics‐based droplet PCR has become the core technology of digital PCR, next‐generation sequencing, and other technology platforms. This study constructed a microfluidic water‐in‐oil droplet PCR system and amplified a commercially available forensic 22‐plex short tandem repeat detection system. We analyzed the sensitivity, concordance, amplification efficiency of the droplet PCR, and influence factors of the above aspects. The droplet PCR showed high concordance with conventional bulk PCR and had high sensitivity as 0.125 ng. Furthermore, we observed the performance of droplet PCR in high‐order mixed DNA. As the mixture ratios from 10:1 to 30:1, droplet PCR presented more mixture proportion (Mx) increased loci from 11 (57.89%) to 17 (89.47%). In the mixture ratios 20:1, 25:1, and 30:1, significant Mx differences between droplet PCR and bulk PCR were observed (p < 0.05). The results showed that the droplet PCR could improve the identification of the minor contributor's DNA in a two‐person mixture and alleviate the imbalanced amplification problem. This study provides a reference and basis for the wide application of droplet PCR in forensic science.
Not all respondents use a multiplicative utility function in choice experiments for health state valuations, which should be reflected in the elicitation format (or statistical analysis)
Authors: Jonker Marcel F. , Norman Richard
Published: November 2021

Discrete choice experiments (DCEs) that include health states and duration are becoming a common method for estimating quality‐adjusted life year (QALY) tariffs. These DCEs need to be analyzed under the assumption that respondents treat health and duration multiplicatively. However, in the most commonly used DCE duration format there is no guarantee that respondents actually do so; in fact, respondents can easily simplify the choice tasks by considering health and duration separately. This would result in valid DCE responses but preclude subsequent QALY tariff calculations. Using a Bayesian latent class model and data from two existing valuation studies, our analyses confirm that in both datasets the majority of respondents do not appear to have used a multiplicative utility function. Moreover, a statistical correction for respondents who used an incorrect function changes the range of the QALY weights. Hence our results imply that one can neither assume that respondents use the theoretically required multiplicative utility function nor assume that the type of utility function that respondents use does not affect the estimated QALY weights. As a solution, we advise researchers to use an alternative, more constrained DCE elicitation format that avoids these behavioral problems.
Hippocampal–prefrontal interactions during spatial decision‐making
Authors: Tavares Lucas C. S. , Tort Adriano B. L.
Published: November 2021

The hippocampus has been linked to memory encoding and spatial navigation, while the prefrontal cortex is associated with cognitive functions such as decision‐making. These regions are hypothesized to communicate in tasks that demand both spatial navigation and decision‐making processes. However, the electrophysiological signatures underlying this communication remain to be better elucidated. To investigate the dynamics of the hippocampal–prefrontal interactions, we have analyzed their local field potentials and spiking activity recorded from rats performing a spatial alternation task on a figure eight‐shaped maze. We found that the phase coherence of theta peaked around the choice point area of the maze. Moreover, Granger causality revealed a hippocampus → prefrontal cortex directionality of information flow at theta frequency, peaking at starting areas of the maze, and on the reverse direction at delta frequency, peaking near the turn onset. Additionally, the patterns of phase‐amplitude cross‐frequency coupling within and between the regions also showed spatial selectivity, and hippocampal theta and prefrontal delta modulated not only gamma amplitude but also inter‐regional gamma synchrony. Finally, we found that the theta rhythm dynamically modulated neurons in both regions, with the highest modulation at the choice area; interestingly, prefrontal cortex neurons were more strongly modulated by the hippocampal theta rhythm than by their local field rhythm. In all, our results reveal maximum electrophysiological interactions between the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex near the decision‐making period of the spatial alternation task, corroborating the hypothesis that a dynamic interplay between these regions takes place during spatial decisions.
Fipronil use and associated effects on hematological and biochemical parameters of blue land crab (Cardisoma guanhumi Latreille): Ecological implication
Authors: Onwubiko Grace N. , Anorue Eleazar C. , Onwubiko Henry A. , Joshua Parker E. , Eze Fabian I. , Amah Christian C. , Onah Blessing E.
Published: November 2021

Fipronil is used to control pests to improve farm yield, however, indiscriminate use of fipronil has been reported to endanger crabs leading to their extinction. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of fipronil on several hematological and biochemical parameters of blue land crabs. We exposed blue land crabs to either fipronil or to a control treatment; fipronil reduced the protein content of the crab and also led to hematological and oxidative damages to the crabs' oxy‐hemocyanin. Based on our results, there is need for guided use of agrochemicals such as fipronil to avoid/reduce their adverse effects on economically important species such as crabs.
Is there added value in the EURO‐CORDEX hindcast temperature simulations? Assessing the added value using climate distributions in Europe
Authors: Cardoso Rita M. , Soares Pedro M. M.
Published: November 2021

Regional climate simulations with high horizontal resolutions are becoming increasingly common and although model development has continually enhanced the representation of atmospheric phenomena, the model improvements are variable, region and time scale‐dependant. The high computational costs of increasingly smaller grid‐spacing underline the need for a robust assessment of the benefits or losses associated to the dynamical downscaling of coarser resolution models (reanalysis, global climate models or ~tenths km runs), that is, quantitative added value evaluation. In the current study, a probability density function (PDF) matching score is used to determine the distribution added value (DAV) of the EURO‐CORDEX maximum and minimum temperatures from the hindcast simulations at 0.44° and 0.11° resolutions. The gridded maximum and minimum temperatures from European Climate Assessment & Dataset (E‐Obs) were used as benchmarks for the matching scores and DAVs were determined for the 0.44° and 0.11° simulations individually against ERA‐Interim as well as against each other. Temperature added value against ERA‐Interim is difficult to find due to the assimilation of surface temperatures in the reanalysis. Nonetheless, there is positive added value in Tmax for half of the models at the yearly time scale, and the increase in resolution also implies positive DAV in half of the models, with DAVs between 0.1 and 3.8%. More importantly, the benefits of downscaling are significantly visible in the extreme end tail of Tmax, where all models have high added value at all resolutions and seasons except in summer (from ~1 to ~21%). In minimum temperature there is added value in winter and autumn at both resolutions. The Mediterranean and the British Isles are the regions where larger positive DAV values for both variables and resolutions are identified. In Tmax, added value is also associated to the increase in resolution (from 50 to 10 km) for half of the models in all regions. Scandinavia, the Alps, and eastern Europe are regions where negative added value is clearly linked with the highest mountain peaks for both variables.
Tandem mass spectrometry approaches for recognition of isomeric compounds mixtures
Authors: Crotti Sara , Menicatti Marta , Pallecchi Marco , Bartolucci Gianluca
Published: November 2021

The present review aims to collect the published literature pertaining the recognition of isobaric compounds (isomers or stereoisomers) using the features of tandem mass spectrometry (MS) experiments without any chromatographic separation or chemical modification (derivatization or isotopic enrichment) of the analytes. MS/MS methods possess high selectivity, wide dynamic range and high throughput capabilities. Generally, tandem MS has limited capability for distinguishing isomers that fragment similarly. However, some MS/MS methods have been developed and positively applied to isomers discrimination. Among the literature on this topic, the applications that fit on the review subject can be summarized as follow: (1) chiral discrimination by the kinetic method, (2) the use energy‐resolved tandem mass spectra and the survival yield (SY) representation, (3) the kinetics evaluation of the ion‐molecule interaction and (4) the postprocessing mathematical algorithm to resolve the isomers in MS/MS signal.
In Vivo18F‐APN‐1607 Tau Positron Emission Tomography Imaging in MAPT Mutations: Cross‐Sectional and Longitudinal Findings
Authors: Zhou Xin‐Yue , Lu Jia‐Ying , Liu Feng‐Tao , Wu Ping , Zhao Jue , Ju Zi‐Zhao , Tang Yi‐Lin , Shi Qing‐Yi , Lin Hua‐Mei , Wu Jian‐Jun , Yen Tzu‐Chen , Zuo Chuan‐Tao , Sun Yi‐Min , Wang Jian
Published: November 2021

Background

Frontotemporal lobar degeneration with tauopathy caused by MAPT (microtubule‐associated protein tau) mutations is a highly heterogenous disorder. The ability to visualize and longitudinally monitor tau deposits may be beneficial to understand disease pathophysiology and predict clinical trajectories.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the cross‐sectional and longitudinal 18F‐APN‐1607 positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging findings in MAPT mutation carriers.

Methods

Seven carriers of MAPT mutations (six within exon 10 and one outside of exon 10) and 15 healthy control subjects were included. All participants underwent 18F‐APN‐1607 PET/CT at baseline. Three carriers of exon 10 mutations received follow‐up 18F‐APN‐1607 PET/CT scans. Standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) maps were obtained using the cerebellar gray matter as the reference region. SUVR values observed in MAPT mutation carriers were normalized to data from healthy control subjects. A regional SUVR z score ≥ 2 was used as the criterion to define positive 18F‐APN‐1607 PET/CT findings.

Results

Although the seven study patients had heterogenous clinical phenotypes, all showed a significant 18F‐APN‐1607 uptake characterized by high‐contrast signals. However, the anatomical localization of tau deposits differed in patients with distinct clinical symptoms. Follow‐up imaging data, which were available for three patients, demonstrated worsening trends in patterns of tau accumulation over time, which were paralleled by a significant clinical deterioration.

Conclusions

Our data represent a promising step in understanding the usefulness of 18F‐APN‐1607 PET/CT imaging for detecting tau accumulation in MAPT mutation carriers. Our preliminary follow‐up data also suggest the potential value of 18F‐APN‐1607 PET/CT for monitoring the longitudinal trajectories of frontotemporal lobar degeneration caused by MAPT mutations. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Two‐operator boundary‐domain integral equation systems for variable‐coefficient mixed Boundary Value Problem in 2D
Authors: Ayele Tsegaye G. , Bekele Solomon T.
Published: November 2021

In this paper, the mixed (Dirichlet–Neumann) boundary value problem (BVP) for the linear second‐order scalar elliptic differential equation with variable coefficients in a bounded two‐dimensional domain is considered. The two‐operator approach and appropriate parametrix (Levi function) are used to reduce this BVP to four systems of two‐operator boundary‐domain integral equations (BDIEs). Although the theory of two‐operator BDIEs in 3D is well developed, the BDIEs in 2D need a special consideration due to their different equivalence properties. As a result, we need to set conditions on the domain or on the associated Sobolev spaces to ensure the invertibility of corresponding parametrix‐based integral layer potentials and hence the unique solvability of BDIEs. The equivalence of the two‐operator BDIE systems to the original BVP is shown. The invertibility of the associated operators is proved in the appropriate Sobolev spaces.
Robust partial Fourier reconstruction for diffusion‐weighted imaging using a recurrent convolutional neural network
Authors: Gadjimuradov Fasil , Benkert Thomas , Nickel Marcel Dominik , Maier Andreas
Published: November 2021

Purpose

To develop an algorithm for robust partial Fourier (PF) reconstruction applicable to diffusion‐weighted (DW) images with non‐smooth phase variations.

Methods

Based on an unrolled proximal splitting algorithm, a neural network architecture is derived, which alternates between data consistency operations and regularization implemented by recurrent convolutions. In order to exploit correlations, multiple repetitions of the same slice are jointly reconstructed under consideration of permutation‐equivariance. The algorithm is trained on DW liver data of 60 volunteers and evaluated on retrospectively and prospectively subsampled data of different anatomies and resolutions.

Results

The proposed method is able to significantly outperform conventional PF techniques on retrospectively subsampled data in terms of quantitative measures as well as perceptual image quality. In this context, joint reconstruction of repetitions as well as the particular type of recurrent network unrolling are found to be beneficial with respect to reconstruction quality. On prospectively PF‐sampled data, the proposed method enables DW imaging with higher signal without sacrificing image resolution or introducing additional artifacts. Alternatively, it can be used to counter the TE increase in acquisitions with higher resolution. Furthermore, generalizability can be shown to prospective brain data exhibiting anatomies and contrasts not present in the training set.

Conclusion

This work demonstrates that robust PF reconstruction of DW data is feasible even at strong PF factors in anatomies prone to phase variations. Since the proposed method does not rely on smoothness priors of the phase but uses learned recurrent convolutions instead, artifacts of conventional PF methods can be avoided.
Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI of the rat brain with chemical shift saturation recovery and spiral‐IDEAL readout
Authors: Friedlander Yonni , Zanette Brandon , Lindenmaier Andras , Li Daniel , Kadlecek Stephen , Santyr Giles , Kassner Andrea
Published: November 2021

Purpose

To demonstrate the feasibility of 129Xe chemical shift saturation recovery (CSSR) combined with spiral‐IDEAL imaging for simultaneous measurement of the time‐course of red blood cell (RBC) and brain tissue signals in the rat brain.

Methods

Images of both the RBC and brain tissue 129Xe signals from the brains of five rats were obtained using interleaved spiral‐IDEAL imaging following chemical shift saturation pulses applied at multiple CSSR delay times, τ. A linear fit of the signals to τ was used to calculate the slope of the signal for both RBC and brain tissue compartments on a voxel‐by‐voxel basis. Gas transfer was evaluated by measuring the ratio of the whole brain tissue‐to‐RBC signal intensities as a function of τ. To investigate the relationship between the CSSR images and gas transfer in the brain, the experiments were repeated during hypercapnic ventilation.

Results

Hypercapnia, affected the ratio of the tissue‐to‐RBC signal intensity (p = 0.026), consistent with an increase in gas transfer.

Conclusion

CSSR with spiral‐IDEAL imaging is feasible for acquisition of 129Xe RBC and brain tissue time‐course images in the rat brain. Differences in the time‐course of the signal intensity ratios are consistent with gas transfer changes expected under hypercapnic conditions.
A generalized approach for implicit time integration of piecewise linear/nonlinear systems
Authors: Zhang Huimin , Zhang Runsen , Zanoni Andrea , Masarati Pierangelo
Published: November 2021

A generalized solution scheme using implicit time integrators for piecewise linear and nonlinear systems is developed. The piecewise linear characteristic has been well‐discussed in previous studies, in which the original problem has been transformed into linear complementarity problems (LCPs) and then solved via the Lemke algorithm for each time step. The proposed scheme, instead, uses the projection function to describe the discontinuity in the dynamics equations, and solves for each step the nonlinear equations obtained from the implicit integrator by the semismooth Newton iteration. Compared with the LCP‐based scheme, the new scheme offers a more general choice by allowing other nonlinearities in the governing equations. To assess its performances, several illustrative examples are solved. The numerical solutions demonstrate that the new scheme can not only predict satisfactory results for piecewise nonlinear systems, but also exhibits substantial efficiency advantages over the LCP‐based scheme when applied to piecewise linear systems.
Nonlinear wave in granular systems based on elastoplastic dashpot model
Authors: Wang Gengxiang , Liu Caishan
Published: November 2021

The dynamic dashpot models are widely used in EDEM commercial software. However, most dashpot models suffer from a serious numerical issue in calculating the granular chain because the denominator of damping force includes the initial impact velocity. Moreover, the existing dynamic dashpot models extended from the original Hertz contact law overestimated the contact stiffness in the elastoplastic contact phase. These two reasons above result in most dynamic dashpot models confronting some issues in calculating the multiple collision of the granular chain. Therefore, this investigation aims to propose a new composite dynamic dashpot model for the dynamic simulation of granular matters. First, the entire contact process is divided into three different phases: elastic, elastoplastic, and full plastic phases. The Hertz contact stiffness is still used in the elastic contact phase when the contact comes into the elastoplastic or full plastic phase. Hertz contact stiffness in the dynamic dashpot model is replaced by linearizing the contact stiffness from the Ma‐Liu (ML) model in each time step. Second, the whole contact behavior is treated as a linear mass‐spring‐damper model, and the damping factor is obtained by solving the single‐degree‐freedom underdamped vibration equation. The new dynamic dashpot model is proposed by combining the contact stiffnesses in different contact phases and corresponding damping factors, which not only removes the initial impact velocity from the denominator of damping force but also updates the contact stiffness based on the constitutive relation of the contact body when the contact comes into the elastoplastic or full plastic phase. Finally, a granular chain is treated as numerical examples to check the reasonability and effectiveness of the new dynamic dashpot model by comparing it to the experimental data. The simulation shows that the solitary waves obtained using the new dashpot model are more accurate than the dashpot model used in EDEM software.
Flexible electronics with dynamic interfaces for biomedical monitoring, stimulation, and characterization
Authors: Guo Xu , Avila Raudel , Huang Yonggang , Xie Zhaoqian
Published: November 2021

Recent developments in the fields of materials science and engineering technology (mechanical, electrical, biomedical) lay the foundation to design flexible bioelectronics with dynamic interfaces, widely used in biomedical/clinical monitoring, stimulation, and characterization. Examples of this technology include body motion and physiological signal monitoring through soft wearable devices, mechanical characterization of biological tissues, skin stimulation using dynamic actuators, and energy harvesting in biomedical implants. Typically, these bioelectronic systems feature thin form factors for enhanced flexibility and soft elastomeric encapsulations that provide skin‐compliant mechanics for seamless integration with biological tissues. This review examines the rapid and continuous progress of bioelectronics in the context of design strategies including materials, mechanics, and structure to achieve high performance dynamic interfaces in biomedicine. It concludes with a concise summary and insights into the ongoing opportunities and challenges facing developments of bioelectronics with dynamic interfaces for future applications.
Effects of muscle damage on31phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy indices of energetic status and sarcolemma integrity in youngmdxmice
Authors: Lopez Christopher , Batra Abhinandan , Moslemi Zahra , Rennick Andrew , Guice Kimberly , Zeng Huadong , Walter Glenn A. , Forbes Sean C.
Published: November 2021

31Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P‐MRS) has been shown to detect altered energetic status (e.g. the ratio of inorganic phosphate to phosphocreatine: Pi/PCr), intracellular acid–base status, and free intracellular magnesium ([Mg2+]) in dystrophic muscle compared with unaffected muscle; however, the causes of these differences are not well understood. The purposes of this study were to examine31P‐MRS indices of energetic status and sarcolemma integrity in youngmdxmice compared with wild‐type and to evaluate the effects of downhill running to induce muscle damage on31P‐MRS indices in dystrophic muscle. In vivo31P‐MRS spectra were acquired from the posterior hindlimb muscles in young (4–10 weeks of age)mdx(C57BL/10ScSn‐DMDmdx) and wild‐type (C57BL/10ScSnJ) mice using an 11.1‐T MR system. The flux of phosphate from PCr to ATP was estimated by31P‐MRS saturation transfer experiments. Relative concentrations of high‐energy phosphates were measured, and intracellular pH and [Mg2+] were calculated.1H2O‐T2was measured using single‐voxel1H‐MRS from the gastrocnemius and soleus using a 4.7‐T MR system. Downhill treadmill running was performed in a subset of mice. Youngmdxmice were characterized by elevated1H2O‐T2(p < 0.01),Pi/PCr (p = 0.02), PCr to ATP flux (p = 0.04) and histological inflammatory markers (p < 0.05) and reduced (p < 0.01) [Mg2+] compared with wild‐type. Furthermore, 24 h after downhill running, an increase (p = 0.02) in Pi/PCr was observed inmdxand wild‐type mice compared with baseline, and a decrease (p < 0.001) in [Mg2+] and a lower (p = 0.048) intracellular [H+] in damaged muscle regions ofmdxmice were observed, consistent with impaired sarcolemma integrity. Overall, our findings demonstrate that31P‐MRS markers of energetic status and sarcolemma integrity are altered in youngmdxcompared with wild‐type mice, and these indices are exacerbated following downhill running.
“Ongoing harm under a prettier, brighter umbrella”: A critical analysis of reconciliation talk in Canadian settler philanthropy
Authors: Trimble Sabina
Published: November 2021

Engagement with the concept of reconciliation, broadly understood as the process or goal of transforming relations among Canada's Indigenous and non‐Indigenous peoples, became commonplace in the philanthropic sector after the 2015 release of the final report of theTruth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada(TRC). Institutional responses to the TRC (e.g., by universities, businesses, healthcare institutions, governments, etc.) have been widely discussed in the academic literature—lauded by some as pivotal to the transformation of Indigenous/settler relations, and critiqued by many as no more than a shift in rhetoric covering over ongoing racialized colonial violence. Through a critical analysis of reconciliation talk as articulated through blog posts, press articles, conference recordings, webinars, and professional development resources produced by and for progressive settler philanthropy from 2012 to 2020, this essay analyses the hearty uptake of reconciliation in the sector. I bring these texts into dialog with the larger body of critiques of reconciliation, with the aim of interrogating settler philanthropy's place and roles in Canada's settler colonial order, past, and present. I focus on common terms and concepts that appear in conjunction with reconciliation talk such as diversity and inclusion; community‐engagement and relationship building; learning and listening. I also explore instances of obfuscation and renaming, such as a scarcity of explicit references to race and racism, colonialism and white supremacy and a tendency to relegate colonialism to the past in texts produced by non‐Indigenous authors. The themes I identify across these texts resemble those apparent in other institutional contexts. Reconciliation talk has potential to transform how settler philanthropy engages with Indigenous communities. Yet, many of the most urgent critiques raised in other fields apply to this context. Ultimately, I conclude, reconciliation talk may elevate and uphold—and indeed conceal—the white supremacist, colonial status quo in settler philanthropy and in Canada more broadly. Occlusions and renaming common to settler philanthropy's reconciliation talk contribute to what Vimalassery et al. describe as “colonial unknowing” and what Tuck and Yang call “settler moves to innocence.” In these ways, reconciliation serves a mystifying function for settler philanthropy, masking ongoing coloniality, absolving settler guilt, and avoiding more radical, transformative possibilities.