bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A nested case control study demonstrating increased chronic fatigue six years after a Q fever outbreak
Authors: Van Woerden Hugo C. , Healy Brendan , Llewelyn Meirion B. , Matthews Ian P.
Published: February 2012

The frequency and range of long-term sequelae following acute Q fever infection remains controversial. This study aimed to assess a range of potential psychological and physical sequelae in a follow up study of a large outbreak of Q fever that occurred in Newport, Wales, in 2002. A nested case control study was undertaken six years after a point source outbreak of Q fever. We invited a cohort of 211 factory workers exposed to a point source of Q fever in 2002 to attend a follow up clinic in 2008. Cases, defined as those who had clinical symptoms and serological evidence of acute Q fever in 2002, were compared to controls, who worked in the same factory but were serologically negative at the time of the outbreak. At the follow up clinic blood was taken for Coxiella burnetii microimmunofluorescence and questionnaires were completed including the PHQ-9, Chalder Fatigue scale, and General Health Questionnaire. Results were obtained for 32 cases and 13 controls. Chalder Fatigue scores were significantly raised in the cases (independent samples t-test: P=0.047). PHQ-9 and GHQ scores were not significantly raised in cases. However, post hoc cross sectional analysis indicated a relationship between Phase 2 IgG at follow up in 2008 and Chalder Fatigue scores (P=0.004) and PHQ-9 scores (0.049). A longitudinal association was demonstrated between acute Q fever infection and chronic fatigue six years later. In crosssectional analysis a previously unreported relationship between depression scores (PHQ- 9) and positive Q fever serology was also identified.
The experiences of clinic treatment of a severe case of novel influenza virus A (H1N1) Infection
Authors: Zhang Jun , Zhao Guangdan , Yu Xiaoling , Sun Jiaying , Pan Xiao Ming , Li Yong Gang
Published: February 2012

We present here a case of cough, expectoration and fever for six days. After investigation by the doctor and epidemiologist, it was confirmed that this patient had a history of contact with a novel influenza virus. All the results of the real time PCR on novel Swine Influenza H1 were positive. Blood-gas assay PO250.6 mmHg, hypoxemia and computed tomography (CT) of lungs indicated patchy dense shadow scattered in both lungs in which the inflatable bronchial shadow was observed. A visible change in leakage around the shadow was seen. This was a serious case of infection from a novel influenza virus and the patient received systemic treatment: oseltamivir 75mg bid po, methylprednisolone 40mg qd iv, biapenem 0.6 q12h iv, and moxifloxacin 0.4qd po. On discharge from hospital, Swine influenza H1 was negative. Lungs showed apparent absorption of the inflammation. Respiratory failure had been corrected. Patients infected with a novel influenza virus should be given low-dose hormone and an antiviral drug as soon as possible after the infection is confirmed.
Evaluation of two anaerobic systems for isolation of anaerobes
Authors: Egwari Louis Osayenum , Buraimoh Maria Olanike , Nwokoye Nkiru Nneye
Published: February 2012

Many systems are available for the isolation of anaerobic bacteria from clinical specimens. The jar system is the oldest and more adapted while the pouches are not popular with many investigators. The anaerobic chambers are expensive to maintain and technically inflexible. This study evaluated the efficacy of the Oxoid anaerobic jar and the GENbag pouches as anaerobic incubation systems. Anaerobic cultures were set up for 145 middle ear exudates and incubation was in the anaerobic jar, GENbag or a combination of both. The effect of specimen transport system and time lapse before culturing on the performance of the anaerobic systems were evaluated Ten genera of anaerobic bacteria were isolated with both systems (P > 0.05). Peptostreptococcus and Prevotella were isolated more frequently in Oxoid jar than in GENbag (P < 0.05) but both systems were not discriminatory for Clostridium, Propionibacterium and Veillonella. The use of GENbag as a backup to Oxoid jar increased isolation rate from 56.6% to 90.3% (P > 0.05). Type of transport media or vehicle did not affect the recovery of anaerobes adversely as did delay in processing of specimen. A careful application of a number of variables may improve isolation of anaerobes from clinical specimens
Efficacy of linezolid against Staphylococcus aureus in different rodent skin and soft tissue infections models
Authors: Rao Madhvi , Barman Tarani Kanta , Kumar Manoj , Mathur Tarun , Shukla Gunjan , Bhati Ashish , Kishore Krishna , Chaira Tridib , Pandya Manisha , Upadhyay Dilip J.
Published: February 2012

Linezolid is approved for complicated and uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections. We have evaluated the efficacy of this drug in murine as well as in rat skin and soft tissue infection models using Staphylococcus aureus ATCC and clinical strains. In thigh infection model the dose of linezolid required for more than 1 log10 kill from baseline inoculum in neutropenic mice and rats was 100 mg/kg and 50 mg/Kg BW bid /day, respectively, which was 5 and 4 folds more than that in immunocompetent animals, respectively. Dose required to achieve 1 log10 killing was similar against different strains of S. aureus in immunocompetent mouse thigh infection model. However, in murine groin abscess infection model, a dose of 100 mg/kg, b.i.d/day of linezolid produce static effect in 2 days, but revealed to be superior in 4 days treatment and showed approximately 1 log10 killing from base line inoculums. Based upon pharmacokinetic profile, a 24-h AUC/MIC required for linezolid efficacy in murine groin abscess model was 91.5 for the strain used in this study. As linezolid is taken as a gold standard drug in the evaluation of new chemical entity, this data could be useful for comparing the preclinical efficacy of new anti-MRSA agents.
Characterization of AcMNPV with a deletion of ac69 gene
Authors: Ke Jianhao , Wang Jinwen , Deng Riqiang , Lin Lin , Jinlong Bei , Yaoping Liao , Wang Xunzhang
Published: February 2012

ORF69 (Ac69) of Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) is conserved in some baculovirus genomes. Although it has been shown that Ac69 has cap 0-dependent methyltransferase activity and is not required for budded virus production in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf-9 cells, its role in occlusion-derived virus synthesis and virus oral infectivity is not known. This paper describes generation of an ac69 knockout AcMNPV bacmid mutant and analyses of the influence of ac69 deletion on the viral infectivity in Sf-9 cells and Trichoplusia ni larvae so as to investigate the role of ac69 in the viral life cycle. Results indicated that ac69 deletion has little effect on the production rates and morphogenesis of budded virus and occlusion-derived virus in Sf-9 cells. In addition, animal experiment revealed that the deletion mutant did not affect AcMNPV infectivity for Trichoplusia ni larvae in LD50 and LT50 bioassay when administered orally. These results suggest that ac69 may be dispensable for viral infectivity both in vitro and in vivo.
A novel site of insertion of IS6110 in the moaB3 gene of a clinical isolate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Sarojini Suma , Madhavilatha GK , Soman Smitha , Ajay Kumar R , Mundayoor Sathish
Published: February 2012

In Mycobacterium tuberculosis, genomic variation is generated mainly by insertions and deletions rather than by point mutations. RvD5 is one such deletion in M. tuberculosis H37Rv. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown the presence of moaA3 gene in the RvD5 region in a large number of clinical isolates, that is absent in M. tuberculosis H37Rv and H37Ra. The present study was aimed at investigating the RvD5 locus of the clinical isolates by a detailed PCR analysis. Here we report a new point of insertion of the mobile genetic element, IS6110 in the genome of one clinical isolate of M. tuberculosis. The insertion has disrupted the moaB3 gene, one of the ORFs in the RvD5 region, which is involved in the molybdopterin biosynthetic pathway. This insertion of IS6110 in the moaB3 of the clinical isolate is different when compared to the insertion in the moaB3 gene of M. tuberculosis H37Rv where 4kb RvD5 region has been lost by homologous recombination and only a truncated form of the gene is present. This finding is of relevance since IS6110 is a major element determining the genome plasticity of M. tuberculosis and its numerical and positional polymorphism has always been of special interest.
Contribution of organic carbon to wood smoke particulate matter absorption of solar radiation
Authors: Kirchstetter T. W. , Thatcher T. L.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Spectroscopic analysis shows that 115 residential wood smoke-dominated particulate matter samples absorb light with strong spectral selectivity, consistent with prior work that has demonstrated that organic carbon (OC), in addition to black carbon (BC), appreciably absorbs solar radiation in the visible and ultraviolet spectral regions. Apportionment of light absorption yields the absorption Ångström exponent of the light absorbing OC in these samples, which ranges from 3.0 to 7.4 and averages 5.0, and indicates that OC and BC, respectively, would account for 14% and 86% of solar radiation absorbed by the wood smoke in the atmosphere (integrated over the solar spectrum from 300 to 2500 nm). OC would contribute 49% of the wood smoke particulate matter absorption of ultraviolet solar radiation at wavelengths below 400 nm. These results illustrate that BC is the dominant light absorbing particulate matter species in atmospheres burdened with residential wood smoke and OC absorption is secondary but not insignificant. Further, since biomass combustion generates a major portion of atmospheric particulate matter globally, these results suggest that OC absorption should be included when particulate matter effects on the radiative forcing of climate are considered, and that OC absorption may affect the ultraviolet actinic flux and thus tropospheric photochemistry.
Controls on hydrologic similarity: role of nearby gauged catchments for prediction at an ungauged catchment
Authors: Patil S. , Stieglitz M.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Prediction of streamflow at ungauged catchments requires transfer of hydrologic information (e.g., model parameters, hydrologic indices, streamflow values) from gauged (donor) to ungauged (receiver) catchments. A common metric used for the selection of ideal donor catchments is the spatial proximity between donor and receiver catchments. However, it is not clear whether information transfer among nearby catchments is suitable across a wide range of climatic and geographic regions. We examine this issue using the data from 756 catchments within the continental United States. Each catchment is considered ungauged in turn and daily streamflow is simulated through distance-based interpolation of streamflows from neighboring catchments. Results show that distinct geographic regions exist in US where transfer of streamflow values from nearby catchments is useful for retrospective prediction of daily streamflow at ungauged catchments. Specifically, the high predictability catchments (Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency NS > 0.7) are confined to the Appalachian Mountains in eastern US, the Rocky Mountains, and the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. Low predictability catchments (NS < 0.3) are located mostly in the drier regions west of Mississippi river, which demonstrates the limited utility of gauged catchments in those regions for predicting at ungauged basins. The results suggest that high streamflow similarity among nearby catchments (and therefore, good predictability at ungauged catchments) is more likely in humid runoff-dominated regions than in dry evapotranspiration-dominated regions. We further find that higher density and/or closer distance of gauged catchments near an ungauged catchment does not necessarily guarantee good predictability at an ungauged catchment.
A new approach to model the variability of karstic recharge
Authors: Hartmann A. , Lange J. , Weiler M. , Arbel Y. , Greenbaum N.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. In karst systems, surface near dissolution carbonate rock results in a high spatial and temporal variability of groundwater recharge. To adequately represent the dominating recharge processes in hydrological models is still a challenge, especially in data scare regions. In this study, we developed a recharge model that is based on a perceptual model of the epikarst. It represents epikarst heterogeneity as a set of system property distributions to produce not only a single recharge time series, but a variety of time series representing the spatial recharge variability. We tested the new model with a unique set of spatially distributed flow and tracer observations in a karstic cave at Mt. Carmel, Israel. We transformed the spatial variability into statistical variables and apply an iterative calibration strategy in which more and more data was added to the calibration. Thereby, we could show that the model is only able to produce realistic results when the information about the spatial variability of the observations was included into the model calibration. We could also show that tracer information improves the model performance if data about the variability is not included.
Caracterização da tenacidade à fratura de materiais de fricção e critérios de projetos
Authors: Casaril Alexandre , Pereira Carlos Henrique Selle , Bergmann Carlos Pérez , Al-Qureshi Hazim Ali
Published: February 2012

Este trabalho foi realizado com objetivo de caracterizar materiais de fricção atualmente utilizados em veículos pesados para linha de montagem e reposição. Cinco materiais de fricção foram analisados através de testes mecânicos realizados com base na norma ASTM D5045-99 (Reapproved 2007) – Plane Strain Fracture Toughness and Strain Energy Release Rate of plastic Materials. Os resultados de KIC dos cinco materiais foram da ordem de 1 MPa.m1/2, corroborando com o esperado para materiais de matriz fenólica. Adicionalmente, os resultados de KIC são representativos da fragilidade dos materiais de fricção. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando a metodologia de Weibull, permitindo estabelecer probabilidades de ocorrência de KIC menor do que um valor aleatoriamente escolhido. Dessa forma, do ponto de vista de projeto é possível estabelecer critérios de falha, evitando o investimento de recursos em protótipos que venham a falhar em campo.
Análise do ciclo de vida do biodiesel no mercado brasileiro e quantificação das emissões liberadas pelo uso desse combustível
Authors: Pivotto Fabio , Lamano Ferreira Mauricio , Nascimento Lamano Ferreira Ana Paula
Published: February 2012

Os gases intensificadores do efeito estufa, principalmente o CO2, estão sendo emitidos num ritmo acelerado. A dependência dos combustíveis fósseis pode ser considerada como a maior responsável por isto. A busca por energias alternativas aparece como a solução mais viável para a redução da poluição atmosférica. A substituição do óleo diesel convencional pelo biodiesel vem se tornando uma solução interessante e ambientalmente correta. A pesquisa realizada buscou descrever o uso do biodiesel no mercado brasileiro, levantando suas principais vantagens e desvantagens em relação ao diesel. Também foi realizada uma estimativa de redução das emissões de CO2. A partir dos dados levantados foi constatado que as vantagens da substituição do diesel pelo biodiesel superam as desvantagens, resultando numa melhoria nas condições atmosféricas.
Seleção de diferentes meios para produção de lipase a partir de Bacillis licheniformis (UCP 1014)
Authors: Tavares Ladiel Luiz Pedrozo , Nascimento Aline Elesbão do , Okada Kaoru , Alves da Silva Carlos Alberto
Published: February 2012

O gênero Bacillus tem se destacado como um excelente produtor de diversos produtos biotecnológicos no mercado mundial, principalmente as enzimas. As lipases microbianas, apresentam um grande potencial para aplicações comerciais devido sua estabilidade, seletividade e larga especificidade por substratos. A utilização e a elaboração de meios de produção para as enzimas microbianas têm sido bastante utilizada nas últimas décadas. Foram testados três meios de composições diferentes: Meio A (5,0% de peptona, 0,1% de NaNO3, 0,1% de MgSO4 e 1,0% de óleo de soja), Meio B (peptona 1%, NaCl 0,5%, CaCl2.2H2O 0,1%, Tween 20 1%) e o Meio C (glicose 1,0%, peptona, 2,0%, extrato de levedura 0,5%, óleo de oliva, 1,0%, NaNO3 0,1%, KH2PO4 0,1%, MgSO4. 7H2O 0,05%). Os resultados obtidos indicaram que o B. licheniformis obteve um melhor crescimento no Meio C, apresentando valores de pH variando de 5,8 a 7,5, e atividade lipolítica de 256 U/mL.
Estudo do tratamento físico químico da água produzida utilizando Moringa oleifera Lam em comparação ao sulfato de alumínio
Authors: Santos Tayanara Menezes , Pereira Daiane Farias , Santana Claudia Ramos , Silva Gabriel Francisco da
Published: February 2012

A Água Produzida é o efluente resultante da extração do petróleo, uma emulsão formada por água e óleo, que contém alta salinidade, produtos químicos, metais pesados e expressivo volume. Se houvesse tempo para decantação, a emulsão poderia romper-se naturalmente. Porém, isso não acontece em tempo previsível. São necessários então, processos que promovam o rompimento dessa emulsão e, conseqüentemente, a separação água/óleo. Existem atualmente tecnologias que podem reduzir o teor de óleo na água produzida, porém estas tecnologias ainda não são viáveis no tratamento da água em plataformas, devido a limitações de espaço físico e peso destes equipamentos, dificuldades de execução de obras e também o tempo de residência destas águas. Este trabalho, objetiva estudar o tratamento físico químico da água produzida utilizando a Moringa oleifera Lam como coagulante para a separação água/óleo e comparar sua eficiência com o sulfato de alumínio, geralmente utilizado nas indústrias de petróleo. Os parâmetros analisados foram teor de óleos e graxas (TOG) e turbidez.
Uma revisão da literatura sobre “servitização”: bases para a proposição de um modelo conceitual de decisão
Authors: Almeida Leandro , Cauchick Miguel Paulo , Da Silva Márcia Terra
Published: February 2012

Uma tendência atual é a incorporação de serviços por empresas de manufatura na tentativa de agregar valor ao seu negócio incluindo-os em suas ofertas. Esse movimento vem sendo chamado de “servitização” na literatura. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho realiza uma revisão bibliográfica nesse tema, buscando identificar os seus diferentes modos e como ele ocorre. Além disso, o trabalho busca caracterizar as diferentes classificações de ofertas nesse movimento. Baseado no levantamento bibliográfico é proposto um modelo de decisão do processo de servitização que representa as etapas e o conteúdo das decisões nesse processo. Uma tipologia do processo de servitização é também proposta, para auxiliar na definição dos modos de servitização e no entendimento de como o processo de servitização ocorre.
Comparação de amostras de quartzo alfa e de quartzo com enxofre por meio de técnicas espectroscópicas
Authors: Farias Thiago Michel de Brito , Farias Alessandra Marlice de Brito
Published: February 2012

O quartzo é um dos minerais mais abundantes da crosta terrestre com aplicações na indústria, na geologia e na arqueologia. Formado pelo tetraedro SiO4, este mineral possui canais ao longo do eixo-c que , ao permitirem a entrada de dopantes, podem induzir efeitos que alteram a sua dureza, a sua cor entre outras características do material. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo o estudo de duas variedades de quartzo natural (quartzo alfa e com enxofre) através de técnicas espectroscópicas. Embora as análises químicas não tenham indicado a existência do dopante enxofre, através de transformações dos espectros de FT-IR pode-se deduzir que o enxofre está contido nos canais ao longo do eixo-c, sendo evaporado após pulverização da amostra de quartzo com enxofre.
Ciberativismo e Comunidades Virtuais: Um Estudo Sobre o Movimento Anti-Globo
Authors: Bernardo da Silva Tatiana Maria , Bauer Henrique , Assis Marcio Almeida
Published: February 2012

A Internet tem facilitado as pessoas do mundo inteiro a se comunicar, encontrar pessoas e se reunirem em grupos, tendo como base uma rede ampla de interesses culturais e afiliaes sociais. Tais grupos receberam a denominao de comunidades virtuais ou online e so construdos atravs de interesses sociais e polticos comuns. O presente trabalho trata de uma pesquisa que analisa os comportamentos e as razes de resistncia Globo em comunidades virtuais. Existem centenas dessas no site de relacionamento Orkut. Foram escolhidas e investigadas as cinco comunidades com o maior nmero de membros. Para cumprir tal objetivo foi escolhida a netnografia como meio de investigao do comportamento dos participantes dessas comunidades, em que dados foram copiados de fruns das comunidades virtuais, e a partir das observaes das interaes nas comunidades e da anlise do discurso, foram identificados cinco motivos para a resistncia organizao e o ciberativismo. DOI: 10.5585/remark.v10i3.2264
Web Analytics: Modelos de Métricas de Engajamento em Mídias Emergentes
Authors: Okada Sionara Ioco
Published: February 2012

As transformaes no comportamento do consumidor inauguraram a Era da recomendao com a disseminao exponencial de contedo relevante, ascenso do prosumerismo e crowdsourcing. A mensurao e o monitoramento contnuo das aes mercadolgicas levam ao conhecimento do comportamento do consumidor, no somente nas variveis como freqncia, recncia e valor de compra, mas tambm nos quesitos engajamento e interao com o produto e/ou marca. O desenvolvimento de mtricas para mltiplas mdias elevam a quantidade de informaes teis sobre o perfil de consumo possibilitando a otimizao das estratgias digitais pblicos segmentados. Este um artigo de atualizao que tem por objetivo revisar as ltimas publicaes sobre modelos de mtricas - web analytics WA coadunando estratgias digitais em plataformas e mdias emergentes. Quanto metodologia utilizada, trata-se de uma investigao secundria, sobretudo bibliogrfica visando atualizao e anlise comparativa de trs modelos web analytics wa para organizaes que atuam no varejo eletrnico, utilizando diferentes canais digitais. O estudo enfoca: i) Modelo dos Cinco Estgios de competio analtica, proposto por Davenport; ii) Modelo de maturidade em web analytics, proposto por Hammel; iii) Modelo Web Analytics Scorecard, proposto por Giuntini Morier. A expanso do M-commerce e o advento do Social commerce assumem-se como tendncias irreversveis, exigindo das organizaes que atuam no varejo eletrnico, mtricas e indicadores de desempenho para um monitoramento contnuo do comportamento do consumidor, de modo a consolidar a interao e as mtricas de engajamento como principais protagonistas das estratgias digitais contemporneas. DOI: 10.5585/remark.v10i3.2271
Modelos Integrativos do Comportamento do Consumidor: Uma Revisão Teórica
Authors: Lopes Evandro Luiz , Da Silva Dirceu
Published: February 2012

Um dos temas mais debatidos na rea de Marketing o comportamento do consumidor. No de se estranhar o interesse crescente pelo tema, pois a perspectiva mercantilista do Marketing, com foco na transao, est dando lugar ao que se chamou de Marketing de Relacionamento, cuja orientao a manuteno de consumidores a longo prazo. Tendo isto em mente, prope-se, com este estudo, a elaborao de uma reviso dos principais modelos integrativos do comportamento do consumidor, possibilitando uma reflexo crtica de seus principais fundamentos e de sua evoluo. DOI: 10.5585/remark.v10i3.2273
Avaliação das Alternativas de Compra: Entre a Falsificação e o Original
Authors: Gomes Silvia Cressoni , Strehlau Suzane
Published: February 2012

Este artigo aborda a avaliao do consumidor na compra de culos solares entre as alternativas marca original ou falsificada. O objetivo compreender como o consumidor avalia os critrios relacionados aos atributos, benefcios e tambm identificar se h algum tipo de regra de deciso utilizada. A metodologia de carter exploratrio e qualitativo com uso de roteiro de entrevista numa amostra por julgamento com anlise de contedo. Os resultados mostram que todos entrevistados reconhecem que os culos falsificados so prejudiciais viso por no apresentarem proteo solar aos raios ultravioleta. A regra de deciso utilizada que foi identificada compensatria aditiva simples, isto implica que na avaliao do consumidor as dimenses negativas e positivas so consideradas pela sua quantidade. Embora a proteo solar nos culos seja extremamente importante em quantidade numericamente inferior aos atributos oriundos da marca como design e moda e o atributo fsico da cor da lente. DOI: 10.5585/remark.v10i3.2274
Consumidor Consciente da Renda Baixa: Uma Proposta de Segmentação
Authors: Bacha Maria de Lourdes , Strehlau Vivian Iara , Schaun Angela
Published: February 2012

Este artigo tem como objetivo propor uma segmentao dos consumidores de renda baixa relativamente ao consumo consciente em So Paulo, Capital. Tem por justificativas o tamanho do segmento baixa renda, a importncia do tema e a falta de trabalhos acadmicos que tratem especificamente da renda baixa e consumo consciente. O artigo se inicia com referencial terico seguido pela apresentao de resultados de pesquisa emprica quantitativa. Como instrumento de coleta de dados foi utilizado questionrio estruturado, incluindo dados demogrficos e consumo consciente. Os dados foram analisados com o uso de estatstica descritiva e multivariada. A anlise de agrupamentos indicou a existncia de quatro segmentos: responsveis saudveis, ambientalmente educados, desinformados e conscientes de fachada, cada qual com caractersticas diferenciadas. DOI: 10.5585/remark.v10i3.2275
Two-Stage Syphilis Testing
Authors: Lopes Almeida Gomes Lais , Stone Caroline J. , Shaw Katharina S.
Published: June 2024

A 54-year-old woman presented with erythematous annular and indurated plaques on her face, trunk, and extremities and had false-positive syphilis test results during 2 pregnancies 25 and 22 years prior. What would you do next?
Syphilis Has Surged for Reasons That Go Beyond the Pathogen That Causes It
Authors: Rubin Rita
Published: June 2024

This Medical News story discusses the multiple factors contributing to the resurgence of syphilis in the US.
Trends in Private Equity Consolidation in Cardiovascular Care
Authors: Singh Yashaswini , Reddy Megha , Whaley Christopher
Published: June 2024

This cross-sectional study examines the growth in numbers and geographic locations of private equity acquisitions in cardiology across the US.
Exploring the role of CD8+ T cells in clear renal cell carcinoma metastasis
Authors: Chen Yuanhong , Shen Jiajia , Ling Caixia , Liang Zhengfang , Huang Shaoang , Lin Wenxian , Qin Yujuan , Meng Lingzhang , Luo Yanhong
Published: June 2024

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) accounts for approximately 75–80% of all patients with renal cell carcinoma. Despite its prevalence, little is known regarding the key components involved in ccRCC metastasis. In this study, scRNA‐seq analysis was employed to classify CD8+ T cells into four sub‐clusters based on their genetic profiles and immunofluorescence experiments were used to validate two key clusters. Through gene set enrichment analysis, these newly identified sub‐clusters were found to exhibit distinct biological characteristics. Notably, TYMP, TOP2A, CHI3L2, CDKN3, CENPM, and RZH2 were highly expressed in these sub‐clusters, indicating a correlation with poor prognosis. Among these sub‐clusters, CD8+ T cells (MT‐ND4) were identified as potentially playing a critical role in mediating ccRCC metastasis. These results contribute to our understanding of CD8+ T cell heterogeneity in ccRCC and shed light on the mechanisms underlying the loss of immune response against cancer.
Literacy and Heritage Language Learning
Authors: Lee Jin Sook
Published: June 2024

The critical role of literacy not only in the transmission of heritage languages across generations but also for the maintenance of heritage languages within generations is undeniable. Heritage language literacy serves different functions for different individuals and their families in unique ways that (re)connect them with life events that have personal, symbolic, or social relevance. Yet, heritage literacy is often the least developed language skill among heritage language speakers. Because heritage language exposure and use are often situated in the home, emphasis in most families is on oral language to fulfill daily communication needs rather than on literacy skills. Moreover, children from families where the parents may not be literate or from cultural backgrounds with strong oral traditions tend to have minimal to no opportunities to develop their heritage literacy skills. Although literacy skills are built upon oral proficiency, purposeful instruction that focuses on literacy is a necessary condition for development. There are limited, but promising educational models such as dual language immersion programs and heritage language community schools as well as broader access to heritage language textual resources via the internet that can support heritage literacy development. However, our understanding of how to effectively foster literacy development for the different profiles of heritage language speakers is still limited. This entry discusses the role of literacy in the learning and maintenance of heritage languages and examines the challenges and the necessary support systems for heritage literacy development, raising awareness for the need for more systematic approaches to heritage literacy education.
Boosting Selective Nitrogen Oxidation to Nitric Acid by Synergizing Cobalt Phthalocyanine on Carbon Nitride Surface
Authors: Paul Sourav , Adalder Ashadul , Barman Narad , Thapa Ranjit , Bera Arpan , Mitra Koushik , Ghorai Uttam Kumar
Published: June 2024

The Ostwald process, which is producing HNO3 for commercial use, involves the catalytic oxidation of NH3 and a series of chemical reactions conducted under severe operating conditions. Due to their energy‐intensive nature, these activities play a major role in greenhouse gas emissions and global energy consumption. In response to the urgent requirements of the global energy and environmental sectors, there is an increasingly critical need to develop novel, highly efficient, and environmentally sustainable methods. Herein, CoPc/C3N4 electrocatalyst, integrating CoPc nanotubes with C3N4 nanosheets, is shown. The CoPc/C3N4 electrocatalyst demonstrates yield rate of 871.8 µmol h−1 gcat−1 at 2.2 V, with corresponding Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 46.4% at 2.1 V, which notably surpasses that of CoPc. Through a combination of experimental investigations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, this study shows that CoPc anchored on C3N4 effectively simplifies the adsorption and activation of chemically inactive nitrogen molecules. The improved catalytic activity for composite system may be the reason of re‐distribution of charges over the CoPc, tuning the valence orbital of Co center due to the presence of 2D layer of C3N4. This mechanism significantly lowers the energy barrier required for critical breaking of inert N2, ultimately leading to a significant improvement in N2 oxidation efficiency.
Tailoring Work Functions of Heterostructures by Varying the Depth of a Buried Monolayer
Authors: Whittles Thomas J. , Parks Sarah C. , Wang Hongguang , Jiang Peiheng , Zhong Zhicheng , van Aken Peter A. , Mannhart Jochen
Published: June 2024

The work function is a critical parameter for device design and understanding of materials properties, but contemporary experimental literature on tailored work functions is rather scarce. This paper presents a promising new approach to work function design that uses pulsed laser deposition (PLD) growth with unit cell precision. It is shown that a monolayer buried within a material can influence the work function as a function of the layer depth. This method can preserve properties of the original material's surface, and furthermore, a sensitive material can be used as the monolayer, both of which are beneficial for device design. Proof of concept is demonstrated by inserting a nominal monolayer of barium oxide (BaO) into strontium titanate (SrTiO3) (001) at different depths, revealing a previously unknown work function trend. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations, surface characterization, and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) studies verify the quality of the heterostructures and help to understand how charge transfer, slight barium diffusion, and termination effects account for the observed work function trends. This work function tunability is a promising approach for future devices that require a tailored work function, which can easily be extended to a wider variety of materials.
Cathodic Electrosynthesis of H2O2 Using Sustainable Cellulose‐Co‐ZIF Electrocatalyst
Authors: Liu Detao , Luo Yao , Qian Zhiyun , Li Xiaoming , Chen Yonghao , Zhong Zhihao , Ji Wenhao , Wang Yan , Tian Zhe
Published: June 2024

Manufacturing the biochar‐derived 2e‐electron oxygen reduction (2e‐ORR) electrocatalyst from sustainable biomass promises a cost‐effective alternative for typical petroleum‐based resources, but still suffers from inferior catalytic activity and low 2e‐ORR selectivity. Here, the study demonstrates a simple and effective strategy for achieving high‐performance sustainable Co‐ZIF‐engineered cellulose electrocatalyst, enabling in situ growth of nanostructured ZIF‐67 particles around the abundant hydrophilic oxygen‐containing micro‐scale cellulose fibers. Through a simple one‐step pyrolysis at 900 °C of the cellulose‐Co‐ZIF substrate, a high‐porosity carbonous the Co‐ZIF‐CC catalyst is obtained that possesses active sites and carbon defects, facilitating 2e‐ORR progress for H2O2 production. By utilizing O2 as reaction gas, it can electrochemically generate H2O2 concentration attaining up to 555.1 mg L−1, outperforming a nearly five‐fold increase compared to that using air, and also showing about maximin thirty times higher compared to exiting biochar‐based 2e‐ORR electrocatalysts from biomass. The proposed cellulose‐Co‐ZIF strategy breakthroughs the next generation of sustainable 2e‐ORR electrocatalysts from renewable bioresources with low‐cost, economic ecology, beyond the wide potential applications for other electrocatalysts.
Target Identification and Mechanistic Characterization of Indole Terpenoid Mimics: Proper Spindle Microtubule Assembly Is Essential for Cdh1‐Mediated Proteolysis of CENP‐A
Authors: Peng Yan , Zhang Yumeng , Fang Ruan , Jiang Hao , Lan Gongcai , Xu Zhou , Liu Yajie , Nie Zhaoyang , Ren Lu , Wang Fengcan , Zhang Shou‐De , Ma Yuyong , Yang Peng , Ge Hong‐Hua , Zhang Wei‐Dong , Luo Cheng , Li Ang , He Weiwei
Published: June 2024

Centromere protein A (CENP‐A), a centromere‐specific histone H3 variant, is crucial for kinetochore positioning and chromosome segregation. However, its regulatory mechanism in human cells remains incompletely understood. A structure‐activity relationship (SAR) study of the cell‐cycle‐arresting indole terpenoid mimic JP18 leads to the discovery of two more potent analogs, (+)‐6‐Br‐JP18 and (+)‐6‐Cl‐JP18. Tubulin is identified as a potential cellular target of these halogenated analogs by using the drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) based method. X‐ray crystallography analysis reveals that both molecules bind to the colchicine‐binding site of β‐tubulin. Treatment of human cells with microtubule‐targeting agents (MTAs), including these two compounds, results in CENP‐A accumulation by destabilizing Cdh1, a co‐activator of the anaphase‐promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) E3 ubiquitin ligase. This study establishes a link between microtubule dynamics and CENP‐A accumulation using small‐molecule tools and highlights the role of Cdh1 in CENP‐A proteolysis.
Smart Microneedle Arrays Integrating Cell‐Free Therapy and Nanocatalysis to Treat Liver Fibrosis
Authors: Xu Yanteng , Zhang Yixin , Tian Hao , Zhong Qingguo , Yi Ke , Li Fenfang , Xue Tiantian , Wang Haixia , Lao Yeh‐Hsing , Xu Yingying , Li Yinxiong , Long Ling , Li Kai , Tao Yu , Li Mingqiang
Published: June 2024

Liver fibrosis is a chronic pathological condition lacking specific clinical treatments. Stem cells, with notable potential in regenerative medicine, offer promise in treating liver fibrosis. However, stem cell therapy is hindered by potential immunological rejection, carcinogenesis risk, efficacy variation, and high cost. Stem cell secretome‐based cell‐free therapy offers potential solutions to address these challenges, but it is limited by low delivery efficiency and rapid clearance. Herein, an innovative approach for in situ implantation of smart microneedle (MN) arrays enabling precisely controlled delivery of multiple therapeutic agents directly into fibrotic liver tissues is developed. By integrating cell‐free and platinum‐based nanocatalytic combination therapy, the MN arrays can deactivate hepatic stellate cells. Moreover, they promote excessive extracellular matrix degradation by more than 75%, approaching normal levels. Additionally, the smart MN arrays can provide hepatocyte protection while reducing inflammation levels by ≈70–90%. They can also exhibit remarkable capability in scavenging almost 100% of reactive oxygen species and alleviating hypoxia. Ultimately, this treatment strategy can effectively restrain fibrosis progression. The comprehensive in vitro and in vivo experiments, supplemented by proteome and transcriptome analyses, substantiate the effectiveness of the approach in treating liver fibrosis, holding immense promise for clinical applications.
An Atomistic View on the Mechanism of Diatom Peptide‐Guided Biomimetic Silica Formation
Authors: Kozak Fanny , Brandis Dörte , Pötzl Christopher , Epasto Ludovica M. , Reichinger Daniela , Obrist Dominik , Peterlik Herwig , Polyansky Anton , Zagrovic Bojan , Daus Fabian , Geyer Armin , Becker Christian FW , Kurzbach Dennis
Published: June 2024

Deciphering nature's remarkable way of encoding functions in its biominerals holds the potential to enable the rational development of nature‐inspired materials with tailored properties. However, the complex processes that convert solution‐state precursors into solid biomaterials remain largely unknown. In this study, an unconventional approach is presented to characterize these precursors for the diatom‐derived peptides R5 and synthetic Silaffin‐1A1 (synSil‐1A1). These molecules can form defined supramolecular assemblies in solution, which act as templates for solid silica structures. Using a tailored structural biology toolbox, the structure‐function relationships of these self‐assemblies are unveiled. NMR‐derived constraints are employed to enable a recently developed fractal‐cluster formalism and then reveal the architecture of the peptide assemblies in atomistic detail. Finally, by monitoring the self‐assembly activities during silica formation at simultaneous high temporal and residue resolution using real‐time spectroscopy, the mechanism is elucidated underlying template‐driven silica formation. Thus, it is demonstrated how to exercise morphology control over bioinorganic solids by manipulating the template architectures. It is found that the morphology of the templates is translated into the shape of bioinorganic particles via a mechanism that includes silica nucleation on the solution‐state complexes’ surfaces followed by complete surface coating and particle precipitation.
Controlling Pericellular Oxygen Tension in Cell Culture Reveals Distinct Breast Cancer Responses to Low Oxygen Tensions
Authors: Rogers Zachary J. , Colombani Thibault , Khan Saad , Bhatt Khushbu , Nukovic Alexandra , Zhou Guanyu , Woolston Benjamin M. , Taylor Cormac T. , Gilkes Daniele M. , Slavov Nikolai , Bencherif Sidi A.
Published: June 2024

In oxygen (O2)‐controlled cell culture, an indispensable tool in biological research, it is presumed that the incubator setpoint equals the O2 tension experienced by cells (i.e., pericellular O2). However, it is discovered that physioxic (5% O2) and hypoxic (1% O2) setpoints regularly induce anoxic (0% O2) pericellular tensions in both adherent and suspension cell cultures. Electron transport chain inhibition ablates this effect, indicating that cellular O2 consumption is the driving factor. RNA‐seq analysis revealed that primary human hepatocytes cultured in physioxia experience ischemia‐reperfusion injury due to cellular O2 consumption. A reaction‐diffusion model is developed to predict pericellular O2 tension a priori, demonstrating that the effect of cellular O2 consumption has the greatest impact in smaller volume culture vessels. By controlling pericellular O2 tension in cell culture, it is found that hypoxia vs. anoxia induce distinct breast cancer transcriptomic and translational responses, including modulation of the hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) pathway and metabolic reprogramming. Collectively, these findings indicate that breast cancer cells respond non‐monotonically to low O2, suggesting that anoxic cell culture is not suitable for modeling hypoxia. Furthermore, it is shown that controlling atmospheric O2 tension in cell culture incubators is insufficient to regulate O2 in cell culture, thus introducing the concept of pericellular O2‐controlled cell culture.
Ternary Metal Sulfides as Electrode Materials for Na/K‐Ion Batteries and Electrochemical Supercapacitor: Advances/Challenges and Prospects
Authors: Pramanik Atin , Sengupta Shilpi , Saju Sreehari K. , Chattopadhyay Shreyasi , Kundu Manab , Ajayan Pulickel M.
Published: June 2024

Ternary metal sulfides (TMSs) have garnered significant attention as alternative electrode materials for rechargeable metal‐ion battery anodes and electrodes for electrochemical supercapacitors (SCs). With the escalating costs of lithium, research has shifted toward alternative sources like sodium‐ion batteries (NIBs) and potassium‐ion batteries (KIBs), offering cost‐effectiveness and greater natural abundance globally. However, pursuing suitable electrode materials beyond lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), such as NIBs, KIBs, and SCs with enhanced energy and power density, remains a formidable challenge. In this context, TMSs demonstrate remarkable reversibility as NIB, KIB, and SC electrode materials, showcasing multi‐electron redox reactions, improved electronic conductivity, and higher theoretical capacities. Numerous research articles have highlighted the promising future of TMSs as electrodes for electrochemical energy conversion and storage (EECS). Nonetheless, practical applications are hindered by limitations, including structural stability during long‐standing cyclability, electronic conductivity, and scalability. This review systematically demonstrates how varying synthesis routes can tailor nanostructures and their influence on electrochemical activity. Additionally, an in‐depth literature survey is provided on the electrochemical performances of TMSs in NIBs, KIBs, and SCs and summarize recent advancements with the best available literature. Moreover, promising prospects and challenges are highlighted, expressing optimism that TMSs will emerge as pivotal electrodes for EECS.
Socio‐economic impacts of climate change and adaptation actions among smallholder fish farmers in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Muthoka Mavindu , Ouko Kevin Okoth , Mboya Jimmy Brian , Ndambuki Merceline Ndinda , Outa Nicholas , Ogello Erick , Obiero Kevin , Ogola Robert John , Midamba Dick Chune , Njogu Lucy
Published: June 2024

Aquaculture is the world's fastest‐growing food‐producing sector, making it a significant contributor to food and nutrition security for the globally growing human population. Nevertheless, its long‐term growth is limited by the effects of climate change. Aquaculture in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), which is dominated by small‐scale fish farming, is increasingly threatened by climate change, which has a substantial influence on its productivity and scalability. In this context, the present research looks at the socio‐economic consequences of climate change on small‐scale fish producers in SSA, as well as potential adaptation techniques to the effects of climate change. A clear understanding of these socio‐economic repercussions of climate change is critical for developing effective strategies to reduce future impacts and safeguard aquaculture‐based livelihoods. Furthermore, understanding the socio‐economic consequences of climate change on communities dependent on aquaculture is important for advising policymakers and decision‐makers on formulating and implementing policies that sustain aquaculture production amidst the climate change crisis. This article suggests various adaptation strategies to increase resilience to climate change, including diversification of livelihoods and species, use and incorporation of local and indigenous knowledge, shifting to aquaculture species less vulnerable to changing climatic conditions, capacity building through aquaculture insurance schemes, continued fish supply from capture fisheries, and consolidation of equity and human rights concerns. These adaptive methods, when combined, have the potential to enhance outcomes for populations who are more susceptible owing to their unstable socio‐economic conditions.
CO2 absorption mechanism and kinetic modeling of mixed amines with ionic liquid activation
Authors: Jia Rui‐Qi , Wu Qing , Zhang Liang‐Liang , Zhang Bo , Chu Guang‐Wen , Chen Jian‐Feng
Published: June 2024

Ionic liquid (IL) can not only serve as solvents to reduce carbon capture energy consumption, but also may activate the CO2 absorption of amine solutions. Here, the absorption mechanism and kinetic modeling of IL‐activated single and mixed amines were studied in wetted wall column. N‐(2‐aminoethyl) ethanolamine (AEEA) and N,N‐diethylethanolamine (DEEA) were used as representatives to evaluate the IL activation effects on primary and tertiary amines. It was found that IL activated the reaction process of primary amine, but had no activation effect on tertiary amine. The activation energy of AEEA‐IL‐CO2 was 22.2 kJ/mol, which was 21.0% lower than AEEA‐CO2. Kinetic modeling of IL‐activated AEEA and mixed amines was established. Besides, the density functional theory calculations showed that IL can form hydrogen bonding and other interactions with AEEA and CO2 to activate the absorption reaction, which can reduce 29.3% activation energy during the zwitterion formation stage.
Modularization of Immobilized Multienzyme Cascades for Continuous‐Flow Enantioselective C−H Amination
Authors: Kong Weixi , Huang Chen , Zhou Liya , Gao Jing , Ma Li , Liu Yunting , Jiang Yanjun
Published: June 2024

Multienzyme cascades (MECs) have gained much attention in synthetic chemistry but remain far from being a reliable synthetic tool. Here we report a four‐enzyme cascade comprising a cofactor‐independent and a cofactor self‐sustaining bienzymatic modules for the enantioselective benzylic C−H amination of arylalkanes, a challenging transformation from bulk chemicals to high value‐added chiral amines. The two modules were subsequently optimized by enzyme co‐immobilization with microenvironmental tuning, and finally integrated in a gas‐liquid segmented flow system, resulting in simultaneous improvements in enzyme performance, mass transfer, system compatibility, and productivity. The flow system enabled continuous C−H amination of arylalkanes (up to 100 mM) utilizing the sole cofactor NADH (0.5 mM) in >90 % conversion, achieving a high space‐time yield (STY) of 3.6 g ⋅ L−1 ⋅ h−1, which is a 90‐fold increase over the highest value previously reported.