bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reactive Oxygen Species Responsive Cleavable Hierarchical Metallic Supra‐Nanostructure
Authors: Choi Hyunjun , Choi Bongseo , Han Jun‐Hyeok , Shin Ha Eun , Park Wooram , Kim Dong‐Hyun
Published: August 2022

A reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsive cleavable hierarchical metallic supra‐nanostructure (HMSN) is reported. HMSN structured with thin branches composed of primary gold (Au) nanocrystals and silver (Ag) nano‐linkers is synthesized by a one‐pot aqueous synthesis with a selected ratio of Au/Ag/cholate. ROS responsive degradability of HMSN is tested in the presence of endogenous and exogeneous ROS. Significant ROS‐responsive structural deformation of HMSN is observed in the ROS exposure with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solution. The ROS responsiveness of HMSN is significantly comparable with negligible structural changes of conventional spherical gold nanoparticles. The demonstrated ROS responsive degradation of HMSN is further confirmed in various in vitro ROS conditions of each cellular endogenous ROS and exogeneous ROS generated by photodynamic therapy (PDT) or X‐ray radiation. Then, in vivo ROS responsive degradability of HMSN is further evaluated with intratumoral injection of HMSN and exogeneous ROS generation via PDT in a mouse tumor model. Additional in vivo biodistribution and toxicity of intravenously administrated HMSN at 30‐day post‐injection are investigated for potential in vivo applications. The observed ROS responsive degradability of HMSN will provide a promising option for a type of ROS responsive‐multifunctional nanocarriers in cancer treatment and various biomedical applications.
Lipophilic NO‐Driven Nanomotors as Drug Balloon Coating for the Treatment of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Tang Xueting , Chen Lin , Wu Ziyu , Li Yazhou , Zeng Jiaqi , Jiang Wentao , Lv Wenzhi , Wan Mimi , Mao Chun , Zhou Min
Published: August 2022

Drug‐coated balloons (DCB) intervention is an important approach for the treatment of atherosclerosis (AS). However, this therapeutic approach has the drawbacks of poor drug retention and penetration at the lesion site. Here, a lipophilic drug‐loaded nanomotor as a modified balloon coating for the treatment of AS is reported. First, a lipophilic nanomotor PMA‐TPP/PTX loaded with drug PTX and lipophilic triphenylphosphine (TPP) compounds is synthesized. The PMA‐TPP/PTX nanomotors use nitric oxide (NO) as the driving force, which is produced from the reaction between arginine on the motor substrate and excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the AS microenvironment. The final in vitro and in vivo experimental results confirm that the introduction of the lipophilic drug‐loaded nanomotor technology can greatly enhance the drug retention and permeability in atherosclerotic lesions. In particular, NO can also play an anti‐AS role in improving endothelial cell function and reducing oxidative stress. The chemotherapeutic drug PTX loaded onto the nanomotors can inhibit cell division and proliferation, thereby exerting the effect of inhibiting vascular intimal hyperplasia, which is helpful for the multiple therapies of AS. Using nanomotor technology to solve cardiovascular diseases may be a promising research direction.
Pyrolysis of low‐rank coal: Thermo‐kinetic analysis and product characterization
Authors: Sabat Gayatri , Gouda Narayan , Panda Achyut Kumar
Published: August 2022

Pyrolysis, the primary process accompanying the thermal degradation of coal, is complicated, and understanding this process requires kinetic analysis followed by product characterization. In this context, the present work involves the study of kinetics and thermodynamics of low‐rank Indian coal from thermogravimetric analysis data followed by batch pyrolysis and subsequent analysis of the liquid products. The thermal degradation of the coal sample has been carried out using a thermogravimetric analyzer from ambient temperature to 1350 K at five different heating rates (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25⁰C/min) under N2 atmosphere. The kinetic triplets (E, A, and n) are evaluated using the order‐based model‐fitting method. The result of this work shows that coal pyrolysis satisfies the first‐order kinetics mechanism with an average activation energy of 62.141 kJ/mol and a pre‐exponential factor of 123.835 min–1. Thermodynamic parameters such as average enthalpy change (ΔH), entropy change (ΔS), and free energy change (ΔG) of coal pyrolysis are calculated to be 56.1716 kJ/mol, –225.524 kJ/mol/s, and 1.6212 × 105 kJ/mol, respectively. A Batch pyrolysis study of coal was carried out in a semi‐batch reactor at different temperatures with an optimum oil yield of 18.94 wt% at 450°C. The chemical composition of pyrolytic oil was investigated by the FTIR and GC‐MS analysis confirmed the presence of D‐Limonene as the major constituent in the coal pyrolytic oil.
From regime‐building to implementation: Harnessing the UN climate conferences to drive climate action
Authors: Obergassel Wolfgang , Bauer Steffen , Hermwille Lukas , Aykut Stefan C. , Boran Idil , Chan Sander , Fraude Carolin , Klein Richard J. T. , Mar Kathleen A. , Schroeder Heike , Simeonova Katia
Published: August 2022

The gap between the internationally agreed climate objectives and tangible emissions reductions looms large. We explore how the supreme decision‐making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Conference of the Parties (COP), could develop to promote more effective climate policy. We argue that promoting implementation of climate action could benefit from focusing more on individual sectoral systems, particularly for mitigation. We consider five key governance functions of international institutions to discuss how the COP and the sessions it convenes could advance implementation of the Paris Agreement: guidance and signal, rules and standards, transparency and accountability, means of implementation, and knowledge and learning. In addition, we consider the role of the COP and its sessions as mega‐events of global climate policy. We identify opportunities for promoting sectoral climate action across all five governance functions and for both the COP as a formal body and the COP sessions as conducive events. Harnessing these opportunities would require stronger involvement of national ministries in addition to the ministries of foreign affairs and environment that traditionally run the COP process, as well as stronger involvement of non‐Party stakeholders within formal COP processes.

This article is categorized under:

Policy and Governance > International Policy Framework
Nature‐based coagulants for drinking water treatment: An ecotoxicological overview
Authors: El Bouaidi Widad , Libralato Giovanni , Tazart Zakaria , Enaime Ghizlane , Douma Mountasser , Ounas Abdelaziz , Yaacoubi Abdelrani , Lofrano Giusy , Carotenuto Maurizio , Saviano Lorenzo , Siciliano Antonietta , Romano Spica Vincenzo , Guida Marco , Loudiki Mohammed
Published: August 2022

The intensive human activities extensively contaminated water sources making its treatment a problem of paramount importance, especially with the increasing of global population and water scarcity. The application of natural coagulants has become a promising and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional ones. This study was aimed at evaluating the efficiency of four plant extracts namely Agave americana, Carpobrotus acinaciformis, Austrocylindropuntia subulate, and Senicio anteuphorbium as natural coagulants to remove Microcystis aeruginosa cyanobacterium from water. The effects of pH (4, 5, 6, 7, 8 9, and 10) and coagulant dose (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mg/L) on the coagulation efficiency were investigated. Results showed that plant‐based extracts exhibited high coagulant abilities significantly contributing to the removal of M. aeruginosa cells up to 80% on a case‐by‐case basis. The ecotoxicity (Daphnia magna, Aliivibrio fischeri, Raphidocelis subcapitata, and Sorghum saccharatum) was absent or presented very slight acute toxicity up to 12.5 mg/L being S. anteuphorbium the least toxic.

Practitioner Points

Nature‐based plant extracts showed removal rates up to 80%.

Lower pH and A. subulate and S. anteuphorbium were the most efficient coagulants

Toxicity effects were plant extracts‐based and dose function.

A. subulate and S. anteuphorbium were the least toxic extracts.
Nonsimilar modeling and numerical convective transport analysis of forced flow of radiative Carreau nanofluid with zero mass flux boundary condition
Authors: Raees Ammarah , Saeed Sidra , Hussain Muzamil , Farooq Umer , Chamkha Ali J.
Published: August 2022

Present research focuses on nonsimilar analysis of the flow of a non‐Newtonian Carreau nanofluid against different geometrical configurations affected by thermal radiations. The flow is induced by stretchable surface with the implementation of zero‐net mass‐flux conditions on the surface. This considered model is commonly known as Kuznetsov and Nield's proposed updated model for nanoparticles. The derived flow equations are first nondimensionalized by employing appropriate nonsimilar transformations. The transformed system is analytically tackled by employing the local nonsimilarity (LNS) approach up to the second‐truncation level in association with the numerical algorithm bvp4c. The consequences of appropriate parameters, such as the suction parameter, wedge angle parameter, Weissenberg number, Prandtl number, constant velocity parameter, temperature ratio, Brownian motion, Lewis number, thermophoresis and radiation parameters, on fluid velocity, thermal, and concentration profiles are calculated and graphed. Drag coefficient, Nusselt, and Sherwood numbers are also computed and presented in tabular form. It is observed that intensification in the suction parameter shows augmentation in the local skin friction coefficient. Enhancement in the wedge angle parameter increases both the Sherwood and Nusselt numbers. Enhancement in velocity profile of the nanofluids is noticed with the increasing estimations of suction parameter. Thermophoresis parameter enhances both thermal and concentration profiles, however increasing Lewis number leads to a decline in the concentration boundary layer. With judgment, a comparative assessment is made of the present and previous results. This research may be helpful for the researchers that are interested in studying prospective industrial and engineering nanofluid applications, notably in geophysical and geothermal systems, heat exchangers, solar water heaters, and many others.
High-Value Medical Information and Quality Claims Review
Authors: (Mary) Tai Hsueh-Yung , Chang Yu-Pin , Wu Shwu-Huey
Published: August 2022

The big data generated by the National Health Insurance (NHI) medical information system is the most important asset that Taiwan possesses in promoting national digital policies. Hence, it is the NHI’s priority to maintain the quality of the dataset and its interoperability with healthcare facilities. This chapter presents the process for claiming medical expenses in detail and gives examples of how the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) proactively assists providers to submit accurate claims.

Although most medical examination and test results, images, etc., are uploaded in a timely manner to the NHI medical information system, the NHIA plans to bundle the reimbursement to the provider with data upload to further its accuracy. The author explains the strategies applied to strengthen the connection between the hospital information system of contracted institutions and the National Health Insurance MediCloud System (NHI MediCloud System) to improve the accuracy of the data uploaded, such as medical visit identifier, instant upload, and the write-off mechanism.

The long-term collaboration among the NHI, contracted institutions, and information system vendors is the key to guaranteeing the quality of the dataset.
Payment Structure
Authors: Chang Yu-Pin , Liu Yu-Chuan , Chang Wen-Wen , Lee Chun-Fu , Lin Chun-Mei , Lin Shu-Hwa , Lee Min-Yu
Published: August 2022

The payment system has a great impact on the overall growth of medical expenses, the distribution of medical resources as well as medical efficiency and quality. To quickly integrate the existing civil service, labor, and farmers’ insurance system, the fee-for-service approach was adopted as the primary National Health Insurance (NHI) payment system at the beginning of its establishment. The content also elaborates the concept and operation mechanism of the global budget payment system and various supplemental payment methods in the NHI, such as case payment, per diem payment, pay-for-performance and Taiwan diagnosis-related groups (Tw-DRGs). The challenge of securing relative value units (RVUs) or RVU value to foster specific healthcare services is discussed in this chapter. The National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) continues to revise the fee schedule to reflect technological progress, real clinical needs and reasonable rewards for health professionals. In this chapter, we introduce the process for the revision of the fee schedule and the integration of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in decision-making. To close the inevitable budget gap, self-management of the global budget for each NHI district and payment department was designed to contain medical costs.
Feasibility and Performance Case Study of a Private Mobile Cell in the Smart Factory Context
Authors: Neumann Arne , Martenvormfelde Lukas , Wisniewski Lukasz , Ferfers Tobias , Schuba Kornelia , Pieper Carsten , Musiol Torsten
Published: August 2022

Industrial applications in the era of Industry 4.0 require more flexibility for the integration of new sensors and actuators and also demand high mobility for which wired communication is unsuitable. For the integration of wireless communication systems in an industrial application, guaranteed high Quality of Services (QoSs) is a premise that is not fully covered by wireless systems such as WiFi, Bluetooth, ZigBee or LTE. For the latter, the evolution to 5G systems as private or public networks is a currently ongoing process.

This paper examines the legal and technical requirements to operate a private mobile cell in a smart factory and presents measurements on latency and bandwidth performance of current state of the art hardware as well as the integration in an industrial Layer 2 communication system. The system in use is ready for only low demanding industrial real-time applications but, nevertheless, the advantages of a licensed frequency range for private use become visible. Furthermore, some concepts defined by the 3GPP, e.g. mini-slots and grant free transmission, are pointed out that are expected to enhance the QoS guarantees for industrial traffic.
Resource-Optimized Design of Communication Networks for Flexible Production Plants
Authors: Vukovic Petar , Höme Stephan , Kerschbaum Sven , Franke Jörg
Published: August 2022

In the context of digitalization and Industry 4.0, the flexibility within the production halls is increasing more and more. This leads to an increasingly difficult planning of the communication network. The increase in the number of different network technologies operating in parallel will make planning, commissioning and service more and more difficult. It will no longer be possible to carry out a rough layout of the network, as stable communication will become more essential for the successful operation of the plant. Thus, for example, the increasing complexity can be faced with simulation software in various areas. The use of network simulations will therefore become increasingly important in the future. Already existing simulation tools in the field of network simulation show good results, but can only be carried out very late in the life cycle of a plant, where remaining errors become expensive. In this paper we will first show already existing network and material flow simulations in an industrial environment and then introduce and prototypically implement a new co-simulation approach.
Kamerabasierte virtuelle Lichtschranken
Authors: Gabloffsky Theo , Salomon Ralf
Published: August 2022

Ein typisches Problem herkmmlicher Lichtschranken ist, dass sie nicht unterscheiden knnen, wer oder was sie ausgelst hat. Die kamerabasierten virtuellen Lichtschranken lsen dieses Problem durch eine Virtualisierung der Lichtschranke und durch den Einsatz einer Objekterkennung zur Erkennung ob ein zu untersuchendes Objekt die Lichtschranke auslst. Ein prototypischer Aufbau auf Basis eines RasperryPi 3 B+ und einer Raspberry Pi Cam V2 errzielte in der Vermessung der Geschwindigkeit von Curling Steinen eine Abweichung von 4,6 % im Vergleich zu einer realen Lichtschranke.
Cross-Company Data Exchange with Asset Administration Shells and Distributed Ledger Technology
Authors: Bröring Andre , Wisniewski Lukasz , Belyaev Alexander
Published: August 2022

To overcome boundaries in the cross-company data exchange, a new solution to use Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) for the transfer of data between asset supplier and the Asset Administration Shell (AAS) in a remote repository is proposed in this paper. A short introduction to the AAS and an analysis of DLT in industrial context is given and showing useful properties for industrial usage as well as challenges to solve. The status of the exchange of AASs and possibilities to use DLT in supply chain tracking are described. The new solution combines both concepts by sending data through the distributed ledger from the supplier to the AAS. This is also shown in a proof-of-concept implementation of the solution using IOTA as a DLT and BaSyx as a framework for the AAS. The evaluation and discussion shows challenges and advantages from using the presented approach.
Supersymmetric explanation of the muon g – 2 anomaly with and without stable neutralino
Authors: Chakraborti Manimala , Iwamoto Sho , Kim Jong Soo , Masełek Rafał , Sakurai Kazuki
Published: August 2022

Abstract

In this paper we explore the possibility of explaining the muon g − 2 anomaly in various types of supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model. In particular, we investigate and compare the phenomenological constraints in the MSSM with stable neutralino and the other types of scenarios where the neutralino is unstable. For the latter case we study the Gauge Mediated SUSY Breaking (GMSB) scenario with very light gravitino and the UDD-type R-Parity Violating (RPV) scenario. In the MSSM with stable neutralino, the parameter region favoured by the (g − 2)μ is strongly constrained by the neutralino relic abundance and the dark matter direct detection experiments, as well as by the LHC searches in the lepton plus missing transverse energy channel. On the other hand, the scenarios without stable neutralino are free from the dark matter constraints, while the LHC constraints depends strongly on the decay of the neutralino. We find that in GMSB the entire parameter region favoured by the muon g − 2 is already excluded if the Next Lightest SUSY Particle (NLSP) is the neutralino. In the GMSB scenario with a stau NSLP and in the RPV scenario, LHC constraints are weaker than the stable neutralino case and a larger region of parameter space is available to fit the (g − 2)μ anomaly.
Two major genes associated with autoimmune arthritis, Ncf1 and Fcgr2b, additively protect mice by strengthening T cell tolerance
Authors: Li Qijing , Zhong Jianghong , Luo Huqiao , Urbonaviciute Vilma , Xu Zhongwei , He Chang , Holmdahl Rikard
Published: August 2022

A breach of T cell tolerance is considered as a major step in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. In collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model, immunization with type II collagen (COL2) leads to arthritis in mice through T cells responding to the immunodominant COL2259–273 peptide. T cells could escape from thymus negative selection because endogenous COL2259–273 peptide only weakly binds to the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) molecule Aq. To investigate the regulation of T cell tolerance, we used a new mouse strain BQ.Col2266E with homozygous D266E mutations in the Col2 gene leading to a replacement of the endogenous aspartic acid (D) to glutamic acid (E) at position 266 of the COL2259–273 peptide, resulting in stronger binding to Aq. We also established BQ.Col2264R mice carrying an additional K264R mutation changed the lysine (K) at position 264 to eliminate the major TCR recognition site. The BQ.Col2266E mice were fully resistant to CIA, while the BQ.Col2264R mice developed severe arthritis. Furthermore, we studied two of the most important non-MHCII genes associated with CIA, i.e., Ncf1 and Fcgr2b. Deficiency of either gene induced arthritis in BQ.Col2266E mice, and the downstream effects differ as Ncf1 deficiency reduced Tregs and was likely to decrease expression of autoimmune regulator (AIRE) while Fcgr2b did not. In conclusion, the new human-mimicking mouse model has strong T cell tolerance to COL2, which can be broken by deficiency of Fcgr2b or Ncf1, allowing activation of autoreactive T cells and development of arthritis.
Hypoalbuminemia affects the spatio-temporal tissue distribution of ochratoxin A in liver and kidneys: consequences for organ toxicity
Authors: Hassan Reham , Friebel Adrian , Brackhagen Lisa , Hobloss Zaynab , Myllys Maiju , González Daniela , Albrecht Wiebke , Mohammed Elsayed S. I. , Seddek Abdel-latif , Marchan Rosemarie , Cadenas Cristina , Cramer Benedikt , Humpf Hans-Ulrich , Hartl Lukas , Simbrunner Benedikt , Reiberger Thomas , Trauner Michael , Hoehme Stefan , Degen Gisela H. , Hengstler Jan G. , Ghallab Ahmed
Published: August 2022

Hypoalbuminemia (HA) is frequently observed in systemic inflammatory diseases and in liver disease. However, the influence of HA on the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of compounds with high plasma albumin binding remained insufficiently studied. The ‘lack-of-delivery-concept’ postulates that HA leads to less carrier mediated uptake of albumin bound substances into hepatocytes and to less glomerular filtration; in contrast, the ‘concept-of-higher-free-fraction’ argues that increased concentrations of non-albumin bound compounds facilitate hepatocellular uptake and enhance glomerular filtration. To address this question, we performed intravital imaging on livers and kidneys of anesthetized mice to quantify the spatio-temporal tissue distribution of the mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) based on its auto-fluorescence in albumin knockout and wild-type mice. HA strongly enhanced the uptake of OTA from the sinusoidal blood into hepatocytes, followed by faster secretion into bile canaliculi. These toxicokinetic changes were associated with increased hepatotoxicity in heterozygous albumin knockout mice for which serum albumin was reduced to a similar extent as in patients with severe hypoalbuminemia. HA also led to a shorter half-life of OTA in renal capillaries, increased glomerular filtration, and to enhanced uptake of OTA into tubular epithelial cells. In conclusion, the results favor the ‘concept-of-higher-free-fraction’ in HA; accordingly, HA causes an increased tissue uptake of compounds with high albumin binding and increased organ toxicity. It should be studied if this concept can be generalized to all compounds with high plasma albumin binding that are substrates of hepatocyte and renal tubular epithelial cell carriers.
Analytic Bertini theorem
Authors: Xia Mingchen
Published: August 2022

We prove an analytic Bertini theorem, generalizing a previous result of Fujino and Matsumura.
Increasing intensity of deimatic behaviour in response to repeated simulated attacks: a case study on the mountain katydid (Acripeza reticulata)
Authors: Mourmourakis Faelan , De Bona Sebastiano , Umbers Kate D. L.
Published: August 2022

How and when deimatic behaviours are performed can change during encounters between predators and prey. Some predators attack repeatedly, investigating and manipulating prey, and in response, an individual’s deimatic behaviour may intensify or may diminish in favour of escaping. The presence of a resource can further force a trade-off between displaying and escaping. Here, we examined the intensity of the katydid’s deimatic behaviour, a visual display, the propensity of their escape response under repeated simulated attacks, and how these responses change in the presence of foraging resources. We found that display intensity increased with repeated simulated attacks and that females displayed at a greater intensity than males. The presence of their preferred food plant had no significant effect on display intensity, but reduced escape probability in both sexes. Some katydids were predictable in their display intensity and at the population level we found that strong display intensity is moderately repeatable. Overall, our results suggest that 1) display intensity increases with repeated attacks and might indicate a cost in performing at maximum intensity upon first attack, 2) deploying a deimatic display while feeding can reduce the need to flee a rich foraging patch and 3) some individuals are consistent in their display intensities. Future experiments that aim to determine causal mechanisms such as limitations to perception of predators, sensitisation to stimuli and physiological constraints to display intensity will provide necessary insight into how deimatic displays function.

Significance statement

Though often regarded as success or failure, interactions between predators and prey during the attack phase of a predation event are complex, especially when predators make repeated investigative attacks in quick succession. Our study shows that in mountain katydids, intensity of deimatic behaviour increases with repeated attacks, perhaps indicating that prey sensitise or that maximal displays during initial attacks carry high costs such as conspicuousness. The intensity of the display does not change with the introduction of a valuable food resource, but the probability of fleeing decreased, suggesting that displaying may reduce the opportunity costs of leaving a patch. We also show that individuals vary in the repeatability of their display, suggesting that deimatic display may be highly adaptable, nuanced and targeted.
Why empresses have more sons? Maternal instant social condition determines it
Authors: Li Yan-Peng , Ding Wei , Huang Zhi-Pang , Pan Ru-Liang , Li Na , Ren Guo-Peng , Cui Liang-Wei , Cai Qing-hua , Xiao Wen
Published: August 2022

Sexual selection echoed by the sex ratio is a critical issue in evolution and reproductive biology studies, and the second sex ratio (sex ratio at birth, SRB) is an important evaluation indicator for sex regulation. However, broad debates on sex ratio at birth exist due to the lack of a clear spatiotemporal genealogical database. This study explicitly tests the Trivers and Willard’s hypothesis stating that parents with good social conditions tend to show a male-biased SRB. Using a database of Chinese imperial families from 211BC to 1912 (2142 years) which avoids the spatiotemporal confusion of data thanks to its clear boundaries and long timespan, we found that a proportion of males at birth was 0.54. In particular, the results indicate that the empresses generated a significantly higher male-biased SRB than the concubines within the imperial harems (0.61 vs 0.53), while the SRB of concubines was not higher than ordinary people (0.53 vs 0.52). A significant difference of SRB before and after empress coronation (0.48 vs 0.65) was detected, indicating that the change to a higher social status is the leading cause of a biased SRB. These findings suggest that mothers with privileged instant social conditions tend to generate more boys than girls. In other words, a higher maternal social rank during the conception period, instead of rich resources, forms the primary mechanism regulating the SRB.

Significance statement

Adaptive sex ratio has been a debatable topic difficult to clearly verify since the publication of Trivers and Willard Hypothesis in 1973, which proposes that parents who have good conditions should produce more male offspring. The one reason is that the validity and sample size of the databases used contained unavoidable confounding noise, both genealogically and genetically. To overcome these issues, we specifically compiled a historical database of Chinese imperial families, which are characterized by a confined mating harem and unique eunuch system, guaranteeing biological and genetic purity with precise genealogical relationships and genetic linkages between the parents and the offspring. Thus, this is an extraordinary effort to clarify the hypotheses proposed by TWH and other hypotheses.
Drug-loaded PCL electrospun nanofibers as anti-pancreatic cancer drug delivery systems
Authors: Mitxelena-Iribarren Oihane , Riera-Pons Marc , Pereira Sheila , Calero-Castro Francisco José , Castillo Tuñón Juan Manuel , Padillo-Ruiz Javier , Mujika Maite , Arana Sergio
Published: August 2022

Cancer is one of the main causes of death worldwide, being pancreatic cancer the second deadliest cancer in Western countries. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy form the basis of pancreatic cancer’s current treatment. However, these techniques have several disadvantages, such as surgery complications, chemotherapy systemic side effects and cancer recurrence. Drug delivery systems can reduce side effects, increasing the effectivity of the treatment by a controlled release at the targeted tumor cells. In this context, coaxial electrospun fibers can increase the control on the release profile of the drug. The aim of this study was to encapsulate and release different anticancer drugs (5-Fluorouracil and Methotrexate) from a polymeric fiber mat. Different flows and ratios were used to test their effect on fiber morphology, FTIR spectrum, drug encapsulation and release. Good integration of the anticancer drugs was observed and the use of a desiccator for 24 h showed to be a key step to remove solvent remanence. Moreover, the results of this study demonstrated that the polymeric solution could be used to encapsulate and release different drugs to treat cancers. This makes coaxial electrospinning a promising alternative to deliver complex chemotherapies that involve more than one drug, such as FOLFIRINOX, used in pancreatic cancer treatment.
Combined sclerotherapy followed by surgical resection of a large extracranial venous malformation in a 14-month-old child: preoperative workup and technical note
Authors: Lavé Alexandre , Yilmaz Hasan , Rosi Andrea , Paun Luca , Patet Gildas , Bartoli Andrea
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Venous malformations affect around 2 per 10,000 newborn and are the most common type of congenital vascular malformation. They are always present at birth and are often misdiagnosed with hemangiomas. Accurate diagnosis and adequate targeted therapy through a multidisciplinary approach is advocated for a successful treatment, considering a combination of modalities in complex cases. We present here the workup and treatment of a venous malformation in a 14 month old child by combining a preoperative sclerotherapy with sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) followed by complete surgical excision respecting the calvarium.

Case presentation.

A large right extracranial fronto-parietal venous malformation and scalloping of the underlying calvarium, attached to the pericranium, surgically excised after preoperative sclerotherapy with STS in a 14-month-old child.

Results

The patient had an uneventful postoperative course with complete resection of the lesion, satisfying cosmetic appearance and no complications. Histopathological examination confirmed a venous malformation.

Conclusion

We demonstrated the workup and the rationale of the combined sclerotherapy followed by surgical resection of a large growing extracranial venous malformation. Preoperative direct contrast injection and sclerotherapy allowed to rule out significative extracranial to intracranial venous inflow and reduce blood loss for the surgical procedure, respectively. Complete removal of the malformation minimized the impact on future growth of the calvarium.
IDO1 is highly expressed in macrophages of patients in advanced tumour stages of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Struckmeier Ann-Kristin , Radermacher Anne , Fehrenz Michael , Bellin Tamara , Alansary Dalia , Wartenberg Philipp , Boehm Ulrich , Wagner Mathias , Scheller Anja , Hess Jochen , Moratin Julius , Freudlsperger Christian , Hoffmann Jürgen , Thurner Lorenz , Roemer Klaus , Freier Kolja , Horn Dominik
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Strategies for Indolamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibition in cancer immunotherapy once produced encouraging results, but failed in clinical trials. Recent evidence indicates that immune cells in the tumour microenvironment, especially macrophages, contribute to immune dysregulation and therefore might play a critical role in drug resistance.

Methods

In this study, we investigated the significance of IDO1 expressing immune cells in primary tumours and corresponding lymph node metastases (LNMs) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by immunohistochemistry. The link between IDO1 and macrophages was investigated by flow cytometry in tumour tissue, healthy adjacent tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). IDO1 activity (measured as Kynurenine/Tryptophan ratio) was assessed by ELISAs.

Results

High IDO1 expression in tumour-infiltrating immune cells was significantly correlated with advanced stages [Spearman’s rank correlation (SRC), p = 0.027] and reduced progression-free survival (multivariate Cox regression, p = 0.034). IDO1 was significantly higher expressed in PBMCs of patients in advanced stages than in healthy controls (ANOVA, p < 0.05) and IDO1+ macrophages were more abundant in intratumoural areas than peritumoural (t test, p < 0.001). IDO1 expression in PBMCs was significantly correlated with IDO1 activity in serum (SRC, p < 0.05). IDO1 activity was significantly higher in patients with LNMs (t test, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

All in all, IDO1 expressing immune cells, especially macrophages, are more abundant in advanced stages of OSCC and are associated with reduced progression-free survival. Further investigations are needed to explore their role in local and systemic immune response. The IDO1 activity might be a suitable biomarker of metastasis in OSCC patients.
Disappearance of an ecosystem engineer, the white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari), leads to density compensation and ecological release
Authors: Whitworth Andrew , Beirne Christopher , Basto Arianna , Flatt Eleanor , Tobler Mathias , Powell George , Terborgh John , Forsyth Adrian
Published: August 2022

Given the rate of biodiversity loss, there is an urgent need to understand community-level responses to extirpation events, with two prevailing hypotheses. On one hand, the loss of an apex predator leads to an increase in primary prey species, triggering a trophic cascade of other changes within the community, while density compensation and ecological release can occur because of reduced competition for resources and absence of direct aggression. White-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari—WLP), a species that typically co-occurs with collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), undergo major population crashes—often taking 20 to 30-years for populations to recover. Using a temporally replicated camera trapping dataset, in both a pre- and post- WLP crash, we explore how WLP disappearance alters the structure of a Neotropical vertebrate community with findings indicative of density compensation. White-lipped peccary were the most frequently detected terrestrial mammal in the 2006–2007 pre-population crash period but were undetected during the 2019 post-crash survey. Panthera onca (jaguar) camera trap encounter rates declined by 63% following the WLP crash, while collared peccary, puma (Puma concolor), red-brocket deer (Mazama americana) and short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis) all displayed greater encounter rates (490%, 150%, 280%, and 500% respectively), and increased in rank-abundance. Absence of WLP was correlated with ecological release changes in habitat-use for six species, with the greatest increase in use in the preferred floodplain habitat of the WLP. Surprisingly, community-weighted mean trait distributions (body size, feeding guild and nocturnality) did not change, suggesting functional redundancy in diverse tropical mammal assemblages.
First report of a chrysovirus infecting a member of the fungal genus Ilyonectria
Authors: Pielhop Tom P. , Popp Carolin , Knierim Dennis , Margaria Paolo , Maiß Edgar
Published: August 2022

The fungus Ilyonectria pseudodestructans belongs to the family Nectriaceae and was found to be part of the endophytic microbiome of apple trees (Malus x domestica, Borkh.) with apple replant disease (ARD). After dsRNA extraction, a mycoviral infection became evident. Here, we report the identification of a new virus, tentatively named “Ilyonectria pseudodestructans chrysovirus 1” (IpCV1), as the first member of the proposed new species “Alphachrysovirus ilyonectriae” within the genus Alphachrysovirus. This is the first report of a chrysovirus infecting a member of the fungal genus Ilyonectria. IpCV1 has a tripartite dsRNA genome with a total length of 8944 bp. The segments are 3439 bp, 2850 bp, and 2655 bp in length, and each dsRNA carries a single ORF. The encoded viral proteins are a 125.92-kDa RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, a 100.75-kDa coat protein, and one protein of unknown function with a predicted molecular mass of 93.04 kDa. The 5´ and 3´ UTRs are comparatively short and are 79 to 91 bp and 62 to 148 bp in length, respectively. This study provides the basis for further investigations of the impact of IpCV1 on its host and the etiology of ARD.
Minimality and comparison of sets of multi-attribute vectors
Authors: Toffano Federico , Wilson Nic
Published: August 2022

In a decision-making problem, there is often some uncertainty regarding the user preferences. We assume a parameterised utility model, where in each scenario we have a utility function over alternatives, and where each scenario represents a possible user preference model consistent with the input preference information. With a set $$A$$
A
of alternatives available to the decision-maker, we can consider the associated utility function, expressing, for each scenario, the maximum utility among the alternatives. We consider two main problems: firstly, finding a minimal subset of $$A$$
A
that is equivalent to it, i.e., that has the same utility function. We show that for important classes of preference models, the set of possibly strictly optimal alternatives is the unique minimal equivalent subset. Secondly, we consider how to compare $$A$$
A
to another set of alternatives $$B$$
B
, where $$A$$
A
and $$B$$
B
correspond to different initial decision choices. This is closely related to the problem of computing setwise max regret. We derive mathematical results that allow different computational techniques for these problems, using linear programming, and especially, with a novel approach using the extreme points of the epigraph of the utility function.
Safe Pareto improvements for delegated game playing
Authors: Oesterheld Caspar , Conitzer Vincent
Published: August 2022

A set of players delegate playing a game to a set of representatives, one for each player. We imagine that each player trusts their respective representative’s strategic abilities. Thus, we might imagine that per default, the original players would simply instruct the representatives to play the original game as best as they can. In this paper, we ask: are there safe Pareto improvements on this default way of giving instructions? That is, we imagine that the original players can coordinate to tell their representatives to only consider some subset of the available strategies and to assign utilities to outcomes differently than the original players. Then can the original players do this in such a way that the payoff is guaranteed to be weakly higher than under the default instructions for all the original players? In particular, can they Pareto-improve without probabilistic assumptions about how the representatives play games? In this paper, we give some examples of safe Pareto improvements. We prove that the notion of safe Pareto improvements is closely related to a notion of outcome correspondence between games. We also show that under some specific assumptions about how the representatives play games, finding safe Pareto improvements is NP-complete.
Predicting invasive consumer impact via the comparative functional response approach: linking application to ecological theory
Authors: Landi Pietro , McCoy Michael W. , Vonesh James R.
Published: August 2022

The Comparative Functional Response Approach (CFRA) was developed to provide a practical methodology by which short-term experiments can be used to forecast the longer-term impacts of a potential invading consumer. The CFRA makes inferences about potential invader impact based on comparisons of the functional responses of invader and native consumers on native resources in a common experimental venue. Application of the CFRA and derivative approaches have proliferated since it was introduced in 2014. Here we examine the conceptual foundations of the CFRA within the context of basic Lotka–Volterra consumer-resource theory. Our goals are to assess whether core predictions of the CFRA hold within this framework, to consider the relative importance of background mortality and consumer assimilation efficiency in determining predator impact, and to leverage this conceptual framework to expand the discussion regarding stability and long term consumer and resource dynamics. The CFRA assertion that consumers with a higher functional response will have larger impacts on resources only holds as long as all other parameters are equal, but basic theory indicates that predator impacts on prey abundance and stability will depend more on variation in conversion efficiency and background mortality. While examination of the CFRA within this framework highlights limitations about its current application, it also points to potential strengths that are only revealed when a theoretical context is identified, in this case the implications for stability and conceptual links to competition theory.
The right tree in the right place? A major economic tree species poses major ecological threats
Authors: Bellingham P. J. , Arnst E. A. , Clarkson B. D. , Etherington T. R. , Forester L. J. , Shaw W. B. , Sprague R. , Wiser S. K. , Peltzer D. A.
Published: August 2022

Tree species in the Pinaceae are some of the most widely introduced non-native tree species globally, especially in the southern hemisphere. In New Zealand, plantations of radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) occupy c. 1.6 million ha and form 90% of planted forests. Although radiata pine has naturalized since 1904, there is a general view in New Zealand that this species has not invaded widely. We comprehensively review where radiata pine has invaded throughout New Zealand. We used a combination of observational data and climate niche modelling to reveal that invasion has occurred nationally. Climate niche modelling demonstrates that while current occurrences are patchy, up to 76% of the land area (i.e. 211,388 km2) is climatically capable of supporting populations. Radiata pine has mainly invaded grasslands and shrublands, but also some forests. Notably, it has invaded lower-statured vegetation, including three classes of naturally uncommon ecosystems, primary successions and secondary successions. Overall, our findings demonstrate pervasive and ongoing invasion of radiata pine outside plantations. The relatively high growth rates and per individual effects of radiata pine may result in strong effects on naturally uncommon ecosystems and may alter successional trajectories. Local and central government currently manage radiata pine invasions while propagule pressure from existing and new plantations grows, hence greater emphasis is warranted both on managing current invasions and proactively preventing future radiata pine invasions. We therefore recommend a levy on new non-native conifer plantations to offset costs of managing invasions, and stricter regulations to protect vulnerable ecosystems. A levy on economic uses of invasive species to offset costs of managing invasions alongside stricter regulations to protect vulnerable ecosystems could be a widely adopted measure to avert future negative impacts.
Farmers adapt to climate change irrespective of stated belief in climate change: a California case study
Authors: Petersen-Rockney Margiana
Published: August 2022

Farmers are front-line workers managing climatic change. As in many parts of the world, climate change in northern California is threatening natural resource-dependent communities by exacerbating droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires. This article draws on ethnographic methods, including 108 interviews with crop and livestock farmers and key informants, to query climate change experience, belief, and response in rural northeastern California. I find that farmers recognize and describe climate changes that match the meteorologic evidence of anthropogenic climate change, but attribute these changes to weather cycles and harsh geographies. However, irrespective of their belief in anthropogenic climate change, farmers implement climate adaptations—many of these practices with mitigation co-benefits, bolstering growing evidence that climate change belief and action are not tightly coupled. To accelerate farmer adaptation, this work suggests that policy and programming focus on actions and outcomes, rather than reshaping belief.
An Analysis of Finnish Debtors Who Defaulted in 2014–2016 Because of Unsecured Credit Products
Authors: Majamaa K. , Lehtinen A.-R.
Published: August 2022

Consumer credit has become an important element of the economy despite the negative effects: Over-indebtedness has wide-ranging repercussions affecting consumers and society as a whole. We analysed the debt judgements (N = 4,095) of Finnish district courts from 2014 to 2016, as well as administrative data on debtors. Our focus was on the position of consumers on the credit market and their consumption-related problem debts, namely instant loans, extensive consumer credit, and credit-card as well as distance-selling indebtedness. Regarding the four credit products, first we considered the average amount of outstanding debt and then we looked at the sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the debtors. The results revealed that the average outstanding debt (€) varied according to the credit product and that the highest average amount originated from extensive consumer credit. Instant loans and distance-selling indebtedness caused debt problems especially among low-income young adults, adverse selection seemingly being one factor behind instant-loan-related debts. Extensive consumer credit and credit-card indebtedness were behind debt judgements against older consumers with a good socioeconomic position and numerous previous loans. This is a moral-hazard situation whereby borrowers may have more information about their total amounts of debt than the lenders. We suggest that, in many cases, debt problems reflect an abundant supply of consumer credit, which seems to foster asymmetric information, the consumer’s position and competence to act in the credit market, as well as various overall risk factors.The findings highlight the need to strengthen consumers’ financial skills and for loan products that meet the needs of low-credit-rated consumers. Moreover, lenders should act responsibly in the current credit market.