bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting Dengue Outbreaks in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines Using Facebook Prophet and the ARIMA Model for Time Series Forecasting
Authors: Galvez Rigene M. , Tarepe Dennis A.
Published: July 2023

In terms of public health, dengue fever continues to be an important issue. In recent years, there has been a sharp rise in dengue-related cases all throughout the world. The number of reported cases was consistently rising, especially in the cities of the Philippines. Time series analysis is used in this study to forecast the frequency of dengue by modeling the weekly incidence of cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. This study uses a dataset of confirmed dengue cases that were downloaded from the Department of Health's (DOH) official website to compare the effectiveness and precision of Facebook Prophet's and ARIMA's forecasting models. The performance indicators of the Facebook Prophet and ARIMA approaches are contrasted on the same dataset to choose the best accurate forecast model. The period covered by the dataset chosen for this study runs from the first week of 2016 to the sixteenth week of 2022. The performance of the forecast models is then evaluated by comparing them to the last 66 weeks of actual data. The result of this study shows that Facebook Prophet model outperforms ARIMA model.
THE EFFECTS STREET-NETWORK CONFIGURATION IN MODELLING WALKABILITY THROUGH SPACE SYNTAX
Authors: Asriana Nova , Koerniawan M. Donny , Tambunan Lily , Paramita Beta
Published: July 2023

This study investigates street network connectivity in an informal settlement, Kampong Taman Sari, Bandung. It generally refers to the informal residential area with minimum facilities and urban services. The majority of these settlements depict irregular patterns and narrow paths or alleys. Thus, kampong inhabitants mainly rely on walking, biking, and riding motorcycles to access vital urban features and functions. This purpose study is to examine the potential connectivity not only for accessibility but also for evacuation movement in an informal settlement. This investigation also aims to understand an associative relation between street-network configuration and informal settlement patterns with the probability distribution of pedestrian movement. This study utilizes computational street network analysis through the space syntax method that consists of two distinctive evaluations, such as axial analysis and visual graph analysis. The following result depicts the spatial accessibility, integration, permeability, walkability, and connectivity based on this relation. Experimenting in modelling a walkable kampong in the urban environment will conduce to urban design qualities of the street environment and street network layout for pedestrians or users.
Effect of Internet-Delivered Emotion Regulation Individual Therapy for Adolescents With Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder
Authors: Bjureberg Johan , Ojala Olivia , Hesser Hugo , Häbel Henrike , Sahlin Hanna , Gratz Kim L. , Tull Matthew T. , Claesdotter Knutsson Emma , Hedman-Lagerlöf Erik , Ljótsson Brjánn , Hellner Clara
Published: July 2023

Importance

Nonsuicidal self-injury is prevalent in adolescence and associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Effective interventions that are brief, transportable, and scalable are lacking.

Objective

To test the hypotheses that an internet-delivered emotion regulation individual therapy for adolescents delivered adjunctive to treatment as usual is superior to treatment as usual only in reducing nonsuicidal self-injury and that improvements in emotion regulation mediate these treatment effects.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This 3-site, single-masked, randomized superiority trial enrolled participants from November 20, 2017, to April 9, 2020. Eligible participants were aged between 13 and 17 years and met diagnostic criteria for nonsuicidal self-injury disorder; they were enrolled as a mixed cohort of consecutive patients and volunteers. Parents participated in parallel to their children. The primary end point was at 1 month after treatment. Participants were followed up at 3 months posttreatment. Data collection ended in January 2021.

Interventions

Twelve weeks of therapist-guided, internet-delivered emotion regulation individual therapy delivered adjunctive to treatment as usual vs treatment as usual only.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary outcome was the youth version of the Deliberate Self-harm Inventory, both self-reported by participants prior to treatment, once every week during treatment, and for 4 weeks posttreatment, and clinician-rated by masked assessors prior to treatment and at 1 and 3 months posttreatment.

Results

A total of 166 adolescents (mean [SD] age, 15.0 [1.2] years; 154 [92.8%] female) were randomized to internet-delivered emotion regulation therapy plus treatment as usual (84 participants) or treatment as usual only (82 participants). The experimental intervention was superior to the control condition in reducing clinician-rated nonsuicidal self-injury (82% vs 47% reduction; incidence rate ratio, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.20-0.57) from pretreatment to 1-month posttreatment. These results were maintained at 3-month posttreatment. Improvements in emotion dysregulation mediated improvements in self-injury during treatment.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this randomized clinical trial, a 12-week, therapist-guided, internet-delivered emotion regulation therapy delivered adjunctive to treatment as usual was efficacious in reducing self-injury, and mediation analysis supported the theorized role of emotion regulation as the mechanism of change in this treatment. This treatment may increase availability of evidence-based psychological treatments for adolescents with nonsuicidal self-injury.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03353961
Management of Down Syndrome–Associated Leukemias
Authors: Verma Anupam , Lupo Philip J. , Shah Nirali N. , Hitzler Johann , Rabin Karen R.
Published: July 2023

Importance

Down syndrome (DS), caused by an extra copy of material from chromosome 21, is one of the most common genetic conditions. The increased risk of acute leukemia in DS (DS-AL) has been recognized for decades, consisting of an approximately 150-fold higher risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) before age 4 years, and a 10- to 20-fold higher risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), compared with children without DS.

Observations

A recent National Institutes of Health-sponsored conference, ImpacT21, reviewed research and clinical trials in children, adolescents, and young adults (AYAs) with DS-AL and are presented herein, including presentation and treatment, clinical trial design, and ethical considerations for this unique population. Between 10% to 30% of infants with DS are diagnosed with transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM), which spontaneously regresses. After a latency period of up to 4 years, 20% to 30% develop myeloid leukemia associated with DS (ML-DS). Recent studies have characterized somatic mutations associated with progression from TAM to ML-DS, but predicting which patients will progress to ML-DS remains elusive. Clinical trials for DS-AL have aimed to reduce treatment-related mortality (TRM) and improve survival. Children with ML-DS have better outcomes compared with non-DS AML, but outcomes remain dismal in relapse. In contrast, patients with DS-ALL have inferior outcomes compared with those without DS, due to both higher TRM and relapse. Management of relapsed leukemia poses unique challenges owing to disease biology and increased vulnerability to toxic effects. Late effects in survivors of DS-AL are an important area in need of further study because they may demonstrate unique patterns in the setting of chronic medical conditions associated with DS.

Conclusions and Relevance

Optimal management of DS-AL requires specific molecular testing, meticulous supportive care, and tailored therapy to reduce TRM while optimizing survival. There is no standard approach to treatment of relapsed disease. Future work should include identification of biomarkers predictive of toxic effects; enhanced clinical and scientific collaborations; promotion of access to novel agents through innovative clinical trial design; and dedicated studies of late effects of treatment.
Objectively Measured Visual Impairment and Dementia Prevalence in Older Adults in the US
Authors: Killeen Olivia J. , Zhou Yunshu , Ehrlich Joshua R.
Published: July 2023

Importance

Estimates of the association between visual impairment (VI) and dementia in the US population are based on self-reported survey data or measures of visual function that are at least 15 years old. Older adults are at high risk of VI and dementia so there is a need for up-to-date national estimates based on objective assessments.

Objective

To estimate the association between VI and dementia in older US adults based on objective visual and cognitive function testing.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This secondary analysis of the 2021 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a population-based, nationally representative panel study, included 3817 respondents 71 years and older. Data were analyzed from January to March 2023.

Intervention

In 2021, NHATS incorporated tablet-based tests of distance and near visual acuity and contrast sensitivity (CS) with habitual correction.

Main Outcomes and Measures

VI was defined as distance visual acuity more than 0.30 logMAR, near visual acuity more than 0.30 logMAR, and CS more than 1 SD below the sample mean. Dementia was defined as scoring 1.5 SDs or more below the mean in 1 or more cognitive domains, an AD8 Dementia Screening Interview Score indicating probable dementia, or diagnosed dementia. Poisson regression estimated dementia prevalence ratios adjusted for covariates.

Results

Of 2967 included participants, 1707 (weighted percentage, 55.3%) were female, and the median (IQR) age was 76.9 (77-86) years. The weighted prevalence of dementia was 12.3% (95% CI, 10.9-13.7) and increased with near VI (21.5%; 95% CI, 17.7-25.3), distance VI (mild: 19.1%; 95% CI, 13.0-25.2; moderate, severe, or blind: 32.9%; 95% CI, 24.1- 41.8), and CS impairment (25.9%; 95% CI, 20.5-31.3). Dementia prevalence was higher among participants with near VI and CS impairment than those without (near VI prevalence ratio: 1.40; 95% CI, 1.16-1.69; CS impairment prevalence ratio: 1.31; 95% CI, 1.04-1.66) and among participants with moderate to severe distance VI or blindness (prevalence ratio: 1.72; 95% CI, 1.26-2.35) after adjustment for covariates.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this survey study, all types of objectively measured VI were associated with a higher dementia prevalence. As most VI is preventable, prioritizing vision health may be important for optimizing cognitive function.
An adaptive cascade predictive control strategy for connected and automated vehicles
Authors: Landolfi Enrico , Natale Ciro
Published: July 2023

Connectivity is a key element enabling intelligent vehicles to communicate with each other and the Smart Road. In general, the connectivity is allowed by an On‐Board Unit enabling the Vehicle to Everything communication. This paper proposes an innovative unit acting not only as a device allowing connectivity but also as an intelligent electronic control unit to perform advanced and adaptive control strategies able to give reference trajectories and actuator set‐points to the low‐level control systems of power‐train and vehicle dynamics. In particular, based on a cascade model predictive control, an adaptive control strategy is proposed, considering time‐varying parameters and information related to vehicle kinematics and dynamics. Such a strategy allows the vehicle to follow a certain origin‐destination path in the inertial frame, based on an upper controller that considers a vehicle kinematic model so as to give speed references and target values for the steering angle at the wheels to the inner predictive control loop acting on both longitudinal and lateral vehicle dynamics. To check the effectiveness of the proposed approach, a comparison is made with existing cascade control strategies. The results show better safety and lane‐keeping performance. Then, using Hardware‐In‐the‐Loop testing for the proposed Intelligent On‐Board Unit, the considered approach demonstrates robustness against parametric variations, signal delay and noise both in the Global Positioning System and in the yaw rate sensor. The achieved results show good robustness properties, safety performances and confirm the real‐time execution of the cascade control strategy, paving the way to future developments necessary before tests in a real road scenario.
Sonoactivated Cascade Fenton Reaction Enhanced by Synergistic Modulation of Electron–Hole Separation for Improved Tumor Therapy
Authors: Zhang Su‐Ling , Liu Cong , Li Zhi‐Xiang , Guan Ying‐Hua , Ge Lin , Sun Qijun , Liu Jun‐An , Lin Yong‐Jun , Yang Zi‐Xin , Qiao Zeng‐Ying , Wang Hao
Published: July 2023

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) is an emerging targeted treatment technique for tumors via the generation of highly cytotoxic hydroxyl radical (·OH) governed by tumor microenvironment‐assisted Fenton reaction. Despite high effectiveness, it faces limitations like low reaction efficiency and limited endogenous H2O2, compromising its therapeutic efficacy. This study reports a novel platform with enhanced CDT performance by in situ sono‐activated cascade Fenton reaction. A piezoelectric g‐C3N4 (Au‐Fe‐g‐C3N4) nanosheet is developed via sono‐activated synergistic effect/H2O2 self‐supply mediated cascade Fenton reaction, realizing in situ ultrasound activated cascade Fenton reaction kinetics by synergistic modulation of electron–hole separation. The nanosheets consist of piezoelectric g‐C3N4 nanosheet oxidizing H2O to highly reactive H2O2 from the valence band, Fe3+/Fe2+ cycling activated by conduction band to generate ·OH, and Au nanoparticles that lower the bandgap and further adopt electrons to generate more 1O2, resulting in improved CDT and sonodynamic therapy (SDT). Moreover, the Au–Fe–g‐C3N4 nanosheet is further modified by the targeted peptide to obtain P–Au–Fe–g‐C3N4, which inhibits tumor growth in vivo effectively by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). These results demonstrated that the sono‐activated modulation translates into a high‐efficiency CDT with a synergistic effect using SDT for improved anti‐tumor therapy.
GART Functions as a Novel Methyltransferase in the RUVBL1/β‐Catenin Signaling Pathway to Promote Tumor Stemness in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Tang Chao , Ke Mengying , Yu Xichao , Sun Shanliang , Luo Xian , Liu Xin , Zhou Yanyan , Wang Ze , Cui Xing , Gu Chunyan , Yang Ye
Published: July 2023

Tumor stemness is associated with the recurrence and incurability of colorectal cancer (CRC), which lacks effective therapeutic targets and drugs. Glycinamide ribonucleotide transformylase (GART) fulfills an important role in numerous types of malignancies. The present study aims to identify the underlying mechanism through which GART may promote CRC stemness, as to developing novel therapeutic methods. An elevated level of GART is associated with poor outcomes in CRC patients and promotes the proliferation and migration of CRC cells. CD133+ cells with increased GART expression possess higher tumorigenic and proliferative capabilities both in vitro and in vivo. GART is identified to have a novel methyltransferase function, whose enzymatic activity center is located at the E948 site. GART also enhances the stability of RuvB‐like AAA ATPase 1 (RUVBL1) through methylating its K7 site, which consequently aberrantly activates the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway to induce tumor stemness. Pemetrexed (PEM), a compound targeting GART, combined with other chemotherapy drugs greatly suppresses tumor growth both in a PDX model and in CRC patients. The present study demonstrates a novel methyltransferase function of GART and the role of the GART/RUVBL1/β‐catenin signaling axis in promoting CRC stemness. PEM may be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of CRC.
Generating Functional Multicellular Organoids from Human Placenta Villi
Authors: Huang Lijun , Tu Zhaowei , Wei Liudan , Sun Wei , Wang Yifan , Bi Shilei , He Fang , Du Lili , Chen Jingsi , Kzhyshkowska Julia , Wang Haibin , Chen Dunjin , Zhang Shuang
Published: July 2023

The interaction between trophoblasts, stroma cells, and immune cells at the maternal–fetal interface constitutes the functional units of the placenta, which is crucial for successful pregnancy outcomes. However, the investigation of this intricate interplay is restricted due to the absence of efficient experimental models. To address this challenge, a robust, reliable methodology for generating placenta villi organoids (PVOs) from early, late, or diseased pregnancies using air–liquid surface culture is developed. PVOs contain cytotrophoblasts that can self‐renew and differentiate directly, along with stromal elements that retain native immune cells. Analysis of scRNA sequencing and WES data reveals that PVOs faithfully recapitulate the cellular components and genetic alterations of the corresponding source tissue. Additionally, PVOs derived from patients with preeclampsia exhibit specific pathological features such as inflammation, antiangiogenic imbalance, and decreased syncytin expression. The PVO‐based propagation of primary placenta villi should enable a deeper investigation of placenta development and exploration of the underlying pathogenesis and therapeutics of placenta‐originated diseases.
Fluorescent Nanomaterials for Detection and Discrimination of Amino Acids
Authors: Auwalu Muhammad Aminu , Li Siyu , Sun Chenfang , Cheng Shanshan
Published: July 2023

The incessant surge and urge for amino acids (AAs) detection and discrimination has led scientists devoting extensive research efforts toward realizing an efficiently more robust methods/techniques for AAs recognition using different materials considering their crucial health impacts in the body system metabolism. Notably, fluorescent probes (FPs), as obviously known currently, are powerful noninvasive detection tools which are suitable and highly effective for biomolecules recognition displaying high‐resolution images. The last decade has witnessed exciting achievements in AAs sensing via the use of FPs and integrated probes with colorimetric sensors reviewed in 2012. However, the conducted study discovers that more advance and effective sensing along with innovative segregation methods for AAs are yet to be vastly unveiled owing to discrimination difficulties among various AAs. As a result, herein, the strategic study accounts for some recent progressive achievements made from 2013 to date for AAs recognition and discrimination via the use of fluorescent nanomaterials (FNMs) of nanoparticles, nanoclusters, and nanodots along with quantum dots (QDs) in different ways. The study concludes by outlining the sensitivity and selectivity extent of AAs, the FNMs, and QDs supramolecular chemistry studies for cancer cells, and finally their status quo based on the views and assumed perspectives.
Removal of Acid Orange G Azo Dye by Polycation‐Modified Alpha Alumina Nanoparticles
Authors: Yen Doan Thi Hai , Van Dang Long , Trang Truong Thi Thuy , Vu Thi Ngan , Le Thanh Son , Thu Nguyen Thi Minh , Nguyen Minh Ngoc , Pham Thu Thao , Yusa Shin‐ichi , Pham Tien Duc
Published: July 2023

Highly positively charged poly(vinyl benzyl trimethylammonium chloride) (PVBMA) was successfully synthesized with approximately 82% of yield. The PVBMA was characterized by the molecular weight (Mw) of 343.45 g mol−1and the molecular weight distribution, (Đ) of 2.4 by1H NMR and SEC measurements. The PVBMA was applied as an effective agent for α‐Al2O3surface modification in the adsorptive removal of the azo dye acid orange G (AOG). The AOG removal performance was significantly enhanced at all pH compared to without surface modification. The experimental parameters were optimal at pH 8, free ionic strength, 15 min of adsorption time, and 5 mg mL−1α‐Al2O3adsorbents. The AOG adsorption which was mainly controlled by the PVBMA‐AOG electrostatic attractions was better applicable to the Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo‐second kinetic model. The PVBMA‐modified α‐Al2O3demonstrates a high‐performance and highly reusable adsorbent with great AOG performances of approximately 90.1% after 6 reused cycles.
Teacher autonomy: Good for pupils? Good for teachers?
Authors: Jerrim John , Morgan Andrew , Sims Sam
Published: July 2023

Should teachers have complete autonomy over teaching methods and practices, or should some aspects of their practice be determined by school or government policy? We address this question using repeated (value‐added) maths test scores linked to rich survey data from the TALIS video study. With the possible exception of inexperienced teachers, we generally find no relationship between teacher autonomy and pupil outcomes (test scores, maths self‐efficacy or interest in maths). In partial contrast with our findings for pupil outcomes, teachers with very low levels of autonomy are more likely to report reduced job satisfaction. It may hence be that some level of restriction on teacher autonomy is justified, especially among inexperienced teachers, particularly when it represents only partial control of teachers’ approaches in the classroom and is done to introduce evidence‐based methods.
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells exhibit increased mitochondrial respiration after adjuvant chemo‐ and radiotherapy for early breast cancer
Authors: Christensen Ida Bager , Abrahamsen Marie‐Louise , Ribas Lucas , Buch‐Larsen Kristian , Marina Djordje , Andersson Michael , Larsen Steen , Schwarz Peter , Dela Flemming , Gillberg Linn
Published: July 2023

Background

Adjuvant chemo‐ and radiotherapy cause cellular damage to tumorous and healthy dividing cells. Chemotherapy has been shown to cause mitochondrial respiratory dysfunction in non‐tumorous tissues, but the effects on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) remain unknown.

Aim

We aimed to investigate mitochondrial respiration of PBMCs before and after adjuvant chemo‐ and radiotherapy in postmenopausal patients with early breast cancer (EBC) and relate these to metabolic parameters of the patients.

Methods

Twenty‐three postmenopausal women diagnosed with EBC were examined before and shortly after chemotherapy with (n = 18) or without (n = 5) radiotherapy. Respiration (O2 flux per million PBMCs) was assessed by high‐resolution respirometry of intact and permeabilized PBMCs. Clinical metabolic characteristics and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content of PBMCs (mtDN relative to nuclear DNA) were furthermore assessed.

Results

Respiration of intact and permeabilized PBMCs from EBC patients significantly increased with adjuvant chemo‐ and radiotherapy (p = 6 × 10−5 and p = 1 × 10−7, respectively). The oxygen flux attributed to specific mitochondrial complexes and respiratory states increased by 17–43% compared to before therapy initiation. Similarly, PBMC mtDNA content increased by 40% (p = 0.002). Leukocytes (p = 0.0001), hemoglobin (p = 0.0003), and HDL cholesterol (p = 0.003) concentrations decreased whereas triglyceride (p = 0.01) and LDL (p = 0.02) concentrations increased after treatment suggesting a worsened metabolic state. None of the metabolic parameters or the mtDNA content of PBMCs correlated significantly with PBMC respiration.

Conclusion

This study shows that mitochondrial respiration and mtDNA content in circulating PBMCs increase after adjuvant chemo‐ and radiotherapy in postmenopausal patients with EBC. Besides the increased mtDNA content, a shift in PBMC subpopulation proportions towards cells relying on oxidative phosphorylation, who may be less sensitive to chemotherapy, might influence the increased mitochondrial respiration observed iafter chemotherapy.
Availability of cancer care services and the organization of care delivery at critical access hospitals
Authors: Moscovice Ira S. , Parsons Helen , Bean Nathan , Santana Xiomara , Weis Kate , Hui Jane Yuet Ching , Lahr Megan
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Critical access hospitals (CAHs) provide an opportunity to meet the needs of individuals with cancer in rural areas. Two common innovative care delivery methods include the use of traveling oncologists and teleoncology. It is important to understand the availability and organization of cancer care services in CAHs due to the growing population with cancer and expected declines in oncology workforce in rural areas.

Methods

Stratified random sampling was used to generate a sample of 50 CAHs from each of the four U.S. Census Bureau‐designated regions resulting in a total sample of 200 facilities. Analyses were conducted from 135 CAH respondents to understand the availability of cancer care services and organization of cancer care across CAHs.

Results

Almost all CAHs (95%) provided at least one cancer screening or diagnostic service. Forty‐six percent of CAHs reported providing at least one component of cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery) at their facility. CAHs that offered cancer treatment reported a wide range of health care staff involvement, including 34% of respondents reporting involvement of a local oncologist, 38% reporting involvement of a visiting oncologist, and 28% reporting involvement of a non‐local oncologist using telemedicine.

Conclusion

Growing disparities within rural areas emphasize the importance of ensuring access to timely screening and guideline‐recommended treatment for cancer in rural communities. These data demonstrated that CAHs are addressing the growing need through a variety of approaches including the use of innovative models that utilize non‐local providers and telemedicine to expand access to crucial services for rural residents with cancer.
Fatal ascending aortic aneurysm in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report
Authors: Shahi Tejash , Ghimire Prinska , Khanal Ujjwal Prakash , Dhakal Tulsi Ram , Jha Saket
Published: July 2023

Key Clinical Message

Aortic aneurysm is a potentially life‐threatening condition with higher incidence in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE). Patients usually present with nonspecific symptoms and diagnosis is typically made incidentally through imaging studies. Management strategies include medical therapy to control inflammation and hypertension, surgical intervention for large or symptomatic aneursyms, and close monitoring for early detection of complications. We present a case of a 49‐year female with multiple joint pain and other nonspecific symptoms for 7 years. Anti‐ds DNA and ANA titre were significantly high and CT angiogram showed ascending aortic aneurysm measuring 5.5 cm. Conservative management was started with steroids, hydroxychloroquine, and antihypertensives, while awaiting surgery. However she suddenly collapsed, probably due to aneurysm rupture and could not be revived. Our case report therefore emphasizes the importance of close surveillance and timely intervention to minimize the morbidity and mortality in these patients.
A Microfluidic Countercurrent Reactor for Accelerating Enzymatic Reactions
Authors: Juang Duane S. , Huo Yi‐Ren , Tseng Hsin‐Kai , Chen Chih‐Chen , Hsu Chia‐Hsien , Lin Chun‐Cheng
Published: July 2023

Enzymes are important catalysts in biochemical reactions with superior regio, stereo, and substrate selectivity. However, enzymatic reaction systems have drawbacks including product inhibition, difficulty recycling, and poor stability. Importantly, the rate of an enzyme catalyzed reaction diminishes rapidly due to product inhibition and substrate depletion, making it difficult for many enzymes to catalyze a reaction to completion. The outcome is a mixture of unreacted substrates being present in the final reaction, necessitating additional separation steps that increase costs. This study presents a microfluidic reactor for accelerating enzyme catalyzed reactions using a countercurrent design that continuously removes products and adds fresh substrate into the reaction, allowing enzymes to operate under better reaction conditions. It demonstrates that countercurrent flow accelerates enzymatic reactions in our system up to 36 % for horseradish peroxidase and 21 % for β‐glucosidase compared to cocurrent flow, and the resulting reaction solution contains highly pure product with minimal substrate contamination.
Recent Development of External Magnetic Field Assisted Oxygen Evolution Reaction‐A Mini Review
Authors: Feng Zihang , Dai Chuanlin , Wang Haibin , Guo Rui , You Junhua , Liu Xuanwen
Published: July 2023

The environmental pollution caused by the extensive use of fossil fuels has seriously affected the living environment of human beings, and it is extremely urgent to find alternative new energy sources. Hydrogen energy is an ideal new energy, but the by‐products of traditional industrial hydrogen production will still cause pollution. Hydrogen energy prepared by electrolysis of water is green and environmentally friendly. Hydrogen production by electrolysis of water consists of two half‐reactions. Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) on the anode is hindered by thermodynamics and kinetics and the required applied voltage is far greater than the theoretical value. The voltage required for the reaction can be reduced by using catalysts, and different catalysts behave differently. At present, many strategies such as element doping, heterojunction construction, and substrate loading has been used to optimize catalysts, and excellent results have been achieved. However, with a large number of explorations, the optimization of traditional modification strategies has fallen into a bottleneck. It is a new idea to use an external field to assist OER. It has been reported that electric field, magnetic field, gravitational field, strain, and other auxiliary OER have achieved good results. The external magnetic field can accelerate the rate of electrochemical reaction, release the adhesion of bubbles on the electrode, promote mass transfer and change the reaction path. The combination of magnetic field and electrolytic water has the advantages of simplicity, continuity, dynamics, and reversibility. This paper summarizes the recent articles on magnetic field‐assisted water electrolysis, summarizes and classifies the effects of magnetic field‐assisted water electrolysis, and puts forward some conclusions and prospects, hoping to better understand and develop the application of magnetic field in OER.
Chiral Supramolecular Assemblies: Controllable Construction and Biological Activity
Authors: He Sijia , Jiang Zichao , Dou Xiaoqiu , Gao Laiben , Feng Chuanliang
Published: July 2023

Chiral supramolecular assemblies with helical structures (e. g., proteins with α‐helix, DNA with double helix, collagen with triple‐helix) as the central structure motifs in biological systems play a crucial role in various physiological activities of living organisms. Variations in chiral structure can cause many abnormal physiological activities. To gain insight into the construction, structural transition, and related physiological functions of these complex helix in natural systems, it is necessary to fabricate artificial supramolecular assemblies with controllable helix orientation as research platform. This review discusses recent advances in chiral supramolecular assembly, including the precise construction and regulation of assembled chiral nanostructures with tunable chirality. Chiral structure‐dependent biological activities, including cell proliferation, cell differentiation, antibacterial activity and tissue regeneration, are also discussed. This review not only contributes to further understanding of the importance of chirality in the physiological environment, but also plays an important role in the development of chiral biomedical materials for the treatment of diseases (e. g., tissue engineering regeneration, stem cell transplantation therapy).
The role of insight, social rank, mindfulness and self‐compassion in depression following first episode psychosis
Authors: Hardman Jamie R. , Gleeson John F. M. , González‐Blanch César , Alvarez‐Jimenez Mario , Fraser Madeleine I. , Yap Keong
Published: July 2023

Gaining awareness of psychosis (i.e., insight) is linked to depression, particularly in the post‐acute phase of psychosis. Informed by social rank theory, we examined whether the insight–depression relationship is explained by reduced social rank related to psychosis and whether self‐compassion (including uncompassionate self‐responding [UCS] and compassionate self‐responding [CSR]) and mindfulness buffered the relationship between social rank and depression in individuals with first episode psychosis during the post‐acute phase. Participants were 145 young people (Mage = 20.81; female = 66) with first episode psychosis approaching discharge from an early psychosis intervention centre. Questionnaires and interviews assessed insight, depressive symptoms, perceived social rank, self‐compassion, mindfulness and illness severity. Results showed that insight was not significantly associated to depression and thus no mediation analysis was conducted. However, lower perceived social rank was related to higher depression, and this relationship was moderated by self‐compassion and, more specifically, UCS. Mindfulness was related to depression but had no moderating effect on social rank and depression. Results supported previous findings that depressive symptoms are common during the post‐acute phase. The role of insight in depression for this sample is unclear and may be less important during the post‐acute phase than previously considered. Supporting social rank theory, the results suggest that low perceived social rank contributes to depression, and reducing UCS may ameliorate this effect. UCS, social rank and possibly mindfulness may be valuable intervention targets for depression intervention and prevention efforts in the recovery of psychosis.
A Case for Synthetic Data in Regulatory Decision‐Making in Europe
Authors: Alloza Clara , Knox Bethany , Raad Hanaya , Aguilà Mireia , Coakley Ciara , Mohrova Zuzana , Boin Élodie , Bénard Marc , Davies Jessica , Jacquot Emmanuelle , Lecomte Coralie , Fabre Alban , Batech Michael
Published: July 2023

Regulators are faced with many challenges surrounding health data usage, including privacy, fragmentation, validity, and generalizability, especially in the European Union, for which synthetic data may provide innovative solutions. Synthetic data, defined as data artificially generated rather than captured in the real world, are increasingly being used for healthcare research purposes as a proxy to real‐world data (RWD). Currently, there are barriers particularly challenging in Europe, where sharing patient's data is strictly regulated, costly, and time‐consuming, causing delays in evidence generation and regulatory approvals. Recent initiatives are encouraging the use of synthetic data in regulatory decision making and health technology assessment to overcome these challenges, but synthetic data have still to overcome realistic obstacles before their adoption by researchers and regulators in Europe. Thus, the emerging use of RWD and synthetic data by pharmaceutical and medical device industries calls regulatory bodies to provide a framework for proper evidence generation and informed regulatory decision making. As the provision of data becomes more ubiquitous in scientific research, so will innovations in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and generation of synthetic data, making the exploration and intricacies of this topic all the more important and timely. In this review, we discuss the potential merits and challenges of synthetic data in the context of decision making in the European regulatory environment. We explore the current uses of synthetic data and ongoing initiatives, the value of synthetic data for regulatory purposes, and realistic barriers to the adoption of synthetic data in healthcare.
Effect of denture cleansers on color stability and surface roughness of denture bases fabricated from three different techniques: Conventional heat‐polymerizing, CAD/CAM additive, and CAD/CAM subtractive manufacturing
Authors: Takhtdar Mehrab , Azizimoghadam Nahid , Kalantari Mohammad Hasan , Mohaghegh Mina
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Denture base materials are commonly exposed to different denture cleansers which can affect their essential properties. This study aimed to assess the effect of denture cleansers on color stability and surface roughness of poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture bases fabricated from different techniques: Conventional heat‐polymerizing, CAD/CAM additive and CAD/CAM subtractive.

Materials and Methods

In this in vitro study, 24 disc‐shaped specimens were fabricated by the mentioned methods for each group. The initial color and surface roughness of specimens were recorded. The specimens were randomly divided into three subgroups (n = 8): a control subgroup (distilled water), and two experimental subgroups of bioactive oxygen tablet (Corega) and 1% sodium hypochlorite solution. Then they were immersed in the solutions simulating 180 days of clinical use. Color change (∆E) was measured by a spectrophotometer according to the CIE L*a*b* color space and the American National Bureau of Standards (NBS = 0.92 × ∆E). Final surface roughness was recorded by a profilometer and its change was calculated. The Kruskal–Wallis test followed by the Wilcoxon signed rank test were used for statistical analyses (α = .05).

Results

The conventional and CAD/CAM subtractive groups showed an increase in surface roughness following immersion in hypochlorite solution (p < .05). After immersion in the solutions, the highest surface roughness was noted in the conventional group, and the lowest in the CAD/CAM additive group. The CAD/CAM additive group experienced a significant color change in hypochlorite solution (p < .05) and showed the highest color change while the CAD/CAM subtractive group showed the lowest color change in all denture cleanser solutions.

Conclusion

Although the CAD/CAM additive denture base resins had the lowest surface roughness after exposure to denture cleanser solutions, they showed significant color change, which should be taken into account. Using hypochlorite as a denture cleanser should be cautioned due to its negative effects on the surface roughness and color stability of denture base materials.
Anthropological significance of Tilia trees in Japan
Authors: Janowski Daniel
Published: July 2023

Tilia (Malvaceae) is a genus of deciduous trees widespread in the northern hemisphere. Tilia species native to Japan include three endemic species, T. japonica, T. maximowicziana, and T. kiusiana, as well as the more widespread T. mandshurica. Other species were also introduced, the most important being T. miqueliana, brought to Japan with the arrival of Buddhism and planted on temple grounds as Bodaiju. Both historically and at present, Tilia trees are valuable to the people in Japan. Some Tilia trees are considered sacred in both Buddhism and Shinto. They are also prominent ornamental and park trees, albeit less popular in Japan than in Europe. Japanese Tilia spp. are used in the manufacturing of honey, cosmetics, lumber (especially plywood and veneers), and traditional bast cloth. Many Tilia trees are significant hubs in pollinator and mycorrhizal networks, but research on Japanese Tilia ecology is scarce. Despite their importance, Japanese Tilia trees have received less scientific attention in comparison with European Tilia species. The most striking example is T. kiusiana, with virtually no scientific literature regarding the species (save for a series of publications studying its secondary metabolites and potential medical uses). Furthermore, most published resources concerning Tilia in Japan are available only in Japanese, restricting their accessibility. This review seeks to translate, collect, and organize the information available on Japanese Tilia species. By doing so, areas are highlighted where new studies are necessary. A better understanding of these important trees would also be instrumental in their conservation.
Consequences of cross‐season demographic correlations for population viability
Authors: Layton‐Matthews Kate , Reiertsen Tone K. , Erikstad Kjell‐Einar , Anker‐Nilssen Tycho , Daunt Francis , Wanless Sarah , Barrett Robert T. , Newell Mark A. , Harris Mike P.
Published: July 2023

Demographic correlations are pervasive in wildlife populations and can represent important secondary drivers of population growth. Empirical evidence suggests that correlations are in general positive for long‐lived species, but little is known about the degree of variation among spatially segregated populations of the same species in relation to environmental conditions. We assessed the relative importance of two cross‐season correlations in survival and productivity, for three Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) populations with contrasting population trajectories and non‐overlapping year‐round distributions. The two correlations reflected either a relationship between adult survival prior to breeding on productivity, or a relationship between productivity and adult survival the subsequent year. Demographic rates and their correlations were estimated with an integrated population model, and their respective contributions to variation in population growth were calculated using a transient‐life table response experiment. For all three populations, demographic correlations were positive at both time lags, although their strength differed. Given the different year‐round distributions of these populations, this variation in the strength population‐level demographic correlations points to environmental conditions as an important driver of demographic variation through life‐history constraints. Consequently, the contributions of variances and correlations in demographic rates to population growth rates differed among puffin populations, which has implications for—particularly small—populations' viability under environmental change as positive correlations tend to reduce the stochastic population growth rate.
B cell‐intrinsic TLR7 signaling is required for neutralizing antibody responses to SARS‐CoV‐2 and pathogen‐like COVID‐19 vaccines
Authors: Miquel Charles‐Henry , Abbas Flora , Cenac Claire , Foret‐Lucas Charlotte , Guo Chang , Ducatez Mariette , Joly Etienne , Hou Baidong , Guéry Jean‐Charles
Published: July 2023

Toll‐like receptor 7 (TLR7) triggers antiviral immune responses through its capacity to recognize single‐stranded RNA. TLR7 loss‐of‐function mutants are associated with life‐threatening pneumonia in severe COVID‐19 patients. Whereas TLR7‐driven innate induction of type I IFN appears central to control SARS‐CoV2 virus spreading during the first days of infection, the impact of TLR7‐deficiency on adaptive B‐cell immunity is less clear. In the present study, we examined the role of TLR7 in the adaptive B cells response to various pathogen‐like antigens (PLAs). We used inactivated SARS‐CoV2 and a PLA‐based COVID‐19 vaccine candidate designed to mimic SARS‐CoV2 with encapsulated bacterial ssRNA as TLR7 ligands and conjugated with the RBD of the SARS‐CoV2 Spike protein. Upon repeated immunization with inactivated SARS‐CoV2 or PLA COVID‐19 vaccine, we show that Tlr7‐deficiency abolished the germinal center (GC)‐dependent production of RBD‐specific class‐switched IgG2b and IgG2c, and neutralizing antibodies to SARS‐CoV2. We also provide evidence for a non‐redundant role for B‐cell‐intrinsic TLR7 in the promotion of RBD‐specific IgG2b/IgG2c and memory B cells. Together, these data demonstrate that the GC reaction and class‐switch recombination to the Myd88‐dependent IgG2b/IgG2c in response to SARS‐CoV2 or PLAs is strictly dependent on cell‐intrinsic activation of TLR7 in B cells.
Iridium‐Catalyzed C5‐Regioselective Esterification of Dienyl Alcohols with Carboxylic Acids
Authors: Chen Jiadong , Zhang Yulu , Tang Shengbiao , Shao Ying , Sun Jiangtao
Published: July 2023

One‐step process for the preparation of a 1,3‐dienyl‐5‐ester motif from readily available substrate remains a challenging work in organic synthesis. We herein report the first example of C5‐regioselective esterification of unactivated dienyl alcohols, using free carboxylic acids as nucleophiles under mild conditions, providing a series of 1,3‐dienyl‐5‐ester compounds in excellent regioselectivity and E‐selectivity.
Managing multi‐species plant invasions when interactions influence their impact
Authors: Brandt Angela J , Png G Kenny , Jo Insu , McGrannachan Chris , Allen Kara , Peltzer Duane A , D'Antonio Carla , Dickie Ian A , French Kristine , Leishman Michelle R , Ostertag Rebecca , Parker Ingrid M , Stanley Margaret C , Suding Katharine N , Bellingham Peter J
Published: July 2023

Invasions by multiple non‐native plant species are common, but management programs often prioritize control of individual species that are expected to have the highest impacts. Multi‐species invasions could have larger or smaller impacts than single‐species invasions depending on how multiple co‐occurring invaders interact to alter their abundance or per capita impacts. Synergistic interactions, such as facilitation, may lead to greater combined impacts. However, if management focuses on a single invader, suppressive interactions could produce unintended consequences, such as the release of a co‐occurring invader with a stronger impact. The mechanisms described here highlight where better evidence is needed to predict the combined impacts of co‐occurring invaders and which mitigation strategies are most effective. Focused research is required to provide such evidence, which can aid managers in prioritizing which plant invaders to target and in determining the best sequence of invader removal – one that minimizes detrimental impacts on communities and ecosystems.
Characterizing pore size distribution of high maturity shales and main controlling factors analysis: A case study of Permian Gufeng Formation in the Lower Yangtze region, China
Authors: Zhang Xu , Gui Herong , Wu Linqiang , Sun Yankun , Hong Dajun , Yang Zhicheng , Zhang Kai , Huang Suhe , Liu Hong , Xiao Wanfeng , Chen Kefu , Zhang Hui
Published: July 2023

Shale gas resource is heterogeneously distributed in Permian Gufeng Formation in the Xuancheng area, Anhui Province. This research aims to investigate the pore size distribution of the Permian Gufeng shales via 16 core samples analyses, combined with x‐ray diffraction, low‐pressure nitrogen gas adsorption (N2‐GA), CO2 gas adsorption (CO2‐GA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). N2‐GA shows that the nanopores (diameter < 10 nm) are dominated and developed in the samples. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area (SSA) of the samples ranges from 6.7051 to 29.4384 m2/g, with a mean of 16.0931 m2/g. CO2‐GA results illustrate that micropore is well developed, especially the pores with a diameter of 0.5–0.6 and 0.8 nm. The total organic carbon (TOC) content of the Gufeng shale ranges from 0.42% to 12.82% with an average content of 6.44%, which has both positive correlation with pore SSA and pore volume, while carbonate mineral content has a positive correlation with pore SSA and the volume of macropore and mesopore. Clay mineral content is a negative correlation with pore SSA and micropore volume. Therefore, the high‐maturity Permian Gufeng shale could be more preferential high‐quality gas shale reservoir for further exploration and development in the Xuancheng area, which has more than 4% TOC content, relatively higher carbonate mineral content and relatively lower clay mineral content.