bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative assessment of helical tomotherapy plans complexity
Authors: Cavinato Samuele , Fusella Marco , Paiusco Marta , Scaggion Alessandro
Published: December 2022

Purpose

An unnecessary amount of complexity in radiotherapy plans affects the efficiency of the treatments, increasing the uncertainty of dose deposition and its susceptibility to anatomical changes or setup errors. To date, tools for quantitatively assessing the complexity of tomotherapy plans are still limited. In this study, new metrics were developed to characterize different aspects of helical tomotherapy (HT) plans, and their actual effectiveness was investigated.

Methods

The complexity of 464 HT plans delivered on a Radixact platform was evaluated. A new set of metrics was devised to assess beam geometry, leaf opening time (LOT) variability, and modulation over space and time. Sixty‐five complexity metrics were extracted from the dataset using the newly in‐house developed software library TCoMX: 29 metrics already proposed in the literature and 36 newly developed metrics. Their reciprocal relation is discussed. Their effectiveness was evaluated through correlation analyses with patient‐specific quality assurance (PSQA) results.

Results

An inverse linear relation was found between the average number of closed leaves and the average number of MLC openings and closures as well as between the choice of the modulation factor and the discontinuity of the field, suggesting some intrinsic link between the LOT distribution and the geometrical complexity of the MLC openings. The newly proposed metrics were at least as correlated as the existing ones to the PSQA results. Metrics describing the geometrical complexity of the MLC openings showed the strongest connection to the PSQA results. Significant correlations were found between at least one of the new metrics and the γ index passing rate for six out of seven groups of plans considered.

Conclusion

The new metrics proposed were shown to be effective to characterize more comprehensively the complexity of HT plans. A software library for their automatic extraction is described and made available.
Serum levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Verde Federico , Milone Ilaria , Maranzano Alessio , Colombo Eleonora , Torre Silvia , Solca Federica , Doretti Alberto , Gentile Francesco , Manini Arianna , Bonetti Ruggero , Peverelli Silvia , Messina Stefano , Maderna Luca , Morelli Claudia , Poletti Barbara , Ratti Antonia , Silani Vincenzo , Ticozzi Nicola
Published: December 2022

Objective

To compare serum levels of the astrocyte biomarker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and neurologically healthy controls and to analyze the relations between serum GFAP (sGFAP) and phenotype in ALS.

Methods

We studied 114 ALS patients and 38 controls. sGFAP was quantified with single molecule array (Simoa) technology.

Results

In both ALS patients and controls, sGFAP moderately correlated with age. ALS patients had higher sGFAP levels compared to controls, but this yielded a weak discriminative performance (AUC = 0.6198). In ALS, sGFAP was not associated with most of the motor phenotypic features, including site of onset, functional status, disease progression rate, disease stage, and indices of upper (UMN) and lower motor neuron (LMN) impairment. However, sGFAP negatively correlated with cognitive scores regarding ALS‐nonspecific functions, particularly memory (r = −0.2082) and tended to be higher in ALS patients with eye movement abnormalities (p = 0.0628). sGFAP also correlated with polysomnographic indices of oxygen desaturation (ODI; r = 0.2639) and apnea‐hypopnea (AHI; r = 0.2858). In a multivariate analysis, sGFAP was negatively associated with survival (HR = 1.005). Relevantly, we found a negative correlation between sGFAP and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; r = −0.3500).

Interpretation

Our work provides neurochemical evidence of astrocyte involvement in ALS pathophysiology and particularly in the development of extra‐motor manifestations (namely, cognitive – memory – impairment) and respiratory dysfunction. The negative correlation between sGFAP and eGFR has practical relevance and should not be disregarded in future investigations.
Realizing Highly Efficient Sonodynamic Bactericidal Capability through the Phonon–Electron Coupling Effect Using Two‐Dimensional Catalytic Planar Defects
Authors: Mao Congyang , Jin Wanyu , Xiang Yiming , Zhu Yizhou , Wu Jun , Liu Xiangmei , Wu Shuilin , Zheng Yufeng , Cheung Kenneth M. C. , Yeung Kelvin Wai Kwok
Published: December 2022

Conferring catalytic defects in sonosensitizers is of paramount importance in reinforcing sonodynamic therapy. However, the formation of such 0D defects is governed by the Schottky defect principle. Herein, 2D catalytic planar defects are designed within Ti3C2 sheets to address this challenge. These specific planar slip dislocations with abundant Ti3+ species (Ti3C2‐SD(Ti3+)) can yield surface‐bound O due to the effective activation of O2, thus resulting in a substantial amount of 1O2 generation and the 99.72% ± 0.03% bactericidal capability subject to ultrasound (US) stimulation. It is discovered that the 2D catalytic planar defects can intervene in electron transfer through the phonon drag effect—a coupling effect between surface electrons and US‐triggered phonons—that simultaneously contributes to a dramatic decrease in O2 activation energy from 1.65 to 0.06 eV. This design has achieved a qualitative leap in which the US catalytic site has transformed from 0D to 2D. Moreover, it is revealed that the electron origin, electron transfer, and visible O2 activation pathway triggered by US can be attributed to the phonon–electron coupling effect. After coating with neutrophil membrane (NM) proteins, the NM‐Ti3C2‐SD(Ti3+) sheets further demonstrate a 6‐log10 reduction in methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus burden in the infected bony tissue.
Circumventing Challenges: Design of Anodic Electrocatalysts for Hybrid Water Electrolysis Systems
Authors: Wang Hao‐Yu , Sun Ming‐Lei , Ren Jin‐Tao , Yuan Zhong‐Yong
Published: December 2022

Water electrolysis, driven by renewable energy resources, is a promising energy conversion technology that has gained intensive interest in recent years. However, conventional water electrolysis faces a number of challenges, including large thermodynamic potential gaps, valueless anodic products, explosive hydrogen/oxygen mixtures, reactive oxygen species, and limited pure water. Hybrid water electrolysis, appending different electrolytes in the anode compartment to circumvent the above‐mentioned challenges in conventional water electrolysis, is a particularly attractive alternative. In this review, for the first time, a holistic and subtle description of hybrid water electrolysis is provided, focusing on the design of high‐activity/selectivity/stability anodic electrocatalysts for the electrochemical oxidation of various chemicals, such as alcohol, aldehyde, amine, urea and hydrazine, or the oxygen evolution reaction in seawater electrolytes. Comprehensive judging criteria for anodic oxidation reactions, electrocatalysts, and reaction parameters in hybrid water electrolysis are discussed. Some technoeconomic assessments, feasibility analyses, mechanism explorations, and correlation comparisons are involved. Finally, perspectives on and opportunities for future research directions in hybrid water electrolysis systems are outlined.
Cutaneous Nrf2‐Keap1 pathway modulation by environmental factors: The Dead Sea area as a test case
Authors: Cohen Dror , Portugal‐Cohen Meital , Oron Miriam , Frusic‐Zlotkin Marina , Soroka Yoram , Ma'or Ze'evi , Amar Dalit , Kohen Ron
Published: December 2022

The skin is constantly exposed to exogenous environmental stressors and has to cope with excessive oxidative stress and tissue damage. However, exposure to moderate environmental stressors may be beneficial for the cutaneous tissue and assist in protecting against oxidative damage via the enhanced activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2–Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 (Nrf2–Keap1) pathway. Such moderate stressors can be found in various locations around the globe. In this manuscript, we chose to focus on the Dead Sea (DS) area as a test case to study the effect of moderate stressors on the cutaneous tissue because of the unique combinations of moderate stressors in this area. The exceptional location of the DS at an altitude of −438 meters below sea level (the lowest place on earth) is responsible for its rare accumulation of moderate stressors such as high‐water salinity, high atmospheric pressure, and unique solar radiation. In this manuscript, we hypothesized that the unique solar radiation in the DS area generates moderate oxidative stress in the skin leading to the induction of intracellular electrophiles, which in turn can activate the protecting Nrf2‐Keap1 pathway. We showed that exposure of human skin organ culture from the same donor to solar radiation at the DS resulted in significant activation of the Nrf2‐Keap1 pathway, induction of phase II enzymes, and lower apoptotic activity compared to a nearby location at a higher altitude (Jerusalem +700 m). This remarkable effect of activating the Nrf2 protecting pathway and the importance and characteristics of the solar irradiation at the DS is discussed.
Nanorod/nanodisk‐integrated liquid crystalline systems for starvation, chemodynamic, and photothermal therapy of cancer
Authors: Kim Sungyun , Hwang ChaeRim , Jeong Da In , Park JiHye , Kim Han‐Jun , Lee KangJu , Lee Junmin , Lee Seung‐Hwan , Cho Hyun‐Jong
Published: December 2022

Indocyanine green (ICG), glucose oxidase (GOx), and copper(II) sulfate (Cu)‐installed hybrid gel based on organic nanorod (cellulose nanocrystal [CNC]) and inorganic nanodisk (Laponite [LAP]) was developed to perform a combination of starvation therapy (ST), chemodynamic therapy (CDT), and photothermal therapy (PTT) for localized cancers. A hybrid CNC/LAP network with a nematic phase was designed to enable instant gelation, controlled viscoelasticity, syringe injectability, and longer in vivo retention. Moreover, ICG was introduced into the CNC/LAP gel system to induce hyperthermia of tumor tissue, amplifying the CDT effect; GOx was used for glucose deprivation (related to the Warburg effect); and Cu was introduced for hydroxyl radical generation (based on Fenton‐like chemistry) and cellular glutathione (GSH) degradation in cancer cells. The ICG/GOx/Cu‐installed CNC/LAP gel in combination with near‐infrared (NIR) laser realized improved antiproliferation, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cellular GSH degradation, and apoptosis induction in colorectal cancer (CT‐26) cells. In addition, local injection of the CNC/ICG/GOx/Cu/LAP gel into the implanted CT‐26 tumor while irradiating it with NIR laser provided strong tumor growth suppression effects. In conclusion, the designed hybrid nanorod/nanodisk gel network can be efficiently applied to the local PTT/ST/CDT of cancer cells.
Comprehensive analysis of the prognostic impact and immune implication of KIAA1429 in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Guo Lei , Huai Qilin , Zhou Bolun , Ying Jianming , Guo Wei
Published: December 2022

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common lung cancer worldwide. N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is a messenger RNA (mRNA) modification that plays a key role in tumor growth, immune microenvironment, and immunotherapy response. This study investigated the expression level, mutation status, prognostic value, and predictive ability for response to anti‐PD‐1 immunotherapy of the m6A methyltransferase KIAA1429 in LUAD.

Methods

This study examined multiple public data cohorts and independent samples from National Cancer Center (NCC) to evaluate the clinical significance and prognostic value of KIAA1429 in LUAD using bioinformatics techniques and immunohistochemical staining. We also evaluated the predictive value of KIAA1429 expression for anti‐PD‐1 immunotherapy efficacy. GSEA analysis was performed using KIAA1429 RNA‐seq data at the tumor tissue level and cellular level to explore the potential molecular mechanism.

Results

In public databases, KIAA1429 was significantly associated with clinicopathological parameters in LUAD patients and had the potential to predict patient prognosis. The mutation characteristics of KIAA1429‐related genes were analyzed and TP53, TTN, CSMD3, and other genes showed high mutation frequencies in LUAD. An independent cohort of 415 samples confirmed that high KIAA1429 expression was significantly associated with poorer prognosis in LUAD patients. Analysis of a small immunotherapy cohort showed that patients with high expression of KIAA1429 had better response after immunotherapy, and the proportion of patients with immunotherapy response was higher in this group.

Conclusions

Our study confirmed that KIAA1429 was highly expressed in LUAD and was significantly associated with poor prognosis. Moreover, KIAA1429 may serve as a potential marker to predict the efficacy of immunotherapy in LUAD.
Evaluation of quality of clinical management of neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Bloemen Hannah , Kneepkens Kristien , Deraedt Karen , Ivanova Anna , Sergeant Gregory , Mebis Jeroen , Van der Speeten Kurt
Published: December 2022

Background

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a group of biologically and clinically heterogeneous neoplasms predominantly found in the gastrointestinal and bronchopulmonary tractus. Despite a rising incidence, implementation of evidence‐based standardized care for this heterogenous group remains challenging. The European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society regularly reviews guidelines regarding diagnostic and treatment strategies for NETs. The aim of this study is to shed light on the care of patients with a NET in Belgian Limburg, to provide data as a basis for future studies and to check whether data and results are according to consensus guidelines and outcomes described in literature.

Methods

Our study concerned a detailed observational data collection of two large Belgian hospitals (Jessa Hospital Hasselt and Hospital Oost‐Limburg Genk) with special interest in patient profile, quality of pathology reports, use of diagnostic imaging, and overall survival. Data on 188 patients were assembled between January 2010 and December 2014 with follow‐up until June 2016 (median follow‐up: 33.6 months).

Results

Fifty percent of patients were male. NETs were located mainly in the digestive tract (63.8%) and lung (20.2%). Appendiceal NETs were diagnosed at a significantly younger age than other tumors (41.3 vs. 64.0 years). Overall, a mean pathology report quality score of 3.0/5 was observed with the highest scores for small bowel NETs. Diagnostic and nuclear imaging was performed in 74.5% and 29.8% of cases, respectively. Seventy‐four percent of the population survived until the end of the observation period with highest survival rates for appendiceal and small bowel NETs.

Conclusion

Overall, epidemiological results were comparable with findings in the literature. Gastrointestinal NETs met most of the requirements of qualitative pathology reporting and diagnostic imaging as listed in the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society consensus guidelines. However, consensus with regard to bronchopulmonary NETs is still scarce and remains an objective for future research. Moreover, discussing treatment strategies in specialized multidisciplinary tumor boards would facilitate regional care.
Deactivation of Pd6Cr4@NH2‐MIL‐101 Catalyst in Dehydrogenation of Formic Acid
Authors: Zhang Youhua , Duan Linhai , Yang Ping , Zhang Dan , Meng Xiuhong
Published: December 2022

Deactivation of Pd‐Cr bimetallic nanopaticles supported on NH2‐functionalized MIL‐101 in dehydrogenation of formic acid is studied. Results show that the catalyst cannot be reused more than three times because the concentration of carbon monoxide in the gaseous product will exceed 10 ppm. When the catalyst is used for the first time, the turnover frequency of the active metal Pd is the highest. With an increase of catalyst utilization times, the turnover frequency decreases. The reason for the reduction in catalyst activity is agglomeration of Pd and Cr atoms on the outer surface of the catalyst, not because the active component, Pd, is being lost.
Hydrodynamics Study on Annular Centrifugal Contactors: CINC V 02 as an Example
Authors: Hamamah Zaid Al-khier , Grützner Thomas
Published: December 2022

Although annular centrifugal extractors (ACCs) have been increasingly applied in the process industry recently, their complex fluid dynamics is still not fully explained in the literature. This could be one of the major reasons why their current industrial implementation is not up to their potential. This work aims to enhance the understanding of ACC hydrodynamics by focusing on liquid holdup and distribution in the variant CINC V 02. First, several sources causing holdup variation are investigated with the help of a model simulating the liquid surface inside the device. Then, the factors determining liquid content in both chambers are presented. The standard shut‐down procedure to measure holdup is eventually elaborated on, and an improved procedure is proposed.
A Quasi‐Solid Electrolyte by In Situ Polymerization of Selective Solvent for Lithium‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Wang Jin , Tao Chengzhou , Cao Jiaming , Jiao Xiaoxia , Wang Lina , Liu Tianxi
Published: December 2022

Lithium (Li) metal is a competitive anode material for rechargeable high energy density batteries due to its high specific capacity and low reduction potential. However, great challenges remain in addressing uncontrollable Li dendrite growth and unstable interface. Herein, we report a quasi‐solid electrolyte enabled by in situ polymerization of polyethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate. Meanwhile, a LiF‐enriched solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is built on Li‐metal surface by function of the fluoroethylene carbonate additive. The SEI with a good mechanical stability prompts the dense and uniform Li deposition behavior. The in situ polymerized gel polymer electrolyte exhibits an ionic conductivity of 1.71×10−4 S cm−1 at 30 °C, and a considerable oxidative stability up to 4.5 V (vs. Li/Li+). The Li||Li symmetric cells delivers a long‐term cycle life over 1400 h and a low voltage hysteresis at 0.5 mA cm−2, 1 mAh cm−2. To be paired with a LiFePO4 positive electrode, the cell shows a high discharge capacity of 135.6 mAh g−1 and capacity retention of 92.7 % after 300 cycles. This work provides a reference for the practical development of quasi‐solid electrolyte for lithium‐metal battery.
Ammonia Modified MXene/Aniline Copolymers Electrochemical Sensors for Ultrasensitive Sensing Glutathione
Authors: Liu Guangyan , Xia Tianzi , Wei Jiaxin , Hou Shili , Hou Shifeng
Published: December 2022

Herein, unique ammonia modified MXene/aniline copolymers (PTA) are prepared by facile and green electropolymerization with the rose‐like ammonia modified MXene (N‐Ti3C2Tx) and aniline to modify electrochemical sensor to detect GSH with high performance. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) characterizations show that the PTA copolymer exhibits a net‐like structure and excellent electrochemical performance. It displays that the PTA can be regarded as an outstanding electrode nanomaterial for high‐performance sensors. Moreover, the PTA/GCE biosensor is fabricated through one‐step electropolymerization method for detecting glutathione. Under the optimum conditions, the limit of detection of the biosensor is calculated to be 5.21×10−14 mol L−1 with a high sensitivity of 32.9 μA nmol−1 L cm−2. At the same time, the biosensor displays excellent selectivity and stability. Furthermore, the fabricated PTA/GCE biosensor is applied to detect glutathione of plasma samples with good recoveries, indicating that the sensor has broad application prospects in the field of biological and medical analysis.
Influence of AlPO4 Impurity on the Electrochemical Properties of NASICON‐Type Li1.5Al0.5Ti1.5(PO4)3 Solid Electrolyte
Authors: Campanella Daniele , Krachkovskiy Sergey , Faure Cyril , Zhu Wen , Feng Zimin , Savoie Sylvio , Girard Gabriel , Demers Hendrix , Vijh Ashok , George Chandramohan , Armand Michel , Belanger Daniel , Paolella Andrea
Published: December 2022

Densification of ceramic electrolytes is a key enabler in producing electrolyte pellets for solid‐state batteries. This requires understanding the correlation between the starting grain size of electrolytes, chemical phase evolution and degree of compaction which determine ion conductivity and chemical stability of solid electrolytes. In our work we were able to optimize the densification process of LATP at 700 °C with a high total ionic conductivity of 3.45×10−4 S cm−1 after hot pressing, balancing pristine LATP crystallite size and AlPO4 impurity formation. By combining several techniques such as in situ heating X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), we explored the formation mechanism of AlPO4 during the synthesis process of NASICON‐type Li1.5Al0.5Ti1.5(PO4)3 (LATP) electrolyte and we showed the effects of the annealing temperature on the crystal size of the material. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the chemical stability of the electrolyte imply a metastable behaviour of LATP furtherly enhanced by particle nano‐structuring at high temperature. Our results point to facile manufacturing of ceramic electrolytes towards energy dense and safe solid‐state battery technology.
Hierarchical MoO3‐MnNi LDH@Cu(OH)2 Core‐Shell Nanorod Arrays Constructed through In‐Situ Oxidation Combined with a Hydrothermal Strategy for High‐Performance Energy Storage
Authors: Cheng Wenting , Huang Wenjun , Zhang Aitang , Du Yiqi , Cui Liang , Tian Pengfei , Liu Jingquan
Published: December 2022

The synthesis of layered nanorod arrays with a core‐shell structure is considered to be a viable strategy to improve the electrochemical property of electrode materials. Herein, we have successfully designed and fabricated layered MoO3‐MnNi LDH@Cu(OH)2/CF(MO‐MN LDH@COH) core‐shell nanorods through a handy in‐situ oxidation reaction followed by a hydrothermal synthesis, which consist of ordered Cu(OH)2 nanorods and ultra‐thin MoO3‐MnNi LDHs nanosheets. The MO‐MN LDH@COH which is utilized as the cathode in three electrodes exhibits superior electrochemical property. The specific capacity of prepared electrode is 16913 mF cm−2 under a current density of 2 mA cm−2, which is superior to its counterparts of COH, MN LDH@COH‐0, MO‐MN LDH@COH‐0.5 and MO‐MN LDH@COH‐2. What's more, the cycling stability reaches 83.33 % capacitance retention after 5000 cycles under the current density of 30 mA cm−2. When a solid‐state asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device (MO‐MN LDH@COH//AC) is fabricated, it could keep a household LED screen running for 27 minutes, verifying the immense commercial potential. Overall, this unique MO‐MN LDH@COH nanocomposite with excellent electrochemical performance should envision great practical application potential.
Determination of object‐specific traffic‐load‐models for existing road bridges based on traffic data
Authors: Freundt Ursula , Böning Sebastian , Pelke Eberhard
Published: December 2022

For an assessment of the necessity, the efficiency and the prioritization of repair and upgrading measures for bridges, object‐specific knowledge of structural stresses and structural conditions is indispensable. From the identification of traffic occupancy (quantity and quality) and the analysis of the structural reactions, statements on the current load‐bearing capacity of an existing bridge will derived. A necessary data basis is the traffic data of the real traffic determined for the specific bridge.
Effect of Hepatic Impairment on OATP1B Activity: Quantitative Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Endogenous Biomarker and Substrate Drugs
Authors: Lin Jian , Kimoto Emi , Yamazaki Shinji , Vourvahis Manoli , Bergman Arthur , Rodrigues A. David , Costales Chester , Li Rui , Varma Manthena V. S.
Published: December 2022

Hepatic impairment (HI) is known to modulate drug disposition and may lead to elevated plasma exposure. The aim of this study was to quantitate the in vivo OATP1B‐mediated hepatic uptake activity in populations with varying degrees of HI. First, we measured baseline levels of plasma coproporphyrin‐I, an endogenous OATP1B biomarker, in an open‐label, parallel cohort study in adult subjects with normal liver function and mild, moderate, and severe HI (n = 24, 6/cohort). The geometric mean plasma concentrations of coproporphyrin‐I were 1.66‐fold, 2.81‐fold (P < 0.05), and 7.78‐fold (P < 0.0001) higher in mild, moderate, and severe impairment than those healthy controls. Second, we developed a dataset of 21 OATP1B substrate drugs with HI data extracted from literature. Median disease‐to‐healthy plasma area under the curve (AUC) ratios for substrate drugs were ~ 1.4, 3.0, and 6.4 for mild, moderate, and severe HI, respectively. Additionally, significant linear relationship was noted between AUC ratios of substrate drugs without and with co‐administration of rifampin, a prototypic OATP1B inhibitor, and AUC ratios in moderate (P < 0.01) and severe (P < 0.001) HI. Third, a physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic model analysis was conducted with 10 substrate drugs following estimation of relative OATP1B functional activity in virtual disease population models using coproporphyrin‐I data and verification of substrate models with rifampin drug–drug interaction data. This approach adequately predicted plasma AUC change particularly in moderate (9 of 10 within 2‐fold) and severe (5 of 5 within 2‐fold) HI. Collective findings indicate progressive reduction, by as much as 90–92%, in OATP1B activity in the HI population.
Flooding of a carbonate platform: The Sian Kaʼan Wetlands, Yucatán, Mexico—A model for the formation and evolution of palustrine carbonate factories around the modern Caribbean Sea and in the depositional record
Authors: Platt Nigel H. , Wright V. Paul
Published: December 2022

The dynamic inter‐relationships between marine and freshwater carbonate depositional environments are illustrated in the Sian Ka'an Wetlands, a 5 280 km2complex of groundwater‐fed freshwater marshes, lakes and brackish coastal lagoons in the South‐East Yucatán Peninsula (Mexico). The Yucatán Platform was subaerially emergent and extensively karstified during the last glacial maximum at 18, 000 yrbp. The Late Holocene transgression has caused progressive reflooding of the continental margin, backstepping of the MesoAmerican Reef and encroachment of coastal environments into the platform interior as rising groundwaters flood an interconnected cave and sinkhole system and feed seasonal marshes above. The Sian Ka'an Wetlands form a vast palustrine carbonate factory which is directly juxtaposed and dynamically linked with the marine carbonate factory to seaward. Continuing sea‐level rise has caused synchronous landward migration of marginal marine and freshwater environments as beach barriers were breached and palustrine sloughs flooded to form marginal marine seagrass lagoons. The Rio Hondo Fault conditions fluid inflow while the sub‐environments of the Sian Ka'an Wetlands reflect tectonic controls on microtopography and hydroperiod. Modern analogues for the Sian Ka'an Wetlands include the Florida Everglades, formed during transgression of the Florida Platform, and relict marsh environments preserved on leeward shores of Andros, Abaco and other Bahama islands. A wide range of ancient examples deposited in coastal and continental interior settings similarly reflect seasonal aquifer rise in response to marine transgression and/or onlap of late‐stage basin fill onto a karstified pediment. Freshwater palustrine carbonate factories on carbonate platforms are transient deposystems, controlled by subtle water depth, climate, vegetation and hydrological factors while being critically sensitive to sea‐level changes and tectonics. The preservation potential of palustrine carbonates may be relatively low in coastal settings due to erosion or shallow marine overprinting, while greater further inland where marine flooding is rarer and in tectonically subsident continental interior basins where accommodation space is continuously created.
Development of a detector tube for screening tadalafil and its analogues in adulterated sexual enhancement products
Authors: Ichikawa‐Kaji Yoko , Ishizawa Fujio , Nishiyama Rei , Tachikawa Hajime , Uemura Nozomi , Moriuchi Yuka , Hsiao Yi‐Yang , Moriyasu Takako , Suzuki Toshinari , Takahashi Yoichiro , Inomata Akiko
Published: December 2022

Sexual enhancement products adulterated with phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE‐5i) pose a serious public health concern. Tadalafil and its analogues (Tds) are PDE‐5i frequently detected as adulterants. In this study, a Td detector tube for the rapid detection of Tds was developed based on the color change reaction between sulfuric acid and Tds. The specificity of this test method was evaluated using 13 Tds, all of which elicited positive results. Additionally, 30 commonly found adulterants in dietary supplements, 11 active pharmaceutical ingredients of psychotropic drugs and 18 food ingredients were tested and obtained no false‐positive results, except levomepromazine. The test tube accurately detected the presence or absence of Tds in 54 commercially available products. The visual detection limit was 2–50 and 5–20 μg/ml for Tds and tadalafil‐spiked samples with matrix, respectively. The applicability of the developed detector tube to a semiquantitative test using digital image analyses were investigated using red, green, and blue color values. The results of the recovery test suggested that the tube test was affected by the dark‐colored matrix. The results of semiquantitative analyses of tadalafil for five marketed products were consistent with the liquid chromatographic quantification results, except for the blue value. The detector tube developed in this study can facilitate with the rapid screening of Tds in adulterated sexual enhancement products.
The impact of climate change on eating disorders: An urgent call for research
Authors: Rodgers Rachel F. , Paxton Susan J. , Nagata Jason M. , Becker Anne E.
Published: December 2022

Climate change affects many of the documented risk factors for eating disorders (EDs) through direct and indirect pathways, yet to date the research in this area is nonexistent. Our aim is to identify the specific mechanisms through which climate change might be associated with increased risk for EDs, an exacerbation in symptoms, or poor clinical outcomes; highlight limited empirical data addressing these issues; and propose directions for a research program in this important area. Pathways for the impact of climate change on eating disorders and related data were reviewed. Four main pathways for the effects of climate change on EDs were identified including (1) decreased food access and security; (2) changes in mean temperature; (3) concerns related to food safety and eco‐anxiety; and (4) indirect pathways through trauma, adversity, and increased mental health concerns. Except for the relationship between increased food insecurity and EDs, these pathways remain largely uninvestigated. Numerous factors may be implicated in the relationship between climate change and EDs. Future work in this area is imperative and should be conducted through a social justice lens with particular attention paid to the global areas most impacted by climate change and related vulnerabilities. Climate change will likely have adverse impacts on individuals with eating disorders and increase the risk for eating disorders. This paper reviews the different ways in which climate change may have these effects and calls for researchers to pay attention to this important area.
Evidence of hatch‐time based growth compensation in the early life history of two salmonid fishes
Authors: Penney Heather D. , Keefe Donald G. , Perry Robert C. , Purchase Craig F.
Published: December 2022

Initial body size can indicate quality within‐species, with large size increasing the likelihood of survival. However, some populations or individuals may have body size disadvantages due to spatial/temporal differences in temperature, photoperiod, or food. Across‐populations, animals often have locally adapted physiology to compensate for relatively poor environmental influences on development and growth, while within‐population individual behavioral adjustments can increase food intake after periods of deprivation and provide opportunities to catch up (growth compensation). Previous work has shown that growth compensation should include within‐population differences related to short growing seasons due to delayed hatch time. We tested the hypothesis that individual fish that hatch later grow faster than those that hatch earlier. The relative magnitude of such a response was compared with growth variation among populations. We sampled young of the year Arctic charr and brook trout from five rivers in northern Labrador. Daily increments from otoliths were used to back‐calculate size to a common age and calculate growth rates. Supporting the hypothesis, older fish were not larger at capture than younger fish because animals that hatched later grew faster, which may indicate age‐based growth compensation.
A novel combo‐transmission system of cold energy and electricity for aluminium profile production: Using liquid nitrogen and superconductor technologies
Authors: Chen Xiaoyuan , Li Qiang , Jiang Shan , Zhang Mingshun , Fu Lin , Shen Boyang
Published: December 2022

Aluminium production needs the most energy‐intensive technologies among all the metal processing sectors. During the process of aluminium profile extrusion, the whole production line needs bulk electricity, and the mold inside the extrusion equipment needs robust cold energy for rapid cooling of the metal surface. This paper presents a new combo‐transmission that can simultaneously deliver cold energy together with electricity to the aluminium profile extrusion line. Thanks to the superiority of virtually zero loss and compact size, the powerful superconducting cable is used to replace the conventional copper cable. The entire superconducting cable assembly is fully installed into a cryogenic pipeline and cooled by liquid nitrogen at 77 K. In addition to keeping a favourable cryogenic environment for the superconducting cable, liquid nitrogen can also provide a large amount of cold energy for cooling the metal surface. For a typical 100 MN aluminium extrusion production line, the design and optimization of 10 kA class superconducting cable with the pipeline cooling system for aluminium production are presented in detail. The simulation results and comparisons show that the total energy loss of superconducting transmission is about 46% of conventional copper cable, and the energy saved in a year can be up to about 240.6 MWh. Moreover, the net profit increases almost linearly along with the increases of the extrusion speed when the liquid nitrogen cooling is applied to the 100 MN production line. For the case of 23% increase in extrusion speed, the net profit can be up to 1.48 M$ in a year. Overall, the novel design, technical evaluation, and economic analysis of the combo‐transmission system (cold energy + electricity) can provide a promising solution for future high‐dense aluminium production sectors.
A novel interpretable model ensemble multivariate fast iterative filtering and temporal fusion transform for carbon price forecasting
Authors: Wang Yue , Wang Zhong , Kang Xinyu , Luo Yuyan
Published: December 2022

The accurate forecasts of carbon prices can help policymakers and enterprises further understand the laws of carbon price fluctuations and formulate related policies and investment strategies. Nowadays, many carbon price prediction models have been proposed. However, some models ignore the time–frequency relationship when considering exogenous variables and fail to measure their importance to the forecasting results, leading to unsatisfactory results. Therefore, this study proposes a novel hybrid model for carbon price forecasting on the basis of advanced multidimensional time series decomposition techniques and interpretable multifactor models. In the proposed model, multivariate fast iterative filtering is used to decompose carbon price and its exogenous variable sequence into several intrinsic mode functions, which can overcome the nonlinearity and nonstationarity of carbon prices and obtain their intrinsic characteristics. Meanwhile, temporal fusion transform (TFT) is used to interpret predictions for multivariate time series. TFT is a new attention‐based deep learning model combining high‐performance multihorizon prediction and interpretability and can adaptively select the optimal features for carbon price prediction. Five carbon markets in Guangdong, Beijing, Shanghai, Hubei, and Shenzhen are selected for experimental studies. Empirical results indicate that the proposed model outperforms the compared benchmark models in all performance metrics. In the interpretable output of TFT, the prediction of the high‐frequency part requires the participation of exogenous variables and has a long time dependence; for the middle and low‐frequency part, only using the carbon price itself and a short time step can lead to good results. This finding can inform future research on carbon price forecasting and help policymakers.
Mercury Exposure and Habitat Fragmentation Affect the Movement, Foraging Behavior, and Search Efficiency of the Marsh Periwinkle (Littorina irrorata)
Authors: Krull Marcos
Published: December 2022

The interactions between habitat fragmentation and other stressors are considered a key knowledge gap. The present study tested the hypotheses that mercury enhances the effects of fragmentation by (1) reducing the cumulative daily movement of organisms, (2) shifting their foraging behavior, and (3) altering the vertical movement of the marsh periwinkle (Littoraria irrorata) in a field experiment. Random walk simulations were used to access how changes in movement affect the search efficiency of organisms in the long term. Eighteen 1.5 m2 plots were constructed in a salt marsh where landscapes characteristics were manipulated to reach three different levels of habitat cover. Daily movement of 12 marked control and mercury-exposed snails were measured in each plot. Bayesian models were used to analyze the data and evidence ratios were used to test the hypotheses. The results showed that the effects of fragmentation were consistent in both control and exposed treatments, with an increase in the cumulative displacement of organisms. However, mercury significantly reduced the movement of organisms in all levels of fragmentation, shifting their foraging behavior (evidence ratio > 1000). Exposed snails were more likely to be found inactive in comparison with the control treatment (evidence ratio > 1000). Fragmentation also reduced the vertical movement of organisms in both treatments. In contrast, mercury increased the vertical movement of organisms (evidence ratio > 1000). The search efficiency of organisms also increased in a highly fragmentated landscape, suggesting that changes in foraging behavior are likely due to reduced resources and consequently increase in foraging effort. The present study shows that mercury exposure can enhance the effects of habitat fragmentation by changing organisms’ movement, foraging behavior, and search efficiency. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1971–1981. © 2022 SETAC
Machine learning‐based methods for joint detection‐channel estimation inOFDMsystems
Authors: Junior Wilson de Souza , Abrão Taufik
Published: December 2022

In this work, two machine learning (ML)‐based structures for joint detection‐channel estimation in OFDM systems are proposed and extensively characterized. Both ML architectures, namely Deep Neural Network (DNN) and Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) are developed for provide improved data detection performance and compared with the conventional matched filter (MF) detector equipped with the minimum mean square error (MMSE) and least square (LS) channel estimators. The bit‐error‐rate (BER) performance vs computational complexity trade‐off is analyzed, demonstrating the superiority of the proposed DNN‐OFDM and ELM‐OFDM detectors methodologies.
Using symmetric illumination and color camera to achieve high throughput Fourier ptychographic microscopy
Authors: Zhang Ke , Gilley Patrik , Abdoli Neman , Chen Xuxin , Fung Kar‐Ming , Qiu Yuchen
Published: December 2022

This study aims to develop a high throughput Fourier ptychographic microscopy (FPM) technique based on symmetric illumination and a color detector, which is able to accelerate image acquisition by up to 12 times. As an emerging technology, the efficiency of FPM is limited by its data acquisition process, especially for color microscope image reconstruction. To overcome this, we built an FPM prototype equipped with a color camera and a 4×/0.13 NA objective lens. During the image acquisition, two symmetric LEDs illuminate the sample simultaneously using white light, which doubles the light intensity and reduces the total captured raw patterns by half. A standard USAF 1951 resolution target was used to measure the system's modulation transfer function (MTF) curve, and the H&E‐stained ovarian cancer samples were then imaged to assess the feature qualities depicted on the reconstructed images. The results showed that the measured MTF curves of red, green, and blue channels are generally comparable to the corresponding curves generated by conventional FPM, while symmetric illumination FPM preserves more tissue details, which is superior to the results captured by conventional 20×/0.4 NA objective lens. This investigation initially verified the feasibility of symmetric illumination based color FPM.
Co3O4/carbon felt three‐dimensional electrode promoted electrocatalytic oxidation – peroxymonosulfate system for p‐nitrophenol degradation: effect of radical and non‐radical mechanisms
Authors: Zhao Kun , Zhang Yonggang
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND

Conventional electrochemical oxidation (EO) processes do not easily activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and are susceptible to the effects of electrode size, material and large‐distance two‐dimensional (2D) electrode structures, resulting in low mass transfer efficiency and low electrolytic productivity, limiting their ability to degrade pollutants. It is still a challenge to design and prepare a system and materials to enhance the activation of PMS and the EO process.

RESULTS

Co3O4‐loaded carbon felt three‐dimensional (3D) electrode material (Co/CF) was prepared and used to construct a 3D electrocatalytic synergistic system (EO‐Co/CF‐PMS). The system combined the advantages of bipolar electrochemistry, three‐dimensional electrochemistry and advanced oxidation processes based on sulfate radical (SR‐AOPs) to facilitate the activation of PMS for degradation of p‐nitrophenol (PNP) in water. In addition, the synergistic system showed excellent pollutant degradation performance, achieving 89.51% PNP degradation in 10 min with an energy consumption of 0.4255 kWh m−3. After being used for four consecutive cycle experiments, the synergistic system still achieved 83% PNP removal. Besides, the EO process also facilitated the Co cycle, resulting in a continuous and efficient degradation of the pollutants. The effects of experimental parameters (initial pH, PMS dose, and applied voltage) on PNP elimination were determined. The results of a reactive oxygen species scavenging experiment and electron spin resonance analysis showed that ·OH, SO4·−, and 1O2 all played a major role in the PNP elimination process.

CONCLUSIONS

The research demonstrated that the composite catalyst Co/CF improved the property of the EO process for catalyzing PMS and thus enlarged the practical application of AOPs in pollutant degradation in aqueous solution. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Benralizumab as an Adjuvant Therapy for Recurrent Laryngeal Papillomatosis
Authors: Krause Kayla J. , Goldrich David , Gniady John
Published: December 2022

Recurrent respiratory (RRP) or laryngeal papillomatosis is the result of human papillomavirus‐mediated benign tumor growth on the larynx and is challenging to manage. Benralizumab is a monoclonal antibody targeted against the alpha subunit of the IL‐5 receptor on eosinophils. A 61‐year‐old male patient presented with refractory RRP following multiple surgical excisions. His disease course improved substantially when benralizumab was added to his asthma regimen. There is no clear mechanistic role suggested for benralizumab directly treating RRP. This case may represent a novel application of benralizumab as an adjuvant treatment for patients with RRP and comorbid asthma. Laryngoscope, 133:863–865, 2023
Mental Health Weekly is going E‐Only
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: December 2022

Mental Health Weekly will be moving to an e‐only publication starting with the Jan. 2, 2023 issue. Print subscribers should receive notifications about the change from the Wiley customer service team, along with how to access their digital subscription.
A novel numerical strategy for modeling the moving boundary value problem of electrochemical machining
Authors: van der Velden Tim , Ritzert Stephan , Reese Stefanie , Waimann Johanna
Published: December 2022

This work presents a new numerical approach to efficiently model the cathode's moving surface in the moving boundary value problem of electrochemical machining. Until recently, the process simulation with finite elements had the drawback of remeshing required by the changing surface geometries. This disadvantage was overcome by an innovative model formulation for the anodic dissolution that utilizes effective material parameters as well as the dissolution level as an internal variable and, thereby, does not require remeshing. Now, we suggest a new numerical method to model arbitrarily shaped and moving cathodes. Two methodologies are investigated to describe the time varying position of the cathode and compared in terms of implementational effort and numerical efficiency. In the first approach, we change the electric conductivity of elements within the cathode and, in a second approach, we apply Dirichlet boundary conditions on the nodes of corresponding elements. For both methods, elements on the cathode's surface are treated with effective material parameters. This procedure allows for the efficient simulation of industrially relevant, complex geometries without mesh adaptation. The model's performance is validated by means of analytical, numerical and experimental results from the literature. The short computation times make the approach interesting for industrial applications.
Psychological impact of COVID‐19 on nurses caring for patients during COVID‐19 pandemic in Gaborone
Authors: Kealeboga Kebope Mongie , Ntsayagae Esther Ikaege , Tsima Onalenna
Published: December 2022

Aim

Nurses as front liners have direct contact with COVID‐19 patients during the pandemic. Carrying the heavy burden during the pandemic has a mental health toll on healthcare professionals. The study explored nurses' experiences of psychological distress during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Botswana's two COVID‐19 special care centres.

Design

The study used qualitative case study research to solicit nurses' experiences caring for patients with COVID‐19 in selected COVID‐19 centres in Gaborone.

Method

Researchers purposively recruited nurses from two COVID‐19 centres in Botswana. Data were collected using semi‐structured telephone interviews and analysed through inductive thematic analysis. Various institutional review boards ethically cleared the study.

Results

Six themes emerged from the thematic analysis: feelings of fear and anxiety, hopelessness and helplessness, loneliness, physical distress, support mechanism and commitment to care.

Public Contribution

The results offer important insights into the nurses' experiences during the COVI‐19 pandemic.