bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The context and development of the early relational health screen
Authors: Willis David W. , Condon Marie‐Celeste , Moe Vibeke , Munson Leslie , Smith Lars , Eddy J. Mark
Published: May 2022

Early relational experiences are key drivers for developing social emotional capacities, educational achievement, mental health, physical health, and overall wellbeing. The child health sectors are committed to promotion, prevention, and early intervention that optimize children's health and development, often employing evidence‐based screening as foundational practices. Despite a variety of validated parent‐infant observational assessment tools, few are practical within busy practice settings, acceptable with all racial and ethnic groups and ready for universal adoption. In response to this need, a team of clinicians, early childhood educators, researchers and infant mental health specialists collaborated to develop and test a novel video‐based, dyadic relational screening and monitoring tool, the Early Relational Health Screen (ERHS). This tool uniquely focuses on the early parent‐child relationship (6–24 months), within the construct of early relational health (ERH). Initial testing demonstrated that the ERHS is a valid, reliable, feasible, and useful screening and monitoring tool for clinical applications. The ERHS was further developed within a population‐based, prospective research study and adapted with brief video feedback for parents in the home visiting and child health sectors. The ERHS and its adaptations appear to advance ERH and equity within the transforming child health and public health care systems of today.
CYP2S1 rs338599 polymorphism confers reduced risk to anti‐tuberculosis drug‐induced liver injury and may be a novel marker for its risk prediction
Authors: Wang Liyuan , Wang Hui , Qi Ying
Published: May 2022

Purpose

In the present study, we would like to explore whether Cytochrome P450 2S1 (CYP2S1) rs338599 polymorphism confers risk to anti‐tuberculosis drug‐induced liver injury (ADLI) and provide evidence of being used as novel marker for ADLI risk prediction.

Patients and methods

A total of 162 pulmonary tuberculosis patients admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University from August 2018 to March 2021 were selected. Patients who developed into ADLI were assigned as ADLI group (n = 50), and those who did not developed into ADLI were assigned as non‐ADLI group (n = 112). The CYP2S1 rs338599 polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) method using binary logistic regression analyses through adjusting for age and sex.

Results

No difference was detected in age, sex, smoking status, profession, education level, marital status, alcohol consumption, or using liver‐protecting drugs (p > 0.05). Compared with non‐ADLI group, GG genotype and G allele were significantly higher in ADLI group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our results indicated that CYP2S1 rs338599 polymorphism conferred reduced risk to ADLI. The tuberculosis patients who had GG genotype or G allele were not susceptible to ADLI. CYP2S1 rs338599 polymorphism may be a novel marker for ADLI risk prediction.
Extracellular vesicles enclosed‐miR‐421 suppresses air pollution (PM2.5)‐induced cardiac dysfunction via ACE2 signalling
Authors: Wang Hongyun , Wang Tianhui , Rui Wei , Xie Jinxin , Xie Yuling , Zhang Xiao , Guan Longfei , Li Guoping , Lei Zhiyong , Schiffelers Raymond M , Sluijter Joost P G , Xiao Junjie
Published: May 2022

Air pollution, via ambient PM2.5, is a big threat to public health since it associates with increased hospitalisation, incidence rate and  mortality of cardiopulmonary injury. However, the potential mediators of pulmonary injury in PM2.5‐induced cardiovascular disorder are not fully understood. To investigate a potential cross talk between lung and heart upon PM2.5 exposure, intratracheal instillation in vivo, organ culture ex vivo and human bronchial epithelial cells (Beas‐2B) culture in vitro experiments were performed respectively. The exposed supernatants of Beas‐2B were collected to treat primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs). Upon intratracheal instillation, subacute PM2.5 exposure caused cardiac dysfunction, which was time‐dependent secondary to lung injury in mice, thereby demonstrating a cross‐talk between lungs and heart potentially mediated via small extracellular vesicles (sEV). We isolated sEV from PM2.5‐exposed mice serum and Beas‐2B supernatants to analyse the change of sEV subpopulations in response to PM2.5. Single particle interferometric reflectance imaging sensing analysis (SP‐IRIS) demonstrated that PM2.5 increased CD63/CD81/CD9 positive particles. Our results indicated that respiratory system‐derived sEV containing miR‐421 contributed to cardiac dysfunction post‐PM2.5 exposure. Inhibition of miR‐421 by AAV9‐miR421‐sponge could significantly reverse PM2.5‐induced cardiac dysfunction in mice. We identified that cardiac angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) was a downstream target of sEV‐miR421, and induced myocardial cell apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction. In addition, we observed that GW4869 (an inhibitor of sEV release) or diminazene aceturate (DIZE, an activator of ACE2) treatment could attenuate PM2.5‐induced cardiac dysfunction in vivo. Taken together, our results suggest that PM2.5 exposure promotes sEV‐linked miR421 release after lung injury and hereby contributes to PM2.5‐induced cardiac dysfunction via suppressing ACE2.
Hepatitis C prevalence among men who have sex with men attending a gay bathhouse
Authors: Chirapongsathorn Sakkarin
Published: May 2022

Background and Aim

Related research has found that men who visit public sex environments such as a gay bathhouse engage in unprotected anal intercourse and tend to have multiple sexual partners during their visit. We aimed to assess the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission among men attending a gay bathhouse.

Methods

A prospective study of the prevalence of HCV among men attending a gay bathhouse was conducted in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 2019 to March 2020. HCV risks and risk perceptions were evaluated using a self‐administered questionnaire. HCV testing with result notification was provided on site.

Results

Of the 40 participants (median age 30 years), one subject (2.5%) was positive for HCV antibody. Bathhouse patrons reported engaging in high‐risk sexual behavior, including sexually transmitted infection history and Chemsex experience. The subject tested positive for HCV antibody reported a frequency of attending gay bathhouse of around 2–4 times monthly and had multiple partners while attending a gay bathhouse. Only 15% of subjects realized that hepatitis C can be transmitted through sexual intercourse.

Conclusion

Our findings support HCV transmission‐reducing guidelines recommending providing selective HCV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM). Bathhouse patrons reported low literacy levels on HCV transmission. Nevertheless, HCV screening should cover a population exhibiting high‐risk sexual behaviors such as attending a gay bathhouse.
Characterization of chemical components in the Guanxinning injection by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Rongrong , Cui Yifan , Zheng Xiaofen , Qin Xuemei , Cao Jianjun , Li Zhenyu
Published: May 2022

Guanxinning injection (GXNI) is widely used in the treatments of cerebral thrombosis, cerebral hemorrhage, sequela, coronary disease, stenocardia, arrhythmia, and so on. For the herbal injections, more components should be characterized and quantified as much as possible to guarantee the drug safety. However, large numbers of the chemical constituents in the GXNI still remain unknown. In this study, ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography‐Q Exactive hybrid quadrupole‐orbitrap high‐resolution accurate mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐Q Orbitrap HRMS), in combination of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), was used to identify the components in GXNI, which led to the identification of 194 compounds. With the aid of solvent partition, more phthalides, diterpenoid quinines, and salvianolic acids were tentatively identified, and minor compounds with the other structural types were also detected. The structural diversity of phthalides and diterpenoid quinones were revealed by the structural network, and six phthalides and 13 diterpenoid quinones were further detected in GXNI with the help of the characteristic fragmentation pattern and structural network. In addition, NMR also revealed the presence of a series of primary metabolites in the GXNI, which could be used as a complimentary approach for the rapid identification of the chemical components in the traditional Chinese medicines (TCM). However, the unknown NMR signals of GXNI needed to be further identified to guarantee the drug safety.
Evaluation of water gargle samples for SARS‐CoV‐2 detection using Abbott ID NOW COVID‐19 assay
Authors: Lévesque Simon , Beauchemin Stéphanie , Vallée Maud , Longtin Jean , Jacob‐Wagner Mariève , Dumaresq Jeannot , Dulcey Carlos , Labbé Annie‐Claude
Published: May 2022

The Abbott ID NOW™ COVID‐19 assay has been shown as a reliable and sensitive alternative to reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) testing from nasopharyngeal or nasal samples in symptomatic patients. Water gargle is an acceptable noninvasive alternative specimen for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) detection by RT‐PCR. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of water gargle samples for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 using the ID NOW. Residual gargle samples were randomly selected among positive standard of care (SOC)‐nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) samples. For testing on ID NOW, the manufacturer's instructions were followed, except for the specimen addition step: 500 µl of the gargle specimen was added to the blue sample receiver with a pipette and gently mixed. Among the 202 positive samples by SOC‐NAAT, 185 were positive by ID NOW (positive percent agreement [PPA]) = 91.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 86.9−95.0). For the 17 discordant samples, cycle threshold (Ct) values were all ≥31.0. The PPA was significantly lower among asymptomatic patients (84.4%; 95% CI: 73.2−92.3) versus symptomatic patients (95.2%; 95% CI: 89.8−98.2). The performance of the ID NOW for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection on gargle samples is excellent when Ct values are <31.0 and for patients that have COVID‐19 compatible symptoms.
Pandemic impact on higher education faculty self‐care, burnout, and compassion satisfaction
Authors: Velez‐Cruz Ramon J. , Holstun Vasti P.
Published: May 2022

This correlational study examined the relationship between self‐care, burnout, compassion satisfaction, and secondary traumatic stress among higher education faculty members during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The results inform higher education faculty members about the effects of self‐care and suggest strategies to reduce burnout, compassion satisfaction and secondary traumatic stress.
Compassion‐supported development: A humanistic approach to counseling supervision
Authors: Hiatt Kenson
Published: May 2022

Research supports the positive implications of applying humanistic constructs such as empathy and compassion in counseling supervision. However, there is a clear lack of counseling supervision approaches that utilize compassion, specifically to facilitate the development of counselors‐in‐training. This article introduces a compassion‐supported developmental approach to supervision.
Structure, stability and antioxidant activity of dialdehyde starch grafted with epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin and epigallocatechin gallate
Authors: Yong Huimin , Hu Huixia , Wang Zhihao , Yun Dawei , Kan Juan , Liu Jun
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Catechins, a member of the flavonoids, exist widely in teas, and have health benefits. However, catechins have poor stability, which greatly limits their application. In order to improve the stability of catechins, different catechins including (−)‐epicatechin (EC), (−)‐epicatechin gallate (ECG), (−)‐epigallocatechin (EGC) and (−)‐epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) were conjugated onto dialdehyde starch by acid‐mediated coupling method. The structure, stability and antioxidant activity of dialdehyde starch–catechin conjugates were determined.

RESULTS

Thin‐layer chromatography and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, fluorescence, nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectra revealed that catechins were successfully conjugated onto dialdehyde starch, coupling between 6−H/8−H of catechins’ A ring and dialdehyde starch's aldehyde groups. The conjugates presented an amorphous structure and sheet‐like and/or blocky morphologies. As compared to dialdehyde starch, the conjugates showed enhanced thermal stability. Furthermore, the stability of catechins in pH 7.4 phosphate‐buffered saline was improved after conjugating onto dialdehyde starch. The conjugates exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activities than dialdehyde starch, decreasing in the following order: dialdehyde starch–ECG, dialdehyde starch–EGCG, dialdehyde starch–EC, dialdehyde starch–EGC and dialdehyde starch.

CONCLUSION

Dialdehyde starch–catechin conjugates have great potential as stable antioxidant agents. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Pressure transmission theory—The Rasputin of incontinence
Authors: Petros PEP
Published: May 2022

Background

Enhorning's pressure transmission theory (PTT), though mortally wounded by multiple invalidations from the 1990 Integral Theory of female urinary incontinence (IT), like Rasputin, continues to survive as a theory for continence and incontinence.

Aim

To examine the questions: How has the PTT survived? What is its contribution to knowledge?

Methods

Eleven different invalidations are presented based on images, pressure readings, clinical examples, experiments by the author, and others, for example, flow mechanics, finite element models, and surgical operations.

Results

Each of the 11 invalidations prima facie invalidate the PTTs of enhorning and others.

Conclusions

“How has the PTT survived?” Having provided a plausible explanation for all abdominal stress urinary incontinence operations since 100 years, PTT, unsurprisingly, like climate change today, had become an entrenched convention which abdicated the need for midurethral sling (MUS) surgeons to learn the very different functional surgical anatomy underlying the MUS. “Has the PTT progressed knowledge, or retarded it?” This lack of knowledge by the surgeons of how and why the MUS works could be held responsible for the large number of major complications reported by the TVT: including, transected urethras, obturator nerve damage, perforation of external iliac vessels, more than 20 deaths. The role of the sling is to strengthen the pubourethral neoligament to prevent the urethra opening out under stress, not to elevate it. Elevating the sling remains the major cause of the most frequent complication of the MUS today, postoperative urinary retention.
Generalization of anisotropic damage mechanics modeling in the material point method
Authors: Nairn John A.
Published: May 2022

Anisotropic damage mechanics is derived by redefining its fourth‐ranked damage tensor, , not by its effect on stiffness reduction, but as a tensor that partitions total strain into bulk material strain and an cracking strain associated with crack‐opening displacement. This recharacterization of is irrelevant for 1D modeling, but significantly clarifies 3D algorithms. The new 3D derivation starts with three damage parameters associated with three independent strength models for three components of crack traction. By postulating a traction failure surface dependent on current damage state and requiring that all traction components simultaneously decay to zero at failure, the three damage parameters naturally couple to a single parameter. Many prior methods assume evolving strength depends only on damage. In real materials, strength often depends on other variables such as temperature, pressure, strain rate, and so forth. This article proposes a new general theory that extends prior methods to properly account for such external variables. The general damage mechanics methods must account for extra variables during damage initiation, damage evolution, and elastic loading and unloading. Several examples focus on the new concepts for coupling damage parameters and for using general methods to model materials with pressure‐dependent strength properties.
Tuning magnetorheological functional response of thermoplastic elastomers by varying soft‐magnetic nanofillers
Authors: Díez Ander García , Tubio Carmen Rial , Gómez Ainara , Berastegi Joanes , Bou‐Ali M. Mounir , Etxebarria Jon Gutiérrez , Lanceros‐Mendez Senentxu
Published: May 2022

Magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) are increasingly demanded based on their ability to modify their mechanical properties under an applied magnetic field, applications ranging from active control in industrial processes to biomedicine. Those materials are based on a polymer phase and magnetic fillers. This work reports on the evaluation of the effect of the magnetic filler characteristics on the physical–chemical and functional performance of MREs. Composites have been produced with 20 wt% concentration of six different magnetic fillers: CoFe2O4, Fe3O4, Co, Ni, and Ni80Fe17Mo3 (Permalloy) in a SEBS matrix. Elastic modulus increases from 0.7 MPa for the pristine polymer to a maximum value of 1.8 MPa for the sample with Fe3O4. The highest saturation magnetization being obtained for the composite containing magnetite, with 17.8 A m2 kg−1. The filler size, saturation magnetization and coercivity all have significant impact on the magnetorheological (MR) effect. The highest MR effect is achieved when using Fe3O4 nanoparticles (17%), followed by Co (16%), Ni (14%), CoFe2O4 (11%), and finally Permalloy (8%). For the Fe3O4@SEBS composite, the MR response is among the largest reported in the literature but with a much lower filler content (6 vol% versus more than 20 vol%), with a positive effect on processability and integration into devices.
Molecular Dynamics Predictions of Shock‐Induced Pore Collapse in (010)‐Oriented β‐HMX: Effects of Sample Thickness and Transverse Orientation, and Run‐To‐Run Variability among Statistically Equivalent Samples
Authors: Zhao Puhan , Perera Dilki , Sewell Tommy
Published: May 2022

Using shock‐induced quasi‐2D pore collapse in β‐HMX as a specific case study, we address three practical questions that arise when designing and interpreting molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of explicit shock wave propagation in crystals. How sensitive are the overall results to sample thickness perpendicular to the (quasi) plane of the problem? For impacts on a given crystal surface, how much does the transverse orientation of the sample matter? And, for a given sample size and orientation, how much run‐to‐run variability exists among results for independent but statistically equivalent realizations of the shock? The first and second questions are interrelated but pertain individually to assessing the roles of finite‐size and crystal anisotropy effects, respectively, on the simulated collapse mechanisms and associated local thermo‐mechanical states in the sample during and after collapse. The third addresses the confidence with which the results of individual simulations can be regarded as representative. All three questions become particularly important if the MD predictions are intended to serve as “ground truth” for validation of continuum mesoscale models. Here, quasi‐2D samples of (010)‐oriented single‐crystal β‐HMX (β‐1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocane) containing a cylindrical pore were subjected to reverse‐ballistic impacts, resulting in explicit, supported shock propagation initially along [010], for impact speeds
=1.0 and 0.5 km s−1. The individual samples differed in either the thickness perpendicular to the sample plane or the transverse crystal orientation normal to [010] in the quasi‐2D cell. Three independent realizations of the shock were performed for a selected case to assess run‐to‐run variability. Comparisons of qualitative features of the collapse, temperature and pressure distributions in the samples, and time scales for pore collapse suggest that there is little sensitivity to sample thickness for the same crystal orientation and moderate sensitivity to transverse crystal orientation for samples of the same thickness. Run‐to‐run variability is evident to the eye in side‐by‐side system observations. However, overall mechanisms of collapse, distributions for temperature and pressure in the samples, and time scales for collapse are in near‐quantitative agreement among the realizations.
A case of negative‐pressure pulmonary oedema after first‐time electroconvulsive therapy
Authors: Sekimoto Yasuhito , Suzuki Yoshifumi , Kanamori Koichiro , Kobayashi Isao , Ienaga Hiroki , Takahashi Kazuhisa
Published: May 2022

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been used for many years as an important treatment modality in patients with schizophrenia. Recently, many new oral medications have become available to treat schizophrenia. However, ECT remains a valuable therapy for patients who are resistant to oral medications. A 16‐year‐old girl with schizophrenia was admitted to our hospital with hypoxaemia due to negative‐pressure pulmonary oedema (NPPE) after her first ECT. NPPE is an exceedingly rare complication after ECT. However, it can result in serious morbidity if not immediately recognized and treated. This case illustrates the importance of recognizing this rare complication.
Delayed Gelation Kinetics of In‐Situ Polymerized Gel Based on the Mechanism of Living/Controlled Radical Polymerization
Authors: Shao Minglu , Gu Feng , Fu Lipei , Yue Xiangan
Published: May 2022

In previous work, cross‐linked water shut‐off polymerized gel emerged rapid gelation within hours, which limited the in‐depth migration of such gels. The concentration of active radicals generated by the thermal decomposition initiator cannot be controlled in the polymerization process, which is the fundamental reason for the fast gelation time. To delay the gelation time of in‐situ polymerized gel in the process of deep profile control, a novel initiation system was developed based on the simultaneous reverse and normal initiation (SR&NI) for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The polymerization indicated features of living/controlled, such as linear first‐order kinetics, linear evolution of the molecular weight with conversion, and lower molecular weight distributions. As compared with the reported conventional initiator, the current initiation system can effectively delay the gelation time of the in‐situ polymerized gel by maintaining the concentration of active radicals at a low level. This pioneer work in the exploration of SR&NI ATRP initiation system to trigger hydrogel gelation offered the possibility to deploy in‐situ polymerized gel with delayed gelation for in‐depth conformance control.
Regulation of Hydroxyl Radicals Generated by Fe−N−C in Heterogeneous Electro‐Fenton Reaction for Degradation of Organic Pollutants
Authors: Tang Wujian , Ma Nannan , Fei Chuanqi , Wang Yinling
Published: May 2022

Metal‐nitrogen‐carbon (M−N−C) materials display high catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) but poor durability which is considered to be related to the hydroxyl radicals (⋅OH) generated in‐situ. With reverse thinking, we try to increase the ⋅OH for the degradation of organic pollutants. In this study, the Fe−N−C catalyst was prepared by pyrolyzing the composite of tannin‐Fe film modified carboxylic CNT (TA−Fe‐CNT) and ZIF‐8. The ⋅OH generated during the ORR process was regulated by catalyst composition, applied potential, catalyst loading and pH. Under the optimum conditions, the Fe−N−C‐200 could degrade 86 % of methylene blue (MB) and reach a TOC removal rate of 21.2 % after 5 h through the heterogeneous electro‐Fenton (HEF) system. Overall, this study not only finds new application for M−N−C materials but also provides some useful information for improving their durability in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) from the opposite perspective.
Chromone Scaffolds in the Treatment of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease: An Overview
Authors: Sharma Kamlesh
Published: May 2022

Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) usually starts gradually and progressively worsens, and are recognized as one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide. Presently, all the available drugs for AD and PD are only for symptomatic relief, and are not capable of preventing and curing the disease. Chromone is a privileged structure for designing of novel drug agents with pharmacological potential, specifically in the field of AD and PD. The present review is focused on the significance of chromones as novel drug agents for the treatment of AD and PD. Chromone based acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, monoamine oxidase B, β‐Secretase‐1, inhibitors are discussed. As AD belongs to one of the most complex and multifactorial disorders, therefore, the multi‐target drugs are urgently required. However, there has been a substantial research effort in designing multi‐target drug agents. Therefore, in this review, chromone based multi‐target inhibitors are also discussed. Furthermore, future directions for designing and developing potent chromone based drugs are reported.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Selected P‐Vinylbenzyls under Solvent‐Free Conditions
Authors: Nycz Jacek E. , Małecki Jan Grzegorz , Pajchel Łukasz , Ponikiewski Łukasz , Wiącek Małgorzata
Published: May 2022

One‐pot synthesis of selected P‐vinylbenzyls under solvent‐free conditions was elaborated on a multigram scale. Several techniques have been used to characterize properties of all new products: MS, HRMS, E.A., and multinuclear NMR in solution and solid‐state. The structure of 5,5‐dimethyl‐2‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)‐1,3,2‐dioxaphosphinane 2‐oxide (2 d) was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction measurements rationalized based on DFT calculation. The X‐ray and NMR studies of 2 d indicate the appearance of an anomeric effect.
Imaging Metabolites in Agar‐Based Bacterial Co‐Cultures with Minimal Sample Preparation using a DIUTHAME Membrane in Surface‐Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry**
Authors: Müller Wendy H. , McCann Andréa , Arias Anthony Argüelles , Malherbe Cedric , Quinton Loïc , De Pauw Edwin , Eppe Gauthier
Published: May 2022

While the imaging of bacteria, directly on agar‐based media, has been reported in matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), such samples usually require laborious and time‐consuming preparation prior to analysis. Furthermore, the MALDI sample preparation may require desiccation, potentially causing sample deformation and/or degradation. Other issues may be associated with the use of a matrix in MALDI‐MSI. Here, we propose an alternative approach to image a co‐culture of Pseudomonas and Bacillus bacteria, grown on agar, in the positive and negative ionization modes, using surface‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (SALDI) MSI. A rapid and easy sample preparation was performed using a “desorption/ionization using through‐hole alumina membrane” (DIUTHAME) with a blotting method. The porous DIUTHAME membrane was used (1) for the transfer of the metabolites from the sample to the membrane, and (2) as assisting material in SALDI‐MSI. The advantages and limitations of this new sample preparation are discussed in this paper.
Mixed Ni2+Co2+ Transition Metal Nitroprusside: Determination of Its Electrochemical Behavior and Electrocatalytic Activity towards the Oxidation of Phenylhydrazine
Authors: Matos‐Peralta Yasser , Llanes Dayma , Cano Arely , Hernández Mayra P. , Bazán‐Bravo Leonardo , Justo Chao Mujica Frank , Felipe Desdín García Luis , Reguera Leslie , Antuch Manuel
Published: May 2022

Coordination polymers have received considerable attention in recent years as electrocatalytic materials for the construction of electrochemical sensors. This is due to their high sensitivity and selectivity towards the electrochemical detection of various molecules, particularly pollutants and metabolites, which commonly appear in low concentrations and in complex matrices. In this work, the construction of an electrochemical sensor was performed for the detection of phenylhydrazine, which is a strong pollutant, based on a mixed Ni2+ Co2+ transition metal nitroprusside (NiCoNP). NiCoNP was synthesized by chemical coprecipitation, and characterized using X‐ray diffraction, TGA, and IR and XPS spectroscopies. Its structural characterization indicates that the material was a solid solution, with a cubic
structure and a stoichiometry of Ni0.59Co0.41[Fe(CN)5NO] ⋅ 5H2O. The material showed quasi‐reversible electron transfer behavior associated to the charge transfer between the metallic centers of the nitroprusside and the concomitant intercalation of K+ ions within the crystal lattice. The sensor based on NiCoNP exhibited a high electrocatalytic activity for the electrooxidation of phenylhydrazine without kinetic limitations, and a wide large linear range (0.5–12 mM), high sensitivity (86.87 μA ⋅ cm−2/mM), and LOD of 266 μM. Such device showed a rapid and selective response towards phenylhydrazine. In conclusion, the NiCoNP under study showed a promising electrocatalytic activity for the development of electrochemical sensors.
Light‐Propelled Nanorobots for Facial Titanium Implants Biofilms Removal
Authors: Ussia Martina , Urso Mario , Kment Stepan , Fialova Tatiana , Klima Karel , Dolezelikova Kristyna , Pumera Martin
Published: May 2022

Titanium miniplates are biocompatible materials used in modern oral and maxillofacial surgery to treat facial bone fractures. However, plate removal is often required due to implant complications. Among them, a biofilm formation on an infected miniplate is associated with severe inflammation, which frequently results in implant failure. In light of this, new strategies to control or treat oral bacterial biofilm are of high interest. Herein, the authors exploit the ability of nanorobots against multispecies bacterial biofilm grown onto facial commercial titanium miniplate implants to simulate pathogenic conditions of the oral microenvironment. The strategy is based on the use of light‐driven self‐propelled tubular black‐TiO2/Ag nanorobots, that unlike traditional ones, exhibit an extended absorption and motion actuation from UV to the visible‐light range. The motion analysis is performed separately over UV, blue, and green light irradiation and shows different motion behaviors, including a fast rotational motion that decreases with increasing wavelengths. The biomass reduction is monitored by evaluating LIVE/DEAD fluorescent and digital microscope images of bacterial biofilm treated with the nanorobots under motion/no‐motion conditions. The current study and the obtained results can bring significant improvements for effective therapy of infected metallic miniplates by biofilm.
Impacts of quarrying activities on the environment and livelihood of people in Border II sub‐location, Nyando sub‐county, Kisumu County, Kenya
Authors: Opondo Erick Oluoch , Ajayi Dickson Dare , Makindi Stanley Maingi
Published: May 2022

The aim of the study was to assess the impacts of quarrying activities on the environment and livelihood of people in the Border II sub‐location. Primary data was collected through questionnaires, Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussion, laboratory analysis and observations. Whereas, secondary data was obtained from Landsat satellite images, journals, articles, books and reports. The acquired data were analyzed using excel and Arc GIS; and presented into tables and figures. The Land use/cover change analysis from the satellite images of the area showed that quarry lands have increased by 5.2 Ha (0.26%). Quarrying activities in the area were perceived to have both positive and negative impacts on the livelihood of people and the environment. Some of the most serious environmental problems were; dust pollution (82%), noise (76%), land degradation (74%), vegetation loss (60%) and vibration (52%). Whereas, negative socioeconomic impacts were; building cracks (54%), injuries (36%), school dropouts (35%), roads damages (33%), child labor (31%) and crop effects (30%). Moreover, 45% of the area residents and 44% of the quarry workers have experienced health problems related to quarrying activities. Nevertheless, there was a significant relationship between quarrying activities and the environmental as well as human health problems in the area (p<0.05). The positive impacts identified are; employment, roads improvement, security, CSR, building materials, business opportunities, among others. To mitigate the negative impacts, the quarry operators should develop and implement an Environmental and Social management Plan, including fair compensation of the project which affect a person, relocation of near homes, environmental pollution control, public participation, scaling down blasting activities, and strict policies compliance and enforcement.
Mechanical and morphological properties of poly(vinyl chloride) and linear low‐density polyethylene polymer blends
Authors: Khakberdiev Elshod Olmosovich , Berdinazarov Qodirbek Nuridin ugli , Toshmamatov Doston Azamat ugli , Ashurov Nigmat Rustamovich
Published: May 2022

In this article, nonpolar polyethylene with polar poly(vinyl chloride) is considered as a polymer–polymer mixture. Direct mixing of poly(vinyl chloride) and polyolefins leads to the formation of incompatible mixtures that have weak complex properties. To form this mixture, chlorinated polyethylene and a copolymer of polyvinyl chloride with polyethylene were used as compatibilizers. An extreme relationship of the elastic modulus on the composition of the blend at a PE content (5–20 wt.%) was revealed. The use of EBM model representations made it possible to identify the reasons for this relationship, namely, the cumulative contribution of structural changes in PVC and the enhancement of interfacial adhesion due to the presence of a compatibilizer at the phase boundary.
The rebound effect and the challenge of moving beyond fossil fuels: A review of empirical and theoretical research
Authors: York Richard , Adua Lazarus , Clark Brett
Published: May 2022

William Stanley Jevons identified what has come to be known as the Jevons paradox: the observation that improvements in energy efficiency are often connected with rising, not falling, energy consumption. This insight informs the subsequent economic concept of the “rebound effect” and the expansive research investigating this relationship. We provide an overview of key empirical research, which establishes that large rebounds in energy consumption connected with rising energy efficiency are common across various units of analysis, including the national, subnational (e.g., states/provinces/cities; power plants), and household levels. We then focus on the range of theoretical arguments that have been put forward to explain why rebounds occur in varying contexts, with particular consideration of implications for efforts to move away from fossil fuels. We emphasize the important distinction between direct effects, indirect effects, and economy‐wide effects in regard to rebounds, particularly those connected with macro‐structural forces, for understanding the causes and implications of the Jevons paradox.

This article is categorized under:

The Carbon Economy and Climate Mitigation > Decarbonizing Energy and/or Reducing Demand
Movement, spatial ecology, and habitat selection of translocated Gould's wild turkeys
Authors: Cohen Bradley S. , Oleson Brittany , Fyffe Nathan , Smallwood Alex , Bakner Nick , Nelson Stefan , Chamberlain Michael J. , Collier Bret A.
Published: May 2022

Translocations have aided restoration of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) across North America and are used to help establish sustainable, local populations even now. Because successful restocking relies on individuals remaining close to the release site to reduce movement‐based mortalities, a close examination of behaviors and factors affecting site selection can improve survival of translocated birds and enhance translocation success. Therefore, we assessed movements and habitat selection following translocation of 16 Gould's wild turkeys (M. g. mexicana) radiotagged with GPS‐VHF transmitters in Arizona. We assessed daily distance traveled, range size, distance from release site, and habitat selection from release to 120 days post‐release. Turkeys increased space use ~35 days post‐release. After 70 days post‐release, individuals shifted their behaviors to exploitation and individual maintenance, which was characterized by decreasing movements and space use. Turkeys had high release site fidelity and remained 1,352.2 ± 318.7 m (x̄ ± SE) from the release site 120 days post‐release. Distance between daily roost sites stabilized around day 50, and turkeys were within 89.8 ± 49.9 m (x̄ ± SE) of the previous night's roosting site by day 120. Gould's wild turkeys selected for riparian areas throughout the study period and selected for pine (Pinus spp.)‐juniper (Juniperus spp.) woodland for the first 60 days post‐release; thereafter pine‐juniper woodland was used in proportion to availability. Gould's wild turkeys used open‐herbaceous areas and pine–oak (Quercus spp.) woodland in proportion to availability. Our results indicate that Gould's wild turkeys take about 70 days to integrate into a new local environment following translocation, and riparian areas are a critical component of Gould's wild turkey habitat within the southwestern United States. Managers should ensure riparian areas are protected and restored before translocating Gould's wild turkeys to facilitate translocation success and persistence of Gould's wild turkey populations.
Fritz Haber’s Work and Thought as He Began Work on Ammonia Synthesis
Authors: Johnson Benjamin
Published: May 2022

Fritz Haber was born in Breslau (today Wrocław, Poland) in 1868. He grew up in a prominent Jewish family involved in the chemical and dye trade, and received his education at one of the city’s normalGymnasia. Near the end of his schooling, he became interested in mathematics and the physical sciences, and although chemistry was still only a small part of the curriculum, it was this subject that caught Haber’s attention, and he embarked on a path in higher education that “deviated strongly from the normal pattern”.
Normal Science
Authors: Johnson Benjamin
Published: May 2022

The starting point for the discussion of scientific discovery is Kuhn’s distinction between “normal science,” in which routine research is performed and the moments of crisis which can lead to paradigm shifts.
The seeds of EFT double copy
Authors: Bonnefoy Quentin , Durieux Gauthier , Grojean Christophe , Machado Camila S. , Nepveu Jasper Roosmale
Published: May 2022

Abstract

We explore the double copy of effective field theories (EFTs), in the recently proposed generalized color-kinematics and Kawai-Lewellen-Tye (KLT) approaches. In the former, we systematically construct scalar numerators satisfying the Jacobi identities from simpler numerator seeds with trace-like permutation properties. This construction has the advantage of being easily applicable to any multiplicity, which we exemplify up to 6-point. It employs the linear map between color factors formed by single traces of generators and by products of the structure constants, which also relates the generalized KLT and color-kinematics formalisms, allowing to produce KLT kernels at arbitrary order in the EFT expansion. At 4-point, we show that all EFT kernels are generated and that they only yield double-copy amplitudes which can also be obtained from the traditional KLT kernel. We perform initial checks suggesting that the same conclusions also hold at 5-point. We focus on single-trace massless scalar EFTs which however also control the higher-derivative corrections to gauge and gravity theories.
Integrality structures in topological strings and quantum 2-functions
Authors: Zhu Shengmao
Published: May 2022

Abstract

In this article, we first prove the integrality of an explicit disc counting formula obtained by Panfil and Sulkowski for a class of toric Calabi-Yau manifolds named generalized conifolds. Then, motivated by the integrality structures in open topological string theory, we introduce a mathematical notion of “quantum 2-function” which can be viewed as the quantization of the notion of “2-function” introduced by Schwarz, Vologod-sky and Walcher. Finally, we provide a basic example of quantum 2-function and discuss the quantization of 2-functions.
Aquaporin-4 prevents exaggerated astrocytosis and structural damage in retinal inflammation
Authors: Maisam Afzali Ali , Stüve Lasse , Pfaller Monika , Aly Lilian , Steiger Katja , Knier Benjamin , Korn Thomas
Published: May 2022

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is the molecular target of the immune response in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) that leads to severe structural damage in the central nervous system (CNS) and in the retina. Conversely, AQP4 might be upregulated in astrocytes as a compensatory event in multiple sclerosis. Thus, the functional relevance of AQP4 in neuroinflammation needs to be defined. Here, we tested the role of AQP4 in the retina in MOG(35–55)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) using optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography, immunohistology, flow cytometry, and gene expression analysis in wild-type and Aqp4–/– mice. No direct infiltrates of inflammatory cells were detected in the retina. Yet, early retinal expression of TNF and Iba1 suggested that the retina participated in the inflammatory response during EAE in a similar way in wild-type and Aqp4–/– mice. While wild-type mice rapidly cleared retinal swelling, Aqp4–/– animals exhibited a sustainedly increased retinal thickness associated with retinal hyperperfusion, albumin extravasation, and upregulation of GFAP as a hallmark of retinal scarring at later stages of EAE. Eventually, the loss of retinal ganglion cells was higher in Aqp4–/– mice than in wild-type mice. Therefore, AQP4 expression might be critical for retinal Müller cells to clear the interstitial space from excess vasogenic edema and prevent maladaptive scarring in the retina during remote inflammatory processes of the CNS.

Key messages

Genetic ablation of AQP4 leads to a functional derangement of the retinal gliovascular unit with retinal hyperperfusion during autoimmune CNS inflammation.

Genetic ablation of AQP4 results in a structural impairment of the blood retina barrier with extravasation of albumin during autoimmune CNS inflammation.

Eventually, the lack of AQP4 in the retina during an inflammatory event prompts the exaggerated upregulation of GFAP as a hallmark of scarring as well as loss of retinal ganglion cells.
Open system peridynamics
Authors: Schaller Emely , Javili Ali , Steinmann Paul
Published: May 2022

We propose, for the first time, a thermodynamically consistent formulation for open system (continuum-kinematics-inspired) peridynamics. In contrast to closed system mechanics, in open system mechanics mass can no longer be considered a conservative property. In this contribution, we enhance the balance of mass by a (nonlocal) mass source. To elaborate a thermodynamically consistent formulation, the balances of momentum, energy and entropy need to be reconsidered as they are influenced by the additional mass source. Due to the nonlocal continuum formulation, we distinguish between local and nonlocal balance equations. We obtain the dissipation inequality via a Legendre transformation and derive the structure and constraints of the constitutive expressions based on the Coleman–Noll procedure. For the sake of demonstration, we present an example for a nonlocal mass source that can model the complex process of bone remodelling in peridynamics. In addition, we provide a numerical example to highlight the influence of nonlocality on the material density evolution.
Accumulation and penetration behavior of hypericin in glioma tumor spheroids studied by fluorescence microscopy and confocal fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy
Authors: Bassler Miriam C. , Rammler Tim , Wackenhut Frank , zur Oven-Krockhaus Sven , Secic Ivona , Ritz Rainer , Meixner Alfred J. , Brecht Marc
Published: May 2022

Glioblastoma WHO IV belongs to a group of brain tumors that are still incurable. A promising treatment approach applies photodynamic therapy (PDT) with hypericin as a photosensitizer. To generate a comprehensive understanding of the photosensitizer-tumor interactions, the first part of our study is focused on investigating the distribution and penetration behavior of hypericin in glioma cell spheroids by fluorescence microscopy. In the second part, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) was used to correlate fluorescence lifetime (FLT) changes of hypericin to environmental effects inside the spheroids. In this context, 3D tumor spheroids are an excellent model system since they consider 3D cell–cell interactions and the extracellular matrix is similar to tumors in vivo. Our analytical approach considers hypericin as probe molecule for FLIM and as photosensitizer for PDT at the same time, making it possible to directly draw conclusions of the state and location of the drug in a biological system. The knowledge of both state and location of hypericin makes a fundamental understanding of the impact of hypericin PDT in brain tumors possible. Following different incubation conditions, the hypericin distribution in peripheral and central cryosections of the spheroids were analyzed. Both fluorescence microscopy and FLIM revealed a hypericin gradient towards the spheroid core for short incubation periods or small concentrations. On the other hand, a homogeneous hypericin distribution is observed for long incubation times and high concentrations. Especially, the observed FLT change is crucial for the PDT efficiency, since the triplet yield, and hence the O2 activation, is directly proportional to the FLT. Based on the FLT increase inside spheroids, an incubation time > 30 min is required to achieve most suitable conditions for an effective PDT.

Graphical abstract
Reliability of reporting differences in degenerative MRI findings of the lumbar spine from the supine to the upright position
Authors: Doktor Klaus , Hartvigsen Jan , Hancock Mark , Christensen Henrik Wulff , Fredberg Ulrich , Boyle Eleanor , Kindt Morten , Brix Lau , Jensen Tue Secher
Published: May 2022

Objective

To determine the inter-rater reliability of identifying differences and types of differences in lumbar degenerative findings comparing supine and upright MRI.

Materials and methods

Fifty-nine participants, low back pain patients (LBP) with or without leg pain and no-LBP individuals were consecutively enrolled to receive supine and upright MRI of the lumbar spine. Three raters independently evaluated the MRIs for degenerative spinal pathologies and compared for differences. Presence/absence of degenerative findings were recorded for all supine and upright images, and then differences from the supine to the upright positions were classified into no-change, appeared, disappeared, worsened, or improved at each individual disc level. Reliability and agreement were calculated using Gwet’s agreement coefficients (AC1 or AC2) and absolute agreement.

Results

Inter-rater reliability of evaluating differences in eight degenerative lumbar findings comparing the supine and upright MRI position, ranged from 0.929 to 0.996 according to Gwet’s agreement coefficients (AC2). The total number of positive MRI findings in the supine position ranged from 270 to 453, with an average of 366 per rater. Observed differences from supine to upright MRI ranged from 18 to 80, with an average of 56 per rater.

Conclusion

Inter-rater reliability was found overall acceptable for classification of differences in eight types of degenerative pathology observed with supine and upright MRI of the lumbar spine. Results were primarily driven by high numbers and high reliability of rating negative findings, whereas agreement regarding positive findings and positive positional differences was lower.