bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leaching of Ti and V from the non‐magnetic fraction of ilmenite‐based ore: Kinetic and thermodynamic modelling
Authors: de Aguiar Erick Max Mourão Monteiro , Botelho Junior Amilton Barbosa , Duarte Heitor Augusto , Espinosa Denise Crocce Romano , Tenório Jorge Alberto Soares , Baltazar Marcela dos Passos Galluzzi
Published: January 2022

A source of Ti and V found in Brazil contains important content of both elements and has not been explored yet. Such resources would supply the demand for the battery market (Li‐ion and redox flow), robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles, and 3D printers. The hydrometallurgical route is essential to obtain different high purity products. The goal of the present work was to study the HCl leaching of Ti and V from the non‐magnetic fraction of ilmenite‐based ore. The effects of solid–liquid ratio, NaHF2, Fe0, and chloride ions were evaluated. The optimized conditions were the solid–liquid ratio of 1/6–1/12 and NaHF2 of 10 wt.% for 4 h under reducing leaching. Kinetic modelling fitted better for the chemical reaction model. The activation energy was 14.5, 15.4, and 15.5 J/mol for Ti, V, and Fe, respectively. No improvement was obtained as the concentration of chloride ions increased.
Sustainable infrastructure and risk stratification are needed to appropriately deliver colorectal cancer screening globally
Authors: Coronado Gloria D.
Published: January 2022

Risk‐stratified colorectal cancer screening allows for pinpointing populations that need screening and reduces the need for expensive infrastructure for screening and follow‐up. Further research is needed to accelerate the use of risk‐based screening approaches for colorectal cancer.
Progression‐free survival 2: Is it ready for prime time?
Authors: George Ben , Kurzrock Razelle
Published: January 2022

Overall survival (OS) is considered the ideal end point for clinical trials in oncology, but the emergence of postprogression therapies and the need to accelerate therapeutic development necessitate the validation of surrogate end points for OS. The systematic, prospective evaluation of second progression‐free survival as an end point and its correlation with OS across different cancer types, lines of therapy, and therapeutic modalities is necessary before it can be embraced as a valid surrogate for OS.
Mapping Replication Timing in Single Mammalian Cells
Authors: Bartlett Daniel A. , Dileep Vishnu , Baslan Timour , Gilbert David M.
Published: January 2022

Replication timing (RT) is the temporal order in which genomic DNA is replicated during S phase. Early and late replication correlate with transcriptionally active and inactive chromatin compartments, but mechanistic links between large‐scale chromosome structure, transcription, and replication are still enigmatic. A proper RT program is necessary to maintain the global epigenome that defines cell identity, suggesting that RT is critical for epigenome integrity by facilitating the assembly of different types of chromatin at different times during S phase. RT is regulated during development and has been found to be altered in disease. Thus, RT can identify stable epigenetic differences distinguishing cell types, and can be used to help stratify patient outcomes and identify markers of disease. Most methods to profile RT require thousands of S‐phase cells. In cases where cells are rare (e.g., early‐stage embryos or rare primary cell types) or consist of a heterogeneous mixture of cell states (e.g., differentiation intermediates), or when the interest is in determining the degree of stable epigenetic heterogeneity within a population of cells, single‐cell measurements of RT are necessary. We have previously developed single cell Repli‐seq, a method to measure replication timing in single cells using DNA copy number quantification. To date, however, single‐cell Repli‐seq suffers from relatively low throughput and high costs. Here, we describe an improved single‐cell Repli‐seq protocol that uses degenerate oligonucleotide–primed PCR (DOP‐PCR) for uniform whole‐genome amplification and uniquely barcoded primers that permit early pooling of single‐cell samples into a single library preparation. We also provide a bioinformatics platform for analysis of the data. The improved throughput and decreased costs of this method relative to previously published single‐cell Repli‐seq protocols should make it considerably more accessible to a broad range of investigators. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Whole Genome Amplification (WGA) of single cells and sequence library construction.

Basic Protocol 2: Deriving and displaying single‐cell replication timing data from whole genome sequencing.
Consider staffing options for ASL interpreters
Authors: Allarakhia Hawa
Published: January 2022

Since 1990, when the Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted into law by President George H.W. Bush, more students with disabilities have had the opportunity to attend college. Since then, a growing number of deaf or hard of hearing students have enrolled in higher education. The National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes reported that, as of 2019, 5% of the deaf or hard of hearing population in the U.S. were enrolled in college. Of these students, most prefer lip reading or voicing, despite the availability of tools such as live captioning and closed captioning. Still, an American Sign Language interpreter helps students who are deaf or hard of hearing navigate the challenges of completing a postsecondary degree.
Plant abundance, but not plant evolutionary history, shapes patterns of host specificity in foliar fungal endophytes
Authors: Apigo Austen , Oono Ryoko
Published: January 2022

Understanding the origins and maintenance of host specificity, or why horizontally‐acquired symbionts associate with some hosts but not others, remains elusive. In this study, we explored whether patterns of host specificity in foliar fungal endophytes, a guild of highly diverse fungi that occur within the photosynthetic tissues of all major plant lineages, were related to characteristics of the plant community. We comprehensively sampled all plant host species within a single community and tested the relationship between plant abundance or plant evolutionary relatedness and metrics of endophyte host specificity. We quantified host specificity with methods that considered the total endophyte community per plant host (i.e., multivariate methods) along with species‐based methods (i.e., univariate metrics) that considered host specificity from the perspective of each endophyte. Univariate host specificity metrics quantified plant alpha‐diversity (structural specificity), plant beta‐diversity (beta‐specificity), and plant phylogenetic diversity (phylogenetic specificity) per endophyte. We standardized the effect sizes of univariate host specificity metrics to randomized distributions to avoid spurious correlations between host specificity metrics and endophyte abundance. We found that more abundant plant species harbored endophytes that occupied fewer plant species (higher structural specificity) and were consistently found in the same plant species across the landscape (higher beta‐specificity). There was no relationship between plant phylogenetic distance and endophyte community dissimilarity. We still found that endophyte community composition significantly varied among plant species, families, and major groups, supporting a plant identity effect. In particular, endophytes in angiosperm lineages associated with narrower phylogenetic breadths of plants (higher phylogenetic specificity) compared to endophytes within conifer and fern lineages. Overall, an effect of plant species abundance may help explain why horizontally‐transmitted endophytes vary geographically within host species ranges.
What is green infrastructure? A study of definitions in US city planning
Authors: Grabowski Zbigniew J , McPhearson Timon , Matsler A Marissa , Groffman Peter , Pickett Steward TA
Published: January 2022

In response to interdependent challenges, city planners are increasingly adopting “green infrastructure” (GI). Reviewing 122 plans from 20 US cities, we identify what types of city plans address and define GI, including the concepts associated with GI, as well as the types, functions, and benefits of GI. The most common plans that feature GI, some of which focus exclusively on GI, comply with US Clean Water Act regulations for stormwater and sewer systems. Municipalities also address GI through diverse planning processes, including the creation of comprehensive citywide plans. Many of these plans (~40%) do not explicitly define GI. When they do, stormwater concepts predominate, followed by landscape concepts, along with an emergent emphasis on integrating GI with other built infrastructure systems. Large differences in GI types, functions, and benefits across concepts, plan types, and cities indicate a need for synthesis of GI definitions. To facilitate this synthesis, we provide a database of GI definitions from plans used in our analysis. We conclude with a broad synthetic definition of GI to provide clarity and stimulate discussion in rapidly evolving planning, policy, and research arenas.
Inhibitory control and problem solving in early childhood: Exploring the burdens and benefits of high self‐control
Authors: Hendry Alexandra , Agyapong Mary A. , D'Souza Hana , Frick Matilda A. , Portugal Ana Maria , Konke Linn Andersson , Cloke Hamish , Bedford Rachael , Smith Tim J. , Karmiloff‐Smith Annette , Jones Emily J.H. , Charman Tony , Brocki Karin C.
Published: January 2022

Low inhibitory control (IC) is sometimes associated with enhanced problem‐solving amongst adults, yet for young children high IC is primarily framed as inherently better than low IC. Here, we explore associations between IC and performance on a novel problem‐solving task, amongst 102 English 2‐ and 3‐year‐olds (Study 1) and 84 Swedish children, seen at 18‐months and 4‐years (Study 2). Generativity during problem‐solving was negatively associated with IC, as measured by prohibition‐compliance (Study 1, both ages, Study 2 longitudinally from 18‐months). High parent‐reported IC was associated with poorer overall problem‐solving success, and greater perseveration (Study 1, 3‐year‐olds only). Benefits of high parent‐reported IC on persistence could be accounted for by developmental level. No concurrent association was observed between problem‐solving performance and IC as measured with a Delay‐of‐Gratification task (Study 2, concurrent associations at 4‐years). We suggest that, for young children, high IC may confer burden on insight‐ and analytic‐aspects of problem‐solving.
Crosstalk of FGFR1 signaling and choline metabolism promotes cell proliferation and survival in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Fan Zhichao , Ma Jisheng , Pan Xuebo , Zhao Liangcai , Wu Yuying , Lin Hui , Zhao Yidan , Jiang Haowei , Pan Tingting , Li Xiaokun , Wang Fen , Wang Cong
Published: January 2022

The acquisition of ectopic type I fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR1) is a common feature of prostate cancer (PCa), the most frequently diagnostic cancer in men. However, how ectopic FGFR1 contributes to PCa progression is not well understood. In our study we showed that ablation of FGFR1 in DU145 human PCa cells changed the cell metabolite profile. Among the changes, the choline metabolism profile was the most significantly altered by FGFR1 ablation. Detailed characterization revealed that ablation of FGFR1 altered expression of multiple choline metabolism enzymes. Among the changes of FGFR1‐regulated choline metabolic enzymes, downregulation of choline kinase α (CHKA) is the most prominent changes, which phosphorylates free choline to phosphocholine. Ablation of FGFR1 blunted the activity of choline to promote cell proliferation and survival. Furthermore, depletion of CHKA compromised FGF signaling activity in DU145 cells. We also first time demonstrated that FGFR1 formed complex with CHKA, suggesting that FGFR1 regulated CHKA at the posttranslational level. Together with the previous report that ectopic FGFR1 contributes to PCa progression and metastasis, our results here unravel a novel mechanism by which FGFR1 promotes PCa progression by dysregulating choline metabolism, and that the crosstalk between FGFR1‐choline metabolism can be a potential target for managing PCa progression.
Use of beta‐blockers and risk of contralateral breast cancer
Authors: Gottschau Mathilde , Bens Annet , Friis Søren , Cronin‐Fenton Deirdre , Aalborg Gitte Lerche , Jensen Maj‐Britt , Ejlertsen Bent , Kroman Niels , Mellemkjær Lene
Published: January 2022

Beta‐blockers have shown antineoplastic effects in laboratory studies but epidemiologic evidence in relation to contralateral breast cancer (CBC) is sparse. We investigated postdiagnosis beta‐blocker use and risk of CBC in a cohort of 52 723 women with breast cancer by using nationwide Danish health registers and the Danish Breast Cancer Group database. We defined postdiagnosis beta‐blocker use as a time‐varying covariate starting 1 year after a second prescription was redeemed. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CBC associated with beta‐blocker use compared to nonuse. We identified 1444 women with CBC of whom 209 women were beta‐blocker users. We found an overall HR of 1.08 (95% CI: 0.93‐1.27) for beta‐blocker use and risk of CBC with no substantial variation according to cumulative amount, intensity or selectivity of beta‐blocker use. Hence, our cohort study of women with breast cancer did not sustain a protective effect of beta‐blocker use on risk of CBC, irrespective of beta‐blocker type.
Evidence of positive selection on six spider developmental genes
Authors: Mariano‐Martins Pedro , Monfardini Raquel Dietsche , Lo‐Man‐Hung Nancy , Torres Tatiana Teixeira
Published: January 2022

Spiders constitute more than 49,000 described species distributed all over the world, and all ecological environments. Their order, Araneae, is defined by a set of characteristics with no parallel among their arachnid counterparts (e.g., spinnerets, silk glands, chelicerae that inoculate venom, among others). Changes in developmental pathways often underlie the evolution of morphological synapomorphies, and as such spiders are a promising model to study the role of developmental genes in the origin of evolutionary novelties. With that in mind, we investigated changes in the evolutionary regime of a set of six developmental genes, using spiders as our model. The genes were mainly chosen for their roles in spinneret ontogeny, yet they are pleiotropic, and it is likely that the origins of other unique morphological phenotypes are also linked to changes in their sequences. Our results indicate no great differences in the selective pressures on those genes when comparing spiders to other arachnids, but a few site‐specific positive selection evidence were found in the Araneae lineage. These findings lead us to new insights on spider evolution that are to be further tested.
Panoramic radiography and patients with disability: a new simple breathing technique to reduce common airspace error
Authors: Scott Antonia M. , Reed Warren M.
Published: January 2022

Patients with intellectual disabilities often fail to follow traditional tongue position instructions for panoramic radiographs resulting in missed pathology or unnecessary further radiation. This simple breathing technique is a new clinical instruction method for panoramic radiography developed to reduce the most common patient position error: patient failure to hold the tongue to the roof of the mouth. The technique is suitable for all patients including young patients and those with intellectual disabilities. The simple breathing technique uses ‘tell‐show‐do’ communication methods and does not mention the tongue but utilises the known tongue positions that occur during breathing and swallowing. This simple breathing technique instruction for panoramic radiography uses a demonstration of ‘breathe‐in, breathe‐out, swallow, lips closed and hold still’ to reduce the intensity of both the palatoglossal and pharyngeal airspaces on panoramic radiographs. This method, referred in this article as the simple breathing technique, can improve the diagnostic potential of panoramic radiographs and can be used with young children and patients with intellectual disabilities, and this slow breathing technique can help them further relax.
Design thinking for innovation: Practices and intermediate outcomes
Authors: Jaskyte Kristina , Liedtka Jeanne
Published: January 2022

As an approach to creative problem solving, design thinking (DT) has received much attention in the practitioner and academic literature. It appears to be especially well‐suited to the challenges facing the nonprofit sector. Despite the increasing interest in this method, scholarly literature about the actual effectiveness of DT is minimal. Most common output‐oriented measures of innovativeness (e.g., number of new product introductions or number of patents) used to show the impact of DT do not capture the perceived benefits of using DT. The review of existing literature points to the need for a more nuanced exploration of the mechanisms behind DT's effectiveness for innovation and performance by identifying the intermediate outcomes. The research discussed in this paper contributes to DT literature by identifying and assessing DT practices and intermediate outcomes and assessing the relationship between them in a diverse sample of practitioners from business, government, and nonprofit sectors. Our findings demonstrate that DT practices are associated with a rich and varied array of positive intermediate outcomes—not only for those being designed for but also for the innovators using it, their teams and organizations, and even the larger systems in which they operate. Team formation and functioning, Discovery and Ideation, and Prototyping and Experimentation practices were associated with the following intermediate outcomes: improved implementation and adaptation, individual psychological benefits, network capability and resource enhancement, increased solution quality, and trust‐building.
Employing radiography (X‐rays) to localize lesions in human skeletal remains from past populations to allow accurate biopsy, using examples of cancer metastases
Authors: Mitchell Piers D. , Dittmar Jenna M.
Published: January 2022

Clinical research into biomolecules from infectious diseases and cancers has advanced rapidly in recent years, with two key areas being DNA analysis and proteomics. If we wish to understand important diseases and their associated biomolecules in past populations, techniques are required that will allow accurate biopsy of lesions in excavated human skeletal remains. While locating lesions visible on the surface of a bone is simple, many lesions such as cancer metastases are located in the medulla of bones, unseen on visual inspection. Here, we use two novel image guided techniques to investigate how plain radiographs may improve accuracy in the localization of lesions within bones from medieval individuals. While both techniques were effective, we found the grid technique required fewer radiographs than the pointer technique to employ and so was responsible for a lower overall radiation dose. We then discuss methods available for biopsy in archeological bone and how the optimal location for the biopsy of malignant lesions will vary depending upon whether the tumor is blastic or lytic in nature. Limitations of this X‐ray guided approach include that not all cancer metastases are visible on plain radiographs, as erosion of cortical bone is frequently required for visualization of lytic metastases using this imaging modality.
Thin and efficient EMI shielding materials from binary thermoplastic blend nanocomposites
Authors: Kunjappan Aswathi Madathinal , Reghunadhan Arunima , Ramachandran Ajitha A. , Mathew Lovely , Padmanabhan Moothetty , Laroze David , Thomas Sabu
Published: January 2022

EMI shielding materials and related research are of very relevance in this era of electronic gadgets. Here this report presents a binary thermoplastic blend nanocomposite system comprising poly‐(trimethylene terephthalate) and polyethene compatibilized with multiwalled carbon nanotubes, which are showing superior electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding compared to similar systems. The blend composition with a 90/10 ratio of PTT/PE was showing the optimum properties when a MWCNT concentration of 1 wt% was incorporated. The compatibilization efficacy was analyzed and confirmed through scanning and tunneling electron microscopes. The MWCNTs are preferably localized in the PTT phase. The blend system provides an electrical percolation threshold of 0.19 wt% due to the double percolating effect of the blend system and MWCNT in the PTT phase. It was observed that the EMI shielding value shows a corresponding increase with MWCNT loadings. The most favorable value obtained for EMI shielding effectiveness was ~32 dB and it was with 3 wt% MWCNT of film thickness 2 mm in range of frequency 2–4 GHz. The PTT/PE/MWCNT system was not considered for EMI applications anywhere else. The theoretical support of the experimental data was examined for DC conductivity employing different models such as Voet, Bueche, and Scarisbrick and the actual contribution of reflection, absorption, transmission loss to the total EMI shielding was done with Power balance. The present work is a facile and cost‐effective method to fabricate lightweight and materials with high EMI shielding properties for mobile phones.
Coconut waste fiber used as brake pad reinforcement polymer composite and compared to standard Kevlar‐based brake pads to produce an asbestos free brake friction material
Authors: Ali Sarafat , Kumar Naresh , Grewal Jasmaninder Singh Grewal , Thakur Vikas , Chau Kwok Wing , Kumar Mukesh
Published: January 2022

The awareness of eco‐friendly materials has increased the demand for natural fibers. Natural fibers have many advantages over other materials like short growing time, easy availability, cheap, and eco‐friendly with good mechanical properties. WHO has announced that trending materials have many side effects on the environment and on human beings. Asbestos has been already a proven cause of many cancers. In this research Coconut fiber, a natural fiber has been used in the brake pad as a brake friction material. The different percentage of Coconut fiber 2‐8  wt% was used to develop new brake pad samples and that compared to standard brake pad material (Kevlar with 2%–4%). The results of physic‐mechanical properties reveal that tensile modulus, ultimate compressive strength, impact energy, and flexural strength were showing good performance at 2% polymer composites matrix, and ultimate tensile strength, shear strength, and proof showing good performance at 6% fibers contents in brake pad composites. Thermal stability for Coconut fiber fibers composites increases with increases the fiber contents.
Revisiting Zeta Potential, the Key Feature of Interfacial Phenomena, with Applications and Recent Advancements
Authors: Kamble Shashikant , Agrawal Santosh , Cherumukkil Sandeep , Sharma Vipul , Jasra Raksh Vir , Munshi Pradip
Published: January 2022

Surface of a particle is inevitably charged. When the particle is surrounded by a fluid a potential difference arises between the surface and bulk, called zeta potential (ζ) which controls many interfacial properties of the particle involving in suspension, emulsion, colloid etc. Many phenomena happening around us have at least one step that passes through an interface. Thus, the application of ζ is practically uncountable. Discovered in late 19th century, almost past 120 years, the application of ζ has emerged in many areas to meet the fruitful need of mankind. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no report disclosed citing the applications at one place as a ready tool for the readers. The present review accumulates extensive survey of literature, bringing out various aspects of ζ in chemistry, engineering, biology, material, and environmental sciences. A brief theoretical background mentioning the principle and practical applications were focused.
Paclitaxel Delivery by Cationic Gelatin Nanoparticles
Authors: Gülsu Aydan , Kıllı Büşra , Alper Mehlika
Published: January 2022

Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles have gained importance since they improve the therapeutic value of various water insoluble drugs and bioactive molecules by improving bioavailability, solubility and retention time. Nanosized drug delivery systems provide enhanced pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic control compared to free drugs. In this study, cationic gelatin nanoparticles were first prepared by the two step desolvation method and then their in vitro Paclitaxel (Ptx) delivery ability was evaluated. Resulting nanoparticles were analyzed for their in vitro cytotoxic effect in two different cell lines. The experimental results showed that spherical gelatin nanoparticles had a zeta potential of approximately +15.5 mV and the average size of the particles was 10.3±0.42 nm. Ptx release from gelatin nanoparticles exhibited an initial burst release followed by diffusion of the drug in a sustained manner and finally polymer erosion occured up to 38 days. In vitro cell viabilitiy analysis showed that Ptx loaded gelatin nanoparticles inhibited the growth of A549 and HT29 cells more effectively than the free drug. Based on these findings, it can be stated that cationic gelatin nanoparticles may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of many cancers.
Synthesis of homo‐ and copolymers of para‐diethynylbenzene in the presence of the cobalt carbonyl ‐ diphenylbutadiyne complex
Authors: Misin Vyacheslav M. , Maltseva Irina E. , Maltsev Alexander A.
Published: January 2022

Homopolymerization of para‐diethynylbenzene and its copolymerization with 1,4‐diphenylbutadiyne (DPDA) in a boiling solution using carbonyl cobalt‐DPDA complex as a catalyst leads to the formation of weakly branched polymers with high thermal‐oxidative stability.
Effects of Needle Coke Conductive Additive on the Performance of Graphite/Resin Composite Plates
Authors: Wang Xiaocan , Liu Chen , Wu Lin , Zou Yanhong , Yang Li
Published: January 2022

In this manuscript, the graphite/resin composite plates were prepared via a facile ball milling strategy. The needle coke (NC) as a conductive additive was studied on effects of treated by ball milling on the electrical conductivity, mechanical property of the composite plates. All the characterizations showed that after ball milling, the NC particles have smaller particle size, and more uniform particle size distribution, which enhanced the interfacial adhesion between particles and resin. Due to the difference in shape and size between the auxiliary conductive filler and flake graphite, the addition of NC particles can easily fill the gap between flake‐like graphite and phenolic resin. The uniform distribution of these fillers improves the cross‐linking density, and the conductive path was added between the flake‐like graphite and the resin, which improved the electric conductivity of composit plate from 26.32 S cm−1 to 149.23 S cm−1. Such a prominent performance was attributed to the synergistic effects between the uniformly incorporated NC and the graphite/resin composite adhesive system.
Fe(III)‐Based Layered Double Hydroxides Carrying Model Naproxenate Anions: Compositional and Structural Aspects
Authors: Figueiredo Mariana Pires , Cunha Vanessa R. R. , Cellier Joel , Taviot‐Gueho Christine , Constantino Vera R. L.
Published: January 2022

In this work, Al cation was gradually replaced by FeIII in the composition of Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH) and systematically investigated for LDH application as drug carriers, ultimate aiming to improve their biointegration. The incorporation of FeIII into LDH layers, as well the intercalation of organic anions in the iron‐based materials, is challenging. Several studies approach the intercalation of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs such as anionic naproxen (NAP) into Al‐LDH. Thus, NAP was applied here as a model drug for the study of compositional and structural aspects of novel FeIII‐LDH carriers envisaging to shed light on the intercalation of other carboxylate drugs into these materials. LDH of general [M2FeyAl(1‐y)(OH)6]An− compositions (MII=Mg or Zn; An−=anion of charge n) were investigated using two synthetic methods for NAP intercalation. Full X‐ray diffraction profile refinement and a crystal‐geometrical reasoning were used to strengthen the results interpretation. Unlike coprecipitation, in which probably NAP complexation with FeIII hinders LDH‐NAP self‐assembling, topotactic ion exchange demonstrated to be a potential approach.
Highly Flexible and Durable Thermoelectric Power Generator Using CNT/PDMS Foam by Rapid Solvent Evaporation
Authors: Kang Young Hun , Bae Eun Jin , Lee Min‐Hye , Han Mijeong , Kim Bumjoon J. , Cho Song Yun
Published: January 2022

Using a simple, rapid solvent evaporation process, the authors produced 3D carbon nanotube (CNT)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) foams with both high thermoelectric (TE) and good mechanical performance and used them to fabricate highly flexible and durable TE generators. The numerous pores and interfaces in the CNT/PDMS foams, which have porosities exceeding 87%, afford very low thermal conductivity of 0.13 W m−1 K−1. The foam has a zT value of 6.6 × 10−3, which is twice as high as that of pristine CNT foam. Importantly, the CNT/PDMS foam exhibits good tensile strength of 0.78 MPa, elongation greater than 20%, and excellent resilience even at compressive strain of 80%. This foam is used to fabricate a highly flexible TE foam generator that exhibits a moderate output power of 1.9 µW generated from the large temperature gradient of 18.1 K produced by applied heat. The authors also demonstrate a practical TE foam generator that produces sustainable output power of 3.1 µW under a compressive strain of 80% and 38.2 nW under the continuous vibrational stress produced by a car engine. The TE foam generator also exhibits excellent stability and durability under cyclic bending and harsh vibrational stress.
Passive Radiative Cooling Enables Improved Performance in Wearable Thermoelectric Generators
Authors: Liu Yijie , Hou Shuaihang , Wang Xiaodong , Yin Li , Wu Zuoxu , Wang Xinyu , Mao Jun , Sui Jiehe , Liu Xingjun , Zhang Qian , Liu Zhiguo , Cao Feng
Published: January 2022

Wearable thermoelectric generators have great potential to be utilized as the power supply for wearable electronics. However, the limited temperature difference across the thermoelectric generators significantly degrades the output performance, which is anticipated to be improved by enhancing the thermal radiation at the cold side without extra energy consumption. In this paper, the impact of thermal radiation on the performance of thermoelectric generators in different environments is simulated and the enhanced performance in a wearable thermoelectric generator combined with a radiative cooling coating is experimentally verified. Compared with the pristine device, the wearable thermoelectric generator with radiative cooling coating can not only achieve an ≈128% improvement of output power in exposed environments, but also exhibit an ≈96% improvement of output power in non‐exposed environments. The indoor output performance of the wearable thermoelectric generator with a radiative cooling coating due to its stable voltage output is extensively investigated, which shows an output power density of ≈5.5 μW cm–2 at the indoor temperature of 295 K, doubled that without a radiative cooling coating. This work paves a new way for further enhancing the performance of thermoelectric generators via passive radiative cooling.
1,8‐Octanediamine Dihydroiodide‐Mediated Grain Boundary and Interface Passivation in Two‐Step‐Processed Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Heng , Qi Xingnan , Wang Jiantao , Zhang Weihai , Xia Yu , Shi Yueqing , Chen Rui , Wang Hsing-Lin
Published: January 2022

Two‐step‐processed perovskite solar cells show superior reproducibility in terms of stepwise crystallization management. However, the device performance is limited due to the buried‐interface defects that are highly dependent on the diffusion process of organic salts into PbI2. Herein, 1,8‐octanediamine dihydroiodide (ODADI) is adopted to develop an alkylammonium predeposition strategy for the high‐quality perovskite film. It is found that the pre‐deposited ODADI layer not only facilitates the diffusion of organic salts via interaction with PbI2, but also passivates the buried‐interface defects, resulting in a perovskite film with low defect density, high crystallinity, and superior electronic properties. Consequently, the fabricated devices deliver a significant enhancement on power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 19.87 to 22.07%. In addition, a superior long‐term stability in glovebox atmosphere, maintaining 96% of the initial PCE after 1000 h, is demonstrated.
A systems view of responding to the COVID‐19 pandemic: A causal loop model for Taiwan's approach
Authors: Hsiao Chih‐Tung , Chen Chun‐Cheng , Lin Lee‐Kai , Liu Chung‐Shu
Published: January 2022

Since the worldwide outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic in December 2019, Taiwan has successfully stopped the spread of COVID‐19. The policies and works of the epidemic control are a complex and dynamic process. This study applied the methodology of system dynamics to explore the structure of the COVID‐19 epidemic control system in Taiwan and analysed its system behaviours. The results show that the system is composed of key subsystems, such as national health insurance and quarantine, combined with government policies. Joint efforts among the central and local governments and the general public have been made to strengthen the quarantine of border entrants, encourage the public to wear masks and employ technology for contact tracing and tracking down those being tested positive with COVID‐19. Together with the efficient increase in the capacity of testing and medical treatments, these measures can effectively reach a balance between epidemic control and economic activities.
Safety of jidabokuippo administration based on adverse event rate
Authors: Kitamura Toshiharu , Nakae Hajime , Irie Yasuhito , Satoh Kasumi , Hirasawa Nobuhisa , Kameyama Koumei , Suzuki Yuya , Maeno Kyohei , Yoshida Kenji , Okuyama Manabu
Published: January 2022

Aim

The incidence of adverse events associated with Kampo prescriptions is still unclear. We retrospectively studied the adverse events in 1104 patients prescribed jidabokuippo (JDI) to examine the safety of JDI based on adverse event rate.

Methods

Adverse events to JDI treatment were observed in 14 patients (adverse event group) while 1090 had none (non‐adverse event group). We compared age, sex, comorbidity, dose, dosing period, concomitant use of Kampo prescription, and concomitant use of analgesics between these two groups.

Results

The adverse event rate was 1.3%. The most common adverse event was diarrhea caused by rhubarb rhizome (0.6%). The adverse event rate of Glycyrrhiza‐induced pseudoaldosteronism was 0.3%. All symptoms improved on JDI withdrawal or taking JDI after meals. Median duration of JDI was significantly shorter in the adverse event group than in the non‐adverse event group (P = 0.0141).

Conclusion

The adverse event rate associated with JDI use was low and onset was relatively rapid. We can further reduce this adverse event rate by paying attention to the pharmacological action of rhubarb rhizome and Glycyrrhiza root.
Understand microcredentials and how to implement them
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: January 2022

AVENTURA, Fla. — There are a lot of reasons you might want your institution to consider offering microcredentials. They can help your institution attract learners,  broaden its reach, and promote its brand and reputation, said Kristi Wold‐ McCormick, Assistant Vice Provost and University Registrar at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Association of ophthalmic artery Doppler and maternal cardiac changes in preclinical stage of pre‐eclampsia: hemodynamic relationship
Authors: Gonser M. , Vonzun L. , Ochsenbein‐Kölble N.
Published: January 2022

Linked article: This Correspondence comments on Gibbone et al. Click here to view the article.
The role of gut microbiota in infectious diseases
Authors: Cai Yongjie , Chen Lingming , Zhang Sien , Zeng Lingchan , Zeng Gucheng
Published: January 2022

The intestine, the largest immune organ in the human body, harbors approximately 1013 microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other unknown microbes. The intestine is a most important crosstalk anatomic structure between the first (the host) and second (the microorganisms) genomes. The imbalance of the intestinal microecology, especially dysbiosis of the composition, structure, and function of gut microbiota, is linked to human diseases. In this review, we investigated the roles and underlying mechanisms of gut microecology in the development, progression, and prognosis of infectious diseases. Furthermore, we discussed potential new strategies of prevention and treatment for infectious diseases based on manipulating the composition, structure, and function of intestinal microorganisms in the future.

This article is categorized under:

Infectious Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Identification of QTLs affecting post-anthesis heat stress responses in European bread wheat
Authors: Touzy Gaëtan , Lafarge Stéphane , Redondo Elise , Lievin Vincent , Decoopman Xavier , Le Gouis Jacques , Praud Sébastien
Published: January 2022

Key message

The response of a large panel of European elite wheat varieties to post-anthesis heat stress is influenced by 17 QTL linked to grain weight or the stay-green phenotype.

Heat stress is a critical abiotic stress for winter bread wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) especially at the flowering and grain filling stages, limiting its growth and productivity in Europe and elsewhere. The breeding of new high-yield and stress-tolerant wheat varieties requires improved understanding of the physiological and genetic bases of heat tolerance. To identify genomic areas associated with plant and grain characteristics under heat stress, a panel of elite European wheat varieties (N = 199) was evaluated under controlled conditions in 2016 and 2017. A split-plot design was used to test the effects of high temperature for ten days after flowering. Flowering time, leaf chlorophyll content, the number of productive spikes, grain number, grain weight and grain size were measured, and the senescence process was modeled. Using genotyping data from a 280 K SNP chip, a genome-wide association study was carried out to test the main effect of each SNP and the effect of SNP × treatment interaction. Genotype × treatment interactions were mainly observed for grain traits measured on the main shoots and tillers. We identified 10 QTLs associated with the main effect of at least one trait and seven QTLs associated with the response to post-anthesis heat stress. Of these, two main QTLs associated with the heat tolerance of thousand-kernel weight were identified on chromosomes 4B and 6B. These QTLs will be useful for breeders to improve grain yield in environments where terminal heat stress is likely to occur.
Veränderungen der Kontextfaktoren und deren Auswirkungen auf die Arzt-Patient-Beziehung
Authors: Steinmair D. , Ronge-Toloraya A. , Löffler-Stastka H.
Published: January 2022

Therapeutisches Wirken wird durch begünstigende Kontextfaktoren erleichtert, wobei therapeutische Interventionen gleichzeitig Anregung sein können, Kontextfaktoren zu verändern. Kommunikation und Therapie werden durch eine gute therapeutische Beziehung erst ermöglicht, vor allem unter erschwerten inneren und äußeren Bedingungen.
Students home alone—profiles of internal and external conditions associated with mathematics learning from home
Authors: Hofer Sarah I. , Reinhold Frank , Koch Marco
Published: January 2022

Abstracts

This study aims at describing differences in internal and external resources of students to handle mathematics learning from home. Based on data from N = 223 7th-grade secondary school students gathered via an online survey at the end of the first school year during the COVID-19 pandemic, we used latent profile analysis to identify student profiles defined by the internal factors perceived value and success of students’ math learning from home and the external factors family support and teacher support—all specifically related to home learning. A number of general learning conditions, comprising internal (e.g., sustained attention) and external factors (e.g., socioeconomic status), are included as outcome variables. The best-fitting four-profile solution suggests one profile with comparably unfavorable internal and external resources. About 35% of the students are assigned to that profile. The other three profiles show combinations of, relative to the sample, more and less promising specific home learning and general learning conditions suggesting that these students have different resources available in the face of learning mathematics from home.
Modeling of nursing care-associated airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a real-world hospital setting
Authors: Nagy Attila , Horváth Alpár , Farkas Árpád , Füri Péter , Erdélyi Tamás , Madas Balázs G. , Czitrovszky Aladár , Merkely Béla , Szabó Attila , Ungvári Zoltán , Müller Veronika
Published: January 2022

Respiratory transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from one older patient to another by airborne mechanisms in hospital and nursing home settings represents an important health challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the factors that influence the concentration of respiratory droplets and aerosols that potentially contribute to hospital- and nursing care-associated transmission of SARS-CoV-2 are not well understood. To assess the effect of health care professional (HCP) and patient activity on size and concentration of airborne particles, an optical particle counter was placed (for 24 h) in the head position of an empty bed in the hospital room of a patient admitted from the nursing home with confirmed COVID-19. The type and duration of the activity, as well as the number of HCPs providing patient care, were recorded. Concentration changes associated with specific activities were determined, and airway deposition modeling was performed using these data. Thirty-one activities were recorded, and six representative ones were selected for deposition modeling, including patient’s activities (coughing, movements, etc.), diagnostic and therapeutic interventions (e.g., diagnostic tests and drug administration), as well as nursing patient care (e.g., bedding and hygiene). The increase in particle concentration of all sizes was sensitive to the type of activity. Increases in supermicron particle concentration were associated with the number of HCPs (r = 0.66; p < 0.05) and the duration of activity (r = 0.82; p < 0.05), while submicron particles increased with all activities, mainly during the daytime. Based on simulations, the number of particles deposited in unit time was the highest in the acinar region, while deposition density rate (number/cm2/min) was the highest in the upper airways. In conclusion, even short periods of HCP-patient interaction and minimal patient activity in a hospital room or nursing home bedroom may significantly increase the concentration of submicron particles mainly depositing in the acinar regions, while mainly nursing activities increase the concentration of supermicron particles depositing in larger airways of the adjacent bed patient. Our data emphasize the need for effective interventions to limit hospital- and nursing care-associated transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens (including viral pathogens, such as rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus and adenoviruses, and bacterial and fungal pathogens).
Cancerous Inhibitor of Protein Phosphatase 2A (CIP2A): Could It Be a Promising Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Parkinson’s Disease?
Authors: Yin Sijia , Han Chao , Xia Yun , Wan Fang , Hu Junjie , Kou Liang , Sun Yadi , Wu Jiawei , Li Yunna , Zhou Qiulu , Xiong Nian , Huang Jinsha , Wang Tao
Published: January 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease characterized by aggregation of pathological alpha-synuclein (α-syn) and loss of dopaminergic neuron in the substantia nigra. Inhibition of phosphorylation of the α-syn has been shown to mediate alleviation of PD-related pathology. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), an important serine/threonine phosphatase, plays an essential role in catalyzing dephosphorylation of the α-syn. Here, we identified and validated cancerous inhibitor of PP2A (CIP2A), as a potential diagnostic biomarker for PD. Our data showed that plasma CIP2A concentrations in PD patients were significantly lower compared to age- and sex-matched controls, 1.721 (1.435–2.428) ng/ml vs 3.051(2.36–5.475) ng/ml, p < 0.0001. The area under the curve of the plasma CIP2A in distinguishing PD from the age- and sex-matched controls was 0.776. In addition, we evaluated the role of CIP2A in PD-related pathogenesis in PD cellular and MPTP-induced mouse model. The results demonstrated that CIP2A is upregulated in PD cellular and MPTP-induced mouse models. Besides, suppression of the CIP2A expression alleviates rotenone induced aggregation of the α-syn as well as phosphorylation of the α-syn in SH-SY5Y cells, which is associated with increased PP2A activity. Taken together, our data demonstrated that CIP2A plays an essential role in the mechanisms related to PD development and might be a novel PD biomarker.
Prävention und Ungewissheiten des Aufwachsens von Kindern
Authors: Schmidt Friederike
Published: January 2022

Präventive Versuche der Reduktion von Ungewissheiten haben in den letzten Jahrzehnten an Bedeutung gewonnen. Das Beispiel der Ernährungsprävention zeigt, dass zunehmend in der frühesten Lebensphase von Kindern angesetzt wird. Darüber gewinnen biographisch frühe Versuche der Normalisierung von Subjekten und deren Lebensführung an Relevanz.
Backbone chemical shift assignment and dynamics of the N-terminal domain of ClpB from Francisella tularensis type VI secretion system
Authors: Mushtaq Ameeq Ul , Ådén Jörgen , Alam Athar , Sjöstedt Anders , Gröbner Gerhard
Published: January 2022

The Hsp100 family member ClpB is a protein disaggregase which solubilizes and reactivates stress-induced protein aggregates in cooperation with the DnaK/Hsp70 chaperone system. In the pathogenic bacterium Francisella tularensis, ClpB is involved in type VI secretion system (T6SS) disassembly through depolymerization of the IglA-IglB sheath. This leads to recycling and reassembly of T6SS components and this process is essential for the virulence of the bacterium. Here we report the backbone chemical shift assignments and 15N relaxation-based backbone dynamics of the N-terminal substrate-binding domain of ClpB (1-156).
Backbone NMR assignment of the nucleotide binding domain of the Bacillus subtilis ABC multidrug transporter BmrA in the post-hydrolysis state
Authors: Pérez Carrillo Victor Hugo , Rose-Sperling Dania , Tran Mai Anh , Wiedemann Christoph , Hellmich Ute A.
Published: January 2022

ATP binding cassette (ABC) proteins are present in all phyla of life and form one of the largest protein families. The Bacillus subtilis ABC transporter BmrA is a functional homodimer that can extrude many different harmful compounds out of the cell. Each BmrA monomer is composed of a transmembrane domain (TMD) and a nucleotide binding domain (NBD). While the TMDs of ABC transporters are sequentially diverse, the highly conserved NBDs harbor distinctive conserved motifs that enable nucleotide binding and hydrolysis, interdomain communication and that mark a protein as a member of the ABC superfamily. In the catalytic cycle of an ABC transporter, the NBDs function as the molecular motor that fuels substrate translocation across the membrane via the TMDs and are thus pivotal for the entire transport process. For a better understanding of the structural and dynamic consequences of nucleotide interactions within the NBD at atomic resolution, we determined the 1H, 13C and 15N backbone chemical shift assignments of the 259 amino acid wildtype BmrA-NBD in its post-hydrolytic, ADP-bound state.