bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward the next generation of vascularized human neural organoids
Authors: Li Minghui , Gao Lixiong , Zhao Ling , Zou Ting , Xu Haiwei
Published: August 2022

Thanks to progress in the development of three‐dimensional (3D) culture technologies, human central nervous system (CNS) development and diseases have been gradually deciphered by using organoids derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Selforganized neural organoids (NOs) have been used to mimic morphogenesis and functions of specific organs in vitro. Many NOs have been reproduced in vitro, such as those mimicking the human brain, retina, and spinal cord. However, NOs fail to capitulate to the maturation and complexity of in vivo neural tissues. The persistent issues with current NO cultivation protocols are inadequate oxygen supply and nutrient diffusion due to the absence of vascular networks. In vivo, the developing CNS is interpenetrated by vasculature that not only supplies oxygen and nutrients but also provides a structural template for neuronal growth. To address these deficiencies, recent studies have begun to couple NO culture with bioengineering techniques and methodologies, including genetic engineering, coculture, multidifferentiation, microfluidics and 3D bioprinting, and transplantation, which might promote NO maturation and create more functional NOs. These cutting‐edge methods could generate an ever more reliable NO model in vitro for deciphering the codes of human CNS development, disease progression, and translational application. In this review, we will summarize recent technological advances in culture strategies to generate vascularized NOs (vNOs), with a special focus on cerebral‐ and retinal‐organoid models.
Inpainting the metal artifact region in MRI images by using generative adversarial networks with gated convolution
Authors: Xie Kai , Gao Liugang , Lu Zhengda , Li Chunying , Xi Qianyi , Zhang Fan , Sun Jiawei , Lin Tao , Sui Jianfeng , Ni Xinye
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important role in clinical diagnosis, but it is susceptible to metal artifacts. The generative adversarial network GatedConv with gated convolution (GC) and contextual attention (CA) was used to inpaint the metal artifact region in MRI images.

Methods

MRI images containing or near the teeth of 70 patients were collected, and the scanning sequence was a T1‐weighted high‐resolution isotropic volume examination sequence. A total of 10 000 slices were obtained after data enhancement, of which 8000 slices were used for training. MRI images were normalized to [−1,1]. Based on the randomly generated mask, U‐Net, pix2pix, PConv with partial convolution, and GatedConv were used to inpaint the artifact region of MRI images. The mean absolute error (MAE) and peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR) for the mask were used to compare the results of these methods. The inpainting effect on the test dataset using dental masks was also evaluated. Besides, the artifact area of clinical MRI images was inpainted based on the mask sketched by physicians. Finally, the earring artifacts and artifacts caused by abnormal signal foci were inpainted to verify the generalization of the models.

Results

GatedConv could directly and effectively inpaint the incomplete MRI images generated by masks in the image domain. For the results of U‐Net, pix2pix, PConv, and GatedConv, the masked MAEs were 0.1638, 0.1812, 0.1688, and 0.1596, respectively, and the masked PSNRs were 18.2136, 17.5692, 18.2258, and 18.3035 dB, respectively. Using dental masks, the results of U‐Net, pix2pix, and PConv differed more from the real images in terms of alveolar shape and surrounding tissue compared with GatedConv. GatedConv could inpaint the metal artifact region in clinical MRI images more effectively than the other models, but the increase in the mask area could reduce the inpainting effect. Inpainted MRI images by GatedConv and CT images with metal artifact reduction coincided with alveolar and tissue structure, and GatedConv could successfully inpaint artifacts caused by abnormal signal foci, whereas the other models failed. The ablation study demonstrated that GC and CA increased the reliability of the inpainting performance of GatedConv.

Conclusion

MRI images are affected by metal, and signal void areas appear near metal. GatedConv can inpaint the MRI metal artifact region in the image domain directly and effectively and improve image quality. Medical image inpainting by GatedConv has potential value for tasks, such as positron emission tomography (PET) attenuation correction in PET/MRI and adaptive radiotherapy of synthetic CT based on MRI.
Treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Authors: Allen Jeffrey A. , Lewis Richard A.
Published: August 2022

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a chronic peripheral polyneuropathy that results in disability through immune‐mediated nerve injury, but which not uncommonly has residual and irreversible neurological deficits after the active inflammatory component of the disorder has been treated. Management of the condition entails addressing both the abnormal immune activity that drives ongoing or active deficits while also managing residual symptoms through supportive interventions. Immune‐based treatments are grounded in several important principles. First, early treatment is guided by evidence‐based, proven‐effective therapies that sequentially escalate depending on the response. Second, optimization or personalization of first‐line treatments is needed to understand the ideal dose for any given patient, and whether long‐term treatment is needed at all. Third, although many immunosuppressive agents may be utilized in nonresponding patients or when intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg)/corticosteroid‐sparing intervention is desired, all are unproven and require a delicate balance between risk, cost, and unknown likelihood of benefit that is tailored to each individual patient's unique circumstances. There is no reliable disease activity biomarker that can be used to guide treatment‐‐‐a reality that makes it very challenging to optimize treatment to individual patient needs. Serial clinical assessments are key to understanding the value of continued immunotherapy or if long‐term therapy is needed at all. Regardless of the immunotherapy status of a patient, equally important is addressing residual deficits through supportive interventions, including physical therapy, adaptive equipment, pain management, and emotional support.
ROS‐scavenging and antimicrobial polysaccharide hydrogel for methicillin‐resistant staphylococcus aureus‐infected diabetic wound healing
Authors: Liu Wenshuai , Jia Litao , Zhao Sichun , Ma Yue , Liu Siyu , Wang Qian , Lv Xiaoyan , Jiang Haiyue , Liu Xia
Published: August 2022

Bacterial infection can cause delay in wound healing, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was accumulated in wounds, which threaten patients’ lives. Therefore, it needs to develop a multifunctional hydrogel for infected wound healing. Here, a multifunctional QAS‐CS@GA‐GM hydrogel with antibacterial and antioxidant property, established by the self‐adaptive covalent bond, is prepared aiming to eradicate bacteria and eliminate ROS. It is observed that QAS‐CS@GA‐GM hydrogel displays remarkable ability of clearing ROS and killing bacteria in vitro. With its antibacterial and antioxidant activity, QAS‐CS@GA‐GM hydrogel significantly accelerates the MRSA‐infected wound closure and reduces inflammatory, when QAS‐CS@GA‐GM hydrogel was applied to wound sites. Collectively, the research suggests that a self‐adaptive QAS‐CS@GA‐GM hydrogel is a promising wound dressing as antibacterial and ROS‐scavenging dressing for bacterial‐infected wound.
Nelarabine, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide in relapsed pediatric T‐acute lymphoblastic leukemia and T‐lymphoblastic lymphoma (study T2008‐002 NECTAR)
Authors: Whitlock James A. , Malvar Jemily , Dalla‐Pozza Luciano , Goldberg John M. , Silverman Lewis B. , Ziegler David S. , Attarbaschi Andishe , Brown Patrick A. , Gardner Rebecca A. , Gaynon Paul S. , Hutchinson Raymond , Huynh Van T. , Jeha Sima , Marcus Leigh , Messinger Yoav , Schultz Kirk R. , Cassar Jeannette , Locatelli Franco , Zwaan C. Michel , Wood Brent L. , Sposto Richard , Gore Lia
Published: August 2022

Children with relapse of T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T‐ALL) or lymphoblastic lymphoma (T‐LBL) have a dismal prognosis, largely due to difficulty attaining second remission. We hypothesized that adding etoposide and cyclophosphamide to the nucleoside analog nelarabine could improve response rates over single‐agent nelarabine for relapsed T‐ALL and T‐LBL. This phase I dose‐escalation trial's primary objective was to evaluate the dose and safety of nelarabine given in combination with etoposide at 100 mg/m2/day and cyclophosphamide at 330–400 mg/m2/day, each for 5 consecutive days in children with either T‐ALL (13 patients) or T‐LBL (10 patients). Twenty‐three patients were treated at three dose levels; 21 were evaluable for dose‐limiting toxicities (DLT) and response. The recommended phase II doses (RP2D) for this regimen, when given daily ×5 every 3 weeks, were nelarabine 650 mg/m2/day, etoposide 100 mg/m2/day, and cyclophosphamide 400 mg/m2/day. DLTs included peripheral motor and sensory neuropathies. An expansion cohort to evaluate responses at the RP2D was terminated early due to slow accrual. The overall best response rate was 38% (8/21), with 33% (4/12) responses in the T‐ALL cohort and 44% (4/9) responses in the T‐LBL cohort. These response rates are comparable to those seen with single‐agent nelarabine in this setting. These data suggest that the addition of cyclophosphamide and etoposide to nelarabine does not increase the incidence of neurologic toxicities or the response rate beyond that obtained with single‐agent nelarabine in children with first relapse of T‐ALL and T‐LBL.
Low‐dose proton radiotherapy for pediatric choroidal hemangioma: A case series
Authors: Franco Jovany J. , Liu Kevin X. , Ioakeim‐Ioannidou Myrsini , Davila Jose R. , Chen Yen‐Lin , Kim Ivana K. , Gragoudas Evangelos S. , Mukai Shizuo , MacDonald Shannon M.
Published: August 2022

Management of pediatric choroidal hemangioma complicated by large exudative retinal detachment can be challenging, with few options available. Limited data have been published on outcomes following proton radiotherapy (PRT) for management of these patients. In this retrospective case series, nine patients were treated with a low‐dose PRT regimen of 20 Gy(relative biological effectiveness [RBE]) in 10 fractions, and two were treated with 15 Gy(RBE) in four fractions. Visual acuity improved in seven patients (64%) and remained stable in the remaining four (36%). In patients with imaging follow‐up (10 patients), subretinal fluid resolved in nine patients (90%) and tumor thickness decreased or remained stable in 10 (100%). Complications were observed in eight of 11 patients (73%). One patient developed grade 2 cataract; otherwise, no grade ≥2 complications were observed.
The role of clinical and Personological features in predicting high lethality suicide attempts: A study among mood disorder patients
Authors: Borroni Serena , Franchini Linda , Brioschi Silvia , Vassena Giulia , Masci Elisabetta , Franzoni Chiara , Ruotolo Giulia , Colombo Cristina , Fossati Andrea
Published: August 2022

Suicidal attempts (SA) represent heterogeneous behaviours ranging in their seriousness from fatal and near‐fatal (high‐lethality) cases to those that do not require medical attention (low lethality). These considerations stress the need to identify high‐risk individuals for high lethality SA in order to target suicide preventive interventions. The present study aims at evaluating the role of sociodemographic and clinical variables and examining personality pathological features in predicting high lethality SA. The sample was composed by 94 patients who were consecutively admitted to the Mood Disorders Unit of the San Raffaele Turro Hospital in Milan. The results of binary logistic regression analyses showed that previous SA and current suicide ideation play a role in predicting serious SA. Considering the DSM‐5 personality dysfunctional domains assessed by the Personality Inventory for DSM‐5, our logistic regression analyses suggested that high lethality SA was associated with Detachment PID‐5 domain. Finally, binary hierarchical regression analysis showed that Detachment domain remained a significant predictor of serious SA over and above the effect of previous SA and suicide ideation. As a whole, our results highlight the importance of a multidimensional approach to develop adequate assessment, effective treatments and prevention of high lethality SA risk.
Do tax policies discriminate against female traders? A gender framework to study informal marketplaces in Nigeria
Authors: Akpan Imaobong , Cascant‐Sempere Mª Josep
Published: August 2022

Scholars have long debated formalizing the informal sector through taxation, but how do these processes affect gender inequalities? Our study in Nigerian markets contributes a gender framework to the equitable taxation literature on formalization. The study draws on a survey of 451 traders in 12 markets, key informant interviews, and ethnographic research in four markets of two states. We find that in at least two situations taxation policies discriminated against women implicitly: (1) male tax collectors had higher incidences of harassment on all traders and (2) taxing traders with flat taxes penalized women, as they earned less than men but were taxed the same.
Atmospheric pressure plasma‐jet treatment of polyacrylonitrile‐nonwovens: Activation leading to high surface area carbon electrodes
Authors: Hoffmann Andreas , Uhl Matthias , Ceblin Maximilian , Bansmann Joachim , Jacob Timo , Kuehne Alexander J. C.
Published: August 2022

Carbon nanofiber nonwovens (CFN) are powerful electrode materials with exceptional performance in energy storage devices, such as batteries and supercapacitors. Small fiber‐diameters together with hierarchical porosity endow CFN‐electrode materials with large surface areas and high electrical capacitance. Porosity of the fiber surface is often realized by corrosive activation methods such as wet‐etching or using oxidative gases at elevated temperatures. In this study, we present a chemical‐free, environmental‐friendly, and easily controllable surface activation method using an atmospheric pressure plasma‐jet. We investigate the best instant for activation along the process chain and show that the surface area of nanofiber nonwovens can be tailored by adjusting the plasma exposure‐dose. Plasma‐activated CFNs show an almost 20‐fold increase in capacitance (CspPJ = 10.1 F/g) in an electrochemical supercapacitor setup compared to nonactivated CFN (CspnoPJ = 0.55 F/g).
Data sharing for conservation: A standardized checklist of US native tree species and threat assessments to prioritize and coordinate action
Authors: Carrero Christina , Beckman Bruns Emily , Frances Anne , Jerome Diana , Knapp Wesley , Meyer Abby , Mims Ray , Pivorunas David , Speed DeQuantarius , Treher Eberly Amanda , Westwood Murphy
Published: August 2022

Societal Impact Statement

Understanding the current state of trees within the United States is imperative for protecting those species, their habitats, and the countless communities they support, as well as the ecosystem services they provide. We present an updated checklist of all tree species native to the contiguous United States, their state distribution, extinction risk, and most common threats. Knowledge of national threat “hotspots” and conservation priorities facilitates efficient conservation efforts and the allocation of resources to safeguard the 11–16% of US tree species that are threatened. These results lay the groundwork for tree and ecosystem conservation efforts in the United States that contribute to achieving critical international conservation goals, including the United Nations Decade for Ecosystem Restoration and the Global Tree Assessment.

The Global Tree Assessment aims to complete threat assessments for all the world's ~60,000 tree species, but most species native to the continental United States had either never been assessed or were outdated on the two most widely used threat assessment platforms in the United States, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and NatureServe. There was also no coordinated mechanism for sharing data between these platforms, resulting in missing, duplicated, or outdated information.

We (1) created an updated checklist of all tree species native to the contiguous United States based on the standardized Global Tree Assessment tree definition, (2) created over 700 new or updated IUCN Red List assessments and NatureServe Global Ranks, and (3) developed a replicable assessment data sharing process.

We present an updated checklist of native US trees that includes 881 species from 269 genera, with Quercus and Crataegus as the most species‐rich tree genera. We present the first country‐wide analysis of tree extinction risk, patterns of geographic and taxonomic diversity, and leading threats. An estimated 11–16% of US tree species are threatened with extinction, with the most common threat being invasive and problematic pests and diseases. We introduce a “crosswalk” process for efficient, large‐scale data sharing between the IUCN Red List and NatureServe, using IUCN Red List Species Information Service (SIS) Connect, which can be applied to other taxonomic groups in North America.

The checklist, threat assessments, and crosswalk methodology represent a significant advancement in prioritizing conservation action for at‐risk tree species and restoration of forests in the United States, supporting the global goals of the United Nations Decade for Ecosystem Restoration and the Global Tree Assessment effort.
Lung structure and function on MRI in preterm born school children with and without BPD: A feasibility study
Authors: Elders Bernadette B. L. J. , Tiddens Harm A. W. M. , Pijnenburg Mariëlle W. H. , Reiss Irwin K. M. , Wielopolski Piotr A. , Ciet Pierluigi
Published: August 2022

Background and Objective

The most common respiratory complication of prematurity is bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), leading to structural lung changes and impaired respiratory outcomes. However, also preterm children without BPD may show similar adverse respiratory outcomes. There is a need for a safe imaging modality for preterm children with and without BPD for disease severity assessment and risk stratification. Our objective was to develop a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol in preterm children with and without BPD at school age.

Methods

Nine healthy volunteers (median age 11.6 [range: 8.8–12.8] years), 11 preterm children with BPD (11.0 [7.2–15.6] years), and 9 without BPD (11.1 [10.7–12.6] years) underwent MRI. Images were scored on hypo‐ and hyperintense abnormalities, bronchopathy, and architectural distortion. MRI data were correlated to spirometry. Ventilation and perfusion defects were analyzed using Fourier Decomposition (FD) MRI.

Results

On MRI, children with BPD had higher %diseased lung (9.1 (interquartile range [IQR] 5.9–11.6)%) compared to preterm children without BPD (3.4 (IQR 2.5–5.4)%, p < 0.001) and healthy volunteers (0.4 (IQR 0.1–0.8)%, p < 0.001). %Diseased lung correlated negatively with %predicted FEV1 (r = −0.40, p = 0.04), FEV1/FVC (r = −0.49, p = 0.009) and FEF75 (r = −0.63, p < 0.001). Ventilation and perfusion defects on FD sequence corresponded to hypointense regions on expiratory MRI.

Conclusion

Chest MRI can identify structural and functional lung damage at school age in preterm children with and without BPD, showing a good correlation with spirometry. We propose MRI as a sensitive and safe imaging method (without ionizing radiation, contrast agents, or the use of anesthesia) for the long‐term follow‐up of preterm children.
Active site center redesign increases protein stability preserving catalysis in thioredoxin
Authors: Romero Maria Luisa , Garcia Seisdedos Hector , Ibarra‐Molero Beatriz
Published: August 2022

The stabilization of natural proteins is a long‐standing desired goal in protein engineering. Optimizing the hydrophobicity of the protein core often results in extensive stability enhancements. However, the presence of totally or partially buried catalytic charged residues, essential for protein function, has limited the applicability of this strategy. Here, focusing on the thioredoxin, we aimed to augment protein stability by removing buried charged residues in the active site without loss of catalytic activity. To this end, we performed a charged‐to‐hydrophobic substitution of a buried and functional group, resulting in a significant stability increase yet abolishing catalytic activity. Then, to simulate the catalytic role of the buried ionizable group, we designed a combinatorial library of variants targeting a set of seven surface residues adjacent to the active site. Notably, more than 50% of the library variants restored, to some extent, the catalytic activity. The combination of experimental study of 2% of the library with the prediction of the whole mutational space by partial least squares regression revealed that a single point mutation at the protein surface is sufficient to fully restore the catalytic activity without thermostability cost. As a result, we engineered one of the highest thermal stabilities reported for a protein with a natural occurring fold (137°C). Further, our hyperstable variant preserves the catalytic activity both in vitro and in vivo.
Baseline sensitivity and control efficacy of a new QiI fungicide, florylpicoxamid, against Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Li Xiong , Yang Jikun , Jiang Qinghong , Tang Lijun , Xue Ziwei , Wang Haihong , Zhao Deyou , Miao Jianqiang , Liu Xili
Published: August 2022

Background

Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea is an airborne plant pathogen with a necrotrophic lifestyle that infects more than 200 crops worldwide. Florylpicoxamid is a second‐generation picolinamide fungicide inspired by a natural product. Florylpicoxamid targets the Qi site of the mitochondrial cytochrome bc1 complex and is currently being registered in China for the control of gray mold in a variety of crops. Although a broad spectrum of activity and attributes have been reported for florylpicoxamid, little is known about its effectiveness against gray mold or its protective and curative properties.

Results

Florylpicoxamid exhibited substantial inhibitory activity against 12 tested species of plant‐pathogenic fungi, with effective concentration for 50% growth inhibition (EC50) values ranging from 0.017 to 2.096 μg ml−1. A total of 129 isolates of B. cinerea from ten regions were tested for their sensitivity to florylpicoxamid, and the mean EC50 value was 0.04 ± 0.017 μg ml−1. Furthermore, florylpicoxamid was observed to substantially inhibit all developmental stages of B. cinerea, with mycelial development, sclerotium germination, germ tube elongation and conidial germination being restrained with an EC50 value of 0.051 ± 0.0072, 0.012 ± 0.0069, 0.019 ± 0.0041 and 0.0062 ± 0.0007 μg ml−1, respectively. No cross‐resistance was observed between florylpicoxamid and quinone outside inhibitor (QoI), methyl benzimidazole carbamates or succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor. Florylpicoxamid also exhibited protective and curative activity against the development of B. cinerea infection in tests on tomato fruits. At application rates of 90, 112.5 and 135 g a.i. ha−1, florylpicoxamid was also observed to provide more‐effective control than boscalid (300 g a.i. ha−1).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the novel fungicide florylpicoxamid exhibits strong inhibitory activity against B. cinerea, regardless of the resistance profiles of those isolates to tested fungicides with different modes of action. This makes florylpicoxamid a powerful new solution to optimize gray mold control and manage fungicide resistance. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Housing characteristics and health in urban China: A comparative study of rural migrants and urban locals
Authors: Zhou Min , Guo Wei
Published: August 2022

China's internal migration has produced a massive population of rural‐to‐urban migrants who face more structural and policy disadvantages in cities, compared with urban locals. The two social groups potentially differ both in their housing characteristics and in the health effects of these housing characteristics. These two differences are fundamentally distinct components that make up the overall impact of housing on health disparity between urban locals and rural‐to‐urban migrants. Using the 2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey data, this study explores the differing connections of housing characteristics and health between the two groups in today's urban China. Overall, housing type and size have greater effects on the health of migrants, whereas housing instability has a greater impact on the health of urban locals. We utilize the Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition method to uncover to what extent the disparity in health between the two groups is due to the difference in their housing characteristics or the difference in the health effect of housing characteristics. In so doing, this study reveals two interrelated but distinct sources of housing‐induced health disparity between urban locals and migrants in urban China.
Optical Emission Spectroscopy Analysis of Microwave Plasma‐Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition Systems Dynamic Gas Response
Authors: Lambert Nicolas , Sung Kil-Dong , Mortet Vincent
Published: August 2022

Microwave plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MWPECVD) is widely used for the growth of synthetic doped diamond for electronic and electrochemical applications. Recent results have shown the possible enhancement of phosphorus incorporation using the pulsed gas injection growth method. It is therefore important to understand the dynamics of precursor gases to optimize the dopants incorporation in diamond. In this work, the dynamic response of different gases (N2, CH4, and O2) impulses in hydrogen plasma is studied in two different MWPECVD reactors: a lab made NIRIM type reactor, and a commercial reactor made by Seki Diamond Systems. These reactors of different volumes are operated at different pressure and total gas flow. The time responses to the precursor gas injection are recorded by optical emission spectroscopy. Experimental time responses are fitted using an impulse response equation. Fitting parameters are extracted and compared for the different reactors, gases, total gas flow, and pressure conditions. The time responses of the different reactors are discussed as a function of their volume and the operating conditions.
Two‐ and three‐dimensional measurements following robotic‐assisted total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Hasegawa Masahiro , Tone Shine , Naito Yohei , Sudo Akihiro
Published: August 2022

Background

The purpose of this study was to compare component alignment using two‐dimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) measurements following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with a new robotic system.

Methods

A total of 38 patients underwent TKA with the robotic system. Cutting errors were measured. Errors in 2D and 3D component alignments from the planned angle, validated cutting angle, and validated implantation angle were calculated. These errors were compared with 2D and 3D measurements.

Results

Cutting errors were below 0.6°, except for femoral sagittal angle (1.0°). Errors in component alignment from the planned and cutting angles were significantly higher in 3D measurements than that in 2D measurements, in the femoral coronal and sagittal planes and tibial coronal planes. Errors in component alignments from implantation showed no differences between the measurements.

Conclusion

The accuracies of component alignment from the planned and cutting angles were better in 3D measurements.
Smart river management: What is next?
Authors: Gourbesville Philippe , Ma Qiang
Published: August 2022

The growing complexity of the competition among uses and the emerging understanding of the synergy effects within the catchments and the rivers have underlined the need for information on various aspects of water: precipitations, discharges, velocities, and water depths are some of the basic characteristics that need to be studied for developing a management strategy that can identify and balance the various uses, ensure conservation of resources, and mitigate the potential effect of extreme events. At present, technical innovation provides the possibility to perform measurements on the field, to produce the needed information, and to move to a new paradigm for the management of rivers. This study analyzes the concept of smart river management that emerged recently with the wide spread of Information Technologies (IT) solutions and development of a new generation of sensors based on internet of things architecture. The analysis demonstrates that a holistic approach is needed for efficient management of rivers. The use of Information and Communication Technologies solutions can provide a real added value, but important efforts must be engaged for identifying key activities in the various domains that can benefit from the digital transformation. At the same time, this study introduces the paradigm of a river information system that encompasses the various activities taking place around the rivers and ensures gradual integration of the various IT components in a consistent environment that provides support to the many users of rivers. To achieve this objective, the current situation requires formalization of a roadmap and the need to address the various activities in a systematic way. Within this long‐term process, the digital twins concept represents a step toward the target water information system and has generated interest among professional communities.
Financial inclusion and trade adjusted carbon emissions: Evaluating the role of environment related taxes employing non‐parametric panel methods
Authors: Xin Na , Xie Zhuoting
Published: August 2022

Trade adjusted or consumption‐based carbon emissions relatively is a new area of research. Trade adjusted carbon emissions is adjusted by deducting exports, adding imports and production based carbon emissions. This measure enables to capture the importance or contribution of international trade to global carbon emissions. This study further highlights each country's contribution to global carbon emissions through trade. This study aims to explore the possible determinants of trade adjusted carbon emissions for group of seven economies from 2000–2020. This study used a novel index for financial inclusion along with the role of environment related taxes and environment related innovation is also tested. The study uses non parametric method of panel data, that is, method of moments quantile regression, along with panel cointegration and diagnostic tests to detect interdependence and heterogeneity in the slop. Moreover, this study also tested the role of exports and imports with GDP for trade adjusted carbon emissions. The empirical findings from this study suggest that exports, environment related innovation and taxes and financial inclusion cause a reduction in trade or consumption‐based carbon emissions. Moreover, both imports and gross domestic product cause an upsurge in consumption or trade adjusted carbon emissions. This study provides practical policy implications in the light of empirical findings related to environment related taxes, financial inclusion, exports, environment related innovations, imports and gross domestic product.
Online two‐way estimation and inference via linear mixed‐effects models
Authors: Luo Lan , Li Lexin
Published: August 2022

In this article, we tackle the estimation and inference problem of analyzing distributed streaming data that is collected continuously over multiple data sites. We propose an online two‐way approach via linear mixed‐effects models. We explicitly model the site‐specific effects as random‐effect terms, and tackle both between‐site heterogeneity and within‐site correlation. We develop an online updating procedure that does not need to re‐access the previous data and can efficiently update the parameter estimate, when either new data sites, or new streams of sample observations of the existing data sites, become available. We derive the non‐asymptotic error bound for our proposed online estimator, and show that it is asymptotically equivalent to the offline counterpart based on all the raw data. We compare with some key alternative solutions both analytically and numerically, and demonstrate the advantages of our proposal. We further illustrate our method with two data applications.
College students' momentary stress and prescription drug misuse in daily life: Testing direct links and the moderating roles of global stress and coping
Authors: Papp Lauren M. , Kouros Chrystyna D. , Armstrong Laurie , Curtin John J.
Published: August 2022

Prior survey‐based research has documented associations between greater levels of stress and increased prescription drug misuse behaviour. These studies uniformly rely on assessments of both the stress experiences and the substance behaviour after they occurred (commonly spanning 6–12 month retrospective timeframes). Less is known about the extent to which variations in momentary stress predict the actual occurrence of prescription misuse in daily life among college students with elevated risk for engaging in the behaviour. In this study, 297 participants (69% females; Mage = 19.5 years, SDage = 0.71) completed a 28‐day ecological momentary assessment procedure that collected self‐reported stress and other contextual experiences in moments preceding prescription drug misuse. Analyses tested the within‐person association between momentary stress and prescription drug misuse and examined the extent to which the relation between stress and misuse was moderated by participants' assigned sex or global stress and coping levels. Results from hierarchical generalised linear modelling indicated a significant within‐person association between momentary stress (i.e., higher than usual relative to one's own mean) and greater likelihood of prescription misuse in daily life, accounting for the number of stressors and timing covariates. No significant moderation by participant sex was found, and moderation effects by global stress and coping levels were not in the expected directions. Direct results highlight the role of momentary stress experiences on health‐relevant substance behaviours and provide future directions for research and applied efforts.
pH‐Universal Catechol‐Amine Chemistry for Versatile Hyaluronic Acid Bioadhesives
Authors: An Soohwan , Jeon Eun Je , Han Seung Yeop , Jeon Jihoon , Lee Mi Jeong , Kim Sooyeon , Shin Mikyung , Cho Seung‐Woo
Published: August 2022

Catechol, a major mussel‐inspired underwater adhesive moiety, has been used to develop functional adhesive hydrogels for biomedical applications. However, oxidative catechol chemistry for interpolymer crosslinking and adhesion is exclusively effective under alkaline conditions, with limited applications in non‐alkaline conditions. To overcome this limitation, pH‐universal catechol–amine chemistry to recapitulate naturally occurring biochemical events induced by pH variation in the mussel foot is suggested. Aldehyde moieties are introduced to hyaluronic acid (HA) by partial oxidation, which enables dual‐mode catechol tethering to the HA via both stable amide and reactive secondary amine bonds. Because of the presence of additional reactive amine groups, the resultant aldehyde‐modified HA conjugated with catechol (AH‐CA) is effectively crosslinked in acidic and neutral pH conditions. The AH‐CA hydrogel exhibits not only fast gelation via active crosslinking regardless of pH conditions, but also strong adhesion and excellent biocompatibility. The hydrogel enables rapid and robust wound sealing and hemostasis in neutral and alkaline conditions. The hydrogel also mediates effective therapeutic stem cell and drug delivery even in dynamic and harsh environments, such as a motile heart and acidic stomach. Therefore, the AH‐CA hydrogel can serve as a versatile biomaterial in a wide range of pH conditions in vivo.
Zirconia‐Platinum Nanohybrids for Ultrasound‐Activated Sonodynamic‐Thermodynamic Bimodal Therapy by Inducing Intense Intracellular Oxidative Stress
Authors: Li Yongcan , Huang Jiansen , Yu Honglian , Zhao Yinmin , Xu Zhigang , Kang Yuejun , Xue Peng
Published: August 2022

The therapeutic exploration of nano‐zirconia semiconductor largely remains untouched in the field of fundamental science to date. Here, a robust nano‐sonosensitizer of ZrO2−x@Pt is strategically formulated by in situ growth of Pt nanocrystal onto the surface of oxygen‐deficient ZrO2−x. Compared to 3.09 eV of nano‐ZrO2−x, the bandgap of ZrO2−x@Pt Schottky junction is narrowed down to 2.74 eV. The band bending and bandgap narrowing enables an enhanced e−/h+ separation in the presence of aPt electron sink, which facilitates a high yield of singlet oxygen (1O2) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH) under ultrasound (US) irradiation. Moreover, nanozyme Pt with catalase‐mimic activity can promote 1O2 generation by relieving the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Upon further modification of 2,2′‐azobis[2‐(2‐imidazolin‐2‐yl)propane] dihydrochloride (AIPH), US‐stimulated local thermal shock can disintegrate AIPH to create cytotoxic alkyl radicals (•R). US‐triggered reactive oxygen species generation and hyperthermia‐induced alkyl radical production lead to severe and irreversible tumor cell death. Such combinatorial sonodynamic‐thermodynamic therapy benefits the tumor eradication and metastasis inhibition at the animal level, with the aid of immunogenetic cell death and immune checkpoint blockade. Taken together, this proof‐of‐concept paradigm expands the medical use of nano‐zirconia and provides useful insights for its therapeutic perspectives.
Coupling Atomically Dispersed Fe–N5 Sites with Defective N‐Doped Carbon Boosts CO2 Electroreduction
Authors: Li Zhao , Jiang Jinxia , Liu Ximeng , Zhu Zhaozhao , Wang Junjie , He Qian , Kong Qingquan , Niu Xiaobin , Chen Jun Song , Wang John , Wu Rui
Published: August 2022

Atomically dispersed iron immobilized on nitrogen‐doped carbon catalyst has attracted enormous attention for CO2 electroreduction, but still suffers from low current density and poor selectivity. Herein, atomically dispersed FeN5 active sites supported on defective N‐doped carbon successfully formed by a multistep thermal treatment strategy with the aid of dicyandiamide are reported. This dual‐functional strategy can not only construct intrinsic carbon defects by selectively etching pyridinic‐N and pyrrolic‐N, but also introduces an additional N from the neighboring carbon layer coordinating to the commonly observed FeN4, thus creating an FeN5 active site supported on defective porous carbon nanofibers (FeN5/DPCF) with a local 3D configuration. The optimized FeN5/DPCF achieves a high CO Faradaic efficiency (>90%) over a wide potential range of −0.4 to −0.6 V versus RHE with a maximal FECO of 93.1%, a high CO partial current density of 9.4 mA cm−2 at the low overpotential of 490 mV, and a remarkable turnover frequency of 2965 h−1. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the synergistic effect between the FeN5 sites and carbon defects can enhance electronic localization, thus reducing the energy barrier for the CO2 reduction reaction and suppressing the hydrogen evolution reaction, giving rise to the superior activity and selectivity.
Fingolimod mitigates synaptic deficits and psychosis‐like behavior in APP/PSEN1 mice
Authors: Krivinko Josh M. , Erickson Susan L. , MacDonald Matthew L. , Garver Megan E. , Sweet Robert A.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Current treatments for psychosis in Alzheimer's disease (AD), a syndrome characterized by more rapid deterioration and reduced synaptic protein abundance relative to non‐psychotic AD, are inadequate. Fingolimod, a currently US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved pharmacotherapy for multiple sclerosis, alters synaptic protein expression and warrants preclinical appraisal as a candidate pharmacotherapy for psychosis in AD.

Methods

Presenilin and amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice (APPswe/PSEN1dE9) and wild‐type mice were randomized to fingolimod or saline for 7 days. Psychosis‐associated behaviors were quantified by open field testing, pre‐pulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response testing, and habituation of the acoustic startle response testing. Synaptic proteins were quantified by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry in homogenate and postsynaptic density fractions.

Results

Fingolimod treatment increased the synaptic protein abundance in cortical homogenates and normalized psychosis‐associated behaviors in APPswe/PSEN1dE9 mice relative to saline. Mitochondrial‐related proteins were preferentially altered by fingolimod treatment and correlated with improvements in psychosis‐associated behaviors.

Discussion

Preclinical studies employing complementary psychosis‐associated behavioral assessments and proteomic evaluations across multiple AD‐related models are warranted to replicate the current study and further investigate fingolimod as a candidate treatment for psychosis in AD.
Stifle hyperextension identified in a dog with an excessively negative tibial plateau angle and a grossly intact cranial cruciate ligament following inappropriate cranial closing wedge ostectomy
Authors: Rial García Alba , Craig Andrew
Published: August 2022

A cross breed dog was examined due to an abnormal right pelvic limb gait following cranial closing wedge ostectomy surgery. Gait evaluation revealed stifle hyperextension during the stance phase of the gait. Manipulation of the stifle revealed no cranial or caudal drawer and no cranial tibial thrust. Radiographs showed complete healing of the proximal tibial osteotomy, with a tibial plateau angle (TPA) of –14°. Computed tomography showed 20° of external tibial torsion on the right pelvic limb. A mini‐medial stifle arthrotomy revealed no gross damage to the cruciate ligaments and intact menisci. A cranial opening wedge osteotomy of 17° was performed and the torsional alignment corrected, after which the tibia was stabilised with orthogonal plates and an intramedullary pin. The postoperative radiographs confirmed a satisfactory TPA of 3° and normal tibial alignment. At 6 months follow‐up, a video record revealed normal right pelvic limb gait.
A new modification of oxonium trimetaphosphimate monohydrate
Authors: Günther Daniel , Kalischer Christoph , Oeckler Oliver
Published: August 2022

Metaphosphimates are possible precursors for oxonitridophosphates. A new polymorph of trimetaphosphimic acid, in fact an oxonium trimetaphosphimate monohydrate, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c. It exhibits coin‐roll‐like stacks of H2(PO2NH)3− anions in a rectangular pattern, whereas these form a hexagonal arrangement in the known polymorph. Ring conformation analysis reveals a state between boat and twist conformations, closer to the boat conformation. Temperature‐dependent powder diffraction shows decomposition upon heating to ca. 100 °C.
Coordination chemistry of pnictogenylboranes towards group 6 transition metal Lewis acids
Authors: Lehnfeld Felix , Hegen Oliver , Balázs Gábor , Timoshkin Alexey Y. , Scheer Manfred
Published: August 2022

The coordination behavior of different pnictogenylboranes towards group 6 metal Lewis acids is investigated. The resulting complexes with phosphanylboranes [(CO)4M(PH2BH2 ⋅ NMe3)2] (M=Cr, Mo, W; 1–3), arsanylboranes ([(CO)4M(AsH2BH2 ⋅ NMe3)2] (M=Cr, Mo, W; 4–6) and tBu‐substituted phosphanylboranes [(CO)4M(tBuPHBH2 ⋅ NMe3)2] (M=Cr, W; 7–8) are fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, single crystal X‐ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. The systematic nature of the approach of the synthesis and the high purity of the compounds enable a comparative investigation of the coordination behavior of pnictogenylboranes. The influences of the metal center, the pnictogen atom and the substituent at the pnictogen atom on the coordination behavior of pnictogenylboranes are compared.
Antibiotic-Free Solutions for the Development of Biofilm Prevention Coatings
Authors: Costa Bruna , Barros Joana , Costa Fabíola
Published: August 2022

Stents and urinary catheters are commonly used medical devices, whose need is forecasted to grow considering not only the world population increase but also its aging and sedentary lifestyle.

Independently of the great development on biomaterials and device design, infection represents still a major cause of failure of these devices, with undeniable humane and economical costs. Different antibiotic-based solutions have appeared in the market to try to address the matter. However, there is growing evidence on the impact of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms on urinary tract medical-devices infections, and respective outcomes. A broad number of alternatives have been proposed, however, given the wide variability of results for different strategies, there remains a tremendous need to validate their clinical significance, particularly assuring patient safety. Additionally, most of these strategies might be advantageous while in combination with current therapies, so further studies are needed.
Urinary Tract Infections and Encrustation in Urinary Stents
Authors: Herout Roman , Reicherz Alina , Chew Ben H. , Lange Dirk
Published: August 2022

Regardless clinical benefits of urinary stents, these indispensable tools for everyday practice come with substantial hindrances as they can lead to stent-related symptoms, encrustation, hematuria, infection and hence to an overall reduction in the quality of life of patients. Bacterial colonization of foreign bodies has been a significant problem in Medicine in general and Urology in particular for decades. Studies have shown that around 42–100% of all indwelling ureteral stents are colonized by bacteria. Typically, the bacteria continue to form a more mature biofilm as large, structured communities of bacteria adhere onto surfaces and secret polysaccharides, nucleic acids, lipids and proteins that form an eminently protective cast around the bacteria. Due to the complex biology and interactions between foreign body surfaces, the host and microbes, a simple, one-fits-all solution is not very likely to be developed. Nonetheless, our knowledge of the underlying biology has dramatically expanded, and novel technologies are being tested. Probably the easiest solution is to appraise ureteral stenting critically and omit stenting whenever feasible. However, for patients in need of a ureteral stent the future might bring “ideal” stents that are biodegradable, coated to avoid biofilm formation and incrustation and ideally emit sufficient levels of specific drugs that prevent tissue ingrowth or even dissolve urinary calculi.
Strategies to Improve the Quality of Life of Stented Patients
Authors: Emiliani E. , Kanashiro A. K. , Girón-Nanne I. , Angerri-Feu O.
Published: August 2022

Ureteric stents are one of the most used tools in urology. As they are often necessary it is imperative to correctly indicate a stent placement, following conscious and evidence-based criteria. However, they present a significant drawback, since up to 80% of patients present bothersome symptoms that negatively affect quality of life. There are many strategies to reduce stented patient’s morbidity: First a proper stenting indication is needed to avoid unnecessary stenting; Minimizing stent indwelling time is also crucial; Currently, numerous materials are available including relatively stiff (polyurethane) to relatively soft (silicone), materials that’s seems to influence patient stent-related symptoms; Finally, choosing a proper stent length according to the patients anatomy and a correct placement may reduce further stent bothersome. All these different approaches may be implemented in daily practice to help reduce adverse effects and complications in stented patients.