bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of body height as a co‐factor of excess weight in Switzerland
Authors: Rickenbacher Marc , Gültekin Nejla , Stanga Zeno , Bender Nicole , Staub Kaspar , Wells Jonathan C. , Matthes Katarina L. , Reber Emile
Published: April 2022

Object

Excess weight (Body Mass Index [BMI] ≥25.0 kg/m2) is a major health issue worldwide, including in Switzerland. For high‐income countries, little attention has been paid to body height in context of excess weight. The aim of this study is to assess the importance of body height as a co‐factor for excess weight in multiple large nationwide data sets.

Data and methods

In this comparative study, we included the largest nationwide and population‐based studies in the fields of public health, nutrition and economics for Switzerland, as well as data of the medical examination during conscription for the Swiss Armed Forces, which contained information on BMI and, if possible, waist‐to‐height‐ratio (WHtR) and waist‐to‐hip‐ratio (WHR).

Results

The multinomial logistic regressions show that the probability of belonging to the excess weight category (BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2) decreased with increasing height in both sexes inall contemporary data sets. This negative association was shown to be constant, only among conscripts measured in the 1870s the association was positive, when increasing height was associated with a higher BMI. The negative association not only emerge in BMI, but also in WHtR and WHR.

Conclusion

Our results emphasize the importance of body height as a co‐factor of excess weight, suggesting a clear negative association between height and BMI, WHtR and WHR. Evidence indicates that both early‐life environmental exposures and alleles associated with height may contribute to these associations. This knowledge could serve as further starting points for prevention programs in the field of public health.
Ring‐Opening/Cyclization of Cyclobutanone Oxime Esters with Alkenes in Biomass‐Derived Solvent Using Copper Catalyst and Inorganic Oxidant
Authors: Zheng Yan‐Nan , Liu Yi , Cai Xue‐Er , Wu Hong‐Li , Huang Xun‐Jie , Liu Yi‐Lin , Wei Wen‐Ting
Published: April 2022

A novel method for the ring‐opening/cyclization of cyclobutanone oxime esters with three different types of alkenes for the synthesis of valuable 2‐pyrrolidones and benzimidazo[2,1‐a]isoquinolin‐6(5H)‐ones is demonstrated for the first time, which uses CuCl as a catalyst and K2S2O8 as an oxidant in a biomass‐derived solvent 2‐methyltetrahydrofuran (2‐MeTHF). This protocol is highly efficient and gives full conversions of the substrates with good functional group compatibility. The use of economic and stable copper catalyst along with inorganic oxidant for the ring‐opening/cyclization in green solvent makes it a benign and sustainable strategy.
Simultaneously improving toughness and hydrophobic properties of cycloaliphatic epoxy resin through silicone prepolymer
Authors: Liu Yuhao , Lin Ying , Wang Yunsong , Wu Kangning , Cao Bin , Wang Liming
Published: April 2022

To improve the toughness and hydrophobic property of the cycloaliphatic epoxy resin (CEP), which is vital to application in high voltage insulation of outdoor transmission lines, 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane was used as the intermediate to prepare the silicone prepolymer by the interaction of the end groups of the CEP and the hydroxy‐terminated polydimethylsiloxane. The results showed that the silicone prepolymer segments were self‐assembled to form solid dispersion phases distributed uniformly in the CEP. The size of the dispersed phase gradually increased in CEP with more concentration of silicone prepolymer. The tensile strength and static contact angle of the CEP were simultaneously improved when content of the silicone prepolymer reached 10 phr. The tensile strength and static contact angle were mainly affected by the distribution of dispersed phase and by surface tension, respectively. With the increase of Si/C on the surface, surface tension decreased and tended to saturate. Due to small molecule migration, the CEP containing silicone prepolymer was also endowed with hydrophobic transfer properties. This paper affords a method to simultaneously enhance toughness and hydrophobic properties of CEP and deepens fundamental understanding of hydrophobic properties.
Thermoplastic polyurethane composites based on aluminum hypophosphite/modified iron tailings system with outstanding fire performance
Authors: Liu Mengru , Liu Xinliang , Sun Po , Tang Gang , Yang Yadong , Kan Yongchun , Ye Mingfu , Zong Zhifang
Published: April 2022

Iron tailings (IT) is the remaining industrial solid waste after beneficiation. The accumulation of billion tons of tailings not only occupies valuable land resources but also causes serious environmental pollution and human harm. This work aims to explore the potential application of IT in flame retardant field. The modified iron tailings (MIT) were combined with aluminum hypophosphite (AHP) to prepare a series of TPU/AHP/MIT composites by melt blending method. Thermogravimetric (TGA) test indicated that MIT and AHP significantly improved the thermal stability of the composites. The char residue of TPU/AHP22.5/MIT2.5 was enhanced to 29.60 wt% compared with 27.51 wt% of TPU/AHP25. Cone calorimetry test (CCT) confirmed that PHRR and THR of TPU/AHP15/MIT10 were decreased by 88.4% and 55.2% compared with those of pure TPU. Adding 2.5 wt% MIT could reduce the gas production of the TPU/AHP system by 32.82%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy tests confirmed that AHP/MIT system could increase the thickness and graphitization degree of char residue for the TPU composites, and thus increase the thermal stability and fire resistance of the composites. Lastly, the possible fire retarding mechanism of TPU/AHP/MIT composites was illustrated. This work provided a novel strategy for utilization of IT.
Synthesis of palladium‐chelated poly(triazine imide) heterogeneous nanocatalysts for reduction of p‐nitrophenol to p‐aminophenol
Authors: Nadizadeh Zahra , Mahdavi Hossein , Heidari Ali Akbar , Kahriz Peyman Khodaei
Published: April 2022

In this work, state‐of‐the‐art Pd‐chelated poly(triazine imide) (Pd‐PTI) nanocatalysts were synthesized with PTI, as cheap solid support, and different Pd contents by an easy co‐precipitation method for conducting the model reduction reaction of p‐nitrophenol to p‐aminophenol. The electron microscopy observations (i.e., scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy), quantitative dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and elemental mapping images demonstrated that Pd nanoparticles (NPs) were homogeneously loaded on the surface of highly crystalline two‐dimensional (2‐D) PTI nanosheets. Among the all prepared Pd‐PTI nanocatalysts, the PTI‐1500‐Pd indicated the highest pseudo‐first‐order rate constant of 12.7 × 10−3 s−1, which was significantly higher than that of the recently reported Pd‐based nanocatalysts. This catalyst showed ultrahigh, superior catalytic efficiency (≥99%) and stability properties for the hydrogenation of p‐nitrophenol within 40 s under mild conditions and possessed excellent recovery (≥90%) of expensive Pd NPs after five consecutive cycles. The high‐catalytic performance of the PTI‐1500‐Pd nanocatalyst is related to specific properties of the highly crystalline structure, high‐surface area and very available surface amine groups of 2‐D PTI nanosheets, which functioned as an active site for immobilizing ultrafine Pd0 NPs.
Rheological behavior of poly(propylene) reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets for injection molding
Authors: Melo de Lima Luiza R. , Magalhães da Silva Sara P. , Trindade Tito , Oliveira José M.
Published: April 2022

Poly(propylene) (PP)‐based graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) nanocomposites are processed by a melt blending technique. To obtain more knowledge about the rheological behavior of nanocomposites for injection molding, the rheological characterization of nanocomposites is performed using a double capillary rheometer over a shear rate range from 10 to 6000 s−1. The influence of processing temperature (170, 180, and 190°C) is evaluated. To improve the interaction between PP and GnPs, maleic anhydride (MA) is applied as a compatibilizer. The viscosity master curves are fitted to the Cross‐WLF model. In relation to neat PP, the presence of GnPs promote a viscosity decrease. The nanocomposites containing MA exhibit a higher viscosity than the non‐compatibilized counterparts, suggesting adhesion improvement between PP and GnPs. In addition to the MA compatibilizer effect, the results show that its presence could act as a plasticizer/lubricant in the PP matrix. The morphology characterization of nanocomposites suggests that in addition to improving the adhesion between PP and GnPs, the MA presence also improved the GnPs dispersion in the PP matrix. The presence of GnPs and MA can affect the Newtonian behavior of the PP matrix. All studied samples reveal thermo‐rheological simplicity and pseudo‐plastic behavior.
The illumination effects on the current conduction mechanisms of the Au/(Er2O3:PVC)/n‐Si (MPS) Schottky diodes
Authors: Altındal Şemsettin , Azizian‐Kalandaragh Yashar , Ulusoy Murat , Pirgholi‐Givi Gholamreza
Published: April 2022

Photoresponse of the Au/(Er2O3:PVC)/n‐Si diode was executed in a wide range of illumination intensity (P). Its basic electrical parameters such as ideality factor (n), barrier height (ΦB0), series and shunt resistances (Rs, Rsh), photocurrent (Iph), energy‐dependence of interface states (Nss), and photosensitivity (S) were calculated from the results of the current–voltage (I–V) measurements. At the negative‐bias region, an increase in Iph is observed due to the e−‐h+ pairs that occur as a result of increasing P and their drift in opposite directions under the internal electric field. The ln(Iph)–ln(P) plot shows a good linear behavior under various applied voltages. Their slopes vary from 1.47 to 1.64, indicating that empty trap levels, that is, levels not occupied by charges, are of low density. The values n, ΦB0, and Rs were obtained using the thermionic emission theory, Cheung, and Norde functions. The value of ΦB0 decreases with increasing n and P as linearly with ΦB0(n) = (−0.143n + 1.118) eV and ΦB0(P) = (−2 × 10−4P + 0.831) eV, respectively. This illumination coefficient of ΦB0 (=−2 × 10−4 eV/[mW/cm2]) is close to the temperature coefficient bandgap of Si (=−4.73 × 10−4 eV/K). These results show that the performed Au/(Er2O3:PVC)/n‐Si diode has excellent photo‐response and can be successfully used in photovoltaic applications instead of conventional metal–semiconductor diodes.
Effect of graphite nanoplatelets surface area on mechanical properties of room‐temperature vulcanized silicone rubber nanocomposites
Authors: Kumar Vineet , Kumar Anuj , Alam Md. Najib , Park Sang‐Shin
Published: April 2022

Graphite nanoplatelet (GNP) flakes have attracted attention for the production of polymeric nanocomposites owing to their excellent mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. In this work, the impact of three grades of GNP flakes with different surface area on the properties of room‐temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTV‐SR) nanocomposites was analyzed. The surface area was determined by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method using N2 adsorption isotherms. The BET analysis showed that the GNP grades had BET surface areas of 422, 295, and 123 m2/g. Nanocomposites based on the three grades of GNP flakes with different surface area and RTV‐SR were prepared using the solution‐casting process. Mechanical analysis of the samples showed that the compressive modulus increased from 3.8 MPa (0 phr) to 4.4, 4.34, and 5.26 MPa at the filler loading of 15 phr of GNPs with 422, 295, and 123 m2/g, respectively. In addition, the fracture strain of the nanocomposites increased from 116% (0 phr) to 228%, 198%, and 151% in the samples with 422, 295, and 123 m2/g, respectively, at the filler loading of 15 phr GNP.
Synthesis, properties, and hydrolysis of bio‐based poly(butylene succinate‐co‐diethylene glycol succinate) copolyesters
Authors: Ding Yue , Li Shilin , Wang Jingxi , Liu Yuanyuan , Dong Liming , Du Xihua , Huang Dan , Ai Tianhao , Ji Junhui
Published: April 2022

Microplastic has become the focus of environmental pollution recently, especially in seawater. Due to its high crystallinity and hydrophobicity, the degradation rate of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) is slow. In this paper, a series of poly(butylene succinate‐co‐diethylene glycol succinate) (PBSD) copolymers were synthesized by melt‐polycondensation in order to improve the nonenzymatic hydrolysis of PBS. The contact angle and water uptake content of copolymer were increased obviously when the regular crystalline structure of chain segment was disturbed by diethylene glycol. Rheological tests revealed the microphase separation structure occurred at 130°C. The tensile strength of PBSD40 copolymer was 15 MPa and the elongation at break was more than 700%, and the decomposition temperature was above 370°C. The weight loss of PBSD60 copolymer in acid condition was 98.6% after 49 days at 50°C. However, in neutral condition and simulated seawater, the weight loss was less than 10%. Acid and alkaline catalyzed the hydrolysis of ester bonds. Some holes and cracks appeared at the surface of the samples after degradation from SEM analysis. Thus, PBSD copolymers have the potential to serve as promising water degradable materials.
High‐performance thermoplastic polyureas via a non‐isocyanate route from urea and aliphatic diamines
Authors: Lin Chenxi , Xie Kangzhou , Tang Donglin
Published: May 2022

Polyureas (PUrs) with excellent properties have been applied widely in many fields. These days attention has been turned to non‐isocyanate routes for PUr preparation due to the toxicity and the high cost of isocyanates. Urea is a green chemcial which can be either from urine or from recycled carbon dioxide and ammonia. Here we introduce a urea‐based route to prepare PUrs, by melt polycondensation of urea and 1,10‐diaminodecane (DA‐10) or/and 1,6‐diaminohexane (DA‐6) without catalyst, solvent, and high pressure. It is difficult to synthesize such thermoplastic PUrs from diisocyanate without any solvent since the melting point of PUr is normally higher than 170°C at which isocyanate is able to react with urea group to form biuret. The thermoplastic PUrs obtained in this study exhibit excellent mechanical and thermal properties. Furthermore, the properties can be adjusted by changing the feed ratio of diamines (DA‐6/DA‐10). The compression‐molded PUrs show even better mechanical properties than ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The values of Young's modulus, strength at break and elongation at break are found to be 230–300 MPa, 40–60 MPa and 200%–400%, respectively (except for PUr‐6). Therefore, this facile, non‐isocyanate approach provides a viable alternative to the current industrial process for high‐performance PUrs.
Distance from home to birth hospital, transfer, and mortality in neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome in California
Authors: Purkey Neha J. , Ma Chen , Lee Henry C. , Hintz Susan R. , Shaw Gary M. , McElhinney Doff B. , Carmichael Suzan L.
Published: April 2022

Background

Prior studies report a lower risk of mortality among neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) who are born at a cardiac surgical center, but many neonates with HLHS are born elsewhere and transferred for repair. We investigated the associations between the distance from maternal home to birth hospital, the need for transfer after birth, sociodemographic factors, and mortality in infants with HLHS in California from 2006 to 2011.

Methods

We used linked data from two statewide databases to identify neonates for this study. Three groups were included in the analysis: “lived close/not transferred,” “lived close/transferred,” and “lived far/not transferred.” We defined “lived close” versus “lived far” as 11 miles, the median distance from maternal residence to birth hospital. Log‐binomial regression models were used to identify the association between sociodemographic variables, distance to birth hospital and transfer. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify the association between mortality and distance to birth hospital and transfer. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic variables.

Results

Infants in the lived close/not transferred and the lived close/transferred groups (vs. the lived far/not transferred group) were more likely to live in census tracts above the 75th percentile for poverty with relative risks 1.94 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41–2.68) and 1.21 (95% CI 1.05–1.40), respectively. Neonatal mortality was higher among the lived close/not transferred group compared with the lived far/not transferred group (hazard ratio 1.77, 95% CI 1.17–2.67).

Conclusions

Infants born to mothers experiencing poverty were more likely to be born close to home. Infants with HLHS who were born close to home and not transferred to a cardiac center had a higher risk of neonatal mortality than infants who were delivered far from home and not transferred. Future studies should identify the barriers to delivery at a cardiac center for mothers experiencing poverty.
Biosynthesis of allantoin in Escherichia coli via screening a highly effective urate oxidase
Authors: Zhang Fengjuan , Sun Xinxiao , Shen Xiaolin , Yan Yajun , Wang Jia , Yuan Qipeng
Published: April 2022

Allantoin is an important fine chemical that can be widely used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agricultural industries. Currently, allantoin is mainly produced by plant extraction or chemical synthesis. Due to the cost and environmental concerns, biosynthesis of allantoin from renewable feedstock is much more desirable. However, microbial production of allantoin from simple carbon sources has not yet been achieved so far. In this study, de novo biosynthesis of allantoin was achieved by constructing an artificial biosynthetic pathway. First, screening of efficient urate oxidases and xanthine dehydrogenases enabled allantoin production from hypoxanthine, a natural intermediate in purine metabolic pathway in Escherichia coli. Then, assemble of the entire pathway resulted in 13.9 mg/L allantoin from glucose in shake flask experiments. The titer was further improved to 639.8 mg/L by enhancing the supply of the precursor, redistribution of carbon flux, and reduction of acetate. Finally, scale‐up production of allantoin was conducted in a 1‐L fermentor under fed‐batch culture conditions, which enabled the synthesis of 2360 mg/L allantoin, representing a 170‐fold increase compared with the initial strain. This study not only demonstrates the potential for industrial production of allantoin, but also provides a bacterial platform for synthesis of other purines‐derived high‐value chemicals.
Motivations and identities of “grassroots” circular entrepreneurs: An initial exploration
Authors: Henry Marvin , Hoogenstrijd Thijs , Kirchherr Julian
Published: April 2022

The circular economy (CE) is now widely seen as a key concept to drive sustainability transformations. Existing research on circular business models has tentatively indicated that circular entrepreneurship may be able to play a pivotal role in the transition process. However, grassroots activity in CE has not yet received substantive scholarly attention, nor have the founders of circular ventures. This study attempts to start closing this gap by presenting the first empirical analysis of circular founders' motivations and identities. Our work is based on interviews with 57 founders of circular start‐ups in Europe and Australia. The analysis reveals distinct characteristics for these entrepreneurs. We find that noneconomic motives are dominant drivers of grassroots circular entrepreneurs while they include a triple bottom line orientation (i.e., economic, social, and environmental value) in principle. Yet, circular start‐up founders barely formalize socio‐political dimensions in their activities despite being motivated by social altruism. Furthermore, circular founders have an inventive mindset when starting their entrepreneurial journey, possibly driven by their limited market‐oriented positioning, limited entrepreneurial experience, and managerial education. However, their scaling ambitions grow significantly over time, as opposed to social and sustainable entrepreneurs. Overall, our findings suggest adding grassroots circular entrepreneurs or circular founders as a distinct group of sustainability entrepreneurs to the scientific discourse on sustainability‐motivated entrepreneurship and circular innovation studies.
Bifid median nerve as an anatomical risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Asghar Adil , Patra Apurba , Satish Ravi Kumar , Tubbs R. Shane , Kumar Ashutosh , Naaz Shagufta
Published: April 2022

As the median nerve enters the carpal tunnel, it is a single nerve that soon bifurcates into lateral and medial branches into the hand. If the bifurcation is proximal to the carpel tunnel, a bifid median nerve (BMN) results. Carpal tunnel syndrome is often associated with a BMN with or without a persistent median artery. Individual keywords and MeSH phrases were searched in the Google Scholar, SCOPUS, and PubMed databases. Full texts were then collected and assessed for suitability. The prevalence of BMN at the wrist joint in normal and carpal tunnel syndrome wrists (precanal part) and the mean difference between groups were recorded. Only human data were used to test the findings. The pooled odds ratio (with minimal heterogeneity) was 1.50 [1.17–1.93, 95% CI]. The BMN cross‐sectional area (CSA) was significantly greater than that of a solitary median nerve in normal wrists. The mean difference in CSA between the two was 1.50 mm2[0.56–2.45 mm2, 95% CI] without heterogeneity (i2 = 0). Sex and laterality distributions scarcely differed between the two types of wrists. Owing to the insufficiency of data, the relationships with mean height and weight were not examined. There was a 50% greater incidence of bifid median nerves in carpal tunnel syndrome patients than in normal subjects. A bifid median nerve increases the mean CSA at the wrist joint by 1.5 mm2. These findings indicate that the bifid median nerve is an anatomical risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome.
A novel prognostic nomogram for patients with extragastric mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: A multicenter study
Authors: Li Xiaoqian , Hong Huangming , Huang He , Zou Liqun , Chen Zegeng , Zhang Zhihui , Zhang Liling , Fang Xiaojie , Guo Hongqiang , Xie Ke , Tian Ying , Lin Suxia , Chen Yungchang , Zhang Wei , Yao Yuyi , Pan Fei , Weng Huawei , Lin Tongyu
Published: April 2022

Background

The aim of this study was to explore predictors and construct a nomogram for risk stratification in primary extragastric mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.

Methods

Extragastric MALT lymphoma cases newly diagnosed between November 2010 and April 2020 were assessed to construct a progression‐free survival (PFS)‐related nomogram. We also performed external validation of the nomogram in an independent cohort.

Results

We performed multivariate analyses of 174 patients from 3 hospitals who were included in the training cohort. Stage, hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) status, and Ki67 expression were significantly associated with PFS. These three factors were used to construct a nomogram, which was shown to have a C‐index of 0.89. Two risk groups (low risk and high risk) were identified by the prognostic model. The 5‐year PFS was 98.9% for the low‐risk group and 69.3% for the high‐risk group (p < 0.001). The overall survival (OS) could also be effectively distinguished by the nomogram, resulting in an OS of 100% for the low‐risk group and 94.6% for the high‐risk group (p = 0.01). These results were validated and confirmed in an independent cohort with 165 patients from another three hospitals. The 5‐year PFS rates were 94.8% and 66.7% for the low‐risk and high‐risk groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The 5‐year OS rates were 97.9% and 88.4%, respectively (p = 0.016).

Conclusion

The nomogram could well distinguish the prognosis of low‐ and high‐risk patients with extragastric MALT lymphoma and is thus recommended for clinical use.
Association between antibiotic consumption and colon and rectal cancer development in older individuals: A territory‐wide study
Authors: Cheung Ka Shing , Chan Esther W. , Tam Anthony , Wong Irene O. L. , Seto Wai Kay , Hung Ivan F. N. , Wong Ian C. K. , Leung Wai K.
Published: April 2022

Background

Antibiotics may alter colorectal cancer (CRC) risk due to gut dysbiosis. We aimed to study the specific and temporal effects of various antibiotics on CRC development in older individuals.

Methods

This was a territory‐wide retrospective cohort study. Subjects aged 60 years and older who did not have CRC diagnosed on screening/diagnostic colonoscopy diagnosed between 2005 and 2013 were recruited. Exclusion criteria were history of CRC, colectomy, inflammatory bowel disease, and CRC diagnosed within 6 months of index colonoscopy. Exposure was use of any antibiotics up to 5 years before colonoscopy. The primary outcomes were CRC diagnosed >6 m after colonoscopy. Covariates were patient demographics, history of colonic polyps/polypectomy, concomitant medication use (NSAIDs, COX‐2 inhibitors, aspirin, and statins), and performance of endoscopy centers (colonoscopy volume and polypectomy rate). Stratified analysis was conducted according to nature of antibiotics and location of cancer.

Results

Ninety seven thousand one hundred and sixty‐two eligible subjects (with 1026 [1.0%] cases of CRC) were identified, 58,704 (60.4%) of whom were exposed to antibiotics before index colonoscopy. Use of antibiotics was associated with a lower risk of cancer in rectum (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.54–0.76), but a higher risk of cancer in proximal colon (aHR: 1.63, 95%CI: 1.15–2.32). These effects differed as regards the anti‐anaerobic/anti‐aerobic activity, narrow‐/broad‐spectrum, and administration route of antibiotics.

Conclusions

Antibiotics had divergent effects on CRC development in older subjects, which varied according to the location of cancer, antibiotic class, and administration route.
Comprehensive multivariate evaluation of the effects on cell phenotypes in multicolor flow cytometry data using ANOVA simultaneous component analysis
Authors: Bertinetto Carlo G. , Spijkerman Roy , Hesselink Lillian , Tinnevelt Gerjen H. , Bongers Coen C. W. G. , Postma Geert J. , Hopman Maria T. E. , Koenderman Leo , Jansen Jeroen J.
Published: April 2022

This work proposes an approach to assess the effects observed in multicolor flow cytometry (MFC) experiments, for all markers and experimental factors simultaneously. It achieves this end by extending ANOVA simultaneous component analysis (ASCA), a multivariate version of ANOVA, to flow cytometry data. It is based on an initial multiset PCA model to describe the main variation patterns of cell marker expression, followed by an ASCA model on the histograms built from these PCA scores. This approach allows for determining the variations in cell phenotype distribution that are related to the experimental design. On a data set from a study of the immune response to prolonged physical exercise, the proposed method computed the effect size and statistical significance of all the experimental factors and their interactions. Most notably, it provided easily interpretable submodels for the overall effect of the walking exercise and for the interaction between exercise and the responsiveness to a bacterial stimulus. The application of a time‐guided sequential clustering algorithm to the ASCA scores revealed a stratification of the studied individuals based on their neutrophil activation dynamics. These effects were not clearly detectable using PCA alone. In comparison with pairwise classification models by DAMACY (a discriminant analysis method for MFC data), ASCA results were less detailed in describing differences between specific samples, but had the advantage of modeling several factors and levels simultaneously. Such characteristics make the proposed implementation of ASCA an effective and complementary addition to the chemometric methodologies for the analysis of MFC data.
Teaching an Old Compound New Tricks: Reversible Transamidation in Maleamic Acids
Authors: Matysiak Bartosz M. , Monreal Santiago Guillermo , Otto Sijbren
Published: April 2022

Dynamic combinatorial chemistry is a method widely used for generating responsive libraries of compounds, with applications ranging from chemical biology to materials science. It relies on dynamic covalent bonds that are able to form in a reversible manner in mild conditions, and therefore requires the discovery of new types of these bonds in order to progress. Amides, due to their high stability, have been scarcely used in this field and typically require an external catalyst or harsh conditions for exchange. Compounds able to undergo uncatalysed transamidation at room temperature are still rare exceptions. In this work, we describe reversible amide formation and transamidation in a class of compounds known as maleamic acids. Due to the presence of a carboxylic acid in β‐position, these compounds are in equilibrium with their anhydride and amine precursors in organic solvents at room temperature. First, we show that this equilibrium is responsive to external stimuli: by alternating the additions of a Brønsted acid and a base, we can switch between amide and anhydride several times without side‐reactions. Next, we prove that this equilibrium provides a pathway for reversible transamidation without any added catalyst, leading to thermodynamic distributions of amides at room temperature. Lastly, we use different preparation conditions and concentrations of Brønsted acid to access different library distributions, easily controlling the transition between kinetic and thermodynamic regimes. Our results show that maleamic acids can undergo transamidation in mild conditions in a reversible and tunable way, establishing them as a new addition to the toolbox of dynamic combinatorial chemistry.
The Mechanism of One‐Step Synthesis of Oxides from Metal Chlorides and Their Electrocatalytic HER Study
Authors: Lin Shengnan , Zhang Tingan , Zhang Junjie , Li Yujia
Published: April 2022

It is well known that a layered structure can improve charge transfer and is a favorable catalyst material. Most of them are metal oxides, and some metal hydroxides and carbonates have also been proved to have good catalytic performance. Generally, the preparation method is to prepare the precursor and then calcinate them to get metal oxides. Through literature review and repeated experiments, it is found that cationic membrane electrosynthesis with CeCl3·7H2O as a raw material may be able to prepare metal oxides in one step. Furthermore, whether Fe, which is also a variable metal, can also form metal oxides in one step is investigated. Therefore, in this study, CeO2, Fe3O4, and Fe2O3 nanomaterials with the hierarchical structure are prepared by cationic membrane electrolytic synthesis at room temperature. The composition and microstructure of the nanomaterials are studied using XRD, FTIR, XPS, and SEM. Finally, the electrochemical hydrogen evolution performance of the samples is simply tested.
Mandibular antegonial notch depth in postpubertal individuals: A longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Schütz Christian , Denes Balazs J. , Kiliaridis Stavros , Antonarakis Gregory S.
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To perform an epidemiological analysis of the antegonial notch depth in postpubertal individuals and to analyze the development of deep antegonial notches longitudinally in growing individuals.

Material and Methods

Lateral cephalograms of 302 untreated 17/18‐year‐old subjects (171 males; 131 females), from the craniofacial growth legacy collection, were analysed to measure antegonial notch depth along the mandibular plane. Sex and sagittal malocclusion were investigated as possible factors influencing notch depth. In subjects with deep antegonial notches (>1.5 standard deviation) at the age of 17/18 years, earlier lateral cephalograms at 7/8 and 13/14 years were obtained, and the magnitude of notch depth analyzed longitudinally. Linear regression analyses were used to assess correlations between antegonial notch depth and other recorded variables.

Results

Antegonial notch depth ranged from 0 to 5.3 mm (mean 2.0 ± 1.0 mm). Antegonial notches were significantly deeper in males (2.3 ± 1.1 mm) than females (1.5 ± 0.7 mm) (p < .001). Notch depth was on average 0.3 mm deeper in Class I than in Class II or III individuals (p = .019). Twenty‐one subjects (all male) were judged to have deep antegonial notches at the age of 17/18. In these subjects, notch depth deepened from 13/14 to 17/18 years (p < .001), whereas no change was observed between 7/8 and 13/14 years.

Conclusions

Antegonial notch depth shows important variation in postpubertal individuals, with males having deeper notches than females on average. In those with deep antegonial notches (all males in the present sample), notch depth increases not during prepubertal growth but during the pubertal growth spurt.
Mapping maize chlorotic mottle virus tolerance loci in the Maize 282 Association Panel
Authors: Ohlson Erik W. , Redinbaugh Margaret G. , Jones Mark W.
Published: April 2022

Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) is a devastating synergistic viral disease of maize caused by maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) plus a virus in the Potyviridae family. The disease has severely impacted maize production in East Africa, Asia, and South America over the past decade, and the presence of MCMV and maize infecting potyviruses in the United States is an ongoing concern. In this study, we performed a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) using the Maize 282 Association Mapping Panel (AMP) to characterize the genetic architecture of host response to MCMV and to identify disease‐tolerant lines. The GWAS analysis detected genomic variants on chromosomes 3, 4, 5, and 8 that were significantly associated with response to MCMV. Several lines in the 282 AMP were highly tolerant to infection, including CML333, one of the parental lines used in the maize nested association mapping population. Quantitative trait locus analysis of the B73 × CML333 recombinant inbred line population revealed an MCMV tolerance locus on chromosome 10. These findings further our understanding of the genetic architecture of MCMV tolerance and will facilitate the development of maize lines, hybrids, and cultivars with improved resistance to MLN and MCMV.
Intraspecific versus interspecific crosses for superior progeny in Cicer species
Authors: Sari Duygu , Sari Hatice , Eker Tuba , Ikten Cengiz , Uzun Bulent , Toker Cengiz
Published: April 2022

Both intraspecific and interspecific crosses are a well‐known breeding strategies to generate variations or assemble desirable traits in economically important plants. Interspecific crosses have been mined to improve resistance to (a)biotic stresses in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in a limited number of research studies but have never been crosschecked for yield and yield criteria in intraspecific versus interspecific crosses. Comparison of superior progeny or superior recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and better progeny than their best parent for yield, yield criteria, and resistance to (a)biotic stresses in intraspecific versus interspecific crosses was the objectives of this study. Also, associations between superior progeny and genetic distance based on simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were assessed among annual Cicer species including cultivated chickpea, C. reticulatum Ladiz. and C. echinospermum P.H. Davis. Each two genotypes of C. reticulatum and C. echinospermum were crossed with three genotypes of cultivated chickpea. Not only superior progeny for yield and yield criteria, but also superior RILs that were cold tolerant were detected higher in interspecific crosses than in intraspecific crosses. On the other hand, plant height, first pod height, and seed size were higher in intraspecific crosses than in interspecific crosses, indicating that seed size and traits suitable for combine harvest can be increased via intraspecific crosses. A significant association was found between superior progeny and genetic distance among Cicer species. It was concluded that interspecific crosses in Cicer species may increase yield and resistance to (a)biotic stresses, whereas intraspecific crosses may increase plant height and seed size.
A new electronically tunable mutually coupled circuit using current conveyor transconductance amplifiers (CCTAs)
Authors: Özer Emre
Published: April 2022

This paper presents a novel mutually coupled circuit (MCC) based on the current conveyor transconductance amplifier (CCTA). The proposed MCC includes two CCTAs, three resistors, and two grounded capacitors. The mutual and the self‐inductances can be controlled independently and electronically. There is a single matching condition for satisfying symmetrical coupling. The simulation results have been obtained with the LTspice program using 0.13 μm IBM CMOS technology parameters. As an application example, a double‐tuned band‐pass (DTBP) filter is provided to demonstrate the workability of the proposed MCC. An experimental study is conducted to confirm the time‐domain and frequency domain performance of the DTBP filter by utilizing commercially available integrated circuits (ICs).
Gene expression in male and female stickleback from populations with convergent and divergent throat coloration
Authors: McKinnon Jeffrey S. , Newsome William Burns , Balakrishnan Christopher N.
Published: April 2022

Understanding of genetic mechanisms underlying variation in sexual dichromatism remains limited, especially for carotenoid‐based colors. We addressed this knowledge gap in a gene expression study with threespine stickleback. We compared male and female throat tissues across five populations, including two in which female red coloration has evolved convergently. We found that the expression of individual genes, gene ontologies, and coexpression networks associated with red female color within a population differed between California and British Columbia populations, suggesting differences in underlying mechanisms. Comparing females from each of these populations to females from populations dominated by dull females, we again found extensive expression differences. For each population, genes and networks associated with female red color showed the same patterns for males only inconsistently. The functional roles of genes showing correlated expression with female color are unclear within populations, whereas genes highlighted through inter‐population comparisons include some previously suggested to function in carotenoid pathways. Among these, the most consistent patterns involvedTTC39B(Tetratricopeptide Repeat Domain 39B), which is within a known red coloration QTL in stickleback and implicated in red coloration in other taxa.
Plant–plant interactions determine natural restoration of plant biodiversity over time, in a degraded mined land
Authors: Bashirzadeh Maral , Shefferson Richard P. , Farzam Mohammad
Published: April 2022

Restoration of degraded environments is essential to mitigate adverse impacts of human activities on ecosystems. Plant–plant interactions may provide effective means for restoring degraded arid lands, but little is understood about these impacts. In this regard, we analyzed the effects of two dominant nurse plants (i.e.,Artemisia sieberiandStipa arabica) on taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity across different ages of land abandonment (i.e., control, recent, and old ages) in a limestone mine site in Iran. In addition, we considered two spatial scales: i) the plot scale (i.e., under 1m2 plots) and ii) the vegetation‐patch scale (i.e., under the canopies of nurse plants), to assess nurse plant effects, land abandonment ages, and their relative importance on biodiversity facets by performing Kruskal–Wallis H test and variation partitioning analysis. Our results indicated an increase in taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity at the plot scale, when considering the presence of nurse plants under old ages of land abandonment. Such significant differences were consistent with the positive effects ofArtemisiapatches on taxonomic diversity andStipapatches on functional and phylogenetic diversity. In addition, we found a larger contribution from nurse plants than land abandonment age on biodiversity variation at both spatial scales studied. Therefore, these results indicate the importance of plant–plant interactions in restoring vegetation, with their effects on the presence of beneficiary species and their functional and phylogenetic relatedness depending on the nurse life forms under the stress‐gradient hypothesis.
Diabetic kidney disease versus non‐diabetic kidney disease in type 2 diabetic patients on dialysis: An observational cohort
Authors: Delautre Arnaud , Hannedouche Thierry , Couchoud Cécile , Guiserix José , Cerasuolo Damiano , Chantrel François , Martzloff Jonas , Keller Nicolas , Krummel Thierry ,   the REIN registry
Published: April 2022

Background

All chronic kidney diseases in diabetic patients are not diabetic kidney diseases. The objective was to compare the clinical characteristics, survival and access to transplantation in diabetic patients starting dialysis and classified either as diabetic kidney disease (DKD) or non‐diabetic kidney disease in diabetic patients (NDKD).

Methods

We used the nationwide French REIN registry to analyse baseline clinical characteristics at dialysis inception and outcomes defined as kidney transplantation, deaths and their causes. The probability of death or transplantation was analysed using a multivariate Cox model and the Fine and Gray competing for risk model (sdHT).

Results

We included 65,136 patients from January 2009 to December 2015 with a median follow‐up of 31 months. The cumulative incidence of kidney transplantation over eight years was 46.9% (44.8–48.9) in non‐diabetic patients (ND), higher than the 19.3% (17.5–21.2) in the DKD group and 22.2% (18.4–26.7) in the NDKD group. The risk of death was significantly higher in the NDKD group than in the DKD group, even after accounting for the competing risk of transplantation (NDKD/sdHR 1.22; 95%CI 1.18–1.27; p < 0.005 vs. DKD/sdHR 1.12; 95%CI 1.08–1.16; p < 0.005 with adjustment for age, sex, major adverse cardiovascular events, cancer and chronic respiratory failure, compared to ND).

Conclusions

In diabetic patients starting dialysis, patients in the DKD group had reduced access to kidney transplantation. NDKD patients had a higher risk of mortality than DKD. The distinction between DKD and NDKD should be accounted for in the plan of care of diabetic patients starting dialysis.
Removing subordinate species in a biodiversity experiment to mimic observational field studies
Authors: Schmid Bernhard , Schmitz Martin , Rzanny Michael , Scherer‐Lorenzen Michael , Mwangi Peter N. , Weisser Wolfgang W. , Hector Andrew , Schmid Roland , Flynn Dan F. B.
Published: April 2022

Background

Positive effects of plant species richness on community biomass in biodiversity experiments are often stronger than those from observational field studies. This may be because experiments are initiated with randomly assembled species compositions whereas field communities have experienced filtering.

Methods

We compared aboveground biomass production of randomly assembled communities of 2–16 species (controls) with experimentally filtered communities from which subordinate species were removed, resulting in removal communities of 1–8 species.

Results

Removal communities had (1) 12.6% higher biomass than control communities from which they were derived, that is, with double species richness and (2) 32.0% higher biomass than control communities of equal richness. These differences were maintained along the richness gradient. The increased productivity of removal communities was paralleled by increased species evenness and complementarity.

Conclusions

Result (1) indicates that subordinate species can reduce community biomass production, suggesting a possible explanation for why the most diverse field communities sometimes do not have the highest productivity. Result (2) suggests that if a community of S species has been derived by filtering from a pool of 2S randomly chosen species it is more productive than a community derived from a pool of S randomly chosen species without filtering.
Functional profiles of soil microbial communities in the alpine and temperate grasslands of China
Authors: Yang Yunfeng , Zhou Jizhong , Guo Xue
Published: April 2022

Grassland ecosystems in cold regions are typical of short growing seasons and limited primary productivity, rendering soil microorganisms as major ecosystem engineers in governing biogeochemical cycling. Climate warming and extensive livestock grazing have dramatically influenced soil microbial diversity and function in grassland worldwide, but it remains elusive how functional microbial communities exist and respond to global changes. Here, we present a review to highlight similarities and differences in soil functional microbial communities between alpine grasslands in the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau and temperate grasslands in the Inner Mongolian Plateau, both of which are major plateaus in China, but differ substantially in geography. We show that many specialized functional groups thrive under harsh conditions, exhibiting a high functional diversity. Their community compositions mirror the heterogeneity and complexity of grassland soils. Moreover, functional microbial responses to environmental changes have been extremely variable, with few consistent patterns across both plateaus. Because we identify a lack of technical standardization that prevents in‐depth comparative studies for functional microbial communities, we conclude the review by outlining several research gaps that need to be filled in future studies.
Magnetic resonance elastography of the ageing brain in normal and demented populations: A systematic review
Authors: Coelho Ana , Sousa Nuno
Published: April 2022

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the ability of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to identify significant changes in brain mechanical properties during normal and pathological aging. PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched for human studies using MRE to assess brain mechanical properties in cognitively healthy individuals, individuals at risk of dementia or patients diagnosed with dementia. Study characteristics, sample demographics, clinical characterization and main MRE outcomes were summarized in a table. A total of 19 studies (nine aging, 10 dementia), comprising 700 participants, were included. The main findings were decreased cerebral stiffness along aging, with rates of annual change ranging from −0.008 to −0.025 kPa per year. Also, there were regional differences in the age effect on brain stiffness. Concerning demented patients, differential patterns of stiffness were found for distinct dementia subtypes. Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia exhibited decreased brain stiffness in comparison to cognitively healthy controls and significant declines were found in regions known to be affected by the disease. In normal pressure hydrocephalus, the results were not consistent across studies, and in dementia with Lewy bodies no significant differences in brain stiffness were found. In conclusion, aging is characterized by the softening of brain tissue and this event is even more pronounced in pathological aging, such as dementia. MRE technique could be applied as a sensible diagnostic tool to identify deviations from normal aging and develop new brain biomarkers of cognitive decline/dementia that would help promote healthier cognitive aging.