bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intermolecular Interactions between Nitrosourea and Polyoxometalate compounds
Authors: Mohammadi Mohsen Doust , Abbas Faheem , Louis Hitler , Afahanam Lucy E. , Gber Terkumbu E.
Published: September 2022

Herein, the aim of this work was to investigate the intermolecular interactions between polyoxometalate (POMs) as a drug‐delivery system with nitrosourea at different sites: CH3, COOH, NH2, NO2 and OCH3 using density functional theory (DFT) at the M062X/LanL2DZ level of theory. The result showed that, the lowest bond lengths recorded for the adsorbate and the nanocage were 1.40Å, 1.64Å, 1.40Å and 1.57Å for NU/POM(CH3), NU/POM(NH2), NU/POM(NO2) and NU/POM(OCH3) respectively. The NU/POM(NO2) system had the highest adsorption energy in the three phases: −32.039, −26.95, and −29.38 kcal/mol for gas, solvent, and benzene respectively and the lowest was shown in NU/POM(OCH3) with −14.10, −10.33, −12.29 kcal/mol. The energy gap was found to be the highest in NU/POM(NO2) with 5.061eV followed by NU/POM and NU/POM(COOH) 4.020eV and 4.003eV respectively. It has been clearly shown that NU/POM(NO2) density peak in the Highest occupied molecular orbital and Lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO/LUMO) plot was above 5 and this go in line with the electronic properties possessing a stable nature. In the NBO analysis, after adsorption of the nitrosourea (NU), the NU/POM(NO2) system recorded the highest energy with 1309.42 kcal/mol and the lowest in NU/POM(OCH3) with 921.75 kcal/mol. The system with NO2 possess more stability, chemical hardness, electrophilicity index and strong interactions. It has a better surface interaction than other compounds found in Nitrosourea.
IR783 Encapsulated in TR‐Conjugated Liposomes for Enhancing NIR Imaging‐Guided Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapy**
Authors: Lv Jiajia , Li Hongyu , Yang Mingyan , Li Xinmin , Gao Jie , Yuan Zeli
Published: September 2022

An integrin αvβ3‐specific liposomes (TR‐LPs) were designed for loading IR783 to enhance NIR imaging‐guided photothermal and photodynamic therapy (PTT and PDT). TR‐LPs was composed of soyabean phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, DSPE‐PEG, and TR‐functionalized DSPE‐PEG. IR783, NIR photo‐diagnostic agents, were encapsulated in the hydrophilic core of the TR‐LPs. DSPE‐PEG had ability of reducing the absorption of TR‐LPs by the reticuloendothelial system and increase the cycle time in body. RGD fragment on the TR peptide enhanced the tumor selectivity of liposomes by specifically targeting integrin αvβ3‐overexpressing cancer cells. Simultaneously, the rest of fragment on the TR peptide can be changed to the positive charge in the tumor microenvironment (pH 6.5), improving cellular uptake of the nanophotoagents. TR‐LPs exhibited favorable physical and chemical stability, loading capacity, biocompatibility and tumor targeting in vitro and in vivo. IR783‐TR‐LPs is promising as a potentially safe and effective phototherapeutic agents for NIR fluorescence‐guided tumor therapy applications.
Graphene‐Gold Hybrid Nanomaterial Based Impedimetric Immunosensor for H3N2 Influenza A Virus Detection
Authors: Tepeli Büyüksünetçi Yudum , Anık Ülkü
Published: September 2022

H3N2, known as “swine flu” is a kind of influenza A virus that can also infect humans. Therefore, rapid, practical and accurate techniques for H3N2 detection is needed. In this study, we fabricate Graphene‐gold hybrid nanomaterial modified hemagglutinin‐3 antibody (anti‐H3) based electrochemical immunosensor for practical, sensitive, and selective detection of H3N2 virus. The specific interaction between anti‐H3 and H3 protein on H3N2 virus was monitored with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. After experimental parameters were optimized, analytical characteristics were searched. A linearity in the range of 1.0–17.5 μg/mL with limit of detection value of 1.01 μg/mL were obtained for the virus. Relative standard deviation value was found as 4.60 % for 15 μg/mL H3N2 virus (n=3). By using synthetic saliva solution that was supplemented with the virus, matrix effect was also investigated. Lastly, the selectivity of developed anti‐H3 based electrochemical influenza A immunosensor was investigated by applying it for H1N1 virus detection.
Effect of Ag+, Cu2+ and Sn2+ Doping on Structural, Optical and Photocatalytic Properties of KGe0.5Te1.5O6 with Defect Pyrochlore Structure
Authors: Bindu Gaddameedi Hima , Sunku Manasa , Ramaswamy Kadari , Srilekha Pallati , Veerasomaiah Puppala , Vithal Muga
Published: September 2022

Defect pyrochlore‐type oxide, KGe0.5Te1.5O6 (KGTO) and its Ag+, Cu2+ and Sn2+ doped compositions were prepared by solid state and ion‐exchange methods respectively. The XRD results suggest that both parent KGTO and Ag+, Cu2+ and Sn2+ doped KGTO have crystallized in cubic lattice. The morphology of all compositions was obtained from SEM‐EDS and TEM‐SAED measurements. The textural properties were obtained from N2 adsorption‐desorption measurements. The FT‐IR and Raman spectra of all compositions are comparable. Surface elemental composition and electron‐hole recombination rate were deduced from XPS and PL measurements respectively. The photocatalytic performance of these materials was tested in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) dyes. The doping of Ag+, Cu2+ and Sn2+ into the KGTO lattice improved optical characteristics and photocatalytic activity significantly. Among the compositions investigated, Sn‐KGTO shown highest photocatalytic performance with 82 % for MB and 67 % for MO in 180 min. Trapping experiments were conducted to identify the active species participated in the MB degradation over Sn‐KGTO. The generation and participation of ⋅OH and O2−⋅ radicals were studied by terephthalic acid and potassium bromate experiments respectively. The reusability and chemical stability of Sn‐KGTO against MB degradation were also examined. A possible reaction mechanism was proposed to understand the MB degradation in the presence of Sn‐KGTO.
Performance of a Solid Cell with a Solid‐Liquid Electrolyte Prepared by a Microwave‐Assisted Sintering Technique from MCM‐41 and Ionic Liquids
Authors: Zhihui Ding , Wu Wei , Heming He
Published: September 2022

Li‐ion conducting solid‐liquid electrolytes containing ionic liquid, lithium salt and ordered mesoporous MCM‐41 are heated by microwave‐assisted reactive sintering. After heat treatment at 180 °C by Microwave Furnace, the electrolyte exhibits excellent electrochemical properties, such as: high ionic conductivity (2.46×10−3 S cm−1), and wide electrochemical window (5.6 V). However, Microwave‐assisted reactive sintering as a fast and easy processing technique is used to both promoting ionic liquids into MCM‐41 pore and sinter MCM‐41@LI‐IL with suitable properties in one single step. It is found that the electrochemical properties of the electrolytes obtained by microwave method are better than those obtained by conventional methods. The most groundbreaking result is that the Li/LiFePO4 cell assembled by MCM‐41@LI‐IL electrolyte obtained by the two sintering methods could deliver high specific capacity, about 150 mAh g−1 at room temperature under 1 C constant current charge‐discharge for more 1400 cycles.
Design and Synthesis of PDE2A Inhibitors for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Wang Yajing , Liu Jie , Song Guoqiang , Yu Yingcong , Huang Xianfeng
Published: September 2022

Growing evidence confirms the potential of PDE inhibitors including PDE 1, 2, 4, 7 and 10 inhibitors for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, a public health problem. There is a great need to find a way to prevent and delay the disease. Therefore, a series of novel quinolinone derivatives were synthesized and investigated for their ability to inhibit PDE2A. Most of the synthesized compounds have shown good activity against PDE2A. Among these analogues, compound 5 i exhibited most potent PDE2A inhibition with IC50 values about 0.049 μM. This compound also showed good selectivity over other PDEs. Docking simulation was performed to insert compound 5 i into the crystal structure of PDE2A at the active site to determine the binding mode. More importantly, compound 5 i exhibited excellent reversal of MPTP‐induced PD model and low acute toxicity in vivo. Based on these results, compound 5 i was evaluated as a promising candidate for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
DNA Nanostructures in Pharmaceutical Applications
Authors: John Jinju , Joseph Ajinsh , Kadavan Liya J. , Prabhu Prathibha S. , Prabhu Deepak J. , John Franklin , George Jinu
Published: September 2022

DNA nanostructures have evolved in various ways throughout the years since their discovery, including their structures and functions. Because DNA is a component of the biological system, it may be utilized to deliver therapeutic molecules without causing any harm to the body. For delivery, DNA nanostructures offer several benefits over conventional nanomaterials such as liposomes, polymers gold nanoparticles, carbon materials, etc. Various therapeutic molecules like drugs, nucleic acids, proteins, and a combination of these agents can be delivered with the help of DNA nanostructures.Because of the ease with which nanostructures can be synthesized through self‐assembly and the ability to form a variety of shapes, they have found widespread application in biomedical fields. In this review, we will look at the different classes of compounds that are delivered via DNA nanostructures.
Synthesis of Spiro‐oxindole Analogs Engrafted Pyrazole Scaffold as Potential Alzheimer's Disease Therapeutics: Anti‐oxidant, Enzyme Inhibitory and Molecular Docking Approaches
Authors: Shahidul Islam Mohammad , Mohammed Al‐Majid Abdullah , Nageh Sholkamy Essam , Yousuf Sammer , Ayaz Muhammad , Nawaz Asif , Wadood Abdul , Rehman Ashfaq Ur , Prakash Verma Ved , Motiur Rahman A. F. M. , Barakat Assem
Published: September 2022

About 19 spirooxindole analogs 8 a–s engrafted with pyrazole scaffolds were designed and constructed via [3+2] cycloaddition reaction (32CA) approach. The synthesized spirooxindole analogs was screened for anti‐cholinesterase against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and antioxidant potentials against DPPH. The compounds 8 h and 8 i showed the strongest acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition with IC50 values of 30 μg/mL respectively. The highest anti‐oxidant potential was demonstrated by compounds 8 p with IC50 values of 240 μg/mL, respectively. Molecular docking was used to study their interaction with the active site of enzymes.
Vertical Barrier Heterostructures for Reliable, Robust, and High‐Performance Ultraviolet Detection
Authors: Wang Yanrong , Wang Feng , Li Shuhui , Yang Jia , Yan Tao , Cai Yuchen , Wu Zilong , Zhan Xueying , He Jun , Wang Zhenxing
Published: September 2022

Photodetectors based on low‐dimensional materials usually suffer from serious optical power‐dependent photoresponse and low reliability, particularly in the ultraviolet regime. The barrier photodetector is an effective and reliable strategy where the barrier layer can block the low‐energy charge carriers while allowing for a flow of the high‐energy photocarriers. Here, vertical barrier heterostructure photodetectors (VBHPs), consisting of a graphene bottom electrode, a MoS2 light absorber, and an h‐BN energy barrier, for reliable, robust, and high‐performance ultraviolet detection are reported. The asymmetric barrier distribution in the conduction/valence band at the MoS2/h‐BN interface results in an ultralow noise current of 1.69 × 10‐15 A Hz‐1/2 at room temperature, stable photo on/off states exceeding 104 cycles at 300 K and 400 K, a light power‐independent high responsivity of 416.2 mA W‐1 at 360 nm, a high photo on–off ratio of 1.2 × 105 at 360 nm, high measured detectivities (3.2 × 1010 Jones at 266 nm and 9.9 × 1010 Jones at 360 nm), and wide linear dynamic ranges. The VBHPs show a high potential for new‐type reliable ultraviolet detection.
Carbon Dots‐Based Ultrastretchable and Conductive Hydrogels for High‐Performance Tactile Sensors and Self‐Powered Electronic Skin
Authors: Yu Yunfei , Feng Yiyu , Liu Feng , Wang Hui , Yu Huitao , Dai Kun , Zheng Guoqiang , Feng Wei
Published: September 2022

Smart tactile sensing materials have excellent development prospects, including wearable health‐monitoring equipment and energy collection. Hydrogels have received extensive attention in tactile sensing owing to their transparency and high elasticity. In this study, highly crosslinked hydrogels are fabricated by chemically crosslinking polyacrylamide with lithium magnesium silicate and decorated with carbon quantum dots. Magnesium lithium silicate provides abundant covalent bonds and improves the mechanical properties of the hydrogels. The luminescent properties endowed by the carbon dots further broaden the application of hydrogels for realizing flexible electronics. The hydrogel‐based strain sensor exhibits excellent sensitivity (gauge factor 2.6), a broad strain response range (0–2000%), good cyclicity, and durability (1250). Strain sensors can be used to detect human motions. More importantly, the hydrogel can also be used as a flexible self‐supporting triboelectric electrode for effectively detecting pressure in the range of 1–25 N and delivering a short‐circuit current (ISC) of 2.6 µA, open‐circuit voltage (VOC) of 115 V, and short‐circuit transfer charge (QSC) of 29 nC. The results reveal new possibilities for human–computer interactions and electronic robot skins.
Asymmetric Exchange Interaction Induces Highly Efficient Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution in RhFe Bimetallene
Authors: Yan Kun , Wei Tingting , Ren Hengdong , Wu Jianghua , Pan Xiaoqing , Xu Xiaobing , Liu Lizhe , Wu Xinglong
Published: September 2022

An RhFe bimetallene with Fe atoms doped into Rh host for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), is constructed. When two doped Fe atoms occupy neighboring asymmetric spatial positions, their asymmetric exchange interaction drives electron hopping between the dxy orbital of a Fe atom and the dz2 orbital of its neighboring Fe atom to push the d band center closer to the Fermi level as a result of electronic state reconstruction. The designed bimetallene with thickness of 0.77 nm (5 atomic layers), possesses excellent HER performance. The low overpotentials of 24.4 and 34.6 mV are achieved at the 10 and 100 mA cm−2 current densities in 1 m KOH solution, respectively. An ultra‐low Tafel slope of 8.9 mV dec−1 shows that this kind of RhFe bimetallene is of an ultrafast kinetic process. This work provides a strategy for designing HER catalysts with double metal composites.
Targeting Tumor Physical Microenvironment for Improved Radiotherapy
Authors: Wang Jin , Han Yulong , Li Yuan , Zhang Fengping , Cai Mengjiao , Zhang Xinyue , Chen Jie , Ji Chao , Ma Jinlu , Xu Feng
Published: September 2022

Radiotherapy has led to important clinical advances; existing cancer radiotherapy resistance is one remaining major challenge. Recently, biophysical cues in the tumor microenvironment (TME) have been regarded as the new hallmarks of cancer, playing pivotal roles in various cancer behaviors and treatment responses, including radiotherapy resistance. With recent advances in micro/nanotechnologies and functional biomaterials, radiotherapy exerts great influence on biophysical cues in TME, which, in turn, significantly affect the response to radiotherapy. Besides, various strategies have emerged that target biophysical cues in TME, to potentially enhance radiotherapy efficacy. Therefore, this paper reviews the four biophysical cues (i.e., extracellular matrix (ECM) microarchitecture, ECM stiffness, interstitial fluid pressure, and solid stress) that may play important roles in radiotherapy resistance, their possible mechanisms for inducing it, and their change after radiotherapy. The emerging therapeutic strategies targeting the biophysical microenvironment, to explore the mechanism of radiotherapy resistance and develop effective strategies to revert it for improved treatment efficacy are further summarized.
Not a jaguar after all? Phylogenetic affinities and morphology of the Pleistocene felid Panthera gombaszoegensis
Authors: Chatar Narimane , Michaud Margot , Fischer Valentin
Published: September 2022

Panthera gombaszoegensis is a fossil pantherine from the Pleistocene of Eurasia. It has been considered to be the closest ancestor the jaguar (Panthera onca) due to dental similarities, and has even sometimes been considered to be a subspecies of jaguar. However, our knowledge of this taxon is limited by the scarcity of cranial remains, which has made it difficult to properly assess the phylogenetic affinities and possible ecological role of this taxon. Here, we describe a new cranium of P. gombaszoegensis from Belgium, and present a morphometric analysis of the cranium and dentition of extinct and extant pantherines. Whereas the lower dentition of P. gombaszoegensis is similar to that of P. onca, similarities were not recovered in other parts of the skull. Some cranial traits of P. gombaszoegensis resemble those of other pantherines, especially larger species such as the tiger (P. tigris), while some similarities to taxa such as tiger (P. tigris), lion (P. leo) and leopard (P. pardus) in the skull of P. gombaszoegensis suggest a diet adapted to a wide prey spectrum. The first ever assessment of the phylogenetic placement of P. gombaszoegensis places this taxon closer to P. tigris than to P. onca, which considerably simplifies the biogeographic history of pantherines.
Influence of Aluminum on the Wear Properties of High‐Carbon Metastable Austenitic Steels
Authors: Ingber Jerome , Duchek Michal , Kunert Maik
Published: September 2022

The two‐body abrasive wear properties of metastable austenitic steels (MAS) against SiC abrasive paper are investigated at different wear loads. To ensure a metastable austenitic microstructure, the alloying compositions are chosen such that the martensite start temperature of the MAS is approximately at room temperature, while the proportions of carbon, manganese, and aluminum change. The abrasion test results are compared to martensitic (40MnB5) and austenitic steel (Hadfield steel). An up to four times lower weight loss is found for the MAS compared to the Hadfield steel and up to 6.7 times lower weight loss compared to the martensitic steel. It is found that the wear resistance of the MAS increases significantly with wear load. Wear resistance of over is achieved at the highest wear load of 32 N. The wear properties of the MAS are associated with an increase in the surface hardness resulting from a mechanically induced austenite to martensite phase transformation. It is shown that the addition of aluminum to the MAS reduces the wear resistance. This is explained by an increase in stacking fault energy and the associated restriction of the mechanically induced transformation to martensite.
Blended Learning Research and Practice
Authors: Graham Charles R. , Halverson Lisa R.
Published: September 2022

The strategic integration of online and in-person learning modalities (referred to as blended learning) is becoming increasingly popular in primary, secondary, post-secondary, and corporate contexts. Some have even called blended learning (BL) the “new normal” in education. This chapter addresses five important questions for scholars interested in contributing to research in this domain. First, how are scholars defining BL? Second, what are some of the common models of BL being used in higher education and K-12 learning environments? Third, what is happening with BL research and practice in different regions of the world? Fourth, what research frameworks have been developed by BL scholars and what are other common frameworks that scholars have borrowed from other domains? Finally, the chapter overviews some of the current BL research around institutional, faculty, and student issues. The global pandemic from 2019 to 2021 has increased administrator, instructor, and student awareness and familiarity with many online learning options. It is likely that blended practices that combine both online and in-person instruction will become increasingly prevalent. Scholars will need to better understand how different blended models and pedagogical practices within those models work to improve learning outcomes, increase access and flexibility for learners, and impact cost efficiencies.
Finite dimensional varieties over the Heisenberg group
Authors: Székelyhidi László
Published: September 2022

Spectral analysis and synthesis studies translation invariant function spaces, so-called varieties over topological groups. The basic building blocks are the finite dimensional varieties. In the commutative case finite dimensional varieties are spanned by exponential polynomials. In non-commutative situations no relevant results exist. In this paper we consider finite dimensional left translation invariant linear spaces of continuous complex valued functions over the Heisenberg group. Using basic knowledge about Lie algebra we describe all left varieties of this type. In particular, it turns out that those function spaces are spanned by exponential polynomials as well.
CAPRIN1P512L causes aberrant protein aggregation and associates with early-onset ataxia
Authors: Delle Vedove Andrea , Natarajan Janani , Zanni Ginevra , Eckenweiler Matthias , Muiños-Bühl Anixa , Storbeck Markus , Guillén Boixet Jordina , Barresi Sabina , Pizzi Simone , Hölker Irmgard , Körber Friederike , Franzmann Titus M. , Bertini Enrico S. , Kirschner Janbernd , Alberti Simon , Tartaglia Marco , Wirth Brunhilde
Published: September 2022

CAPRIN1 is a ubiquitously expressed protein, abundant in the brain, where it regulates the transport and translation of mRNAs of genes involved in synaptic plasticity. Here we describe two unrelated children, who developed early-onset ataxia, dysarthria, cognitive decline and muscle weakness. Trio exome sequencing unraveled the identical de novo c.1535C > T (p.Pro512Leu) missense variant in CAPRIN1, affecting a highly conserved residue. In silico analyses predict an increased aggregation propensity of the mutated protein. Indeed, overexpressed CAPRIN1P512L forms insoluble ubiquitinated aggregates, sequestrating proteins associated with neurodegenerative disorders (ATXN2, GEMIN5, SNRNP200 and SNCA). Moreover, the CAPRIN1P512L mutation in isogenic iPSC-derived cortical neurons causes reduced neuronal activity and altered stress granule dynamics. Furthermore, nano-differential scanning fluorimetry reveals that CAPRIN1P512L aggregation is strongly enhanced by RNA in vitro. These findings associate the gain-of-function Pro512Leu mutation to early-onset ataxia and neurodegeneration, unveiling a critical residue of CAPRIN1 and a key role of RNA–protein interactions.
The Effect of Neonicotinoids Exposure on Oreochromis niloticus Histopathological Alterations and Genotoxicity
Authors: El-Garawani Islam M. , Khallaf Elsayed A. , Alne-na-ei Alaa A. , Elgendy Rehab G. , Sobhy Hassan M. , Khairallah Adel , Hathout Heba M. R. , Malhat Farag , Nofal Amany E.
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to examine the side effects of selected neonicotinoids (Acetamiprid, Aceta, and Imidacloprid, Imid) on Oreochromis niloticus juveniles. The acute toxicity, Probit method, revealed an LC50 of 195.81 and 150.76 ppm for Aceta/96 h and Imid/72 h respectively. The fish were divided into three groups that were exposed, for 21 days (n = 5/replicate), to 1/10 of the LC50 of either neonicotinoids, however, the third was an unexposed control group. Results of erythrocytic micronucleus (MN), and nuclear abnormalities (NA) showed that Aceta and Imid exposure caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in MN by ~ 2.2 and ~ 10 folds, respectively relative to control. NAs occurred at the order of kidney-shaped > budding > binucleated in Aceta, however, budding > binucleated > kidney-shaped was noticed in the Imid group. Histopathological changes in gills, liver, and muscles were observed significantly in both exposed groups with more severity in the Imid group. Collectively, Aceta and Imid have potential genotoxicity and histopathological alterations in O. niloticus.
Functional alignment achieves a more balanced total knee arthroplasty than either mechanical alignment or kinematic alignment prior to soft tissue releases
Authors: Clark Gavin , Steer Richard , Wood David
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Total knee arthroplasty with functional alignment uses pre-resection balancing to determine component position within the soft tissue envelope to achieve balance and restoration of native joint obliquity. The purpose of this study was to assess the balance achievable with a mechanical axis alignment and kinematic axis alignment plan, and the subsequent balance achievable after adjustment of the component position to functional alignment.

Methods

A prospective cohort of 300 knees undergoing cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty were included in this study. Of these, 130 were initially planned with mechanical alignment (MA) and 170 with kinematic alignment (KA). Maximal stressed virtual gaps were collected using an optical tracking software system. The gaps were measured medially and laterally in flexion and extension. Following assessment of balance, implant position was adjusted to balance the soft tissues in functional alignment (FA) and the maximal gaps reassessed. Gaps were considered to be balanced when within 2 mm of equality. Incidence of balance within each cohort was compared to independent samples proportions test.

Results

Functional alignment obtained significantly better balance in extension, medially and overall than both MA and KA alignment without soft tissue release (p < 0.001). Overall balance was observed in 97% of FA knees, 73% of KA knees and in 55% of MA knees. The difference between KA and MA was also significant (p = 0.002). Whilst there was no difference observed in balanced achieved or limb alignment when FA was planned with either MA or KA, the joint line obliquity was maintained with an initial KA plan.

Conclusion

Functional alignment more consistently achieves a balanced total knee arthroplasty than either mechanical alignment or kinematic alignment prior to undertaking soft tissue release. Utilising an individualised KA plan allows FA to best achieve the stated goals of maintaining joint line plane and obliquity.

Level of evidence

Level III: retrospective cohort study.
The relationship between R&D knowledge spillovers and employment entry
Authors: Barbieri Nicolò , Ramaciotti Laura , Rizzo Ugo
Published: September 2022

Recent approaches to entrepreneurship seek to explain regional heterogeneity by exploring the link between knowledge endowment and new firm creation. There are two main gaps in this stream of research. First, entrepreneurship tends to be considered in terms of entry rates rather than in terms of job creation. Second, most empirical studies focus on relatively large geographical areas and overlook the distance at which knowledge externalities dissipate. The present paper exploits data on firms based in the Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) to show that private R&D spillovers are positively associated with the size at entry of innovative firms only for those located close to the R&D activities and that these spillovers dissipate at a few kilometres from the R&D source. Non-linearities are detected only for low-tech sectors.
O-Glycoproteomic analysis of engineered heavily glycosylated fusion proteins using nanoHILIC-MS
Authors: Cavallero Gustavo J. , Wang Yan , Nwosu Charles , Gu Sheng , Meiyappan Muthuraman , Zaia Joseph
Published: September 2022

Recombinant protein engineering design affects therapeutic properties including protein efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity. Importantly, glycosylation modulates glycoprotein therapeutic pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and effector functions. Furthermore, the development of fusion proteins requires in-depth characterization of the protein integrity and its glycosylation to evaluate their critical quality attributes. Fc-fusion proteins can be modified by complex glycosylation on the active peptide, the fragment crystallizable (Fc) domain, and the linker peptides. Moreover, the type of glycosylation and the glycan distribution at a given glycosite depend on the host cell line and the expression system conditions that significantly impact safety and efficacy. Because of the inherent heterogeneity of glycosylation, it is necessary to assign glycan structural detail for glycoprotein quality control. Using conventional reversed-phase LC–MS methods, the different glycoforms at a given glycosite elute over a narrow retention time window, and glycopeptide ionization is suppressed by co-eluting non-modified peptides. To overcome this drawback, we used nanoHILIC-MS to characterize the complex glycosylation of UTI-Fc, a fusion protein that greatly increases the half-life of ulinastatin. By this methodology, we identified and characterized ulinastatin glycopeptides at the Fc domain and linker peptide. The results described herein demonstrate the advantages of nanoHILIC-MS to elucidate glycan features on glycotherapeutics that fail to be detected using traditional reversed-phase glycoproteomics.
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve with Loss of Signal During Monitored Thyroidectomy: Percentage Reduction in Sum of the Amplitude of Left and Right Channel
Authors: Yuan Qianqian , Hou Jinxuan , Zheng Lewei , Xu Gaoran , Yang Yalong , Li Chengxin , Wu Gaosong , Tian Wen
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The prognostication for the injured recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) with incomplete loss of signal (LOS) and its function outcome have not been well unified. A warning criterion was proposed to predict RLN injury during monitored thyroidectomy.

Methods

A retrospective review of prospectively collected data from consecutive 357 patients with 560 nerves at risk was conducted. Vocal cords mobility with laryngoscope was performed preoperatively, on the second day, and once a month postoperatively until complete recovery. Different cutoff values of the percentage reduction in sum of the amplitude of left and right channel at the end of the surgery, for postoperative vocal cord paralysis (VCP) prediction were compared.

Results

Percentage reduction in sum of the amplitude of left and right channel at the end of operation ranged from 30.2 to 63.6% in 27 nerves with incomplete LOS (absolute amplitude value of final R2 > 100 μV with reduction > 50% of R1). Seven (1.25%) nerves experienced transient postoperative VCP, in which one nerve with postoperative VCP showed no amplitude reduction. The positive predictive value of VCP for the sum amplitude reduction exceeding 30, 40, 50, and 60% was 22.2, 40, 85.7, and 100%, respectively. Accuracy was 96.1, 98.2, 99.6, 99.4%, respectively.

Conclusion

Percentage reduction in sum of the amplitude of left and right channel is a meaningful method to improve the accuracy of VCP prediction. When the sum amplitude reduction ≥ 50%, surgeons should consider the possibility of postoperative VCP and correct some surgical maneuvers.
CMIP6 GCM ensemble members versus global surface temperatures
Authors: Scafetta Nicola
Published: September 2022

The Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (phase 6) (CMIP6) global circulation models (GCMs) predict equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS) values ranging between 1.8 and 5.7$${^\circ }$$∘C. To narrow this range, we group 38 GCMs into low, medium and high ECS subgroups and test their accuracy and precision in hindcasting the mean global surface warming observed from 1980–1990 to 2011–2021 in the ERA5-T2m, HadCRUT5, GISTEMP v4, and NOAAGlobTemp v5 global surface temperature records. We also compare the GCM hindcasts to the satellite-based UAH-MSU v6 lower troposphere global temperature record. We use 143 GCM ensemble averaged simulations under four slightly different forcing conditions, 688 GCM member simulations, and Monte Carlo modeling of the internal variability of the GCMs under three different model accuracy requirements. We found that the medium and high-ECS GCMs run too hot up to over 95% and 97% of cases, respectively. The low ECS GCM group agrees best with the warming values obtained from the surface temperature records, ranging between 0.52 and 0.58$${^\circ }$$∘C. However, when comparing the observed and GCM hindcasted warming on land and ocean regions, the surface-based temperature records appear to exhibit a significant warming bias. Furthermore, if the satellite-based UAH-MSU-lt record is accurate, actual surface warming from 1980 to 2021 may have been around 0.40$${^\circ }$$∘C (or less), that is up to about 30% less than what is reported by the surface-based temperature records. The latter situation implies that even the low-ECS models would have produced excessive warming from 1980 to 2021. These results suggest that the actual ECS may be relatively low, i.e. lower than 3$${^\circ }$$∘C or even less than 2$${^\circ }$$∘C if the 1980–2021 global surface temperature records contain spurious warming, as some alternative studies have already suggested. Therefore, the projected global climate warming over the next few decades could be moderate and probably not particularly alarming.
New concepts in atrial fibrillation pathophysiology
Authors: Hermans Ben J. M. , Weberndörfer Vanessa , Bijvoet Geertruida P. , Chaldoupi Sevasti-Maria , Linz Dominik
Published: September 2022

The current classification of atrial fibrillation (AF) is mainly focused on the clinical presentation according to the duration of AF episodes and the mode of termination, which incompletely reflect the severity and progressive nature of the underlying atrial disease. In this review article, “atrial cardiomyopathy” is discussed as a new concept in AF pathophysiology. Electrogram-, imaging-, and biomarker-derived measures and parameters to assess atrial cardiomyopathy, which will likely impact how AF is clinically classified and managed in the future, are presented.
Utility of flexible interventional endoscopy in endoscopic sinus surgery: a case series
Authors: Litzistorf Yann , Gorostidi François , Lambercy Karma , Reinhard Antoine
Published: September 2022

Purpose

During endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), difficult-to-reach pathologies need an extended endoscopic approach or an external approach. We started to use a flexible interventional endoscope (FIE) to evaluate the necessity of those approaches. The study's objective is to describe our experience and define patients who could benefit from this technique.

Methods

We reviewed every patient who benefited from FIE associated with ESS at our tertiary University Hospital between January 2021 and February 2022.

Results

During this period, we did 107 ESS, and 14 patients benefited from the FIE, representing 13% of our ESS. The median duration of the flexible endoscopy time was 14 min (4–38 min). We identified three groups of patients who can benefit from the FIE. The first one is for patients with a fungal infection, to control and to clean lateral recesses in a noninvasive manner. The second one is for patients with a pathology of the lateral frontal sinus, to remove the frontoethmoidal cells or mucocele with the biopsy forceps through the working channel. The third group is for patients with inverted papillomas, to precisely identify the insertion and to decide on the most appropriate surgical approach.

Conclusions

In selected cases, using flexible endoscopy during ESS helps decide the optimal surgical approach and sometimes treat the pathology through a limited approach. Prospective studies for each group of patients are needed to confirm the benefit of this new combined procedure.
An observational pragmatic quality-of-life study on paediatric tonsillectomy and waiting for surgery
Authors: Huynh Julie , Woods Charmaine M. , Ooi Eng H.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To investigate parental perceptions of the effects of tonsillectomy on their child’s quality of life while awaiting and following surgery in an Australian public health system.

Methods

An observational pragmatic study was undertaken at a tertiary Australian hospital. Parents of paediatric patients (2–16 years of age) listed for tonsillectomy completed a validated quality-of-life questionnaire (T-14 Paediatric Throat Disorders Outcome Test) at the initial consultation, on day of surgery, 6 weeks post-operatively and 6 months post-operatively. T-14 scores were compared using the Related-Samples Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test.

Results

Parents of 167 children participated in this study. There was a median wait time of 174 days (IQR 108–347) from the initial consultation until the day of surgery, with no significant change in median T-14 scores (35 [IQR 22–42] vs 36 [IQR 22–42]; n = 63; p > 0.05). There was a significant decrease from pre-operative T-14 scores to 6 weeks post-operatively (33.5 [IQR 22–42] vs 2 [IQR 0–5]; n = 160; p < 0.001), and this was sustained with a minor improvement at 6 months post-operatively (6 weeks 2 [IQR 0–5] vs 6 months 0 [IQR 0–2]; n = 148; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Paediatric tonsillectomy improves quality of life with a sustained benefit in the long term. There is no improvement to the patient’s quality of life while awaiting tonsillectomy, thus patient welfare can be improved through reducing waiting times for surgery.
Mercury chloride alters heterochromatin domain organization and nucleolar activity in mouse liver
Authors: Zannino Lorena , Pagano Andrea , Casali Claudio , Oldani Monica , Balestrazzi Alma , Biggiogera Marco
Published: September 2022

Mercury is a highly toxic element that induces severe alterations and a broad range of adverse effects on health. Its exposure is a global concern because it is widespread in the environment due to its multiple industrial, domestic, agricultural and medical usages. Among its various chemical forms, both humans and animals are mainly exposed to mercury chloride (HgCl2), methylmercury and elemental mercury. HgCl2 is metabolized primarily in the liver. We analysed the effects on the nuclear architecture of an increasing dosage of HgCl2 in mouse hepatocytes cell culture and in mouse liver, focusing specifically on the organization, on some epigenetic features of the heterochromatin domains and on the nucleolar morphology and activity. Through the combination of molecular and imaging approaches both at optical and electron microscopy, we show that mercury chloride induces modifications of the heterochromatin domains and a decrease of some histones post-translational modifications associated to heterochromatin. This is accompanied by an increase in nucleolar activity which is reflected by bigger nucleoli. We hypothesized that heterochromatin decondensation and nucleolar activation following mercury chloride exposure could be functional to express proteins necessary to counteract the harmful stimulus and reach a new equilibrium.
Adrenoceptor sub-type involvement in Ca2+ current stimulation by noradrenaline in human and rabbit atrial myocytes
Authors: Saxena Priyanka , Myles Rachel C. , Smith Godfrey L. , Workman Antony J.
Published: September 2022

Atrial fibrillation (AF) from elevated adrenergic activity may involve increased atrial L-type Ca2+ current (ICaL) by noradrenaline (NA). However, the contribution of the adrenoceptor (AR) sub-types to such ICaL-increase is poorly understood, particularly in human. We therefore investigated effects of various broad-action and sub-type-specific α- and β-AR antagonists on NA-stimulated atrial ICaL. ICaL was recorded by whole-cell-patch clamp at 37 °C in myocytes isolated enzymatically from atrial tissues from consenting patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery and from rabbits. NA markedly increased human atrial ICaL, maximally by ~ 2.5-fold, with EC75 310 nM. Propranolol (β1 + β2-AR antagonist, 0.2 microM) substantially decreased NA (310 nM)-stimulated ICaL, in human and rabbit. Phentolamine (α1 + α2-AR antagonist, 1 microM) also decreased NA-stimulated ICaL. CGP20712A (β1-AR antagonist, 0.3 microM) and prazosin (α1-AR antagonist, 0.5 microM) each decreased NA-stimulated ICaL in both species. ICI118551 (β2-AR antagonist, 0.1 microM), in the presence of NA + CGP20712A, had no significant effect on ICaL in human atrial myocytes, but increased it in rabbit. Yohimbine (α2-AR antagonist, 10 microM), with NA + prazosin, had no significant effect on human or rabbit ICaL. Stimulation of atrial ICaL by NA is mediated, based on AR sub-type antagonist responses, mainly by activating β1- and α1-ARs in both human and rabbit, with a β2-inhibitory contribution evident in rabbit, and negligible α2 involvement in either species. This improved understanding of AR sub-type contributions to noradrenergic activation of atrial ICaL could help inform future potential optimisation of pharmacological AR-antagonism strategies for inhibiting adrenergic AF.
Feature fusion based on joint sparse representations and wavelets for multiview classification
Authors: Akbari Younes , Elharrouss Omar , Al-Maadeed Somaya
Published: September 2022

Feature-level-based fusion has attracted much interest. Generally, a dataset can be created in different views, features, or modalities. To improve the classification rate, local information is shared among different views by various fusion methods. However, almost all the methods use the views without considering their common aspects. In this paper, wavelet transform is considered to extract high and low frequencies of the views as common aspects to improve the classification rate. The fusion method for the decomposed parts is based on joint sparse representation in which a number of scenarios can be considered. The presented approach is tested on three datasets. The results obtained by this method prove competitive performance in terms of the datasets compared to the state-of-the-art results.
Heart Rate Variability: A Personal Journey
Authors: Porges Stephen W.
Published: September 2022

Heart rate variabfility (HRV) has been a focal point throughout my academic history. To put into perspective, I have published studies spanning seven decades focusing on HRV (1969–2022). My interest in HRV started early in graduate school and continues to be an important portal informing my theoretical perspective. The current paper tracks some of this history, which started as an empirical observation and moved through several scientific stages including development of quantitative methods and investigations of neural mechanisms. Along this journey a variety of hypotheses were tested including the relative sensitivity of HRV metrics to neural mechanisms, psychological processes, and medical diagnoses. In addition, the research led to the identification of portal of intervention that have become strategies to optimize mental and physical health. These apparent disparate programs of inquiry have been tightly merged as the Polyvagal Theory evolved. In the sections below, I have shared my personal journey through these stages of scientific inquiry and my attempts to integrate the new knowledge in an expansive theoretical model.
Neighborhood environment and socioeconomic inequalities in cancer admissions: a prospective study using UK Biobank and linked hospital records
Authors: Mason Kate E. , Pearce Neil , Cummins Steven
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Neighborhood environments may influence cancer risk. Average population effect estimates might mask differential effects by socioeconomic position. Improving neighborhood environments could inadvertently widen health inequalities if important differences are overlooked.

Methods

Using linked records of hospital admissions in UK Biobank, we assessed associations between admission with a primary diagnosis of cancer (any/breast/colorectal), and exposure to neighborhood greenspace, physical activity facilities, and takeaway food stores, and whether household income and area deprivation modify these associations. We used adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, and estimated relative excess risks due to interaction (RERI) to assess effect modification.

Results

Associations between neighborhood exposures and cancer-related hospitalizations were weak to null overall, but with some evidence of effect modification. Most notably, more greenspace near home was associated with 16% lower hazard of cancer-related hospital admission in deprived areas (95% CI 2–29%). This was further pronounced for people in low-income households in deprived areas, and for breast cancer.

Conclusion

In deprived neighborhoods, increasing the amount of greenspace may help reduce cancer-related hospitalizations. Examining effect modification by multiple socioeconomic indicators can yield greater insight into how social and environmental factors interact to influence cancer incidence. This may help avoid perpetuating cancer inequalities when designing neighborhood environment interventions.
Quantisations of the Volterra hierarchy
Authors: Carpentier Sylvain , Mikhailov Alexander V. , Wang Jing Ping
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we explore a recently emerged approach to the problem of quantisation based on the notion of quantisation ideals. We explicitly prove that the nonabelian Volterra together with the whole hierarchy of its symmetries admits a deformation quantisation. We show that all odd-degree symmetries of the Volterra hierarchy admit also a non-deformation quantisation. We discuss the quantisation problem for periodic Volterra hierarchy including their quantum Hamiltonians, central elements of the quantised algebras, and demonstrate super-integrability of the quantum systems obtained. We show that the Volterra system with period 3 admits a bi-quantum structure, which can be regarded as a quantum deformation of its classical bi-Hamiltonian structure.
Arbitrage-free smile construction on FX option markets using Garman-Kohlhagen deltas and implied volatilities
Authors: Muck Matthias
Published: September 2022

This paper addresses arbitrage-free FX smile construction from near-term implied volatility dynamics proposed by Carr (J Financ Econ, 120(1), 1–20, 2016). The approach is directly applicable to FX option market conventions. Prices of market benchmark contracts (risk reversals and butterflies) are identified as the roots of a cubic polynomial and ATM-volatility can be matched by construction. Implied volatilities are computed with respect to (non-premium adjusted) option deltas. The approach is compared to the Vanna Volga Approach, which does not guarantee arbitrage-free prices. An empirical application to a normal and a stress scenario demonstrates that arbitrage-free implied volatilities coincide with those from the Vanna Volga Approach when prices are interpolated between the $$\Delta$$
Δ
25-call and $$\Delta$$
Δ
25-put options. Differences are observed when implied volatilities are extrapolated to the wings. Empirically, these differences are particularly relevant in a stress scenario during the Coronavirus crises (2020).
Bioethical Implications of Vulnerability and Politics for Healthcare in Ethiopia and The Ways Forward
Authors: Mussie Kirubel Manyazewal , Elger Bernice Simone , Kaba Mirgissa , Pageau Félix , Wienand Isabelle
Published: September 2022

Vulnerability and politics are among the relevant and key topics of discussion in the Ethiopian healthcare context. Attempts by the formal bioethics structure in Ethiopia to deliberate on ethical issues relating to vulnerability and politics in healthcare have been limited, even though the informal analysis of bioethical issues has been present in traditional Ethiopian communities. This is reflected in religion, social values, and local moral underpinnings. Thus, the aim of this paper is to discuss the bioethical implications of vulnerability and politics for healthcare in Ethiopia and to suggest possible ways forward. First, we will briefly introduce what has been done to develop bioethics as a field in Ethiopia and what gaps remain concerning its implementation in healthcare practice. This will give a context for our second and main task – analyzing the healthcare challenges in relation to vulnerability and politics and discussing their bioethical implications. In doing so, and since these two concepts are intrinsically broad, we demarcate their scope by focusing on specific issues such as poverty, gender, health governance, and armed conflicts. Lastly, we provide suggestions for the ways forward.