bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Challenges in Recycling Spent Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Spotlight on Polyvinylidene Fluoride Removal
Authors: Wang Mengmeng , Liu Kang , Yu Jiadong , Zhang Qiaozhi , Zhang Yuying , Valix Marjorie , Tsang Daniel C.W. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn the recycling of retired lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), the cathode materials containing valuable metals should be first separated from the current collector aluminum foil to decrease the difficulty and complexity in the subsequent metal extraction. However, strong the binding force of organic binder polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) prevents effective separation of cathode materials and Al foil, thus affecting metal recycling. This paper reviews the composition, property, function, and binding mechanism of PVDF, and elaborates on the separation technologies of cathode material and Al foil (e.g., physical separation, solid‐phase thermochemistry, solution chemistry, and solvent chemistry) as well as the corresponding reaction behavior and transformation mechanisms of PVDF. Due to the characteristic variation of the reaction systems, the dissolution, swelling, melting, and degradation processes and mechanisms of PVDF exhibit considerable differences, posing new challenges to efficient recycling of spent LIBs worldwide. It is critical to separate cathode materials and Al foil and recycle PVDF to reduce environmental risks from the recovery of retired LIBs resources. Developing fluorine‐free alternative materials and solid‐state electrolytes is a potential way to mitigate PVDF pollution in the recycling of spent LIBs in the EV era.
A fast linkage method for population GWAS cohorts with related individuals
Authors: Zajac Gregory J. M. , Gagliano Taliun Sarah A. , Sidore Carlo , Graham Sarah E. , Åsvold Bjørn O. , Brumpton Ben , Nielsen Jonas B. , Zhou Wei , Gabrielsen Maiken , Skogholt Anne H. , Fritsche Lars G. , Schlessinger David , Cucca Francesco , Hveem Kristian , Willer Cristen J. , Abecasis Gonçalo R. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractLinkage analysis, a class of methods for detecting co‐segregation of genomic segments and traits in families, was used to map disease‐causing genes for decades before genotyping arrays and dense SNP genotyping enabled genome‐wide association studies in population samples. Population samples often contain related individuals, but the segregation of alleles within families is rarely used because traditional linkage methods are computationally inefficient for larger datasets. Here, we describe Population Linkage, a novel application of Haseman–Elston regression as a method of moments estimator of variance components and their standard errors. We achieve additional computational efficiency by using modern methods for detection of IBD segments and variance component estimation, efficient preprocessing of input data, and minimizing redundant numerical calculations. We also refined variance component models to account for the biases in population‐scale methods for IBD segment detection. We ran Population Linkage on four blood lipid traits in over 70,000 individuals from the HUNT and SardiNIA studies, successfully detecting 25 known genetic signals. One notable linkage signal that appeared in both was for low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in the region near the gene APOE (LOD = 29.3, variance explained = 4.1%). This is the region where the missense variants rs7412 and rs429358, which together make up the ε2, ε3, and ε4 alleles each account for 2.4% and 0.8% of variation in circulating LDL cholesterol. Our results show the potential for linkage analysis and other large‐scale applications of method of moments variance components estimation.
Bayesian multivariant fine mapping using the Laplace prior
Authors: Walters Kevin , Yaacob Hannuun 
Published: February 2023

AbstractCurrently, the only effect size prior that is routinely implemented in a Bayesian fine‐mapping multi‐single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis is the Gaussian prior. Here, we show how the Laplace prior can be deployed in Bayesian multi‐SNP fine mapping studies. We compare the ranking performance of the posterior inclusion probability (PIP) using a Laplace prior with the ranking performance of the corresponding Gaussian prior and FINEMAP. Our results indicate that, for the simulation scenarios we consider here, the Laplace prior can lead to higher PIPs than either the Gaussian prior or FINEMAP, particularly for moderately sized fine‐mapping studies. The Laplace prior also appears to have better worst‐case scenario properties. We reanalyse the iCOGS case–control data from the CASP8 region on Chromosome 2. Even though this study has a total sample size of nearly 90,000 individuals, there are still some differences in the top few ranked SNPs if the Laplace prior is used rather than the Gaussian prior. R code to implement the Laplace (and Gaussian) prior is available at https://github.com/Kevin‐walters/lapmapr.
Brain metabolites measured with magnetic resonance spectroscopy in pediatric concussion and orthopedic injury: An Advancing Concussion Assessment in Pediatrics (A‐CAP) study
Authors: La Parker L. , Joyce Julie M. , Bell Tiffany K. , Mauthner Micaela , Craig William , Doan Quynh , Beauchamp Miriam H. , Zemek Roger , Yeates Keith Owen , Harris Ashley D. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractMillions of children sustain a concussion annually. Concussion disrupts cellular signaling and neural pathways within the brain but the resulting metabolic disruptions are not well characterized. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) can examine key brain metabolites (e.g., N‐acetyl Aspartate (tNAA), glutamate (Glx), creatine (tCr), choline (tCho), and myo‐Inositol (mI)) to better understand these disruptions. In this study, we used MRS to examine differences in brain metabolites between children and adolescents with concussion versus orthopedic injury. Children and adolescents with concussion (n = 361) or orthopedic injury (OI) (n = 184) aged 8 to 17 years were recruited from five emergency departments across Canada. MRS data were collected from the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L‐DLPFC) using point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) at 3 T at a mean of 12 days post‐injury (median 10 days post‐injury, range 2–33 days). Univariate analyses for each metabolite found no statistically significant metabolite differences between groups. Within each analysis, several covariates were statistically significant. Follow‐up analyses designed to account for possible confounding factors including age, site, scanner, vendor, time since injury, and tissue type (and interactions as appropriate) did not find any metabolite group differences. In the largest sample of pediatric concussion studied with MRS to date, we found no metabolite differences between concussion and OI groups in the L‐DLPFC. We suggest that at 2 weeks post‐injury in a general pediatric concussion population, brain metabolites in the L‐DLPFC are not specifically affected by brain injury.
A study on a new fiscal risk‐sharing system to make Eurozone an OCA
Authors: Kim Wi‐Dae 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis article seeks to add a new element to the 5‐decade debate over the theory of Optimal Currency Area. In the euro area, the accumulation of economic imbalances caused by the loss of the automatic adjustment functions of the exchange rate have served as a structural background to limit its self‐sustaining resilience during financial shocks. To enhance the stability of Optimal Currency Area (OCA) through the revitalization of those functions, this article argues that if the euro area had adopted some form of fiscal risk‐sharing mechanisms, which could have generated a similar economic effect as if they had maintained a flexible F/X system as that which had existed in pre‐euro days, the fiscal crisis hypothetically could have been more easily overcome within a shorter period with less financial support. The result suggests that if ‘Adjustment Fund for Foreign Exchange rate Loss (AFFEL)’, originally devised within these pages, had operated, the interest rates in crisis‐hit members could have been significantly lower than actual levels during the crisis, while safely maintaining the euro system.
Inflation expectations and nonlinearities in the Phillips curve
Authors: Doser Alexander , Nunes Ricardo , Rao Nikhil , Sheremirov Viacheslav 
Published: February 2023

SummaryThis paper examines the presence of nonlinearities in the Phillips curve. We allow for a flexible form of nonlinearity and estimate a threshold regression model with the number and location of thresholds determined directly from the data. Over the estimation period starting in the late 1960s, we document that the linear model cannot be rejected if we properly control for inflation expectations. More precisely, not controlling for consumer expectations may lead the econometrician to overestimate the degree of nonlinearity. Our results hold with aggregate data, regional data, and controlling for cost‐push shocks directly or using instrumental variables.
Using arbitrary precision arithmetic to sharpen identification analysis for DSGE models
Authors: Qu Zhongjun , Tkachenko Denis 
Published: February 2023

SummaryWe introduce arbitrary precision arithmetic to resolve practical difficulties arising in the identification analysis of dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models. A three‐step procedure is proposed to address local and global identification and the empirical distance between models. The method is applied to monetary and fiscal policy interaction models, revealing exact observational equivalence in a small‐scale model between an indeterminate passive monetary and fiscal policy regime and determinate regimes, and near observational equivalence in a medium‐scale model. Additionally, the method yields new insights for a model with news shocks, demonstrating that wage markup shocks can be replaced by unanticipated moving average shocks, resulting in near observational equivalence.
Low Early Antifactor Xa Target Achievement Rate of Low‐Molecular‐Weight Heparin for Treating Venous Thromboembolism in Patients in Intensive Care
Authors: Zhang Li , Zhang Lei , Li Ping , Liu Chenwei , Zheng Qiwen , Wang Yan 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate whether early antifactor Xa (anti‐Xa) achieved the target range when venous thromboembolism (VTE) was treated with low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH), based on body weight and renal function in patients treated in intensive care units (ICUs). Anti‐Xa levels in patients treated with LMWH for VTE in ICU and medical wards between January 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, were retrospectively assessed. The demographics, laboratory parameters, and early anti‐Xa peak levels of patients were collected. All patients were followed up for 3 months to collect VTE recurrence/bleeding events. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to identify the factors affecting anti‐Xa levels. A total of 108 patients were enrolled in this study, including 70 patients in ICU and 38 patients on medical wards. The early anti‐Xa level (0.36 vs 0.61 IU/mL, P < .001) and target achievement rate (21.4% vs 39.5%, P = .015) of patients in ICU were lower than those in medical wards. Multivariate linear regression showed that only antithrombin (AT) significantly affected anti‐Xa levels in patients in ICU (β = 0.008, 95%CI 0.005 to 0.011, P < .001). There was no significant difference in VTE recurrence events (11.8% vs 7.5%, P = .628) and bleeding events (29.4% vs 17.0%, P = .304) between the early anti‐Xa within‐target group and the early anti‐Xa below‐target group. Low anti‐Xa peak levels are common in patients in ICU. AT activity should be monitored when using LMWH in critically ill patients.
Extracellular vesicles and high‐density lipoproteins: Exercise and oestrogen‐responsive small RNA carriers
Authors: Karvinen Sira , Korhonen Tia‐Marje , Sievänen Tero , Karppinen Jari E. , Juppi Hanna‐Kaarina , Jakoaho Veera , Kujala Urho M. , Laukkanen Jari A. , Lehti Maarit , Laakkonen Eija K. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractDecreased systemic oestrogen levels (i.e., menopause) affect metabolic health. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. Both oestrogens and exercise have been shown to improve metabolic health, which may be partly mediated by circulating microRNA (c‐miR) signalling. In recent years, extracellular vesicles (EV) have increased interest in the field of tissue crosstalk. However, in many studies on EV‐carried miRs, the co‐isolation of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) particles with EVs has not been considered, potentially affecting the results. Here, we demonstrate that EV and HDL particles have distinct small RNA (sRNA) content, including both host and nonhost sRNAs. Exercise caused an acute increase in relative miR abundancy in EVs, whereas in HDL particles, it caused an increase in transfer RNA‐derived sRNA. Furthermore, we demonstrate that oestrogen‐based hormonal therapy (HT) allows the acute exercise‐induced miR‐response to occur in both EV and HDL particles in postmenopausal women, while the response was absent in nonusers.
Early intervention model of inpatient diabetes care improves glycemia following hospitalization
Authors: Kyi Mervyn , Colman Peter , Gonzalez Vicky , Hall Candice , Cheuk Nathan , Fourlanos Spiros 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAdmission to hospital provides an opportunity to optimize long‐term diabetes management, but clinical inertia is common. We previously reported the randomized study of a proactive inpatient diabetes service (RAPIDS), investigating an early intervention model of care and demonstrated improved in‐hospital glycemia and clinical outcomes. This follow‐up study assessed whether proactive care in hospital improved postdischarge HbA1c. In a subgroup of 298 RAPIDS trial participants with type 2 diabetes, age <80 years, and admission HbA1c ≥ 7.0%, diabetes treatment intensification occurred more often in early intervention versus usual care groups (37% vs. 19% [p = .001]), adjusted odds ratio 3.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7–6.0). There was a greater change in HbA1c in the early intervention group (mean −0.9% [95% CI −1.3 to −0.4]) versus the usual care group (−0.3% [−0.6 to −0.1]), p = .029. The value of acute care by dedicated inpatient diabetes teams can extend beyond improving inpatient clinical outcomes and can lead to sustained improvement in glycemia.
Provider perspectives on service delivery modifications to maintain access to HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis during the COVID‐19 pandemic: qualitative results from a PrEP implementation project in Kenya
Authors: Velloza Jennifer , Roche Stephanie D. , Owidi Emmah J. , Irungu Elizabeth M. , Dollah Annabell , Kwach Benn , Thuo Nicholas B. , Morton Jennifer F. , Mugo Nelly , Bukusi Elizabeth A. , O'Malley Gabrielle , Ngure Kenneth , Baeten Jared M. , Mugwanya Kenneth K. ,   for the Partners Scale‐Up Project Team
Published: February 2023

AbstractIntroductionHIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an essential prevention strategy being scaled up for priority populations in Kenya, including for HIV serodiscordant couples. The COVID‐19 pandemic posed challenges to PrEP rollout. We conducted a qualitative study of PrEP providers to understand how clinics adjusted PrEP delivery during the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsSince 2017, the Partners Scale‐Up Project has integrated PrEP into 25 HIV clinics in Central and Western Kenya. We conducted qualitative interviews with 40 purposively sampled clinic personnel. We interviewed personnel once during the first pandemic wave (May–Aug 2020) and again after some decline in COVID‐19 rates (Nov–Jan 2021). We analysed data using inductive memo‐writing and summarized data by themes along the PrEP delivery cascade, guided by the Framework for Reporting Adaptation and Modifications (FRAME).ResultsWe interviewed 27 clinical officers, five nurses, four health records and information officers, and four counsellors from Central (n = 20) and Western (n = 20) Kenya. About half (n = 19) were female, with a median age of 32 (IQR: 29–34) and 2.3 years of experience delivering PrEP (IQR: 2–3). All participants reported clinic changes in PrEP demand creation and service delivery during the pandemic. Modifications occurred during PrEP implementation and sustainment phases, were partly reactive to the pandemic and also facilitated by interim Ministry of Health guidance on PrEP delivery during COVID, and were made by PrEP delivery teams, clients and clinic managers. Commonly reported modifications included dispensing multiple‐month PrEP refills, intensifying phone‐based client engagement and collaborating with other HIV clinics to ensure that clients with prolonged stays in other regions could continue to access PrEP. Some clinics also adopted practices to streamline visits, such as within clinical‐room PrEP dispensing, pre‐packing PrEP and task‐shifting. Most providers liked these changes and hoped they would continue after the pandemic subsides.ConclusionsCOVID‐19 served as a catalyst for PrEP delivery innovations in Kenya. HIV clinics successfully and rapidly adapted their PrEP demand creation, refill and retention strategies to promote PrEP uptake and effective use. These modified implementation strategies highlight opportunities to streamline the delivery of PrEP, as well as other HIV and chronic care services, and strengthen engagement with populations post‐pandemic.
Glycomics by ion mobility tandem mass spectrometry of chondroitin sulfate disaccharide domain in biglycan
Authors: Sarbu Mirela , Ica Raluca , Sharon Edie , Clemmer David E. , Zamfir Alina D. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBiglycan (BGN), a small leucine‐rich repeat proteoglycan, is involved in a variety of pathological processes including malignant transformation, for which the upregulation of BGN was found related to cancer cell invasiveness. Because the functions of BGN are mediated by its chondroitin/dermatan sulfate (CS/DS) chains through the sulfates, the determination of CS/DS structure and sulfation pattern is of major importance. In this study, we have implemented an advanced glycomics method based on ion mobility separation (IMS) mass spectrometry (MS) and tandem MS (MS/MS) to characterize the CS disaccharide domains in BGN. The high separation efficiency and sensitivity of this technique allowed the discrimination of five distinct CS disaccharide motifs, of which four irregulated in their sulfation pattern. For the first time, trisulfated unsaturated and bisulfated saturated disaccharides were found in BGN, the latter species documenting the non‐reducing end of the chains. The structural investigation by IMS MS/MS disclosed that in one or both of the CS/DS chains, the non‐reducing end is 3‐O‐sulfated GlcA in a rather rare bisulfated motif having the structure 3‐O‐sulfated GlcA‐4‐O‐sulfated GalNAc. Considering the role played by BGN in cancer cell spreading, the influence on this process of the newly identified sequences will be investigated in the future.
Biochar‐application rate and method affect nutrient availability and retention in a coarse‐textured, temperate agricultural Cambisol in a microcosm experiment
Authors: Jílková Veronika 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundAgricultural soils often require organic amendments, which improve crop yield and ecosystem services. Biochar has been proven to increase nutrient availability and retention in fine‐textured, tropical soils.AimsHere we determine how coarse‐textured, temperate soils react to different biochar‐application rates in different tillage systems.MethodsWe conducted a 6‐month laboratory incubation experiment in microcosms filled with a coarse‐textured, temperate agricultural soil to determine the effects of biochar‐application rate (none, low, or high, i.e., 0, 20, or 40 t dw ha−1, respectively) and application method (mixed into the soil or applied to the soil surface) on microbial activity and biomass, and nutrient availability and leaching.ResultsMicrobial activity and biomass and contents of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in leachates were higher in biochar‐addition treatments (by 134%, 37%, 372%, 28%, and 801%, respectively) than in the no‐addition treatment. The effect was stronger with the low than with the high biochar‐application rate. Biochar applied by both methods acted as a slow‐release fertilizer, but this effect was stronger when biochar was mixed into the soil. Although available nutrient contents in the soil remained high, nutrient leaching decreased with incubation time. This effect was especially evident when biochar was mixed into the soil.ConclusionsBiochar is an effective organic amendment in coarse‐textured soils providing available nutrients. On the other hand, nutrient‐retention mechanisms develop slowly after biochar application and may be greater when biochar is mixed into the soil than applied on the soil surface.
Self‐Injection Locked Frequency Conversion Laser
Authors: Ling Jingwei , Staffa Jeremy , Wang Heming , Shen Boqiang , Chang Lin , Javid Usman A. , Wu Lue , Yuan Zhiquan , Lopez‐Rios Raymond , Li Mingxiao , He Yang , Li Bohan , Bowers John E. , Vahala Kerry J. , Lin Qiang 
Published: February 2023

AbstractHigh‐coherence visible and near‐visible laser sources are centrally important to the operation of advanced position/navigation/timing systems as well as classical/quantum sensing systems. However, the complexity and size of these bench‐top lasers are an impediment to their transition beyond the laboratory. Here, a system‐on‐chip that emits high‐coherence near‐visible lightwaves is demonstrated. The devices rely upon a new approach wherein wavelength conversion and coherence increase by self‐injection locking are combined within a single nonlinear resonator. This simplified approach is demonstrated in a hybridly‐integrated device and provides a short‐term linewidth of around 4.7 kHz (10 kHz before filtering). On‐chip converted optical power over 2 mW is also obtained. Moreover, measurements show that heterogeneous integration can result in a conversion efficiency higher than 25% with an output power over 11 mW. Because the approach uses mature III–V pump lasers in combination with thin‐film lithium niobate, it can be scaled for low‐cost manufacturing of high‐coherence visible emitters. Also, the coherence generation process can be transferred to other frequency conversion processes, including optical parametric oscillation, sum/difference frequency generation, and third‐harmonic generation.
DNA replication: Mechanisms and therapeutic interventions for diseases
Authors: Song Hao‐Yun , Shen Rong , Mahasin Hamid , Guo Ya‐Nan , Wang De‐Gui 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAccurate and integral cellular DNA replication is modulated by multiple replication‐associated proteins, which is fundamental to preserve genome stability. Furthermore, replication proteins cooperate with multiple DNA damage factors to deal with replication stress through mechanisms beyond their role in replication. Cancer cells with chronic replication stress exhibit aberrant DNA replication and DNA damage response, providing an exploitable therapeutic target in tumors. Numerous evidence has indicated that posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of replication proteins present distinct functions in DNA replication and respond to replication stress. In addition, abundant replication proteins are involved in tumorigenesis and development, which act as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in some tumors, implying these proteins act as therapeutic targets in clinical. Replication‐target cancer therapy emerges as the times require. In this context, we outline the current investigation of the DNA replication mechanism, and simultaneously enumerate the aberrant expression of replication proteins as hallmark for various diseases, revealing their therapeutic potential for target therapy. Meanwhile, we also discuss current observations that the novel PTM of replication proteins in response to replication stress, which seems to be a promising strategy to eliminate diseases.