bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flavonoid Based Development of Synthetic Drugs: Chemistry and Biological Activities
Authors: Nath Rajarshi , Manna Swarup , Panda Shambo , Maity Arindam , Bandyopadhyay Krishnalekha , Das Arijit , Khan Shah Alam , Debnath Biplab , Akhtar Md Jawaid
Published: October 2024

The toxicity associated with synthetic drugs used for treating various diseases is common. This led to a growing interest in searching and incorporating natural functional core structures such as flavonoid and their derivatives via chemical modifications to overcome the toxicity problems and enhance their biological spectrum. Natural core structures such as flavonoids are accepted due to their safety to the environment and owing to their varieties of biological activities such as anti‐Alzheimer, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti‐inflammatory, antidiabetics, and antiviral properties. Based on their chemical structure, flavonoids are classified into various classes such as flavone, flavanol, flavanone, isoflavone, and Anthocyanin, etc. The present review focuses on the potential role of the flavonoid ring‐containing derivatives, highlighting their ability to prevent and treat non‐communicable diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's, and cancer. The pharmacological activities of the flavonoid's derivatives are mainly attributed to their antioxidant effects against free radicals, and reactive oxygen species as well as their ability to act as enzymes inhibitors. The review covers the synthetic strategies of flavonoid derivatives, structure activity relationship (SAR), and in silico studies to improve the efficacy of these compounds. The SAR, molecular docking analysis will enable medicinal chemists to search further, develop potent and newer therapeutic agents.
Rewiring Lysine Catabolism in Cancer Leads to Increased Histone Crotonylation and Immune Escape
Authors: Besermenji Kosta , Petracca Rita
Published: October 2024

Crotonyl‐CoA (cr‐CoA) is a metabolite derived directly from the catabolism of lysine (Lys) and tryptophan (Trp) or from the β‐oxidation of fatty acids. In glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs), histone H4 crotonylation levels are significantly elevated, which appears to positively correlate with tumor growth. This increase in crotonyl‐CoA production is attributed to the overexpression of specific Lys transporters on the cell membrane, leading to higher free lysine levels. Additionally, the overexpression of glutaryl‐CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH), the enzyme responsible for crotonyl‐CoA production, further contributes to this increase. When GCDH is depleted or under a lysine‐restricted diet, genes involved in type I interferon (IFN) signaling are upregulated, resulting in tumor growth suppression. Type I interferons are a group of cytokines critical for antiviral responses and immunoregulation. This highlights how cancer cells exploit crotonylation to modulate the immune response. This work opens up new avenues for investigating how cancer cells rewire their metabolism to increase crotonylation and evade the immune system.
Multicompartmentalized Micellar Structures by Gold Nanoparticles Grafted with Diblock‐Copolymer Ligands
Authors: Sebastian Marina , Fery Andreas , Nikoubashman Arash , Rossner Christian
Published: October 2024

We study the formation of hybrid polymer/inorganic colloidal particles with multicompartmentalized structure, comprising gold nanoparticles grafted with polystyrene‐block‐poly(methacrylic acid) (PSt‐block‐PMAA) diblock copolymer ligands, through experiments and molecular dynamics simulations. The PMAA blocks segregate into small satellite‐like domains that are separated by the polystyrene spacer from the gold nanoparticle core. Dialysis against water leads to the re‐configuration of the formed structures into unique, kinetically trapped pinned‐micelle‐decorated nanoparticles with internal structure.
Aqueous Supercapacitor with Wide‐Temperature Operability and over 100,000 Cycles Enabled by Water‐in‐Salt Electrolyte
Authors: Ali Zafar Zahid , Weisser Radim , Abbas Ghulam , Silhavik Martin , Kumar Prabhat , Červenka Jiří
Published: October 2024

Supercapacitors are crucial in renewable energy integration, satellite power systems, and rapid power delivery applications for mitigating voltage fluctuations and storing excess energy. Aqueous electrolytes offer a promising solution for low‐cost and safe supercapacitors. However, they still face limitations in cycle life and wide‐temperature range performance. Here, we present a symmetric supercapacitor utilizing activated carbon electrodes and a “water‐in‐salt” electrolyte (WiSE) based on lithium perchlorate. The WiSE electrolyte exhibits an expanded electrochemical stability window, endowing the aqueous supercapacitor with remarkable stability and long cycle life of over 100,000 cycles at 500 mA g−1 with more than 91 % capacity retention. Moreover, the supercapacitor demonstrates good rate capability and wide temperature operability ranging from −20 to 80 °C. The use of high concentrations of salt in the aqueous electrolyte contributes not only to the enhancement of supercapacitor performance and cycle life but also to the temperature stability range, enabling all‐season operability.
One‐pot Hydrogenolysis of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) to p–xylene over CuZn/Al2O3 Catalyst
Authors: Zhang Mengting , Huo Zhaojing , Li Longqian , Ji Yi , Ding Tengda , Hou Guangjin , Song Song , Dai Weili
Published: October 2024

Chemical upcycling of plastic wastes into valuable chemicals is a promising strategy for resolving plastic pollution, but economically viable methods currently are still lacking. Here, we report one‐pot hydrogenolysis of PET plastic into p‐xylene with an excellent yield (99.8 %) over a robust non‐precious Cu‐based catalyst, CuZn/Al2O3, in the absence of alcohol solvents. The presence of Zn species promotes the dispersion of Cu0 and increases the ratio of Cu+/Cu0, whereas the synergistic effect of Cu0 and Cu+ leads to a superior performance in the conversion of PET. The combination of GC‐MS, 13C CP MAS NMR, 2D 1H‐13C CP HETCOR NMR spectroscopy and kinetic studies for the first time demonstrates 4‐methyl benzyl alcohol as an important reaction intermediate in the hydrogenolysis of PET. Mechanistic studies indicate that the conversion of PET mainly follows a hydrogenolysis process, involving the cleavage of ester bonds to alcohols and the C−O bond cleavage of alcohols to alkanes. This work not only brings new insight for understanding the upgrading pathway of PET, but also provides a guidance for the design of high‐performance non‐precious catalysts for the chemical upcycling of plastic wastes.
Molecular Evaluation of the Mating Dynamics of Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio) in the Eastern Bering Sea
Authors: Slater Laura M. , Gaeuman William , Cheng Wei , Kruse Gordon H. , Habicht Christopher , Pengilly Douglas
Published: October 2024

Snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) in the eastern Bering Sea (EBS) supports a valuable crab fishery that harvests large males. To better understand the potential impact of the presence of snow‐Tanner hybrids (C. opilio × C. bairdi) on snow crab mating dynamics, the maternal lineage of hybrids was evaluated using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Contrary to results from a previous study that indicated hybrids result only from crosses between Tanner crab (C. bairdi) males and snow crab females, results from this study showed hybrids result from bidirectional parental crosses. SNP and microsatellite markers were used to evaluate the species and number of males detected as mates in female sperm reserves acquired during mating and as sires among embryos in brooded clutches. The incidence of interspecies mating between female snow crab and Tanner crab or hybrid males was low (2%), suggesting interspecies mating is not currently a pressing fishery management concern. Most females had stored sperm from either a single mate (59%) or two mates (32%), which reflects fewer mates than observed for other snow crab populations. Few females were observed with either no stored sperm (5%) or sperm from three to four mates (4%). Single (82%) or dual (18%) paternity was found among embryos in brooded clutches. Sperm from some mates appeared to be fully utilized for fertilization of the brooded clutch for 35% of females. In contrast to findings for other snow crab populations, no significant differences were detected in the numbers of mates or sires between primiparous and multiparous females. The low extent of polyandry observed may suggest that female snow crab in the EBS have limited mating opportunities, potentially leading to insufficient sperm reserves to fertilize subsequent clutches without remating.
Long‐Term Maintenance of Complex Chromosomal Inversion Polymorphism in Drosophila mediopunctata
Authors: Uno Fabiana , Rocha Felipe Bastos , Klaczko Louis Bernard
Published: October 2024

Natural selection is known to favor specific gene combinations, thereby shaping the evolution of recombination rates, often through epistatic interactions. However, the dynamics of these interacting factors within natural populations remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the long‐term maintenance of a complex polymorphism involving linked, nonoverlapping chromosomal inversions in a natural population of Drosophila mediopunctata. Remarkably, even after 30 years—equivalent to roughly 340 generations—two major features have remained unexpectedly stable: the linkage disequilibrium (LD) between inversions, which deviates significantly from the theoretical prediction of decay, and a consistent seasonal cycle pattern of heterozygous excess and homozygous deficiencies. We explored the roles of recombination suppression, epistatic selection, and overdominance in maintaining this stability, examining their alignment with previously described patterns. Our findings reveal that moderate selection coefficients, such as s = 0.0407, are sufficient to maintain the observed LD for the most common haplotypes, albeit leading to an unstable equilibrium. Simulations further reveal that the introduction of overdominance stabilizes the system, enabling the long‐term persistence of this complex inversion polymorphism across various frequency scenarios. The stability of this system appears to hinge on a delicate balance between LD, recombination rates, and selective pressures, with overdominance playing a critical role. Our findings highlight the significance of epistatic interactions and selective pressures in shaping evolutionary pathways in natural populations and offer a compelling example of natural selection acting on a complex inversion polymorphism, providing valuable insights into the evolutionary dynamics governing inversion systems.
Nonlinear Adaptive Neural Control of Power Converter‐Driven DC Motor System: Design and Experimental Validation
Authors: Nizami Tousif Khan , Gangula Sasank Das , Udumula Ramanjaneya Reddy , Chakravarty Arghya , Ahmad Fareed , Hosseinpour Alireza
Published: October 2024

This article presents an intelligent adaptive neural control scheme to track the output speed trajectory in power converter‐driven DC motor system. The proposed technique integrates an adaptive polynomial‐neural network with a backstepping strategy to yield a robust control system for output tracking in DC motor. Such a unification of online neural network‐based estimation and adaptive control, results in effective regulation of the output across a wide load torque uncertainties, besides yielding a promising transient and steady‐state performance. The stability of the entire closed‐loop system is ensured through Lyapunov stability criterion. The efficacy of the proposed strategy is revealed through an extensive experimental investigation under various operating points during start‐up, step‐reference tracking, and external step‐load torque disturbances. The real‐time experimentation is conducted on a laboratory prototype of power converter‐driven DC motor of 200 W, using dspace DS1104 control board with MPC8240 processor. The results obtained confirm an improvement in the transient response of the output speed by significantly reducing the settling time to and yielding a steady state behavior with no peak over/undershoots during load disturbances, in contrast to other similar works presented in the literature intended for same the application.
Exploring the Physicochemical, Antioxidant and Sensory Properties of the Flavoured Virgin Olive Oil With Chavir Extract During Storage
Authors: Mousavi Seyedeh Akram , Nateghi Leila , Hosseini Elahesadat
Published: October 2024

This study aimed to study the impact of Ferulago angulata (Schlecht) Boiss (known as an antioxidant known as Chavir) extract, obtained through ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE), on the physicochemical, antioxidant and sensory properties of virgin olive oil (VOO) during a 90‐day storage period at room temperature. For this purpose, different concentrations of Chavir extract (100, 200 and 300 ppm) were added to VOO. Key parameters, including total phenol content (TPC), extract composition by HPLC‐DAD and quality indicators like acidity value (AV), p‐anisidine value (p‐AV) and UV indices (parameters: K232, K270 and ΔK), were determined. AVs increased overall during the storage period, but adding Chavir extract at 300 ppm appeared to counteract the rise in free fatty acids, suggesting a potential role in reducing hydrolysis. p‐AVs decreased in unflavoured and flavoured samples, indicating reduced oxidation in Chavir‐flavoured VOO. K232 values exhibited a decline in the presence of flavouring agents and their concentrations. In contrast, the values of K270 showed an increase over the storage period, which indicated the formation of aldehyde and ketones in the second oxidation step. All samples maintained ΔK values below permissible limits (≥ 0.01), signifying good stability. The sensory evaluation emphasised positive attributes such as bitterness, fruitiness and pungency, indicating the high quality of VOO. The addition of Chavir extract further enhanced all of these positive characteristics, particularly at the 300 ppm concentration. However, a gradual decline was observed in all these attributes over time. Notably, the Chavir extract played a crucial role in delaying the formation of secondary oxidation products, which contribute to negative attributes like rancidity in VOO. Moreover, adding Chavir extract increases oxidative stability, infuses the positive qualities in VOO and provides valuable insights into its potential applications for enhancing the overall quality of VOO during storage. This enhancement not only helps maintain high quality and nutritional value but also makes the product more appealing to consumers.
Tectonic Evolution and Sedimentary Responses of Palaeocene–Eocene Tethys Himalayan Foreland Basin in Southern Tibet
Authors: Yan Songtao , Ding Ailing , Zhu Lidong , Wang Jie , Li Hu , Dai Xuejian , Wei Yangchun , Huang Hao , Wu Qingsong
Published: October 2024

The tectonic evolution of the Palaeocene–Eocene Tethys Himalayan foreland basin plays a crucial role in reshaping the collisional orogenic process of the Yarlung–Tsangpo oceanic basin. However, studies examining the sedimentary response during the tectonic evolution of the foreland basin are lacking. In this study, through a detailed field investigation and analysis of Palaeocene–Eocene strata in the Tingri area, we clarified the evolution of the Tethys Himalayan tectonic regions and its sedimentary response. Carbon and oxygen isotopes, geochemistry and detrital zircon U–Pb dating demonstrated that the lower Palaeocene Jidula Formation and upper Palaeocene–lower Eocene Zongpu Formation were deposited in a coastal–shallow marine environment, with the detritus sourced from the northern Indian passive margin. The upper Eocene Pengqu Formation was deposited in a deltaic environment, with its detritus sourced from the Gangdese arc and the Yarlung–Tsangpo suture zone at the active continental margin. Combined with the nearshore subaqueous fan branch channel of the Jidula Formation and the slump deformation of the Zongpu Formation, the Palaeocene–Early Eocene southern Tethys Himalaya in the Tingri area was located in the forebulge of the peripheral foreland basin. The marine–continental interactive delta of the Pengqu Formation and its provenance from the Gangdese magmatic arc indicate that the Tingri area was situated in the foredeep of the peripheral foreland basin during the Late Eocene. The study provides valuable insights into the collisional orogenic processes between the Indian and Eurasian plates.
Mental health impacts of spousal caregiving intensity in the US
Authors: Ailshire Jennifer A. , Casanova Maria
Published: October 2024

In the US, spouses are a major source of informal care for older adults and, therefore, key to the US national strategy to provide long‐term care to the growing population of older adults. Understanding the mental health impacts of spousal caregiving is therefore critically important. Existing studies on the topic have often been limited by methodological limitations, and most overlook the role of caregiving intensity. In this study, we assess the impact of providing different intensities of caregiving to a spouse on mental health outcomes using data from the Health and Retirement Study. We address the endogeneity of the decision to provide different caregiving intensities using an augmented inverse probability weighted (AIPW) estimator adapted to handle multivalued treatments. We check the robustness of our estimates to the AIPW's identifying assumptions by re‐estimating the model using a dynamic fixed effects estimator. We find strong evidence that becoming a caregiver is associated with worsened mental health outcomes for women, while the evidence for men is weaker. When disaggregating by caregiving intensity, we find that transitions into high‐intensity caregiving lead to large increases in depression symptoms and the probability of exhibiting major depression for both men and women. The overall mental health impact of transiting into caregiving is driven almost exclusively by the negative impact of high‐intensity caregiving, as transitions into low‐ and moderate‐intensity caregiving are not associated with worsening mental health in most specifications. This study provides timely insights that can inform the targeting of long‐term care policies and programs aimed at supporting family caregivers of older adults.
The power of artificial intelligence for managing pandemics: A primer for public health professionals
Authors: McKee Martin , Rosenbacke Rikard , Stuckler David
Published: October 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) applications are complex and rapidly evolving, and thus often poorly understood, but have potentially profound implications for public health. We offer a primer for public health professionals that explains some of the key concepts involved and examines how these applications might be used in the response to a future pandemic. They include early outbreak detection, predictive modelling, healthcare management, risk communication, and health surveillance. Artificial intelligence applications, especially predictive algorithms, have the ability to anticipate outbreaks by integrating diverse datasets such as social media, meteorological data, and mobile phone movement data. Artificial intelligence‐powered tools can also optimise healthcare delivery by managing the allocation of resources and reducing healthcare workers' exposure to risks. In resource distribution, they can anticipate demand and optimise logistics, while AI‐driven robots can minimise physical contact in healthcare settings. Artificial intelligence also shows promise in supporting public health decision‐making by simulating the social and economic impacts of different policy interventions. These simulations help policymakers evaluate complex scenarios such as lockdowns and resource allocation. Additionally, it can enhance public health messaging, with AI‐generated health communications shown to be more effective than human‐generated messages in some cases. However, there are risks, such as privacy concerns, biases in models, and the potential for ‘false confirmations’, where AI reinforces incorrect decisions. Despite these challenges, we argue that AI will become increasingly important in public health crises, but only if integrated thoughtfully into existing systems and processes.
A Novel Dictionary Learning Algorithm Based on Prior Knowledge for fMRI Data Analysis
Authors: Sheng Fangmin , Shi Yuhu , Wang Lei , Li Ying , Zhang Hua , Zeng Weiming
Published: October 2024

Task‐based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been widely utilized for brain activation detection and functional network analysis. In recent years, the K‐singular value decomposition (K‐SVD) algorithm has gained increasing attention in the research of fMRI data analysis methods. In this study, we propose a novel temporal feature region‐growing constrained K‐SVD algorithm that incorporates task‐based fMRI temporal prior knowledge and utilizes a region‐growing algorithm to infer potential activation locations. The algorithm incorporates temporal and spatial constraints to enhance the detection of brain activation. Specifically, this paper improves the three stages of the traditional K‐SVD algorithm. First, in the dictionary initialization stage, the automatic target generation process with an independent component analysis algorithm is utilized in conjunction with prior knowledge to enhance the accuracy of initialization. Second, in the sparse coding stage, the region‐growing algorithm is employed to infer potential activation locations based on temporal prior knowledge, thereby imposing spatial constraints to limit the extent of activation regions. Finally, in the dictionary learning stage, soft constraints and low correlation constraints are applied to reinforce the consistency with prior knowledge and enhance the robustness of learning for task‐related atoms. The proposed method was validated on simulated and real fMRI data, showing superior performance in detecting brain activation compared with traditional methods. The results indicate that the algorithm accurately identifies activated brain regions, providing an effective approach for studying brain function in clinical applications.
Humanizing pedagogies and student‐centered instruction in a networked improvement community
Authors: Nguyen JoeAnn , Schunn Christian D.
Published: October 2024

Improved English Language Arts instruction within classrooms and schools that typically serve low‐income, English Language Learners, and Students with Special Needs is important for ensuring all students receive rigorous and inclusive instruction. From the case of a Networked Improvement Community focused on improving instructional practices through student‐centered routines, this research explores the role of humanizing pedagogies in enabling effective student‐centered instructional routines by interviewing 16 teachers who were identified as particularly successful in working with Students of Color. Two major themes and six subthemes were identified from these interviews focused on building relationships as a foundation for humanizing pedagogies and then leveraging those relationships to create a positive classroom culture that fosters increased student engagement and academic risk‐taking with challenging student‐centered routines. These strong teacher–student relationships and student‐centered routines led to improved academic outcomes.
Efficient treatment of printing and dyeing reverse osmosis concentrate by a Ti‐NTA/SnO2‐Sb2O3 electrocatalytic membrane
Authors: Li Chengjie , Mo Yinghui , Wang Liang , Guo Heng , Ji Xiaoxue
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Printing and dyeing reverse osmosis concentrates (ROC) contain large amounts of salts and organic matter, which is a major environmental issue. The unique composition of such wastewater makes the use of traditional physicochemical techniques challenging.

RESULTS

In this paper, titanium dioxide nanotube arrays/SnO2‐Sb2O3 (Ti‐NTA/SnO2‐Sb2O3) electrodes were prepared by anodizing–cathodizing and sol–gel method for the electrocatalytic degradation of printing and dyeing ROC. Organic matter removal under different situations was examined, and the best treatment parameters were identified.

CONCLUSION

Following treatment, organic matter concentration dropped from 1600 to 50 mg L−1, or even less. The outstanding removal performance of the Ti‐NTA/SnO2‐Sb2O3 electrode was validated by full‐scan ultraviolet spectra, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and three‐dimensional fluorescence. Evaluation of the dissolved heavy metals and halogenated degradation process byproducts revealed that the electrocatalytic membranes were environmentally safe. These findings highlight the enormous potential of electrocatalytic membranes for the treatment of high‐salt ROC when equipped with a Ti‐NTA/SnO2‐Sb2O3 electrode. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Klippel‐Trénaunay‐Weber Syndrome: Prenatal Diagnosis and Review of the Literature
Authors: Orlandi Giuliana , Sarno Laura , Angelino Antonio , Motta Mariarosaria , Di Girolamo Raffaella , Carbone Luigi , Rovetto Marika , Mazzarelli Laura Letizia , Sglavo Gabriella , D' Antonio Francesco , Mappa Ilenia , Di Mascio Daniele , Rizzo Giuseppe , Maria Maruotti Giuseppe
Published: October 2024

Klippel‐Trénaunay‐Weber syndrome (KTW) is a rare congenital disease, representing a challenge in prenatal diagnosis due to overlapping characteristics with other syndromes and no specific genetic markers known to date. We have collected all the cases present in the literature on the prenatal diagnosis of KTW, emphasizing common ultrasound findings that can guide the clinician and genetics to the prenatal counseling. Thus, we collected all the information about the postnatal prognosis and the necessity for treatment. Our review of 44 cases highlights the typical common features: hemihypertrophy, predominantly affecting the right leg, with cystic lesions extending to the trunk or upper limbs and rare internal organ involvement. Prenatal complications, including hydrops and polyhydramnios, emphasize the need for a careful ultrasound follow‐up. Despite no identified genetic mutation, genetic counseling and invasive testing are recommended. Mortality rate due to a severe complication known as Kasabach‐Merritt syndrome, underlines the importance of early diagnosis and accurate management strategies. Prenatal diagnosis of KTW, guided by ultrasound findings and genetic counseling, could help with informed decision‐making and optimal care planning.
Comparative Analysis of 2022 Outbreak MPXV and Previous Clade II MPXV
Authors: McGrail Joseph Patrick , Mondolfi Alberto Paniz , Ramírez Juan David , Vidal Santiago , García‐Sastre Adolfo , Palacios Gustavo , Sanchez‐Seco Mari Paz , Guerra Susana
Published: October 2024

The 2022–2024 outbreak of MPOX is an important worldwide public health issue that has triggered significant concerns in the scientific community. MPOX is caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV) belonging to the Poxviridae family. The study of MPXV presents a multifaceted challenge due to the diverse viral formThis study was supported by ISIDORe consortium and Agencia Estatal de Investigación.s produced by this pathogen. Notably the intracellular mature viruses (MVs) primarily contribute to localized lesions and host‐to‐host transmission, while the extracellular enveloped viruses (EVs) are associated with systemic infection. Clinically, MPOX manifests as a vesiculopustular rash that initially emerges on the face and trunk, subsequently spreading throughout the body, with heightened severity observed in immunocompromised individuals. Results obtained in this manuscript indicate that the 2022 outbreak MPXV has a significantly slower viral cycle compared with previous Clade II strains, with WRAIR 7‐61 being more intermediate and USA 2003 producing highest viral titers. Additionally, proteomic and phospho‐proteomic analysis displays differences in protein expression between these three strains. These findings highlight key differences between the current Lineage B.1 MPXV and previous strains. Further studies will be undertaken to demonstrate if these differences are important for the apparent increased human‐to‐human transmission mechanisms observed in the Clade IIb MPXV outbreak.
Arctic sea‐ice export as a mechanism for cold climate events during the last deglaciation
Authors: Renssen Hans , Roche Didier M.
Published: October 2024

Recently it was proposed that a sudden drainage of accumulated Arctic sea ice could have caused cold climate events during the last deglaciation. To explore this mechanism, we performed numerical experiments with an atmosphere–ocean–sea ice model. In these experiments, the impact of a large flush of Arctic sea ice was compared to a reference glacial state of the climate. In our results, the sea ice flush produces a major surface freshening of the North Atlantic Ocean and a 17% weakening of the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Together with an increase in surface albedo, this weakening in ocean circulation leads to a cooling over the North Atlantic, extending to the downwind continents. Compared to our reference glacial state, the cooling reaches 5°C and lasts about 80 years. This climate anomaly is similar in magnitude and duration to relatively short cooling events during the last deglaciation, such as the Older Dryas, the Inter‐Allerød cold period and the Preboreal Oscillation. We thus conclude that the sea‐ice flush mechanism is consistent with the occurrence of such cooling events in the North Atlantic region. However, longer cooling events such as the Younger Dryas would require additional mechanisms.
A posteriori error estimation and adaptivity for temporal multiscale problems
Authors: Lautsch Leopold , Richter Thomas
Published: October 2024

In science and engineering, problems over multiple scales in time often arise. Two examples are material damage in oscillating structures or plaque growth in pulsating blood vessels. Here the long term effects are of interest but they depend on the coupled fast‐changing physical processes which must be taken into account. One method to efficiently simulate these problems is to split them into an averaged slow scale process and a localized fast scale process. We apply the dual weighted residual method on a generalized formulation for this type of problem to obtain an error estimator which can be used for adaptive refinement. Special care must be taken to separate the slow scale and fast scale influences on the estimator.
Recording diagnostic conversations for communication research purposes in pediatric leukemia
Authors: Buursma Petra , Schepers Sasja A. , Kars Marijke C. , van den Bergh Esther M. M. , Dors Natasja , Grootenhuis Martha A. , Hoogerbrugge Peter M.
Published: October 2024

Recordings of patient–doctor interactions is a recommended method in communication research. However, concerns are expressed regarding audio‐recording of conversations with vulnerable patients. Our study examined experiences of children, parents, and oncologists with recording diagnostic conversations in the pediatric acute leukemia setting. Results show that recording conversations is generally well received by virtually all children and parents. Pediatric oncologists seem to overestimate the expected emotional burden for children and parents, which may lead to gatekeeping by professionals. This in turn may lead to a decrease in patient autonomy and research quality when addressing relevant questions in communication science.
Flocculation potential regulation to achieve the improved thermal‐mechanical performance for CB/GO reinforced NR nanocomposites
Authors: Chen Jiaqi , Tian Dongsheng , Chen Hongfeng , Yu Huitao , Sun Zhijian , Zhang Zhiyi , Liu Yaqing , An Dong , Wong Chingping
Published: October 2024

With the rapid development of modern transportation systems, optimizing the relationship between structure and performance to obtain natural rubber‐based nanocomposites with excellent comprehensive performance is still worth to investigation. Herein, the regulation of flocculation potential through different flocculants selection on the thermomechanical properties for carbon black/graphene oxide reinforced natural rubber (CB/GO/NR) nanocomposites were investigated based on the compression electric double layer theory. The results showed that formic acid owned the highest zeta potential with comparison of sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2), and aluminum chloride (AlCl3). Meanwhile, as the content was 8 wt%, tensile strength, tearing strength and thermal conductivity could achieve to 27.64 MPa, 56.89 N/mm, and 1.05 W m−1 K−1, respectively. While the heat generation after compression fatigue dropped to 10.1°C. These findings reveal that the highest zeta potential of formic acid could promote the improvement of flocculation degree between GO and NR latex and significantly enhanced the thermomechanical properties of CB/GO/NR nanocomposites due to the larger flocculation potential difference. Therefore, this study not only provides important theoretical insights for preparing high‐performance NR‐based nanocomposites, but also highlights the crucial role of high zeta potential flocculants in optimizing the composite performance. More importantly, the findings offer the creative insights for preparation of the excellent comprehensive NR nanocomposites for the practical industry application.

Highlights

The effect of flocculation degree on the properties of CB/GO/NR composites was studied.

Formic acid was benefit to the flocculation and could promote the surface interaction.

CB/GO/NR composites possessed the improved thermal and mechanical properties.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis in an infant
Authors: Ye Diya , Yuan Tianming , Jiang Mizu
Published: October 2024

A 2‐month‐old male infant presented with a persistent mild cough and a pink papule beneath the left eyelid. Imaging studies revealed diffuse lung opacities and a cystic shadow in the right middle lobe, with no evidence of bacterial or fungal infection. Skin biopsy demonstrated positive immunohistochemical staining for CD207/Langerin and CD1a, leading to a diagnosis of Langerhans‐cell histiocytosis (LCH). The infant's pulmonary bullae resolved following chemotherapy, and the patient is under surveillance for recurrence. LCH, recognized for its inflammatory and malignant characteristics, often presents with multisystemic involvement, including pulmonary manifestations. Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing this rare disorder in infants.
Infection and Inflammation in the Cystic fibrosis (CF) airway
Authors: Cohen‐Cymberknoh Malena
Published: October 2024

Cystic fibrosis (CF) airway disease is characterized by chronic infection and neutrophil‐driven inflammation, leading to progressive airway damage and early mortality. Infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa significantly impacts morbidity and mortality, requiring early detection and aggressive antibiotic treatment. Controlling inflammation remains difficult due to the limited availability of effective anti‐inflammatory treatments. CFTR modulators show potential in reducing inflammation, but further research is needed. Effective management of CF lung disease requires a comprehensive approach addressing both infection and inflammation.
Unraveling the molecular determinants of a rare human mitochondrial disorder caused by the P144L mutation of FDX2
Authors: Grifagni Deborah , Doni Davide , Susini Bianca , Fonseca Bruno M. , Louro Ricardo O. , Costantini Paola , Ciofi‐Baffoni Simone
Published: October 2024

Episodic mitochondrial myopathy with or without optic atrophy and reversible leukoencephalopathy (MEOAL) is a rare, orphan autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in ferredoxin‐2 (FDX2), which is a [2Fe‐2S] cluster‐binding protein participating in the formation of iron–sulfur clusters in mitochondria. In this biosynthetic pathway, FDX2 works as electron donor to promote the assembly of both [2Fe‐2S] and [4Fe‐4S] clusters. A recently identified missense mutation of MEOAL is the homozygous mutation c.431C>T (p.P144L) described in six patients from two unrelated families. This mutation alters a highly conserved proline residue located in a loop of FDX2 that is distant from the [2Fe‐2S] cluster. How this Pro to Leu substitution damages iron–sulfur cluster biosynthesis is unknown. In this work, we have first compared the structural, dynamic, cluster binding and redox properties of WT and P144L [2Fe‐2S] FDX2 to have clues on how the pathogenic P144L mutation can perturb the FDX2 function. Then, we have investigated the interaction of both WT and P144L [2Fe‐2S] FDX2 with its physiological electron donor, ferredoxin reductase FDXR, comparing their electron transfer efficiency and protein–protein recognition patterns. Overall, the data indicate that the pathogenic P144L mutation negatively affects the FDXR‐dependent electron transfer pathway from NADPH to FDX2, thereby reducing the capacity of FDX2 in assembling both [2Fe‐2S] and [4Fe‐4S] clusters. Our study also provided solid molecular evidences on the functional role of the C‐terminal tail of FDX2 in the electron transfer between FDX2 and FDXR.
What to do with your maintenance records for protection layers?
Authors: Summers Angela E. , Bukowski Julia V.
Published: October 2024

Collecting and analyzing operation and maintenance data is essential to process safety. The analysis aims to demonstrate that what is installed in the field achieves the required performance so that adjustments can be made if the required performance is not met. Very large organizations routinely have data collection systems and resources for data analysis. Midsized and smaller organizations collect the same data in various ways but often need help to analyze it. This paper presents examples of American Petroleum Institute (API) 754 Tier 3 and 4 metrics related to protection layers and how to use available plant data to support their analysis.
Within‐chain parallelization—Giving Stan Jet Fuel for population modeling in pharmacometrics
Authors: Davis Casey , Vaddady Pavan
Published: October 2024

Stan is a powerful probabilistic programming language designed mainly for Bayesian data analysis. Torsten is a collection of Stan functions that handles the events (e.g., dosing events) and solves the ODE systems that are frequently present in pharmacometric models. To perform a Bayesian data analysis, most models in pharmacometrics require Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods to sample from the posterior distribution. However, MCMC is computationally expensive and can be time‐consuming, enough so that people will often forgo Bayesian methods for a more traditional approach. This paper shows how to speed up the sampling process in Stan by within‐chain parallelization through both multi‐threading using Stan's reduce_sum() function and multi‐processing using Torsten's group ODE solver. Both methods show substantial reductions in the time necessary to sufficiently sample from the posterior distribution compared with a basic approach with no within‐chain parallelization.
Vanadium‐Doped Heterointerfaced Ni3N‐MoOx Nanosheets with Optimized H and H2O Adsorption for Effective Alkaline Hydrogen Electrocatalysis
Authors: Ren Jin‐Tao , Yang Dandan , Chen Lei , Yuan Zhong‐Yong
Published: October 2024

Nickel (Ni)‐based materials represent a compelling avenue as platinum alternatives in the realm of alkaline hydrogen electrocatalysis. However, conventional nickel nitrides (Ni3N) have long been hindered by sluggish hydrogen evolution kinetics in alkaline environments, owing to inadequate adsorption strengths of both hydrogen and water molecules. Herein, a novel approach is presented involving the design of vanadium (V)‐doped Ni3N/MoOx heterogeneous nanosheets (V‐Ni3N@MoOx), engineered to achieve optimized adsorption strengths for hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions (HER/HOR). Theoretical insights underscore the superior catalytic performance of this composite, attributed to a synergistic interplay between unique V doping and the heterointerfaced structure. This synergistic effect not only fine‐tunes the electronic structure, establishing an optimal d band center to mitigate proton over‐bonding, but also ameliorates the energy barrier through enhanced H2O dissociation capability. Consequently, V‐Ni3N@MoOx manifests remarkable catalytic activities, evincing an overpotential of 56 mV at 10 mA cm−2 for HER and an exchange current density of 1.91 mA cm−2 for HOR in alkaline media. Notably, the stability assessment reveals the enduring performance of V‐Ni3N@MoOx for HER/HOR, exhibiting no activity decay over extended operational durations. This study underscores the efficacy of heterogeneous interface modulation as a transformative strategy in designing Ni‐based materials for alkaline hydrogen electrocatalysis.
Fe2O3 Nanoflakes ‐ WS2 Nanosheets Heterojunctions for Multi‐Fold Enhancement in Photoelectrochemical Solar Energy Conversion
Authors: Behera Govinda Chandra , Biswal Bubunu , Bidika Jatin Kumar , Nanda Birabar Ranjit Kumar , Alwarappan Subbiah , Rath Jatindra K , Roy Somnath C.
Published: October 2024

Fe2O3‐based photoanodes show great potential in photoelectrochemical water splitting due to their excellent stability, moderate band gap, and abundance. However, a short hole diffusion length limits its photocurrent density. Here, a multi‐fold enhancement in photocurrent density from Fe2O3 nanoflakes – WS2 nanosheets heterojunction is reported. The heterojunction exhibits a synergistic photocurrent density of 0.52 mA cm−2 at 1.3 V (versus RHE) under AM 1.5G simulated sunlight, which is 2.23 times higher than pristine Fe2O3 nanoflakes. The Mott–Schottky and Nyquist plots indicate a higher charge density with lower charge transfer resistance at the semiconductor‐electrolyte junction. The density functional theory (DFT) ‐based first‐principles calculations are performed by designing a heterostructure between Fe2O3(110) and WS2(001) similar to the experimentally found arrangement of crystal planes. Free energy analysis and relative band extrema positions, obtained from DFT calculations and valence band spectroscopy, indicate the formation of type II heterojunction with partial oxygen terminated surface of Fe2O3. The type‐II band alignment with a charge transfer of 4.8 × 10−4 e per interfacial WS2 to Fe2O3, helps in easy separation of photogenerated charges. The work establishes both an experimental design and a theoretical framework of highly crystalline nanoflakes‐nanosheet heterojunctions for efficient photoelectrochemical solar energy conversion.
Robust Plasma‐Assisted Growth of 2D Janus Transition Metal Dichalcogenides and Their Enhanced Photoluminescent Properties
Authors: Zhu Qing , Chen Enzi , Fan Kezhou , Tang Junhao , Zhan Runze , Wong Kam Sing , Chen Zefeng , Wan Xi , Chen Kun
Published: October 2024

Janus transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are a novel class of 2D materials with unique mirror asymmetry. Plasma‐assisted synthesis at room temperature is favored for producing Janus TMDs due to its energy efficiency and prevention of alloying. However, current methods require stringent control over growth conditions, risking defects or unintended materials. A robust plasma‐assisted (RPA) synthesis strategy is introduced, incorporating a built‐in tube with a suitable inner diameter into the plasma‐assisted system. This innovation creates a mild, uniform plasma atmosphere, allowing for broader variations in growth parameters without significantly affecting Janus MoSSe's morphology and characteristics. This approach simplifies the synthesis process and enhances the success rate of Janus TMD production. Additionally, methods are explored to enhance the photoluminescence (PL) of Janus MoSSe. Releasing MoSSe from the growth substrate and annealing it removes strain and unintentional doping, improving PL performance. MoSSe on hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) flakes after annealing shows a 32‐fold increase in PL intensity. Bis(trifluoromethane) sulfonimide (TFSI) treatment of MoSSe results in a remarkable 70‐fold increase in PL intensity, a 2.5‐fold extension in exciton lifetime, and quantum yield (QY) reaching up to ≈31.2%. These findings provide critical insights for optimizing the luminescence properties of 2D Janus materials, advancing Janus optoelectronics.
Pragmatic ontology—Enhancing the philosophical foundation of critical systems thinking/practice
Authors: Zhu Zhichang
Published: October 2024

A sound theoretical foundation for multimethodology should be consistent across the main branches of philosophy: ontological heterogeneity, epistemological plurality and methodological multiplicity. In this light, I posit that (1) Jackson's recent embracement of pragmatism lacks a critical element: a well‐formulated ontology; (2) to overcome this shortcoming, it is necessary to bring ontology back into critical systems thinking/practice; and (3) such an urgent task has further to overcome the current indifference in systems thinking toward ontology. I shall draw intellectual insights from Quine's ‘ontological commitment’, Habermas's ‘ontological presupposition’, Xu Changfu's ‘theory of heterogeneity’, Husserl's ‘ontology layers’, Gadamer's hermeneutic notions ‘prejudice’ and ‘tradition’, as well as ‘ontology building’ practice across the natural and social sciences. I shall also use a multimethodology approach wuli–shili–renli (WSR) as an example to illustrate the working and evolving of pragmatic ontology.
Significant challenges facing small institutions in America
Authors: Robertson Jason , Johnson R. Bradley , McGhee James
Published: October 2024

The landscape of higher education in the United States currently comprises 5918 institutions serving approximately 18.1 million students. Among them, 1833 are small institutions with full‐time equivalent enrollments of 3000 or less. In this article, the authors examine financial and enrollment challenges facing small institutions and the potential impact of these challenges.
Advances in Spiky Antibacterial Materials: From Bioinspired Design to Application
Authors: Zhang Zijun , Qian Limei , Zhang Nan , Wang Xinyue , Fu Yunshen , Gao Guanbin , Sun Taolei
Published: October 2024

Bacterial infections, particularly those caused by drug‐resistant bacteria, pose a significant threat to human life and health safety. Despite the preparation and application of numerous antibacterial and disinfection materials, addressing their low efficiency and the emergence of drug resistance remains an urgent concern. Inspired by natural spike antibacterial structures such as those found on cicada wings, extensive research has been conducted on biomimetic antibacterial materials with spiky structures. This review provides an overview of the natural spike antibacterial structure and mechanism, introduces surface coatings and micro/nanoparticle materials featuring spike structures inspired by nature, explores microneedle arrays based on spike antibacterial properties, and showcases applications of these innovative antibacterial materials. Finally, potential avenues for optimization and future development directions for antibacterial materials with spike structures are discussed.