bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preclerkship Medical Students’ Use of Third-Party Learning Resources
Authors: Lawrence Emily C. N. , Dine C. Jessica , Kogan Jennifer R.
Published: December 2023

Importance

Undergraduate medical education increasingly relies on asynchronous, virtual learning; and medical educators have observed students engaging in self-directed learning outside of their institutional curriculum using widely available third-party resources. If medical educators better understand how students are learning, they may uncover novel opportunities to improve preclerkship education.

Objective

To explore how and why preclerkship medical students use third-party learning resources.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This qualitative study recruited second-year medical students from 7 public and private allopathic US medical schools and conducted 7 virtual focus groups (1 per institution) from September 2022 to January 2023, exploring how and why students use third-party resources. Data were iteratively analyzed in parallel with focus groups using constructivist grounded theory methodology. Data analysis was performed from October 2022 to February 2023.

Results

Fifty-eight second-year US medical students who had used a third-party resource at least once participated; 36 (61%) identified as women; 13 (23%) identified as Asian, 6 (11%) as Black, 30 (53%) as White, 6 (11%) as multiracial, and 4 (7%) as other; 6 (10%) identified as Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin, and 52 (90%) identified as non–Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin; 48 (83%) were aged 23 to 25 years. Participants described engaging in a cyclical process of deciding whether and how to use third-party resources. Four broad themes were identified: (1) hearing about resources, (2) selecting resources, (3) using resources, and (4) tensions and possible solutions. Participants largely heard about third-party resources from peers and turned to resources out of dissatisfaction with some aspect of their medical school curriculum. Students used resources in various ways that were user-dependent and context-dependent. Participants endorsed multiple benefits over their in-house curricula, particularly efficiency, clarity, and concision. Tensions included navigating resource drawbacks and the perception of an antagonistic relationship between medical schools and third-party resources. Participants suggested that medical schools examine the resources, recommend specific ones, integrate them into the curriculum, and subsidize their cost.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this qualitative study of preclerkship medical student use of third-party resources, participants perceived that the resources had numerous benefits for learning and suggested that medical schools should more formally acknowledge and integrate their use.
Trends in Traumatic Brain Injury Mortality in the US
Authors: Shaik Noor F. , Law Connor A. , Elser Holly , Schneider Andrea L. C.
Published: December 2023

This cohort study characterizes US trends in traumatic brain injury–related mortality by age, sex, and race and ethnicity.
Oral Multidrug Co‐Delivery System Targeting Differential Sites for Diabetes Mellitus Treatment
Authors: Zhang Huijuan , Wang Ruiting , Xu Ziqiang , Deng Siying , Yang Hanxiao , Hou Lin
Published: December 2023

Although regulation of the blood glucose level is a common therapy for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the root cause of this disease (such as the damage of pancreatic β cells) cannot be solved. Remodeling the pancreatic microenvironment and gut microbial homeostasis to improve β cells dysfunction become a potential strategy but remains challenging. Herein, a curcumin (CUR) and bifidobacterial (BI) co‐delivery system based on the self‐emulsifying technology (CUR‐BI‐SEDDS), which can generate a protective and self‐assembled coating on BI surface to achieve the above strategy is designed. CUR‐loaded oil phase coating endows BI with resistance against gastric invasion and helps BI colonize to positively regulate the abundance of gut microbiota. Following oral ingestion, the CUR‐loaded oil phase is self‐emulsified into nano‐emulsion, separated from BI, and delivers CUR to pancreas via the chylomicron pathway to remodel the inflammatory pancreatic microenvironment. As a result, CUR‐BI‐SEDDS showed excellent efficacy in restoring the islet β cell function, thus maintaining the systemic glucose homeostasis via only once administration every day. This study not only provides a promising regimen for thorough T2DM therapy but also explores a versatile oral co‐delivery platform for combination of chemo‐drugs and living biotherapeutics, which can exert potency at diverse target sites.
Interface‐Engineered Field‐Effect Transistor Electronic Devices for Biosensing
Authors: Zhang Yun , Chen Duo , He Wang , Chen Na , Zhou Liping , Yu Lilei , Yang Yanbing , Yuan Quan
Published: December 2023

Promising advances in molecular medicine have promoted the urgent requirement for reliable and sensitive diagnostic tools. Electronic biosensing devices based on field‐effect transistors (FETs) exhibit a wide range of benefits, including rapid and label‐free detection, high sensitivity, easy operation, and capability of integration, possessing significant potential for application in disease screening and health monitoring. In this perspective, the tremendous efforts and achievements in the development of high‐performance FET biosensors in the past decade are summarized, with emphasis on the interface engineering of FET‐based electrical platforms for biomolecule identification. First, an overview of engineering strategies for interface modulation and recognition element design is discussed in detail. For a further step, the applications of FET‐based electrical devices for in vitro detection and real‐time monitoring in biological systems are comprehensively reviewed. Finally, the key opportunities and challenges of FET‐based electronic devices in biosensing are discussed. It is anticipated that a comprehensive understanding of interface engineering strategies in FET biosensors will inspire additional techniques for developing highly sensitive, specific, and stable FET biosensors as well as emerging designs for next‐generation biosensing electronics.
Chiral‐Guest Induced Multicolor‐Tunable Circularly Polarized Room Temperature Phosphorescence
Authors: Jiang Yitian , Zhang Chenyu , Wang Ruoxi , Lei Yunxiang , Dai Wenbo , Liu Miaochang , Wu Huayue , Tao Ye , Huang Xiaobo
Published: December 2023

The development of organic circularly polarized room temperature phosphorescence (CP‐RTP) materials with tunable emission colors has important value in the field of optoelectronic applications but remains a challenging issue. Herein, a CP‐RTP doped system with green, yellow, and red afterglow is constructed by introducing chiral groups into three phosphors naphthalene, phenanthrene, and pyrene as guests respectively, using polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as the host. The phosphorescence quantum yield of the doped system is 7.3%–13.6%, the phosphorescence lifetime is 341 ms–1017 ms, and the asymmetry factor is 0.001–0.0021. Further doping three guests simultaneously into the PVP resulted in the four‐component doped materials. Benefiting from the different excitation wavelengths of three guests, when the excitation wavelength changes from 300 to 365 nm, the afterglow of the four‐component doped materials changes from green to yellow and finally to red. Moreover, due to the different phosphorescence lifetimes of different guests, the afterglow can in turn change from red to green after excitation at 365 nm, demonstrating a time‐dependence phosphorescence emission property. This doped strategy provides an effective platform for constructing organic multicolor CP‐RTP materials.
Ultra‐Stretchable Kirigami Piezo‐Metamaterials for Sensing Coupled Large Deformations
Authors: Hong Luqin , Zhang Hao , Kraus Tobias , Jiao Pengcheng
Published: December 2023

Mechanical metamaterials are known for their prominent mechanical characteristics such as programmable deformation that are due to periodic microstructures. Recent research trends have shifted to utilizing mechanical metamaterials as structural substrates to integrate with functional materials for advanced functionalities beyond mechanical, such as active sensing. This study reports on the ultra‐stretchable kirigami piezo‐metamaterials (KPM) for sensing coupled large deformations caused by in‐ and out‐of‐plane displacements using the lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and barium titanate (BaTiO3) composite films. The KPM are fabricated by uniformly compounding and polarizing piezoelectric particles (i.e., PZT and BaTiO3) in silicon rubber and structured by cutting the piezoelectric rubbery films into ligaments. Characterizes the electrical properties of the KPM and investigates the bistable mechanical response under the coupled large deformations with the stretching ratio up to 200% strains. Finally, the PZT KPM sensors are integrated into wireless sensing systems for the detection of vehicle tire bulge, and the non‐toxic BaTiO3 KPM are applied for human posture monitoring. The reported kirigami piezo‐metamaterials open an exciting venue for the control and manipulation of mechanically functional metamaterials for active sensing under complex deformation scenarios in many applications.
High‐permittivity Solvents Increase MXene Stability and Stacking Order Enabling Ultraefficient Terahertz Shielding
Authors: Hong Xiaodan , Xu Zhenyu , Lv Zhong‐Peng , Lin Zhen , Ahmadi Mohsen , Cui Linfan , Liljeström Ville , Dudko Volodymyr , Sheng Jiali , Cui Xiaoqi , Tsapenko Alexey P. , Breu Josef , Sun Zhipei , Zhang Qiang , Kauppinen Esko , Peng Bo , Ikkala Olli
Published: December 2023

2D transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) suggest an uncommonly broad combination of important functionalities amongst 2D materials. Nevertheless, MXene suffers from facile oxidation and colloidal instability upon conventional water‐based processing, thus limiting applicability. By experiments and theory, It is suggested that for stability and dispersibility, it is critical to select uncommonly high permittivity solvents such as N‐methylformamide (NMF) and formamide (FA) (εr = 171, 109), unlike the classical solvents characterized by high dipole moment and polarity index. They also allow high MXene stacking order within thin films on carbon nanotube (CNT) substrates, showing very high Terahertz (THz) shielding effectiveness (SE) of 40–60 dB at 0.3–1.6 THz in spite of the film thinness < 2 µm. The stacking order and mesoscopic porosity turn relevant for THz‐shielding as characterized by small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). The mechanistic understanding of stability and structural order allows guidance for generic MXene applications, in particular in telecommunication, and more generally processing of 2D materials.
Dying to Defend: Neutrophil Death Pathways and their Implications in Immunity
Authors: Tu Haiyue , Ren Haoyu , Jiang Junjie , Shao Changshun , Shi Yufang , Li Peishan
Published: December 2023

Neutrophils, accounting for ≈70% of human peripheral leukocytes, are key cells countering bacterial and fungal infections. Neutrophil homeostasis involves a balance between cell maturation, migration, aging, and eventual death. Neutrophils undergo different death pathways depending on their interactions with microbes and external environmental cues. Neutrophil death has significant physiological implications and leads to distinct immunological outcomes. This review discusses the multifarious neutrophil death pathways, including apoptosis, NETosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis, and outlines their effects on immune responses and disease progression. Understanding the multifaceted aspects of neutrophil death, the intersections among signaling pathways and ramifications of immunity will help facilitate the development of novel therapeutic methods.
High Free Volume Polyelectrolytes for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers with a Current Density of 13.39 A cm−2 and a Durability of 1000 h
Authors: Hu Chuan , Kang Hyun Woo , Jung Seung Won , Liu Mei‐Ling , Lee Young Jun , Park Jong Hyeong , Kang Na Yoon , Kim Myeong‐Geun , Yoo Sung Jong , Park Chi Hoon , Lee Young Moo
Published: December 2023

The rational design of the current anion exchange polyelectrolytes (AEPs) is challenging to meet the requirements of both high performance and durability in anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs). Herein, highly‐rigid‐twisted spirobisindane monomer is incorporated in poly(aryl‐co‐aryl piperidinium) backbone to construct continuous ionic channels and to maintain dimensional stability as promising materials for AEPs. The morphologies, physical, and electrochemical properties of the AEPs are investigated based on experimental data and molecular dynamics simulations. The present AEPs possess high free volumes, excellent dimensional stability, hydroxide conductivity (208.1 mS cm−1 at 80 °C), and mechanical properties. The AEMWE of the present AEPs achieves a new current density record of 13.39 and 10.7 A cm−2 at 80 °C by applying IrO2 and nonprecious anode catalyst, respectively, along with outstanding in situ durability under 1 A cm−2 for 1000 h with a low voltage decay rate of 53 µV h−1. Moreover, the AEPs can be applied in fuel cells and reach a power density of 2.02 W cm−2 at 80 °C under fully humidified conditions, and 1.65 W cm−2 at 100 °C, 30% relative humidity. This study provides insights into the design of high‐performance AEPs for energy conversion devices.
Artificial Biomimetic Mineralization of Viruses: More than Calcium
Authors: Shi Pan-Deng , Xu Yan-Peng , Zhao Hui , Qin Cheng-Feng
Published: December 2023

Biomineralization is a universal biological phenomenon in which organisms use inorganic minerals to form their own structures. Inspired by the discovery of mineralized phages in nature, the concept of artificial biomimetic viral mineralization is proposed and it is validated using a large panel of viruses. Different viruses can be mineralized under different conditions, and the same virus can be completely mineralized using different inorganic minerals. The biomineralized viruses with unique physical and chemical properties display biological phenotypes distinct from those of their native counterparts during the subsequent infection process. These new features are largely due to the inorganic minerals chosen. Calcium is the most frequently used material for viral mineralization, and other inorganic ions, including silicon, aluminum, and ferrum, have also been utilized. In this review, recent advances in the artificial biomimetic mineralization of viruses are summarized while highlighting the potential applications and challenges in biomedicine.
Emerging Sensing and In Situ Detection Technologies for the Analysis of Extracellular Vesicle miRNAs
Authors: Han Jixuan , Wang Chen , Zhu Ling , Yang Yanlian
Published: December 2023

Liquid biopsy has received increasing attention as a new disease detection modality because of its noninvasive, simple sampling, and reproducible assay advantages. Among the markers of liquid biopsy, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are considered as promising disease biomarkers because they contain a large amount of biological information and have a significant role in physiological activities. The emergence and progression of some of these diseases are associated with miRNAs carried by EVs (EV‐miRNAs). Therefore, high‐sensitive detection of EV‐miRNAs is essential in clinical applications. A growing number of strategies, including biosensors, in situ detection methods, and microfluidics have been developed for the detection of EV‐miRNA and have been applied in the diagnosis of diseases such as cancer. This review summarizes the probes, signal amplification, and detection methods for EV‐miRNA detection, as well as the application of membrane fusion‐based in situ detection and integrated microfluidic chips for EV‐miRNA detection. The challenges of these materials and techniques in clinical diagnostic applications are also discussed.
Porous Noble Metal‐Based Nanomaterials in Biomedical Applications
Authors: Zhang Ziyue , Yang Shouzhi , Su Haiyang , Qian Kun
Published: December 2023

Noble metal‐based nanomaterials have attracted tremendous attention in biomedical applications due to their unique electrical, optical, and chemical properties, playing crucial roles in the ultrasensitive detection of biomarkers, bioimaging, cancer therapy, etc. Especially, porous noble metal‐based nanomaterials show superior performance due to the large specific area and multiple active sites. Platforms constructed from porous noble metal‐based nanomaterials are emerging as highly promising tools for various biomedical applications. Herein, the properties and synthesis strategies of porous noble metal‐based nanomaterials are briefly introduced. Then the recent progress of porous noble metal‐based nanomaterials in the biomedical field is highlighted, focusing primarily on their applications in optics, electrochemistry, and mass spectrometry. Finally, the challenges related to fabrication and biocompatibility for their applications while also providing an outlook on their widespread use in clinical situations are discussed. This review aims to provide further insights into the design of porous noble metal‐based nanomaterials and expand their applications in the biomedical field.
Uncertainty relation in viscous hydrodynamics and its effects in collective flow observables
Authors: de Matos G. Gonçalves , Henrique L. , Kodama T. , Koide T.
Published: December 2023

The uncertainty relation is considered to be one of key features of quantum mechanics which distinguishes quantum and classical systems. Recently, we developed a new formulation of the uncertainty relation based on the generalized scheme of variational principle, the stochastic variational method (SVM). In this method, the uncertainty relation is related to the nondifferentiability of observables and thus can be obtained even in classical stochastic systems. This new formulation resolves the famous paradox in quantum mechanics, the angular uncertainty relation without introducing artificial assumptions. In this paper, we show that the fluctuations of position and momentum for a nonrelativistic viscous fluid element satisfies the uncertainty relation analogous to the corresponding quantum mechanical one. Such a fluctuation is sensitive to the temperature gradient at the freezeout surface and can affect the collective flow anisotropy in relativistic heavy‐ion collisions.
Einfluss der physikalischen und chemischen Eigenschaften von Zementstein auf das Abplatzen von Beton unter Brandeinwirkung – Teil 2
Authors: Reiners Jochen , Zehfuß Jochen , Dehn Frank , Müller Christoph
Published: December 2023

Einige größere Brandereignisse der letzten Jahrzehnte, insbesondere solche in Tunneln und Parkhäusern, haben das Bewusstsein von Planern bezüglich der möglichen Neigung von Beton zu explosiven Abplatzungen im Brandfall erhöht. In bestimmten Anwendungsbereichen können diese die Feuerwiderstandsdauer brandbeanspruchter Bauteile verkürzen. Welche Mechanismen für die explosiven Abplatzungen verantwortlich sind, wird unter Wissenschaftlern kontrovers diskutiert. Die im Teil 1 dieses Beitrags beschriebenen Brandversuche an Betonprobekörpern haben gezeigt, dass die Zementart einen deutlichen Einfluss auf die Neigung von Beton zu explosiven Abplatzungen haben kann. Drei gemeinsame Merkmale wurden für diejenigen Betone identifiziert, die eine erhöhte Anfälligkeit für Abplatzungen aufwiesen. Für jedes dieser drei Merkmale wurde eine entsprechende Hypothese hinsichtlich dessen möglichen Beitrags zum Betonabplatzen im Brandfall aufgestellt. Der vorliegende zweite Teil des Beitrags beschreibt die Überprüfung der drei Hypothesen durch ein entsprechendes Versuchsprogramm. Als Ergebnis der Untersuchungen wurden die Hauptmechanismen identifiziert, durch welche Abplatzungen ausgelöst werden.
Nuclear envelope budding: Getting large macromolecular complexes out of the nucleus
Authors: Sule Kevin C. , Nakamura Mitsutoshi , Parkhurst Susan M.
Published: December 2023

Transport of macromolecules from the nucleus to the cytoplasm is essential for nearly all cellular and developmental events, and when mis‐regulated, is associated with diseases, tumor formation/growth, and cancer progression. Nuclear Envelope (NE)‐budding is a newly appreciated nuclear export pathway for large macromolecular machineries, including those assembled to allow co‐regulation of functionally related components, that bypasses canonical nuclear export through nuclear pores. In this pathway, large macromolecular complexes are enveloped by the inner nuclear membrane, transverse the perinuclear space, and then exit through the outer nuclear membrane to release its contents into the cytoplasm. NE‐budding is a conserved process and shares many features with nuclear egress mechanisms used by herpesviruses. Despite its biological importance and clinical relevance, little is yet known about the regulatory and structural machineries that allow NE‐budding to occur in any system. Here we summarize what is currently known or proposed for this intriguing nuclear export process.
Telomeres cooperate with the nuclear envelope to maintain genome stability
Authors: Rai Rekha , Sodeinde Tori , Boston Ava , Chang Sandy
Published: December 2023

Mammalian telomeres have evolved safeguards to prevent their recognition as DNA double‐stranded breaks by suppressing the activation of various DNA sensing and repair proteins. We have shown that the telomere‐binding proteins TRF2 and RAP1 cooperate to prevent telomeres from undergoing aberrant homology‐directed recombination by mediating t‐loop protection. Our recent findings also suggest that mammalian telomere‐binding proteins interact with the nuclear envelope to maintain chromosome stability. RAP1 interacts with nuclear lamins through KU70/KU80, and disruption of RAP1 and TRF2 function result in nuclear envelope rupture, promoting telomere‐telomere recombination to form structures termed ultrabright telomeres. In this review, we discuss the importance of the interactions between shelterin components and the nuclear envelope to maintain telomere homeostasis and genome stability.
Bayesian dose escalation with overdose and underdose control utilizing all toxicities in Phase I/II clinical trials
Authors: Tu Jieqi , Chen Zhengjia
Published: December 2023

Escalation with overdose control (EWOC) is a commonly used Bayesian adaptive design, which controls overdosing risk while estimating maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in cancer Phase I clinical trials. In 2010, Chen and his colleagues proposed a novel toxicity scoring system to fully utilize patients’ toxicity information by using a normalized equivalent toxicity score (NETS) in the range 0 to 1 instead of a binary indicator of dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Later in 2015, by adding underdosing control into EWOC, escalation with overdose and underdose control (EWOUC) design was proposed to guarantee patients the minimum therapeutic effect of drug in Phase I/II clinical trials. In this paper, the EWOUC‐NETS design is developed by integrating the advantages of EWOUC and NETS in a Bayesian context. Moreover, both toxicity response and efficacy are treated as continuous variables to maximize trial efficiency. The dose escalation decision is based on the posterior distribution of both toxicity and efficacy outcomes, which are recursively updated with accumulated data. We compare the operation characteristics of EWOUC‐NETS and existing methods through simulation studies under five scenarios. The study results show that EWOUC‐NETS design treating toxicity and efficacy outcomes as continuous variables can increase accuracy in identifying the optimized utility dose (OUD) and provide better therapeutic effects.
Site specific insertion of a transgene into the murine α‐casein (CSN1S1) gene results in the predictable expression of a recombinant protein in milk
Authors: Knowles Christopher , Petrie Linda , Warren Claire , Lillico Simon G. , Carlisle Ailsa , Whitelaw C. Bruce A. , Kolb Andreas F.
Published: December 2023

Gene loci of highly expressed genes provide ideal sites for transgene expression. Casein genes are highly expressed in mammals leading to the synthesis of substantial amounts of casein proteins in milk. The α‐casein (CSN1S1) gene has assessed as a site of transgene expression in transgenic mice and a mammary gland cell line. A transgene encoding an antibody light chain gene (A1L) was inserted into the α‐casein gene using sequential homologous and site‐specific recombination. Expression of the inserted transgene is directed by the α‐casein promoter, is responsive to lactogenic hormone activation, leads to the synthesis of a chimeric α‐casein/A1L transgene mRNA, and secretion of the recombinant A1L protein into milk. Transgene expression is highly consistent in all transgenic lines, but lower than that of the α‐casein gene (4%). Recombinant A1L protein accounted for 0.5% and 1.6% of total milk protein in heterozygous and homozygous transgenic mice, respectively. The absence of the α‐casein protein in homozygous A1L transgenic mice leads to a reduction of total milk protein and delayed growth of the pups nursed by these mice. Overall, the data demonstrate that the insertion of a transgene into a highly expressed endogenous gene is insufficient to guarantee its abundant expression.
Prediction and analysis of quality markers for Chuantieling gel patches based on HPLC fingerprinting and network pharmacology
Authors: Du Lixin , Lu Huiling , Xiao Yifei , Guo Zhihua , Li Ya
Published: December 2023

The Chuantieling gel patch (CGP), a traditional Chinese medicine compound, is an external treatment for asthma. It has shown remarkable effectiveness in alleviating asthma‐related airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation. Nevertheless, there is currently no information available regarding the analysis of quality markers for CGP, and there is a need for further improvement in quality control research. In this study, we developed an HPLC fingerprinting method for CGP and conducted a comprehensive methodological investigation. We assessed the similarity among 10 batches of CGP, identified common peaks, and quantified the content of seven major quality markers. Furthermore, we built a network pharmacology–based ‘active ingredients–targets–pathways–diseases’ network to forecast the potential mechanisms of action for the primary active components in asthma treatment. Our findings demonstrated that the developed CGP fingerprinting and content determination methods were consistent and trustworthy. We verified the existence of 25 shared peaks and successfully identified 7 chromatographic peaks, including sinigrin thiocyanate, ephedrine hydrochloride, methyleugenol, imperatorin, cinnamaldehyde, emodin, and 6‐gingerol, using reference standards. The network pharmacology analysis suggested that these seven active components may target proteins such as STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), MAPK3 (mitogen‐activated protein kinase 3), and TP53 (tumor protein P53) and influence various diseases through pathways including cancer pathways, hepatitis B, and PI3K–Akt (phosphoinositide 3‐kinase–protein kinase B) signaling. This study provides insight into the complex multicomponent composition of CGP, and the predictive analysis through network pharmacology sets the stage for uncovering the mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effects of CGP.
Chromatographic assessment of biodiesel production from Peganum harmala seed oil using environmentally benign nano‐catalysts
Authors: Alhomaidi Eman , Aljabri Maha , Alsharari Salam S. , Alsam Amani
Published: December 2023

This work gives a comprehensive chromatographic assessment of biodiesel generation from plant seed oil using ecologically friendly nano‐catalysts. Researchers all over the world are actively looking for new ways to satisfy the urgent need for clean and renewable energy sources. The resultant biodiesel was fully characterized utilizing modern techniques like scanning electron microscopy, energy diffraction X‐ray and X‐ray diffraction. The biodiesel gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis revealed four significant peaks of fatty acid methyl esters, indicating high‐quality biodiesel production. Furthermore, the biodiesel fuel qualities were discovered to be comparable with international standards such as ASTM D‐6571 and EN‐14214. This indicates that the iron‐modified clay nano‐catalyst can be used as a catalyst for large‐scale biodiesel production. This work is important because it could lead to the large‐scale production of a novel, non‐food feedstock. We may lessen our reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to a more sustainable and ecologically friendly energy future by leveraging the usage of biodiesel produced in this way. The chromatographic assessment of biodiesel production from non‐edible seed oil using environmentally benign nano‐catalysts holds significant promise in advancing sustainable and eco‐friendly biodiesel production methods, contributing to a cleaner and more environmentally responsible energy sector.
Optimization of Methanolysis of Used Cooking Oil by the Taguchi Experimental Design Approach
Authors: Sikiru Yusuff Adeyinka , Aka Peace Otaoghene , Igbafe Anselm Iuebego
Published: December 2023

The goal of this study was to look into the catalytic activity of KOH‐modified CaO from eggshell as catalyst for the optimization of biodiesel production from used cooking oil (UCO), applying the Taguchi approach. The strong base catalyst (K/CE) was formulated by doping KOH on calcined chicken eggshell at various quantities (0–2.5 g), where 2 g of KOH doped on 5 g of calcined eggshell (2K/CE) and recalcined at 400 °C was found to represent the best catalyst formulation conditions. The optimal catalyst resulted in the maximum UCO biodiesel (UCOB) yield of 91.92 % at 70 °C for 1 h, using a 2K/CE dosage of 0.5 wt % and a methanol/UCO molar ratio of 15:1. The physicochemical properties of the optimal UCOB sample were in accordance with ASTM D6751 specifications, and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the presence of methyl esters at an amount of 97.65 wt %.
Simulating Stirred Tank Reactor Characteristics with a Lattice Boltzmann CFD Code
Authors: Kersebaum Jule , Flaischlen Steffen , Hofinger Julia , Wehinger Gregor D.
Published: December 2023

Although mixing in stirred tanks is common in the chemical and process industry, it is complex and not fully understood. In recent years, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations with large eddy simulation turbulence models have become an important modeling tool. In this study, its current state for applicability to stirred tanks was evaluated. First, the power characteristics of different impellers were simulated and compared with experimental data. Second, Rushton and pitched blade turbines were validated in terms of the local velocity components, dissipation rates, and the trailing vortex. Finally, mixing times for different viscosity ratios were obtained from the CFD results and compared with a literature study. Hydrodynamics can be well predicted. However, mixing times for viscosity ratios larger than 1:100 are error‐prone.
Critical Assessment of pH‐Dependent Lipophilicity Profiles of Small Molecules: Which One Should We Use and In Which Cases?
Authors: Bertsch Esteban , Suñer Sebastián , Pinheiro Silvana , Zamora William J.
Published: December 2023

The front cover artwork is provided by CBio3 Laboratory and Computational Toxicology and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (LaToxCIA) both at the University of Costa Rica. The image shows the formalisms commonly used to determine the pH‐dependent lipophilicity profile of ionizable compounds. Herein, for 4‐phenylbutylamine it is accurately predicted when the apparent ion pair partitioning is considered. Read the full text of the Research Article at 10.1002/cphc.202300548.
QuEChERS as alternative extraction procedure in doping analyses
Authors: Derwand Daniel , Rzeppa Sebastian , Voss Sven C. , Zschiesche Annette , Keiler Annekathrin M.
Published: December 2023

QuEChERS is a dispersive solid phase extraction commonly applied in food analysis for residues, such as pesticides or mycotoxins for more than 20 years. Due to the quick and easy sample preparation procedure, a QuEChERS method based on ammonium acetate combined with formic acid in acetonitrile was tested for the preparation of urine samples for doping control purposes. Testing urine samples with different pH and specific gravity, using the combination of 10 M ammonium acetate with 3% formic acid in acetonitrile, 312 out of 342 tested compounds could be extracted at their respective minimum required performance levels according to the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA) technical documents. For nine selected analytes representing six categories of WADA's Prohibited List, we validated the QuEChERS extraction method fulfilling WADA's requirements for a confirmation procedure of the nonthreshold substances investigated. Especially for the intact stanozolol‐glucuronides analyzed by high‐resolution mass spectrometry, the described extraction method might be an alternative for confirmation procedures as it is time‐ and cost‐saving compared with the commonly applied solid phase extraction.
Storage stability of phosphatidylethanol homologues in whole blood and dried blood spots of nonalcoholics at different temperatures over 60 days
Authors: Herzog Josefine , Skopp Gisela , Musshoff Frank , Hartung Benno
Published: December 2023

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) has recently become a popular direct alcohol marker for evaluating drinking behavior. This study aimed at gaining further information on the long‐term stability of five PEth homologues (16:0/18:1, 16:0/18:2, 16:0/20:4, 18:0/18:1, 18:0/18:2) in whole blood (WB) and dried blood spots (DBS) stored at −80°C, 4°C, and room temperature (18°C) over a period of 60 days. Venous blood was taken from 10 volunteers (five females and five males, aged 21–40 years) with a moderate drinking behavior and a negative breath alcohol test at the time of collection. 100 μL aliquots of WB were prepared in addition to 20 μL DBS samples. The initial PEth concentrations were determined on the day of the blood collection. On days 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 17, 40, and 60, DBS were analyzed in triplicate by means of LC–MS/MS. On these days, WB aliquots having been stored until that time were used to create further DBS in triplicate, which were subsequently stored at 18°C and analyzed in a single batch after day 60. All homologues, except PEth 16:0/20:4, were stable at −80°C in DBS and WB for 60 days. The initial PEth 16:0/18:1 concentrations remained stable in both DBS and WB in all but one volunteer's specimen at 4 and 18°C. Apart from this exception, simultaneously detected PEth homologues 16:0/18:2, 18:0/18:1, and 18:0/18:2 remained stable over at least 40 days in DBS. Nevertheless, the storage time between sample collection and analysis should be kept as short as possible if an ethanol‐free sample cannot be ensured.
Biomass allocation and plant morphology explain the difference in shrub species abundance in a temperate forest
Authors: Markgraf Rudiger , Doyon Frédérik , Delagrange Sylvain , Kneeshaw Daniel
Published: December 2023

In forested ecosystems, shrubs must succeed in persisting in low‐light environments, while simultaneously having the ability to rapidly expand and occupy newly created canopy openings, yet little is known about the traits that make this possible. We hypothesize that shrub species that are abundant in the understory exhibit a specific set of functional traits that define their ability to persist during unfavorable periods and to rapidly exploit newly created habitats. We tested this by comparing field‐measured functional traits such as biomass allocation, leaf display, crown morphology, and leaf traits, across individual size classes and two gap‐forest environments of five shrub species. We observed significant differences in traits between species, size classes, and gap‐forest environments. These differences were primarily related to biomass allocation traits, followed by leaf display, crown morphology, and leaf traits. Abundant shrubs like mountain maple (Acer spicatum) and hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) invested significantly more biomass in roots, had a larger total leaf area, and displayed leaves in a more efficient manner to intercept light. The high investment in root biomass can be interpreted as shrubs exploiting the persistence and colonization strategy through resprouting. Permanent sub‐canopy status likely explains the importance of efficient leaf display, wherein abundant shrubs had a large leaf area with minimal support structures.
An outbreak of Gynanisa maja (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) larvae in the south‐eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe
Authors: Tarugara Allan , Mandinyenya Bob , Clegg Bruce W.
Published: December 2023

The larvae of speckled emperor moths (Gynanisa maja) are important plant defoliators in savanna ecosystems of southern Africa and a valuable food resource for indigenous communities. Population explosions of G. maja larvae can negatively impact an area's primary productivity thereby altering herbivory patterns and associated ecosystem processes. Harvests of the larvae enhance socio‐economic livelihoods of local people by providing a source of protein and improving household incomes. We report on a population outbreak of G. maja larvae that occurred in south‐eastern Zimbabwe between December 2022 and January 2023 and discuss the ecological and social significance of the event. A total biomass weight of 5811 tons of G. maja larvae was estimated over the area of the outbreak and extensive defoliation was recorded in Colophospermum mopane trees. We could not associate the outbreak with any obvious environmental conditions and speculate that it may have been caused by subtle triggers that are not easily identified.
A circuit model of electrical wiring nearby building structure for lightning surge analysis
Authors: Dei Hideyuki , Ikeda Yoki , Nagaoka Naoto
Published: December 2023

A model expressing beams, pillars, and electrical wiring in a building for lightning surge simulation by circuit analysis method is proposed in this paper. The proposed model expresses the self‐surge impedance of the electrical wiring as a function of the distance between conductors and the radius of the electrical wiring. The mutual impedance is expressed by the distance between the surfaces of a structure and a nearby wire instead of the distance between the conductor centers. In the case of two conductors having far different radii in proximity, the distribution of electromagnetic fields around the two conductors is similar in horizontal and vertical arrangements. Thus, the electrical wiring nearby pillars can be treated as a horizontal conductor. The circuit analysis results show that the voltage difference generated between the structure and the electrical wiring is calculated more precisely by the proposed model than by the conventional model.
Navigating the microenvironment with flip and turn under quadrupole magnetophoretic steering control: Nanosphere‐ and nanorod‐coated microbead
Authors: Chong Wai Hong , Chan Derek Juinn Chieh , Liu Chun‐Zhao , Lim JitKang
Published: December 2023

The spatiotemporal accuracy of microscale magnetophoresis has improved significantly over the course of several decades of development. However, most of the studies so far were using magnetic microbead composed of nanosphere particle for magnetophoretic actuation purpose. Here, we developed an in‐house method for magnetic sample analysis called quadrupole magnetic steering control (QMSC). QMSC was used to study the magnetophoretic behavior of polystyrene microbeads decorated with iron oxide nanospheres‐coated polystyrene microbeads (IONSs‐PS) and iron oxide nanorods‐coated polystyrene microbeads (IONRs‐PS) under the influence of a quadrupole low field gradient. During a 4‐s QMSC experiment, the IONSs‐PS and IONRs‐PS were navigated to perform 180° flip and 90° turn formations, and their kinematic results (2 s before and 2 s after the flip/turn) were measured and compared. The results showed that the IONRs‐PS suffered from significant kinematic disproportion, translating a highly uneven amount of kinetic energy from the same magnitude of magnetic control. Combining the kinematic analysis, transmission electron microscopy micrographs, and vibrating sample magnetometry measurements, it was found that the IONRs‐PS experienced higher fluid drag force and had lower consistency than the IONSs‐PS due to its extensive open fractal nanorod structure on the bead surface and uneven magnetization, which was attributed to its ferrimagnetic nature.
First‐Principle Density Functional Theory‐Derived Nonleaded KSn1−xGexI3‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells: A Theoretical Study
Authors: Chauhan Asha , Oudhia Anjali
Published: December 2023

The lead toxicity and instability of conventional all‐inorganic lead halide perovskites hinder the production of efficient and stable nontoxic perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which prompts the search for viable nonleaded substitutes for photovoltaic (PV) applications. The present study investigates the optoelectronic characteristics of proposed lead‐free orthorhombic perovskites KSn1−xGexI3 (x = 0, 0.5, 1) via first‐principle density functional theory (DFT), to get an insight into their PV applicability. DFT computation with generalized gradient approximation of Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof exchange–correlation is performed to extract the parameters such as bandgap, mobility, dielectric constant, conduction band minima and valence band maxima of KSnI3, KSn0.5Ge0.5I3, and KGeI3 to demonstrate their capability as a functional layer in PSCs. These characteristics have been utilized to simulate PSCs. The simulated devices FTO/SnO2/KSnI3/Spiro‐OMeTAD/Au, FTO/SnO2/KSn0.5Ge0.5I3/Spiro‐OMeTAD/Au, and FTO/SnO2/KGeI3/Spiro‐OMeTAD/Au exhibit the efficiency of 8.23%, 8.89%, and 4.12%, respectively. Thereafter, the most effective KSn0.5Ge0.5I3‐cell with an efficiency of 8.89% is selected for additional optimization of thickness, defect density, and doping concentration to achieve maximum efficiency. The distinctive green proposes KSn0.5Ge0.5I3‐PSC, with an optimized efficiency of 20.29% stands out among the top PSC technologies. Future research on this subject will focus on synthesizing the proposed novel KSn0.5Ge0.5I3‐PSC and evaluating the performance of the KGeI3‐PSC.
NaGdF4:Yb,Er@ZIF‐8/MnO2 for photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants and pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Shu Yue , Zhao Yue , Linghu Xiaoyu , Liu Wenqi , Shan Dan , Zhang Changyuan , Yi Ran , Li Xiang , Wang Baiqi
Published: December 2023

In the field of environmental science, efficient removal of organic pollutants and pathogenic bacteria from wastewater using a photocatalytic process that responds to the full spectrum of sunlight is crucial. In this study, a highly effective nanoheterojunction called NaGdF4:Yb,Er@zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8/manganese dioxide (NaGdF4:Yb,Er@ZIF‐8/MnO2, UCZM) was synthesized. This nanoheterojunction exhibits a remarkable ability to respond to the entire range of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light. Under simulated sunlight, UCZM demonstrated outstanding performance in degrading malachite green dye, with a degradation efficiency of 92.6% within 90 min. Moreover, UCZM completely inactivated both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli within 20 min under simulated sunlight. Mechanistic studies revealed that NaGdF4:Yb,Er played a crucial role in activating ZIF‐8 and MnO2 through Förster resonance energy transfer, facilitating the photocatalytic process. The formation of a Z‐type heterojunction in UCZM promoted the efficient separation of photogenerated carriers. Furthermore, UCZM exhibited excellent biosafety properties. This study represents the first exploration of a composite material composed of UCNPs, ZIF‐8, and MnO2 for photocatalytic applications. The findings highlight the potential of this novel nanoheterojunction design, which exhibits a full spectral response, for tackling water pollution through efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and inactivation of pathogenic bacteria.

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A pXRF‐based geochemical dataset of typical boreholes in Xuancheng Qiaomaishan copper–sulphur deposit
Authors: Zhang Mingming , Jiao Junqin , Zhou Guoyu , Li Siyang , Wang Chengbao , Long Jinxiao , Ge Can , Wang Liang , Fang Hongdong
Published: December 2023

Drilled cores provide first‐hand data for deposit research. The element compositions at different depths of cores are an important basis for evaluating the reserves of mineral deposits. Therefore, a dataset containing a complete drill core element content has great value on practicality. In this study, a pXRF analyser was used to measure the element contents in eight cores of the Xuancheng Qiaomaishan copper–sulphur deposit ZK16 + 02, ZK16 + 03, ZK16 + 04, ZK1804, ZK18 + 02, ZK1403, ZK1602, and ZK1604, and a geochemical dataset was obtained. The dataset includes Cu, S, Fe, W, Mg, Al, Si, As, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Se, Ti, V, Cr, Ca, Cl, P, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Pb, Th, U, and other 27 major and trace elements. Based on this dataset, the vertical variation pattern of main and trace element content in drill cores can be examined, the distributions of elements in full hole or exploration line profile can be drawn, and element correlation analysis and principal component analysis can be performed.
A detrital zircon dataset for the eastern Central China Orogenic Belt (East Qinling, Dabie and Sulu orogens)
Authors: Chai Rong , Yang Jianghai , Deng Tao , Hu Xiumian
Published: December 2023

The Qinling‐Dabie‐Sulu orogen is the eastern part of the Central China Orogenic Belt. Looking back on previous studies of the sedimentary record we systematically compiled the dataset of detrital zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotopes for this orogenic belt. The dataset incorporates a comprehensive compilation of 32,449 detrital zircon U–Pb ages and 979 Hf isotopes. The findings demonstrate that distinct tectonic units within the orogenic belt exhibit unique tectonic evolution histories during various geological epochs. This dataset can be used to constrain the tectonic framework and orogenic evolution including ocean subduction, continental collision and orogen exhumation. It can be integrated with other geological datasets to improve our understanding of the Central Orogenic Belt in China, and possibly plate tectonics globally.
Labour migration market and policy failure: A comparative study of the Philippines and Nepal
Authors: Adhikari Santosh , Khatri Bimala
Published: December 2023

Labour migration is one of many strategies adopted by developing countries to achieve economic growth, but its success varies across countries. Migrant workers often face issues related to their welfare and protection at their workplace due to information asymmetries and power imbalances in the labour market. This study compares the policies and initiatives of the Philippines and Nepal, aligning them with the Decent Work agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals. The study's findings underscore the importance of considering various factors that impact the welfare and protection of migrant workers to achieve sustainable socio‐economic growth in labour sending countries.