bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic biomarker panels of osteoarthritis: UPLC-QToF/MS-based serum metabolic profiling
Authors: Lin Xinxin , He Shiqi , Wu Suyu , Zhang Tianwen , Gong Sisi , Minjie Tang , Gao Yao
Published: January 2023

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease in the world, characterized by pain and loss of joint function, which has led to a serious reduction in the quality of patients’ lives. In this work, ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-QToF/MS) in conjunction with multivariate pattern recognition methods and an univariate statistical analysis scheme were applied to explore the serum metabolic signatures within OA group (n = 31), HC (healthy controls) group (n = 57) and non-OA group (n = 19) for early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of OA. Based on logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, seven metabolites, including phosphatidylcholine (18:0/22:6), p-cresol sulfate and so on, were identified as critical metabolites for the diagnosis of OA and HC and yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.978. The other panel of unknown m/z 239.091, phosphatidylcholine (18:0/18:0) and phenylalanine were found to distinguish OA from non-OA and achieved an AUC of 0.888. These potential biomarkers are mainly involved in lipid metabolism, glucose metabolism and amino acid metabolism. It is expected to reveal new insight into OA pathogenesis from changed metabolic pathways.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of calmodulin-like proteins in cucumber
Authors: Liu Yunfen , Yin Feilong , Liao Lingyan , Shuai Liang
Published: January 2023

Background

The calmodulin-like (CML) protein is a crucial Ca2+-binding protein that can sense and conduct the Ca2+ signal in response to extracellular stimuli. The CML protein families have been identified and characterized in many species. Nevertheless, scarce information on cucumber CML is retrievable.

Methods

In this study, bioinformatic analyses, including gene structure, conserved domain, phylogenetic relationship, chromosome distribution, and gene synteny, were comprehensively performed to identify and characterize CsCML gene members. Spatiotemporal expression analysis in different organs and environment conditions were assayed with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Results

Forty-four CsCMLs family members were well characterized, and the results showed that the 44 CsCML proteins contained one to four EF-hand domains without other functional domains. Most of the CsCML proteins were intron-less and unevenly distributed on seven chromosomes; two tandemly duplicated gene pairs and three segmentally duplicated gene pairs were identified in the cucumber genome. Cis-acting element analysis showed that the hormone, stress, and plant growth and development-related elements were in the promotor regions. In addition, spatiotemporal expression analysis revealed distinctive expression patterns for CsCML genes in different tissues and environmental conditions, and a putative protein interaction network also confirmed their potential role in responding to various stimuli. These results provide a foundation for understanding CsCMLs and provide a theoretical basis for further study of the physiological functions of CsCMLs.
A redescription of Palaeogekko risgoviensis (Squamata, Gekkota) from the Middle Miocene of Germany, with new data on its morphology
Authors: Villa Andrea
Published: January 2023

After its original description, the Middle Miocene gekkotan Palaeogekko risgoviensis remained an enigma for palaeontologists due to a rather poor knowledge of its osteology and relationships. Coming from a single locality in southern Germany, this gecko lived in central Europe during a period when a single gekkotan lineage (i.e., euleptine sphaerodactylids) is confidently reported to have inhabited the continent. However, it is unclear whether P. risgoviensis may represent a member of this same lineage or a second clade of Gekkota. In order to shed light on this issue, the type material of P. risgoviensis is here redescribed, refigured and extensively compared with extinct and extant geckos from Europe. A phylogenetic analysis is also conducted in order to investigate its relationships. The new observations confirm the validity of the German species as a distinct taxon, and exclude the previously-suggested chimeric status of the type material of this gecko (with the exception of a single dentary included in the type series, which clearly belong to a different lizard). Phylogenetic relationships of Palaeogekko are still unclear, though, with different positions within the gekkotan tree recovered for the taxon. Nevertheless, it is confidently supported as a non-eublepharid gekkonoid, in agreement with hypothesys presented by other scholars.
Labor relations as an indicator of social responsibility in the perception of employees at the Serra Talhada academic unit of the Federal rural University of Pernambuco
Authors: Batista Agleilson Souto , Albuquerque José de Lima , Mandú Maria Jaqueline da Silva , Correia-Neto Jorge da Silva , Peixoto Carol Soares Bezerra de Sá , Filho Rodolfo Araújo de Moraes , Ventura Antônio Aritan de Oliveira , Diniz Juliana Regueira Basto
Published: January 2023

The emergence of the concept of sustainable development and social and environmental responsibility in organizations has evolved over time, from a view focused on the economic and legal aspects to a new stance of organizations that includes responsibility in labor relations or the social aspect. In this context of change, both private and public organizations have made efforts to contemplate labor relations in their daily practices and in the decisionmaking process. Public institutions, and within them, Higher Education Institutions (HEI),play a fundamental role in this aspect as a driving force in changing proactive behaviors in relation to their collaborators, in addition to having a training role externally, citizens or future entrepreneurs who have a more humane background and are committed to the quality of life in the work place. In this sense, this study aims to investigate the social responsibility practices contemplated in the management of the Serra Talhada Academic Unit of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UAST/UFRPE), from management and operational practices related to labor relations, besides knowing the perception of the servers about suchpractices. The research adopted a qualitative and quantitative approach and is configured forbeing applied and descriptive in nature. For data collection, questionnaires were used. As a result, it was possible to highlight the concern with the issue of labor relations by the institution since it is formally inserted in it’s management, even if in an embryonic way. However, the perception of the staff differs as to the institutional position regarding socialissues, especially regarding labor relations, suggesting the need for better dissemination of existing actions in UAST.
Barriers in the Implementation of Clinical Guidelines in Diabetes Management: Physicians’ Experiences in Bisha, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Shahrani Abdullah M Al-
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Currently, the number of people living with diabetes in Saudi Arabia is less than one in every ten individuals and this number is expected to double in the next 20 years, which entails frequent and thorough investigation of implementation and effectiveness of the disease management guidelines. Aim: To explore the knowledge and barriers in implementation of the clinical guidelines in diabetes management among the physicians in Bisha, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected using structured questionnaire, from a convenient sample of 149 physicians working at several health centers in Bisha, Saudi Arabia from May 2021 to July 2021. The implementation of clinical guidelines according to physician’s gender, years of experience, specialty, workplace, and professional status was statistically assessed using MannWhitney test, Chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman test. The data was imported to an Excel sheet, coded and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (IBM version 20). Results: The results showed no significant relationship between guideline use and assessed variables except for years of experience, indicating that work experience influences practitioners’ impressions and attitudes towards clinical guidelines (0.001). The study also disclosed some barriers to implementing the clinical guidelines, including lack of familiarity (mean=3.483; median=4) and awareness (mean=3.637; median=4). The results also showed that the minor challenges included a lack of confidence in guideline developers (mean=2.557; median=2), lack of outcome expectancy in patient care (mean=2.7114; median=2) and a lack of agreement with guidelines because they were not up to date (mean=2.591; median=2). Conclusion: The findings concluded that physicians were well aware of the American Diabetes Association standards, demonstrating their popularity and ease of use in Saudi Arabia.
Thyroid Function Status in Nephrotic Syndrome in Paediatric Age Group: A Hospital-based Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Basu Atish Kumar , Chakraborty Arijit , Sit Syamaprasad , Jana Jadab Kumar , Maiti Swarupananda , Mandal Anusree Krishna
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Nephrotic syndrome, being one of the common glomerular diseases in the paediatric population, is characterised by massive proteinuria and has a negative impact on thyroid function, necessitating investigation. Aim: To assess the status of thyroid function in nephrotic syndrome in the paediatric age group. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital (BSMCH) in Bankura, West Bengal, India. The study included 100 children of both sexes aged one to eightyear-old who had nephrotic syndrome, either newly diagnosed or relapsed, and who were either hospitalised to the paediatric department or visited an outpatient department between April 2020 and September 2021. Thyroid hormone profiles, as well as other relevant investigations, were estimated in all children. Data was analysed using the Epi-Info (version 3.5.1) software. Results: Out of 100 children, 64% were males and the rest, 36%, were females. The mean age of presentation was 4.31±1.90 years. A 62% of them had a higher serum level of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). Low levels of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) were observed in 56% and 54% of cases, respectively. The serum albumin and serum TSH levels showed a significant negative correlation (r=-0.249, p=0.013). While T3 had a significant positive correlation (r=0.221, p=0.027), serum levels of T4 had a positive correlation (r=0.187) but turned out to be statistically insignificant (p=0.063). Conclusion: It was found that 62% of the children having nephrotic syndrome also had increased levels of TSH. Serum T4 and T3 levels were low in 54% and 56% of the study population, respectively, necessitating further investigation.
Evaluation of Serum Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D Levels in Infertile Males with Suboptimal Semen Parameters- A Pilot Study from Eastern India
Authors: Santra Pradip Kumar , Bandyopadhyay Debasmita , Biswas Ratan Kumar , Choudhury Jayati Roy
Published: January 2023

Introduction: According to World Health Organization (WHO), infertility is a disease defined by the inability to conceive a child after one year or more of unprotected and regular sexual intercourse. Not only female partner is responsible but male partner related factors play a crucial role in infertility. A key role of vitamin D in male reproductive organs has been suggested. Role of vitamin B12 in spermatogenesis has also been emphasised. Aim: To delineate if there is any significant association between serum vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels with semen parameters among infertile males belonging to the Eastern India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Biochemistry at Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research and Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, from May 2020 to July 2021. Fifty two infertile males of 25 to 40 years of age, with suboptimal semen parameters (semen volume, sperm count, sperm motility and sperm morphology were considered) were selected. Fasting (12 hours) blood samples were collected for estimation of serum vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels. Significance of association between each parameter with serum vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels was determined using Chi-square test and Fisher’s-exact test. Results were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Low serum vitamin D levels (<20 ng/mL) were detected in 10 (83.33% ) subjects with low semen volume and in 15 (65.21%) With low sperm count. No significant statistical association was found for vitamin D levels with semen volume and sperm count. Among subjects with abnormal sperm motility and morphology, low vitamin D levels were found in 37 (75.51%) and 16 (69.56%), respectively. A significant statistical association was found between vitamin D level and sperm motility (p-value=0.005) but not with sperm morphology. Amongst subjects with low semen volume and low sperm count, low vitamin B12 levels (<200 pg/ mL) were seen in 5 (41.6%) and 15 (65.21%), respectively. A significant statistical association was found between vitamin B12 level and sperm count (p-value=0.003). Among subjects with abnormal sperm motility and morphology, low vitamin B12 levels were present in 19 (38.77%) and 13 (56.52%) and there was a significant association between the variables p-value=0.037 and p-value=0.049, respectively. Conclusion: It can be concluded that vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels in infertile male subjects disturb normal physiological mechanisms required for being fertile. Hence, vitamin B12 and vitamin D supplementation may be suggested for improvement of semen quality
Effect of Transplanting Dates and Varieties on the Vegetative Growth, Yield, and Yield Components of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
Authors: Hossain Shahadat , Huda Md. Nurul , Alam Md. Sarowar , Hossain Md. Golap , Ali Md. Arfan
Published: January 2023

The study was carried out in the Research field of the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Hathazari, Chattogram, Bangladesh from November 2019 to April 2020 to observe the effect of transplanting date and variety for tomato production. Eight open-pollinated tomato varieties viz. BARI tomato-2, BARI tomato-3, BARI tomato-14, BARI tomato-15, Marglobe, Roma VF, Riograndi, and Khattabegun were considered as the factor A and two transplanting dates viz. 18th December 2019 and 18th January 2020 were considered as factor B. The study was laid out         in factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Different transplanting dates and varieties showed significant effects on the vegetative growth and yield of tomato. In 18th December transplanting, the highest number of fruits per plant was recorded in BARI Tomato-3 (46.87), followed by BARI Tomato-14 (43.22), while the lowest number of fruits per plant was recorded in variety Marglobe (13.00). Khattabegun variety had the maximum number of fruits per plant (14.17), followed by BARI tomato-3 (14.02) and BARI tomato-14 (13.97) on transplanting date 18th January. In 18th December transplanting, the highest yield was obtained from BARI tomato-14 (38.55 ton ha-1), followed by BARI tomato-3 (38.16 ton ha-1), while the lowest yield was found in variety Riograndi (9.17 ton ha-1). The highest yield was recorded in BARI tomato-15 (12.10 ton ha-1), while the lowest yield was observed in local variety Khattabegun (6.25 ton ha-1) on transplanting date 18th January. Therefore, it is concluded that BARI Tomato-14 and BARI Tomato-3 with a combination of transplanting date in 18th December was noted as the best combination to get the optimum yield of tomato.
Heavy Metals Pollution in Soil and Their Remediation Techniques: A Review
Authors: Mohasin Mohd , Habib Khalid , Rao P. Smriti
Published: January 2023

Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements with large atomic weights and densities that are at least five times greater than those of water. Their widespread dispersion in the environment as a result of their numerous agricultural, industrial, residential, medicinal, and technical applications has raised questions about their possible consequences on human health as well as environment. A broad review of heavy metal clean-up technologies is included in this paper. The following technologies are described together with the destiny of heavy metals: Bioremediation, stabilization/solidification, separation, and concentration are examples of in-situ and ex-situ technologies. electrokinetics, Soil flushing, barriers and treatment walls,  treatment by chemical, soil amendments, and phytoremediation are examples of in-situ technologies. One of the ex-situ processes is soil cleaning.
Application of Hydrologic Engineering Centers Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) Model for Modelling Flood in Sub Basin of Meenachil River, Kerala, India
Authors: George Riyola , Joseph Asha , P. Rema K.
Published: January 2023

Meenachil river basin, located in southern part of Kerala, is frequently liable to flood. It is an area predominant with agricultural land and falls under tropical humid zone. Hence, water resources planning and management and understanding of rainfall-runoff relationship along with its land characteristics, is necessary for irrigation scheduling, flood control and design of various engineering structures. HEC-HMS(Hydrologic Engineering Centers Hydrologic Modeling System) which is a widely used rainfall-runoff model was chosen for the simulation of watershed responses and generation of flood hydrographs. This research was done to establish the peak discharge rate of the river as well as calibrate and validate the HEC-HMS model for the Meenachil subbasin and obtain long-term flow data. The performance parameters NSE (Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency) coefficient and R² (coefficient of determination) values were obtained above 0.7. The Error in Peak Flow and Volume were calculated below 20%. All these values indicated satisfactory performance of the model simulation both in the calibration (2013-2016) and validation (2017-2018) period. Curve number (61.46-79.93 mm), Initial abstraction(10.29-31.87 mm) and Lag time(208.27 min and 4456.2 min) were found to be the most sensitive parameters of the model. Simulated and observed stream flow values (viz. lowest peak flow of river was found during the year 2013 and it was predicted as 168.9 m³/s and observed as 158.5 m³/s) indicated that the model was able to predict and present credible results for the sub basin.
Effect of Fraud and Corruption on Capital Market Performance in Nigeria
Authors: John Okoye Nonso , Okonkwo Victor Ike , Okaro Celestine Sunday Ogonna , Martins Bankole Olajide , Otekunrin Adegbola Olubukola
Published: January 2023

The study examined the effect of fraud and corruption on capital market performance. The core purpose of this research work is to investigate the effect of fraud and corruption on Nigeria's Capital Market Performance. The study used secondary data sourced from the Nigeria Exchange Group and the transparency index from 1999 to 2018. Transparency Index, Corruption Perception Index, and Total Fraud were the independent variables and the dependent variables are all share index and stock value traded. A time-series data methodological approach was adopted. The study used secondary data sourced from the Nigeria Exchange Group and the transparency index from 1999 to 2018. The study employed the Error Correction Model (ECM) as the estimation technique. The study found that fraud and corruption has a negative effect on all share index but a positive effect on stock value traded in Nigeria. The granger causality test also shows a unidirectional causality between fraud and corruption on capital market performance in Nigeria. The results suggest that fraud and corruption reduce investors' confidence in the market and can discourage investment in the market. The study recommends among others there should be cooperation between the appropriate law enforcement agencies and anti-corruption bodies with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to provide an equitable and rational market for all classes of investors. The whistleblowing scheme should be strengthened and made to be effective in the capital market.
Impact of Entrepreneurship Orientation, Innovation, Market Orientation and Total Quality Management on SME Performance
Authors: Surya Raja Adri Satriawan , Afifah Ulfa , Khoiriyah Mayla , Oktari Vera
Published: January 2023

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have had a very good impact on economic development in Indonesia. In addition, the presence of SMEs also brings many benefits to the welfare of the community, one of which is by absorbing the workforce so that it can reduce the number of unemployment figures. To see the success or failure of a business can be seen from the measurement of performance. Measuring the performance of a business is a very important thing, because by measuring the performance of the company can find out how much reward or salary will be given to employees. This study aims to examine whether entrepreneurial orientation, innovation, market orientation and total quality management affect the performance of SMEs. This study uses primary data with questionnaires as research instruments. The population in this study was 1,599 SMEs located in Kuantan Singingi Regency. The number of samples used was 115 with a purposive sampling method. The test results show that the independent variable entrepreneurial orientation, innovation, market orientation affect the performance of SMEs, while the independent variable total quality management has no influence on the performance of SMEs. This research is expected to be a material consideration for making changes in business for business entities and organizations so that business performance can improve.
Estimates of Medicaid and Non-Medicaid Net Prices of Top-Selling Brand-name Drugs Incorporating Best Price Rebates, 2015 to 2019
Authors: Clemans-Cope Lisa , Epstein Marni , Banthin Jessica , Kesselheim Aaron S. , Hwang Thomas J.
Published: January 2023

Importance

The US spends far more on brand-name prescription drugs than other comparable countries. However, studies of prescription drug spending in the US are often limited because there can be substantial differences in the confidential rebates that drug manufacturers pay to Medicaid vs other payers.

Objectives

To demonstrate an approach for improved estimation of Medicaid rebates through case studies of 18 top-selling drugs to better understand trends in net Medicaid and non-Medicaid spending and prices for brand-name drugs.

Design, Settings, and Participants

This was a cross-sectional study of US pricing data from 2015 to 2019 derived from Medicaid State Drug Utilization data SSR Health, Medi-Span, the Federal Supply Schedule, and IQVIA. Pricing data for 18 top-selling brand-name drugs measured consistently in both SSR Health, which captures US sales reported by publicly traded companies, and IQVIA’s top US prescription drugs by nondiscounted spending in 2015 to 2019. Data were accessed and analyzed from January 2019 to June 2021.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Gross and net Medicaid and non-Medicaid drug spending for the sample of 18 drugs and prices corresponding to a 30-day supply of medication.

Results

Medicaid aggregate gross spending for the 18 drugs in the sample increased 173%, from $3.6 billion in 2015 to $9.9 billion in 2019, and estimated net spending after discounts increased by 119%, from $1.4 billion to $3.0 billion. Medicaid inflation-linked rebates reduced average gross price per 30-day supply by an estimated 43% in 2019, and up to 67% for individual drugs. In addition to the basic rebate, the best price provision reduced the average gross price per 30-day supply by an estimated 3% in 2019 and up to 54% for individual drugs. Between 2015 and 2019 across all study drugs, estimated average non-Medicaid net 30-day prices were between 1.9 and 2.6 times higher than Medicaid net prices. Excluding adalimumab—a spending anomaly because of the entry of a new high-cost formulation—net prices weighted by average gross spending decreased annually by 1% from 2015 through 2019 for Medicaid, while increasing by 2% for non-Medicaid payers.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study of 18 top-selling brand-name drugs, excluding 1 anomaly, Medicaid average net prices declined from 2015 to 2019. Simultaneously, for non-Medicaid payers, net price increased more than previously published marketwide growth rates, raising the importance of restraining drug price growth in non-Medicaid markets. Rigorous and transparent methods to estimate Medicaid discounts are imperative to understand patterns in Medicaid and non-Medicaid prices and develop policies that better align drug prices with clinical benefits.
A Biodegradable Antigen Nanocapsule Promotes Anti‐Tumor Immunity via the cGAS‐STING Pathway
Authors: Jia Xiangqian , Chen Hang , Wu Mengling , Wang Luyao , Li Tiantian , Ma Jing , Yi Xueqing , Tan Pengcheng , Zheng Peiyuan , Du Juanjuan
Published: January 2023

Materials‐based antigen delivery systems can augment the immune response by improving antigen uptake in antigen‐presenting cells, targeting lymph nodes, prolonging antigen exposure, enhancing cross‐presentation, etc. Recent research revealed that some antigen carriers activate the innate immune pathways without additional adjuvant. Here, a vaccine delivery platform (antigen nanocapsules) constructed by a one‐step in situ polymerization is reported, weaving a biodegradable polymer network around the antigen surface. This simple technology allowed us to study the immunomodulatory effect of various antigen carriers. An antigen nanocapsule (NC7) capable of inducing dendritic cell activation and cross‐presentation is identified. Further mechanistic studies revealed that NC7 activated the cGAS‐STING pathway in a cGAS‐dependent manner. Moreover, the subcutaneously injected NC7 accumulated in the lymph nodes and elicited strong cytotoxic T cell immunity and T cell memory against established cancer. Collectively, the often‐neglected immunomodulatory effect of various cationic antigen carriers, enabling potential application in cancer vaccines, is uncovered.
Hydrazone‐Based AIEgens with Photofluorochromic Ability for Rewritable, Intensity‐Variable, and High‐Resolution Photopattern
Authors: Zhang Minjie , Zhang Jianyu , Alam Parvej , Li Wenlang , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Jia Guocheng , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: January 2023

Photoswitches with multiple fluorescence states known as photofluorochromism upon photo‐induced isomerization show practical applications in information storage, anticounterfeiting, and sensors. However, it is still challenging to realize rapid isomerization, efficient fluorescence, and gradient signal output simultaneously. Herein, by incorporating luminogenic units with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) features into photo‐responsive hydrazone, a series of novel photofluorochromic AIE compounds are developed. These newly designed compounds exhibit quantum yields of up to 38.4% and could undergo reversible and swift photo‐isomerization upon 450/365 nm irradiation. Accordingly, the fabricated photopatterns based on them are utilized as quantitatively described images for information storage, which show excellent rewritability and intensity‐variable fluorescence with a high resolution of 10 µm. This work provides a new strategy to develop intelligent photopattern systems with continuous gradient fluorescence for information storage and cybernetics.
Fast‐Switching Speed and Ultralong Lifespan Au/Prussian Blue Electrochromic Film for Iris Devices Applications
Authors: Xu Miao , Wang Shen , Zhou Shengyu , Ding Zhenmin , Xu Hongbo , Zhao Jiupeng , Li Yao
Published: January 2023

Prussian Blue (PB) is an excellent electrochromic (EC) material, possessing many praiseworthy advantages such as proper redox potential, large transmittance, environmental benignity, neutral colored state, and low cost. However, the co‐influence of weak interaction force and low electrical conductivity results in poor cyclic stability and slow switching speed. In this work, the novel Pt/Au and Au/PB films are prepared by electrodeposition to improve the EC properties of PB. The introduction of Au and Pt nanoparticles not only enhances the conductivity and inhibits polarization, but also increases the contact area and alleviates the stress and strain caused by volume expansion during ion insertion/extraction. Furthermore, the Pt/PB and Au/PB heterojunction with a strong inner electronic field promote the separation of electrons and holes and quicken charge transfer. In consideration of the better electrical conductivity, higher transmittance and strong local plasma resonance effect of Au nanoparticles, the Au/PB film shows ultrastable EC cyclic stability (96.4% after 2000), fast coloration/bleaching switching time (1.36/2.32 s), small charge transfer resistance (38.2 Ω), and high coloration efficiency (131.3 cm2 C−1). In addition, the EC iris devices are designed and assembled using Au/PB film as an EC layer to confirm the feasibility of the material in digital cameras and mobile phones.
Dynamic Optical Grating Based on a Photomechanical Molecular Crystal
Authors: Li Wangxiang , Berges Adam J. , Bekyarova Elena , Bardeen Christopher J.
Published: January 2023

Organic photomechanical crystals transform molecular‐scale photoisomerization events into largescale crystal shape changes. The results in this paper demonstrate that this photomechanical motion can be harnessed to reconfigure reflective elements on the crystal surface to actively control light propagation. This is accomplished by using a single organic photomechanical crystal composed of 1,2‐bis(2,4‐dimethyl‐5‐phenyl‐3‐thienyl)‐3,3,4,4,5,5‐hexafluoro‐1‐cyclopentene, which undergoes a reversible ring‐open to ring‐closed photoisomerization. Electron beam lithography patterning followed by a sublimation development step leaves periodically positioned, 120 nm deep grooves that are coated with gold metal to form a reflective grating on the crystal surface. Under UV irradiation, expansion of the bulk crystal increases the grating period by ≈5% and changes the diffraction angle of a 633 nm probe laser beam by 0.7° (first order) and 1.3° (second order). The grating period change can be reversed by visible light exposure and repeated for multiple cycles. The crystal expansion and thus the diffraction angle can also be continuously tuned by controlling the duration of light exposure. Anisotropic crystal expansion and contraction due to molecular photoisomerization enables low‐power light sources to steer light beams continuously over a range of diffraction angles.
A Human‐Specific De Novo Gene Promotes Cortical Expansion and Folding
Authors: Qi Jianhuan , Mo Fan , An Ni A. , Mi Tingwei , Wang Jiaxin , Qi Jun‐Tian , Li Xiangshang , Zhang Boya , Xia Longkuo , Lu Yingfei , Sun Gaoying , Wang Xinyue , Li Chuan‐Yun , Hu Baoyang
Published: January 2023

Newly originated de novo genes have been linked to the formation and function of the human brain. However, how a specific gene originates from ancestral noncoding DNAs and becomes involved in the preexisting network for functional outcomes remains elusive. Here, a human‐specific de novo gene, SP0535, is identified that is preferentially expressed in the ventricular zone of the human fetal brain and plays an important role in cortical development and function. In human embryonic stem cell‐derived cortical organoids, knockout of SP0535 compromises their growth and neurogenesis. In SP0535 transgenic (TG) mice, expression of SP0535 induces fetal cortex expansion and sulci and gyri‐like structure formation. The progenitors and neurons in the SP0535 TG mouse cortex tend to proliferate and differentiate in ways that are unique to humans. SP0535 TG adult mice also exhibit improved cognitive ability and working memory. Mechanistically, SP0535 interacts with the membrane protein Na+/K+ ATPase subunit alpha‐1 (ATP1A1) and releases Src from the ATP1A1‐Src complex, allowing increased level of Src phosphorylation that promotes cell proliferation. Thus, SP0535 is the first proven human‐specific de novo gene that promotes cortical expansion and folding, and can function through incorporating into an existing conserved molecular network.
Biomaterial Strategies for Selective Immune Tolerance: Advances and Gaps
Authors: Carey Sean T. , Bridgeman Christopher , Jewell Christopher M.
Published: January 2023

Autoimmunity and allergies affect a large number of people across the globe. Current approaches to these diseases target cell types and pathways that drive disease, but these approaches are not cures and cannot differentiate between healthy cells and disease‐causing cells. New immunotherapies that induce potent and selective antigen‐specific tolerance is a transformative goal of emerging treatments for autoimmunity and serious allergies. These approaches offer the potential of halting—or even reversing—disease, without immunosuppressive side effects. However, translating successful induction of tolerance to patients is unsuccessful. Biomaterials offer strategies to direct and maximize immunological mechanisms of tolerance through unique capabilities such as codelivery of small molecules or signaling molecules, controlling signal density in key immune tissues, and targeting. While a growing body of work in this area demonstrates success in preclinical animal models, these therapies are only recently being evaluated in human trials. This review will highlight the most recent advances in the use of materials to achieve antigen‐specific tolerance and provide commentary on the current state of the clinical development of these technologies.
Room Temperature Viscous Flow of Amorphous Silica Induced by Electron Beam Irradiation
Authors: Bruns Sebastian , Minnert Christian , Pethö Laszlo , Michler Johann , Durst Karsten
Published: January 2023

The increasing use of oxide glasses in high‐tech applications illustrates the demand of novel engineering techniques on nano‐ and microscale. Due to the high viscosity of oxide glasses at room temperature, shaping operations are usually performed at temperatures close or beyond the point of glass transition Tg. Those treatments, however, are global and affect the whole component. It is known from the literature that electron irradiation facilitates the viscous flow of amorphous silica near room temperature for nanoscale components. At the micrometer scale, however, a comprehensive study on this topic is still pending. In the present study, electron irradiation inducing viscous flow at room temperature is observed using a micropillar compression approach and amorphous silica as a model system. A comparison to high temperature yielding up to a temperature of 1100 °C demonstrates that even moderate electron irradiation resembles the mechanical response of 600 °C and beyond. As an extreme case, a yield strength as low as 300 MPa is observed with a viscosity indicating that Tg has been passed. Those results show that electron irradiation‐facilitated viscous flow is not limited to the nanoscale which offers great potential for local microengineering.
Limits to capital: Assessing the role of race on the Paycheck Protection Program for African American farmers in America
Authors: Sant'Anna Ana Claudia , Kim Kevin N. , Demko Iryna
Published: January 2023

We examine Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) lending among African American and white farmers. Using data from the U.S. Small Business Administration we run fixed effect estimations with a Mills inverse ratio. Our findings suggest discrimination due to limited capital access. We find statistically significant differences between approved loan amounts among African American farmers due to income level and location of their farms. These had minimal effects on white farmers. Our results call for policymakers to carefully monitor the PPP distribution in areas more vulnerable to financial difficulties. We provide policy recommendations.
Enhanced recognition of adolescents with schizophrenia and a computational contrast of their neuroanatomy with healthy patients using brainwave signals
Authors: Nsugbe Ejay
Published: January 2023

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder which is prevalent in individuals around the world, where diagnosis methods for this disorder are done via a combination of interview style questioning of the patient alongside a review of their medical record; but these methods have been largely criticised for being subjective between psychiatrists and largely unreplicable. Schizophrenia also occurs in adolescent individuals who have been said to be even more challenging to diagnose largely due to delusions being mistaken for childhood fantasies, and established methods for adult patients being applied to diagnose adolescents. This work investigates the use of electroencephalography (EEG) signals acquired from adolescent patients in the age range of 10–14 years, alongside signal processing methods and machine learning modelling towards the diagnosis of adolescent schizophrenia. The results from the machine learning modelling showed that the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and fine K‐nearest neighbour (KNN) produced the best recognition results for models with easy and hard interpretability, respectively. Additionally, a computational method was applied towards contrasting the neuroanatomical activation patterns in the brain of the schizophrenic and normal adolescents, where it was seen that the neural activation patterns of the normal adolescents showed a greater consistency when compared with the schizophrenics.
Boundary‐Connected Higher Order Weyl Semimetals in a Helix‐Shaped Phononic Crystal
Authors: Zhang Yuexin , Tang Jie , Zhang Sheng , Xiang Yuanjiang
Published: January 2023

The proposal of higher‐order topology leads to intriguing wave propagation properties beyond the conventional bulk‐boundary principle in condensed matter physics. Theoretical and experimental models have been conducted to reveal exotic higher‐order hinge and corner states in lower dimensions. Meanwhile, this concept is extended to semimetals and verified in platforms like acoustic and photonic systems. However, most existing schemes are confined to Cn‐symmetric‐like frameworks. Here a phononic higher‐order Weyl semimetal (HOWSM) is put forward by introductions of artificial gauge flux shape. Distinguished from most existing schemes, the traditional two‐dimensional lattice with a vertical screw‐extending operation is deformed, which guarantees the emergence of higher‐order Weyl points. The invariant index is utilized to measure different phases between non‐trivial topological and normal insulators visibly. Simulation results indicate that the structure supports robust hinge wave transmission in a piling sample. This work brings new approaches for constructing HOWSMs and enriches the potential applications in manufacturing high‐performance acoustic devices.
Holstein–Primakoff (H‐P) Approach to Determine the Optical Response of Hybrid Optomechanical System Containing Multiple Quantum Dots
Authors: Bhatt Vijay , Yadav Surabhi , Jha Pradip K. , Bhattacherjee Aranya B.
Published: January 2023

A theoretical model is presented to study the hybrid optomechanical system comprising an ensemble of N number of quantum dots (QDs). Utilizing the Holstein–Primakoff (H‐P) transformation formalism, the calculations become easily scalable. The bistability in this hybrid optomechanical system is studied in the presence of third order nonlinear χ(3) medium using the H‐P transformation method and to verify the results, numerical method has also been utilized. It is also demonstrated that the system's parameters may be tuned to alter the bistability phenomenon and absorption spectrum's response, which exhibits both positive and negative absorption (emission). This alternative approach (H‐P transform) is demonstrated to solve analytically the system containing multiple QDs in an elegant manner.
Redox‐Active Mixed‐Linker Metal–Organic Frameworks with Switchable Semiconductive Characteristics for Tailorable Chemiresistive Sensing
Authors: Zhou Xiao‐Cheng , Liu Cheng , Su Jian , Liu Yi‐Fan , Mu Zhangyan , Sun Yamei , Yang Zhi‐Mei , Yuan Shuai , Ding Mengning , Zuo Jing‐Lin
Published: January 2023

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), with diverse metal nodes and designable organic linkers, offer unique opportunities for the rational engineering of semiconducting properties. In this work, we report a mixed‐linker conductive MOF system with both tetrathiafulvalene and Ni‐bis(dithiolene) moieties, which allows the fine‐tuning of electronic structures and semiconductive characteristics. By continuously increasing the molar ratio between tetrathiafulvalene and Ni‐bis(dithiolene), the switching of the semiconducting behaviors from n‐type to p‐type was observed along with an increase in electrical conductivity by 3 orders of magnitude (from 2.88×10−7 S m−1 to 9.26×10−5 S m−1). Furthermore, mixed‐linker MOFs were applied for the chemiresistive detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), where the sensing performance was modulated by the corresponding linker ratios, showing synergistic and nonlinear modulation effects.
Design of a Process‐Intensified Liquid‐Liquid Extraction Cell for Higher Temperature and Pressure
Authors: Sakthithasan Piriyanth , Orth Luisa , Venhuis Maximilian , Kockmann Norbert
Published: January 2023

Liquid‐liquid extraction is performed in most cases at moderate temperatures to utilize its energy‐efficient advantages. A new concept of a process‐intensified extraction device for liquid‐liquid systems at increased temperature and pressure is presented. The design of the extraction device with its new subsystems, such as stirrer and pulsation, including a safety concept, is discussed within this work. Further, a mechanical stability analysis is shown to prove the usability of the extraction device for increased temperature and pressure.
Transition Metal‐Promoted Carbon‐Silicon Solid Acid Catalysts for the Synthesis and Process Optimization of Benzaldehyde Glycol Acetal
Authors: Han Xiaoxiang , Yang Shuifen , Chen Ziyi , Zeng Zhiwei , Cai Jinwang , Chen Qing , Pan Weichun , Tang Xiujuan , Wang Yanbo , Liu Shang‐Bin
Published: January 2023

A series of transition metal (M)‐promoted carbon‐silicon (C−M−Si; M=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr) solid acid catalysts with designated molar ratio of M/Si=1 : 8 were fabricated and exploited for acetalization of benzaldehyde (BzH) with ethylene glycol (EG). The physical and chemical properties of these C−M−Si catalysts prepared by sol‐gel method were characterized by various techniques, namely, SEM, EDS, TGA‐DTG, BET, XRD, FTIR, XPS, and NH3‐TPD. Among various examined acidic C−M−Si catalysts, the C−Fe−Si catalyst exhibited the optimal catalytic activity with the benzaldehyde glycol acetal (BEGA) yield of 97.67 %, in excellent agreement with the value (97.88 %) predicted by the response surface methodology (RSM) based on a Box‐Behnken design (BBD). C−Fe−Si catalyst with the high catalytic activities and excellent stability and reusability may be ascribed to the suitable acidity and uniform surface distribution of active sites requisite for the acid‐catalyzed acetalization reaction.
Electrophotochemical Metal‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Decarboxylative Cyanation
Authors: Yang Kai , Wang Yukang , Luo Sanzhong , Fu Niankai
Published: January 2023

In contrast to the rapid growth of electrophotocatalysis in recent years, enantioselective catalytic reactions powered by this unique methodology remain rare. In this work, we report an electrophotochemical metal‐catalyzed protocol for direct asymmetric decarboxylative cyanation of aliphatic carboxylic acids. The synergistic merging of electrophotochemical cerium catalysis and asymmetric electrochemical copper catalysis permits mild reaction conditions for the formation and utilization of the key carbon centered radicals by combining the power of light and electrical energy. Electrophotochemical cerium catalysis enables radical decarboxylation to produce alkyl radicals, which could be effectively intercepted by asymmetric electrochemical copper catalysis for the construction of C−CN bonds in a highly stereoselective fashion. This environmentally benign method smoothly converts a diverse array of arylacetic acids into the corresponding alkyl nitriles in good yields and enantioselectivities without using chemical oxidants or pre‐functionalization of the acid substrates and can be readily scaled up.
Circular depolarization spectroscopy: A new tool to study photo‐imprinting of chirality
Authors: Kulkarni Chidambar , Sakaino Hirotoshi , Vantomme Ghislaine , Meskers Stefan C. J.
Published: January 2023

When irradiating a molecular material containing photo‐isomerizable groups with pure circularly polarized light, a particular handedness may get imprinted into the material. To study the mechanism and kinetics of this process in situ and operando, we have developed a new chiroptical tool where the circular polarization of the incident circularly polarized light is monitored after transmission through the photoactive layer. Practical limits to the resolution and sensitivity of the measurements as well as its calibration are discussed. To aid interpretation of experimental results, we present kinetic Monte Carlo simulations on a model for the active material involving photo‐induced reorientation of molecules in a cholesteric organization. The simulations support the interpretation of a transient minimum in the degree of circular polarization of the transmitted light in terms of a nematic transient state during photo‐inversion of a cholesteric organization in the molecular material.
Enzymatic (2R,4R)‐Pentanediol Synthesis – “Putting a Bottle on the Table”
Authors: Sehl Torsten , Seibt Lisa , Kappauf Katrin , Ergezinger Pia , Spöring Jan-Dirk , Mielke Kristina , Doeker Moritz , Verma Neha , Bocola Marco , Daußmann Thomas , Chen Haibin , Shi Shumin , Jupke Andreas , Rother Dörte
Published: January 2023

(2R,4R)‐Pentanediol is an interesting precursor for the synthesis of chiral ligands. A ketoreductase (KRED) was employed for the asymmetric reduction of acetylacetone to this diol. Biocatalysis often suffers from low concentrations of hydrophobic substrates and low stability of the enzyme in unconventional media. Here, we present an engineered KRED variant applicable in a neat substrate system, including upscaling to the multi‐liter scale and downstream processing (DSP). Our engineered KRED applied in a neat substrate system is a powerful technique for the synthesis of chiral diols yielding product concentrations of 208 g L−1.