bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of flare frequency and severity of generalized pustular psoriasis in Japanese patients: A retrospective chart review study
Authors: Morita Akimichi , Okubo Yukari , Imafuku Shinichi , Tada Yayoi , Yamanaka Keiichi , Sugiura Kazumitsu , Yamaguchi Yukie , Yasuda Masahito , Tsuchihashi Hitoshi , Saitoh Morihisa , Sakamoto Wataru , Okuyama Ryuhei ,   the study investigators
Published: March 2023

Background

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare and often refractory disease, and GPP flares can be life threatening. The rarity of GPP prevents the development and evaluation of effective GPP‐specific treatments and obstructs disease understanding.

Objectives

To evaluate the frequency and severity of GPP flares and the clinical background and treatment history of patients with GPP in Japan.

Methods

This retrospective, longitudinal, Japanese chart review study included patients diagnosed with GPP (according to Japanese Dermatological Association [JDA] diagnostic criteria), with ≥6 months of continuous observation within 10 years of protocol approval at study sites. Primary outcomes: the frequency and severity of GPP flares during follow‐up. Secondary outcomes: patient characteristics (at time of initial GPP diagnosis) and GPP treatment during follow‐up.

Results

Overall, 205 Japanese patients were included; 106/205 (51.7%) were male, 146/205 (71.2%) were aged <65 years. Few patients had a family history of GPP (7/155, 4.5%) or psoriasis‐related diseases (6/120, 5.0%). At baseline, 36.1% (74/205), 30.7% (63/205) and 33.2% (68/205) of patients had mild, moderate and severe GPP, respectively; GPP flares were reported by 177/205 patients (86.3%), which were mostly moderate in severity (52/205; 25.4%) or severe (99/205; 48.3%). During follow‐up, GPP flares were reported by 70/205 patients (34.1%): 47/205 (22.9%) had 1 flare and 23/205 (11.2%) had ≥2. Among the 106 flare events reported during follow‐up, 1 was mild, 55 were moderate and 50 were severe. The median time to first GPP flare was 7.7 years and the overall incidence of GPP flares during follow‐up was 11.5/100 person‐years. During follow‐up, topical treatment (195/205; 95.1%), systemic therapy other than corticosteroids (177/205; 86.3%) and biologics (163/205; 79.5%) were most frequently used.

Conclusions

During follow‐up, over one‐third of Japanese patients with GPP experienced mostly moderate‐to‐severe GPP flares, despite available treatments. There remains an unmet need for effective GPP treatment options.
Biomolecular condensates: Formation mechanisms, biological functions, and therapeutic targets
Authors: Niu Xin , Zhang Lei , Wu Yuchen , Zong Zhi , Wang Bin , Liu Jisheng , Zhang Long , Zhou Fangfang
Published: March 2023

Biomolecular condensates are cellular structures composed of membraneless assemblies comprising proteins or nucleic acids. The formation of these condensates requires components to change from a state of solubility separation from the surrounding environment by undergoing phase transition and condensation. Over the past decade, it has become widely appreciated that biomolecular condensates are ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells and play a vital role in physiological and pathological processes. These condensates may provide promising targets for the clinic research. Recently, a series of pathological and physiological processes have been found associated with the dysfunction of condensates, and a range of targets and methods have been demonstrated to modulate the formation of these condensates. A more extensive description of biomolecular condensates is urgently needed for the development of novel therapies. In this review, we summarized the current understanding of biomolecular condensates and the molecular mechanisms of their formation. Moreover, we reviewed the functions of condensates and therapeutic targets for diseases. We further highlighted the available regulatory targets and methods, discussed the significance and challenges of targeting these condensates. Reviewing the latest developments in biomolecular condensate research could be essential in translating our current knowledge on the use of condensates for clinical therapeutic strategies.
Cost‐sharing procurement contracts with embedded reciprocal behavior
Authors: Jiang Li , Xu Jiangwei
Published: March 2023

This paper develops a simple linear formulation of cost‐sharing procurement contracts into which reciprocal behavior is embedded. The comparative static analysis shows that the reciprocal behavior is negatively associated with the incentive. Both the cost uncertainty and the supplier's risk aversion have a positive influence on the reciprocal behavior and cooperation between buyers and suppliers. Compared to the second‐best solution in the existing principalagent literature under asymmetric information, this paper finds that the presented model is a Pareto improvement under modest restriction even if cost‐reducing effort is unverifiable. The reciprocal model has the properties of first‐best optimal social surplus.
Existence of nonnegative nontrivial solutions for Kirchhoff type problems with variable exponent
Authors: Chu Changmu , Yu Ying
Published: March 2023

This paper is devoted to study a class of Kirchhoff type problems with variable exponent. By means of perturbation technique, variational methods and a priori estimation, the existence of nonnegative nontrivial solutions to this problem is obtained.
UWB‐BPF based on broadside coupled technology with triple‐notched passband
Authors: Sazid Mohd , Raghava N. S. , Ghazali Abu Nasar
Published: March 2023

A miniaturized ultra‐wideband (UWB) bandpass filter (BPF) based on broadside coupled technology with multiple passband notches is reported. The basic geometry of BPF has microstrip lines on the top plane coupled to the modified short‐circuited coplanar waveguide in the bottom plane. This broadside alignment leads to the development of a UWB response with good frequency characteristics due to the presence of two transmission zeros at lower/upper passband edges. Later, multiple circular resonators and one complimentary folded split ring resonator are embedded into the basic architecture to develop triple passband notches at our frequencies of interest. Eventually, a prototype is fabricated and tested to validate the simulated data. The proposed BPF occupies a minimal physical area of 14 × 11.4 mm2.
A novel broadband 3 × 4 Butler matrix beamforming network without crossovers
Authors: Wu Xiaoqing , Shen Lin‐Ping , Zhang Lijun
Published: March 2023

A novel broadband three‐input four‐output (3 × 4) Butler matrix (BM) without crossover is presented for the wider band operation. The proposed 3 × 4 BM is composed of three 3 dB branch‐line directional couplers, one T‐splitter power divider, and two 90° phase shifters. Unlike the traditional BM, the proposed BM network has successfully eliminated the crossover connection for simplifying the network, which operates in a wide operating range. For the validation of the design, a planar single‐layer 3 × 4 BM working at the frequency band of 1.69–2.69 GHz is designed, fabricated, and measured. The measurement result gives bandwidth up to 46% with return loss better than 14.3 dB at the full operating frequency band.
Large‐scale failure prediction of clay rock from small‐scale damage mechanisms of the rock medium using multiscale modelling
Authors: Mourlas Christos , Pardoen Benoît , Bésuelle Pierre
Published: March 2023

Clay rocks are multiphase porous media whose complex structure is characterised by heterogeneity and possible anisotropy on a wide range of scales. The mesoscopic scale plays a particular role in deformation mechanisms under mechanical loading by cracking. The behaviour of rocks at mesoscale is characterised by the material and morphological (shape and size) properties of its components and their interactions. The accurate reproduction and influence of these mesoscale characteristics on the material behaviour and damage at large scale remain a complex issue. This question becomes crucial when investigating the underground stability during excavation works such as tunnels. In this numerical multi‐scale study, the mesostructure characteristics are embedded in a Representative Elementary Area (REA) in a 2D configuration. A double‐scale numerical framework, with finite element resolution at both scales (FE2) and computational homogenisation, is considered. The influence of the mesostructural characteristics of a heterogeneous rock and the effect of different inter‐granular properties on their macroscopic behaviour, are examined. Additionally, a predictive strategy which is based on the connection between the failure modes of the REA and the failure mechanisms of the macroscale structure is also presented. This study investigates the effect of the mesocracking on the shear banding in a rock specimen during laboratory biaxial shear test and the development of the Excavation Damaged Zone (EDZ) around tunnels. The objective of this work is to explain the failure mechanisms observed up to the engineering scale of underground structures through the morphological and material small‐scale characteristics of the REA.
Construction and application of enhanced recovery after surgery‐optimized management system with nurse‐led multidisciplinary cooperation
Authors: Xiaoyan Chen , Wenbin He , Li Du , Lijun Li , Yan Yin , Ting Wang , Xueyu He , Fang Lu , Bei Wang , Bilong Feng
Published: March 2023

Aim

To evaluate the effect of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)‐optimized management system with nurse‐led multidisciplinary cooperation.

Design

A quasi‐experimental design.

Methods

Nursing department cooperated with medical and clinical department to establish an ERAS‐optimized management system. After the system was developed, it was applied in surgical departments of the hospital. Using convenience sampling, 220 selective surgical patients, 82 nurses and 98 doctors from January 1st, 2021 to July 31st, 2021 were selected as the trial group. 220 selective surgical patients, 82 nurses and 98 doctors were selected as the control group from January 1st, 2020 to July 31st, 2020. ERAS observation indicators were compared between the two groups before and 6 months after implementation. The nurse professional identity scores and satisfaction of medical cooperation scores of the two groups at different time points were analysed by repeated analysis of variance.

Results

After the implementation, ERAS observation indicators in the trial group were better than the control group (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in the group main effect, time main effect and interaction effect of nurse professional identity scores, satisfaction of medical cooperation scores and scores in all dimensions between the two groups (p < 0.05). The scores of the experimental group at 3 months and 6 months after implementation were better than those of the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Enhanced recovery after surgery‐optimized management system with nurse‐led multidisciplinary cooperation was an effective working method. It could promote patients recovery and enhance nurse professional identity.
Reinforcing value of food, enriched home environment, and changes in percent overweight in children
Authors: Carr Katelyn A. , Black Whitney , Guth Catherine , Shapiro Lilianna , Leone Lucia A. , Temple Jennifer L. , Epstein Leonard H.
Published: March 2023

Objective

The decision to eat is often a choice made in the context of food and non‐food alternatives. However, no research, to the authors' knowledge, has assessed the combination of the motivation to eat, as indexed by the relative reinforcing value of food (RRVFOOD), and the enriched home environment, i.e., access to activities that can serve as alternatives to eating on weight gain.

Methods

This study used a cross‐sectional design to study how RRVFOOD and the enriched home environment predict percent overweight change over 2 years in 291 children aged 6 to 9 years and of varying socioeconomic status.

Results

Results showed that RRVFOOD and access to food were positively associated with baseline percent overweight, and an enriched home environment was negatively related to baseline percent overweight. RRVFOOD and an enriched home environment interacted to predict change in percent overweight. Children with a high relative RRVFOOD and a relatively non‐enriched environment showed the greatest relative weight gain.

Conclusions

These results suggest that providing an enriched home environment may reduce the effects of food reinforcement and being motivated to eat on weight gain in childhood, and this represents a novel approach to intervention that can be used to strengthen current behavioral approaches to prevent obesity in children.
Social jet lag and (changes in) glycemic and metabolic control in people with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Bouman Emma J. , Beulens Joline W. J. , den Braver Nicolette R. , Blom Marieke T. , Remmelzwaal Sharon , Elders Petra J. M. , Rutters Femke
Published: March 2023

Objective

Social jet lag, i.e., the discordance among social and biological rhythms, is associated with poor metabolic control. This study aimed to assess cross‐sectional and longitudinal associations among social jet lag and glycemic and metabolic control in people with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

In a prospective cohort (N = 990) with type 2 diabetes, social jet lag was measured at baseline using daily diaries and was categorized (high, moderate, or low). Metabolic outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 1 and 2 years of follow‐up. Associations among social jet lag and glycemic and metabolic control were analyzed using linear regression and linear mixed models adjusted for confounding factors. Analyses were stratified for work status (retired vs. working; p value for interaction = 0.007 for glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c]).

Results

In working people, a cross‐sectional association between high social jet lag and HbA1c (1.87 mmol/mol [95% CI: 0.75 to 2.99]) and blood pressure (5.81 mm Hg [95% CI: 4.04 to 7.59]) was observed. For retired people, high social jet lag was negatively associated with HbA1c (−1.58 mmol/mol [95% CI: −2.54 to −0.62]), glucose (−0.19 mmoL/L [95% CI:−0.36 to −0.01]), and blood pressure (−3.70 mm Hg [95% CI: −5.36 to −2.04]), and the association with BMI was positive (1.12 kg/m2 [95% CI: 0.74 to 1.51]). Prospective associations had the same direction as cross‐sectional findings but were nonsignificant for working or retired people.

Conclusions

Social jet lag was cross‐sectionally, but not prospectively, associated with glycemic and metabolic markers. Interaction with work status was present, and directions of the associations were generally detrimental in the working population, whereas higher social jet lag was associated with improved glycemic and metabolic control for retired people.
Data filtering‐based parameter estimation algorithms for a class of nonlinear systems with colored noises
Authors: Zhang Chen , Liu Yang , Li Li , Song Fazhi
Published: March 2023

This article studies the data filtering‐based identification algorithms for a class of nonlinear system with autoregressive noise. By means of the data filtering technique and the hierarchical identification principle, the identification model is transformed into two sub‐identification models, and a filtering hierarchical gradient‐based iterative algorithm is proposed for improving parameter estimation accuracy and reducing computational burden. Meanwhile, to further improve the identification performance, the multi‐innovation identification theory is used to derived the filtering hierarchical multi‐innovation gradient‐based iterative algorithm. The gradient‐based iterative algorithm is given for comparison. The analysis shows that the filtering hierarchical gradient‐based iterative algorithm has smaller computational burden and can give more accurate parameter estimates than the gradient‐based iterative algorithm, and the filtering hierarchical multi‐innovation gradient‐based iterative algorithm can track time‐varying parameters based on the dynamical window data. Finally, the example part is provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
Ja spinnen die denn, die Myonen?
Authors: Corrodi Simon , Fertl Martin , Winter Peter
Published: March 2023

Das Myon‐g‐2‐Experiment am Fermilab hat eine Abweichung des anomalen magnetischen Moments des Myons von der theoretischen Vorhersage gemessen, die nun zusammen mit dem Resultat des Brookhaven National Laboratory auf mehr als vier Sigma gestiegen ist – ein spannender Hinweis auf Physik jenseits des Standardmodells. Und die Kollaboration ist auf sehr gutem Weg, eine noch höhere experimentelle Präzision von 0,14 ppm zu erreichen, eine etwa vierfache Verbesserung gegenüber dem Vorgängerexperiment. Wichtig zu wissen ist auch, dass japanische Kollegen am J‐PARC in der Nähe von Tokio daran arbeiten, ein neues Myon‐g‐2‐Experiment aufzubauen, das ein deutlich anderes Design verwendet und damit als unabhängig angesehen werden kann. Eine zusätzliche Bestätigung der Messungen am Fermilab durch dieses neue Experiment wäre ein weiterer wichtiger Schritt, das Vertrauen in die experimentelle Bestimmung des anomalen magnetischen Momentes des Myons weiter zu erhöhen. Auf jeden Fall bleibt es spannend zu sehen, wie sich die Abweichung zwischen Experiment und Theorie in den kommenden Jahren entwickeln wird. Bleiben Sie also am Ball, um zu sehen, wer spinnt: die Myonen oder die Theorie!!
Supraflüssigkeit mit Spin
Authors: Prüfer Maximilian , Spitz Daniel , Strobel Helmut
Published: March 2023

In einer Supraflüssigkeit können sich Anregungen ohne Reibung ausbreiten, wie man anhand von Wolken aus ultrakalten Atomen hervorragend studieren kann. In unseren Experimenten in Heidelberg ist es uns gelungen, zum ersten Mal die Koexistenz zweier sehr unterschiedlicher Supraflüssigkeiten zu realisieren und mittels neuartiger Methoden die Struktur dieser besonderen Quantenmaterie zu untersuchen.
Brownscher Reservoir‐Computer mit Skyrmionen
Authors: Brems Maarten A. , Raab Klaus , Virnau Peter , Kläui Mathias
Published: March 2023

Skyrmionen sind magnetische Wirbelstrukturen, die faszinierende Eigenschaften wie schnelle, strominduzierte Bewegung und thermische Diffusion bei Raumtemperatur aufweisen. Unserer Gruppe ist es gelungen, diese Eigenschaften auszunutzen, um den ersten Skyrmion‐basierten Brownschen Reservoir‐Computer herzustellen. Dieser nutzt die thermische Energie der Umgebung für energiesparende Operationen und ist besonders geeignet für Klassifizierungsaufgaben, die mit konventionellen Computern nur schwer und mit hohem Energieverbrauch umzusetzen sind.
Who ordered that?
Authors: Lauss Bernhard , Signer Adrian
Published: March 2023

Lange galt das Myon als Exot, heute wird es als hochsensitive Sonde genutzt, etwa für die Suche nach Neuer Physik.
J.‐H. Rosnys Tod der Erde im Anthropozän
Authors: Mecke Klaus
Published: March 2023

Der Science Fiction gelang es, die Imagination der Sachliteratur über die Gefährdung der ganzen Erde durch den Menschen in dramatische Handlungserzählungen einzubetten.
Attitudes to reducing cervical screening frequency among UK women: A qualitative analysis
Authors: Rickford Rose , Rogers Melanie , Halliday Abigail , Lamptey Pearl , Kola‐Palmer Susanna
Published: March 2023

Objective

Cervical cancer remains a significant health threat amongst women globally despite most cervical cancers being preventable through screening and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination. With the introduction of HPV testing and vaccination, evidence suggests that the frequency of cervical screening for women can be reduced. However, there is limited evidence on women's attitudes to possible changes to the cervical screening programme. This study explored attitudes, perceptions and beliefs of women in the United Kingdom (UK) regarding potential changes to the National Cervical Screening Programme.

Method

Forty‐four women were interviewed between November 2018 and March 2019. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify key themes.

Results

Most participants were opposed to any reduction in cervical screening frequency. Reasons included perceptions that disease would develop undetected, disempowerment, increased anxiety, reduced motivation to attend, and inefficient use of health care resources. Women perceived that they were ill‐informed about the reasons for the proposed change, and that access to evidence for the basis of proposed changes may persuade them to accept reduced screening frequency. Women believed that cervical screening is a test for cancer and that HPV vaccination does not provide reliable protection against cervical cancer. These beliefs suggest that women's perception that they require more information about the basis for reduced screening frequency is correct.

Conclusion

Any changes to cervical screening frequency need to ensure public support and trust through a robust public health initiative clearly identifying the rationale for any changes.
Effects of sub‐mm cylindrical voids on detonation performance in PBX 9501
Authors: Montoya Gabriel A. , Chapman Wesley W. , Lawrence Joseph R. , Salyer Terry R. , Son Steven F.
Published: March 2023

Internal features of varying scale and geometry are always present in explosives systems. Below a critical length, dependent on the explosive, these features can operate as a driving force for energy concentration and reaction, known as hotspots. At larger length scales, internal features result in jetting and detonation wave shaping, allowing for bulk work to be done by the explosive as is seen in shape charges. To date, a large volume of work has been performed to simulate hotspot ignition and large‐scale wave shaping. However, little experimental data exists on the effects of features in intermediate length scales, 0.1 to 1 millimeter. It has been observed in many tests that these small‐scale features can influence the high explosive (HE) performance and in some cases cause substantial damage to adjacent systems. This work provides quantitative data on the effects of machined voids moderately above more typical hotspot lengths, 0.3–0.8 mm in diameter, in PBX 9501 pressed to 1.785 g cm−3±2.5 mg cm−3. Streak imaging was used to visualize void collapse, jet velocity, re‐initiation time, and wave shape evolution. Delay in detonation front propagation time was found to be linearly dependent on the void diameter and jet velocity was found to be independent within the tested range and resolution. Cut‐back experiments were used to investigate wave shape distortion and evolution downstream of the void, showing consistent growth and decay shapes across all void sizes. Simulations using CTH, a hydrocode by Sandia National Laboratory, were used to investigate void collapse showing agreement with the trends of experimental results but yielded inaccurate wave shape development delay values. Both simulation and experimental results identified several re‐initiation mechanisms with jetting and subsequent double shocking of localized HE being the dominant mechanisms for the void sizes that were studied.
The Low‐Scale Seesaw Solution to the MW$M_W$ and (g−2)μ$(g-2)_\umu$ Anomalies
Authors: de Giorgi Arturo , Merlo Luca , Pokorski Stefan
Published: March 2023

The recent CDF‐II measurement of the W‐boson mass shows a strong tension with the corresponding Standard Model prediction. Once active neutrino masses are explained in the context of the Low‐Scale Seesaw mechanisms, this tension can be resolved. We investigate the possibility of explaining the longstanding muon anomalous magnetic moment anomaly within the same frameworks. We present a simplified extension of the Standard Model, accounting only for the second lepton generation, that describes a massive active neutrino and provides a combined solution to these anomalies. The model is renormalisable and introduces in the spectrum, beyond the sterile species of the Low‐Scale Seesaw mechanism, only one pair of exotic vector‐like leptons, doublets under the electroweak symmetry. We moreover discuss the extension of this model to the realistic three‐family case.
Pharmacokinetic study on the effect of ligustrazine–tangeretin co‐administration on the pharmacokinetics of ligustrazine and its potential mechanism in rats
Authors: Liu Dandan , Liu Yunjiao , Qian Xian , Yang Junwei , Li Chengjian , Zhu Lingfeng , Zhou Jin
Published: March 2023

Both ligustrazine and tangeretin are usually prescribed in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, which makes their co‐administration possible. The investigation of the interaction between ligustrazine and tangeretin is necessary for the clinical compatibility of their source herbs. This study aimed to investigate the interaction of ligustrazine and tangeretin during their co‐administration. The pharmacokinetics of ligustrazine (15 mg/kg) was investigated in the presence of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg tangeretin in rats with six of each. A single dose of ligustrazine was set as the control. The effect of tangeretin on the in vitro metabolic stability of ligustrazine was also investigated in rat liver microsomes. Tangeretin significantly reduced the system exposure of ligustrazine under all experimental concentrations. Specifically, tangeretin reduced the AUC (from 48.86 ± 12.57 to 41.02 ± 4.85 (50 mg/kg tangeretin), 31.47 ± 5.26 (100 mg/kg tangeretin), and 27.55 ± 9.60 (150 mg/kg) μg/mL × h), MRT (from 7.05 ± 0.26 to 6.33 ± 0.48, 5.53 ± 0.68, and 5.21 ± 1.31 h), Cmax (from 7.45 ± 0.44 to 6.03 ± 0.44, 5.24 ± 0.47, and 5.02 ± 0.56 μg/mL), and t1/2 (from 5.90 ± 1.27 to 4.84 ± 1.19, 3.48 ± 1.33, 3.09 ± 0.62 h) in rats. In vitro, tangeretin also reduced the metabolic stability of ligustrazine behaved as the decreased half‐life and increased intrinsic clearance rate. Co‐consumption of ligustrazine with tangeretin induced interactions, which shortens the system exposure of ligustrazine. This study provides theoretical guidance for the clinical prescription of ligustrazine‐ and tangeretin‐containing herbs.
An efficient model‐free approach to interaction screening for high dimensional data
Authors: Xiong Wei , Pan Han , Wang Jianrong , Tian Maozai
Published: March 2023

An innovated model‐free interaction screening procedure called the MCVIS is proposed for high dimensional data analysis. Specifically, we adopt the introduced MCV index for quantifying the importance of an interaction effect among predictors. Our proposed method is fully nonparametric and is capable of successfully selecting interactions even if the signal of parental main effects is weak. The MCVIS procedure has many distinctive features: (i) it can work with discrete, categorical and continuous covariates; (ii) it can deal with both categorical and continuous response, even handle the missing response; (iii) it is robust for heavy‐tailed distributions, thus well accommodates heterogeneity typically caused by high dimensionality; (iv) it enjoys the sure screening and ranking consistency properties, therefore achieves dimension reduction without information loss. In another respect, computational feasibility is a top concern in high dimensional data analysis, by transforming our MCV into several variants, the MCVIS procedure is simple and fast to implement. Extensive numerical experiments and comparisons confirm the effectiveness and wide applicability of our MCVIS procedure. We further illustrate the proposed methodology by empirical study of two real datasets. Supplementary materials are available online.
The SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron Variant and its Multiple Sub‐lineages: Transmissibility, Vaccine Development, Antiviral Drugs, Monoclonal Antibodies, and Strategies for Infection Control – a Review
Authors: Mohapatra Ranjan K. , Verma Sarika , Kandi Venkataramana , Sarangi Ashish K. , Seidel Veronique , Das Subrata Narayan , Behera Ajit , Tuli Hardeep Singh , Sharma Ashwani K. , Dhama Kuldeep
Published: March 2023

The Omicron (B.1.1.529), fifth variant of concern (VOC) of SARS‐CoV‐2, initially identified following a steep increase in COVID‐19 cases in Southern Africa in November 2021. It is a highly‐mutated variant and is more contagious as compared with the Delta variant, however less deadly. Due to its high transmission rate, it spreads dramatically, and causing huge surges worldwide. It causes “mild infection”, with hospitalisations less likely to occur. However, this variant is known to show resistance to neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) generated through vaccination and/or prior infection as well as to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) used to treat COVID‐19 patients. In many countries, booster doses of vaccines have been recommended to increase the protective levels of antibodies in vaccinated individuals. Along with the implementation of appropriate prevention and control strategy measures, current efforts are also focussed on the development of better vaccines and mAbs to counter this variant. This review highlights the global health concerns and challenges posed by the Omicron variant and present an update on its sub‐lineages.
Recent Advances on the Corrosion Inhibition Behavior of Schiff base Compounds on Mild Steel in Acidic Media
Authors: Afshari Fahimeh , Ghomi Erfan Rezvani , Dinari Mohammad , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: March 2023

Corrosion inhibitors for mild steels subjected to aggressive media are needed by various industries, especially in power plants, petrochemical, automobile, and pharmaceutical. Accordingly, Schiff bases as a category of organic inhibitors have demonstrated efficient protecting activity in corrosive environments. This review focuses on the corrosion inhibitory performance of different Schiff bases for mild steel in acidic media and underlines the reports on which the protecting efficiency and applicability of Schiff bases have been affected by introducing different reagents as well as considering the environmental and structural issues. Therefore, discussed influential factors could endow approaches to design and apply more effective Schiff bases in the corrosion field, particularly alternatives under ecological guidelines and high inhibition efficiency.
An Experimental and Quantum (QTAIM) Performance Study of a Proposed Molecular Chemosensor: A Quinazolinone‐Based Sensor for Hg2+ Ion Detection
Authors: Hadi Hamid , Safari Reza , Landarani‐Isfahani Amir , Shamlouei Hamid Reza
Published: March 2023

This work synthesized a novel colorimetric ligand based on the compound quinazolinone (Sensor) and investigated it. The sensing activity of the sensor toward different cation was studied. The sensor demonstrated a highly selective colorimetric sensing toward Hg2+ with a detection limit of 0.1 ppb and visual color change from colorless to Purple in methanol‐water solvents (v/v, 10,90). The cation binding character was determined using visual inspection, UV–Vis, and fluorescence analyses. In the computational part, the interaction between the receptor and Hg2+ ion was investigated using density functional theory (TD‐DFT) and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) in the solution phase (in the presence of water as solvent and the CPCM model). Theoretical studies have shown that electronic properties such as energy gap, absorption energy, charge/energy transfer, and optical properties change dramatically in the presence of Hg2+ cations. Also, the effect of the electric field on the electronic properties of the sensor/Hg2+ complex improved the Hg2+ cation adsorption process.
Rapid Adsorption Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution using Manganese Dioxide Nanowires: Facile Synthesis, Characterization, Kinetics, Thermodynamics and Mechanism Analysis
Authors: Xu Naicai , Bian ShaoJu , Ding Xiuping , Shi Dandan , Dong Chengjun
Published: March 2023

Manganese dioxide nanomaterials with high crystallinity and purity was prepared quickly by a simple hydrothermal reaction, and the effect of hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC) on crystal form, morphology and pore structure of manganese dioxide was investigated. Removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution by adsorption onto two manganese dioxide adsorbents was studied. The material characterization results showed that manganese dioxides have (2×2) tunnel structure and nanowires morphology. BET surface area and pore volume of ɑ‐MnO2 (CTAC) was 58.99 m2/g and 0.2081 cm3/g, respectively. The adsorption results showed that pH value had a certain effect on the removal of methylene blue. The adsorption kinetics results indicated that the adsorption rate of ɑ‐MnO2 and ɑ‐MnO2 (CTAC) to methylene blue was very fast, most adsorption was completed within 5 minutes, and the adsorption equilibrium was reached after 2 hours. The removal efficiency of ɑ‐MnO2 and ɑ‐MnO2 (CTAC) was 71.27 % and 78.92 %, respectively. Pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model was better fitted with adsorption data than pseudo‐first‐order model, suggesting adsorption behavior is controlled by chemical processes. Additionally, the free energy change (ΔGΘ) was determined by Van′t Hoff equation is negative, which confirms the adsorption process is spontaneous and feasible. The adsorption mechanism involves a complex process of electrostatic attraction, charge‐independent adsorption, physical adsorption, hydrogen bonding and redox.
Amino groups modified MnOx‐PUF applied in indoor air purification: removing formaldehyde at room temperature
Authors: Zhu Guang Shuo , Zheng Jia Yu , Bao Han Chang , Zhang Hao , Chang Peiyu , Kang Zhao Wen , He Junda , Xia Yi , Song Xuemei , Yan Hui
Published: March 2023

Indoor formaldehyde (HCHO) pollution has more and more serious adverse effects on human health, it is urgent to develop a material that can be embedded in the air purifier to achieve HCHO's degradation efficiently. In this work, based on the carrier material of polyurethane foam (PUF) modified by amino groups diethanolamine (DEA), we propose a strategy to prepare a manganese oxide compound catalyst (DEA‐MnOx‐PUF). During the static testing (CHCHO: 11.591 ppm, T: 25 °C), the catalyst shows higher HCHO removal efficiency (93.9 %) than that of unmodified MnOx‐PUF catalyst (88.6 %), and it achieves high HCHO‐to‐CO2 conversion (68.5 %). Additionally, during the continuous single‐pass catalysis testing (CHCHO: 11.591 ppm, T: 25 °C, 240000 mL/(gcath)), HCHO removal efficiency can be maintained around at 95 % within 50 hours. The excellent performance is attributed to the continuous decomposition of intermediates during the catalytic process by amino groups cross‐linked on the surface of the catalyst. Based on the block whole MnOx‐based catalyst DEA‐MnOx‐PUF, this work will provide a new route to develop a powerful purifier material with long‐term efficient removal of HCHO.
8‐Hydroxyquinoline, Derivatives and Metal‐Complexes: A Review of Antileukemia Activities
Authors: Bissani Gasparin Carolina , Pilger Diogo André
Published: March 2023

8‐Hydroxyquinoline and its derivatives consist of a group of metal‐binding ligands capable of reaching complexes that present several biological activities. In the present study, we collate and discuss data regarding the antileukemia activities of 8‐hydroxyquinoline (8HQ) compounds to provide an overview of their mechanisms of actions, and a compilation of cytotoxicity data against diverse leukemia cell lines. The pharmacological activities of this class of agents are associated primarily with their ability to coordinate metals and interact with multiple biological targets. We found consistent evidence that 8HQ exerts promising proapoptotic features through its direct interaction with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and inhibition of multiple targets, such as the proteasome, nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB), histone deacetylase (HDAC), bromodomain and extra terminal (BET) proteins and janus kinases (JAKs), in addition to inducing autophagy associated cell death. Thus, we provide substantial evidence for the repositioning potential of the 8HQ class for the treatment of leukemia, a hematological malignancy for which urgent advances in therapeutic approaches are needed to overcome conventional therapy limitations.
Chemically Oxidized Carbon Paper as a Free‐Standing Electrode for Supercapacitor: An Insight into Surface and Diffusion Contribution
Authors: Waseem Sadiya , Dubey Prashant , Singh Mandeep , Sundriyal Shashank , Maheshwari Priyanka H.
Published: March 2023

Carbon paper has been synthesized by paper making process followed by composite formation, and further chemically oxidized by immersing into a mixture of sulphuric acid and potassium dichromate to be used as an electrode for supercapacitor applications. XRD and Raman spectra were used to analyze the structure, and the defects in the samples respectively, in due course of oxidation. FESEM images revealed the morphology of oxidized samples to be rougher, which contributes towards increased active sites for reaction. The sample (COCP‐60) optimized via electrochemical studies, was further tested in various electrolytes to study the electrode/electrolyte interaction. It delivered a highest areal capacitance of 6.02 F/cm2 (231.5 F/g) in acidic electrolyte at a current density of 5 mA/cm2 (0.19 A/g). This findings were further corroborated by surface and diffusion contribution studies wherein it was found that diffusion is more profound with acidic electrolyte. The supercapacitor device fabricated with COCP‐60 electrode delivered an energy density of 0.41 Wh/cm2 at 2.83 W/cm2 power density with coulombic efficiency of 98 %, and cyclic stability of ∼90 % for over 5000 cycles.
Electrochemical Detection of 4‐Nitrophenol Using A Screen‐Printed Carbon Electrode Modified by Rod‐Shaped Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Somasundaram Gunasekaran , Balasubramanian Selva , Vaiyapuri Thirumurugan , Muthiah Senthilkumar , Sivanesan Jothi Ramalingam , Nesakumar Noel , Shanmugam Shankar , Gunasekaran Balu Mahendran
Published: March 2023

4‐Nitrophenol (4‐NP) is a hazardous organic pollutant with detrimental effects on plants, animals, and humans. Detection of 4‐NP in the environment is therefore a necessary requirement. We demonstrate a facile green synthesis of nickel‐oxide (NiO) nanoparticles employing Brassica oleracea vegetable extract (cauliflower) as a green stabilizing and reducing agent. Green synthesized NiO nanoparticles were used as an efficient electrode material for the highly sensitive electrochemical detection of 4‐NP. The abundant polyphenolic component in the vegetable extract of Brassica oleracea is capable of reducing and stabilizing C2NiO4 into NiO nanoparticles. The as‐synthesized NiO nanoparticles were characterized by UV‐Vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the structural phase of NiO nanoparticles was confirmed using powder X‐ray diffraction technique. The surface morphology of the NiO nanoparticles was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques were adopted to for the electrochemical determination of 4‐NP after drop casting the NiO nanoparticles onto the screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPCE). The developed sensor (NiO/SPCE) showed a high sensitivity of 1.055 μA/nM over a wide linear‐range from 1 to 10 nM with a detection limit of 0.519 nM for the detection of 4‐NP using DPV technique.
New Heterofused Thiazolo/Pyrazinedione Hybrids as Promising Building Blocks for Anticancer Drug Development: Synthesis, Biological and Drug‐Likeness Evaluation
Authors: Javier Cala L. , Álvarez Santos Marilyn R. , Méndez‐Sánchez Stelia C. , Yepes Andres F. , Romero Bohórquez Arnold R.
Published: March 2023

A new series of heterofused thiazolo/pyrazinedione hybrids were designed, synthetized and their cytotoxicity potential was evaluated against different cancer cell lines. Besides, drug‐likeness and in silico ADME/Tox studies were carried out using free server tools. The heterofused hybrids 3‐aryl‐thiazolo[3,4‐a]pyrazine‐5,8‐diones 3 a–o were obtained in moderate to good yields (30–80 %) and with high diastereomeric ratio. Notably, hybrids 3 g–j showed good cytotoxic effect on Hep‐G2 cancer cells IC50 (28.6±4.9 μM, 54.2±15.4 μM, 95.2±1.9 μM, 68.6±1.6 μM) respectively, while compounds 3 l–m were cytotoxic on B16F10 melanoma cancer cells IC50 (20.9±5.3 μM, 30.0±6.4 μM). Furthermore, the new compounds were relatively non‐toxic on Vero cells. In silico drug‐likeness and ADME/Tox studies suggest optimal pharmacokinetic profile for all hybrids. Altogether, these new heterofused hybrids could be considered as promising scaffolds in cancer chemotherapy.
Hematite Particle Size Effect on Combustion Performance of Fire Extinguishing Composites
Authors: Rohilla Meenakshi , Saxena Amit , Prakash Braham , Tanwar Rajesh Kumar , Narang Rajiv , Tyagi Yogesh Kumar
Published: March 2023

Hematite nanoparticles (α‐Fe2O3) were successfully synthesised using facile and eco‐friendly hydrothermal method. Synthesised hematite nanoparticles were characterized using X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, surface area analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Nano/micro particles of Hematite (1, 3&5 %, w/w) were incorporated in aerosol forming composite (AFC). For the first time, catalytic effect of nano and micro size hematite on performance of AFC has been creatively investigated with respect to combustion and fire extinguishment parameters. Incorporation of nano hematite (5 %, w/w) in AFC reduced the combustion temperature (by 11 %) and tremendously boosted the burn rate & combustion efficiency by 30&7.5 % respectively. This in turn produced the aerosols in less time and put out the fire quickly (<5 s). Hematite nano counterpart was discovered to be more promising than its micro equivalent. This exploratory study is valuable in the field of development of futuristic ultra‐fast fire extinguishants.
Scalable Synthesis of Bimetallic CoFe Alloy Nanoparticles for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Yang Chunyan , Ma Xuke , Zhou Jiaqi , Zhao Yafei , Xiang Xu , Shang Huishan , Zhang Bing
Published: March 2023

The development of efficient electrocatalysts towards oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is critical for large‐scale applications of electrochemical water splitting and metal‐air cells. Usually, transition metal alloys exhibit superior activity for OER. Herein, we successfully prepared a series of scalable transition metal alloys with homogeneous size by a facial sol‐gel self‐propagating combustion method. Among them, the CoFe alloy displayed the highest oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity, achieving an overpotential of 310 mV at 10 mA cm−2. After running OER tests for 48 h, the activity of CoFe alloy hardly decayed, indicating its outstanding stability. This work may make some contributions to the production of promising transition metal alloy catalysts and related energy equipment applications.
Electrochemical Characteristics of Polyaniline Nanofibers and Active Chromium Sulfide Nanoparticles for Asymmetric Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Iqbal Hifza , Nazim Amina , Haq Mahmood Ul , Hassan Ather , Mahmood Sajid , Muhammad Zahir , Iqbal Muhammad Faisal
Published: March 2023

Metal sulfides exhibit rich surface chemistry and electrochemical features and their comparison with polyaniline may give a new perspective to supercapacitor applications. Active chromium sulfide nanoparticles and polyaniline nanofibers were synthesized using the solvothermal and polymerization process, respectively. Chromium sulfide nanoparticles reveal a good specific capacitance of 594.38 F/g at the current density of 1 mA/cm2, meanwhile, the polyaniline nanofibers exhibit a maximum specific capacitance of 150 F/g at the current density of 4 mA/cm2, through the galvanostatic charge‐discharge profile. The power density of the polyaniline was found 3111 W/Kg, which is greater due to the conductive nature of polyaniline, meanwhile, chromium sulfide nanoparticles also exhibit a reasonable power density of 2403.06 W/Kg. Comparatively, chromium sulfide nanoparticles maintained specific capacitance and power density. The two electrodes asymmetric system exhibits a good coulomb efficiency of 100 % at 1 mA/cm2. So, chromium sulfide nanoparticles exhibit good electrochemical characteristics for supercapacitor applications.
Tag‐Free Antibody Modification Mediated by Lipoic Acid Ligase A: Application to Antibody‐Drug Conjugates Production
Authors: Yamazaki Shunsuke , Inoue Kota , Mihara Yasuhiro , Matsuda Yutaka
Published: March 2023

Enzymatic modifications of proteins are of great interest in the pharmaceutical industry as it enables the production of homogeneous protein conjugates such as antibody‐drug conjugates, which are considered to be promising for cancer medicine. Several biotechnology companies have established proprietary conjugation technologies using specific enzymes. Most enzymatic modifications require the use of tags and enzyme‐recognition moieties. Therefore, site‐specific and “tag‐free” modifications are required to avoid the time‐consuming process of installing tags on proteins. Lipoic acid ligase A (LplA), is a recently reported enzyme having the potential to be used for the site‐specific modification of native antibodies without requiring a tag moiety. In this manuscript, investigations focused on the optimization of this enzymatic modification applied to antibody‐drug conjugates (ADCs) production. First, an analysis of the pH dependency was performed. Next, the effects of excess adenosine mono‐ and di‐phosphate were also examined to show that these by‐products from LplA modification did not have a significant impact on inhibiting the reaction efficiency. Furthermore, ADC syntheses by LplA‐mediated tag‐free modification followed by click reaction were achieved. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of actual ADC synthesis produced by LplA modification of tag‐free antibodies. A stability assessment of the resulting ADCs indicated that this enzymatic approach is a promising tool for installing biorthogonal groups to native antibodies for the next generation of ADC manufacturing.
A Novel Coumarin‐Based Fluorescent Probe for Sequential Detection of Al3+ and H2PO4−
Authors: Wang Haibin , Zhang Yang , Xu Yang , Wang Xin , Zeng Junzhu , Xue Lei
Published: March 2023

A coumarin‐derived acylhydrazone probe (L) was designed and synthesized for successive detection of Al3+ and H2PO4− in DMSO/H2O solution. The probe L exhibited high selectivity towards Al3+ with visible color change and prominent fluorescence enhancement at 592 nm, while the in situ prepared L‐Al3+ complex could selectively recognize of H2PO4− via fluorescence quenching. The detection limits for Al3+ and H2PO4− were calculated to be 3.4 and 11.0 nM, respectively. The binding ratio of L to Al3+ was obtained as 2 : 1 according to the Job's plot and ESI‐MS while the association constant was determined to be 2.13×104 M−1. Furthermore, the probe L was successfully applied in detection of Al3+ and H2PO4− with test strips and in real water samples.
Arene Diazonium Tetrafluoroborate Salts: Novel Lewis Acid Catalysts for Friedel‐Crafts Alkylation of Indoles with α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones
Authors: Qian Cunwei , Li Xian , Zhang Ming
Published: March 2023

In this study, the Friedel crafts alkylation of indole with α, β‐unsaturated ketones catalyzed by arene diazonium tetrafluoroborate salts is reported for the first time, and the optimal conditions of this reaction were explored. The experimental results show that the optimal conditions employed 10 mol % 2‐(2‐bromophenoxy)phenyl diazonium fluoborate (2) as a catalyst, CH3OH as a solvent, 60 °C as reaction temperature, and 24 h as reaction time. Under these optimized conditions, the reaction of indoles with various α,β‐unsaturated ketones can proceed smoothly to obtain aimed products (8). Yields of these reactions ranged from 60 % to 92 %. The reaction conditions are mild and the reaction operation is simple.