bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Un modelo de gestión del portafolio de proyectos de innovación
Authors:   ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Escuela de Administración||Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Escuela de Ingeniería, Krebs Labarca José
Published: January 2023

El presente trabajo de graduación tiene por objetivo principal diseñar y aplicar un modelo práctico de gestión del portafolio de proyectos de innovación para compañías de seguros, siendo éste extrapolable a otros sectores si se hacen los ajustes necesarios. Debido a la creciente dinámica de los mercados y contextos industriales, la innovación ha pasado a ser una herramienta fundamental para incrementar la capacidad competitiva de las empresas, su diferenciación, apertura a nuevos mercados y a mejorar continuamente las soluciones que provee a sus clientes. En este sentido, se hace necesario establecer un marco de acción que permita actuar con inteligencia frente a un panorama que se presenta con constantes cambios y creciente incertidumbre. Por lo general las compañías hoy en día para tomar decisiones sobre qué proyectos de innovación implementar, usan la tradicional confección del “Caso de Negocio” que tiene únicamente variables financieras. Estos análisis intentan predecir, en forma cuantitativa, el impacto que tendrá cada nueva iniciativa en los flujos financieros futuros de la compañía. Con esta información decide qué proyectos implementar y va midiendo el progreso del portafolio en el tiempo. Sin embargo se ha observado en la práctica que esta forma de analizar los proyectos de innovación arroja altos errores debido a que omite mucha información relevante, la que no necesariamente está expresada en variables financieras. Esta propuesta entrega una visión más amplia para analizar y evaluar proyectos de innovación agregando aspectos subjetivos o cualitativos llevándolos a un terreno objetivo y cuantitativo. Para este propósito se hace una revisión de las metodologías de administración de portafolios de proyectos existentes en la literatura, extrayéndose aquellos elementos que puedan conducir a proponer una metodología y procedimiento de aplicar en la industria de los seguros. Entre estos aspectos adicionales no financieros podemos mencionar: adhesión a la cadena de valor de la compañía, a su estrategia, y a las tendencias de la industria, cuantificación del riesgo, aislación de cada proyecto respecto a la competencia, auto interpelación y uso de matrices de puntaje. Este trabajo contempla a su vez desplegar todos los resultados en diagramas comparativos que permitan mostrar una visión más completa del posicionamiento de los diferentes proyectos en base a las distintas métricas. Con el fin de validar la metodología propuesta, ésta se aplicó a un subconjunto de 7 proyectos de innovación reales que estuvieron en el portafolio de una compañía de seguros relevante del mercado local en año 2017.
Transición en modelo de compensaciones en faena minera Carmen de Andacollo.
Authors:   ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Escuela de Administración||Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Escuela de Psicología, Pérez Galleguillos Sebastián
Published: January 2023

El presente proyecto, tiene el objetivo de identificar los factores que favorecen o dificultan la transición de un modelo de pago tradicional basado en antigüedad, por uno enfocado en el desempeño individual de los colaboradores de una de las faenas mineras de Teck, ubicada en la IV región, denominada Carmen de Andacollo. Esto surge en función de sus necesidades y motivaciones actuales, en comparación de las que tenían en el pasado. Todo esto a raíz de una próxima negociación sindical, la cual permitiría llevar a cabo esta transición si fuese acuerdo de ambas partes. En el presente proyecto se verán tanto los intereses de la empresa como los de los trabajadores de las áreas involucradas, buscando establecer si se encuentran en un momento de dialogo y madurez empresarial suficiente para poder facilitar esta transición, buscando aumentar la equidad dentro del equipo, promoviendo una cultura de transparencia, objetivizando los más posible los procesos de Recursos Humanos, para la comprensión global de procesos claves tales como promociones, sucesión, distribución de bonos, asignaciones temporales, asignación de cursos y capacitaciones, entre otros.
Prophetic Witness in Cyberspace during Pandemics
Authors: Mokoena Katleho
Published: January 2023

Prophetic witness has been around since Biblical times, when prophets spoke truth to power on behalf of God. In the South African context, prophetic witness saw the church speaking out against the injustices of colonialism and apartheid using various forms of protest. In post-1994 democratic South Africa, prophetic witness had to be reimagined in the public square, a process which appropriated various modes of prophetic witness. Cyberspace encompasses information technologies which manifest into a “virtual” world, and social media is one of the platforms of cyberspace. Theological and religious scholars have argued that the Internet is an essential space for religion, and this article further argues that cyberspace can also be regarded as a public space for prophetic witness. The role of social media users during pandemics, such as COVID-19, has the implications of spreading information, misinformation, and misconceptions at a rapid pace. Many churches used the virtual space to provide spiritual and emotional support during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article argues that the church also has a prophetic role to play, especially in the social media space, regarding the dissemination of information during a pandemic. Therefore, the main task of this article is to utilise Nico Koopman’s five modes of prophetic witness, namely visionary, critics, storytellers, technical analysts, and policymakers in cyberspace in the recent COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics. Keywords: Prophetic witness, Prophetic theology, Cyberspace, COVID-19, Internet, Infodemic, Social media
Pirfenidone Induced Dress Syndrome Post COVID-19 InfectionAn Unusual Case Report
Authors: Shukla Shilpi , Yajnik Krushan Nirmit , Desai Devangi Soaham , Vora Rita
Published: January 2023

Drug Reaction, Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) is an idiosyncratic drug reaction characterised by extensive skin rash, fever, lymphadenopathy and internal organ involvement. Since eosinophilia may or may not always be present, the condition is now more preferably called Drug-Induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome (DIHS). The authors here report a case of DRESS syndrome, secondary to Pirfenidone, an anti-fibrotic given to the patient for post COVID-19 fibrosis. The 51 years old male patient, presented with multiple pus-filled erythematous lesions, 3 months after the initiation of Pirfenidone. Laboratory results showed deranged liver and renal functioning, along with reactive Dengue Nonstructural protein 1(NS 1) antigen. He showed significant improvement in the dermatological lesions and multisystem laboratory involvement with tapering doses of steroids.
Periodontal Management of Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency Type-I with Photodynamic Therapy-A Case Report
Authors: Nadakuditi Divyasree , Cheni Gopinath , Sekuri Sowmya Lahari , Katuri Kishore Kumar
Published: January 2023

Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency type I (LAD-I) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder affecting the immune system which is characterised by defects in white blood cell integrin receptors leading to impaired adhesion and chemotaxis with increased susceptibility to recurrent infections, delayed wound healing, and periodontitis. A case of aggressive form of generalised periodontitis in a 19- year-old girl with LAD-I is presented in this case report. The medical diagnosis was made on the basis of characteristic clinical and laboratory findings suggestive of LAD, particularly the total absence of Cluster of Differentiation (CD)18, CD11a, CD11b, and CD11c which were determined by flow cytometry. After non surgical periodontal therapy, photodynamic therapy with Low Level Laser Therapy (LLT) was performed. After 3 months, reduced inflammatory signs and improved periodontal health was observed. This report highlights the importance of the differential diagnosis of severe immunodeficiency disorders. It also emphasises the joint role of medical and dental specialists to control oral infections and thereby preventing tooth loss.
Rare Presentation of Pleural Empyema due to Non Typhoidal Salmonella-A Case Report
Authors: Priya S Shanmuga , Rizwana M Mohamadiya , Senthil D , Appalaraju B , Arun M
Published: January 2023

Non typhoidal Salmonella usually causes bacteraemia, enterocolitis, and endovascular infection, but pleuro-pulmonary illness is uncommon, mainly observed in patients with a background of malignancy, underlying pulmonary diseases. Localisation of the infection has been witnessed at various sites following a bacteraemia but case reports on pulmonary focus are minimal. Here, we report a case of a 36 year old male patient who presented to Emergency Department with an underlying non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma along with a left sided pleural effusion. Pleural fluid tapping was done and the sample was sent for microbiological analysis. The pleural fluid culture along with serotyping confirmed the organism as Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The patient was discharged after parenteral Ceftriaxone therapy and symptom resolution. This case adds to the growing body of evidence of rare presentation of non typhoidal Salmonella as a probable etiological agent of infection in exudative pleural effusions.
Effect of Cold Storage of Trichocard on Adult Emergence and Parasitization of Trichogramma chilonis
Authors: Jawake Pragati R. , Sawai H. R. , Ingole Dnyaneshwar B. , Shinde Swati P.
Published: January 2023

The present study was carried out to identify the ideal temperature for proper storage of trichocards prepared from host egg Corcyra cephalonica parasitized by T. chilonis (Ishii). The effect of differential temperature on adult emergence of T. chilonis and parasitization on stored Corcyra eggs was assessed. Parasitized trichocards as well as non-irradiated eggs of C. cephalonica were maintained at 4±1°C, 8±1°C, 10±1°C and 12±1°C. The trichocards maintained at 10±1°C for 15 days resulted in highest per cent adult emergence of 73 percent which declined to 57.5 percent by 35 days of storage. By 45 days of storage, the temperatures of 4±1°C and 8±1°C recorded the highest adult emergence of 50.50 and 51.80 per cent respectively. Highest efficiency of parasitization (92.3%) was achieved by the parasitoids emerged from trichocards maintained at 4±1°C which significantly decreased with increase in temperature and duration of storage. Influence of storage of C. cephalonica eggs was observed to be significant with highest per cent parasitization on Corcyra eggs stored at 4±1 for 15 days which declined thereafter. The temperatures of 4±1°C and 10±1°C were found conducive for storage of parasitoid trichocard and eggs of C. cephalonica.
Assessment of Quality of Life Among Patients With Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infection Treated with Investigational Oral Microbiome Therapeutic SER-109
Authors: Garey Kevin W. , Jo Jinhee , Gonzales-Luna Anne J. , Lapin Brittany , Deshpande Abhishek , Wang Elaine , Hasson Brooke , Pham Sissi V. , Huang Shirley P. , Reese Pat Ray , Wu Henry , Hohmann Elizabeth , Feuerstadt Paul , Oneto Caterina , Berenson Charles S. , Lee Christine , McGovern Barbara , vonMoltke Lisa
Published: January 2023

Importance

Recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a debilitating disease leading to poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL), loss of productivity, anxiety, and depression. The potential association of treatment with HRQOL has not been well evaluated.

Objectives

To explore the association of SER-109 compared with placebo on HRQOL in patients with recurrent CDI up to week 8.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This study was a secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that took place at 56 sites in the US and Canada from July 2017 to April 2020 and included 182 patients randomized to SER-109 or placebo groups.

Interventions

SER-109 or placebo (4 capsules once daily for 3 days) following antibiotics for CDI.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Exploratory analysis of HRQOL using the disease specific Clostridioides difficile Quality of Life Survey (Cdiff32) assessed at baseline, week 1, and week 8.

Results

In this study, 182 patients (109 [59.9%] female; mean age, 65.5 [16.5] years) were randomized to SER-109 (89 [48.9%]) or placebo (93 [51.1%]) groups and were included in the primary and exploratory analyses. Baseline Cdiff32 scores were similar between patients in the SER-109 and placebo groups (52.0 [18.3] vs 52.8 [18.7], respectively). The proportion of patients with overall improvement from baseline in the Cdiff32 total score was higher in the SER-109 arm than placebo at week 1 (49.4% vs 26.9%; P = .012) and week 8 (66.3% vs 48.4%; P = .001).Greater improvements in total and physical domain and subdomain scores were observed in patients in the SER-109 group compared with placebo as early as week 1, with continued improvements observed at week 8. Among patients in the placebo group, improvements in HRQOL were primarily observed in patients with nonrecurrent CDI while patients in the SER-109 group reported improvements in HRQOL, regardless of clinical outcome.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this secondary analysis of a phase 3 clinical trial, SER-109, an investigational microbiome therapeutic was associated with rapid and steady improvement in HRQOL compared with placebo through 8 weeks, an important patient-reported outcome.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03183128
Hispania
Authors: Campedelli Camilla
Published: January 2023

History and development of Hispania from 600bce–710ce.The term Hispania corresponds with today's Iberian peninsula together with the Balearic Islands.
High‐Efficiency Reactive Oxygen Species Generation by Multiphase and TiO6 Distortion‐Mediated Superior Piezocatalysis in Perovskite Ferroelectrics
Authors: Huang Yanli , Lv Boyan , Zhao Chunlin , Yin Jie , Wang Yabin , Wang Yang , Fu Xinmiao , Wu Tianmin , Wu Jiagang , Zhang Xianzeng
Published: January 2023

Piezocatalysis, governed by piezo‐potential within piezoelectrics, has gained prominence for reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which is significant to environmental and biological applications. However, designing piezocatalysts with excellent piezocatalytic performance in a wide temperature and efficient charge carrier separation ability is still challenging. Herein, eco‐friendly BaTiO3 (BT)‐based perovskite ferroelectrics with tailored multiphase coexistence in a wide temperature range are constructed to boost higher piezoelectricity and large piezo‐potential, which is attributed to decreased polarization anisotropy by flat Gibbs energy profile. Elevated piezo‐potential in designed BT‐based piezocatalyst guarantees high‐efficient generation rate of •OH (200 µmol g−1 h−1) and •O2− (40 µmol g−1 h−1) by ultrasound stimulation, which is 3.5 times more than that of pure BT. Besides, piezocatalytic capacity to degrade dye wastewater shows a rate constant of 0.0182 min−1 and gives an antibacterial rate of 95% within 30 min for eliminating E. coli. Theoretical simulations validate that the local distortion of TiO6 octahedra also contributes to piezocatalytic performance by inducing electron–hole pairs separation in real space, and better response to slight structural deformation. This work is important to design high‐performance piezocatalysts with high‐efficiency ROS generation for sewage treatment and sonodynamic therapy.
Screening of Zwitterionic Liposomes with Red Blood Cell‐Hitchhiking and Tumor Cell‐Active Transporting Capability for Efficient Tumor Entrance
Authors: Zhao Zhihao , Feng Yupu , Xiang Jiajia , Liu Jing , Piao Ying , Shao Shiqun , Tang Jianbin , Zhou Zhuxian , Shen Youqing
Published: January 2023

The active transport of nanoparticles into the solid tumor through cell transcytosis has shown great promise in cancer nanomedicine, but it is challenging to develop efficient active transporting nanomedicines with the potential for clinical translation. Here, a type of tertiary amine oxide (TAO)‐containing zwitterionic liposomal nanocarriers is developed that can hitchhike red blood cells (RBCs) to tumor blood vessels and enter solid tumors through transcytosis. To boost the active‐transporting capability, a library of the TAO liposomes (TAOLs) with different chemical structures and particle sizes is constructed and screened by their stability and active transporting capability. Two types of TAOLs are identified that can induce efficient tumor cell transcytosis through rapid macropinocytosis and endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi‐involved exocytosis. It is found that these zwitterionic TAOLs can hitchhike RBCs to gain long blood circulation, get off the cell at the tumor site, effectively enter the tumor through transcytosis, and infiltrate the whole tumor. The chemotherapeutic drug‐loaded liposomes can stop the tumor progression of mice bearing human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells, exhibiting superior antitumor activity compared to the traditional liposomal drug. This study demonstrates a strategy to construct effective active transporting liposomal nanomedicines for efficient tumor entrance.
Novel Ionizable Lipid Nanoparticles for SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron mRNA Delivery
Authors: Long Jinrong , Yu Changxiao , Zhang Honglei , Cao Yiming , Sang Ye , Lu Haitao , Zhang Zhen , Wang Xin , Wang Huanyu , Song Gengshen , Yang Jing , Wang Shengqi
Published: January 2023

mRNA‐based therapy has emerged as the most promising nucleic acid therapy in the fight against COVID‐19. However, a safe and efficacious systemic delivery remains a challenge for mRNA therapy. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are currently widely used in mRNA delivery vehicles. Here, a series of ionizable LNPs is rationally designed. YK009‐LNP is an optimal delivery platform to carry mRNA. YK009‐LNP exhibits higher mRNA delivery efficiency, a more favorable biodistribution pattern, and better safety than the approved MC3‐LNP. In addition, mRNA encoding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron receptor binding domain protein is synthesized and intramuscular administration of mice with YK009‐LNP‐Omicron mRNA induces a robust immune response and immune protective effect. A novel mRNA delivery vehicle with more powerful delivery efficiency and better safety than the approved LNPs is provided here.
Flexible Zinc–Air Batteries with Ampere‐Hour Capacities and Wide‐Temperature Adaptabilities
Authors: Zhong Xiongwei , Zheng Zhiyang , Xu Jiahe , Xiao Xiao , Sun Chongbo , Zhang Mengtian , Ma Jiabin , Xu Baomin , Yu Kuang , Zhang Xuan , Cheng Hui‐Ming , Zhou Guangmin
Published: January 2023

Flexible Zn–air batteries (FZABs) have significant potentials as efficient energy storage devices for wearable electronics because of their safeties and high energy‐to‐cost ratios. However, their application is limited by their short cycle lives, low discharge capacities per cycle, and high charge/discharge polarizations. Accordingly, herein, a poly(sodium acrylate)–polyvinyl alcohol (PANa–PVA)–ionic liquid (IL) hydrogel (PANa–PVA–IL) is prepared using a hygroscopic IL, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride, as an additive for twin‐chain PANa–PVA. PANa–PVA–IL exhibits a high conductivity of 306.9 mS cm−1 and a water uptake of 2515 wt% at room temperature. Moreover, a low‐cost bifunctional catalyst, namely, Co9S8 nanoparticles anchored on N‐ and S‐co‐doped activated carbon black pearls 2000 (Co9S8‐NSABP), is synthesized, which demonstrates a low O2 reversibility potential gap of 0.629 V. FZABs based on PANa–PVA–IL and Co9S8‐NSABP demonstrate high discharge capacities of 1.67 mAh cm−2 per cycle and long cycle lives of 330 h. Large‐scale flexible rechargeable Zn–air pouch cells exhibit total capacities of 1.03 Ah and energy densities of 246 Wh kgcell−1. This study provides new information about hydrogels with high ionic conductivities and water uptakes and should facilitate the application of FZABs in wearable electronics.
Computer‐Aided Design and Analysis of Spectrally Aligned Hybrid Plasmonic Nanojunctions for SERS Detection of Nucleobases
Authors: Davison Gemma , Jones Tabitha , Liu Jia , Kim Juhwan , Yin Yidan , Kim Doeun , Chio Weng‐I Katherine , Parkin Ivan P. , Jeong Hyeon‐Ho , Lee Tung‐Chun
Published: January 2023

Hybrid plasmonic nanojunctions with optimal surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity are designed via a computer‐aided approach, and fabricated via time‐controlled aqueous self‐assembly of core@shell gold@silver nanoparticles (Au@Ag NPs) with cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) upon simple mixing. The authors showed that SERS signals can be significantly boosted by the incorporation of a strong plasmonic metal and the spectral alignment between the maximal localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and a laser wavelength used for SERS excitation. In a proof‐of‐concept application, SERS detection of nucleobases with a 633‐nm laser has been demonstrated by positioning them within the nanojunctions via formation of host–guest complexes with CB7, achieving rapid response with a detection limit down to sub‐nanomolar concentration and an enhancement factor (EF) up to ≈109–1010, i.e., the minimum required EF for single‐molecule detection. Furthermore, machine‐learning‐driven multiplexing of nucleobases is demonstrated, which shows promise in point‐of‐care diagnosis of diseases related to oxidative damage of DNA and wastewater‐based epidemiology.
SERS Detection of Breast Cancer‐Derived Exosomes Using a Nanostructured Pt‐Black Template
Authors: Li Xinyue , Keshavarz Meysam , Kassanos Panagiotis , Kidy Zahra , Roddan Alfie , Yeatman Eric , Thompson Alex J.
Published: January 2023

At present, there are no cancer treatments that are both non‐invasive and highly accurate. New tests that can diagnose cancer at an early stage would help to facilitate such improved therapies, and many recent studies have focused on the development of liquid biopsy tests for this purpose. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles secreted by cells as a means of communication that can be simply collected from blood samples. Current studies have shown the potential of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in differentiating cancerous cells from healthy cells. Herein, a bespoke platinum‐black (Pt‐black) SERS template is developed—via a cost‐effective fabrication method of electroplating—to detect malfunctioned (cancerous) exosomes. The results demonstrate that the Pt‐black SERS substrate exhibits stable and consistent spectra, which produces the high reproducibility required for a reliable diagnostic template. More importantly, using the Pt‐black SERS template allows for the differentiation of cancer‐derived exosomes (extracted from 4T1 cells—a triple‐negative breast cancer cell line) and exosomes from healthy fibroblast cells with an 83.3% sensitivity and a 95.8% specificity. This study establishes the potential of the Pt‐black template in detecting cancerous exosomes and lays a solid foundation for future studies in the clinical application of SERS in cancer diagnosis.
Nanopinhole Passivating Contact Si Solar Cells Fabricated with Metal‐Assisted Chemical Etching
Authors: Lima Anderson Caroline , Nemeth William , Guthrey Harvey L. , Jiang Chun‐Sheng , Page Matthew R. , Agarwal Sumit , Stradins Paul
Published: January 2023

Monocrystalline Si (c‐Si) solar cells with passivating contacts based on doped polycrystalline Si (poly‐Si) on ≈2.0 nm silicon oxide (SiOx) require >1000 °C thermal processing to create conducting pinholes in the SiOx layer. However, this high thermal budget can induce bulk defects in the Czochralski c‐Si wafers used as the cell absorber layer. In this work, it is demonstrated that pinholes can instead be created using metal‐assisted chemical etching on planar or textured morphologies, at room temperature. This wet process creates up to 200 nm wide conducting pinholes that are directly observed with transmission electron and atomic force microscopies. High‐performance hole‐selective poly‐Si/SiNy/SiOx and electron‐selective poly‐Si/SiOx passivating contacts are fabricated and implemented in laboratory‐scale solar cells. This process development significantly broadens the range of passivation layer materials, their thicknesses, and surface morphologies, which enables the design of poly‐Si contacts with superior passivating quality.
IL‐17A facilitates type 2 inflammation in a modified eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis mouse model
Authors: Wu Haotian , Wang Zhiyuan , Li Xia , Chen Xiaohong , Li Yue , Huang Weiqiang , Chang Lihong , Zhang Gehua
Published: January 2023

Background

Eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) is predominantly characterized by nasal type 2 inflammation. The pathogenesis of this condition is complex. High levels of IL‐17A are associated with eosinophil infiltration in some inflammatory diseases and contribute to the severity and insensitivity of corticosteroid therapy for chronic rhinosinusitis.

Methods

In the first experiment, we constructed a modified ECRS mouse model using four groups of mice: phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS)‐sensitized and nasal instillation (control); PBS‐sensitized and Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB) nasal instillation after nasal tamponade (SEB group); ovalbumin (OVA)‐sensitized and nasal instillation (OVA group); and OVA‐sensitized combined with OVA and SEB nasal instillation after nasal tamponade (OVA + SEB group). In the second experiment, we examined the role of IL‐17A by dividing the mice into four groups: control group; ECRS group; ECRS + anti‐IL‐17A group; and ECRS + IL‐17A group. The latter two groups received intraperitoneal injections of anti‐IL‐17A antibody or IL‐17A, respectively.

Results

We constructed a modified ECRS mouse model (OVA + SEB group), where the IL‐17A levels were upregulated in the nasal sinus of ECRS mice and the IL‐17A levels were significantly correlated with eosinophil infiltration. We further demonstrated that IL‐17A induced type 2 inflammation and eosinophil infiltration in the ECRS group of mice. In contrast, IL‐17A neutralization attenuated type 2 inflammatory cytokine secretion and eosinophil infiltration.

Conclusion

OVA sensitization and unilateral nasal tamponade, combined with SEB and OVA alternate nasal instillation (OVA + SEB group), could be used to construct a more typical ECRS mouse model in which IL‐17A enhanced the expression of type 2 cytokines and eosinophil infiltration.
Solvent Induced Conversion of a Self‐Assembled Gyrobifastigium to a Barrel and Encapsulation of Zinc‐Phthalocyanine within the Barrel for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Abdul Rinshad Valiyakath , Sahoo Jagabandhu , Venkateswarulu Mangili , Hickey Neal , De Mrinmoy , Sarathi Mukherjee Partha
Published: January 2023

A rare gyrobifastigium architecture (GB) was constructed by self‐assembly of a tetradentate donor (L) with PdII acceptor in DMSO. The GB was converted to its isomeric tetragonal barrel (MB) upon treatment with water. The hydrophobic cavity of MB has been explored for the encapsulation of zinc‐phthalocyanine (ZnPc), which is an excellent photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, the poor water‐solubility and aggregation tendency are the main reasons for the suboptimal PDT performance of free ZnPc in the aqueous medium. Effective solubilization of ZnPc in an aqueous medium was achieved by encapsulating it in the cavity of MB. The inclusion complex (ZnPc⊂MB) showed enhanced singlet oxygen generation in water. Higher cellular uptake and anticancer activity of the ZnPc⊂MB compared to free ZnPc on HeLa cells indicate that encapsulation of ZnPc in an aqueous host is a potential strategy for enhancement of its PDT activity in water.
Chiral Iron Porphyrins Catalyze Enantioselective Intramolecular C(sp3)−H Bond Amination Upon Visible‐Light Irradiation
Authors: Wang Hua‐Hua , Shao Hui , Huang Guanglong , Fan Jianqiang , To Wai‐Pong , Dang Li , Liu Yungen , Che Chi‐Ming
Published: January 2023

Iron‐catalyzed asymmetric amination of C(sp3)−H bonds is appealing for synthetic applications due to the biocompatibility and high earth abundance of iron, but examples of such reactions are sparse. Herein we describe chiral iron complexes of meso‐ and β‐substituted‐porphyrins that can catalyze asymmetric intramolecular C(sp3)−H amination of aryl and arylsulfonyl azides to afford chiral indolines (29 examples) and benzofused cyclic sulfonamides (17 examples), respectively, with up to 93 % ee (yield: up to 99 %) using 410 nm light under mild conditions. Mechanistic studies, including DFT calculations, for the reactions of arylsulfonyl azides reveal that the Fe(NSO2Ar) intermediate generated in situ under photochemical conditions reacts with the C(sp3)−H bond through a stepwise hydrogen atom transfer/radical rebound mechanism, with enantioselectivity arising from cooperative noncovalent interactions between the Fe(NSO2Ar) unit and the peripheral substituents of the chiral porphyrin scaffold.
Combustion‐Assisted Polyol Reduction Method to Prepare Highly Transparent and Efficient Pt Counter Electrodes for Bifacial Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Alvien Ghifari M. , Xuan Long Dang , Yolthida Kantapa , Hee Jang Yoon , Hong Jongin
Published: January 2023

A combustion‐assisted polyol reduction (CPR) method has been developed to deposit electrocatalytically efficient and transparent Pt counter electrodes (CEs) for bifacial dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Compared with conventional thermal decomposition of Pt precursors, CPR allows for a decrease in reduction temperature to 150 °C. The low‐temperature processing is attributed to adding an organic fuel, acetylacetone (Hacac), which provides extra heat to lower reduction energy. In addition, the stable Pt complexes can simultaneously be formed in ethylene glycol (EG) and Hacac system, which leads to Pt nanoparticle size regulation. A ratio of Hacac to EG is optimized to achieve excellent electrocatalytic activity and high visible light transmittance for CEs. The bifacial DSSCs fabricated with CPR‐Pt CEs (EG : Hacac=1 : 16) reach efficiencies of 6.71±0.16% and 6.41±0.15% in front and back irradiations, respectively.
Photoinduced Synthesis of Bisphosphinated Quinoxalines via Radical Cyclization ofo‐Diisocyanoarenes with Diphosphines
Authors: Yamamoto Yuki , Ogawa Akiya
Published: January 2023

The cycloaddition reaction ofo‐diisocyanoarenes with interelement compounds under light is a very important reaction system to clarify whether this reaction proceeds by radical cyclization or by aza‐Bergman cyclization. In this study, a series of diphosphines with phosphorus‐phosphorus single bonds were selected as interelement compounds, and their cycloaddition reactions witho‐diisocyanoarenes under light were investigated in detail to achieve a novel photoinduced synthesis of bisphosphinated quinoxalines via the radical cyclization pathway. In addition, the photoinduced reaction of diphosphines with isocyanides havingo‐functional groups such as cyano and ethenyl groups allowed us to elucidate the reaction pathway and product selectivity of this bisphosphination. Furthermore, the one‐pot synthesis of PdII‐quinoxaline complex was successfully achieved by applying the developed reaction.
Electrogenetic signaling and information propagation for controlling microbial consortia via programmed lysis
Authors: VanArsdale Eric , Navid Ali , Chu Monica J. , Halvorsen Tiffany M. , Payne Gregory F. , Jiao Yongqin , Bentley William E. , Yung Mimi C.
Published: January 2023

To probe signal propagation and genetic actuation in microbial consortia, we have coopted the components of both redox and quorum sensing (QS) signaling into a communication network for guiding composition by “programming” cell lysis. Here, we use an electrode to generate hydrogen peroxide as a redox cue that determines consortia composition. The oxidative stress regulon of Escherichia coli, OxyR, is employed to receive and transform this signal into a QS signal that coordinates the lysis of a subpopulation of cells. We examine a suite of information transfer modalities including “monoculture” and “transmitter‐receiver” models, as well as a series of genetic circuits that introduce time‐delays for altering information relay, thereby expanding design space. A simple mathematical model aids in developing communication schemes that accommodate the transient nature of redox signals and the “collective” attributes of QS signals. We suggest this platform methodology will be useful in understanding and controlling synthetic microbial consortia for a variety of applications, including biomanufacturing and biocontainment.
Introducing schoolchildren to computational thinking using smartphone apps: A way to encourage enrollment in engineering education
Authors: Yadav Savita , Chakraborty Pinaki
Published: January 2023

Computational thinking is the process of solving a problem in a way that can be readily automated by a computer. Decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithm design are four major components of computational thinking. We conducted an experiment to study the effectiveness of smartphone apps for teaching computational thinking to 7‐year‐old children. The first experimental group was taught computational thinking using four apps, one for each component. The second experimental group was taught computational thinking using the chalk and board approach. The control group was not imparted any lesson in computational thinking. The intervention period lasted 8 weeks and was followed by a posttest and a retention test conducted after another 2 weeks. The children showed interest in learning computational thinking and could solve problems that are inspired by real‐world engineering problems during the intervention period. They could analyze and debug (77%) their own work. The performance of the children in the two experiment groups was significantly better than those in the control group in the posttest and the retention test (F = 26.470, p < .05). This means that 7‐year‐old children can learn computational thinking from suitable mediums. No significant difference was observed in the performance of the children in the posttest and the retention test (p > .05), denoting that children can retain the concepts of computational thinking. Including computational thinking lessons at the K‐12 level can encourage children to enroll in engineering programs in the future. We recommend standardization of content and development of age‐specific apps for teaching computational thinking.
Association between F‐box‐only protein 43 overexpression and hepatocellular carcinoma pathogenesis and prognosis
Authors: Wu Shaohan , Qin Lei , Yang Juqin , Wang Jing , Shen Yiyu
Published: January 2023

Background

Despite great advances in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management regarding hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the overall prognosis of HCC remains unfavorable. The expression profile, prognostic role, and biological functions of F‐box‐only protein 43 (FBXO43) in HCC remain unclear. Here, we determine the expression profile and prognostic value of FBXO43 in patients with HCC.

Materials and Methods

A total of 467 HCC patients and their clinicopathological data were collected from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and Genotype‐Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases. The expression profile, prognostic value, biological functions, and underlying mechanism of its involvement of FBXO43 were explored based on TCGA, Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), LinkedOmics, and Cancer Dependency Map (DepMap). The expression of FBXO43 in 93 paired liver tissues was investigated via immunohistochemical staining, tissue microarray analysis, and Western blot. The prognostic value was assessed using survival analysis.

Results

FBXO43 RNA was upregulated in HCC liver tissues and was associated with an unfavorable prognosis (p < 0.05). Furthermore, FBXO43 protein was overexpressed in HCC liver tissues compared with that in paired normal liver tissues. Overexpression of FBXO43 protein was significantly associated with advanced TNM stage, large tumor size, lymphatic invasion, distant metastasis, earlier cancer recurrence, and decreased overall survival after radical surgery (p < 0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that FBXO43 had significant prognostic value in HCC. Importantly, FBXO43 and its co‐expressed genes were mainly involved in cell cycle regulation, DNA replication, metabolic regulation, and so on. FBXO43 knockdown could significantly affect the HCC cell lines growth and proliferation.

Conclusions

We first revealed that FBXO43 was overexpressed in liver HCC tissues at the RNA and protein levels and served as an independent prognostic factor for HCC patients. Therefore, FBXO43 is worth investigating as a potential HCC treatment target.
Enhancement of Wastewater Treatment Using Mist and Photocatalyst
Authors: Kato Shoma , Sakai Yuka , Sato Yuki , Kansha Yasuki
Published: January 2023

Advanced oxidation processes are attractive methods for treating wastewater containing refractory organic substances. Hybrid reactors utilizing mist generated by ultrasound and photocatalysts have been proposed to enhance pollutant removal. However, the functions of ultraviolet, ultrasound, mist, and photocatalyst in the hybrid reactor have not been clarified. The aim of this study is to investigate these functions by comparing the pollutant removal performance under different operating conditions. The results indicate that the application of ultraviolet, ultrasound, and photocatalyst is necessary to utilize mist as a reaction field. A synergistic effect of the simultaneous application was observed in the hybrid reactor.
Host‐Guest Strategy Enabling Nonhalogenated Solvent Processing for High‐Performance All‐Polymer Hosted Solar Cells†
Authors: Huang Yuting , Chen Haiyang , Fan Qunping , Chen Ziyuan , Ding Junyuan , Yang Heyi , Sun Zhe , Zhang Rui , Chen Weijie , Yang Changduk , Gao Feng , Li Yaowen
Published: January 2023

Comprehensive Summary

The power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of all‐polymer solar cells (all‐PSCs), usually processed from low‐boiling‐point and toxic solvents, have reached high values of 18%. However, poor miscibility and uncontrollable crystallinity in polymer blends lead to a notable drop in the PCEs when using green solvents, limiting the practical development of all‐PSCs. Herein, a third component (guest) BTO was employed to optimize the miscibility and enhance the crystallinity of PM6/PY2Se‐F host film processed from green solvent toluene (TL), which can effectively suppress the excessive aggregation of PY2Se‐F and facilitate a nano‐scale interpenetrating network morphology for exciton dissociation and charge transport. As a result, TL‐processed all‐polymer hosted solar cells (all‐PHSCs) exhibited an impressive PCE of 17.01%. Moreover, the strong molecular interaction between the host and guest molecules also enhances the thermal stability of the devices. Our host‐guest strategy provides a unique approach to developing high‐efficiency and stable all‐PHSCs processed from green solvents, paving the way for the industrial development of all‐PHSCs.
Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Macrocyclic Plasmin Inhibitors
Authors: Wiedemeyer Simon J. A. , Wu Guojie , Pham T. L. Phuong , Lang‐Henkel Heike , Perez Urzua Benjamin , Whisstock James C , Law Ruby H. P. , Steinmetzer Torsten
Published: January 2023

Two series of macrocyclic plasmin inhibitors with a C‐terminal benzylamine group were synthesized. The substitution of the N‐terminal phenylsulfonyl group of a previously described inhibitor provided two analogues with sub‐nanomolar inhibition constants. Both compounds possess a high selectivity against all other tested trypsin‐like serine proteases. Furthermore, a new approach was used to selectively introduce asymmetric linker segments. Two of these compounds inhibit plasmin with Ki values close to 2 nM. For the first time, four crystal structures of these macrocyclic inhibitors could be determined in complex with a Ser195Ala microplasmin mutant. The macrocyclic core segment of the inhibitors binds to the open active site of plasmin without any steric hindrance. This binding mode is incompatible with other trypsin‐like serine proteases containing a sterically demanding 99‐hairpin loop. The crystal structures obtained experimentally explain the excellent selectivity of this inhibitor type as previously hypothesized.
Integrating Photoluminescence and Ferromagnetism in Carbon Quantum Dot/ZnO by Interfacial Orbital Hybridization for Multifunctional Bioprobes
Authors: Wang Lifen , Li Xiaohan , Jin Yu , Liu Guangqing , Shan Yun
Published: January 2023

Integrating ferromagnetism (FM) and photoluminescence (PL) into one particular nanostructure as biological probe plays an irreplaceable role in accurate clinical diagnosis combining magnetic resonance and photoluminescence imaging technology. However, magnetic emergence generally needs a spin polarization at Fermi level to display a half‐metallic electronic feature, which is not beneficial for preserving radiation recombination ability of photo‐excited electron‐hole carriers. To overcome this intrinsic difficulty, we propose a feasible atomic‐hybridization strategy to anchor carbon quantum dots (CQDs) onto ZnO microsphere surface via breakage of C=O bonds at CQDs and subsequent Zn‐3d and C‐2p orbital hybridization, which not only ensures the carrier recombination but also leads to a room‐temperature magnetism. Herein, the photoluminescence and magnetism coexist in this multifunctional heterojunction with outstanding biocompatibility. This work suggests that integration of magnetism and photoluminescence could be accomplished by particular interfacial orbital hybridization.
Fundamentals of the Cathode‐Electrolyte Interface in All‐solid‐state Lithium Batteries
Authors: Jiang Yidong , Lai Anjie , Ma Jun , Yu Kai , Zeng Huipeng , Zhang Guangzhao , Huang Wei , Wang Chaoyang , Chi Shang‐Sen , Wang Jun , Deng Yonghong
Published: January 2023

All‐solid‐state lithium batteries (ASSBs) enabled by solid‐state electrolytes (SEs) including oxide‐based and sulfide‐based electrolytes have gained worldwide attention because of their intrinsic safety and higher energy density over conventional lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, despite the high ionic conductivity of advanced SEs, ASSBs still exhibit high overall internal resistance, the most significant contributor of which can be ascribed to the cathode‐SE interfaces. This review seeks to clarify the critical issues regarding the cathode‐SE interfaces, including fundamental principles and corresponding solutions. First, major issues concerning electro‐chemo‐mechanical instability between cathodes and SEs and their formation mechanisms are discussed. Then, specific problems in oxides and sulfides and various solutions and strategies toward interfacial modifications are highlighted. Efforts toward the characterization and analysis of cathode‐SE interfaces with advanced techniques are also summarized. Finally, perspectives are offered on several problems demanding urgent solutions and the future development of SE applications and ASSBs.
Variability in bat morphology is influenced by temperature and forest cover and their interactions
Authors: Wood Heather , Cousins Sara A. O.
Published: January 2023

Multiple climatic and landscape drivers have been linked to variations in bat body size and wing functional traits. Most previous studies used proxies rather than actual climate and land‐use data, and their interactions are rarely explored. We investigate whether higher summer average temperatures are driving decreasing bat body size as predicted by Bergmann's rule or increasing appendage size as per Allen's rule. We also explore whether temperature or resource availability (namely forest cover) is responsible for changes in wing functional traits. Using land‐use data from historical maps and national statistics combined with climatic data, we assessed the effect of temperature and resource availability on bat morphology. We used 464 museum specimens of three bat species (Eptesicus nilssonii, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, and Plecotus auritus), spanning 180 years, across a 1200 km latitudinal gradient. We found no evidence of higher summer average temperatures driving decreases in body size in bats. Jaw sizes of P. auritus and P. pygmaeus changed over time but in different directions. The geographical variation of forest cover was also related to differences in wing functional traits in two species. Crucially, there was a significant antagonistic interactive effect of forest and temperature on tip index in P. pygmaeus whereby above 14.5°C the relationship between forest and tip index actually reversed. This could indicate that higher temperatures promote more pointed wings, which may provide energetic benefits. Our results show the importance of including both climatic and land‐use variables when assessing trends in bat morphology and exploring interactions. Encouragingly, all three species have shown an ability to adapt their body size and functional traits to different conditions, and it could demonstrate their potential to overcome future negative impacts of climate and land‐use change.
Environmental data science: Part 1
Authors: Zammit‐Mangion Andrew , Newlands Nathaniel K. , Burr Wesley S.
Published: January 2023

Environmental data science is a multi‐disciplinary and mature field of research at the interface of statistics, machine learning, information technology, climate and environmental science. The two‐part special issue ‘Environmental Data Science’ comprises a set of research articles and opinion pieces led by statisticians who are at the forefront of the field. This editorial identifies and discusses common strands of research that appear in the contributions to Part 1, which largely focus on statistical methodology. These include temporal, spatial and spatio‐temporal modeling; statistical computing; machine learning and artificial intelligence; and the critical question of decision‐making in the presence of uncertainty. This editorial complements that of Part 2, which largely focuses on applications; see Burr, Newlands, and Zammit‐Mangion (2023).
Evaluation and indirect inference estimation of inattentive features in a New Keynesian framework
Authors: Chou Jenyu , Cao Yifei , Minford Patrick
Published: January 2023

We test the standard New Keynesian (NK) dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model with and without inattentiveness features, where inattentiveness is modeled either in the form of sticky information (SI) or imperfect information (IF) data revision. All models are estimated and tested by indirect inference. The estimated model with sticky information somewhat outperformed the estimated NK model with full‐information rational expectation (FIRE), though both passed the test easily, while the model with IF data revision was strongly rejected.