bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of composts produced from waste of animal origin on the biological activity of soils
Authors: Cserháti M. , Krisz B. , Szoboszlay S. , Atzél B. ,   et al.
Published: January 2007

Due to changes in the
Hungarian legislation, the ATEVSZOLG Corporation, which treats waste of animal
origin, has started to search for a new way to dispose and reuse this waste by
recycling it without the loss of materials produced at high cost from the natural
cycle. Since this waste contains a high concentration of fat, one major
objective of the composting experiment was to investigate the effect of
composts with high fat contents on the biological activity of the soil. The
other aim was to investigate the impact of sterilising heat treatment and of
high temperature conditions during the composting process on the number of
pathogenic microbes, which are common in waste of animal origin. The quality
and quantity of the fat in the soil samples were measured using a gas
chromatograph. The effect of the high fat content on the biological activity of
the soil was measured as the difference between the control and the treated
soil samples for CFU number of fat-degrading microbes and the difference in the
biological activity of the samples in an Oxi-Top soil respirator system. The
effect of heat treatment on pathogenic microbes was investigated on the basis
of the number of Clostridium, faecal coliforms and Pseudomonas
aeruginosa microbes. The results showed that the high fat content deposited
with the composts was well utilised, and that its degradation did not cause a
problem for the microbes living in the soil. This was proved both by the
results of the CFU experiments and by the parameters in the Oxi-Top soil
respirator system. The heat treatment successfully decreased the number of
pathogenic microbes to a low risk level. The results indicated that the mixing
of the heat-treated, sterilised basic materials of the composts with untreated,
non-sterilised materials such as sewage sludge should be avoided, due to the
risk of re-infecting the compost with pathogens. The composts produced from
animal waste using the heat treatment developed by the ATEVSZOLG Corp. have the
same infection risk as the composts produced from animal manure or sewage
sludge.
Matrix Metalloproteinases, Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase‐1, and Laminin‐5 γ2 Chain Immunolocalization in Gingival Tissue of Endotoxin‐Induced Periodontitis in Rats: Effects of Low‐Dose Doxycycline and Alendronate
Authors: Buduneli Eralp , Vardar‐Şengül Saynur , Buduneli Nurcan , Atilla Gül , Wahlgren Jaana , Sorsa Timo
Published: January 2007

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play important roles in tissue destruction mechanisms of periodontitis. MMP‐8 and ‐13 are the major collagenases that act in extracellular matrix degradation in periodontal tissues. MMP‐14 is a membrane‐type MMP, and laminin (Ln)‐‐ is a basal membrane component. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of doxycycline and alendronate on gingival tissue expression of MMP‐8, ‐13, and ‐14; tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMP)‐1; and Ln‐5 γ2 chain in experimental periodontitis induced by Escherichia coli endotoxin (LPS) in rats.

Methods: Experimental periodontitis was induced by repeated injection of LPS. Forty‐four adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into five study groups: saline control, LPS, LPS + doxycycline, LPS + alendronate, and LPS + doxycycline + alendronate. Doxycycline and alendronate were given as a single agent or as combination therapy during the 7 days of the experimental study period. On day 7, the rats were sacrificed, and the gingival tissues were analyzed immunohistochemically for expression of MMP‐8, ‐13, and ‐14, Ln‐‐ γ2 chain, and TIMP‐1. Alveolar bone loss was evaluated morphometrically under a stereomicroscope. Data were tested statistically by Kruskal‐Wallis and Mann‐Whitney tests and Spearman correlation analysis.

Results: Alveolar bone loss was significantly higher in the LPS, doxycycline, alendronate, and combination groups than in the saline control group (all P <0.01). MMP‐8 expression was significantly higher in the LPS group than in the saline control group (P = 0.001). Individual administration of doxycycline or alendronate significantly decreased the expression of MMP‐8 compared to LPS (P = 0.01). Combined drug administration reduced MMP‐14 significantly compared to doxycycline (P = 0.004). No significant differences in Ln‐5 γ2 chain expression were found between the study groups (P >0.05). MMP‐14 significantly correlated with the Ln‐5 γ2 chain in the LPS + alendronate group (P = 0.04) and with the amount of alveolar bone loss in the LPS + doxycycline + alendronate group (P = 0.03).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that alendronate and/or doxycycline may inhibit MMP‐8 expression significantly; particularly, their combined administration may provide beneficial effects in periodontal treatment. Moreover, individual administration of alendronate and doxycycline results in significant increases in TIMP‐1 expression in gingiva. However, these effects of combined low‐dose doxycycline and alendronate on MMPs and TIMP should be verified by clinical human trials before these agents are used in dental practice.
Ossification of a Novel Cross‐Linked Porcine Collagen Barrier in Guided Bone Regeneration in Dogs
Authors: Zubery Yuval , Goldlust Arie , Alves Antoine , Nir Eran
Published: January 2007

Background: Collagen membranes for guided bone regeneration (GBR) and guided tissue regeneration (GTR) are used extensively as bioabsorbable barriers. Cross‐linking of collagen increases its biodurability and enables the control of its degradation kinetics and barrier function. A novel cross‐linking technology was used to produce a porcine type I collagen membrane (GLYM). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and degradation kinetics of GLYM compared to a non–cross‐linked bilayer type I and III porcine collagen membrane (BCM) in surgically created defects in dogs.

Methods: After tooth extraction, two mandibular bilateral critical size defects were created in 12 beagle dogs that were randomly assigned to one of five groups: GLYM + bovine bone mineral (BBM), BCM + BBM, BBM alone, sham‐operated, or GLYM alone. Dogs were euthanized after 8, 16, and 24 weeks, and sites were prepared for qualitative, semiquantitative, and quantitative light microscopy analyses.

Results: Membrane‐protected sites displayed bone filling between the BBM particles with almost complete restoration of the original ridge morphology that increased with time up to 16 weeks and remained unchanged at 24 weeks. Both membranes showed marked degradation within 16 to 24 weeks, with BCM inconsistency that was undetectable in one of four sites at 8, 16, and 24 weeks. Membrane ossification was observed in all GLYM sites and in only one BCM site, which progressed with time to 24 weeks. Bone increased by ∼1 mm on the lingual side, where the GLYM membrane was in direct contact with bone.

Conclusions: Both membranes were safe and effective in supporting bone regeneration in critical size alveolar ridge defects in dogs and completely degraded within 24 weeks with marked BCM inconsistency. In areas of direct contact with bone, all GLYM sites were progressively ossified with time and augmented the original alveolar ridge. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of complete ossification of a collagen barrier membrane in GBR procedures.
Treatment of Gingival Hyperpigmentation by Erbium‐Doped:Yttrium, Aluminum, and Garnet Laser for Esthetic Purposes
Authors: Azzeh Manal M.
Published: January 2007

Background: The normal color of gingiva is pink. Gingival hyperpigmentation is mostly caused by the physiologic deposition of melanin by melanocytes. In “gummy smile” patients, melanin gingival hyperpigmentation causes an esthetic problem and may cause physiologic disturbances. Methods to remove gingival hyperpigmentation vary, but it seems that the most reliable and satisfactory procedure is laser ablation.

Methods: Six white patients (five females and one male), who complain of having dark‐brown to black gingival hyperpigmentation were included in the study. Three of them were smokers. Laser ablation was performed by an erbium‐doped:yttrium, aluminum, and garnet (Er:YAG) laser (settings: 250 mJ, 15 Hz, with water and air and using the defocused mode) without using topical or local anesthesia. Each patient required about 20 to 25 minutes for completion of the procedure. After 4 days, another laser ablation (with the same previous settings) was performed to ensure good results. Patients were evaluated a month after completion of treatment and on a semiannual basis. The follow‐up period ranged between 6 and 18 months.

Results: In all patients, no discomfort, pain, or bleeding complications were found intraoperatively or 4 days postoperatively. Ablated wounds healed almost completely within 4 days. No recurrence of gingival hyperpigmentation was found during the follow‐up periods. Achieved results were satisfactory for patients and the operator.

Conclusions: Taking into account the advantages of using lasers, it seems to be that the depigmentation of melanin hyperpigmented gingiva by the Er:YAG laser is a reliable and satisfactory procedure. Esthetic results were satisfactory for patients and the operator, and no repigmentation was found during the follow‐up period.
Erythrocyte Profile of Diploid and Triploid Silver Crucian Carp (Carassius auratus)
Authors: Vetešník L. , Halačka K. , Lusková V. , Lusk S.
Published: January 2007

Haematological analysis was performed on 27 adult specimens of Carassius auratus irrespective of sex in 2003 and on 32 juveniles of distinguished sex in 2004. In this study we found that the ploidy level affected significantly (p < 0.01) the values of the erythrocyte count, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin. Although we did not prove any significant effect of sex in juvenile diploids of C. auratus on the values of erythrocyte profile, the erythrocyte count, haematocrit value and haemoglobin content value were higher for males than for females. The erythrocyte count decreased significantly (p < 0.01) with increasing ploidy level. The index of haemoglobin content followed the same trend of a decreasing mean value with increasing ploidy level. Mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin increased with the increasing ploidy level (p < 0.01). Haematocrit value and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration did not significantly differ from the point of view of the ploidy level.
cpn60 Gene-Based Multiplex-PCR Assay for Simultaneous Identification of Streptococcal Species
Authors: Dmitriev A. , Bhide M. , Mikula I.
Published: January 2007

The cpn60 genes of Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus uberis were sequenced and a certain polymorphism of cpn60 genes was revealed. Presumable species-specific pairs of primers were designed and their specificity was confirmed by PCR. Based on these data, the cpn60 gene-based multiplex-PCR assay was developed. It was found to be effective for simultaneous identification of S. agalactiae, S. dysgalactiae and S. uberis strains.
Effects of Different Plant Products against Pig Mange Mites
Authors: Mägi E. , Järvis T. , Miller I.
Published: January 2007

The objective of this study was to determine the antiparasitic efficiency of herbal-based products. Four medicinal plant species extracts in 10% ethanol solutions (hogweed Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden, mugwort Artemisia vulgaris L., tansy Tanacetum vulgare L., wormwood Artemisia absinthium L.), and seven essential medicinal ethereal oils used in 1% emulsions (garlic Allium sativum L., black pepper Piper nigrum L., juniper Juniperus communis L., citronella grass Cymbopogon nardus Rendle, pennyroyal Mentha pulegium L., eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus Labill., tea tree Melaleuca alternifolia Gheel) were tested a on pig farm in Estonia to control swine sarcoptic mange mites (Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis (L. 1758) Latreille, 1802). Trial groups (6 pigs each) were treated over the whole body twice, with one week interval in between; one group was left as untreated control. All the preparations used inhibited the development of and were more or less lethal to mange mites. Tea tree and citronella volatile oil preparations proved to be the most effective (viability of mites < 5% in 4 weeks). The most active extract of tested ethanol solutions was obtained from hogweed seeds: after two treatments of pigs, 57-93% of parasites died in 2-4 weeks. The extracts of local plants tansy and wormwood diminished the number of mites up to 44% within the first week after treatments. The results indicate that plant extracts may be further tested in practice as alternatives to drugs of synthetic origin.
Medical Home Implementation and Follow-Up of Cancer-Related Abnormal Test Results in the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Rajan Suja S. , Sarvepalli Shashank , Wei Li , Meyer Ashley N. D. , Murphy Daniel R. , Choi Debra T. , Singh Hardeep
Published: March 2024

Importance

Lack of timely follow-up of cancer-related abnormal test results can lead to delayed or missed diagnoses, adverse cancer outcomes, and substantial cost burden for patients. Care delivery models, such as the Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Patient-Aligned Care Team (PACT), which aim to improve patient-centered care coordination, could potentially also improve timely follow-up of abnormal test results. PACT was implemented nationally in the VA between 2010 and 2012.

Objective

To evaluate the long-term association between PACT implementation and timely follow-up of abnormal test results related to the diagnosis of 5 different cancers.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This multiyear retrospective cohort study used 14 years of VA data (2006-2019), which were analyzed using panel data-based random-effects linear regressions. The setting included all VA clinics and facilities. The participants were adult patients who underwent diagnostic testing related to 5 different cancers and had abnormal test results. Data extraction and statistical analyses were performed from September 2021 to December 2023.

Exposure

Calendar years denoting preperiods and postperiods of PACT implementation, and the PACT Implementation Progress Index Score denoting the extent of implementation in each VA clinic and facility.

Main Outcome and Measure

Percentage of potentially missed timely follow-ups of abnormal test results.

Results

This study analyzed 6 data sets representing 5 different types of cancers. During the initial years of PACT implementation (2010 to 2013), percentage of potentially missed timely follow-ups decreased between 3 to 7 percentage points for urinalysis suggestive of bladder cancer, 12 to 14 percentage points for mammograms suggestive of breast cancer, 19 to 22 percentage points for fecal tests suggestive of colorectal cancer, and 6 to 13 percentage points for iron deficiency anemia laboratory tests suggestive of colorectal cancer, with no statistically significant changes for α-fetoprotien tests and lung cancer imaging. However, these beneficial reductions were not sustained over time. Better PACT implementation scores were associated with a decrease in potentially missed timely follow-up percentages for urinalysis (0.3–percentage point reduction [95% CI, −0.6 to −0.1] with 1-point increase in the score), and laboratory tests suggestive of iron deficiency anemia (0.5–percentage point reduction [95% CI,−0.8 to −0.2] with 1-point increase in the score).

Conclusions and Relevance

This cohort study found that implementation of PACT in the VA was associated with a potential short-term improvement in the quality of follow-up for certain test results. Additional multifaceted sustained interventions to reduce missed test results are required to prevent care delays.
Preterm Birth Following Active Surveillance vs Loop Excision for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Grade 2
Authors: Lycke Kathrine Dyhr , Kahlert Johnny , Eriksen Dina Overgaard , Omann Camilla , Pedersen Lars Henning , Sundtoft Iben , Landy Rebecca , Petersen Lone Kjeld , Hammer Anne
Published: March 2024

Importance

Active surveillance for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 (CIN2) is being implemented in many high-income countries due to the association of excisional treatment with preterm birth. However, it is unknown whether active surveillance results in lower risk of preterm birth given that cervical dysplasia itself is associated with higher risk of preterm birth.

Objective

To compare the preterm birth risk between women with CIN2 undergoing active surveillance or immediate loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).

Design, Setting, and Participants

This historical population-based cohort study included women with a first-time diagnosis of CIN2 and a subsequent singleton birth from 1998 to 2018 in Denmark. Women with prior CIN grade 3 or greater or LEEP were excluded. Data were collected from 4 Danish health care registries. Analyses were conducted from October 2022 to June 2023.

Exposure

Women were categorized into active surveillance (cervical biopsy and/or cytology) or immediate LEEP based on their first cervical sample after CIN2 diagnosis. The active surveillance group was further subdivided based on whether a delayed LEEP was performed within 28 months from CIN2 diagnosis.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Risk of preterm birth (<37 + 0 weeks) was assessed and relative risks (RRs) were calculated using modified Poisson regression. Analyses used inverse probability treatment weighting of the propensity scores to adjust for age, parity, calendar year, index cytology, and smoking.

Results

A total of 10 537 women with CIN2 and a singleton birth were identified; 4430 (42%) underwent active surveillance and 6107 (58%) were treated with immediate LEEP. For both groups, most were aged 23 to 29 years at CIN2 diagnosis (3125 [70%] and 3907 [64%], respectively). Overall, 869 births (8.2%) were preterm. The risk of preterm birth was comparable between active surveillance and immediate LEEP (RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.90-1.18). However, for women undergoing delayed LEEP after active surveillance (1539 of the active surveillance group [35%]), the risk of preterm birth was higher than for women treated with immediate LEEP (RR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.08-1.55).

Conclusions and relevance

In this cohort study of women with CIN2, the risk of preterm birth was comparable between active surveillance and immediate LEEP. However, delayed LEEP was associated with 30% higher risk of preterm birth than immediate LEEP. Thus, risk stratification at CIN2 diagnosis is important to identify women with increased risk of delayed LEEP.
Cucumber‐Derived Extracellular Vesicle‐Functionalized Metal‐Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy of Hypertrophic Scars
Authors: Kong Tianyu , Zhang Kai , Wang Yanmin , Ye Yingmin , Hou Jun , Xu Chen , Zhao Nana , Xu Fu‐Jian
Published: March 2024

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with noninvasiveness and high safety has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for the management of hypertrophic scars (HS). However, the low transdermal delivery and overexpressed levels of intracellular glutathione (GSH) severely hinder its therapeutic effectiveness. Herein, a multifunctional biomimetic nanoplatform (NDs@EV‐RGD) composed of arginine‐glycine‐aspartic acid (RGD)‐modified cucumber‐derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) and copper‐based metal‐organic framework nanodots (Cu‐MOF NDs) is designed for PDT‐mediated HS treatment. The EVs with low Young's modulus exhibit excellent deformability which endow NDs@EV‐RGD with the capacity to overcome the compact stratum corneum barrier, thereby significantly improving their transdermal delivery efficiency. Notably, the RGD targeting peptide displays specific binding to α1β1 integrin on the fibroblast membranes within HS, leading to the high accumulation efficiency of NDs@EV‐RGD at the HS site. Under near‐infrared laser irradiation, NDs@EV‐RGD efficiently generates abundant reactive oxygen species, inducing the apoptosis of excessively proliferated fibroblasts. Moreover, Cu‐MOF NDs interact with the local GSH, leading to GSH depletion and a significant enhancement in PDT efficacy. Furthermore, NDs@EV‐RGD demonstrates a remarkable therapeutic effect in improving the appearance of HS in a rabbit ear HS model, promoting the apoptosis and remodeling of collagen fibers. Therefore, this work provides a promising biomimetic platform for HS treatment.
Controllable Dopamine Conjugation Boosts Fluorescence, Biocompatibility, and PET Imaging‐Guided Toxicity Assessment of Polycations
Authors: Zhao Mingming , Guo Xinhao , Su Chen , Li Meng , Wang Xinyu , Pan Donghui , Wang Lizhen , Xu Yuping , Chen Chongyang , Yang Min , Li Xiaotian , Yan Junjie
Published: March 2024

As well known in bioactives delivery and cancer/inflammation theranostics, polycations have recently extended their biomedical potentials in reducing visceral fat, embolizing body fluid, modulating blood coagulation, and ameliorating hyperammonemia. However, positive charges that dominate various action mechanisms, often raise risks in biosafety concerns. Also, the lack of intrinsic imaging properties of polycations makes it challenging to uncover their pharmacokinetic profiles in living objects. Herein, dopamine conjugation is demonstrated controllable and highly efficient in boosting the fluorescence or even white color emission of various polycations including hyperbranched poly(amido amine) (HPAA), polyethyleneimine and poly‐L‐lysine. By shielding partial surface positive charges, increasing hydrophobicity, and inducing aqueous self‐assembly, dopamine conjugation can significantly enhance the biocompatibility and decrease the toxicity and immunogenicity of polycations. Furthermore, the catechol‐metal binding interaction facilitates the accessibility of polycation‐based positron emission tomography (PET) probes. Different tissue uptake and biodistributions of gallium‐68‐radiolabeled HPAA before and after dopamine conjugation indicate that PET imaging can be a useful supplement to evaluate the dynamic toxicities of polycations.
Toward the Improvement of the Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Braided Ligament for ACL Reconstruction: A “Carrot and Stick” Strategy
Authors: Li Shenglin , Wang Shuhan , Shao Jiasheng , Wang Jiali , Liu Wenliang , Chen Linxin , Li Zeng , Zhang Chao , Song Jian
Published: March 2024

Bone tunnel enlargement has been troubling the clinical adoption of braided artificial ligaments for decades, to which mechanical and tribological performance promotion shall be an effective and promising approach. Herein, a “carrot and stick” strategy has been introduced with two types of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers to fabricate hybrid textures, which is expected to advance fatigue and tribological performance without yielding essential mechanical strength and biocompatibility. Owing to advancements in such a “carrot and stick” strategy, the obtained grafts present three promising properties: i) enhancement of mechanical strength; ii) coefficient of friction (COF) reduction of 25% at the greatest extent, thus lowering the risk of bone tunnel enlargement; iii) final displacement shrinkage of graft length after cyclic loadings, favored in the clinic for isometric reconstruction. The results obtained in this study show that the “carrot and stick” strategy can be a creative and convenient method to optimize the service life, saving the complication rate of artificial ligaments for clinical applications.
Nanomaterials Boost CAR‐T Therapy for Solid Tumors
Authors: Long Jun , Wang Yian , Jiang Xianjie , Ge Junshang , Chen Mingfen , Zheng Boshu , Wang Rong , Wang Meifeng , Xu Meifang , Ke Qi , Wang Jie
Published: March 2024

T cell engineering, particularly via chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) modifications for enhancing tumor specificity, has shown efficacy in treating hematologic malignancies. The extension of CAR‐T cell therapy to solid tumors, however, is impeded by several challenges: The absence of tumor‐specific antigens, antigen heterogeneity, a complex immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and physical barriers to cell infiltration. Additionally, limitations in CAR‐T cell manufacturing capacity and the high costs associated with these therapies restrict their widespread application. The integration of nanomaterials into CAR‐T cell production and application offers a promising avenue to mitigate these challenges. Utilizing nanomaterials in the production of CAR‐T cells can decrease product variability and lower production expenses, positively impacting the targeting and persistence of CAR‐T cells in treatment and minimizing adverse effects. This review comprehensively evaluates the use of various nanomaterials in the production of CAR‐T cells, genetic modification, and in vivo delivery. It discusses their underlying mechanisms and potential for clinical application, with a focus on improving specificity and safety in CAR‐T cell therapy.
Topological Complex Charge Conservation in Nontrivial Z2 × Z2 Domain Walls
Authors: Lee Jhinhwan , Park Hae‐Ryong , Jin Kyung‐Hwan , Kim Jun Sung , Cheong Sang‐Wook , Yeom Han‐Woong
Published: March 2024

Localized topological modes such as solitons, Majorana Fermions, and skyrmions are attracting great interest as robust information carriers for future devices. Here, a novel conserved quantity for topological domain wall networks of a Z2 × Z2 order generated with spin‐polarized current in Sr2VO3FeAs is discovered. Domain walls are mobilized by the scanning tunneling current, which also observes in atomic scale active dynamics of domain wall vertices including merge, bifurcation, pair creation, and annihilation. Within this dynamics, the product of the topological complex charges defined for domain wall vertices is conserved with a novel boundary‐charge correspondence rule. These results may open an avenue toward topological electronics based on domain wall vertices in generic Z2 × Z2 systems.
Protective Nanosheet Coatings for Thiophosphate‐Based All‐Solid‐State Batteries
Authors: Karger Leonhard , Nunes Barbara Nascimento , Yusim Yuriy , Mazilkin Andrey , Zhang Ruizhuo , Zhao Wengao , Henss Anja , Kondrakov Aleksandr , Janek Jürgen , Brezesinski Torsten
Published: March 2024

Superionic sulfide solid electrolytes (SEs) are of considerable interest for application in solid‐state batteries, but suffer from limited stability. When in combination with state‐of‐the‐art cathode active materials (CAMs), severe degradation at the CAM/SE interface occurs during electrochemical cycling. To improve upon the interfacial stability, inert coatings can be applied to the CAM particles, with the goal of preventing direct contact to the SE. In this study, different methods of depositing coatings, including hexagonal boron nitride, tungsten sulfide and exfoliated ((CH3(CH2)3)4N)4Nb6O17, in the form of nanosheets onto the free surface of a Ni‐rich LiNixCoyMnzO2 (NCM) CAM are examined and compared with one another. While dry coating is shown to produce relatively uniform coatings (good surface coverage), the secondary particle morphology of the NCM makes ball milling as a mechanical deposition method less attractive. In contrast, deposition from dispersions in organic solvents yields protective coatings with a lower degree of surface coverage. The different materials are electrochemically tested in liquid‐ and solid‐electrolyte‐based lithium‐ion batteries. A stabilizing effect from nanosheet coating is only observed for the cells with lithium thiophosphate SE.
(C8H6BrN2O)NO3: A Hybrid Nonlinear Optical Crystal With an Appropriate Birefringence
Authors: Shen Yaoguo , Niu Wanrui , Luo Yingjie , Zhou Yingwu , Xue Xiaoling , Liu Liqin
Published: March 2024

Organic planar groups have recently been used to construct nonlinear optical materials because of their large hyperpolarizability, and then most of the products have birefringence which is unfavorable to phase matching. Here, a new organic–inorganic hybrid nonlinear optical crystal (C8H6BrN2O)NO3 is synthesized by combining the π‐conjugated organic [C8H6BrN₂O]+ cation and inorganic [NO3]− anion as the fundamental building blocks. Surprisingly, it not only shows a large second‐harmonic generation response of 3.8 times that of the commercial K2HPO4 crystals, but also has a moderate birefringence of 0.08 at 550 nm. Furthermore, it demonstrates high thermal stability up to 220 °C despite its hybrid material characteristics. Single crystal structure analysis and theoretical calculations confirm that the specific arrangement of NLO‐active [C8H6BrN₂O]+ groups with halogen branch chains and strong hydrogen bonding between two π‐conjugated groups leads to moderate birefringence and large frequency‐doubling effect. These findings provide a method to explore hybrid nonlinear optical crystals.
Reduced Graphene Oxides Skeleton Hybrid Interface Enables Long Lifespan Zinc Metal Anodes
Authors: Huang Shichuang , Zheng Shuyang , Yang Xukang , Zhong Huohong , Zheng Chengtao , Zhang Nan
Published: March 2024

With the ever‐growing demands for the electrical energy storage market, aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) are showing great prospects owing to their good capacity, low cost, and high safety. Nevertheless, they also face significant challenges, particularly in the form of zinc dendrite growth and inadequate stability. Here, a strategy based on reduced graphene oxides‐zirconium dioxide (rGO/ZrO2) hybrid interface to enable long lifespan zinc metal anodes is proposed. Via in situ electrochemical deposition and self‐assembly method, rGO and ZrO2 are deposited on the zinc metal anode successively, and their loading is optimized subsequently. In the functionalized interface, rGO serves as the skeleton and improves electrolyte ion diffusion, while ZrO2 relieves the electric field concentration problem and inhibits dendrite growth. As a result, the Zn@rGO@ZrO2 symmetric cell achieves a highly reversible cycle of 3000 h at 2.0 mA cm−2/1.0 mA h cm−2 and fast reaction kinetics.
Photosensitive Hydrogel with Temperature‐Controlled Reversible Nano‐Apertures for Single‐Cell Protein Analysis
Authors: Xie Haiyang , Guo Wenke , Jiang Hui , Zhang Ting , Zhao Lei , Hu Jinjuan , Gao Shuxin , Song Sunfengda , Xu Jiasu , Xu Li , Sun Xinyi , Ding Yi , Jiang Lai , Ding Xianting
Published: March 2024

Single cell western blot (scWB) is one of the most important methods for cellular heterogeneity profiling. However, current scWB based on conventional photoactive polyacrylamide hydrogel material suffers from the tradeoff between in‐gel probing and separation resolution. Here, a highly sensitive temperature‐controlled single‐cell western blotting (tc‐scWB) method is introduced, which is based on a thermo/photo‐dualistic‐sensitive polyacrylamide hydrogel, namely acrylic acid‐functionalized graphene oxide (AFGO) assisted, N‐isopropylacrylamide modified polyacrylamide (ANP) hydrogel. The ANP hydrogel is contracted at high‐temperature to constrain protein band diffusion during microchip electrophoretic separation, while the gel aperture is expanded under low‐temperature for better antibody penetration into the hydrogel. The tc‐scWB method enables the separation and profiling of small‐molecule‐weight proteins with highly crosslinked gel (12% T) in SDS‐PAGE. The tc‐scWB is demonstrated on three metabolic and ER stress‐specific proteins (CHOP, MDH2 and FH) in four pancreatic cell subtypes, revealing the expression of key enzymes in the Krebs cycle is upregulated with enhanced ER stress. It is found that ER stress can regulate crucial enzyme (MDH2 and FH) activities of metabolic cascade in cancer cells, boosting aerobic respiration to attenuate the Warburg effect and promote cell apoptosis. The tc‐scWB is a general toolbox for the analysis of low‐abundance small‐molecular functional proteins at the single‐cell level.
Spin‐Transfer‐Torque Magnetic Tunnel Junction Nonlinear In‐Sensor Computing Synapse for Improving the Performance of the Feedforward Neural Network
Authors: Ji Minhui , Wang Jiayuan , Yang Liyuan , Zhang Xinmiao , Hu Yueguo , Du Qingfa , Hu Jiafei , Qiu Weicheng , Peng Junping , Chen Xiaowen , Luo Yanxiang , Fang Bin , Li Peisen , Pan Mengchun
Published: March 2024

In‐sensor computing architecture has a great advantage especially in massive data sampling, transfer, and processing compared with the separated intelligent sensor systems. However, most of the in‐sensor computing device is proposed based on the traditional neural network model, where the synapse performs linear multiplication of input and weight. This approach fails to make the most use of the nonlinearity of in‐sensor computing devices. Therefore, in this article, first a modified feedforward neural network model with the nonlinear in‐sensor computing synapse (NSCS) located at the input layer is presented, and the backpropagation (BP) algorithm is modified to train the network. Then, the nonlinear characteristics of the NSCS composed of the spin‐transfer‐torque magnetic tunnel junction (STT–MTJ) devices and simple complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS) circuit are analyzed. Based on the nonlinear response of STT–MTJ NSCS, the small‐scale network with NSCS synapse is experimented on the Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology dataset and compared with the traditional network of the same network size. In the simulation result, it is shown that better performance can be achieved with the STT–MTJ NSCS, including a 2–15 times improvement in convergence speed and a 2.5%–5.1% increase in accuracy.
Fail to plan, plan to fail. Are education policies in England helping teachers to deliver on the promise of democracy?
Authors: Sant Edda , Weinberg James , Thiel Jonas
Published: March 2024

This paper examines three questions: (1) (How) Is democracy promoted in secondary schools in England? (2) How is the promotion of democracy understood in education and teacher education policy? and (3) To what extent does existing education policy benefit the promotion of democracy in schools in England? To explore these questions, we first discuss the policy landscape surrounding democratic education in England. We then outline our data collection and analysis methods, which comprised (a) the coding of ten different policy documents, including curriculum specifications, teaching standards and inspection frameworks, and (b) the utilisation of an original survey of more than 3000 teachers working in approximately 50% of all secondary schools in England. Together, our data allow us to raise three important points. First, education and teacher education policy neglects to specify ‘how’ democracy should be promoted and by ‘whom’. Second, schools are offering scant provision of democratic education. Third, the majority of teachers feel fundamentally underprepared to teach democracy. We conclude this paper by arguing that, if policymakers do wish to promote democracy, there is a need for a cohesive policy and teacher education approach that guarantees democratic education for all.
Improved photoluminescence stability and defect passivation in SbBr3 post‐treated CsPbBr3 quantum dots under ambient conditions
Authors: S Sruthi , Suresh Swapnika , Subramaniam Mohan Raj , Batabyal Sudip K.
Published: March 2024

Inorganic cesium lead halide perovskites have evoked wide popularity because of their excellent optoelectronic properties, high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (PLQY), and narrowband emission. Here, cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr3) quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized via the ligand‐assisted re‐precipitation method. Post‐synthesis treatment of CsPbBr3 QDs using antimony tribromide improved the PL stability and optoelectronic properties of the QDs. In addition, the PLQY of the post‐treated sample was enhanced to 91% via post‐treatment, and the luminescence observed was maintained for 8 days. The post‐synthesis treatment ensured defect passivation and improved the stability of CsPbBr3 perovskite QDs. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of more ordered, uniform‐sized CsPbBr3 QDs after post‐synthesis treatment, and the uniformity of the sample improved as the day passed. The formation of a mixed crystal phase was observed from X‐ray diffraction in both as‐synthesized, as well as post‐treated QDs samples with the possibility of a polycrystalline nature in the post‐treated CsPbBr3 QDs as per the selected area electron diffraction pattern. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra confirmed the presence of antimony and the possibility of defect passivation in the post‐treated samples. These QDs can act as potential candidates in various optoelectronic applications such as photodetectors and light‐emitting diodes due to their high PLQY and longer lifetime.
Highly fluorescent nitrogen‐doped carbon quantum dots prepared using sucrose and urea: Green synthesis, characterization, and use for determination of torsemide in its tablets and plasma samples
Authors: Abo Zaid Mona H. , El‐Enany Nahed , Mostafa Aziza E. , Hadad Ghada M. , Belal Fathalla
Published: March 2024

A simple and facile microwave‐assisted method was developed for the synthesis of highly fluorescent nitrogen‐doped carbon quantum dots (N‐CQDs) using sucrose and urea. The produced quantum dots exhibited a strong emission band at 376 nm after excitation at 216 nm with quantum yield of 0.57. The as‐prepared N‐CQDs were characterized using Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, and ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐visible) spectra. The average particle size was 7.7 nm. It was found that torsemide (TRS) caused an obvious quenching of the fluorescent N‐CQDs; so, they were used for its spectrofluorometric estimation. An excellent linear correlation was found between the fluorescence quenching of N‐CQDs and the concentration of the drug in the range of 0.10 to 1.0 μg/mL with limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.08 μg/mL and limit of detection (LOD) of 0.027 μg/mL. The method was successfully applied for the assay of the drug in its commercial tablets and spiked human plasma samples, and the results obtained were satisfactory. Complex GAPI was used for greenness assessment of the analytical procedures and the pre‐analysis steps. Interference likely to be introduced from co‐administered drugs was also studied.
Enhancing the production of adeno‐associated virus (AAV)2 and AAV9 with high full capsid ratio in HEK293 cells through design‐of‐experiment optimization of triple plasmid ratio
Authors: Park Sungje , Shin Seunghyeon , Lee Haeshin , Jang Jae‐Hyung , Lee Gyun Min
Published: March 2024

The recombinant adeno‐associated virus (rAAV) vectors used in gene therapy are usually produced by transfecting three different plasmids (Adenoviral helper plasmid (pHelper), AAV rep/cap plasmids (pRepCap), and Transgene plasmid (pAAV‐GOI)) into human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. However, the high proportion of unwanted empty capsids generated during rAAV production is problematic. To simultaneously enhance the genome titer and full capsid ratio, the ratio of the three plasmids transfected into HEK293 cells was optimized using design‐of‐experiment (DoE). AAV2 and AAV9, which have different production kinetics, were selected as cell‐associated and secreted model AAVs, respectively. In 125 mL Erlenmeyer flasks, the genome titers of rAAV2 and rAAV9 at DoE‐optimized plasmid weight ratios (pHelper:pRep2Cap2:pAAV‐GOI = 1:3.52:0.50 for rAAV2 and pHelper:pRep2Cap9:pAAV‐GOI = 1:1.44:0.27 for rAAV9) were 2.23‐fold and 2.26‐fold higher than those in the widely used plasmid weight ratio (1:1:1), respectively. In addition, compared with the plasmid ratio of 1:1:1, the relative VP3 band intensities of rAAV2 and rAAV9, which represent the relative empty capsid ratios, were reduced by 26% and 25%, respectively, at the DoE‐optimized plasmid ratio. Reduced empty capsid ratios in the DoE‐optimized plasmid ratios were also confirmed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Taken together, regardless of the AAV serotype, DoE‐aided optimization of the triple plasmid ratio was found to be an efficient means of improving the production of rAAV with a high full capsid ratio.
The impact of green supply chain management on corporate environmental performance and the moderating roles: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Galdos‐Urbizu Libe , Zubeltzu‐Jaka Eugenio , Erauskin‐Tolosa Artitzar , Etxeberria Igor Alvarez
Published: March 2024

The adoption of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) and its impact on firm's performance is gaining importance in both academic and corporate fields. While past studies found a positive relationship between GSCM and Corporate Environmental Performance (CEP), there is no evidence of either which are the green practices that improve CEP the most or the moderating roles that affect such relationship. In order to provide clarity as to which tools are key in leading to a stronger CEP, this study aims to examine how GSCM relates to CEP, under the effect of several moderating roles. To that end, 166 articles published between 2001 and 2023 were included in our meta‐analysis sample. Our central results reveal that the link between the variables is significantly positive, with investment recovery being the practice with the strongest impact. Moreover, it is confirmed that moderators do have an impact in this relationship. Practical implications are relevant for policy makers and upper management that is willing to introduce environmental thinking in their business strategy.
Impact of frozen storage under static electric field on frozen gluten rheological properties
Authors: Zhang Yanyan , Zhang Siqi , Sun Menghui , An Guangjie , Wang Hongwei , Zhang Hua
Published: March 2024

Background and Objectives

Electrostatic fields, as a new food physical processing technology, can effectively improve the quality of frozen food. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of electrostatic field‐assisted frozen storage (SEF) on dough rheological properties, gluten structure, and its mechanism.

Findings

The results showed that the G′ and G" of the gluten were efficiently maintained by SEF throughout frozen storage. Meanwhile, after 8 weeks of frozen storage, the relative contents of α‐helices were 25.28% and 24.76%, respectively, and the relative contents of random coils were 40.58% and 41.25%, respectively, in SEFs compared with the control group. This suggested that SEFs might affect the recrystallization of ice crystals by changing the orientation of water molecules, which, in turn, alleviated the disruption of protein secondary structural order. SEF had no effect on the gauche‐gauche‐gauche conformation. SEF reduced damage to protein senior structure by frozen storage. The glutenin macropolymer (GMP) depolymerization of the control and SEF groups was 28.55% and 28.17%, respectively, and the SEF decelerated the GMP depolymerization.

Conclusions

SEF slowed the disruption of the molecular structure by reducing the depolymerization of GMP and slowing the depolymerization of the α‐helix, thus maintaining the viscoelasticity of the gluten.

Significance and Novelty

Exploring the mechanism of the effect of electrostatic field‐assisted frozen storage on gluten quality.
Failure of lipid control by PCSK9 inhibitors in compound heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia complicated with premature myocardial infarction: A case report
Authors: Zhang Ziyue , Yang Rongpei , Zhu Jun , Yang XiaoLi , Luo Hao , Wang Hongyong , Luo Xiaoli
Published: March 2024

Key Clinical Message

A certain level of low‐density lipoprotein receptor activity is crucial for the efficacy of PCSK9i. Therapeutic strategies for familial hypercholesterolemia patients should consider drug efficacy, and genetic testing will be helpful.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a serious autosomal dominant disorder. Managing blood lipids in FH patients poses greater challenges for clinicians. Drug therapy may not always yield satisfactory results, particularly in individuals with low‐density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) negative mutations. Herein, we report a young female harboring an LDLR frameshift mutation. This patient developed xanthomas at 7 months old and underwent several years of treatment involving four classes of lipid‐lowering drugs, including PCSK9i. However, the response to drug therapy was limited in this patient and eventually culminated in premature myocardial infarction. The efficacy of PCSK9i depends on the activity of LDLR. The inefficacy of PCSK9i may arise from the extensive mutations which leading to loss of LDLR activity. Therapy plans for these patients should take into account the efficacy of drug therapy. Early genetic testing is crucial for clinicians to make informed decisions regarding therapy options.
Catalysts for Direct Seawater Electrolysis: Current Status and Future Prospectives
Authors: Kasani Alei , Maric Radenka , Bonville Leonard , Bliznakov Stoyan
Published: March 2024

Global freshwater shortage is forcing researchers to focus on seawater electrolysis for large‐scale green hydrogen production. Seawater purification by reverse osmosis (RO) for use in conventional water electrolyzers (WEs) is another approach, however, that requires large capital investments. Alternatively, seawater can be used directly in a novel type of anion exchange membrane WE (AEMWE) which is currently under development. The AEMWEs have the advantage of using non‐precious catalysts and are less sensitive to the presence of impurities. Success in this early‐stage technology relies on the development of efficient and durable electrocatalysts. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the status and future trends for developing catalysts operating directly with seawater. Catalysts are ranked based on their activity and durability at high current densities of 500 mAcm−2 and 1000 mAcm−2. Notable anode catalysts, S−NiFe2O4, and NiFe LDH, exhibit reduced OER overpotentials of 287 mV and 296 mV at 1000 mAcm−2. Top‐performing cathode HER catalysts include HW−NiMoN‐2 h (132 mV) and Pt−Co−Mo (117 mV) at 1000 mAcm−2. Bifunctional catalysts, such as CoxPv@NC can operate below an overall voltage of 2 V at 1000 mAcm−2. This comparative analysis provides researchers and professionals with critical insights for advancing direct seawater electrolysis.
Anilato‐Based Coordination Polymers with Slow Relaxation of the Magnetization: Role of the Synthetic Method and Anilato Ligand
Authors: Benmansour Samia , Pintado‐Zaldo Cristina , Casal‐García Sofía H. , Martínez‐Ponce Javier , Gómez‐García Carlos J.
Published: March 2024

We have prepared and characterized three coordination polymers formulated as [Dy2(C6O4Cl2)3(fma)6] ⋅ 4.5fma (1) and [Dy2(C6O4X2)3(fma)6] ⋅ 4fma ⋅ 2H2O with X=Br (2) and Cl (3), where fma=formamide and C6O4X22−=3,6‐disubstituted‐2,5‐dihydroxy‐1,4‐benzoquinone dianion with X=Cl (chloranilato) and Br (bromanilato). Compounds 1 and 3 are solvates obtained with slow and fast precipitation methods, respectively. Compounds 2 and 3 are isostructural and only differ in the X group of the anilato ligand. The three compounds present (6,3)‐gon two‐dimensional hexagonal honey‐comb structures. Magnetic measurements indicate that the three compounds show slow relaxation of the magnetization at low temperatures when a continuous magnetic field is applied, although with different relaxation times and energy barriers depending on X and the crystallisation molecules. Compounds 1–3 represent the first examples of anilato‐based lattices with formamide and field‐induced slow relaxation of the magnetization.