bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent studies on small molecular and polymeric hole‐transporting materials for high‐performance perovskite solar cells
Authors: Velusamy Arulmozhi , Yau Shuehlin , Liu Cheng‐Liang , Ezhumalai Yamuna , Kumaresan Prabakaran , Chen Ming‐Chou
Published: October 2023

A decade of significant research has led to the emergence of photovoltaic solar cells based on perovskites that have achieved an exceptionally high‐power conversion efficiency of 26.08%. A key breakthrough in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) occurred when solid hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) replaced liquid electrolytes in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), because HTMs play a crucial role in improving photovoltaic performance as well as cell stability. This review is mainly focused on the HTMs that are responsible for hole transport and extraction in PSCs, which is one of the crucial components for efficient devices. Here, we have reviewed small molecular as well as polymeric HTMs that have been reported in the last two years and discussed their performance based on the analysis of their molecular architectures. Finally, we include a perspective on the molecular engineering of new functional HTMs for highly efficient stable PSCs.
Five‐Year Outcomes of Continuous Treatment with Zoledronic Acid Versus Denosumab in Older Men with High Fracture Risk: Risk Factor Analysis of Bone Density Improvement and Incidence of New Fracture
Authors: Wu Tong‐Che , Tsou Yun‐Jui , Wu Wen‐Tien , Lee Ru‐Ping , Wang Jen‐Hung , Yeh Kuang‐Ting
Published: October 2023

Denosumab and zoledronic acid are both effective and easily administrable injectable anti‐osteoporotic medications for postmenopausal women. This study investigated the treatment efficacy of these agents in older male patients with low a bone mass and history of fragility fracture. A cohort of 175 male patients receiving continuous zoledronic acid treatment and a cohort of 366 male patients receiving continuous denosumab treatment at our medical center between 2015 and 2020 were included, and we analyzed the efficacy of treatment by the improvement in bone mineral density (BMD) and the new‐onset low‐energy fracture rate after 5 years of continuous medication. BMD significantly improved after 5 years of medication, and >90% of patients were satisfied with their treatment medication. BMD improved more with denosumab than with zoledronic acid, especially in patients with T‐scores higher than −2.5. Smoking, alcohol abuse, diabetes, and inflammatory polyarthritis were associated with poor improvements in BMD. The incidence rate of new fragile fracture was 4.4% and old age was significantly associated with the incidence rate of new fracture. In summary, our study revealed that denosumab and zoledronic acid both significantly increased BMD among older male patients with high fragility fracture rates over a 5‐year follow‐up period. Early medical treatment and lifestyle adjustment were crucial for improving quality of life.
Remediation of emerging pollutants using biochar derived from aquatic biomass for sustainable waste and pollution management: a review
Authors: Verma Meenakshi , Singh Pooja , Dhanorkar Manikprabhu
Published: October 2023

The Coronavirus disease pandemic over the last 3 years has diverted the attention of the global population from a self‐centred monitory growth to a holistic growth, with health and environment as the central focus. Pharmaceuticals and microplastics have emerged as some of the most prominent environmental contaminants in recent times. Although adsorption is recognized globally as a low‐cost and effective remediation process, the removal of a variety of pollutants from environmental niches still remains a challenge. This review highlights the use of valorized waste aquatic biomass as an adsorbent for the withdrawal of various emerging pollutants (pharmaceuticals, microplastics and heavy metals). Unwanted invasive aquatic plants can be used as a valuable resource for conversion into an ideal precursor and value product for the development of carbon‐based adsorbents that have numerous industrial and environmental applications. There lacks a comprehensive review and analysis on the use of biochar, derived from aquatic biomass, for the extraction of emerging pollutants, especially for microplastics. This distinctive, timely work will aid in the expansion of research on the production of biochar from a waste resource, strengthen their use as adsorbent and help combat the increasing pollution due to various emerging pollutants, including pharmaceuticals and microplastics. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Remote ischemic postconditioning alleviates cerebral ischemic injury through SERCA2/endoplasmic reticulum stress‐mediated apoptosis
Authors: Chen Wanying , Li Mengmeng , Lei Xiangyu , Cheng Yawen , Wu Xiaoyu , Sun Xinyue , Wu Yixuan , Li Zhiheng , Luo Guogang , Wei Meng
Published: October 2023

Remote ischemic postconditioning (RIPostC) alleviates brain ischemic injury through several pathways, including endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress modulation. Sarco endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase(SERCA2) which plays vital role in calcium homeostasis regulation could modulate ER stress logically. This study aimed to investigate whether RIPostC exerts its neuroprotective effect by reducing ER stress mediated by SERCA2. Male SD rats underwent transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) for 2 h followed by reperfusion, with the RIPostC group undergoing 3 cycles of bilateral femoral artery clamping and reperfusion at the beginning of reperfusion. Stroke outcome was assessed based on infarct volume and neurological function evaluation. Protein levels of SERCA2 and other ER stress markers were measured using Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry techniques. Compared to the sham group, we observed that RIPostC can effectively reduce cerebral infarct volume after I/R (34.55%: 21.03%; p = .004) and improve neurological function deficit (9.67:12.5; p = .029). Additionally, RIPostC increased SERCA2 protein expression and decreased the protein level of glucose‐regulated protein 78 (GRP78), phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (p‐eIF2α) and CCAAT/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). Furthermore, B‐cell lymphoma‐2 (Bcl‐2) expression was increased, while Bcl‐2‐associated X protein (Bax) and cleaved‐caspase‐3 was decreased in response to application of RIPostC. Our results suggest that RIPostC improves the prognosis of tMCAO rats, possibly by inhibiting the ER stress mediated by SERCA2, facilitating apoptosis downregulation. The significance of this study is to provide a theoretical basis for further exploring the protective mechanism of ischemic stroke by RIPostC.

Research Highlights

Our results suggest that RIPostC improves the prognosis of tMCAO rats, possibly by inhibiting the ER stress mediated by SERCA2, facilitating apoptosis downregulation, thus achieving a neuroprotective effect.
Risk assessment of metachronous gastric cancer after endoscopic submucosal dissection based on endoscopic intestinal metaplasia
Authors: Iizuka Chino , Sue Soichiro , Onodera Sho , Ikeda Aya , Ikeda Ryosuke , Goda Yoshihiro , Irie Kuniyasu , Kaneko Hiroaki , Maeda Shin
Published: October 2023

Background and Aim

The incidence of metachronous gastric cancer (MGC) after endoscopic treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC) is high, but a method of risk assessment for MGC based on endoscopic findings has not been established. In this study, we focused on endoscopic intestinal metaplasia (IM) and investigated the risk for MGC after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for EGC.

Methods

This retrospective observational study involved patients who underwent curative ESD for EGC from April 2015 to January 2021. We assessed endoscopic IM using the pretreatment endoscopic examination images. The severity of endoscopic IM was classified into four levels: 0 (none), 1 (mild), 2 (moderate), and 3 (severe). Four different gastric areas were evaluated. We divided the patients into a low‐score group and a high‐score group, and compared the cumulative incidence of MGC.

Results

In total, 156 patients who met the inclusion criteria were followed up for at least 12 months after ESD, and MGC developed in 14 patients during a mean period oof 41.5 months. The endoscopic IM scores in the lesser curvature of the antrum, lesser curvature of the corpus, and greater curvature of the corpus were higher in patients with MGC than in those without MGC. In the corpus, the 5‐year cumulative incidence of MGC was significantly higher in the high‐score group than in the low‐score group (29.8% vs 10.0%, P = 0.004).

Conclusion

The severity of endoscopic corpus IM was associated with MGC. Thus, patients with severe corpus IM at the time of ESD require careful examination and intensive follow‐up.
RAS mutation status in combination with the JSHBPS nomogram may be useful for preoperative identification of colorectal liver metastases with high risk of recurrence and mortality after hepatectomy
Authors: Takematsu Toru , Mima Kosuke , Hayashi Hiromitsu , Kitano Yuki , Nakagawa Shigeki , Hiyoshi Yukiharu , Okabe Hirohisa , Imai Katsunori , Miyamoto Yuji , Baba Hideo
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To investigate the prognostic impact of RAS mutations on the Japanese Society of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgeons (JSHBPS) nomogram score in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) following hepatectomy.

Methods

We included 218 consecutive patients undergoing hepatectomy for CRLM between 2004 and 2020. The JSHBPS nomogram score was calculated using six preoperative clinical factors. The score ranged from 0 to 25, and higher scores indicated greater tumor burden. Associations of RAS mutations with disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) by the JSHBPS nomogram score were examined. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

RAS mutations were detected in 72 (33%) of the 218 patients. Multivariate analyses revealed that RAS mutations were independently associated with poor DFS (HR, 1.93; 95% CI: 1.20–3.10; p = .007) and OS (HR, 2.65; 95% CI: 1.59–4.71; p = .001) compared with wild‐type RAS with JSHBPS nomogram scores ≤ 10. However, in patients with scores ≥ 11, the association of RAS mutations with DFS or OS was not statistically significant (p > .08).

Conclusion

RAS mutation status in combination with the JSHBPS nomogram may be useful for preoperatively identifying CRLM with high risk of recurrence and mortality after hepatectomy.
Heterostructure performance evaluation: A numerical simulation and analytical modeling of the ferroelectric pocket doped double gate tunnel FET
Authors: Jeyanthi J. E. , Samuel T. S. Arun , Song Young Suh , Venkatesh M.
Published: October 2023

This paper presents a novel 2D analytical model for investigating the influence of the ferroelectric dielectric on the performance of pocket doped double gate tunnel FET. It takes into account the effect of the gate and drain voltages, the thickness of the gate insulator, the capacitance of the gate insulator, and source and drain depletions. The surface potential thus carefully obtained is utilized for calculating lateral electric field, drain current, gate‐to‐drain capacitance, and transconductance. As a result, it has been demonstrated that the result of our model with several device structures matches very well with the data obtained through the technology computer‐aided design (TCAD) simulation. In addition, it has also been shown that the proposed tunnel field‐effect transistors (TFET) structure, which incorporates the ferroelectric dielectric and SiGe/Si heterostructure, has the best ON current, ON/OFF ratio, transconductance, and cut‐off frequency (fT).
Effective adsorption of bisphenol A from water using cationic surfactant‐modified natural kaolin minerals
Authors: Wang Hefei , Wang Dong , Ren Wei , Tian Tian
Published: October 2023

The utilization of natural clay minerals for the adsorption of endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs) presents a cost‐effective and environmentally friendly approach. However, the hydrophilic nature of clay minerals' surface limits their efficacy in removing these hydrophobic pollutants. To overcome these limitations, this study employed two cationic surfactants, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), to modify kaolin minerals to enhance their capacity to adsorb a specific type of EDCs, bisphenol A (BPA), and its analogs. The experimental results validated that the surfactant‐modified kaolin exhibited remarkable efficiency in removing BPA from water. The equilibrium adsorption capacities of CPC‐K and CTAC‐K for BPA were determined to be 11.4 mg/g (pH = 2.0–8.0) and 13.4 mg/g (pH = 2.0–6.5), respectively. Kinetic analysis revealed that the BPA adsorption followed a pseudo‐second‐order kinetic process, while isotherm analysis suggested that the BPA adsorption was better described by the Freundlich model (R2 = 0.993–0.998). The surfactant‐modified kaolin demonstrated a retention of over 70% of its initial adsorption capacity after five cycles of desorption and regeneration, further confirming its potential for recycling. Additionally, these modified adsorbents exhibited excellent compatibility in removing bisphenol analogs. These findings provide valuable insights into the practical application of surfactant‐modified clay minerals for the elimination of hydrophobic organic pollutants from water.
Effect of physical treatments on the functional and structural features of soluble dietary fiber from soybean dregs
Authors: Wang Heng , Wang Mengyu , Zeng Jie , Gao Haiyan , Zhang Keke
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

In this research, the effects caused by ultrafine grinding (U), high‐temperature cooking (HTC), microwave (M) and combined treatment (U‐HTC, U‐M) were evaluated on the functional properties and structural characteristics of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) obtained from soybean dregs.

RESULTS

Physical treatments could increase the extraction yield of SDF and improve the functional properties of SDF. The highest extraction yield (277.15 ± 5.87 g kg−1 based on the weight of soybean dregs) and purity (863.37 ± 5.15 g kg−1 based on the extract weight) of SDF was found in the sample by U‐M treatment. U‐HTC and U‐M combined treatments significantly improved the water solubility and oil holding capacity of SDF. U‐M treatment significantly increased the ability of SDF to adsorb cholesterol and perform cationic exchange; compared to the control, these abilities were increased by 138.46% and 10.38%, respectively. At pH 2.0, the nitrite ion adsorption capacity (NIAC) of SDF obtained by U‐M combined treatment was 184.55 μg g−1, which was significantly higher by 32.10% compared with that of the control. The results obtained by X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy showed that the structure of SDF generated from soybean dregs became coarser and more porous, and the crystallinity decreased after physical treatments.

CONCLUSION

Combined physical treatment is an effective way to improve the extracted yield and functional properties of SDF from soybean dregs. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Qualitative soil quality assessment is efficient in a grazing system with or without trees
Authors: Comin Jucinei José , Bourscheid César Alexandre , Giumbelli Lucas Dupont , Souza Teixeira Monique , Couto Rafael da Rosa , Lovato Paulo Emílio , Brunetto Gustavo , Vezzani Fabiane Machado , Lourenzi Cledimar Rogério , Loss Arcângelo
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

Soil quality (SQ) assessment is affected by methods that convert data sets into indices, and such analyses are expensive and time‐consuming. Qualitative SQ assessments are faster and cheaper than quantitative methods and they can be repeated to monitor SQ in crop and pasture systems. We evaluated SQ using qualitative and quantitative SQ indicators of two grazing systems under Voisin rational grazing (VRG) with trees (WT) or without trees (NT). We took an adjacent native forest as a reference and we used principal component analysis (PCA) to compare the accuracy of the assessment methods.

RESULTS

According to the set of indicators used for quantitative assessment, the WT system and the Forest had higher SQ than other systems as a result of higher values of soil physical and chemical indicators. This the reflected better performance of soil in functions related to structural support, nutrient cycling and biological productivity. According to the set of indicators used for qualitative assessment, the WT system showed better SQ than the NT areas because of the higher scores of all indicators and better performance of the soil functions, and those values were close to the Forest in the indicators. PCA applied to integrate the data of qualitative and quantitative indicators indicated that SQ in WT was similar to Forest.

CONCLUSION

The qualitative evaluation was as efficient as the quantitative evaluation for SQ assessment in VRG areas with and without trees. Its use can promote farmers' autonomy and the development of skills to identify environmental factors that help to evaluate their practices. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Deep and adaptive feature extraction attention network for single image super‐resolution
Authors: Lin Jianpu , Liao Lizhao , Lin Shanling , Lin Zhixian , Guo Tailiang
Published: October 2023

Single image super‐resolution (SISR) has been revolutionized by convolutional neural networks (CNN). However, existing SISR algorithms have feature extraction and adaptive adjustment limitations, leading to information duplication and unsatisfactory image reconstruction. In this paper, we propose a deep and adaptive feature extraction attention network (DAAN), which first fully extracts shallow features and then adaptively captures precise and fine‐scale features by a deep feature extraction block (DFEB). It includes multi‐dimensional feature extraction blocks (MFEBs) that combine large kernel and dynamic convolution layers to improve large‐scale information utilization effectively. Finally, an enhanced spatial attention block (ESAB) to further selectively reinforce the transmission of details. A large number of experimental results show that our proposed model reconstruction performance is superior to existing classical methods.
Neuroprotective effect of ropinirole against Aβ1–42‐induced neurochemical perturbations and cognitive impairments in a rodent model
Authors: Akram Mohd. , Neha  , Pinky  , Saqib Mohd , Salman Mohd , Parvez Suhel
Published: October 2023

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of ropinirole (ROP) medication given for an extended period following the induction of cognitive decline, oxidative stress, and deterioration of mitochondria in a Wistar rat model by Aβ1–42. This study aimed to examine the neuroprotective efficacy of ROP in a stereotaxis model of AD. The Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups. Group I was considered as a sham, group II served as Aβ‐infusion alone, Group III was Aβ1–42+ ROP (5 mg/kg/i.p.), and Group IV was Aβ1–42+ ROP (10 mg/kg/i.p.). Our research revealed that ROP (10 mg/kg, b.wt.) attenuates the cognitive deficits caused by Aβ1–42‐infused, which also correlates with the barnes maze, where (10 mg/kg, b.w.t.) shows significant improvement in spatial learning and memory. At the same time, ROP was rescued from oxidative damage, decreased lipid peroxidation rates, and inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity caused, demonstrating antioxidant benefits. In addition, a higher dose of ROP restored mitochondrial membrane potential in Aβ1–42 rats. Furthermore, histopathological examination showed that ROP treatment reduced neuronal loss, especially in the hippocampus. We conclude that ROP's protective effects in reducing oxidative stress and modulating mitochondrial function might have a propensity in AD pathogenesis.
The persistence principle over weak interpretability logic
Authors: Iwata Sohei , Kurahashi Taishi , Okawa Yuya
Published: October 2023

We focus on the persistence principle over weak interpretability logic. Our object of study is the logic obtained by adding the persistence principle to weak interpretability logic from several perspectives. Firstly, we prove that this logic enjoys a weak version of the fixed point property. Secondly, we introduce a system of sequent calculus and prove the cut‐elimination theorem for it. As a consequence, we prove that the logic enjoys the Craig interpolation property. Thirdly, we show that the logic is the natural basis of a generalization of simplified Veltman semantics, and prove that it has the finite frame property with respect to that semantics. Finally, we prove that it is sound and complete with respect to some appropriate arithmetical semantics.
Optical genome mapping reveals balanced and unbalanced genetic changes associated with tumor‐forming potential in an early‐stage prostate cancer epithelial subline (M2205)
Authors: Paulraj Prabakaran , Barrie Elizabeth , Jackson‐Cook Colleen
Published: October 2023

Background

Identifying cytogenetic changes in tumors can aid in diagnosis/prognosis and disease management. Complete cytogenetic characterization has historically required a multimethod/time‐consuming approach. Optical genome mapping (OGM) offers a potential solution to this challenge by detecting both balanced and unbalanced abnormalities in a single assay.

Methods

Genetic changes acquired with tumor‐forming potential in a prostate xenograft subline [M2205] (derived from a Black male) that were detected using cytogenetic versus OGM analyses were compared to assess the utility of OGM for analyzing solid tumors.

Results

Cytogenetic/OGM concordance was noted for (a) copy number gains (16, 1p, 3q, 5q, 7p, 8q, 9q, 11p, 11q, 15q, 20q), (b) copy number losses (Y, 3p, 4p, 6p, 7p, 9p, 11q), and (c) structural changes, including multibreak rearrangements. Discordance was noted for two structural findings, both of which had breakpoints localized to repetitive sequences. The OGM studies identified new findings and confirmed/further characterized 8q24 structural abnormalities. It also detected genes gained/disrupted in the 8q24 region (e.g., MYC, DEPTOR, and EXT1); but recognizing a jumping translocation required cytogenetic analyses.

Conclusion

These results support using OGM as a tool to analyze solid tumors in clinical/research settings. Moreover, this OGM analysis expanded the characterization of cytogenetic changes present in the M2205 subline, including alterations associated with tumors from Black males diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Comparative Study on the Absorption and Metabolism of Pinoresinol and Pinoresinol‐4‐O‐β‐D‐Glucopyranoside in Mice
Authors: Ma Xiaoyang , Luo Lianzhong , Karrar Emad , Zhang Lingyu , Li Jian
Published: October 2023

Scope

Lignans are a group of phenolic compounds commonly found in plants, often in the form of glycosides. This study investigates the differences in the digestion, absorption, and metabolism of lignans and their glucosides using pinoresinol (PIN) and pinoresinol‐4‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (PMG).

Methods and results

After oral administration mice PIN and PMG with a dose of 0.1 µmol kg−1. The results showed that the stomach and small intestine rapidly absorbe PIN and PMG in their prototype form. After oral administration of 0.25 h, serum levels of PIN and PMG reach peak values of 61.14 and 52.97 ng mL−1, respectively. This indicates a faster PIN absorption rate than PMG, likely due to the glycosides attach to the parent compound, with concentrations of 1574.14 and 876.75 ng g−1, respectively. Pharmacokinetic analysis reveals that PIN has a greater area under the curve and a longer half‐life than PMG in serum and liver. Moreover, mice in the PIN group exhibit higher metabolite levels in the serum and liver compared to those in the PMG group.

Conclusion

The deglycosylation process that occurs during the pickling of white radish facilitates the absorption and metabolism of the lignans fraction in the body.
Intrathecal hydrocortisone for treatment of children and young adults with CAR T‐cell immune‐effector cell‐associated neurotoxicity syndrome
Authors: Shalabi Haneen , Harrison Cynthia , Yates Bonnie , Calvo Katherine R. , Lee Daniel W. , Shah Nirali N.
Published: October 2023

Immune‐effector cell‐associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) is a significant toxicity occurring with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T‐cell therapy, with first‐line treatment options including supportive care and systemic corticosteroids. Sparse data exist on how to approach progressive/refractory cases of ICANS. We present five pediatric and young adult patients with relapsed/refractory B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who had progressively worsening ICANS despite systemic steroids, and received intrathecal hydrocortisone with rapid reversal of ICANS. Therapeutic lumbar punctures are routinely used in upfront ALL therapy in pediatrics, with a demonstrable safety profile, thus use of intrathecal hydrocortisone merits further prospective studies in patients with severe ICANS.
Differential effects of disulfide bond formation in TEM‐1 versus CTX‐M‐9 β‐lactamase
Authors: Villanueva Miranda , Vostal Lauren E. , Cohen Drew N. , Biesbrock Devin , Kuwaye Elise P. , Driver Sasha G. , Hart Kathryn M.
Published: October 2023

To investigate how disulfide bonds can impact protein energy landscapes, we surveyed the effects of adding or removing a disulfide in two β‐lactamase enzymes, TEM‐1 and CTX‐M‐9. The homologs share a structure and 38% sequence identity, but only TEM‐1 contains a native disulfide bond. They also differ in thermodynamic stability and in the number of states populated at equilibrium: CTX‐M‐9 is two‐state whereas TEM‐1 has an additional intermediate state. We hypothesized that the disulfide bond is the major underlying determinant for these observed differences in their energy landscapes. To test this, we removed the disulfide bridge from TEM‐1 and introduced a disulfide bridge at the same location in CTX‐M‐9. This modest change to sequence modulates the stabilities—and therefore populations—of TEM‐1's equilibrium states and, more surprisingly, creates a novel third state in CTX‐M‐9. Unlike TEM‐1's partially folded intermediate, this third state is a higher‐order oligomer with reduced cysteines that retains the native fold and is fully active. Sub‐denaturing concentrations of urea shifts the equilibrium to the monomeric form, allowing the disulfide bond to form. Interestingly, comparing the stability of the oxidized monomer with a variant lacking cysteines reveals the disulfide is neither stabilizing nor destabilizing in CTX‐M‐9, in contrast with the observed stabilization in TEM‐1. Thus, we can conclude that engineering disulfide bonds is not always an effective stabilization strategy even when analogous disulfides exist in more stable structural homologs. This study also illustrates how homo‐oligomerization can result from a small number of mutations, suggesting complex formation might be easily accessed during a protein family's evolution.
Copper oxide nanoparticles: an effective suppression tool against bacterial leaf blight of rice and its impacts on plants
Authors: Ogunyemi Solabomi Olaitan , Luo Jinyan , Abdallah Yasmine , Yu Shanhong , Wang Xiao , Alkhalifah Dalal Hussien M , Hozzein Wael N , Wang Fang , Bi Ji'an , Yan Chengqi , Li Bin
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

To address the challenges of food security for the ever‐increasing population, the emergence of nanotechnology provides an alternate technology of choice for the production of safer pesticides which serves as a substitute for conventional fertilizer. The antidrug resistance of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and build‐up of chemicals in the environment has made it necessary to find alternative safe techniques for effective disease management. Hence, in this study, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) were produced by green synthesis using a Hibiscus rosa‐sinensis L. flower extract.

RESULTS

The characterization of CuONPs using ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy with an energy‐dispersive spectrum profile, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction ascertained the presence of CuONPs, which were nanorods of 28.1 nm. CuONPs significantly obstructed the growth and biofilm development of Xoo by 79.65% and 79.17% respectively. The antibacterial mechanism of CuONPs was found to result from wounding the cell membrane, giving rise to an exodus of intracellular content and generation of oxidative reactive oxygen species that invariably inhibited Xoo respiration and growth. A toxicity study under greenhouse conditions revealed that CuONPs significantly increased growth variables and the biomass of rice, and reduced bacterial leaf blight. Application of CuONPs on Arabidopsis improved the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters; the ΦPSII was significantly increased by 152.05% in comparison to the control.

CONCLUSION

Altogether, these results suggest that CuONPs in low concentration (200.0 μg mL−1) are not toxic to plants and can serve as nano‐fertilizers and nano‐pesticides. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Topological defects on the energy spectra of diatomic molecules embedded with shifted Deng–Fan oscillator potential under AB flux field
Authors: Dutta Barnali , Nayek Sujay Kr. , Ahmed Faizuddin
Published: October 2023

A study on the effect of point like global monopole topological defects on the energy eigenvalues of the diatomic molecules , , , embedded with Shifted Deng–Fan Oscillator Potential under the influence of Aharonov–Bohm flux field has been made here. Asymptotic Iteration Method (AIM) is used to find out the bound state solutions for arbitrary states by solving the non‐relativistic Schrödinger equation. A Pekeris‐type approximation has been used to approximate the centrifugal barrier term. It is observed that, energy levels of the diatomic molecules is significantly affected by the global effects of the point like global monopole, flux field and effective potential field.
Alkali Etching of Porous PdCoZn Nanosheets for Boosting C−C Bond Cleavage of Ethylene Glycol Oxidation
Authors: Xu Guang‐Rui , Dong Zemeng , Zhao Yingxiu , Zhang Wen , Sun Qiyan , Ju Dianxing , Wang Lei
Published: October 2023

Pd‐based electrocatalysts are the most effective catalysts for ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR), while the disadvantages of poor stability, low resistance to neutrophilic, and low catalytic activity seriously hamper the development of direct ethylene glycol fuel cells (DEGFCs). In this work, defect‐riched PdCoZn nanosheets (D‐PdCoZn NSs) with ultrathin 2D NSs and porous structures are fabricated through the solvothermal and alkali etching processes. Benefiting from the presence of defects and ultrathin 2D structures, D‐PdCoZn NSs demonstrate excellent electrocatalytic activity and good durability against EGOR in alkaline media. The mass activity and specific activity of D‐PdCoZn NSs for EGOR are 9.5 A mg−1 and 15.7 mA cm−2, respectively, which are higher than that of PdCoZn NSs, PdCo NSs, and Pd black. The D‐PdCoZn NSs still maintain satisfactory mass activity after long‐term durability tests. Meanwhile, in situ IR spectroscopy demonstrates that the presence of defects attenuated the adsorption of intermediates, which improves the selectivity of the C1 pathway with excellent anti‐CO poisoning performance. This work not only provides an effective synthetic strategy for the preparation of Pd‐based nanomaterials with defective structures but also indicates significant guidance for optimum C1 pathway selectivity of ethylene glycol and other challenging chemical transformations.
Bidirectional Communication between Droplet Interface Bilayers Driven by Cell‐Free Quorum Sensing Gene Circuits
Authors: Gonzales David T. , Suraritdechachai Surased , Zechner Christoph , Tang T.‐Y. Dora
Published: October 2023

The front cover artwork is provided by David T. Gonzales of the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics. The image shows a collection of aqueous water‐in‐oil droplets with lipid bilayer interfaces. Inside each droplet is a cell‐free expression system that is capable of gene expression or intercellular communication. Read the full text of the Research Article at 10.1002/syst.202300029.
Ethical challenges experienced by veterinary practitioners in relation to adverse events: Insights from a qualitative study
Authors: Gibson Julie , Brennan Marnie L. , Oxtoby Catherine , Mossop Liz , White Kate
Published: October 2023

Background

Understanding ethical challenges experienced in relation to adverse events is necessary to inform strategies that optimise patient safety and practitioner wellbeing.

Methods

A qualitative exploration of UK veterinary practitioners’ experiences of adverse events was conducted. Data were collected via 12 focus groups and 20 interviews and analysed using an inductive coding technique.

Results

Questions surrounding acceptable boundaries of care, decision‐making autonomy, personal scope of practice, use of evidence and speaking up about patient safety concerns were identified as ethically challenging to practitioners when endeavouring to prevent adverse events. Issues of appropriate accountability, interaction and communication with animal owners and the prioritisation of emotional and technical support for themselves and others were identified as ethically challenging in the aftermath of adverse events.

Limitations

The qualitative nature of this study limits the generalisability of the findings.

Conclusions

Ethical challenges are experienced by veterinary practitioners in relation to both preventing and responding in the aftermath of adverse events. Strategies that facilitate ethical decision making and reflection and encourage openness and learning from adverse events would likely improve patient safety and enhance practitioner wellbeing. Further research is needed to develop and implement support for practitioners who experience ethical challenges in relation to adverse events.
Nanoscale analysis of magnetic chains consisting of cobalt mesospheres by full‐field transmission x‐ray tomography
Authors: Zhang Jin , Zhou Chenpeng , Huang Wanxia , Wang Shanfeng , Wang Yan
Published: October 2023

Full‐field transmission x‐ray tomography can obtain 3D morphology and configurations of nanoscale materials. In this study, we further demonstrate the feasibility of this technique using magnetic chains consisting of cobalt mesospheres. The preliminary images presented in this article clearly reveal that three types of cobalt nanoparticles, namely, hollow, core–shell, and solid were found for magnetic chain synthesis. Furthermore, the tomographic analyses revealed the growth mechanism of magnetic chains self‐assembled by cobalt nanoparticles. We may claim that the spatial resolution and contrast characteristics of the full‐field transmission x‐ray tomography can satisfy the research requirements of nanomaterial science. Hence, transmission x‐ray tomography could be a powerful complementary method for imaging and analysis of nanoscale materials.
Structures and luminescence properties of one co‐edge bi‐rhomboid [Zn6] based 1D stair‐stepping polymer and one quasi‐linear tetra‐nuclear [Cd4] cluster with orotic acid
Authors: Zhao Bing
Published: October 2023

With orotic acid (H3OA) as building ligand, one one‐dimensional (1D) Zn(II) coordination polymer, [Zn2(HOA)(μ2‐OH)(μ3‐OH)(H2O)]n (1), and one tetra‐nuclear Cd(II) cluster, [Cd4(HOA)4(μ2‐OH2)2(H2O)10] (2), have been synthesized at 90 °C and room temperature, respectively. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses reveal that complex 1 has an 1D stair‐stepping structure consisting of co‐edge bi‐rhomboid [Zn6] structural motif and μ3‐HOA2− linker, and 2 owns a quasi‐linear tetra‐nuclear [Cd4] cluster structure fastened by μ2‐OH2 and HOA2− fixators. The solid‐state photophysical properties were investigated and 1 and 2 display a distinct emission centered at 374 and 393 nm, respectively.
Unstable Identities
Authors: Eriksen Thomas Hylland , Visentin Martina
Published: October 2023

In Southern Europe there’s a specific issue regarding young people – the focus of our overheated identities. Not only do youth unemployment rates in the Mediterranean remain among the highest in Europe, but these countries also perform poorly in at least two of the three dimensions of job quality, which are: the quality of earnings, or the extent to which workers’ earnings from their job contribute to their well-being; labor market security; and the quality of the working environment (OECD, Society at a glance 2019, 2019). Like Spain and Greece, Italy is always at the top of the Eurostat tables for important problems (see NEET rates: with the pandemic, the number of young people aged 15–29 who are not in education, employment or training in Italy increased from 22.1 percent in 2019 to 23.3 percent in 2020 and 24 percent in 2021 There are more than two million NEETs in Italy - boys and girls who are neither studying nor working and more than 97,000 young people have left their work or study paths in the last year. What we would like to reflect on is “unstable identities” (Eriksen, Overheating: An anthropology of accelerated change, 2016a; Eriksen, History and Anthropology, 27(5):469–487, 2016b, Eriksen, Culturologia: The Journal of Culture, 4(1):2–11, 2016c, Eriksen, Overheating: An anthropology of accelerated change, 2016d, Eriksen, History and Anthropology, 27(5):469–487, 2016e), and how “stable identities” can be constructed in overheating societies – starting from young people and the difficulty of becoming adults in southern Europe. But the conversation will go also beyond that.
Rage Days
Authors: Eriksen Thomas Hylland , Visentin Martina
Published: October 2023

There has been a perceptible shift from class politics to identity politics in the last few decades, and this is not just the case in the North Atlantic world – from Trump to Orban, from Brexit to Salvini and more recently Meloni. Unlike in the postwar decades, Indian politics are to a great extent defined through hindutva, Hindu nationalism, as a centre of gravity; contemporary Chinese political rhetoric does not delve into the virtues of Communism as much as it glorifies the history and current achievements of the great Chinese nation; in African societies, conceptualizations of autochthony – first-comers – have become important aspects of rights claims in ways that were unknown until recently, and similar tendencies can be discerned in Latin America as well. Politicized nostalgia and an eagerness to build walls, physical and virtual, against the impurities and contaminations of the outside world, are pitted against an enthusiasm for openness, free trade and cultural exchanges, sometimes aligned with cosmopolitan values and inclusive forms of humanism whereby the rights of migrants and cultural minorities are defended on universalist grounds. In other words, people in otherwise very different societies raise strikingly similar questions about who they are and what that entails. In rapidly changing surroundings, the answers are fraught with controversy, often pitting ambivalence and doubt against withdrawal and reassertions of boundaries. The Overheating approach represents a perspective on identity which aims to take previous theorising a step further. Shifting, multiple, contested and unstable social identities that hold out a promise to form the basis for a meaningful sense of belonging are taken as a starting point, not as a conclusion, and they are viewed through the lens of accelerated change. It is as if modernity shifted to a higher gear towards the end of the twentieth century.
Living in a Digital World
Authors: Eriksen Thomas Hylland , Visentin Martina
Published: October 2023

It just took a little over a decade for the smartphone to conquer the world following its introduction on the world market in 2007. Just 15 years later, this ubiquitous device had virtually become an extension of the body for hundreds of millions of people. In this conversation, we explore some of the ways in which temporality has been affected by the penetration of the smartphone into people’s life-worlds. The smartphone has affected the rhythms of everyday life. Formerly, appointments would typically be made days or weeks ahead. No micro-adjustment was possible, whereas it is now common, and has entered into everyday routines in European cities, to send a text if one is a little late for an encounter. Before this possibility existed, there was a need for greater flexibility. Conversely, you were free when you were not in and available, and allowed to fill the temporal gaps with anything or nothing. The temporal flexibility was, in other words, greater before the mobile internet, while the spatial flexibility has increased.
Measurement of the forward η meson production rate in p-p collisions at $$ \sqrt{\textrm{s}} $$ = 13 TeV with the LHCf-Arm2 detector
Authors: Adriani O. , Berti E. , Betti P. , Bonechi L. , Bongi M. , D’Alessandro R. , Detti S. , Hagenauer M. , Itow Y. , Kasahara K. , Kitagami Y. , Kondo M. , Matsubara Y. , Menjo H. , Muraki Y. , Ohashi K. , Papini P. , Piparo G. , Ricciarini S. , Sako T. , Sakurai N. , Scaringella M. , Shimizu Y. , Tamura T. , Tiberio A. , Torii S. , Tricomi A. , Turner W. C. , Yoshida K.
Published: October 2023

Abstract

The forward η mesons production has been observed by the Large Hadron Collider forward (LHCf) experiment in proton-proton collision at $$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

= 13 TeV. This paper presents the measurement of the inclusive production rate of η in pT< 1.1 GeV/c, expressed as a function of the Feynman-x variable. These results are compared with the predictions of several hadronic interaction models commonly used for the modelling of the air showers produced by ultra-high energy cosmic rays. This is both the first measurement of η mesons from LHCf and the first time a particle containing strange quarks has been observed in the forward region for high-energy collisions. These results will provide a powerful constraint on hadronic interaction models for the purpose of improving the understanding of the processes underlying the air showers produced in the Earth’s atmosphere by ultra-energetic cosmic rays.
Contributions of inert electroweak multiplets to Higgs properties
Authors: Beauchesne Hugues , Chiang Cheng-Wei
Published: October 2023

Abstract

New physics could manifest itself in the form of electroweak multiplets that interact at tree level with the Higgs boson but do not mix with Standard Model fields or acquire expectation values. In this paper, we study the potential contributions of such inert multiplets to several crucial Higgs properties, namely, the branching ratio of the Higgs to a Z boson and a photon (or massless dark photon) and the triple Higgs coupling. Constraints from the Higgs signal strengths, oblique parameters and unitarity are taken into account.
Towers and hierarchies in the Standard Model from Emergence in Quantum Gravity
Authors: Castellano A. , Herráez A. , Ibáñez L. E.
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Based on Quantum Gravity arguments, it has been suggested that all kinetic terms of light particles below the UV cut-off could arise in the IR via quantum (loop) corrections. These loop corrections involve infinite towers of states becoming light (e.g. Kaluza-Klein or string towers). We study implications of this Emergence Proposal for fundamental scales in the Standard Model (SM). In this scheme all Yukawa couplings are of order one in the UV and small Yukawas for lighter generations appear via large anomalous dimensions induced by the towers of states. Thus, the observed hierarchies of quark and lepton masses are a reflection of the structure of towers of states that lie below the Quantum Gravity scale, ΛQG. Small Dirac neutrino masses consistent with experimental observation appear due to the existence of a tower of SM singlet states of mass m0 ≃ $$ {Y}_{\nu_3} $$

Y

ν
3

Mp ≃ 7 × 105 GeV, opening up a new extra dimension, while the UV cut-off occurs at ΛQG ≲ 1014 GeV. Additional constraints relating the Electro-Weak (EW) and cosmological constant (c.c.) scales (denoted MEW and V0) appear if the Swampland condition $$ {m}_{\nu_1} $$

m

ν
1

≲ $$ {V}_0^{1/4} $$

V
0

1
/
4

is imposed (with ν1 denoting the lightest neutrino), which itself arises upon applying the AdS non-SUSY Conjecture or the AdS/dS Distance Conjecture to the 3d vacua from circle compactifications of the SM. In particular, the EW scale and that of the extra dimension fulfill m0MEW ≲ 102$$ {V}_0^{1/4} $$

V
0

1
/
4

Mp, thus relating the EW hierarchy problem to that of the c.c. Hence, all fundamental scales may be written as powers of the c.c., i.e. m• ∼ $$ {V}_0^{\delta }{M}_p^{1-4\delta } $$

V
0
δ

M
p

1
−
4
δ

. The scale of SUSY breaking is m3/2 ≲ 7 × 105 GeV, which favours a Mini-Split scenario that could be possibly tested at LHC and/or FCC.
Distances in $$\frac{1}{\Vert x-y\Vert ^{2d}}$$ Percolation Models for all Dimensions
Authors: Bäumler Johannes
Published: October 2023

We study independent long-range percolation on $$\mathbb {Z}^d$$

Z

d

for all dimensions d, where the vertices u and v are connected with probability 1 for $$\Vert u-v\Vert _\infty =1$$

‖
u
-
v
‖

∞

=
1

and with probability $$p(\beta ,\{u,v\})=1-e^{-\beta \int _{u+\left[ 0,1\right) ^d} \int _{v+\left[ 0,1\right) ^d} \frac{1}{\Vert x-y\Vert _2^{2d}}d x d y } \approx \frac{\beta }{\Vert u-v\Vert _2^{2d}}$$

p

(
β
,

{
u
,
v
}

)

=
1
-

e

-
β

∫

u
+

0
,
1

d

∫

v
+

0
,
1

d

1

‖
x
-
y
‖

2

2
d

d
x
d
y

≈

β

‖
u
-
v
‖

2

2
d

for $$\Vert u-v\Vert _\infty \ge 2$$

‖
u
-
v
‖

∞

≥
2

. Let $$u \in \mathbb {Z}^d$$

u
∈

Z

d

be a point with $$\Vert u\Vert _\infty =n$$

‖
u
‖

∞

=
n

. We show that both the graph distance $$D(\textbf{0},u)$$

D
(
0
,
u
)

between the origin $$\textbf{0}$$
0
and u and the diameter of the box $$\{0,\ldots , n\}^d$$

{
0
,
…
,
n
}

d

grow like $$n^{\theta (\beta )}$$

n

θ
(
β
)

, where $$0<\theta (\beta ) < 1$$

0
<
θ
(
β
)
<
1

. We also show that the graph distance and the diameter of boxes have the same asymptotic growth when two vertices u, v with $$\Vert u-v\Vert _2 > 1$$

‖
u
-
v
‖

2

>
1

are connected with a probability that is close enough to $$p(\beta ,\{u,v\})$$

p
(
β
,
{
u
,
v
}
)

. Furthermore, we determine the asymptotic behavior of $$\theta (\beta )$$

θ
(
β
)

for large $$\beta $$
β
, and we discuss the tail behavior of $$\frac{D(\textbf{0},u)}{\Vert u\Vert _2^{\theta (\beta )}}$$

D
(
0
,
u
)

‖
u
‖

2

θ
(
β
)

.
Token Sliding on Graphs of Girth Five
Authors: Bartier Valentin , Bousquet Nicolas , Hanna Jihad , Mouawad Amer E. , Siebertz Sebastian
Published: October 2023

In the Token Sliding problem we are given a graph G and two independent sets $$I_s$$

I
s

and $$I_t$$

I
t

in G of size $$k \ge 1$$

k
≥
1

. The goal is to decide whether there exists a sequence $$\langle I_1, I_2, \ldots , I_\ell \rangle $$

⟨

I
1

,

I
2

,
…
,

I
ℓ

⟩

of independent sets such that for all $$j \in \{1,\ldots , \ell - 1\}$$

j
∈
{
1
,
…
,
ℓ
-
1
}

the set $$I_j$$

I
j

is an independent set of size k, $$I_1 = I_s$$

I
1

=

I
s

, $$I_\ell = I_t$$

I
ℓ

=

I
t

and $$I_j \triangle I_{j + 1} = \{u, v\} \in E(G)$$

I
j

▵

I

j
+
1

=

{
u
,
v
}

∈
E

(
G
)

. Intuitively, we view each independent set as a collection of tokens placed on the vertices of the graph. Then, the problem asks whether there exists a sequence of independent sets that transforms $$I_s$$

I
s

into $$I_t$$

I
t

where at each step we are allowed to slide one token from a vertex to a neighboring vertex. In this paper, we focus on the parameterized complexity of Token Sliding parameterized by k. As shown by Bartier et al. (Algorithmica 83(9):2914–2951, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00453-021-00848-1), the problem is -hard on graphs of girth four or less, and the authors posed the question of whether there exists a constant $$p \ge 5$$

p
≥
5

such that the problem becomes fixed-parameter tractable on graphs of girth at least p. We answer their question positively and prove that the problem is indeed fixed-parameter tractable on graphs of girth five or more, which establishes a full classification of the tractability of Token Sliding parameterized by the number of tokens based on the girth of the input graph.