bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polymeric‐Micelle‐Based Nanomedicine for siRNA Delivery
Authors: Liu Xi‐Qiu , Sun Chun‐Yang , Yang Xian‐Zhu , Wang Jun
Published: February 2013

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are a rapidly emerging class of innovative nucleic acid medicines for the treatment of diseases such as cancer. However, significant hurdles hamper their clinical application, including poor cellular uptake, instability under physiological conditions, off‐target effects, and possible immunogenicity. The development of suitable delivery systems that protect and efficiently transport siRNA to targeted cells has been pursued. Nanoparticle‐based vectors have been widely investigated as potential candidates for effective siRNA delivery. Among the different nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, which are self‐assembled nanoparticles composed of amphiphilic materials with a core‐shell structure, have attracted great attention in recent years. Polymeric micelles in the range of several tens to hundreds of nanometers can be prepared, regulated, and modified relatively easily. The outer hydrophilic segments can prolong the in vivo lifetime of siRNA to achieve effective accumulation in tumors and can also be modified with cationic charges that interact electrostatically with siRNA and be introduced with different moieties to target specific cells. The inner cores can improve the stability of micelles and serve as payloads for hydrophobic drugs. Here, the barriers impeding siRNA delivery, the different polymeric micelles of siRNA developed to date, their gene silencing or therapeutic activity, and advanced applications for the co‐delivery of drugs and siRNA by these delivery systems are reviewed.
Spiking rate of myenteric neurons recorded from multi‐electrode arrays depending on local microenvironment
Authors: Medert Rebekka , Schuster Anne , Schwarz Lukas Kristoffer , Schwab Tanja , Schaefer Karl‐Herbert
Published: February 2013

The interaction of cells with their microenvironment is an important factor, which influences phenotype, differentiation state and cell function. Interactions between cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) components are of crucial significance, especially for the development of electrical activity in neurons. For this study multi‐electrode arrays were used to examine the influence of different substrates (glass, poly‐D‐lysine (PDL), PDL/laminin and laminin) on myenteric neurons during stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The effect of LPS upon neurons grown on PDL/laminin resulted in an increased neuronal activity and calcium influx through L‐type voltage gated calcium channels. Cultures on glass or PDL were not influenced. This demonstrates that the local microenvironment plays an essential role for the electrical potential of myenteric neurons.(© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Removal of 4‐chlorophenol using graphene, graphene oxide, and a‐doped graphene (A = N, B): A computational study
Authors: Cortés Arriagada Diego , Sanhueza Luís , Wrighton Kerry
Published: February 2013

Density functional theory (including van der Waals correction with the PBE‐D functional) is applied to the study of 4‐chlorophenol (4‐CP) adsorption on graphene oxide (GO), A‐doped graphene (A = N, B), and pristine graphene and test their possible application for 4‐CP removal. Results show that on GO adsorption is improved by the hydrogen bond interactions between the adsorbents and 4‐CP, suggesting that functionalized graphene is a preferable alternative than pristine graphene for 4‐CP removal. In addition, the stability of hydrogen bonds is confirmed by molecular dynamics calculations using the PM6 potential. Without hydrogen bonds, A‐doped graphene models show a comparable performance for 4‐CP removal than pristine graphene. Finally, even in a solvent medium, 4‐CP adsorption is strong. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bayesian Optimal Adaptive Estimation Using a Sieve Prior
Authors: ARBEL JULYAN , GAYRAUD GHISLAINE , ROUSSEAU JUDITH
Published: February 2013

We derive rates of contraction of posterior distributions on non‐parametric models resulting from sieve priors. The aim of the study was to provide general conditions to get posterior rates when the parameter space has a general structure, and rate adaptation when the parameter is, for example, a Sobolev class. The conditions employed, although standard in the literature, are combined in a different way. The results are applied to density, regression, nonlinear autoregression and Gaussian white noise models. In the latter we have also considered a loss function which is different from the usual l2 norm, namely the pointwise loss. In this case it is possible to prove that the adaptive Bayesian approach for the l2 loss is strongly suboptimal and we provide a lower bound on the rate.
Double-stranded DNA field effect transistor and logical cells
Authors: Simchi Hamidreza , Esmaeilzadeh Mahdi , Mazidabadi Houssien
Published: February 2013

We consider a double-stranded DNA molecule connected to non-magnetic and magnetic (nickel (Ni) and iron (Fe)) leads and study its spintronic properties using tight binding non-equilibrium Green function method. By considering the combination of the spin-orbit coupling, the environment-induced dephasing, and the helical symmetry, it is shown that although the hopping parameter of spin up electrons is higher than spin down electrons for both Ni and Fe leads, the spin up (spin down) current is significantly higher than spin down (spin up) current when the lead is Ni (Fe) and for non-magnetic leads the difference is not high with respect to magnetic leads, i.e., there should be a matching process rule between leads and dsDNA. Also, we show that by applying an AC electric (gating) field perpendicular to helix-axis, the spin current is approximately zero at half period and will be maximized for specific gate voltage at other half period and therefore dsDNA habits as a field effect transistor (FET). It is found that there are both p-channel and n-channel FET and the logical cell can be designed theoretically. We think that the results of present paper could motivate further experimental studies on DNA spintronics.
Study of the effects of spray‐drying on the functionality of probiotic lactobacilli
Authors: Páez Roxana , Lavari Luisina , Audero Gabriela , Cuatrin Alejandra , Zaritzky Noemí , Reinheimer Jorge , Vinderola Gabriel
Published: February 2013

Three probiotic lactobacilli strains were spray‐dried in 20% (w/v) skim milk and submitted to a simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Fresh or spray‐dried cultures were administered to mice for 5 and 10 days, and Immunoglobulin A (IgA)‐producing cells were enumerated in the small intestine by immunohistochemistry. Spray‐drying significantly enhanced the resistance of Lactobacillus paracasei A13 and Lactobacillus casei Nad to a simulated gastrointestinal digestion (0.96 and 1.95 log orders, respectively), compared with fresh cultures. Also, a significant higher number of IgA‐producing cells were induced by spray‐dried cultures compared with fresh cultures. Spray‐drying is a suitable, but strain‐dependent, technological process for the development of probiotic cultures in skim milk with increased functionality.
Tramadol inhibits the contractility of isolated human myometrium
Authors: Shah N. H. , Thomas E. , Jose R. , Peedicayil J.
Published: February 2013

This study was conducted to determine whether the atypical opioid analgesic tramadol inhibits the contractility of isolated non‐pregnant human myometrium. Ten strips of non‐pregnant human myometrium stimulated with 55 mm potassium chloride (KCl) were treated with three concentrations (30, 100 and 300 μm) of tramadol to test for any inhibitory effect of tramadol. The effects of concurrent administration of the ß adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (1 μm), the guanylyl cyclase and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor methylene blue (20 μm) and the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (100 μm) with tramadol were also studied.

Tramadol caused a concentration‐dependent inhibition of KCl‐induced myometrial contractility, which was statistically significant at all three concentrations of tramadol used. Propranolol significantly reversed the inhibitory effect of 100 μm tramadol on KCl‐induced myometrial contractility but not that of 300 μm tramadol. Neither methylene blue nor naloxone reversed the inhibitory effect of tramadol on KCl‐induced myometrial contractility.

These results suggest that tramadol inhibits KCl‐induced contractility of isolated human myometrium. They also suggest that tramadol relaxes the myometrium due to stimulation of ß1 adrenoceptors. However, the concentrations of tramadol required to relax the myometrium were high and likely to be attained at toxic doses, rather than therapeutic doses, of tramadol.
Intellectual property rights as development determinants
Authors: Eicher Theo S. , Newiak Monique
Published: February 2013

Abstract While intellectual property rights (IPRs) are the key drivers of economic performance in R&D based growth models, they have not been fully explored in empirical development studies. We introduce IPRs to this literature, using Two‐Stage Least Squares Bayesian Model Averaging to address endogeneity and model uncertainty at the instrument and income stages. We show that IPRs exert effects similar to ‘Rule of Law’ and therefore provide robust evidence that both physical and intellectual property rights are crucial development determinants. We document that unenforced IPRs exert no effect on development. Instead, it is the level of enforced IPRs that causes development.
Evolving Friendships and Shifting Ethical Dilemmas: Fieldworkers’ Experiences in a Short Term Community Based Study in Kenya
Authors: Kamuya Dorcas M. , Theobald Sally J. , Munywoki Patrick K. , Koech Dorothy , Geissler Wenzel P. , Molyneux Sassy C.
Published: February 2013

Fieldworkers (FWs) are community members employed by research teams to support access to participants, address language barriers, and advise on culturally appropriate research conduct. The critical role that FWs play in studies, and the range of practical and ethical dilemmas associated with their involvement, is increasingly recognised. In this paper, we draw on qualitative observation and interview data collected alongside a six month basic science study which involved a team of FWs regularly visiting 47 participating households in their homes. The qualitative study documented how relationships between field workers and research participants were initiated, developed and evolved over the course of the study, the shifting dilemmas FWs faced and how they handled them. Even in this one case study, we see how the complex and evolving relationships between fieldworkers and study participants had important implications for consent processes, access to benefits and mutual understanding and trust. While the precise issues that FWs face are likely to depend on the type of research and the context in which that research is being conducted, we argue that appropriate support for field workers is a key requirement to strengthen ethical research practice and for the long term sustainability of research programmes.
Knowledge about anti‐tuberculosis treatment among nurses at tuberculosis clinics
Authors: Yükseltürk Neriman , Dinç Leyla
Published: February 2013

Nurses are primary responsible for Direct Observation Therapy Strategy and administration of anti‐tuberculosis (TB) medications. Lack of knowledge might result with medication errors and ineffective TB control. The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge of nurses about anti‐TB treatment. A descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted in Turkey with 208 nurses employed at TB and lung disease clinics of health‐care settings in Ankara. Data were collected through a questionnaire, which included questions about demographics and a knowledge test with true–false questions related to TB treatment. Overall scores were high with a mean score of 18.5 out of 24, but there was knowledge deficiency in effects and side‐effects of anti‐TB drugs. Knowledge is foundational for any practice and for TB control. Clinical experience and continuing education after graduation influence the level of knowledge.
Optimal Contracting Model in a Social Environment and Trust-Related Psychological Costs
Authors: Basov Suren , Bhatti M. Ishaq
Published: February 2013

Most research in contract theory concentrated on the role of incentives in shaping individual behavior. Recent research suggests that social norms also play an important role. From a point of view of a mechanism designer (a principal, a government, and a bank), responsiveness of an agent to the social norms is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it provides the designer with extra instruments, while on the other it puts restrictions on how these new and the more conventional instruments can be used. The main objective of this paper is to investigate this trade-off and study how it shapes different contracts observed in the real world. We consider a model in which agent’s cost of cheating is triggered by the principal’s show of trust. We call such behavior a norm of honesty and trust and show that it drives incentives to be either low powerful or high powerful, eliminating contracts with medium powerful incentives.
The principle of effective stress and triaxial compression testing of peat
Authors: Zhang Lin , O'Kelly Brendan C.
Published: February 2013

Peat deposits comprise the fragmented remains of dead plant vegetation that have accumulated under waterlogged conditions. Effective stress theories developed for mineral soils are routinely applied in practice for peat, although there are fundamental issues regarding the application of conventional soil mechanics to peat, on account of its extremely high water content, fibrous nature, low shear strength and high compressibility, and also the flexible, permeable and compressible nature of the porous organic solids. This paper presents an experimental study intended to contribute to the ongoing and increasing debate about the degree to which conventional soil mechanics approaches can be applied to peat. A programme of isotropic consolidated-drained triaxial compression tests was performed on saturated fibrous peat under the same effective confining pressure, but developed by applying different cell- and back-pressure combinations. Effects of mini-structure and fibre content on mechanical response were considered by testing undisturbed, reconstituted and refined (blended) peat materials. Similar volumetric strain–time and stress–strain–time responses experienced by identically prepared triaxial specimens were persuasive regarding the applicability of the principle of effective stress to peat, although there is no firm conclusion, since significant challenges occurred in performing these tests and in interpreting the data.
Revised distribution and plant communities of Orobanche alsatica and notes on the Orobanchaceae series Alsaticae in Poland
Authors: Piwowarczyk Renata
Published: February 2013

The paper presents the current distribution of Orobanche alsatica in Poland, based on a critical revision of her­barium and literature data and on my field studies conducted in 2006-2011. The recorded localities are mainly in Polish Uplands: the Lublin Upland (Wyżyna Lubelska), Roztocze, and Polesie, less frequently in the Małopolska Upland (Wyżyna Małopolska) and Silesia-Kraków Upland (Wyżyna Śląsko-Krakowska). Distribution maps of O. alsatica and other species of the series Alsaticae (O. bartlingii and O. mayeri) in Poland are included. Their taxonomy, biology, ecology, and habitat pref­erences are also discussed.
Transversal Pressure Effect in Circulative Separators
Authors: Sawicki Jerzy M.
Published: February 2013

Progressive urban development of the human environment requires new methods of rain water treatment. Recently, there has been a growing interest in the improvement of gravitational suspension separation, and especially in the application of the centrifugal force. This important factor can be induced in two ways; by the circulation of the reservoir containing the fluid (centrifugal separators), or by a tangent supply of this reservoir (circulative separators). In addition to the centrifugal force, another essential transversal force is at work in this case, resulting from the local variability of the pressure. In the literature, this force is derived for centrifuge conditions, but applied also to circulative separators, which is questionable, as in the latter devices velocity and pressure fields are clearly different. The paper is devoted to the determination of the transversal pressure effect in circulative separators. First, a model of tangent and radial velocity profiles is introduced. The radial pressure distribution, calculated on this basis and verified experimentally, leads to the final result, that is, a technical formula describing the force in question
Comparison of Laparoscopic-Assisted and Open Colopexy in Dogs
Authors: Zhang Shixia , Zhang Jiantao , Zhang Nan , Shi Jiao , Wang Hongbin
Published: February 2013

The objective of this study was to describe laparoscopic-assisted colopexy (LAC) technique, and compare the extent of the surgical trauma after LAC and open colopexy (OC) by examing postoperative serum values of C-reactive protein (CRP) in dogs. Twelve healthy mixed-breed dogs with body weight ranging from 15 to 25 kg were used. Two portal sites were used for LAC procedures. OC was performed by laparotomy on linea alba. Colopexy was accomplished in all dogs without major intraoperative and postoperative complications. A permanent adhesion between the colon and abdominal wall was observed. There were statistically significant differences in serum CRP levels between LAC and OC immediately after the procedure and 1 d post operation. LAC had a similar pexy effect to OC, but had fewer surgical trauma than OC in dogs.
Mycoplasma Mycoides Subsp. Mycoides Small Colony Variant and Mycoplasma Agalactiae Antibodies in Ruminants in Poland
Authors: Dudek Katarzyna , Bednarek Dariusz , Szacawa Ewelina
Published: February 2013

The aim of the study was to determine Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides small colony variant (MmmSC) and Mycoplasma agalactiae antibodies in ruminants from different provinces/regions of Poland. Eight hundred and ten bovine serum samples were examined for MmmSC antibodies by the use of competitive ELISA (c-ELISA) and complement fixation test (CFT). ELISA was also used for M. agalactiae antibody detection in 951 serum samples of sheep and goats. The first screening serological examination of MmmSC antibodies using c-ELISA revealed two (0.25%) positive and 135 (16.92%) doubtful results. The second examination revealed only 52 doubtful results, whereas the rest samples were negative. To compare, the final confirmatory examination by CFT gave 100% of seronegative results. The examination performed in small ruminants demonstrated only one doubtful result, which was finally defined as negative following the second ELISA, whereas the remaining samples were negative. To conclude, the present serological study showed the lack of infections in Polish domestic ruminant caused by two mycoplasmas.
Natural Occurrence of Thiouracil in Urine of Livestock in Poland
Authors: Woźniak Barbara , Witek Sebastian , Żmudzki Jan , Kłopot Alicja
Published: February 2013

Natural occurrence of thiouracil in bovine and swine urine in Poland was investigated. Under the national residue control programme, 537 urine samples were tested. In 77 samples (14.3%) thiouracil was detected above decision limit CCα (0.91 μg L-1), including eight samples over the recommended concentration of 10 μg L-1. Of the bovine urine samples, 95 and 99 percentiles have thiouracil concentration below 4.50 and 14.85 μg L-1 ,and of porcine samples below 2.35 and 6.80 μg L-1, respectively.
Hideko Kamino and the eponym linked to her name / Hideko Kamino i eponim vezan za njeno ime
Authors: Al Abou Khalid
Published: February 2013

In 1979, Kamino and colleagues described pink globules, in the epidermis of Spitz nevi. These globules, later known as Kamino bodies, were PAS-positive, diastase-resistant, and positive on trichrome staining. Their presence does not rule out malignant melanoma completely, but makes it less likely, since similar globules were noted in the epidermis in only 2% of malignant melanomas and 0.9% of ordinary melanocytic nevi. The globules in malignant melanomas and ordinary melanocytic nevi were negative with PAS and trichrome staining. In 2010, Dr. HidekoKamino, received the Walter R. Nickel Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Dermatopathology. This short communication is about Professor Kamino and the dermatopathological condition that bears her name.
Selection of the open pit mining cut-off grade strategy under price uncertainty using a risk based multi-criteria ranking system / Wybór strategii określania warunku opłacalności wydobycia w kopalniach odkrywkowych w warunkach niepewności cen w oparciu o wielokryterialny system rankingowy z uwzględnieniem czynników ryzyka
Authors: Azimi Yousue , Osanloo Montza , Esfahanipour Akbar
Published: February 2013

Cut-off Grade Strategy (COGS) is a concept that directly influences the financial, technical, economic, environmental, and legal issues in relation to exploitation of a mineral resource. A decision making system is proposed to select the best technically feasible COGS under price uncertainty. In the proposed system both the conventional discounted cash flow and modern simulation based real option valuations are used to evaluate the alternative strategies. Then the conventional expected value criterion and a multiple criteria ranking system were used to rank the strategies based on the two valuation methods. In the multiple criteria ranking system besides the expected value other stochastic orders expressing abilities of strategies in producing extra profits, minimizing losses and achieving the predefined goals of the exploitation strategy are considered. Finally, the best strategy is selected based on the overall average rank of strategies through all ranking systems. The proposed system was examined using the data of Sungun Copper Mine. To assess the merits of the alternatives better, ranking process was done at both high (prevailing economic condition) and low price conditions. Ranking results revealed that at different price conditions and valuation methods, different results would be obtained. It is concluded that these differences are due to the different behavior of the embedded option to close the mine early, which is more likely to be exercised under low price condition rather than high price condition. The proposed system would enhance the quality of decision making process by providing a more informative and certain platform for project evaluation.
Endoscopic colloid cyst resection by puncture of the medial wall of lateral ventricle, posterior to the foramen of Monro
Authors: Păunescu D. , Gorgan M. , Tătăranu Ligia
Published: February 2013

No consensus among neurosurgeons has been reached so far concerning optimal therapeutic strategy for colloids cysts, especially as these are non-invasive,slowgrowing, benign lesions. In symptomatic cases, endoscopic resection can be achieved as first intention when it seems to have a cyst containing fluid and there is ventriculomegaly. Cyst location and degree of superior distension of the third ventricle roof, associated with the emergence of Monro’s foramen can cause problems when using a rigid endoscope, the visualisation being impossible or difficult. Posterior interventricular foramen puncture may be helpful in such cases.
Transformation of UML class diagram to internal java domain-specific language
Authors: Buzdin Dmitry , Nikiforova Oksana
Published: February 2013

Abstract -

the article addresses the existing problems found in the area of Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs). Being a widely adopted programming technique, DSL grammar creation process still lacks desirable traceability and automation. The paper proposes a sequential model transformation process based on Model-Driven Architecture concepts as one of the potential solutions to stated problem. One of the main results of the research work is the implementation of prototype of the full-cycle model transformation chain starting from the UML domainmodel and ending with internal Java-based DSL grammar implementation.
Studying Web 2.0 Interactivity
Authors: Mechant Peter , De Marez Lieven
Published: February 2013

With more than one third of the world’s population being online, the Internet has increasingly become part of modern living, giving rise to popular literature that often takes a teleological and celebratory perspective, heralding the Internet and Web 2.0 specifically, as an enabler of participation, democracy, and interactivity. However, one should not take these technological affordances of Web 2.0 for granted. This article applies an interaction framework to the analysis of two Web 2.0 websites viewed as spaces where interaction goes beyond the mere consultation and selection of content, i.e., as spaces supporting the (co)creation of content and value. The authors’ approach to interactivity seeks to describe websites in objective, structural terms as spaces of user, document, and website affordances. The framework also makes it possible to talk about the websites in subjective, functional terms, considering them as spaces of perceived inter-action, intra-action and outer-action affordances. Analysis finds that both websites provide numerous user, document, and website affordances that can serve as inter-action or social affordances.
Digital Bangladesh
Authors: Choudhury Masudul Alam
Published: February 2013

The present fever to launch an extensive digitalization program is sweeping the Bangladesh political, business, and elitist minds. In the face of an overarching outlook of sustainable development the Bangladesh digitalization program runs into some grave questions. The paper points out that ethics as a strongly endogenous force in development is indispensable to keep in view the simultaneity of attaining growth and social justice. These targets are variously manifested in different sectors and quarters of the beneficiaries of growth and development. In this perspective, various comparative works in the literature are invoked toward establishing the essential national wellbeing for alleviating poverty. Wellbeing is established by participative complementarities between economic growth and social justice and their disaggregate manifestations. The digital good must therefore be understood as a socially inclusive empowering good, not as an element of traditional economic theory wherein only efficiency, and thus globalization and maximization behavior, turn out to be of sole attention. The paper introduces a new model upholding participative complementary synergy, learning, and unification by an epistemic guidance of development ethics. Such a model invokes a system and cybernetic approach that combines in an innovative way the analytical with the system and cybernetic view of development. Various facts and figures relating to Bangladesh vis-à-vis development are expounded to establish the case.
Cathodic Delamination and Anticorrosion Performance of an Epoxy Coating Containing Nano/Micro-Sized ZnO Particles on Cr(III)-Co(II)/Cr(III)-Ni(II) Posttreated Steel Samples
Authors: Ramezanzadeh B. , Attar M.M.
Published: February 2013

In this study, a coating system including conversion coating and organic paint was used on the steel samples. The steel samples were treated by Cr(III), Cr(VI), Cr(III)-Co(II), and Cr(III)-Ni(II) conversion coatings. Epoxy coatings were reinforced with nano-zinc oxide (ZnO, 3.5 wt%) and micro-ZnO (critical pigment volume concentration [CPVC]/pigment volume concentration [PVC] = 0.2) particles. The epoxy coatings were applied on the steel samples treated by conversion coatings. The surface properties of the samples were studied by a contact angle measuring device. The values of dry and wet pull-off strengths of the epoxy coatings were measured using a pull-off adhesion tester. The cathodic delamination and anticorrosion performance of the epoxy coatings were investigated on the pretreated steel substrates by the cathodic disbonding test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), respectively. Results showed that all conversion coatings increased dry and wet pull-off strengths. The increase in pull-off strength was more pronounced on the samples treated by Cr(III)-Co(II) and Cr(III)-Ni(II) conversion coatings. It was shown that conversion coatings can reduce the cathodic delamination rate of the epoxy coatings. The decrease in the rate of cathodic delamination was more pronounced on the substrates treated by Cr(III)-Co(II) and Cr(III)-Ni(II) conversion coatings. Results showed that nano-ZnO particles could improve epoxy coating resistance against corrosion and cathodic delamination higher than micro-ZnO particles.
Deconstructing the academic narrative: Applying a determinants of health framework to identify the drivers of research on wood bison (Bison bison athabascae)
Authors: Wilcox Alana , Sine Sarah , Morrill André , Stephen Craig , Provencher Jennifer F.
Published: February 2025

Conservation approaches that address complex and dynamic environmental challenges necessitate the dismantling of rigid academic boundaries and building effective interdisciplinary collaborations. The dominance of select disciplinary fields and/or interactions among diverse groups of researchers establishes the research narrative, ultimately guiding academic discussions and lending to conservation initiatives.

We applied a determinants of health (DOH) framework to examine how research narratives have approached the health of wood bison (Bison bison athabascae), a species with at‐risk herds facing imminent threats to recovery, and how the potential for clustered narratives creates challenges for a comprehensive view of bison health. We conducted a literature review, coding for whether articles qualitatively or quantitatively analysed wood bison health, or provided contextual information, classifying articles into six distinct DOH.

We found that articles principally analysed intrinsic and extrinsic biological factors related to wood bison health, but results were often contextualized in relation to the human expectations related to management, recovery and conservation of wood bison herds. We then examined author and institutional collaborations and timelines for publications of articles on wood bison health. We found that authors published research in multiple years, but authors with a high degree of collaborations were most often affiliated with academic, Canadian federal government or Canadian territorial government institutions. We show that wood bison health considers physical, social and human expectations related at individual wood bison and population levels.

Practical implications. Our results also suggest that there are few mechanisms to integrate information across disciplines, which could cause problems for a comprehensive assessment of wood bison health. Nonetheless, interdisciplinary frameworks, such as One Health, that examine the intersection of animal–environment–human health present potential ways forward for the conservation of wood bison.
Multiple‐Repeated Plasma Surface Treatments for Significantly Improving Bonding Performance of Metal‐Carbon‐Fiber‐Reinforced Thermoplastic Polymer Dissimilar Adhesive Joints
Authors: Lee Angela A. , Qiao Yao , Shin Yongsoon , Nickerson Ethan K. , Simmons Kevin L.
Published: February 2025

This work investigates how multiple‐repeated plasma surface treatments can significantly enhance adhesively bonded metal‐carbon‐fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic polymer (CFRTP) dissimilar joints, a topic that has been rarely investigated compared to other parameters during the plasma treatment process. By conducting double cantilever beam tests on adhesively bonded AA6061‐carbon‐fiber‐reinforced polyphthalamide (CFRPPA) dissimilar joints, it is shown that the average Mode I specific fracture energy after 20 repetitions of the same plasma treatment, using processing parameters without noticeably changing surface roughness, can be improved and saturated up to almost 2000% compared to non‐treated joints and almost 240% compared to a single plasma treatment commonly used in the literature. The improvement can be attributed to the enhanced chemical bonding at the CFRPPA‐adhesive interface. This study is important for achieving strong bonding performance of CFRTP‐related structural joints using multiple plasma treatments, a simple and effective method.
Anion Chemistry in Regulating Water Structure for Aqueous Supercapacitors Operating at −60 °C
Authors: Liu Yingbin , Yu Chang , Lan Shuqin , Liu Weizhe , Qiu Jieshan
Published: February 2025

Aqueous electrolytes featuring intrinsic safety and high ionic conductivity have been envisioned as a competitive and promising electrolyte candidate for application in supercapacitors, but water solidification poses limitations on achieving stable low‐temperature operation of aqueous supercapacitors. Herein, an anion chemistry strategy is proposed and developed to modify water structures to formulate temperature‐adaptability aqueous electrolytes for low‐temperature supercapacitors. Multiple characterization techniques reveal a fundamental correlation between various anions and alteration of water structure. It is noteworthy that ClO4− with weak hydration can act as a high‐efficiency water structure breaker, inducing a disordered and discontinuous distribution of water molecules. Resultantly, an aqueous electrolyte composed of Mg(ClO4)2 features outstanding temperature resistance (solidification temperature below −60 °C), which supports a symmetrical supercapacitor to achieve stable operation, excellent cycle stability, and low capacitance loss (12% at 1 A g−1, 31% at 20 A g−1) from 25 to −60 °C. Furthermore, at −60 °C, a 2.4 V high working voltage is achieved with superior rate capability and high capacitance retention of 81.5% after continuous 30 000 cycles. Determining and mastering specific ion effects can provide a promising approach to designing and developing antifreezing aqueous electrolytes for energy storage at low temperatures.
Highly Off‐Centering Cations in Pavonite‐Structured Ag1.75InSb5.75Se11 with Competitive Thermoelectric Performance
Authors: Xie Chenghao , Li Rongcheng , Xu Weibin , Jin Bowen , Shi Xiao‐Lei , Tang Xinfeng , Tan Gangjian , Chen Zhi‐Gang
Published: February 2025

Off‐centering represents the displacement of atoms from their centrosymmetric positions, a phenomenon closely associated with symmetry breaking in crystals and plays a crucial role in modulating a broad range of fundamental material properties. Herein, a pavonite‐structured compound Ag1.75InSb5.75Se11 (AISS) is reported, which exhibits highly off‐centering cations and systematically explores its potential as an advanced thermoelectric material. These findings reveal that the broken crystal symmetry of AISS induces a strong Rashba‐like band splitting, resulting in an overall high band degeneracy that contributes to large Seebeck coefficients. Additionally, low‐temperature heat capacity measurements and phonon spectrum calculations highlight the presence of soft chemical bonds between the off‐centering cations and Se atoms. These soft bonds give rise to low‐frequency optical phonons, which coupled with the acoustic phonons, thereby causing additional phonon scattering and leading to an extremely low lattice thermal conductivity of 0.22 W m−1K−1 at 723 K. Furthermore, optimizing the Ag/Sb atomic ratio in AISS enhances the doping level and improves the thermoelectric performance, resulting in a peak figure of merit value to 0.50 at 723 K in Ag2.5InSb5Se11, which is ≈30 times greater than that of pristine AISS.
Foams‐Induced Hierarchy for Multiscale Photonics on Flat Substrates: Lasing and Mie‐Bragg Diffraction as Case Studies.
Authors: Forzani Luisina , Tartaj Pedro , Luengo Yurena , Dalmis Ramazan , Moronta Pedro , Blanco Alvaro , López Cefe
Published: February 2025

Densely packed arrays of monodisperse dielectric spheres exhibit strong optical diffraction down to the single‐layer limit, making them highly attractive for the implementation of order‐ and disorder‐based functionalities in photonic devices. Colloidal techniques are among the most convenient methods for creating these densely packed arrays, performing well on flat substrates. However, forming complex geometries with colloidal techniques usually requires patterned substrates and postprocessing routes. Here, a facile colloidal route capable of producing a complex configuration with two levels of functionality is described. Specifically, by foaming and casting colloidal suspensions of monodisperse spherical particles, both ordered and disordered arrays of densely packed spheres on unpatterned flat substrates are achieved. These arrays outline a complex cellular configuration consisting of a ridge‐trough network structure that supports random lasing action at the macroscale, while enabling Bragg diffraction (order) or Mie scattering (disorder) across the visible and near‐infrared spectral ranges at the microscale. Notably, the optical properties of the disordered foams can be effectively modeled using Mie calculations for individual spheres, serving as a valuable proof of concept for developing particulate portable detectors based on Mie resonances and a hierarchical configuration built upon a simple self‐assembly process carried out on flat substrates.
Brain‐Wide Neuroregenerative Gene Therapy Improves Cognition in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Wu Zheng , Xu Liang , Xie Yu , Sambangi Abhijeet , Swaminathan Shreya , Pei Zifei , Ji Wenyu , Li Zeru , Guo Yaowei , Li Zhifei , Chen Gong
Published: February 2025

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible brain disorder with extensive neuronal loss in the neocortex and hippocampus. Current therapeutic interventions focus on the early stage of AD but lack effective treatment for the late stage of AD, largely due to the inability to replenish the lost neurons and repair the broken neural circuits. In this study, by using engineered adeno‐associated virus vectors that efficiently cross the blood–brain‐barrier in the mouse brain, a brain‐wide neuroregenerative gene therapy is developed to directly convert endogenous astrocytes into functional neurons in a mouse model of AD. It is found that ≈500 000 new neurons are regenerated and widely distributed in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Importantly, it is demonstrated that the converted neurons can integrate into pre‐existing neural networks and improve various cognitive performances in AD mice. Chemogenetic inhibition of the converted neurons abolishes memory enhancement in AD mice, suggesting a pivotal role for the newly converted neurons in cognitive restoration. Together, brain‐wide neuroregenerative gene therapy may provide a viable strategy for the treatment of AD and other brain disorders associated with massive neuronal loss.
Electret‐Inspired Charge‐Injected Hydrogel for Scar‐Free Healing of Bacterially Infected Burns Through Bioelectrical Stimulation and Immune Modulation
Authors: Liu Mujie , Wang Yuheng , Wang Haodong , Qi Lihong , Shang Yuxuan , Song Jiajie , Feng Xiulong , Chen Yiwei , Memon Waqar Ali , Shen Yuping , Wu Xiaodong , Cao Jiangbei , Zhao Yifan , Jiang Zhuangde , Liu Dingxin , Shafique Shareen , Li Shengtao , Lu Guanghao , Wei Zhixiang , Liu Zhijie , Zhou Kun , Quan Yuping , Zhang Xiaoyu , Zou Xin , Wang Xuefeng , Liu Na , Zhang Yaqing , Hu Yiwei , Han Chao , Wang Wen
Published: February 2025

In this study, an electret‐inspired, charge‐injected hydrogel called QOSP hydrogel (QCS/OD/SDI/PANI/PS/Plasma) that promotes scar‐free healing of bacteria‐infected burns through bioelectrical stimulation and immune modulation, is presented. The hydrogel, composed of quaternized chitosan (QCS), oxidized dextran (OD), sulfadiazine (SDI), polystyrene (PS), and polyaniline nanowires (PANI), forms a conductive network capable of storing and releasing electric charges, emulating an electret‐like mechanism. This structure delivers bioelectrical signals continuously, enhancing wound healing by regulating immune responses and minimizing fibrosis. In a mouse model of second‐degree burns infected with Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), the hydrogel accelerates wound healing by 32% and reduces bacterial load by 60%, significantly inhibited scar formation by 40% compared to controls. QOSP hydrogel modulates the Th1/Th2 immune balance toward a Th1‐dominant antifibrotic state through quaternized chitosan, thereby reducing collagen deposition by 35%. Electro‐dielectric characterization reveals a dielectric constant of 6.2, a 34% improvement in conductivity (3.33 × 10−5 S/m) and a 30 °C increase in thermal stability. Proteomic analysis highlights a 50% down‐regulation of pro‐inflammatory and pro‐fibrotic pathways, suggesting a controlled immune response conducive to scar‐free healing. This study underscores the potential of bioelectrically active hydrogels as a novel approach for treating infected wounds prone to scarring.
Perillaldehyde Improves Parkinson‐Like Deficits by Targeting G3BP Mediated Stress Granule Assembly in Preclinical Models
Authors: Fang Minglv , Luo Lingling , Chen Youjia , Liu Ying , Yan Yingxuan , Wang Fei , Zou Yan , Zhu Huanhu , Wu Xiaojun , Jin Zhigang , Huang Cheng , Zhang Yu , Fan Shengjie
Published: February 2025

Stress granules (SGs) fulfill a pivotal role in host defense mechanisms, by sequestering both mRNA and protein via the process of liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS). In this study, we showed that perillaldehyde (PAE), a natural occurring compound, bound directly to the core protein of SGs, Ras GTPase‐activating protein‐binding protein 1/2 (G3BP1/2), thereby inducing the assembly of SGs through the LLPS of G3BP/RNA complexes in vitro. Moreover, in Parkinson's disease (PD) models using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and mice, PAE administration prompted SG formation, enhanced eIF2α phosphorylation, shielded dopaminergic neurons from toxic insults, mitigated α‐synuclein (α‐syn) aggregation, and improved PD‐like motor disorders. In addition, these findings revealed that the interaction between G3BP1 and histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) inhibited the functions of cytoplasmic HDAC6 and reduced α‐syn aggregation in cells and worms. Notably, the inhibition of SG assembly via gtbp‐1 and tiar‐1 RNAi effectively counteracted the beneficial effects of PAE in C. elegans. Collectively, these results imply that PAE may exert neuroprotective effects by targeting G3BP‐mediated SG formation, thereby safeguarding dopaminergic neurons from toxic damage.
Mechanical Compatibility in Stitch Configuration and Sensor Adhesion for High‐Fidelity Pulse Wave Monitoring
Authors: Chen Zhongda , Song Jun , Lu Yu , Zhu Jing , Zhu Hongxu , Du Wenxian , Hu Benhui
Published: February 2025

Wearable electronics can achieve high‐fidelity monitoring of pulse waveforms on the body surface enabling early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Textile‐based wearable devices offer advantages in terms of high permeability and comfort. However, knitted strain sensors struggle to capture small‐range deformation signals due to stress dissipation during friction and slip of yarns within the textiles. They are optimized for mechanical adaptability and adhesive capability. In this work, the stitch configurations of knitted structure are adjusted to optimize the energy dissipation ratio during deformation and waveform fitting performance. These electric‐mechanical results enabled the selection of the most suitable knitted structure for the clinical diagnosis. On the other hand, the sensor's adhesion is optimized with respect to electrical‐force‐strain coupling and energy transfer efficiency at the interface between skin and sensor. The balance between the storage modulus and loss modulus are adjusted via the crosslinking degree of the polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel network. As a result, the optimized knitted sensor enables stable collection of pulse waveforms from the radial and dorsalis pedis arteries. In human patient evaluations, the knitting‐based strain sensor can distinguish patients with different potential CVD risks through extracted characteristic indicators.
Supramolecular Interaction‐Driven Amorphization of Poly(aryl piperidine) Membranes for Enhanced Proton Conductivity
Authors: Cheng Qianqian , Sheng Zutao , Li Mingjie , Ye Wenjing , Peng Sangshan , Zeng Guang , He Qing
Published: February 2025

Non‐fluorinated polymer membranes offer a commercially feasible solution for redox flow batteries (RFBs), yet their practical applications have been hampered by inherent challenges such as chemical instability and low ionic conductivity. In this study, the development of a series of ether‐bond‐free poly(aryl piperidine) membranes that address these limitations by introducing enhanced disorder in polymer chain packing through supramolecular interactions with organic acids, is presented. These interactions effectively disrupt densely packed polymer chains, transforming proton‐inaccessible crystalline regions into accessible amorphous ones. By eliminating chemically unstable aryl ether bonds and avoiding additional chemical modifications, these membranes exhibit remarkable long‐term chemical stability. The presence of abundant interchain gaps further facilitates rapid proton‐selective transport. As a result, the engineered membranes demonstrate sustained performance in vanadium RFBs, maintaining stable operation for over 1000 charge/discharge cycles, and achieving an impressive energy efficiency of 80% at a high current density of 280 mA cm−2. The combination of experimental data and theoretical modeling suggests that the membrane's outstanding performance arises from the interconnected and widely distributed interchain gaps, which exhibit a pore‐limiting diameter of ≈8 Å. These findings offer a robust design strategy for developing chemically stable, high‐performance non‐fluorinated membranes for RFBs and related energy conversion devices.
Earnings Call Scripts Generation With Large Language Models Using Few‐Shot Learning Prompt Engineering and Fine‐Tuning Methods
Authors: Nath Sovik Kumar , Zhang Yanyan , Li Jia Vivian
Published: February 2025

Company earnings calls are pivotal events that offer crucial insights into a company's financial well‐being and future outlook. Large language models (LLMs) present a promising avenue for automatically generating the initial draft of earnings call scripts, leveraging financial data and past examples. We evaluate two distinct methods: (1) few‐shot learning prompt engineering with a large language model (LLM) and (2) fine‐tuning a large language model on earnings call transcript data. Our findings indicate that both methods can produce coherent scripts encompassing key metrics, updates, and guidance. However, there are inherent trade‐offs in comprehensiveness, potential hallucinations, writing style, ease of use, and cost. We discuss the pros and cons of each method to guide practitioners on effectively harnessing LLMs for earnings call script generation. Notably, we employ a human and two different LLMs to act as judges to compare the outcomes generated by the two approaches.