bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selective CO2 separation through physicochemical absorption by triazole‐functionalized ionic liquid binary absorbents
Authors: Sun Xueqi , Zeng Shaojuan , Li Guilin , Bai Yinge , Shang Minghua , Zhang Jian , Zhang Xiangping
Published: February 2024

The selective separation of CO2 from CH4‐containing gases is crucial to produce clean energy gases. In this study, triazole anion‐functionalized ionic liquids (TAFILs) were designed by combining low molecular weight cations with triazole anions containing N electronegative site and further mixed with physical solvents to form physicochemical absorbents. The results indicated that [Cho][Triz]/TMS (80 wt%/20 wt%) not only absorbs 0.125 g CO2/g absorbent equal to that of 30 wt% MEA solution at 40°C and 1 bar, but also has low enthalpy of −35.76 kJ/mol less than half of 30 wt% MEA solution. Simultaneously, a super high CO2/CH4 selectivity of 191.0, higher than most of the reported absorbents, is obtained for [Cho][Triz]/TMS solvents. Such great performance of CO2 separation was attributed to relatively weak chemical and physical interaction between CO2 and TAFIL binary absorbents. This study may provide novel promising ionic liquid absorbents for CO2 capture applications from clean energy gases.
“…full of opportunities, but not for everyone”: A narrative inquiry into mechanisms of labor market inequity among precariously employed gay, bisexual, and queer men
Authors: Kinitz David J. , Ross Lori E. , MacEachen Ellen , Fehr Charles , Gesink Dionne
Published: February 2024

Background

This study brings lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (trans), and queer (LGBTQ+) populations into scholarly discourse related to precarious employment through a political economy of queer struggle.

Methods

Drawing on narrative inquiry, 20 gay, bisexual, and queer men shared stories of precarious employment that were analyzed using Polkinghorne's narrative analysis.

Results

Results tell an overarching narrative in three parts that follow the trajectory of participants' early life experiences, entering the labor market and being precariously employed. Part 1: Devaluation of LGBTQ+ identities and adverse life experiences impacted participants' abilities to plan their careers and complete postsecondary education. Part 2: Participants experienced restricted opportunities due to safety concerns and learned to navigate white, cis, straight, Canadian ideals that are valued in the labor market. Part 3: Participants were without protections to respond to hostile treatment for fear of losing their employment.

Conclusions

These stories of precarious employment illustrate unique ways that LGBTQ+ people might be particularly susceptible to exploitative labor markets.
Tailored Exfoliation of Polymeric Carbon Nitride for Photocatalytic H2O2 Production and CH4 Valorization Mediated by O2 Activation
Authors: Feng Bo , Liu Yanan , Wan Kun , Zu Sijie , Pei Yan , Zhang Xiaoxin , Qiao Minghua , Li Hexing , Zong Baoning
Published: February 2024

The exfoliation of bulk C3N4 (BCN) into ultrathin layered structure is an effective strategy to boost photocatalytic efficiency by exposing interior active sites and accelerating charge separation and transportation. Herein, we report a novel nitrate anion intercalation‐decomposition (NID) strategy that is effective in peeling off BCN into few‐layer C3N4 (fl‐CN) with tailored thickness down to bi‐layer. This strategy only involves hydrothermal treatment of BCN in diluted HNO3 aqueous solution, followed by pyrolysis at various temperatures. The decomposition of the nitrate anions not only exfoliates BCN and changes the band structure, but also incorporates oxygen species onto fl‐CN, which is conducive to O2 adsorption and hence relevant chemical processes. In photocatalytic O2 reduction under visible light irradiation, the H2O2 production rate over the optimal fl‐CN‐530 catalyst is 952 μmol g−1 h−1, which is 8.8 times that over BCN. More importantly, under full arc irradiation and in the absence of hole scavenger, CH4 can be photocatalytically oxidized by on‐site formed H2O2 and active oxygen species to generate value‐added C1 oxygenates with high selectivity of 99.2 % and record‐high production rate of 1893 μmol g−1 h−1 among the metal‐free C3N4‐based photocatalysts.
Hydroxypropyl methacrylate stars as versatile carriers of therapeutic agents
Authors: Sentoukas Theodore , Forys Alexander , Otulakowski Łukasz , Marcinkowski Andrzej , Pispas Stergios , Trzebicka Barbara
Published: February 2024

Three star‐like carriers with poly(hydroxy propyl methacrylate) (PHPMA) cores and poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) (POEGMA) arms as nanocarriers were utilized for the encapsulation of rhodamine B, resveratrol, and curcumin. These drugs differ in hydrophobicity and therapeutic effects. The carriers had high encapsulation and loading efficiency (>95% and 10 wt%, respectively) and formed hydrogen bonds with the drugs. They were spherical in phosphate buffer saline and formed aggregates of various sizes (11–116 nm) depending on the star composition and the drug type. The carriers were stable for 2 months, but released different amounts of drugs afterwards, except for curcumin, which stayed entrapped. The curcumin‐loaded carriers also generated reactive oxygen species. These findings demonstrate the versatility of PHPMA/POEGMA stars as nanocarriers for diverse applications in nanomedicine.
Ce‐Doped TiO2 Fabricated Glassy Carbon Electrode for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Acidic Medium
Authors: Islam Md. Nurnobi , Hossain Md. Mosaraf , Maktedar Shrikant S. , Rahaman Mostafizur , Rahman Mohammad Atiqur , Aldalbahi Ali , Hasnat Mohammad A.
Published: February 2024

The quest for sustainable and clean energy sources has intensified research on the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) in recent decades. In this study, we have presented a novel Ce‐doped TiO2 catalyst synthesized through the sol‐gel method, showcasing its potential as a superior electrocatalyst for HER in an acidic medium. Comprehensive characterization through X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX), and Raman spectroscopy confirms the successful formation of the catalyst. Electrocatalytic performance evaluation, including open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and Tafel analysis, demonstrates that GCE‐5wt.%CeTiO2 outperforms bare GCE, as well as Ce and TiO2‐based electrodes. Kinetic investigations reveal a Tafel slope of 105 mV dec−1, indicating the Volmer step as the rate‐determining step. The onset potential for HER at GCE‐5wt.%CeTiO2 is −0.16 V vs. RHE, close to the platinum electrode. Notably, the catalyst exhibits a low overpotential of 401 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with an impressive 95 % Faradaic efficiency. Furthermore, the catalyst demonstrates outstanding durability, maintaining a negligible increase in overpotential during a 14‐hour chronoamperometry test. These results have far‐reaching implications for the development of cost‐effective and efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen production.
Transforming native exosomes to engineered drug vehicles: A smart solution to modern cancer theranostics
Authors: Sahoo Rajeev Kumar , Tripathi Surya Kant , Biswal Stuti , Panda Munmun , Mathapati Santosh S. , Biswal Bijesh Kumar
Published: February 2024

Exosomes have been the hidden treasure of the cell in terms of cellular interactions, transportation and therapy. The native exosomes (NEx) secreted by the parent cells hold promising aspects in cancer diagnosis and therapy. NEx has low immunogenicity, high biocompatibility, low toxicity and high stability which enables them to be an ideal prognostic biomarker in cancer diagnosis. However, due to heterogeneity, NEx lacks specificity and accuracy to be used as therapeutic drug delivery vehicle in cancer therapy. Transforming these NEx with their innate structure and multiple receptors to engineered exosomes (EEx) can provide better opportunities in the field of cancer theranostics. The surface of the NEx exhibits numeric receptors which can be modified to pave the direction of its therapeutic drug delivery in cancer therapy. Through surface membrane, EEx can be modified with increased drug loading potentiality and higher target specificity to act as a therapeutic nanocarrier for drug delivery. This review provides insights into promising aspects of NEx as a prognostic biomarker and drug delivery tool along with its need for the transformation to EEx in cancer theranostics. We have also highlighted different methods associated with NEx transformations, their nano‐bio interaction with recipient cells and major challenges of EEx for clinical application in cancer theranostics.
Engineering A‐type Dye‐Decolorizing Peroxidases by Modification of a Conserved Glutamate Residue
Authors: Hermann Enikö , Rodrigues Carolina F. , Martins Lígia O. , Peterbauer Clemens , Oostenbrink Chris
Published: February 2024

Dye‐decolorizing peroxidases (DyPs) are recently identified microbial enzymes that have been used in several Biotechnology applications from wastewater treatment to lignin valorization. However, their properties and mechanism of action still have many open questions. Their heme‐containing active site is buried by three conserved flexible loops with a putative role in modulating substrate access and enzyme catalysis. Here, we investigated the role of a conserved glutamate residue in stabilizing interactions in loop 2 of A‐type DyPs. First, we did site saturation mutagenesis of this residue, replacing it with all possible amino acids in bacterial DyPs from Bacillus subtilis (BsDyP) and from Kitasatospora aureofaciens (KaDyP1), the latter being characterized here for the first time. We screened the resulting libraries of variants for activity towards ABTS and identified variants with increased catalytic efficiency. The selected variants were purified and characterized for activity and stability. We furthermore used Molecular Dynamics simulations to rationalize the increased catalytic efficiency and found that the main reason is the electron channeling becoming easier from surface‐exposed tryptophans. Based on our findings, we also propose that this glutamate could work as a pH switch in the wild‐type enzyme, preventing intracellular damage.
Penile cavernosal abscess after urethral injury
Authors: Yamamoto Koichiro , Honda Hiroyuki , Hasegawa Kou , Hagiya Hideharu , Otsuka Fumio
Published: February 2024

Key Clinical Message

We present a patient catheterized for prostatic lesions who developed sepsis of urinary origin with a penile cavernosal abscess due to urethral injury caused by catheter ballooning. Urethral injury might lead to a life‐threatening penile abscess.
Multifunctional Metal‐Organic Frameworks as Catalysts for Tandem Reactions
Authors: Wang Yu‐Mei , Ning Guo‐Hong , Li Dan
Published: February 2024

Owing to well‐defined structure as well as easy synthesis and modification, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising catalysts for tandem reactions. In this article, we aim to summarize the development of multifunctional MOFs, including mixed metal MOFs, MOFs that are synergistically catalyzed by metal nodes and organic linkers, MOFs loaded with metal nanoparticles, etc, as heterogenous catalysts for tandem reactions over the past five years. This concept briefly discusses on present challenges, future trends, and prospects of multifunctional MOFs catalysts in tandem reactions.
TBADT‐Mediated Photocatalytic Stereoselective Radical Alkylation of Chiral N‐Sulfinyl Imines: Towards Efficient Synthesis of Diverse Chiral Amines
Authors: Leone Matteo , Milton Joseph P. , Gryko Dorota , Neuville Luc , Masson Géraldine
Published: February 2024

Herein we describe a sustainable and efficient photocatalytic method for the stereoselective radical alkylation of chiral sulfinyl imines. By employing readily available non‐prefunctionalized radical precursors and the cost‐effective TBADT as a direct HAT photocatalyst, we successfully obtain diverse chiral amines with high yields and excellent diastereoselectivity under mild conditions. This method provides an efficient approach for accessing a diverse array of medicinally relevant compounds, including both natural and synthetic α‐amino acids, aryl ethyl amines, and other structural motifs commonly found in approved pharmaceuticals and natural product.
Efficacy and specificity of melanopsin reporters for retinal ganglion cells
Authors: Maloney Ryan , Quattrochi Lauren , Yoon James , Souza Rachel , Berson David
Published: February 2024

Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) are specialized retinal output neurons that mediate behavioral, neuroendocrine, and developmental responses to environmental light. There are diverse molecular strategies for marking ipRGCs, especially in mice, making them among the best characterized retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). With the development of more sensitive reporters, new subtypes of ipRGCs have emerged. We therefore tested high‐sensitivity reporter systems to see whether we could reveal yet more. Substantial confusion remains about which of the available methods, if any, label all and only ipRGCs. Here, we compared many different methods for labeling of ipRGCs, including anti‐melanopsin immunofluorescence, Opn4‐GFP BAC transgenic mice, and Opn4cre mice crossed with three different Cre‐specific reporters (Z/EG, Ai9, and Ai14) or injected with Cre‐dependent (DIO) AAV2. We show that Opn4cre mice, when crossed with sensitive Cre‐reporter mice, label numerous ganglion cell types that lack intrinsic photosensitivity. Though other methods label ipRGCs specifically, they do not label the entire population of ipRGCs. We conclude that no existing method labels all and only ipRGCs. We assess the appropriateness of each reporter for particular applications and integrate findings across reporters to estimate that the overall abundance of ipRGCs among mouse RGCs may approach 11%.
Network partition detection and recovery with the integration of unmanned aerial vehicle
Authors: Zear Aditi , Ranga Virender , Gola Kamal Kumar
Published: February 2024

Wireless sensor and actor networks (WSANs) consist of nodes associated in an ad hoc manner to perform sensing tasks for information gathering and acting functions on the basis of gathered information. Connectivity is an essential requirement of large‐scale wireless networks, and WSANs are supposed to stay connected. The nodes in hostile environments are prone to failures such as battery depletion, physical damage, or hardware malfunction. The failure of some nodes, like cut vertex nodes, can partition the network into multiple network segments. Most of the solutions for network partition recovery proposed in the literature depend on the assumption that the network is obstacle‐free. However, an obstacle‐free environment is not possible in real‐life situations. In the last few decades, UAVs or drones have been engaged in various applications such as industrial inspections, remote sensing, agriculture, military, disaster relief, and so forth, UAVs can be employed to strengthen the connections in wireless networks by coordinating with ground nodes since they can render services in rough areas where ground nodes cannot provide services. Thus, our research is based on using UAVs as relay nodes to reconnect the disjoint partitions. This paper proposes two algorithms: Drone assisted partition recovery algorithm (DAPRA) and drone assisted detection and partition recovery algorithm (DADPRA). In both algorithms, partitions are detected by the sink node. In DAPRA sink node determines the failed cut‐vertex node and sends UAV to the location of the failed cut‐vertex node. In DADPRA algorithm, UAV identifies the failed cut‐vertex node and reconnects the disjoint network segments. DAPRA and DADPRA are analyzed according to the state‐of‐the‐art parameters, that is, recovery and detection time, UAV's travel distance, and the total messages transmitted. The proposed algorithms are compared with similar Distributed Partition Detection and Recovery using UAV (DPDRU) approach. The simulation results show the proposed algorithms detect network partitioning in less time as compared to DPDRU approach.
Synchrotron Radiation Based X‐ray Absorption Spectroscopy: Fundamentals and Applications in Photocatalysis
Authors: Cai Mengdie , Sun Song , Bao Jun
Published: February 2024

Photocatalysis is one of the most promising green technologies to utilize solar energy for clean energy achievement and environmental governance. There is a knotty problem to rational designing high‐performance photocatalyst, which largely depends on an in‐depth insight into their structure‐activity relationships and complex photocatalytic reaction mechanisms. Synchrotron radiation based X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is an important characterization method for photocatlayst to offer the element‐specific key geometric and electronic structural information at the atomic level, on this basis, time‐resolved XAS technique has a huge impact on mechanistic understanding of photochemical reaction owing to their powerful ability to probe, in real‐time, the electronic and geometric structures evolution within photocatalysis reactions. This review will focus on the fundamentals of XAS and their applications in photocatalysis. The detailed applications obtained from XAS is described through the following aspects: 1) identifying local structure of photocatalyst; 2) uncovering in situ structure and chemical state evolution during photocatalysis; 3) revealing the photoexcited process. We will provide an in depth understanding on how the XAS method can guide the rational design of highly efficient photocatalyst. Finally, a systematic summary of XAS and related significance is made and the research perspectives are suggested.
Covalent bonding of N‐hydroxyphthalimide on mesoporous silica for catalytic aerobic oxidation of p‐xylene at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Berniak Tomasz , Łątka Piotr , Drozdek Marek , Rokicińska Anna , Jaworski Aleksander , Leyva‐Pérez Antonio , Kuśtrowski Piotr
Published: February 2024

The surface of SBA‐15 mesoporous silica was modified by N‐hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) moieties acting as immobilized active species for aerobic oxidation of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons. The incorporation was carried out by four original approaches: the grafting‐from and grafting‐onto techniques, using the presence of surface silanols enabling the formation of particularly stable O−Si−C bonds between the silica support and the organic modifier. The strategies involving the Heck coupling led to the formation of NHPI groups separated from the SiO2 surface by a vinyl linker, while one of the developed modification paths based on the grafting of an appropriate organosilane coupling agent resulted in the active phase devoid of this structural element. The successful course of the synthesis was verified by FTIR and 1H NMR measurements. Furthermore, the formed materials were examined in terms of their chemical composition (elemental analysis, thermal analysis), structure of surface groups (13C NMR, XPS), porosity (low‐temperature N2 adsorption), and tested as catalysts in the aerobic oxidation of p‐xylene at atmospheric pressure. The highest conversion and selectivity to p‐toluic acid were achieved using the catalyst with enhanced availability of non‐hydrolyzed NHPI groups in the pore system. The catalytic stability of the material was additionally confirmed in several subsequent reaction cycles.
Does environmental, social, and governance practice boost corporate human capital inflow in China? From the perspective of stakeholder response
Authors: Liu Chang , Xin Zihao
Published: February 2024

Few studies have answered how different stakeholders' responses to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practice, including creditors, investors, and media, influence the relationship between ESG practice and high‐quality job‐seekers, which is reflected in corporate human capital inflow. Therefore, we analyze the nexus above theoretically from the perspective of stakeholder theory and examine empirically whether corporate ESG practice can promote corporate human capital inflow, drawing on 8924 firm‐year observations of Chinese‐listed companies during 2011–2020. The findings demonstrate that ESG practice stimulates corporate human capital inflow, which is enhanced when economic policy uncertainty, debt costs, equity costs, or the proportion of female directors is high, whereas weakened when the negative media coverage is high. Further research finds that an underlying mechanism, via corporate visibility, ESG practice can prompt corporate human capital inflow and that the elevating role is more significant in non‐state‐owned or non‐manufacturing enterprises than in state‐owned or manufacturing. Overall, our findings provide a new standpoint to comprehend the interaction of different stakeholder's responses to ESG practice, which enables scholars and managers to understand ESG practice and its effects better.
The Progress of Polymer Composites Protecting Safe Li Metal Batteries: Solid‐/Quasi‐Solid Electrolytes and Electrolyte Additives
Authors: Liu Xiaoyue , Shi Wenjun , Zhuang Sidong , Liu Yu , He Di , Feng Gang , Ge Tao , Wang Tianyi
Published: February 2024

The impressive theoretical capacity and low electrode potential render Li metal anodes the most promising candidate for next‐generation Li‐based batteries. However, uncontrolled growth of Li dendrites and associated parasitic reactions have impeded their cycling stability and raised safety concerns regarding future commercialization. The uncontrolled growth of Li dendrites and associated parasitic reactions, however, pose challenges to the cycling stability and safety concerns for future commercialization. To tackle these challenges and enhance safety, a range of polymers have demonstrated promising potential owing to their distinctive electrochemical, physical, and mechanical properties. This review provides a comprehensive discussion on the utilization of polymers in rechargeable Li‐metal batteries, encompassing solid polymer electrolytes, quasi‐solid electrolytes, and electrolyte polymer additives. Furthermore, it conducts an analysis of the benefits and challenges associated with employing polymers in various applications. Lastly, this review puts forward future development directions and proposes potential strategies for integrating polymers into Li metal anodes.
Cu‐Catalyzed Tandem Oxidation‐Intramolecular Cannizzaro Reaction of Biorenewables and Bioactive Molecules
Authors: Petkov Hristo , Ravutsov Martin A. , Verganista Manuel J. , Mitrev Yavor N. , Candeias Nuno R. , Simeonov Svilen P.
Published: February 2024

A tandem Cu‐catalyzed oxidation‐intramolecular Cannizzaro reaction leading to bioactive α‐hydroxyesters from α‐hydroxyketones is reported. The process uses oxygen as a sole oxidant to achieve the formation of glyoxals, which are efficiently converted in situ to important α‐hydroxyesters. The mechanistic insights are provided by isotopic labeling and supported by DFT calculations. The transformation proved a robust synthetic tool to achieve the synthesis of human metabolites and hydroxyl esters of various biologically active steroid derivatives.
Dare to march to the beat of a different drummer
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: February 2024

Not long ago I was trying to decide what to write about for March. I considered March Madness, but not everyone is a basketball fan. Instead, I decided on the idea of marching to the beat of a different drummer.
Piquing artificial intelligence towards drug discovery: Tools, techniques, and applications
Authors: Agu Peter Chinedu , Obulose Chidiebere Nwiboko
Published: February 2024

The purpose of this study was to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) methods have affected the field of drug development. It looks at how AI models and data resources are reshaping the drug development process by offering more affordable and expedient options to conventional approaches. The paper opens with an overview of well‐known information sources for drug development. The discussion then moves on to molecular representation techniques that make it possible to convert data into representations that computers can understand. The paper also gives a general overview of the algorithms used in the creation of drug discovery models based on AI. In particular, the paper looks at how AI algorithms might be used to forecast drug toxicity, drug bioactivity, and drug physicochemical properties. De novo drug design, binding affinity prediction, and other AI‐based models for drug–target interaction were covered in deeper detail. Modern applications of AI in nanomedicine design and pharmacological synergism/antagonism prediction were also covered. The potential advantages of AI in drug development are highlighted as the evaluation comes to a close. It underlines how AI may greatly speed up and improve the efficiency of drug discovery, resulting in the creation of new and better medicines. To fully realize the promise of AI in drug discovery, the review acknowledges the difficulties that come with its uses in this field and advocates for more study and development.
Clinical care advice for monitoring of islet autoantibody positive individuals with presymptomatic type 1 diabetes
Authors: Hendriks A. Emile J. , Marcovecchio M. Loredana , Besser Rachel E. J. , Bonifacio Ezio , Casteels Kristina , Elding Larsson Helena , Gemulla Gita , Lundgren Markus , Kordonouri Olga , Mallone Roberto , Pociot Flemming , Szypowska Agnieszka , Toppari Jorma , Berge Thekla von dem , Ziegler Anette G. , Mathieu Chantal , Achenbach Peter ,   INNODIA consortium, the Fr1da Study Group and the GPPAD Study Group
Published: February 2024

Background/Aim

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that involves the development of autoantibodies against pancreatic islet beta‐cell antigens, preceding clinical diagnosis by a period of preclinical disease activity. As screening activity to identify autoantibody‐positive individuals increases, a rise in presymptomatic type 1 diabetes individuals seeking medical attention is expected. Current guidance on how to monitor these individuals in a safe but minimally invasive way is limited. This article aims to provide clinical guidance for monitoring individuals with presymptomatic type 1 diabetes to reduce the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis.

Methods

Expert consensus was obtained from members of the Fr1da, GPPAD, and INNODIA consortia, three European diabetes research groups. The guidance covers both specialist and primary care follow‐up strategies.

Results

The guidance outlines recommended monitoring approaches based on age, disease stage and clinical setting. Individuals with presymptomatic type 1 diabetes are best followed up in specialist care. For stage 1, biannual assessments of random plasma glucose and HbA1c are suggested for children, while annual assessments are recommended for adolescents and adults. For stage 2, 3‐monthly clinic visits with additional home monitoring are advised. The value of repeat OGTT in stage 1 and the use of continuous glucose monitoring in stage 2 are discussed. Primary care is encouraged to monitor individuals who decline specialist care, following the guidance presented.

Conclusions

As type 1 diabetes screening programs become more prevalent, effective monitoring strategies are essential to mitigate the risk of complications such as DKA. This guidance serves as a valuable resource for clinicians, providing practical recommendations tailored to an individual's age and disease stage, both within specialist and primary care settings.
Elimination profile of low‐dose chlortalidone and its detection in hair for doping analysis—Implication for unintentional non‐therapeutic exposure
Authors: Thieme Detlef , Weigel Kai , Anielski Patricia , Krumbholz Aniko , Sporkert Frank , Keiler Annekathrin M.
Published: February 2024

Chlortalidone (CLT) is a thiazide‐type diuretic with high affinity for the erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase. Therapeutically, it is mostly used to treat edema and hypertension due to liver cirrhosis, heart insufficiency, or renal dysfunction. Although diuretics and masking agents are prohibited by the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA) at all times in sports, substances belonging to this category are constantly detected in athlete samples, according to WADA's annual testing figures. Within this group of structurally diverse compounds, a threshold of 20 ng/mL has been introduced for six substances solely due to their presence as contaminants in other permitted drugs because of pharmaceutical production processes. In a recent presumptive doping case with a low urinary CLT concentration, the question of unintentional doping, for example, by contaminated non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug intake, arose. To examine this potential scenario, a co‐elimination of low‐dose CLT and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTA; 20 × 50 μg, 0.2 mg/day each) was conducted on five consecutive days in two volunteers. Urine samples were subjected to liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Moreover, we examined the incorporation of CLT in scalp hair. HCTA is rapidly excreted renally in comparatively high concentrations. In contrast, the elimination of CLT is considerably slower (terminal elimination half‐life extended by a factor of 12) and, consequently, much less concentrated in corresponding urine samples (45 and 53 ng/mL, respectively). Conversely, a higher hair incorporation of chlorthalidone was observed with simultaneous dosing of both. The results suggest that an unintentional intake of sub‐therapeutic CLT doses due to contamination might result in an adverse analytical finding.
Numerical study on local scour characteristics around submarine pipelines in the Yellow River Delta silty sandy soil under waves and currents
Authors: Yu Peng , Hu Ruigeng , Zhang Jike , Yang Qi , Zhao Jieru , Cao Lei , Zhu Chenghao
Published: February 2024

Due to their high reliability and cost‐efficiency, submarine pipelines are widely used in offshore oil and gas resource engineering. Due to the interaction of waves, currents, seabed, and pipeline structures, the soil around submarine pipelines is prone to local scour, severely affecting their operational safety. With the Yellow River Delta as the research area and based on the renormalized group (RNG) k‐ε turbulence model and Stokes fifth‐order wave theory, this study solves the Navier–Stokes (N–S) equation using the finite difference method. The volume of fluid (VOF) method is used to describe the fluid‐free surface, and a three‐dimensional numerical model of currents and waves–submarine pipeline–silty sandy seabed is established. The rationality of the numerical model is verified using a self‐built waveflow flume. On this basis, in this study, the local scour development and characteristics of submarine pipelines in the Yellow River Delta silty sandy seabed in the prototype environment are explored and the influence of the presence of pipelines on hydrodynamic features such as surrounding flow field, shear stress, and turbulence intensity is analyzed. The results indicate that (1) local scour around submarine pipelines can be divided into three stages: rapid scour, slow scour, and stable scour. The maximum scour depth occurs directly below the pipeline, and the shape of the scour pits is asymmetric. (2) As the water depth decreases and the pipeline suspension height increases, the scour becomes more intense. (3) When currents go through a pipeline, a clear stagnation point is formed in front of the pipeline, and the flow velocity is positively correlated with the depth of scour. This study can provide a valuable reference for the protection of submarine pipelines in this area.
Body size and trophic structure explain global asymmetric response of tetrapod diversity to climate effects
Authors: Gusmão Reginaldo A. F. , Tessarolo Geiziane , Dobrovolski Ricardo , Gonçalves‐Souza Thiago
Published: February 2024

Although climate‐based hypotheses are widely used to explain large‐scale diversity patterns, they fall short of explaining the spatial variation among taxonomic groups. Integrating food web and metabolic theories into macroecology is a promising step forward, as they allow including explicit taxon‐specific traits that can potentially mediate the relationship between climate and diversity. Our investigation focuses on the role of body size and trophic structure in mediating the influence of contemporary climate and historical climate change on global tetrapods species richness. We used piecewise structural equation modeling to assess the direct effects of contemporary climate and climate instability of species richness and the indirect effects of climate on tetrapod richness mediated by community‐wide species traits. We found that birds and mammals are less sensitive to the direct effect of contemporary climate than amphibians and squamates. Contemporary climate and climate instability favored the species richness of mammals and amphibians. However, for birds and squamates, this link is only associated with contemporary climate. Moreover, we showed that community‐wide traits are correlated with species richness gradients. However, we highlight that this relationship is dependent upon the specific traits and taxonomic groups. Specifically, bird communities with smaller bodies and bottom‐heavy structures support higher species richness. Squamates also tend to be more diverse in communities with prevalence of smaller bodies, while mammals are correlated with top‐heavy structures. Moreover, we showed that higher contemporary climate and climate instability reduce the species richness of birds and mammals through community‐wide traits and indirectly increase squamate species richness. We also showed that body size and trophic structure are driving a global asymmetric response of tetrapod diversity to climate effects, which highlights the limitation to use the “typical” climate‐based hypotheses. Furthermore, by combining multiple theories, our research contributes to a more realistic and mechanistic understanding of diversity patterns across taxonomic groups.
Oriental reed warblers retain strong egg recognition abilities during the nestling stage
Authors: Ma Laikun , Liu Wei , Pan Peng , Hou Jianhua , Liang Wei
Published: February 2024

Egg recognition and rejection are the most common and effective anti‐parasitic strategies against avian brood parasitism in terms of maintaining stability over time and plasticity in response to environmental cues. Conversely, parasites have evolved multiple counter‐adaptations to the anti‐parasitic defenses of hosts. Among them, the crypsis hypothesis suggests that eggs that appear more cryptic in color and are closely matched to the environment are helping to counter the egg recognition strategy of the host. In this study, we investigated whether the egg recognition ability of Oriental reed warblers (Acrocephalus orientalis), a common host of common cuckoos (Cuculus canorus), changed during different reproductive stages by using model egg experiments. The effect of the crypsis hypothesis on the egg recognition ability of the hosts was also investigated by controlling the color contrast between the inside of the experimental nests and the model eggs. The results showed that the Oriental reed warbler retained strong egg recognition abilities, which were similar to the incubation stage (GLMMs: F1,27 = 0.424, p = .521), even after entering the nestling stage and preferentially rejected model eggs with distinct contrasting colors (binomial test: Fisher's exact, p = .016). These results are consistent with the crypsis hypothesis. The present study suggests that the host retains a strong egg recognition ability even during the nestling stage and that cryptic‐colored eggs that are closely matched with the breeding nest environment help counter the host's egg recognition abilities and increase the chances of successful parasitism by cuckoos. However, the effectiveness of cryptic egg may be weaker than mimic egg in countering egg recognition and rejection by hosts with open‐cup nests.
Self‐awareness, empathy, and inclusion: A powerful trio
Authors: Engbrecht Jason , Hoefferle Caroline , Jasper Daniel , Williams Hilary
Published: February 2024

Leading with empathy is a hallmark of many leadership strategies. As members of the 2021–2022 cohort of the Senior Leadership Academy (SLA) run by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI), we set out to understand what leading with empathy should look like. Simultaneously, as part of our introversion and leadership group project, we conducted both secondary research and primary research interviews with introverted leaders on our group members’ campuses. Our examination happened during a time in which colleges and universities were just beginning to sort out what postpandemic higher education would look like. Events such as the murder of George Floyd were also putting a spotlight in higher education on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This context only served to highlight for us the need to center empathy in leadership conversations and reinforced lessons we were learning from our personal experiences, from our institutions, from our SLA colleagues, and from each other. Here we present some of the lessons we have learned about understanding ourselves as leaders and how that understanding can inform the way we respond to those we lead with empathy.
Discussing crucial race issues by examining beauty pageants
Authors: Elfman Lois
Published: February 2024

Earlier this year, Brittany Lee Lewis, an adjunct professor at George Washington University in D.C. and Wilmington University in Delaware, appeared on the A&E docuseries “Secrets of Miss America,” discussing issues that African American women have faced in the beauty pageant world. While Lewis teaches courses about African American, urban and U.S. 20th‐century history, there's another reason the TV show sought her expertise. Nine years ago, Lewis was crowned Miss Delaware 2014 and she competed in the Miss America contest.
Response Surface Optimization of Nonaqueous Hexanol‐Based Trisolvent Amine Blends for Energy‐Efficient CO2 Desorption
Authors: Hugul Asulal Elif , Ulus Neslisah , Yuksel Orhan Ozge , Yavuz Ersan Hulya
Published: February 2024

The CO2 absorption–desorption performances of nonaqueous trisolvent blended amines, monoethanolamine (MEA), 2‐amino‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanol (AMP), methyl diethanol amine (MDEA), 1‐dimethyl amino‐2‐propanol (1DMA2P), diethyl ethanol amine (DEEA), and piperazine (PZ), are investigated in terms of desorption parameters. Two trisolvent amine combinations, primary amine (MEA)/sterically hindered amine (AMP) and tertiary amine (MDEA/1DMA2P/DEEA)‐polyamine (PZ), are prepared at 5 m total amine concentrations with different molarities. Response surface methodology based on a central composite design is used to obtain the optimal condition. This study aims to determine the molarity ratios of solvent systems and investigate their effects on objective functions: heat duty, desorption rate, and desorption factor. Surface analysis suggests optimum conditions as 3 m MEA–1.375 m MDEA–0.625 m PZ for the lowest energy consumption. The experimental results of the proposed system are compared with the 5 m MEA solution. The extensive energy penalty of the CO2 desorption of amine absorbents is reduced with the newly developed solution.
Changes in the quality of oil extracted by hot pressing from black cumin (Nigella sativa) seeds and by solvent from the obtained cake during refining
Authors: Abedinzadeh Solmaz , Torbati Mohammadali , Azadmard‐Damirchi Sodeif , Hashempour‐Baltork Fataneh
Published: February 2024

In this study, oil was extracted from black cumin (Nigella sativa) seed (BCS) by press, and oil was extracted from the obtained cake with a solvent. The changes in the quality of both crude oils obtained by pressing and by solvent were investigated during refining. Findings revealed that the p‐anisidin value (p‐AV) and fatty acid profile did not change significantly, but there were significant differences (p < .05) in the peroxide value (PV), reflective index, pigment contents, free fatty acid content (FFA%), and antioxidant activity (total phenol content (TPC), thymoquinone, and DPPH inhibition) of BCS oils obtained by the two different methods. PV and FFA decreased to less than 15 meqO2/kg and 0.3%, respectively, in the refined oil. The TPC (65%), thymoquinone (45–97%), carotenoids (86–89%), and chlorophyll (75–85%) were removed from BCS oil, but the DPPH value was raised by about 33%. The current study gives a clear picture of the changes during refining in BCS oil, which can be a useful guide in food applications.
What is the role of the hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus in the persistence of tinnitus?
Authors: Berger Joel I. , Billig Alexander J. , Sedley William , Kumar Sukhbinder , Griffiths Timothy D. , Gander Phillip E.
Published: February 2024

The hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus have been implicated as part of a tinnitus network by a number of studies. These structures are usually considered in the context of a “limbic system,” a concept typically invoked to explain the emotional response to tinnitus. Despite this common framing, it is not apparent from current literature that this is necessarily the main functional role of these structures in persistent tinnitus. Here, we highlight a different role that encompasses their most commonly implicated functional position within the brain—that is, as a memory system. We consider tinnitus as an auditory object that is held in memory, which may be made persistent by associated activity from the hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus. Evidence from animal and human studies implicating these structures in tinnitus is reviewed and used as an anchor for this hypothesis. We highlight the potential for the hippocampus/parahippocampal gyrus to facilitate maintenance of the memory of the tinnitus percept via communication with auditory cortex, rather than (or in addition to) mediating emotional responses to this percept.
Synthesis and Quantitative Analysis of Glycans Conjugated to Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Liao Kuo‐Shiang , Kung Chih‐Chuan , Cheng Li‐Chun , Chung Cinya , Wong Chi‐Huey
Published: February 2024

Nanoparticles, especially gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have emerged as promising tools for biomedical applications due to their unique properties and ability to be functionalized. However, quantitative analysis of biomolecules conjugated to nanoparticles remains a challenge. Here we report a method to conjugate a synthetic hybrid‐type N‐glycan to GNPs and quantitatively analyze the glycan content. The glycan was first conjugated to N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)‐ester activated GNPs and confirmed qualitatively by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and flow cytometry. The glycan conjugated‐GNPs were then treated with neuraminidase to release terminal sialic acid from the glycan, which was labeled with 1,2‐diamino‐4,5‐methylenedioxybenzene and quantitatively analyzed by Ultraperformance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC). The amount of the sialic acid released was equivalent to the glycan content on GNPs. This method enabled a precise quantification of glycans conjugated to gold nanoparticles and should facilitate its biomedical applications, including studies of multivalent receptor‐glycan interaction, cell targeting and sorting, and immunization. Overall, this work provides an effective approach to synthesize and characterize nanoparticles conjugates.
Synthetic investigations of the diisocyanide‐bridged Cp*‐cobalt rectangles
Authors: Huang Cheng‐Chang , Chu Yu‐Ting , Huang Yen‐Chung , Chang Yu‐Lun , Ding Shangwu , Hsu Sodio C. N.
Published: February 2024

This study explores the utilization of 1,4‐diisocyanobenzene as a linear bridging ligand for the assembly of organometallic CpCo or Cp*Co complexes. Overcoming solubility challenges, the synthesis of organometallic Cp* cobalt complexes incorporating bridging 1,4‐diisocyanobenzene ligands was successfully achieved, while similar CpCo complexes were not attainable. The presented approach encompasses investigations into both stepwise and self‐assembly synthetic pathways, leading to the construction of a rectangular tetranuclear complex [(Cp*CoI)4(μ‐1,4‐CNC6H4NC)4](OTf)4 (3). Through single‐crystal x‐ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques such as infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry, the cobalt‐isocyanides complexes were characterized.
A Real‐World Pharmacovigilance Study of Ceftazidime/Avibactam: Data Mining of the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System Database
Authors: Yao Haiping , Wang Yanyan , Peng Yan , Huang Zhixiong , Gan Guoping , Wang Zhu
Published: February 2024

Ceftazidime/avibactam (CAZ/AVI) is a combination of a well‐known third‐generation, broad‐spectrum cephalosporin with a new beta‐lactamase inhibitor that has been approved for the treatment of various infectious diseases (especially multidrug‐resistant Gram‐negative bacterial infections) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The current study extensively assessed CAZ/AVI‐related adverse events (AEs) in the real world through data mining of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database to better understand toxicities. The signals of CAZ/AVI‐related AEs were quantified using disproportionality analyses, including the reporting odds ratio, the proportional reporting ratio, the Bayesian confidence propagation neural network, and the multi‐item gamma Poisson shrinker algorithms. Out of 10,114,815 records retrieved from the FAERS database, 628 cases were identified, where CAZ/AVI was implicated as the primary suspect drug. A total of 61 preferred terms with significant disproportionality that simultaneously met the criteria of all four algorithms were retained. Several unexpected safety signals may also occur, including melena, hypernatremia, depressed level of consciousness, brain edema, petechiae, delirium, and shock hemorrhagic. The median onset time for AEs associated with CAZ/AVI was 4 days, with most cases occurring within 3 days after CAZ/AVI initiation.
Hepatitis B virus‐related hepatocellular carcinoma exhibits distinct intratumoral microbiota and immune microenvironment signatures
Authors: Liu Yuanjie , Kim Elena S. , Guo Haitao
Published: February 2024

Emerging evidence supports a high prevalence of cancer type‐specific microbiota residing within tumor tissues. The intratumoral microbiome in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially in viral (hepatitis B virus [HBV]/hepatitis C virus [HCV]) HCC, has not been well characterized for their existence, composition, distribution, and biological functions. We report herein a finding of specific microbial signature in viral HCC as compared to non‐HBV/non‐HCV (NBNC) HCC. However, the significantly diverse tumor microbiome was only observed in HBV‐related HCC, and Cutibacterium was identified as the representative taxa biomarker. Biological function of the unique tumor microbiota in modulating tumor microenvironment (TME) was characterized by using formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissue‐based multiplex immunofluorescence histochemistry (mIFH) allowing simultaneous in situ detection of the liver cancer cells surrounded with high/low density of microbiota, and the infiltrating immune cells. In HBV_HCC, the intratumoral microbiota are positively associated with increased tumor‐infiltrating CD8+ T lymphocytes, but not the CD56+ NK cells. Two subtypes of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs): monocytic MDSCs and polymorphonuclear MDSCs, were also found to be positively correlated with the intratumoral microbiota in HBV_HCC, indicating an inhibitory role of these microbial species in antitumor immunity and the contribution to the liver TME in combination of chronic viral hepatitis during HCC development.