bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Salt tolerance of Soft and Hard jackfruit varieties in the seedling stage
Authors: De Oliveira Francisco Ítalo Fernandes , Luna Souto Antônio Gustavo , Cavalcante Lourival , De Oliveira Flaviano Fernandes , Do Nascimento José Adeilson Medeiros , Coelho Bezerra Francisco Thiago
Published: November 2022

The formation of seedlings is an essential step in fruit plant development, playing a fundamental role in successful orchard implantations. This study aimed to evaluate the salinity tolerance through irrigation water in jackfruit varieties at the seedling stage. The study was carried out at the Centro de Ciências Agrárias of the Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, Paraíba, Brazil. The treatments were distributed in randomized blocks, in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme with four replications and three plants per plot, totaling 40 experimental plots and 120 plants to be evaluated. At 85 days after sowing, the plants were collected and separated into root, stem, and leaves and dried to obtain dry matter. The leaf area was measured using the LAI-model 2200 equipment, from which the specific leaf area and leaf

area ratio was calculated. Dickson's quality index was calculated with data on the root, shoot and total dry matter, seedling height, and stem diameter. The results of the study showed that the increase in water salinity reduced the leaf area and inhibited plant biomass formation, negatively affecting the quality of the seedlings, especially in the hard jackfruit variety. Seedlings of the Jackfruit soft variety were tolerant to the salinity level of 3.0 dS m-1, whereas the hard variety was tolerant until up to 2.0 dS m-1. In conclusion, the soft jackfruit variety is more tolerant to the salinity of irrigation water than the hard variety.
Estimated Monetary Value of Future Research Clarifying Uncertainties Around the Optimal Adult Hearing Screening Schedule
Authors: Borre Ethan D. , Myers Evan R. , Dubno Judy R. , Emmett Susan D. , Pavon Juliessa M. , Francis Howard W. , Ogbuoji Osondu , Sanders Schmidler Gillian D.
Published: November 2022

Importance

Adult hearing screening is not routinely performed, and most individuals with hearing loss (HL) have never had their hearing tested as adults.

Objective

To project the monetary value of future research clarifying uncertainties around the optimal adult hearing screening schedule.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this economic evaluation, a validated decision model of HL (DeciBHAL-US: Decision model of the Burden of Hearing loss Across the Lifespan) was used to simulate current detection and treatment of HL vs hearing screening schedules. Key model inputs included HL incidence (0.06%-10.42%/y), hearing aid uptake (0.54%-8.14%/y), screening effectiveness (1.62 × hearing aid uptake), utility benefits of hearing aids (+0.11), and hearing aid device costs ($3690). Distributions to model parameters for probabilistic uncertainty analysis were assigned. The expected value of perfect information (EVPI) and expected value of partial perfect information (EVPPI) using a willingness to pay of $100 000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) was estimated. The EVPI and EVPPI estimate the upper bound of the dollar value of future research. This study was based on 40-year-old persons over their remaining lifetimes in a US primary care setting.

Exposures

Screening schedules beginning at ages 45, 55, 65, and 75 years, and frequencies of every 1 or 5 years.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcomes were QALYs and costs (2020 US dollars) from a health system perspective.

Results

The average incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for yearly screening beginning at ages 55 to 75 years ranged from $39 200 to $80 200/QALY. Yearly screening beginning at age 55 years was the optimal screening schedule in 38% of probabilistic uncertainty analysis simulations. The population EVPI, or value of reducing all uncertainty, was $8.2 to $12.6 billion varying with willingness to pay and the EVPPI, or value of reducing all screening effectiveness uncertainty, was $2.4 billion.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this economic evaluation of US adult hearing screening, large uncertainty around the optimal adult hearing screening schedule was identified. Future research on hearing screening has a high potential value so is likely justified.
Financial Outcomes After Traumatic Injury Among Working-Age US Adults With Commercial Insurance
Authors: Scott John W. , Scott Kirstin W. , Moniz Michelle , Carlton Erin F. , Tipirneni Renuka , Becker Nora
Published: November 2022

This cross-sectional study links insurance claims and consumer credit report data to evaluate the experience of financial distress in commercially insured adults after traumatic injury.
Patterns in Geographic Distribution of Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facilities in the US and Accepted Forms of Payment From 2010 to 2021
Authors: Cantor Jonathan H. , DeYoreo Maria , Hanson Russell , Kofner Aaron , Kravitz David , Salas Adrian , Stein Bradley D. , Kapinos Kandice A.
Published: November 2022

Importance

The drug overdose crisis is a continuing public health problem and is expected to grow substantially in older adults. Understanding the geographic accessibility to a substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facility that accepts Medicare can inform efforts to address this crisis in older adults.

Objective

To assess whether geographic accessibility of services was limited for older adults despite the increasing need for SUD and opioid use disorder treatments in this population.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This longitudinal cross-sectional study obtained data on all licensed SUD treatment facilities for all US counties and Census tracts listed in the National Directory of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs from 2010 to 2021.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Measures included the national proportion of treatment facilities accepting Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or cash as a form of payment; the proportion of counties with a treatment facility accepting each form of payment; and the proportion of the national population with Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or cash payment residing within a 15-, 30-, or 60-minute driving time from an SUD treatment facility accepting their form of payment in 2021.

Results

A total of 11 709 SUD treatment facilities operated across the US per year between 2010 and 2021 (140 507 facility-year observations). Cash was the most commonly accepted form of payment (increasing slightly from 91.0% in 2010 to 91.6% by 2021), followed by private insurance (increasing from 63.5% to 75.3%), Medicaid (increasing from 54.0% to 71.8%), and Medicare (increasing from 32.1% to 41.9%). The proportion of counties with a treatment facility that accepted Medicare as a form of payment also increased over the same study period from 41.2% to 53.8%, whereas the proportion of counties with a facility that accepted Medicaid as a form of payment increased from 53.5% to 67.1%. The proportion of Medicare beneficiaries with a treatment facility that accepted Medicare as a form of payment within a 15-minute driving time increased from 53.3% to 57.0%. The proportion of individuals with a treatment facility within a 15-minute driving time that accepted their respective form of payment was 73.2% for those with Medicaid, 69.8% for those with private insurance, and 71.4% for those with cash payment in 2021.

Conclusions and Relevance

Results of this study suggest that Medicare beneficiaries have less geographic accessibility to SUD treatment facilities given that acceptance of Medicare is low compared with other forms of payment. Policy makers need to consider increasing reimbursement rates and using additional incentives to encourage the acceptance of Medicare.
Longin domain GAP complexes in nutrient signalling, membrane traffic and neurodegeneration
Authors: Jansen Rachel M. , Hurley James H.
Published: November 2022

Small GTPases act as molecular switches and control numerous cellular processes by their binding and hydrolysis of guanosine triphosphate (GTP). The activity of small GTPases is coordinated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase activating proteins (GAPs). Recent structural and functional studies have characterized a subset of GAPs whose catalytic units consist of longin domains. Longin domain containing GAPs regulate small GTPases that facilitate nutrient signalling, autophagy, vesicular trafficking and lysosome homeostasis. All known examples in this GAP family function as part of larger multiprotein complexes. The three characterized mammalian protein complexes in this class are FLCN:FNIP, GATOR1 and C9orf72:SMCR8. Each complex carries out a unique cellular function by regulating distinct small GTPases. In this article, we explore the roles of longin domain GAPs in nutrient sensing, membrane dynamic, vesicular trafficking and disease. Through a structural lens, we examine the mechanism of each longin domain GAP and highlight potential therapeutic applications.
Construction of Multiphase Mixing Interface for Delay Icing Based on Microarray Surface
Authors: Wan Yanling , Men Xiaohan , Gao Pengchuan , Xu Jinkai , Yu Huadong
Published: November 2022

Slippery liquid‐infused porous surface (SLIPS) is an emerging anti‐icing method. The anti‐icing mechanism of SLIPS is to prevent the heat transfer from liquid droplets to the surface by forming an oil film on the solid surface. However, the contact area between the droplet and the surface of the specimen increases due to the existence of the oil film, which accelerates the heat transfer and emergence of ice. Herein, in order to further improve the anti‐icing performance of SLIPS, a microscale square column array is fabricated by wire cut electrical discharge machining (WEDM) technology, on which a circular hole structure is constructed by nanosecond laser. Lubricating oil is then injected into the fluorinated surface to produce SLIPS. The maximum contact angle (CA) of the surface is 150° ± 1.2° and the contact angle hysteresis (CHA) is 1.2°. The contact mode of droplets on the surface is liquid–oil and liquid–gas, which is a multiphase mixing interface. The icing test shows that the icing time of the droplet is 4785 s at a surface temperature of −10 °C, exhibiting a good icing‐delay performance.
A Perspective on Methods to Computationally Design the Morphology of Aerogels
Authors: Rege Ameya
Published: November 2022

Reconstructing aerogel morphology presents significant challenges, in particular, if 3D visualizations of their mesoporous network are desired. Available microscopic and tomographic tools find it difficult to probe into all types of aerogels for the purposes of reconstructing their 3D nanoporous morphology. This is where computational approaches have shown promising efforts. Herein, diverse models that can be applied to describing different aerogels are explored. To begin with, cluster–cluster aggregation models are examined for simulating the sol–gel process and the resulting morphologies in fractal aerogels, e.g., silica‐based. Gaussian random field models and polymerization‐induced phase separation models are explored for modeling organic non‐fractal aerogels, e.g., resorcinol‐formaldehyde (RF) ones. This is followed by Langevin‐dynamics‐based discrete element models that are explored for simulating gelation in fibrillar aerogels, e.g., those from biopolymer sources. Lastly, modified Voronoi approaches are investigated for describing the 3D fibrillar morphology, also of fibrillar aerogels, like those from biopolymers. A perspective is presented highlighting the strengths as well as shortcomings in each of the model approaches. Possibilities to either extend available approaches or explore new ones are briefly discussed at every interval.
4D Printing‐Encapsulated Polycaprolactone–Thermoplastic Polyurethane with High Shape Memory Performances
Authors: Rahmatabadi Davood , Aberoumand Mohammad , Soltanmohammadi Kianoosh , Soleyman Elyas , Ghasemi Ismaeil , Baniassadi Majid , Abrinia Karen , Bodaghi Mahdi , Baghani Mostafa
Published: November 2022

There are a few shape memory polymers (SMPs) like polylactic acid (PLA) and polyurethane (PU) that are 4D printable, and other SMPs must be synthesized with a complicated chemical lab effort. Herein, considering dual‐material extrusion printing and microscopic mechanism behind shape memory effect (SME), bilayer‐encapsulated polycaprolactone (PCL)–thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) shape memory composite structures are 4D printed for the first time. The SME performance is investigated by assessing fixity, shape recovery, stress recovery, and stress relaxation under bending and compression loading modes. PCL, TPU, and melting temperature of PCL play the role of switching phase, net point, and transition temperature, respectively. Due to the destruction and dripping of molten PCL in contact with water, PCL is encapsulated by TPU. Encapsulation successfully solves the challenge of bonding/interface between printed layers, and the results show that the SME performance of the encapsulated structures is higher than bilayer PCL–TPU one's. Experiments reveal that maximum stress recovery in 4D‐printed composites remains constant over time. This is a great achievement compared to the previous extrusion‐based SMP structures that have great weakness in stress relaxation due to weak and low crystalline fractions and the unraveling of molecular entanglements in semicrystalline and amorphous thermoplastic SMPs, respectively.
Hollow, Porous, and Flexible Co3O4‐Doped Carbon Nanofibers for Efficient CO2 Capture
Authors: Ali Nadir , Babar Aijaz Ahmed , Wang Xianfeng , Yu Jianyong , Ding Bin
Published: November 2022

Hollow and porous fibrous materials have huge potential for gas filtration applications. However, synthesizing such carbonaceous materials is still a critical job owing to their inherent fragile nature. Herein, a facile strategy to fabricate porous, hollow, and flexible carbon nanofibers (CNF) for enhanced CO2 adsorption via biaxial electrospinning is reported. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is used in core as sacrificial precursor owing to its easy decomposition at relatively low temperature. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is opted as shell because of its tendency to produce high carbon yield. Co3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) are embedded in PAN shell to increase roughness and surface area through in situ synthesis from cobalt salt. Besides, uniform presence of Co3O4 NPs adds flexibility to the resultant hollow CNF (HCNF‐Co) by serving as a plasticizer for single‐fiber‐crack connection and provides additional vacant oxygen sites to improve CO2 adsorption capacity. The optimized HCNF‐Co nanofibers exhibit exceptional CO2 capture performance of 3.28 mmol g−1 at 25 °C. Experimental results suggest that synthesized HCNF‐Co also offers extremely high CO2 gas selectivity (S = 26) than N2 gas. Meaningfully, porous, hollow, and flexible HCNF‐Co nanofibers with exceptional structural stability overcome the limitations of annihilation and collapse of structures, making them a suitable candidate for the applications of CO2 capture.
Multiscale Optimization of 3D‐Printed Beam‐Based Lattice Structures through Elastically Tailored Unit Cells
Authors: Schwahofer Oliver , Büttner Sascha , Binder Johannes , Colin David , Drechsler Klaus
Published: November 2022

Herein, a numerical multiscale tool is developed to design 3D periodic lattice structures. The work is motivated by the high design freedom of additive manufacturing technologies, which enable complex multiscale lattice structures to be printed. A finite‐element‐based free‐material optimization method is used to determine the ideal orthotropic material properties of a 3D macrostructure space. Subsequently, a population‐based algorithm is established to design optimized microscopic lattice unit cells with the desired structural properties. The design variables are the coordinates of lattice skeleton nodes defined within the 3D lattice unit cell space, and the connectivities between them resulting in a truss skeleton. For the calculation of the mechanical properties of the individual lattice cells, an effective Timoshenko beam‐based finite element calculation method is developed. The macroscale structure can be constructed by periodically filling the domain with the customized unit cell representing a metamaterial. The method is demonstrated by 3D beam problems with compliance constraints. These macroscopic demonstrators of the developed lattice structures were also 3D‐printed. The benefit regarding the weight‐specific structural performance is validated through benchmarking with periodic lattice design solutions using well‐known standard lattice cells.
Facile Pathways to Synthesize Perovskite Strontium Cobalt Oxides
Authors: Lu Sicheng , Yin Fang , Wang Yujia , Lu Nianpeng , Gao Lei , Peng Huining , Lyu Yingjie , Long Youwen , Li Jia , Yu Pu
Published: November 2022

Topotactic phase transition obtains extensive research attention due to its associated rich physics as well as a promising potential application. Particularly, the oxygen incorporation into brownmillerite oxides leads to the structural transition into perovskite oxides with distinct magnetic and electronic properties. Using brownmillerite SrCoO2.5 (BM‐SCO), two novel pathways are revealed to achieve the topotactic phase transition into its corresponding perovskite SrCoO3 (P‐SCO). It is demonstrated that by using aqueous alkali as the electrolyte during gating, the negative biased voltage triggers a rapid transition into P‐SCO, which is attributed to the presence of strong oxidizing hydroxyl radicals. While surprisingly, it is observed that the acid solution with rich protons can also trigger an unexpected phase transition from BM‐SCO into P‐SCO in a much faster manner. With density functional theory calculations, this transition is elucidated as a proton‐assist ionic disproportionation, in which the Co ions are simultaneously oxidized and reduced, while the latter one is dissolved within the solution. These case studies not only achieve a deep understanding of the structural phase transition in BM‐SCO but also shed new light on the topotactic phase transition of complex oxides.
Advances in Versatile GeTe Thermoelectrics from Materials to Devices
Authors: Hong Min , Li Meng , Wang Yuan , Shi Xiao‐Lei , Chen Zhi‐Gang
Published: November 2022

Driven by the intensive efforts in the development of high‐performance GeTe thermoelectrics for mass‐market application in power generation and refrigeration, GeTe‐based materials display a high figure of merit of >2.0 and an energy conversion efficiency beyond 10%. However, a comprehensive review on GeTe, from fundamentals to devices, is still needed. In this regard, the latest progress on the state‐of‐the‐art GeTe is timely reviewed. The phase transition, intrinsic high carrier concentration, and multiple band edges of GeTe are fundamentally analyzed from the perspectives of the native atomic orbital, chemical bonding, and lattice defects. Then, the fabrication methods are summarized with a focus on large‐scale production. Afterward, the strategies for enhancing electronic transports of GeTe by energy filtering effect, resonance doping, band convergence, and Rashba band splitting, and the methods for strengthening phonon scatterings via nanoprecipitates, planar vacancies, and superlattices, are comprehensively reviewed. Besides, the device assembly and performance are highlighted. In the end, future research directions are concluded and proposed, which enlighten the development of broader thermoelectric materials.
Bionic Engineered Protein Coating Boosting Anti‐Biofouling in Complex Biological Fluids
Authors: Zhao Ziqian , Pan Mingfei , Qiao Chenyu , Xiang Li , Liu Xiong , Yang Wenshuai , Chen Xing‐Zhen , Zeng Hongbo
Published: November 2022

Implantable medical devices have been widely applied in diagnostics, therapeutics, organ restoration, and other biomedical areas, but often suffer from dysfunction and infections due to irreversible biofouling. Inspired by the self‐defensive “vine‐thorn” structure of climbing thorny plants, a zwitterion‐conjugated protein is engineered via grafting sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) segments on native bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein molecules for surface coating and antifouling applications in complex biological fluids. Unlike traditional synthetic polymers of which the coating operation requires arduous surface pretreatments, the engineered protein BSA@PSBMA (PolySBMA conjugated BSA) can achieve facile and surface‐independent coating on various substrates through a simple dipping/spraying method. Interfacial molecular force measurements and adsorption tests demonstrate that the substrate‐foulant attraction is significantly suppressed due to strong interfacial hydration and steric repulsion of the bionic structure of BSA@PSBMA, enabling coating surfaces to exhibit superior resistance to biofouling for a broad spectrum of species including proteins, metabolites, cells, and biofluids under various biological conditions. This work provides an innovative paradigm of using native proteins to generate engineered proteins with extraordinary antifouling capability and desired surface properties for bioengineering applications.
Improved High‐Temperature Material Stability and Mechanical Properties While Maintaining a High Figure of Merit in Nanostructured p‐Type PbTe‐Based Thermoelectric Elements
Authors: Sauerschnig Philipp , Jood Priyanka , Ohta Michihiro
Published: November 2022

Material stability and mechanical properties of nanostructured p‐type Pb0.993−xNaxGe0.007Te (x = 0.02, 0.04) are improved by tuning dopant Na content, while maintaining a high thermoelectric figure of merit zT. Na‐rich impurity phases detrimental to the material stability, present in heavily Na‐doped p‐type PbTe, are absent after reducing the Na doping from 4% to 2%. The flexural strength of 2% Na‐doped p‐type PbTe measured at 773 K is significantly improved compared to that of the 4% Na‐doped p‐type PbTe, but lower than that of n‐type Pb0.98Ga0.02Te measured in comparison. Excellent thermoelectric performance is maintained for nanostructured Pb0.973Na0.02Ge0.007Te (zT ≈ 2.2 at 810 K). For n‐type Pb0.98Ga0.02Te, zT ≈ 1.3 at 760 K is confirmed. Single‐leg elements of Pb0.973Na0.02Ge0.007Te and Pb0.98Ga0.02Te with Co80Fe20 contact layers display maximum conversion efficiency ηmax ≈ 8.4% and ηmax ≈ 8.2% for temperature difference ΔT ≈ 470 K, respectively. After 240 h operation with ΔT ≈ 470 K, ηmax decreases by ≈33% for the p‐type and ≈13% for the n‐type legs. Lower ηmax compared to the estimation from the material properties and degradation during operation are attributed to crack formation due to thermal expansion mismatch between PbTe and Co80Fe20 and sublimation from the hot side.
An Analytical Model for Sb2Se3 Thin‐Film Solar Cells by Considering Current‐Voltage Distortion
Authors: Gharibshahian Iman , Orouji Ali Asghar , Sharbati Samaneh
Published: November 2022

Antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) solar cells often demonstrate current–voltage (J–V) distortion at low temperature, particularly at reverse bias or under red‐light irradiation. A highly doped p‐type (HDP) thin layer between the buffer and absorber layers is typically supposed to induce the J–V distortion. In this work, an analytical model for the experimental Sb2Se3 solar cell has been presented to investigate the effect of the HDP layer characteristics on the J–V distortion. This proposed model can also calculate the critical voltage at which the J–V distortion occurs. The results show that the Sb2Se3 solar cells with the HDP layer have low efficiency when doping concentration and thickness of the HDP layer increase due to a large J–V distortion. This study confirms that the presence of an electron barrier in the conduction band formed by the HDP layer can cause J–V distortion. Hence, the effect of electron barrier height on cell performance based on the derived formulas is investigated. Finally, comparing the simulation and modeling results with variations of the physical and electrical properties of the HDP layer provides a good evaluation for understanding the behavior of Sb2Se3 solar cells.
Effects of soil amendments on hairy vetch no‐till interseeded into a hayfield
Authors: Warren Nicholas D. , Cox Dorn A. , Smith Richard G.
Published: November 2022

Increasing the abundance of legumes in mixed pasture and hayfield stands can improve forage nutritional quality and nutrient cycling; however, establishing legumes can be difficult, especially without tillage or chemical suppression of existing vegetation. Soil amendments that reduce the competitiveness of the existing plant community or improve the vigor of interseeded legumes could reduce the need for more intensive management practices at the time of interseeding. We compared a range of commercially available soil amendments for their effects on the no‐till establishment of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) interseeded into an existing sod. Amendment treatments were applied in September and included wood ash, biochar, lime, and K applied at different rates, and unamended tilled and untilled treatments as controls. Hairy vetch was no‐till interseeded immediately after treatment application and biomass was measured the subsequent June. Results were consistent across the two site‐years and indicated that an intermediate rate of wood ash (8967 kg ha−1) increased hairy vetch biomass in the spring by 8.5 and 12.4 times compared to the tilled and unamended controls, respectively. We used nonparametric multiplicative regression (NPMR) to explore the relationship between soil physical and chemical properties and hairy vetch biomass across a range of wood ash application rates. We found that soil K alone explained 42% of the variability in hairy vetch biomass. This research suggests that wood ash soil amendments may improve the chances of successfully interseeding legumes into perennial forage crops without the use of herbicide or tillage to suppress the existing plant community.
Hundreds of Colobus (Cercopithecidae: Primates) fossils from the later Pleistocene of Ethiopia's Middle Awash study area
Authors: Brasil Marianne F. , Monson Tesla A. , Taylor Catherine E. , Yohler Ryan M. , Hlusko Leslea J.
Published: November 2022

Objectives

The aim of this study is to introduce and systematically assess a new assemblage of colobine fossils (n = 360) recovered from Late Pleistocene (ca. 100,000 years ago) sediments in the Middle Awash research area, Afar Rift, Ethiopia.

Materials and Methods

We describe the colobine fossils relative to extant colobine taxa and Middle Pleistocene fossil samples from “Andalee” and Asbole, Ethiopia using linear dental, cranial, and postcranial metrics, as well as qualitative features. We also document the ontogenetic and sex profiles of this sample.

Results

Based on morphological affinities to extant and fossil Colobus, we refer these 360 individuals to Colobus cf. guereza. The majority of the individuals (76%) fall into young‐ and middle‐adult age categories. Females are slightly better represented than males, although the majority of individuals (84%) could not be assigned to sex.

Discussion

Details of the last half million years of Colobus morphological evolution have remained obscured by a sparse fossil record. The newly recovered, prepared, and curated fossils described herein add significantly to the record of this group. Several morphologies seen in these new fossils fall between the Asbole Colobus sample and extant Colobus guereza, suggesting an ancestral‐descendant phyletic relationship among the three time‐successive samples. The populational variation documented among these samples indicates that the distinctive pattern of sexual dimorphism observed in C. guereza had evolved by 100 ka.
Molecular dynamics simulation of crosslinking process and mechanical properties of epoxy under the accelerator
Authors: Chen Fengjun , Liu Fan , Du Xiaogang
Published: November 2022

To simulate the crosslinking process of epoxy resin under the accelerator action, the crosslinking system of bisphenol‐A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) as a monomer, methyl tetrahydro‐phthalic anhydride (MTHPA) as a thermal curing agent and 2,4,6‐tris (dimethylaminomethyl) phenol (DMP‐30) as a thermal curing accelerator has been studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. An algorithm that can construct the high‐crosslinked system with different crosslinking density is completed based on the Perl language, and the subsequent properties are simulated. The results of molecular dynamics simulation show that modulus have an increasing trend, and glass transition temperature (Tg) raises from 325 K to 480 K when crosslinking density is from 0% to 95.5%. Conversely, cohesive energy density lessens from 620 J/cm3 to 170 J/cm3, solubility and Poisson's ratio decrease, and the tensile strength firstly increases and then diminishes. The friction coefficient decreases firstly and then increases, meanwhile, the temperature suddenly adds by 20 K and the relative concentration distribution (RCD) grows by 1.58 times at the contact surface. This study predicts for the crosslinking process and micro mechanical properties in the DGEBA/MTHPA/DMP‐30 system.
COVID‐19 in the Pacific territories: Isolation, borders and the complexities of governance
Authors: Connell John
Published: November 2022

Early experience of COVID‐19 in seven Pacific politically dependent territories (Guam, American Samoa, Pitcairn, Tokelau, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, and New Caledonia) emphasises a diversity of contexts, responses, outcomes and possible futures. The consequences of COVID‐19, whether present or absent, included deaths, social isolation, impossibility of medical referrals, economic decline, breakdown of supply chains, and some return migration to rural livelihoods. Outcomes were complicated by differences between local and metropolitan interests, objectives, policies and practices, that reflected historical experience; and by geography, budgets, the significance of tourism, the role of a military presence, ethnicity and demography. Indigenous groups were more likely to be affected and disadvantaged. Management of the pandemic provided an intermittent focus for dissent from pro‐independence groups. Borders acquired unprecedented significance as barriers and frontiers. The experience of COVID‐19 enabled some focus on the possibility of establishing a future ‘new normal’, but immediate revivals and restoration took precedence.
Juvenile toxicity study of PF‐07256472/recifercept, a recombinant human soluble fibroblast growth factor receptor 3, in 2–3‐month‐old cynomolgus monkeys
Authors: Campion Sarah N. , Bowman Christopher J. , Fuchs Antje , Karanian David , Rana Payal , Cappon Gregg D.
Published: November 2022

Achondroplasia is an autosomal disorder caused by point mutation in the gene encoding fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) and resulting in gain of function. Recifercept is a potential disease modifying treatment for achondroplasia and functions as a decoy protein that competes for ligands of the mutated FGFR3. Recifercept is intended to restore normal bone growth by preventing the mutated FGFR3 from negative inhibitory signaling in pediatric patients with achondroplasia. Here we evaluated the potential effects of twice weekly administration of recifercept to juvenile cynomolgus monkeys (approximately 3‐months of age at the initiation of dosing) for 6‐months. No adverse effects were noted in this study, identifying the high dose as the no‐observed‐adverse‐effect‐level and supporting the use of recifercept in pediatric patients from birth. Considering that juvenile toxicity studies in nonhuman primates are not frequently conducted, and when they are conducted they typically utilize animals ≥9 months of age, this study demonstrates the feasibility of executing a juvenile toxicity study in very young monkeys prior to weaning.
The 8q24 region hosts miRNAs altered in biospecimens of colorectal and bladder cancer patients
Authors: Gagliardi Amedeo , Francescato Giulia , Ferrero Giulio , Birolo Giovanni , Tarallo Sonia , Francavilla Antonio , Piaggeschi Giulia , Di Battista Carla , Gallo Gaetano , Realis Luc Alberto , Sacerdote Carlotta , Matullo Giuseppe , Vineis Paolo , Naccarati Alessio , Pardini Barbara
Published: November 2022

Background

The 8q24 locus is enriched in cancer‐associated polymorphisms and, despite containing relatively few protein‐coding genes, it hosts the MYC oncogene and other genetic elements connected to tumorigenesis, including microRNAs (miRNAs). Research on miRNAs may provide insights into the transcriptomic regulation of this multiple cancer‐associated region.

Material and methods

We profiled all miRNAs located in the 8q24 region in 120 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and 80 controls. miRNA profiling was performed on cancer/non‐malignant adjacent mucosa, stool, and plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs), and the results validated with The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. To verify if the 8q24‐annotated miRNAs altered in CRC were dysregulated in other cancers and biofluids, we evaluated their levels in bladder cancer (BC) cases from the TCGA dataset and in urine and plasma EVs from a set of BC cases and healthy controls.

Results

Among the detected mature miRNAs in the region, 12 were altered between CRC and adjacent mucosa (adj. p < 0.05). Five and four miRNAs were confirmed as dysregulated in the CRC and BC TCGA dataset, respectively. A co‐expression analysis of tumor/adjacent tissue data from the CRC group revealed a correlation between the dysregulated miRNAs and CRC‐related genes (PVT1 and MYC) annotated in 8q24 region. miR‐30d‐5p and miR‐151a‐3p, altered in CRC tissue, were also dysregulated in stool of CRC patients and urine of BC cases, respectively. Functional enrichment of dysregulated miRNA target genes highlighted terms related to TP53‐mediated cell cycle control.

Conclusions

Altered expression of 8q24‐annotated miRNAs may be relevant for the initiation and/or progression of cancer.
Bis(amidophenolato)phosphonium: Si−H Hydride Abstraction and Phosphorus‐Ligand Cooperative Activation of C−C Multiple Bonds
Authors: Roth Daniel , Thorwart Thaddäus , Douglas Clara , Greb Lutz
Published: November 2022

The first bis(amidophenolato)phosphonium salts are prepared and fully characterized. The perfluorinated derivative represents the strongest monocationic phosphorus Lewis acid on the fluoride and hydride ion affinity scale isolable to date. This affinity enables new reactions, such as hydride abstraction from Et3SiH, the first phosphaalkoxylation of an alkyne or a phosphorus catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation. All properties and reactions are scrutinized by theory and experiment. Substantial σ‐ and π‐acidity provides the required affinity for substrate activation, while phosphorus‐ligand cooperativity substantially enriches the reactivity portfolio of phosphonium ions.
Two‐Factor Fluorogenicity of Tetrazine‐Modified Cyanine‐Styryl Dyes for Bioorthogonal Labelling of DNA
Authors: Geng Philipp , List Eileen , Rönicke Franziska , Wagenknecht Hans‐Achim
Published: November 2022

Two green fluorescent tetrazine‐modified cyanine‐styryl dyes were synthesized for bioorthogonal labelling of DNA by means of the Diels‐Alder reaction with inverse electron demand. With DNA as target biopolymer the fluorescence of these dyes is released by two factors: (i) sterically by their interaction with DNA, and (ii) structurally via the conjugated tetrazine as quencher moiety. As a result, the reaction with bicyclononyne‐modified DNA is significantly accelerated up to ≥284,000 M−1 s−1, and the fluorescence turn‐on is enhanced up to 560 by the two‐factor fluorogenicity. These dyes are cell permeable even in low concentrations and undergo fluorogenic reactions with BCN‐modified DNA in living HeLa cells. The two‐factor fluorescence release improves the signal‐to‐noise ratio such that washing procedures prior to cell imaging are not needed, which is a great advantage for live cell imaging of DNA and RNA in the future.
Sustainable Production of Molybdenum Carbide (MXene) from Fruit Wastes for Improved Solar Evaporation
Authors: Aizudin Marliyana , Krishna Sudha Murali , Goei Ronn , Kuang Lua Shun , Poolamuri Pottammel Rafeeque , Iing Yoong Tok Alfred , Huixiang Ang Edison
Published: November 2022

Freshwater production using solar‐driven interfacial evaporation is regarded as a green and sustainable strategy. The biggest barrier to practical deployment of solar desalination, however, continues to be the lack of options for renewable materials. Herein, we present a facile two‐step carbonization approach that is sustainable for developing innovative two‐dimensional (2D) molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) materials derived from carbonized fruit wastes. The resultant 2D Mo2C photothermal layer has an efficient water evaporation rate of 1.52 kg m−2 h−1 with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 94 % under one sun irradiation, which is among the best reported values so far. The broad solar absorption band, high specific surface area (555.1 m2 g−1) with large micro‐ and meso porosity, of the Mo2C photothermal layer are responsible for these outstanding results. The conversion of food wastes into valuable products, in this case MXene, can potentially inspire greener developments of advanced materials for solar water evaporator.
Fundamentals of chirality, resolution, and enantiopure molecule synthesis methods
Authors: Kaya Cem , Birgül Kaan , Bülbül Bahadır
Published: November 2022

The chirality of molecules is a concept that explains the interactions in nature. We may observe the same formula but different organizations revolving around the chiral center. Since Pasteur's meticulous observation of sodium ammonium tartrate crystals' structure, scientists have discovered many features of chiral molecules. The number of newly approved single enantiomeric drugs increases every year and takes place in the market. Thus, separation or resolution methods of racemic mixtures are of continued importance in the efficacy of drugs, installation of affordable production processes, and convenient synthetic chemistry practice. This article presents the asymmetric synthesis approaches and the classification of direct resolution methods of chiral molecules.
Phosphonate Derivatives of Paracetamol and Valproic Acid
Authors: Ballók Renáta , Kis Varga Ágnes , Erdélyi Péter , Fischer János
Published: November 2022

Paracetamol and valproic acid are standalone drugs with leading position in the world drug market. The phosphonate analogues of these drugs were synthesized and were tested in vivo. N‐(4‐hydroxyphenylcarbamoyl)phosphonic acid was four times more potent than paracetamol in preventing acetic acid‐induced writhing. Phosphonate derivative of valproic acid, (2‐propylpentanoyl)phosphonic acid, had similar in vivo activity to valproic acid in the pentylenetetrazole‐induced kindling mouse model.
Differential response in patients with large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung to initial therapy: A case series
Authors: Takahara Yutaka , Tanaka Takuya , Ishige Yoko , Shionoya Ikuyo , Yamamura Kouichi , Sakuma Takashi , Nishiki Kazuaki , Nakase Keisuke , Nojiri Masafumi , Kato Ryo , Shinomiya Shohei , Oikawa Taku , Mizuno Shiro
Published: November 2022

Background

Large cell neuroendocrine tumors of the lung (LCNEC) are rare. Chemotherapy with the small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) regimen is the most appropriate treatment for LCNEC. However, there is evidence that the non‐small cell lung cancer regimen is also effective in some reported cases. Due to the differences in response to LCNEC treatment, a standard of care for LCNEC has not been established.

Cases

The clinical records of nine patients with LCNEC who were treated with anticancer drugs based on an SCLC regimen from March 2016 to March 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients who responded to treatment after one cycle of systemic chemotherapy were compared to those who did not respond. All patients in the responder group had a performance status (PS) of 0 or 1. However, 5 of the 6 patients in the non‐responder group had a PS of 2 or 3, indicating that many patients were in poor general condition. Although patients with multiple metastases to more than one organ prior to treatment were not identified in the responder group, five of these patients were in the non‐responder group.

In the non‐responder group, all patients discontinued treatment due to deterioration of general condition during first‐line treatment. Thus, none of them were able to start the second‐line treatment.

Conclusion

The results of this study may suggest that early diagnosis and initiation of treatment before multiple organ metastasis development and PS decline may have clinical implications that could lead to improved treatment response in patients with LCNEC.
Generation of DNA Methylation Signatures and Classification of Variants in Rare Neurodevelopmental Disorders Using EpigenCentral
Authors: Awamleh Zain , Goodman Sarah , Kallurkar Prajkta , Wu Wendy , Lu Kevin , Choufani Sanaa , Turinsky Andrei L. , Weksberg Rosanna
Published: November 2022

There are more than 700 genes that encode proteins that function in epigenetic regulation and chromatin modification. Germline variants in these genes (typically heterozygous) are associated with rare neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) characterized by growth abnormalities and intellectual and developmental delay. Advancements in next‐generation sequencing have dramatically increased the detection of pathogenic sequence variants in genes encoding epigenetic machinery associated with NDDs and, concurrently, the number of clinically uninterpretable variants classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUS). Recently, DNA methylation (DNAm) signatures, disorder‐specific patterns of DNAm change, have emerged as a functional tool that provides insights into disorder pathophysiology and can classify pathogenicity of variants in NDDs. To date, our group and others have identified DNAm signatures for more than 60 Mendelian neurodevelopmental disorders caused by variants in genes encoding epigenetic machinery. There is broad interest in both the research and clinical communities to develop and catalog DNAm signatures in rare NDDs, but there are challenges in optimizing study design considerations and availability of platforms that integrate bioinformatics tools with the appropriate statistical framework required to analyze genome‐wide DNAm data. We previously published EpigenCentral, a platform for analysis of DNAm data in rare NDDs. In this article, we utilize the published Weaver syndrome dataset to provide step‐by‐step protocols for using EpigenCentral for exploratory analysis to identify DNAm signatures and for classification of NDD variants. We also provide important considerations for experimental design and interpretation of DNAm results. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Exploratory analysis to identify disorder‐specific DNAm signatures

Basic Protocol 2: Classification of variants associated with neurodevelopmental disorders
The role of rumors in the emergence and diffusion of pogroms
Authors: Bergmann Werner
Published: November 2022

In studies on single pogroms, but especially in analyses of waves of pogroms, the central role of rumor communication in the run‐up to, but also in the spread of pogroms has been emphasized time and again. In the following, the functions and types of rumor communication will be examined in more detail in order to understand their role in the emergence and spread of nonorganized collective violence. Rumors in the run‐up to pogroms influence the actions of all actors involved in pogroms, but the pogromists, the bystanders, the target group and the authorities react to them quite differently. Rumors can have both a motivating function for the perpetrators that triggers and promotes violence and an early warning function for the target group and the authorities to prevents violence.
Corporate social responsibility, family involvement, and stock price crash risk
Authors: Yang Minghui , Wang Yan , Bai Lu , Maresova Petra
Published: November 2022

This study responds to the call in Vazquez's (2018) by providing more empirical evidence on ethical issues in family business. Drawing from the agency theory, we provide new evidence about the “CSR – stock price crash risk” nexus by examining the moderating effect of family involvement. With a focus on the Chinese capital market, we find that corporate social responsibility (CSR) negatively affects stock price crash risk. Such negative correlation is stronger for family firms as compared with nonfamily firms. Three proxies of family involvement, termly family member as a CEO, lower proportion of variable compensation to CEO, and greater family control, can strengthen the alleviating effect of CSR on crash risk. Nevertheless, a second‐generation successor as executive does not exert any moderating effect. Our findings advance the comprehension of the “CSR‐crash risk” nexus from the family business viewpoint and emphasize the important role of CSR in stabilizing the stock market.
Winter and summer storms modify chlorophyll relationships with nutrients in seasonally ice‐covered lakes
Authors: Hampton Stephanie E. , Sharma Sapna , Brousil Matthew R. , Filazzola Alessandro
Published: November 2022

At broad spatial scales, primary productivity in lakes is known to increase in concert with nutrients, and variables that may disrupt or modify the tight coupling of nutrients and algae are of increasing interest, particularly for those shifting with climate change. Storms may disrupt algae–nutrient relationships, but the expected effects differ between winter and summer seasons, particularly for seasonally ice‐covered lakes. In winter, storms can dramatically change the under‐ice light environment, creating light limitation that disrupts algae–nutrient relationships. Further, storms can bring both snow that blocks light and also wind that blows snow off of ice. In open water conditions, storms may promote turbulence and external nutrient loading. Here, we test the hypotheses that winter and summer storms differentially affect algae–nutrient relationships across 84 seasonally ice‐covered lakes included in the Ecology Under Lake Ice dataset. While nutrients explained most of the variation in chlorophyll across these lakes, we found that secondary drivers differed between seasons. Under‐ice chlorophyll was higher under a variety of precipitation and wind conditions that tend to promote snow‐free clear ice, highlighting the importance of light as a limiting factor for algal growth during winter. In summer, higher water temperatures and storms corresponded with higher chlorophyll. Our study suggests that examining ice‐covered lakes in a gradient from the perennial ice cover of the poles to the intermittent ice cover of lower latitudes would yield key information on the shifts in light and nutrient limitation that control algal biomass.