bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the Distribution Patterns of Microsatellites Across the Genomes of Reptiles
Authors: Zhong Huaming , Shao Xuan , Cao Jing , Huang Jie , Wang Jing , Yang Nuo , Yuan Baodong
Published: November 2024

Microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are prevalent across various organisms' genomes. However, their distribution patterns and evolutionary dynamics in reptile genomes are rarely studied systematically. We herein conducted a comprehensive analysis of SSRs in the genomes of 36 reptile species. Our findings revealed that the total number of SSRs ranged from 1,840,965 to 7,664,452, accounting for 2.16%–8.19% of the genomes analyzed. The relative density ranged from 21,567.82 to 81,889.41 bp per megabase (Mbp). The abundance of different SSR categories followed the pattern of imperfect SSR (I‐SSR) > perfect SSR (P‐SSR) > compound SSR (C‐SSR). A significant positive correlation was observed between the number of SSRs and genome size (p = 0.0034), whereas SSR frequency (p = 0.013) or density (p = 0.0099) showed a negative correlation with genome size. Furthermore, no correlation was found between SSR length and genome size. Mononucleotide repeats were the most common P‐SSRs in crocodilians and turtles, whereas mononucleotides, trinucleotides, or tetranucleotides were the most common P‐SSRs in snakes, lizards, and tuatara. P‐SSRs of varying motif sizes showed nonrandom distribution across different genic regions, with AT‐rich repeats being predominant. The genomic SSR content of the squamate lineage ranked the highest in abundance and variability, whereas crocodilians and turtles showed a slowly evolving and reduced microsatellite landscape. Gene ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses indicated that genes harboring P‐SSRs in the coding DNA sequence regions were primarily involved in the regulation of transcription and translation processes. The SSR dataset generated in this study provides potential candidates for functional analysis and calls for broader‐scale analyses across the evolutionary spectrum.
Predicting the Potential Distribution of the Endangered Pyrethrum tatsienense in China Using an Optimized Maxent Model Under Climate Change Scenarios
Authors: Zhu Duo Ping , Yang Liu , Li Yong‐hua , Huang Pei , Yao Bin , Kong Zhe , Xiang Yangzhou
Published: November 2024

Climate change can significantly impact the ecological suitability and diversity of species. Pyrethrum tatsienense, a critically endangered species in China, requires a thorough understanding of its habitat distribution and the environmental factors that affect it in the context of climate change. The Maxent algorithm was used to examine the key factors influencing the distribution of P. tatsienense in China, using data from 127 species occurrences and environmental variables from the Last Interglacial (LIG), Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), Mid‐Holocene (MH), current, and future scenarios. The Maxent model was optimized utilizing the R package ENMeval, providing the most accurate predictions for suitable habitats across various scenarios. Results show that suitable regions for P. tatsienense encompass approximately 15.02% (14.42 × 105 km2) of China, predominantly on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau. The mean UV‐B of the highest month (UVB3: 39.7%), elevation (elev: 28.7%), and the warmest season of precipitation (Bio18: 17.4%) are the major limiting factors for suitable habitat. The optimal species distribution ranges are identified as > 7500 J m−2 day−1 for UVB3, 2700–5600 m for elev, and 150–480 mm for Bio18. Predictions for the historical climate indicate the presence of refugia at the junction of Sichuan, Tibet, and Qinghai. The MH predictions show an increase in climatic suitability for P. tatsienense compared to the LIG and LGM, with an expansion of suitable areas westward. Future climate change scenarios indicate that the potential suitable habitat for P. tatsienense is expected to increase with increasing radiative forcing, with higher latitude regions becoming new marginally suitable habitats. However, predicted environmental changes in western Tibet may drive the loss of highly suitable habitats in the future. These findings enhance our understanding of how environmental factors impact the habitat suitability of P. tatsienense and provide valuable insights for developing effective management and conservation strategies for this important species.
Fabrication of Flexible Organic Field Effect Transistor Using Patterned Electrospray Deposition
Authors: Moriwaki Takahisa , Yamauchi Hiroshi , Tadokoro Takashi
Published: November 2024

The electrospray deposition (ESD) method is a wet process that uses the solution spray formed by an electric field between the needle of a syringe containing the solution and a conductive substrate or an insulated electrode. In this study, we fabricated thin films based on 6,13‐bis(triisopropyl‐silylethynyl) pentacene (TIPS‐pentacene) formed by a new direct patterning ESD method. This method utilizes an electric field applied between the nozzle and patterned electrodes on the substrate. It enables the formation of patterns on materials such as plastic films. Moreover, this ESD method allows for the control of patterned film width using the voltage on a counter‐patterned electrode. These results demonstrate that the patterned TIPS‐pentacene film width can be controlled by controlling voltage. We fabricated a flexible organic field‐effect transistor (OFET) using this method and measured its static electrical characteristics.
Triggering policy learning via formal EU evaluation requirements in the case of Cohesion Policy
Authors: Dotti Nicola Francesco , Colnot Louis , Walczyk Julia , Kupiec Tomasz , Pellegrin Julie
Published: November 2024

The European Union (EU), especially in the context of Cohesion Policy (CP), has played a crucial role in developing and promoting policy evaluation practices across its Member States. Evaluation systems across the Member States have been established to assess CP investments. Remarkably, the use of evaluation research and its contribution to stimulating policy learning has remained a “black box.” To address this issue, this article aims to develop a novel framework centered around four conditions for evaluation‐based policy learning, namely: (1) policy relevance, (2) resources and organizational settings, (3) quality of evaluation, and (4) evaluation culture. These conditions are retrieved from the existing literature on policy evaluation and applied to the six‐country cases across the EU. The findings suggest how loosening the formal EU evaluation requirements could affect policy learning in the Member States.
Neuroprotective effect of neuron‐specific deletion of the C16 ceramide synthetic enzymes in an animal model of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Amatruda Mario , Marechal Damien , Gacias Mar , Wentling Maureen , Turpin‐Nolan Sarah , Morstein Johannes , Moniruzzaman Mohammed , Brüning Jens C. , Haughey Norman J. , Trauner Dirk H. , Casaccia Patrizia
Published: November 2024

Ceramide C16 is a sphingolipid detected at high levels in several neurodegenerative disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS). It can be generated de novo or from the hydrolysis of other sphingolipids, such as sphingomyelin or through the recycling of sphingosine, in what is known as the salvage pathway. While the myelin damage occurring in MS suggests the importance of the hydrolytic and salvage pathways, the growing interest on the importance of diet in demyelinating disorders, prompted us to investigate the involvement of de novo ceramide C16 synthesis on disease severity. A diet rich in saturated fats such as palmitic acid, as found in many highly processed foods, provides substrates for the ceramide C16 synthetic enzymes ceramide synthase 6 (CERS6) and 5 (CERS5), which are expressed in the central nervous system. Using the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of inflammatory demyelination, we show here that mice with CamK2a+ neuronal specific deletion of both CerS6 and CerS5 show a milder course of EAE than wild type mice, even when fed a diet enriched in palmitic acid. At a cellular level, neurons lacking both CerS6 and CerS5 are protected from the mitochondrial dysfunction arising from exposure to oxidative stress and palmitic acid in the medium. These data underscore the importance of a healthy diet avoiding processed foods for demyelinating disorders and identifies endogenous neuronal synthesis of ceramide C16 as an important determinant of disease severity.
Astrocytic determinant of the fate of long‐term memory
Authors: Yamao Hiroki , Matsui Ko
Published: November 2024

While some vivid memories are unyielding and unforgettable, others fade with time. Astrocytes are recognized for their role in modulating the brain's environment and have recently been considered integral to the brain's information processing and memory formation. This suggests their potential roles in emotional perception and memory formation. In this study, we delve into the impact of amygdala astrocytes on fear behaviors and memory, employing astrocyte‐specific optogenetic manipulations in mice. Our findings reveal that astrocytic photoactivation with channelrhodopsin‐2 (ChR2) provokes aversive behavioral responses, while archaerhodopsin‐T (ArchT) photoactivation diminishes fear perception. ChR2 photoactivation amplifies fear perception and fear memory encoding but obstructs its consolidation. On the other hand, ArchT photoactivation inhibits memory formation during intense aversive stimuli, possibly due to weakened fear perception. However, it prevents the decay of remote fear memory over three weeks. Crucially, these memory effects were observed when optogenetic manipulations coincided with the aversive experience, indicating a deterministic role of astrocytic states at the exact moment of fear experiences in shaping long‐term memory. This research underscores the significant and multifaceted role of astrocytes in emotional perception, fear memory formation, and modulation, suggesting a sophisticated astrocyte‐neuron communication mechanism underlying basic emotional state transitions of information processing in the brain.
Integrating VGG 19 U‐Net for Breast Thermogram Segmentation and Hybrid Enhancement With Optimized Classifier Selection: A Novel Approach to Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Arul Edwin Raj A. , Ahmad Nabihah Binti , Ananiah Durai S. , Renugadevi R.
Published: November 2024

Early diagnosis of breast cancer is essential for improving patient survival rates and reducing treatment costs. Despite breast thermogram images having high quality, doctors in developing countries often struggle with early diagnosis due to difficulties in interpreting subtle details. Implementing a Computer‐Aided Diagnosis (CAD) system can assist doctors in accurately analyzing these details. This article presents an innovative approach to breast cancer diagnosis using thermal images. The proposed method enhances the quality and clarity of relevant features while preserving sharp and curved edges through U‐Net‐based segmentation for automatic selection of the ROI, advanced hybrid image enhancement techniques, and a machine learning classifier. Subjective analysis compares the processed images with five conventional enhancement techniques, demonstrating the efficiency of the proposed method. The quantitative analysis further validates the effectiveness of the proposed method against five conventional methods using four quality measures. The proposed method achieves superior performance with PSNR of 15.27 for normal and 14.31 for malignant images, AMBE of 6.594 for normal and 7.46 for malignant images, SSIM of 0.829 for normal and 0.80 for malignant images, and DSSIM of 0.084 for normal and 0.14 for malignant images. The classification phase evaluates four classifiers using 13 features from three categories. The Random Forest (RF) classifier with Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) based features initially outperformed other classifier features but had limited performance, with accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 81.8%, 88.8%, and 91%, respectively. To improve this, three categories of features were normalized and converted into two principal components using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to train the RF classifier, which then showed superior performance with 97.7% accuracy, 96.5% sensitivity, and 98.2% specificity. The dataset utilized in this article is obtained from the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, India. The entire proposed model is implemented in a Jupyter notebook.
Prognostic significance of creatine kinase in resected pancreatic cancer
Authors: Kohara Yuichiro , Yasuda Satoshi , Nagai Minako , Nakamura Kota , Matsuo Yasuko , Terai Taichi , Doi Shunsuke , Sakata Takeshi , Sho Masayuki
Published: November 2024

Background

Creatine kinase (CK) levels decrease with cancer progression and muscle wasting, but its association with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate CK as a prognostic biomarker and surrogate marker for muscle mass in patients with PDAC.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 476 patients with PDAC was conducted. CK levels were categorized into low and high groups using receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

Among the 476 patients, 200 (42.0%) and 276 (58.0%) were classified into the low and high CK groups, respectively. The low CK group had significantly poorer overall survival (p < .001) and recurrence‐free survival (p < .001) compared to the high CK group. Multivariate analysis identified low CK as an independent poor prognostic factor (p < .001). The low CK group had significantly lower skeletal muscle index (p = .048) than the high CK group; however, the difference was slight and not significantly associated with sarcopenia. Additionally, combined risk assessment incorporating CK and resectability facilitated a more nuanced prognostic stratification.

Conclusions

CK served as a reliable prognostic marker independent from resectability but was less effective as a marker for sarcopenia in PDAC.
Unveiling a Novel Mechanistic Pathway: Thiol and DMSO‐Facilitated Synthesis of Pyrazole Amine Thioether
Authors: Perumal Karuppaiah , Shanthi Markabandhu , Hemamalini Vijayakumar , Shanmugam Ramasamy , Shankar Bhaskaran , Ramesh Subburethinam
Published: November 2024

The present protocol shows a novel and greener approach for synthesizing pyrazole amine thioether, employing thiophenol, 3‐aminocrotononitrile, and phenylhydrazine hydrochloride. Notably, this methodology deviates from the literature report in making thioether derivatives using oxidant‐free and room‐temperature conditions. Based on the control experiments, it was found that the thioether link in the intermediate facilitated the 5‐exo‐dig cyclization reaction exclusively in the DMSO solvent. This is probably due to the nitrile group's activation by the structure's thioether moiety. The control experiment demonstrates the significance of the thioether compound in the reaction. Without any oxidizing agent, introducing thioether in any heterocyclic compound is not possible, as per the literature reports. Our reaction showed excellent tolerance by involving various phenylhydrazine hydrochloride and thiophenol compounds, allowing for the synthesis of various pyrazole amine thioether derivatives in good to excellent yields. The reaction follows the 5‐exo‐dig cyclization strategy.
Association of physical function with hospital readmissions among older adults: A systematic review
Authors: Thomas Erin M. , Smith James , Curry Alisa , Salsberry Marka , Ridgeway Kyle , Hunt Beth , Desanto Kristen , Falvey Jason R.
Published: November 2024

Background

Hospital readmissions pose significant burdens on healthcare systems, particularly among older adults. While efforts to reduce readmissions have historically focused on medical management, emerging evidence suggests physical function may also play a role in successful care transitions. However, there is a limited understanding of the relationship between functional measures and readmission risk. This systematic review aims to assess the association between physical function impairments and hospital readmissions.

Objective

This systematic review aims to assess the association between physical function impairments and hospital readmissions.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, with studies identified through databases including PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and others published January 1, 2010–December 31, 2022. Inclusion criteria encompassed observational studies of adults aged 50 and older in the United States, reporting readmissions within 90 days of discharge and assessing physical function across domains of the International Classification of Function model. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were independently conducted by two authors using theScottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) tool.

Results

Seventeen studies, representing 80,008 participants, were included in this systematic review. Patient populations included a wide array of medical populations, including general medical inpatients and those undergoing cardiac surgery. Across various functional measures assessed before or during admission, impairments were consistently associated with increased risk for hospital readmissions up to 90 days after admission. Measures of participation, including life‐space mobility, were also associated with increased readmission risk.

Conclusions

Functional impairments are robust predictors of hospital readmissions in older adults. Routine assessment of physical function during hospitalization can improve risk stratification and may support successful care transitions, particularly in older adults
Dune activity history in China's east dunefields over the past millennium
Authors: Wu Zhipeng , Li Jinchang , Zhang Caixia , Zhou Ya
Published: November 2024

Dune activity encompasses both activation and dune stabilization processes, with the former potentially threatening the sustainability of global ecosystems and human societies. Research on historical dune activity has raised concern among environmental scientists and serves as a foundation for assessing recent and future changes in arid and semi‐arid ecosystems. Disagreements related to the causes of historical dune activation persist because of the lack of a more detailed dune activity history for China's east dunefields. Based on stratigraphic evidence, historical documents and archaeological discoveries in the Mu Us and Horqin dunefields, this study presents a detailed dune activity history as well as the forcing mechanisms for China's east dunefields as a whole over the past millennium. The results revealed that two episodes of extensive dune activation (from 800 to 940 ce and from 1300 to 2000
ce) occurred in China's east dunefields, accounting for 69% of the past millennium. The proportions of extensive dune activation driven by a cold and dry climate (from 800 to 940
ce and from 1300 to 1730
ce), strong human activity (from 1900 to 2000
ce) and their combined impacts (from 1730 to 1900
ce) were approximately 68%, 12% and 20%, respectively. Thus, China's east dunefields were in a state of extensive dune activation for most of the past millennium, and most extensive dune activation was driven by climate. Local or sporadic dune activation occurred from 940 to 1300
ce and since 2000
ce in China's east dunefields, which was caused by strong human activity.
High‐throughput screening and identification of lignin peroxidase based on spore surface display of Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Shi Na , Li Shouzhi , He Lu , Feng Yong , Saeed Muhammad , Ma Yi , Ni Zhong , Zhu Daochen , Chen Huayou
Published: November 2024

Background

Lignin peroxidase is closely related to agriculture and food as it improves the quality of feedstuffs, facilitates the degradation of lignin in agricultural wastes, and degrades azo dyes that have similar complex structures to lignin. However, the current status of homologous or heterologous expression of lignin peroxidase is unsatisfactory and needs to be modified with the help of immobilization and directed evolution to maximize its potential. Directed evolution technology is an effective strategy for designing and improving enzyme characteristics, and Bacillus subtilis spore surface display technology is an efficient method for preparing immobilized enzymes.

RESULTS

A colorimetric dye decolorization assay using Congo red as a substrate was developed and optimized for high‐throughput screening of spore surface display in a 96‐well plate. After two rounds of screening, a superior mutant strain was selected from 2700 mutants. Its highest catalytic activity was 196.36%. The amino acid substitution sites were identified as N120D and I242T.

Conclusion

The mechanism for the enhanced catalytic activity was explained using protein modeling and functional analysis software. This study provides insights into the rational design of lignin peroxidase and its application in food and agriculture. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Relevant Ongoing Clinical Trials to Investigate Local‐Regional Treatment Strategies for Peritoneal Surface Malignancies
Authors: Blaj S. , Häusler S. , Piso P.
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives

The multimodal therapy of peritoneal metastases of common cancers (i.e. colorectal, gastric, and ovarian), including CRS plus HIPEC, is still subject to several clinical studies.

Methods

This paper presents the ongoing studies regarding HIPEC, as found on clinicaltrials.gov. The emphasis was set on Phase III recruiting trials, including the newest information from principal investigators who answered the call of the authors.

Results

Ninety trials have been identified, and the protocols of 15 studies have been presented in detail.

Conclusions

There are interesting ongoing trials investigating the role of CRS plus HIPEC.
Ready‐to‐use Models Built Using a Diverse Set of 266 Aroma Compounds for the Estimation of Gas Chromatographic Retention Indices for the 50%‐Cyanopropylphenyl‐50%‐Dimethylpolysiloxane Stationary Phase
Authors: Sholokhova Anastasia Yu. , Matyushin Dmitriy D.
Published: November 2024

Retention index prediction based on the molecule structure is not often used in practice due to low accuracy, the need to use paid software to calculate molecular descriptors (MD), and the narrow applicability domain of many models. In recent years, relatively accurate and versatile deep learning (DL)‐based models have emerged. These models are now used in practice as an additional criterion in gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry identification. The DB‐225ms stationary phase (usually described as 50%‐cyanopropylphenyl‐50%‐dimethylpolysiloxane in available sources) is widely used, but ready‐to‐use retention index estimation models are not available for it. This study presents such models. The models are linear and use simple constitutional MD and retention indices predicted by DL for the DB‐WAX and DB‐624 stationary phases as MD (we show that it is their use that allows us to achieve satisfactory accuracy). The accuracy obtained for a completely unseen hold‐out test set: root mean square error 73.2; mean absolute error 45.7; median absolute error 22.0. The models were trained using a retention data set of 266 volatile compounds. All calculations can be performed using the convenient open‐source software CHERESHNYA. The final equations are implemented as a spreadsheet and a code snippet and are available online: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26800789.
The Potential to Reconstruct 20th Century Soil Organic Carbon Erosion in Rangelands From Small Reservoir Sediments
Authors: Li Lu , Krenz Juliane , Pregler Anja , Greenwood Philip , Kuhn Nikolaus J.
Published: November 2024

Soil erosion and soil organic carbon (SOC) loss are not always linked linearly because SOC‐rich topsoil is eroded at the initial stages of degradation, while horizons with lower SOC content are eroded later, but often at higher rates. Small, silted‐up farm reservoirs potentially document this change during the period of sediment accumulation. This study tests the specific potential of small farm reservoir sediments from the South African Karoo to reconstruct 20th century SOC and total nitrogen (TN) change in rangeland soils. Five reservoir sediment profiles were sampled and texture, total organic carbon (TOC), TN and 137Cs of the samples were analyzed and compared. The results show that there clearly distinguishable flood couplets have been preserved in the sediment, illustrating their suitability for the chronological reconstruction of soil erosion and SOC. With one exception, the older sediments contain more TOC and TN than the younger ones. The TOC changed mostly in earlier than later stages of deposition, which is indicative of soil degradation early after the construction of the dams in the 1920s and 1930s. These distinct changes illustrate that the small reservoir sediments have the potential to reconstruct the impact of land‐use and associated soil erosion on SOC change in rangelands. Their analysis can therefore contribute to a better understanding of the land‐use associated changes of the global carbon cycle during the 20th century.
Fast Gain Dynamics in Interband Cascade Lasers
Authors: Pilat Florian , Windischhofer Andreas , Beiser Maximilian , Pecile Vito F. , Gangrskaia Elizaveta , Pugžlys Audrius , Weih Robert , Koeth Johannes , Baltuška Andrius , Heckl Oliver H. , Schwarz Benedikt
Published: November 2024

Interband Cascade Lasers (ICL) have matured into a versatile technological platform in the mid‐infrared spectral domain. To broaden their applicability even further, ongoing research pursues the emission of ultrashort pulses. The most promising approach is passive mode‐locking with a fast saturable absorber. However, despite vast attempts no passive mode‐locked ICL has been demonstrated up to date. In this study, pump‐probe measurements are conducted on the ICL gain, demonstrating that 60–70% of its dynamic behavior is characterized by a rapid recovery time of 2 ps. The findings explain why passive mode‐locking of ICLs has not succeeded so far, shedding a new light on ICL dynamics as strategies are proposed to overcome the current limitations.
High‐Pressure Modulation of NIR Luminescence in Cr3+‐Doped Cs2AgInCl6 Double Perovskites: The Role of Ultrafast Energy Transfer
Authors: Liu Xin , Niu Guangming , Jiang Jutao , Che Li , Sui Laizhi , Wang Xiaowei , Zeng Xiangyu , Wu Guorong , Yuan Kaijun , Yang Xueming
Published: November 2024

Lead‐free halide double perovskites (DPs) have attracted much attention due to their potential applications in the field of near‐infrared (NIR) optoelectronics. However, regulating the NIR luminescence properties of such materials remains a challenge. In this study, it is found that Cs2AgInCl6:Cr3+ DPs exhibit a broad NIR emission under ultraviolet excitation, with a peak value of 980 nm. In the range of 9 GPa, the emission intensity increases significantly. As the pressure increases, a transition from broadband NIR emission to narrow‐line emission occurs, accompanied by a decrease in the full width at half maximum (FWHM) from 260 to 40 nm, attributed to increased local structural asymmetry and enhanced crystal field around Cr3+ ions. Ultrafast transient absorption experiments reveal the changes of energy transfer under pressure and the emergence of new radiation channels, demonstrating the dynamic evolution of emission characteristics under high pressure. The research results deepen the understanding of high pressure luminescence in Cr3⁺‐doped halide DPs, providing strategies for designing highly efficient NIR emitters in metal halide DPs.
Tuning Interfacial Characteristics of Epoxy Composites Towards Simultaneous High Thermal and Dielectric Properties
Authors: Zhong Chengzhi , Feng Yang , Zhou Bin , Liu Peiyan , Zhao Yi , Li Shengtao
Published: November 2024

Achieving excellent thermal and dielectric performance is crucial to prevent premature insulation failure of epoxy in high‐frequency transformers. However, interfaces introduced by embedding micro/nano fillers in epoxy have opposite effects on these properties. Here, the interfacial characteristics of micro‐BN/nano‐Al2O3 epoxy is tailored composites by modifying nano‐Al2O3 with functional amine groups, leading to simultaneous improvements in thermal conductivity and high‐frequency breakdown strength. After modification, thermal conductivity increased from 0.193 to 0.490 W m−1 K−1 at 25 °C, and breakdown strength improved from 85.4 to 94.8 kV mm−1 at 10 kHz. The findings revealed the coexistence of overlapping interfaces between micro‐BN and chemical interfaces between modified Al2O3‐NH2 and matrix in composites. Contrary to the overlapping interface, the chemical interface played a more pivotal role in macroscopic performance. Calculations based on a covalent bonding interfacial model demonstrated that this in‐situ tight interface facilitated phonon transport, thereby enhancing thermal conductivity. Besides the physical structure, an increase in electrostatic potential in the chemical interface also impeded charge migration, resulting in an improved breakdown strength. The synergistic effect of the chemical interface on thermal and dielectric properties presents a promising design strategy for developing high‐performance epoxy composites.
A Review on Advances and Challenges in Core‐Shell Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering: Design, Fabrication, and Clinical Translation
Authors: Ang Bee Chin , Nam Hui Yin , Abdullah Muhammad Faiq , Muhamad Farina , Truong Yen Bach
Published: November 2024

This review explores core‐shell scaffolds in bone tissue engineering, highlighting their osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties critical for bone growth and regeneration. Key design factors include material selection, porosity, mechanical strength, biodegradation kinetics, and bioactivity. Electrospun core‐shell nanofibrous scaffolds demonstrate potential in delivering therapeutic agents and enhancing bone regeneration. Critical characterization techniques include structural, surface, chemical composition, mechanical, and degradation analyses. Scaling up production poses challenges, addressed by innovative electrospinning techniques. Future research focuses on regulatory and commercial considerations, while exploring advanced materials and fabrication methods to optimize scaffold performance for improved clinical outcomes.
Deciphering Growth Patterns in Korean Children With Sotos Syndrome Through the Development of a Disease‐Specific Growth Chart
Authors: Choi Naye , Kim Hwa Young , Ko Jung Min
Published: November 2024

Background

Sotos syndrome (SS) is a rare disorder characterized by overgrowth, distinctive facial features, and intellectual disability that is primarily caused by NSD1 pathogenic variants or 5q35 microdeletions.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and 339 anthropometric measurements over an average of 4.3 years of follow‐up in 57 Korean children with SS. Sex‐specific percentile curves for height, weight, and head circumference were developed using a generalized additive model that included factors such as location, scale, and shape.

Results

Males with SS demonstrated higher height before the age of 12.0, greater weight before 10.0, and larger head circumference before 15.5 compared to age‐ and sex‐matched controls. Females with SS displayed higher height before 17.0, greater weight before 10.5, and larger head circumference before 12.0 compared to controls. Bone age was advanced compared to chronological age in 40% of males and 8% of females at their last visit. The predicted and target adult heights were not significantly different between groups. In subgroup analysis, the intragenic variant group (n = 48) showed a higher mean standard deviation score of height and weight in males, and head circumference in females compared to the microdeletion group (n = 9).

Conclusions

Korean children with genetically confirmed SS exhibited overgrowth in height, weight, and head circumference. Overgrowth phenotypes were more prominent in patients with NSD1 intragenic variants than in those with microdeletions. This is the first study to provide reference data on the growth of Korean children with SS.
Two twinning operators when imposing nonlinear modulation in short‐time Fourier transform
Authors: Su Yue , Ye Feng
Published: November 2024

Two types of short‐time Fourier transforms involving respectively nonlinear modulation and nonlinear translation are designed in this note. Some important properties such as twin in time‐frequency domain and orthogonality relations are investigated. Moreover, Lieb type inequalities and uncertainty principle are established.
Periodic solutions of differential equations with periodic constraints
Authors: Spadini Marco
Published: November 2024

We study the harmonic solutions of periodically perturbed differential equations subjected to a possibly time‐dependent constraint. We obtain a degree theoretic condition ensuring a “global branching” result for the nontrivial periodic solutions. The argument stems from a combination of techniques from the theory of topological degree and differential‐algebraic equations. As an application, the set of harmonic solutions of periodically perturbed implicit differential equations is investigated.
Alpha‐Linolenic Acid Supplementation Improves Testosterone Production in an Aged Breeder Rooster Model: Role of Mitochondrial Modulation and SIRT1 Activation
Authors: Long Cheng , Zhao Zhi‐xian , Willing Benjamin P. , Sheng Xi‐Hui , Wang Xiang‐Guo , Xiao Long‐Fei , Qi Xiao‐Long
Published: November 2024

Scope

Aging in males can lead to declines in testosterone production, essential for maintaining male reproductive health.

Methods and results

To investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with alpha‐linolenic acid (ALA) on testosterone production in aged breeder roosters and understand the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. An in vivo model is established to investigate the effects of dietary ALA supplementation on testosterone production in aged breeder roosters, and the Leydig cell culture is used to identify the potential molecular mechanism. Dietary supplementation with ALA increases in plasma testosterone. Congruently, ALA supplementation enhances the expression of testosterone biosynthesis‐related enzymes. ALA supplementation exerts anti‐apoptotic effects in testicular mitochondria, as evidenced by a lower expression of pro‐apoptotic factors and a higher expression of the anti‐apoptotic factor B‐cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‐2). Moreover, In Leydig cells, ALA supplementation promotes mitochondrial biogenesis genes. The proposed mechanism is that ALA activates the sirtuin1 (SIRT1) pathway and is supported by higher SIRT1 transcript and protein in Leydig cells. Furthermore, blocking SIRT1 with siRNA reverses ALA's effects on testosterone biosynthesis and mitochondrial function‐related genes.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that dietary supplementation with ALA can improve testosterone production in aged breeder roosters, possibly by modulation of mitochondrial function via activating the SIRT1 pathway.
A rapid evaluation method for pumpkin sensory quality based on near‐infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Xu Zhuopin , Li Xiaohong , Zhao Guangxia , Tang Liwen , Dai Zuyun , Dai Wei , Chen Chaowu , Wu Yuejin , Zhang Pengfei , Wang Qi
Published: November 2024

The sensory quality (SQ) of pumpkin fruit is one of the most important quality indexes for consumers. In this study, a rapid pumpkin SQ evaluation method based on near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was introduced. The starch and moisture contents of pumpkins were first determined by NIRS, and then the SQ of pumpkin could be estimated indirectly by these components. Test was carried out on 97 samples of 34 pumpkin fruits. The pumpkin starch and water NIRS models based on variable dimension particle swarm optimization combined moving window (VDPSO‐CMW) and standard normal variate transformation (SNV) showed the best predictive performances, whose predictive determination coefficients (R2p) were 0.775 and 0.932, respectively. A multiple linear regression model (correlation coefficient = 0.788) was established based on the prediction results of the two models and the SQ values obtained from cooking experiments. The proposed method has the potential to provide effective support for pumpkin breeding and production.
Home Healthcare Staffing, Routing, and Scheduling Problem With Multiple Shifts and Emergency Considerations
Authors: Algendi Abdalrahman , Urrutia Sebastián , Hvattum Lars Magnus , Helgheim Berit Irene
Published: November 2024

Effective planning of human resources is critical in designing an efficient home healthcare system. In this study, we present a novel home healthcare staffing, routing, and scheduling problem inspired by a real‐world application. The proposed problem addresses a set of patients, with varying daily visit requirements, being served by a set of caregivers with different qualification levels over a multi‐day multi‐shift planning horizon. The problem aims to minimize the number of extra shifts for caregivers, maximize the allocation of caregivers to emergencies, and minimize the sum of route durations over the planning horizon. These objectives are optimized hierarchically while considering a set of restrictions, including time windows, skill matching, synchronization, care continuity, and labor regulations. To tackle the problem, we introduce a mixed‐integer linear programming model. The model is then extended and two sets of valid inequalities are incorporated to enhance its tightness. Computational experiments are conducted on a set of 20 instances. The results highlight the efficiency of the proposed extension in increasing both the number of instances that can be solved to optimality and the number of instances for which a feasible solution is found.
President's Pen: Embracing the Spirit of Renewal and Compassion
Authors: McNeill Charleen
Published: November 2024

I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we've shared over the past year. This time of year, steeped in thoughts of giving, gratitude, and hope, offers the opportunity to pause and appreciate the profound impact each of you has made in the field of nursing research. It is with a heart full of gratitude and optimism that I write this message to you, the dedicated members of the Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS). The approaching New Year brings with it themes of renewal and compassion, mirroring the core values of our profession. Nursing, at its heart, is about caring for others, advancing health, and promoting well‐being. This year, we have seen extraordinary advancements and efforts from our members, who have continuously pushed the boundaries of knowledge and practice. Your dedication to improving patient care and outcomes through rigorous research and innovative practices has set the stage for self‐reflection.
The complexity of compliance—Diverse responses to octopus fishery closures in Zanzibar
Authors: Drury O'Neill Elizabeth , Daw Tim M. ,   MWAMBAO, Mwaipopo Rosemarie N. , Lindkvist Emilie
Published: November 2024

Marine protected areas like periodic closures are increasingly used to improve both fisheries management and biodiversity conservation, and often secondarily, human well‐being. Yet rule breaking, whether formal regulations, or community‐agreed norms, continues to negate expected management and conservation outcomes, remaining a major challenge.

Although compliance scholarship today is expanding beyond non‐economic explanations of (non)‐compliance behaviour, approaches and theory used fail to show the diversity of perceptions and dispositions that can underpin motivations. A deepening engagement with behavioural sciences like sociology, psychology or behavioural economics is increasingly recognized as key in tackling compliance issues in marine protected areas. In this paper, we contribute to such a strand of compliance scholarship by presenting the responses and positions to (non‐) compliance, rules/regulations and authorities of different people, for example, fishers, traders and others involved in an area‐based fishery management intervention in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

We take a qualitative approach aligning with an interpretive research ethic to carry out story circles, photo‐elicitation tasks and focus groups at three sites enacting periodic octopus closures. Theory drawn from sociology, anthropology and cognitive sciences was used to interpret how participants justified were motivated by or dispositioned towards rules, rule makers and rule breakers.

Generally, the area‐management intervention was supported by participants, signalling the potential for future compliance most commonly based on the recognition of a degraded marine ecosystem in need of protection. However, the diverse and dynamic responses by different livelihood groups (i.e. traders and fishers) indicated on which basis and through which logics compliance behaviour was condoned or legitimated. This type of insight can help managers gauge or anticipate the potential for non‐compliance in participatory approaches that can impact the health of marine ecosystems. Recommendations include providing discussion spaces for conservation participants' (not just fishermen or fishery organizations) own meanings to be understood and not assumed. Meanings which create and shape relations, actions and concepts in marine protected area processes and thus directly impact the uptake and sustainability of conservation interventions.

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Effects of Tube Diameter and Gas Flow Rate on the Discharge Dynamics Characteristics and Reactive Species of Nanosecond Pulsed Discharge Plasma in Contact With Water
Authors: Liang Jian‐Ping , Lu Ke , Yuan Hao , Wang Hong‐Li , Chen Chao‐Jun , Zhou Zi‐Kai , Yang De‐Zheng
Published: November 2024

The use of millimeter quartz tubes to generate non‐thermal plasma in contact with liquid is widely applied in medicine, such as the effective disinfection of catheter tubes and tooth cavities. Here, the effects of tube diameter and gas flow rate on discharge dynamics and reactive species characteristics of nanosecond pulse needle‐water discharge are studied using an ICCD camera and optical emission spectra. The discharge diffusion is increased significantly by an appropriate combination of tube diameter and gas flow rate. Besides, the discharge intensity, emission spectra intensities of reactive species, gas temperature, and electron density increase with the increase of quartz tube diameter and gas flow rate, which contributes to enhance the production of OH and H2O2 species in aqueous samples.
Forecasting atmospheric persistence and implications for the predictability of temperature and temperature extremes
Authors: Holmberg Emma , Tietsche Steffen , Messori Gabriele
Published: November 2024

Extreme temperatures can cause severe disruptions to society, from negative health consequences to infrastructure damage. Accurate and timely weather forecasts contribute to minimising these detrimental effects, by supporting early‐warning systems. In this context, information on the expected performance of the forecasts is valuable. Here, we investigate whether there is a relationship between the persistence of atmospheric circulation patterns in the Euro‐Atlantic sector and forecast skill for temperatures and temperature extremes in Europe. We first apply an objective method to compute the persistence of large‐scale atmospheric patterns in European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) subseasonal retrospective forecasts. We find that the forecasts successfully predict atmospheric persistence up to time‐scales of approximately two weeks. We next investigate the relationship between the persistence of an atmospheric state and the practical predictability of temperature in terms of the error in surface temperature forecasts. The relationship between the two varies depending on season and location. Nonetheless, in a number of cases atmospheric persistence provides potentially valuable information on the practical predictability of temperature. We specifically highlight the cases of wintertime temperature forecasts up to three weeks lead time and wintertime cold spells up to roughly two weeks lead time.
Watchful waiting in laryngo‐tracheobronchial amyloid: A case report
Authors: Beinart Dylan , Chai Siaw Ming , Walsh Olivia , Ramakrishnan Sanjay , Blakey John
Published: November 2024

We report the long term follow up of a now 66‐year‐old male with laryngo‐tracheobronchial amyloidosis. The patient initially presented with dysphonia and dyspnoea. He was diagnosed with laryngeal reflux and asthma. Seven years later, the patient underwent cross sectional thoracic imaging showing diffuse thickening of the distal trachea and proximal main bronchi. The patient's FEV1 and FVC remained stable over 13 years and no intervention was required.
Advancing Interpretable Regression Analysis for Binary Data: A Novel Distributed Algorithm Approach
Authors: Tong Jiayi , Li Lu , Reps Jenna Marie , Lorman Vitaly , Jing Naimin , Edmondson Mackenzie , Lou Xiwei , Jhaveri Ravi , Kelleher Kelly J. , Pajor Nathan M. , Forrest Christopher B. , Bian Jiang , Chu Haitao , Chen Yong
Published: November 2024

Sparse data bias, where there is a lack of sufficient cases, is a common problem in data analysis, particularly when studying rare binary outcomes. Although a two‐step meta‐analysis approach may be used to lessen the bias by combining the summary statistics to increase the number of cases from multiple studies, this method does not completely eliminate bias in effect estimation. In this paper, we propose a one‐shot distributed algorithm for estimating relative risk using a modified Poisson regression for binary data, named ODAP‐B. We evaluate the performance of our method through both simulation studies and real‐world case analyses of postacute sequelae of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in children using data from 184 501 children across eight national academic medical centers. Compared with the meta‐analysis method, our method provides closer estimates of the relative risk for all outcomes considered including syndromic and systemic outcomes. Our method is communication‐efficient and privacy‐preserving, requiring only aggregated data to obtain relatively unbiased effect estimates compared with two‐step meta‐analysis methods. Overall, ODAP‐B is an effective distributed learning algorithm for Poisson regression to study rare binary outcomes. The method provides inference on adjusted relative risk with a robust variance estimator.
Monomers Versus Prenucleation Clusters En Route to Polymorphism of Supramolecular Polymers
Authors: Elizebath Drishya , Sharma Sanjay , Varughese Sunil , Ramachandran C. N. , Praveen Vakayil K.
Published: November 2024

Polymorphism in supramolecular polymers is strongly correlated with the polymerization pathways underlying their formation. To effectively control emerging polymorphs, a comprehensive understanding of nucleation pathways and mechanisms is essential. Herein, a coronene‐dipeptide conjugate (Cr‐o‐FFOEt) is introduced and its self‐assembly into two different stable 1D supramolecular polymorphs (Agg 1 and 2f) is observed in the same solvent composition (water/THF, 7:3 v/v) and same concentration at room temperature, following two competitive self‐assembly pathways. The difference in the mode of solvent addition triggers the two self‐assembly pathways. Furthermore, the isolated intermediate Agg 2i is found to transform into Agg 1 or Agg 2f under controlled experimental conditions. The supramolecular aggregates of Cr‐o‐FFOEt are thoroughly examined with the help of optical, chiroptical, and morphological techniques to understand the subtle difference in choosing the self‐assembling pathways. The studies reveal that the nanotube formation of Agg 1 follows a classical nucleation‐elongation supramolecular polymerization mechanism (involving monomers). In contrast, the helical fibers of Agg 2f are formed by the involvement of preorganized oligomers (nonclassical process). The observation highlights the underappreciated role of prenucleation clusters in pathway complexity and polymorphism of supramolecular 1D polymers.