bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Imprinting Technology Enables Proactive Capture of Nitrogen for Boosted Ammonia Synthesis under Ambient Conditions
Authors: Liu Sisi , Wang Mengfan , He Yanzheng , Cheng Qiyang , Ji Haoqing , Huan Yunfei , Shen Xiaowei , Zhou Xi , Qian Tao , Yan Chenglin
Published: August 2023

Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is a burgeoning field for green and sustainable ammonia production, in which numerous potential catalysts emerge endlessly. However, satisfactory performances are still not realized under practical applications due to the limited solubility and sluggish diffusion of nitrogen at the interface. Herein, molecular imprinting technology is adopted to construct an adlayer with abundant nitrogen imprints on the electrocatalyst, which is capable of selectively recognizing and proactively aggregating high‐concentrated nitrogen at the interface while hindering the access of overwhelming water simultaneously. With this favorable microenvironment, nitrogen can preferentially occupy the active surface, and the NRR equilibrium can be positively shifted to facilitate the reaction kinetics. Approximately threefold improvements in both ammonia production rate (185.7 µg h−1 mg−1) and Faradaic efficiency (72.9%) are achieved by a metal‐free catalyst compared with the bare one. It is believed that the molecular imprinting strategy should be a general method to find further applicability in numerous catalysts or even other reactions facing similar challenges.
Achieving a Record Scintillation Performance by Micro‐Doping a Heterovalent Magnetic Ion in Cs3Cu2I5 Single‐Crystal
Authors: Yao Qian , Li Jiaming , Li Xuesong , Ma Yusheng , Song Haohang , Li Zhiyuan , Wang Zungang , Tao Xutang
Published: August 2023

An ultrabright, ultrafast, and low‐cost ideal scintillator has been critically absent and is sorely desired in scintillation detection, but has hitherto not been found. Here, a high‐quality bulk Cs3Cu2I5:Mn single‐crystal scintillator with ultrahigh light yield (≈95 772 photons per MeV, 137Cs γ‐rays), excellent energy resolution (3.79%, 662 keV), and ultrafast scintillation decay time (3 ns, 81.5%) is reported. In mechanism, it is found that micro‐doping of a heterovalent magnetic ion (at the ppm level) can effectively modulate the luminescence kinetics of self‐trapped excitons in the scintillator. Compared with previous reports, the introduction of trace amounts of magnetic Mn2+ (≈18.6 ppm) in Cs3Cu2I5 single‐crystal shortens the scintillation decay time by several hundred times, transforming the slow decay into an ultrafast decay. Simultaneously, the light yield is also increased about three times to the highest value so far. From the comprehensive performance of the micro‐doped Cs3Cu2I5:Mn single‐crystal, these excellent scintillation properties, physical characteristics suitable for practical applications, and low‐cost advantages render this single‐crystal an ideal scintillator with great potential for commercialization.
Annealing‐Induced Dynamic Strain Evolution in Cycled High‐Ni Layered Oxides Revealing Latent Lattice Imperfections
Authors: Hyun Hyejeong , Ham Daseul , Lee Su Yong , Lim Jongwoo
Published: August 2023

High‐Ni layered oxides undergo distinct chemomechanical evolution upon high‐voltage charging over 4.2 V, producing crystallographic defects and associated lattice distortions within the cathode particles. Due to the significant recovery of chemomechanical evolutions during discharging, lattice imperfections resulting from high‐voltage charging tend to remain hidden and pose challenges in their characterization at discharged states. Moreover, their impact on the structural stability and electrochemical performance of cathode materials remains elusive. In this study, synchrotron‐based X‐ray diffraction and Bragg coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) successfully detects subtle yet persistent lattice distortions in the discharged state after high‐voltage cycling. In situ Bragg CDI further reveals internal strain evolution within the particles upon mild heating, which can be correlated with hidden lattice imperfections and structural instability. Despite comparable strain distributions before heating, the particles cycled over 4.2 V show significant strain evolution and intraparticle domain deformation upon heating, whereas the particles cycled below 4.2 V release the internal strain and retain their shape. These results suggest that latent lattice imperfections formed during high‐voltage cycling can trigger detrimental microstructural degradation at high temperatures and critically deteriorate the structural stability of the high‐Ni layered oxide particles, thereby increasing the potential risk of degradation at elevated temperatures.
Resurgent prejudice: Responses to marriage equality in Australia
Authors: Betts David , Bennett James
Published: August 2023

This article explores the concept of resurgent prejudice in response to marriage equality in Australia. We are using the term “resurgent prejudice” to refer to examples of reactionary collective action directed towards the rainbow community in Australia, with a specific focus on efforts to undermine progressive developments in sexual citizenship. We argue that Australia is currently seeing forms of resurgent prejudice in response to the passage of marriage equality legislation in 2017 by the federal Parliament and use the highly controversial Religious Discrimination Bill of 2022 as an example to illustrate this process. By making use of interviews with members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (rainbow) community, we highlight the concerns members of the rainbow community have regarding their rights, sexual citizenship and social participation. We conclude the article by arguing that vigilance is vital in the face of resurgent prejudice to preserve social and civil rights, and that an awareness of the concept of resurgent prejudice can be used by advocates to strengthen their social movements.
Antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti‐Alzheimer performance of green synthesized silver, gold, and silver/gold bimetallic nanoparticles
Authors: Sher Naila , Ahmed Mushtaq , Mushtaq Nadia , Khan Rahmat Ali
Published: August 2023

Nanotechnology can be used to produce nanoparticles (NPs) through the green route by using plant extract. NPs can be synthesized in many ways, but there is a growing need to build up high‐yield, low‐priced, harmless, and eco‐friendly procedures; thus, the green synthesis of NPs is one recent advancement in nanotechnology and nanoscience. The current study is designed for the development of an easy, feasible, and eco‐friendly, method for the biosynthesis of silver/gold (Ag/Au) monometallic NPs (MNPs) and their Ag/Au bimetallic NPs (BNPs) by using the metabolic extract of the novelHippeastrum hybridum(HH) plant. The HH plant has not previously been used in the synthesis of BNPs. These NPs were then tested for their potential as a scavenger of different free radicals, that is, ferric chloride, 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), 2,2 azobis, 3‐ethyl benzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid (ABTS), ammonium molybdate, anti‐enzyme activity against alpha‐amylase (α‐amylase), and snake venom enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to check their potential as antioxidants by using ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, energy dispersive x‐ray (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy investigations, MNPs and BNPs were both identified. According to UV–vis sharp peaks at 417, 576, and 542 nm were recorded, which corresponded to AgNPs, AuNPs, and BNPs, respectively. According to XRD examination, the crystal structure contains Ag, Au, and Ag/Au BNPs with average sizes of 13.3, 10.72, and 8.34 nm, respectively. Ag, Au, and Ag/Au BNPs possessed morphologies that were asymmetrical, according to SEM, and were calculated to be 40, 30, and 20 nm in size, respectively. The signal of Ag of the HH‐AgNPs was confirmed to be 22.75%, the Au signal of the HH‐AuNPs to be 48.08%, the Ag signal to be 12%, and the elemental Au signal to be 38.26% of the Ag/Au BNPs. The BNPs showed more significant activities as free radical scavengers with 86.58 ± 0.031 (ferric chloride), 50 ± 0.052 (molybdenum), 69.1 ± 0.31 (DPPH), 64.15 ± 0.31 (H2O2), and 70.55 ± 0.08 (ABTS) 50% inhibitory concentrations. BNPs competitively inhibit α‐amylase (Vmaxremained unchanged,Kmincreased from 10.65% to 84.37% and 10.75% to 132.76%, respectively), while in the case of AChE,Kmremained constant andVmaxdecreased from 23.62% to 40.26% due to a non‐competitive type of inhibition. However, further research is suggested to reduce the drawbacks of NPs.
Separation and thermal conversion of group components from medium‐low‐temperature coal tar pitch
Authors: Zhang Yuzhu , Zhu Yaming , Zhu Huihui , Cheng Junxia , Bai Yonghui , Lv Jun , Zhao Xuefei
Published: August 2023

Medium‐low‐temperature coal tar pitch (MLP) is a complex mixture of varied heavy organic hydrocarbons, which was generally used as the raw materials to produce artificial carbon materials. It was great significance for the high value‐added utilization of MLP to understand the property of components of MLP. The methanol, n‐heptane, n‐butanol, and dimethyl sulfoxide were used as the solvents to separate the components from medium‐low‐temperature coal tar pitch, and the eight kinds of components (include four kinds of solubles and four kinds of insolubles) were obtained after solvent separation. In addition, the liquid phase carbonization and calcination of medium‐low‐temperature coal tar pitch and its group components were carried out to obtain the corresponding pitch coke. The structural properties of components and pitch cokes have been studied in detail by FTIR, 1H‐NMR, TGA, optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, Raman spectrum, and X‐ray diffraction. The results showed that the optical microstructure of pitch coke prepared from the soluble group components of n‐heptane was mainly fibrous structure and leaflet structure, and the content can reach as 72.83%. In other words, the soluble group composition of n‐heptane was a suitable and excellent precursor for the production of needle coke. The optical microstructure of DMSOS‐C and HI‐C was only composed of fine mosaic structure, which was more suitable for the production of isotropic coke (a kind of special coke and also named as fine mosaic coke).
Synthesis, characterization, and potential application of polyurethane foam as an effective alternative for dental aspiration substrate in liquid absorption/retention and mechanical properties
Authors: Li Yongxu , Guo Fang , Wang Hairui , Cui Yongyin , Wang Cancai , Wang Qingfu , Cao Lan
Published: August 2023

Tooth extraction will leave a wound that may cause blood leakage, and the application of liquid‐absorbing hemostatic cotton pressed on the wound can play the effect of pressure to halt bleeding. Unfortunately, the loose structure of the dental absorbent hemostatic cotton causes local slag to fall. Cotton fiber will impede wound heading and possibly drop into the throat and esophagus, thus impacting the life and health of the patient. Therefore, it is of great significance to prepare a material with toughness and high liquid absorption. The polyurethane foams (PUFs) with different chain extension coefficients synthesized from polyether polyol and diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) with water as the blowing agent have excellent toughness and liquid‐absorbing properties with potential applications. The hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) is introduced into the polyurethane chain segment to form a synergistic effect with the three‐dimensional foam network structure to absorb more wound exudate. The hydrophobic PUFs can be applied to wounds with less exudate and the hydrophilic PUFs can be applied to chronic wounds with more exudate. The porous structure gives the PUF a strong loading capacity and promotes the wound‐healing effect. The PUFs exhibit good liquid absorption/retention performance in both 0.9 wt% NaCl solution and DI water, especially PUF‐1.10 has an ultimate DI water absorbency of nearly 840%. According to the performance, comparison of the current market commonly used dental absorbent hemostatic cotton; PUF‐1.10 is considered a promising candidate for replacing traditional dental commercial absorbent hemostatic slag‐fall cotton in liquid absorption/retention and mechanical properties.
Self‐healable, weldable, and reprocessable castor oil‐based poly(thiourethane‐urethane) networks
Authors: Pan Xianjie , Li Jiawei , Liu Fanqi , Hu Chaoying , Zeng Yanning
Published: August 2023

Vegetable oil‐based polyurethane (PU) vitrimer is of significance for sustainable industrial development; however, development of vegetable oil‐based PU vitrimers with high mechanical properties and excellent malleability by a facile synthetic process remains a challenge. Herein, a series of versatile, self‐healable, weldable, and recyclable castor oil‐based poly(thiourethane‐urethane) networks are constructed by one‐pot reactions. Double bonds and hydroxy groups in castor oil can react with thiol in 2,2′‐(1,4‐phenylene)‐bis[4‐mercaptan‐1,3,2‐dioxaborolane] (BDB) and isocyanate in 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), respectively, as well as a reaction between the thiol of BDB and the isocyanate of MDI, which gives the castor oil‐based poly(thiourethane‐urethane) vitrimers. The obtained bio‐based networks are characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) measurements. The castor oil‐based vitrimers show high thermostability (T5d > 312°C) due to the incorporation of rigid BDB and MDI with benzene group in the networks. Meanwhile, the castor oil‐based networks have been proved to possess more excellent functions in self‐healing, welding, shape memory, and reprocessing capabilities at moderate temperatures due to the dynamic boronic ester bonds. This work would be beneficial to developing of versatile vegetable oil‐based poly(thiourethane‐urethane) materials through a facile approach.
Plant‐based Biomass/Polyvinyl Alcohol Gels for Flexible Sensors
Authors: Gu Xiaochun , Cheng Haoge , Lu Xinyi , Li Rui , Ouyang Xiao , Ma Ning , Zhang Xinyue
Published: August 2023

Flexible sensors show great application potential in wearable electronics, human‐computer interaction, medical health, bionic electronic skin and other fields. Compared with rigid sensors, hydrogel‐based devices are more flexible and biocompatible and can easily fit the skin or be implanted into the body, making them more advantageous in the field of flexible electronics. In all designs, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) series hydrogels exhibit high mechanical strength, excellent sensitivity and fatigue resistance, which make them promising candidates for flexible electronic sensing devices. This paper has reviewed the latest progress of PVA/plant‐based biomass hydrogels in the construction of flexible sensor applications. We first briefly introduced representative plant biomass materials, including sodium alginate, phytic acid, starch, cellulose and lignin, and summarized their unique physical and chemical properties. After that, the design principles and performance indicators of hydrogel sensors are highlighted, and representative examples of PVA/plant‐based biomass hydrogel applications in wearable electronics are illustrated. Finally, the future research is briefly prospected. We hope it can promote the research of novel green flexible sensors based on PVA/biomass hydrogel.
Direct Regeneration of NCM Cathode Material with Aluminum Scraps
Authors: Jiao Binglei , Xu Panpan , Liu Yinhai , Liu Yuxuan , Wei Gaolei , Zhu Yuncheng , Liu Gangfeng , Lin Xiao , Chen Jinxing , Weng Xuefei , Ding Yimin , Di Jiangtao , Li Qingwen
Published: August 2023

Hydrothermal‐based direct regeneration of spent Li‐ion battery (LIB) cathodes has garnered tremendous attention for its simplicity and scalability. However, it is heavily reliant on manual disassembly to ensure the high purity of degraded cathode powders, and the quality of regenerated materials. In reality, degraded cathodes often contain residual components of the battery, such as binders, current collectors, and graphite particles. Thorough investigation is thus required to understand the effects of these impurities on hydrothermal‐based direct regeneration. In this study, we focus on isolating the effects of aluminum (Al) scraps on the direct regeneration process. We found that Al metal can be dissolved during the hydrothermal relithiation process. Even when the cathode material contains up to 15 wt.% Al scraps, no detrimental effects were observed on the recovered structure, chemical composition, and electrochemical performance of the regenerated cathode material. The regenerated NCM cathode can achieve a capacity of 163.68 mAh/g at 0.1 C and exhibited a high‐capacity retention of 85.58 % after cycling for 200 cycles at 0.5 C. Therefore, the hydrothermal‐based regeneration method is effective in revitalizing degraded cathode materials, even in the presence of notable Al impurity content, showing great potential for industrial applications.
Robust tracking control for uncertain fuzzy systems with time delay and external disturbances
Authors: Vijayakumar Muthusamy , Sakthivel Rathinasamy , Aravindh Dharmarajan , Anthoni Selvaraj Marshal
Published: August 2023

In this article, robust tracking and disturbance rejection problem for Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy systems with time delay and external disturbances are discussed. Specifically, proportional‐integral controller with an enhanced equivalent‐input‐disturbance technique is constructed to force the output trajectories to track the bounded reference input signal even in the presence of external disturbances. Further, the resulting fuzzy control system can be represented as an augmented system with state delay and uncertainties and the output tracking problem is transformed into stabilization problem of the augmented system. In the stabilization analysis, the considered fuzzy system does not share the same membership functions with the proposed control. Moreover, the delay‐dependent stabilization criteria for the addressed fuzzy system are presented in the form of linear matrix inequalities by the virtue of augmented Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional. To be specific, the symmetric matrices involved in the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional need not be positive definite. Ultimately, three numerical examples are offered to support the validity of the established theoretical results.
Validated spectrofluorimetric and resonance Rayleigh scattering methods for determining naftidrofuryl in varied pharmaceutical samples based on its interaction with erythrosin B
Authors: Binkadem Mona Saad , AlSalem Huda Salem , Al‐Goul Soha Talal , El Hamd Mohamed A. , Oraby Mohamed , Ali Zainy Faten M. , Abdel‐Lateef Mohamed A.
Published: August 2023

Naftidrofuryl is a vasodilator medication used for treating cerebral and peripheral vascular diseases. In this study, two spectroscopical techniques, spectrofluorimetric and resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS), were utilized to quantify naftidrofuryl in its pharmaceutical samples. The developed methodologies in this study rely on a facile process of forming an association complex between erythrosine B reagent and naftidrofuryl under acidic conditions. The fluorimetric assay is based on the ability of naftidrofuryl to quench and decrease the native fluorescence intensity of the reagent when measured at
= 550 nm (
= 526 nm). Under similar reaction conditions, the RRS method relies on the observed amplification in the RRS spectrum of the reagent at a wavelength of 577 nm following its interaction with naftidrofuryl. The methods exhibited linearity within the ranges 0.2–1.6 μg/ml (r2 = 0.999) and 0.1–1.4 μg/ml (r2 = 0.9994), with limit of quantitation values of 0.146 and 0.099 μg/ml, and limit of detection values of 0.048 and 0.032 μg/ml, for the fluorometric and the RRS methods, respectively. Moreover, the quenching between the dye and naftidrofuryl was studied using Stern–Volmer analysis, and the methodologies were experimentally optimized and validated. Additionally, acceptable recoveries were achieved when the procedures were applied to determine naftidrofuryl in pharmaceutical samples.
4‐Azido‐7‐nitrobenzoxadiazole as innovative clickable fluorescence probe for trace and selective quantification of ethinylestradiol in human plasma
Authors: Aref Heba A. , Salama Ismail , Aboukhatwa Shaimaa Mohamed , Helal Mohamed A. , kishk Safaa M. , Elgawish Mohamed Saleh
Published: August 2023

Quantification of ethinylestradiol (EE) in biological matrices is challenging as it is a very potent drug with a very low Cmax (75 pg.ml−1). Despite the high sensitivity of fluorometric methods, the detection of EE was confined because its structure exhibited very limited fluorescence. Therefore, it must be derivatized first using a fluorogenic agent to produce a more potent fluorescence derivative to achieve the desired ultrasensitive bioanalysis. Here, for the first time, we proposed a promising click fluorescent probe, 4‐azido‐7‐nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD‐AZ) to react with the alkyne group of EE, with the help of copper sulphate and l‐ascorbic acid to give a highly fluorescent and stable 1,2,3‐triazole derivative. Density functional theory calculation revealed how the triazole formation affects the quantum yield and fluorescence of click reaction product when compared with NBD‐AZ. The resulting triazole exhibited a strong signal at a wavelength of 540 nm after excitation at 470 nm. Reaction parameters impacting the intensity of fluorescence were cautiously studied and optimized. The suggested approach has shown outstanding performance, high linearity (25–300 pg.ml−1) and a low detection limit of 7.5 pg.ml−1. The enhanced sensitivity and selectivity were exploited for analyzing EE in plasma using liquid–liquid extraction for samples cleaning up without interference from any biological components and with a mean % recovery of 100.13 ± 0.39. Accuracy, sensitivity, selectivity, simplicity, and cost–effectiveness make this approach a convincing, promising, and appealing alternative to the reported analytical methods for EE bioanalysis in different matrices.
In vitro and in vivo comparative analysis of antibacterial activity of green‐synthesized silver nanoparticles
Authors: Lethongkam Sakkarin , Glaser Jochen , Ammanath Aparna Viswanathan , Voravuthikunchai Supayang P. , Götz Friedrich
Published: August 2023

This study aims to compare antibacterial effects of green‐synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with silver nitrate (AgNO3). AgNPs were successfully synthesized using Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of AgNPs and AgNO3 against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ranged between 4.8 and 6.75 µg mL−1. Growth curves demonstrated that inhibition of P. aeruginosa occurred right after AgNPs were added and throughout the period of the study (72 h). Antibacterial effects of both AgNPs and AgNO3 could be abrogated by cysteine and 2‐mercaptoethanol, thiol‐containing compounds. Galleria mellonella model revealed relatively low toxic effects of both AgNPs and AgNO3. At 20MIC of AgNPs (≈137.8 mg kg−1), more than 80% survival of G. mellonella was observed. Unexpectedly, silver‐containing agents could not rescue larvae after S. aureus infection. Further ex vivo experiments in the presence of coelomic larval fluid demonstrated the reduction of antibacterial activity of both AgNPs and AgNO3. It was speculated that anionic molecules present in the coelomic fluid might neutralize the action of Ag ions. Binding of AgNPs or AgNO3 to albumin, a major protein in human blood which transport several endogenous compounds was not detected, indicating that the silver‐containing agents could be applied as an antimicrobial agent.
Transcriptomics and cell painting analysis reveals molecular and morphological features associated with fed‐batch production performance in CHO recombinant clones
Authors: Nelson Luke , Veling Mike , Farhangdoust Fatemeh , Cai Xuezhu , Huhn Steve , Soloveva Veronica , Chang Meiping
Published: August 2023

Stable, highly productive mammalian cells are critical for manufacturing affordable and effective biological medicines. Establishing a rational design of optimal biotherapeutic expression systems requires understanding how cells support the high demand for efficient biologics production. To that end, we performed transcriptomics and high‐throughput imaging studies to identify putative genes and morphological features that underpin differences in antibody productivity among clones from a Chinese hamster ovary cell line. During log phase growth, we found that the expression of genes involved in biological processes related to cellular morphology varied significantly between clones with high specific productivity (qP > 35 pg/cell/day) and low specific productivity (qP < 20 pg/cell/day). At Day 10 of a fed‐batch production run, near peak viable cell density, differences in gene expression related to metabolism, epigenetic regulation, and proliferation became prominent. Furthermore, we identified a subset of genes whose expression predicted overall productivity, including glutathione synthetase (Gss) and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA). Finally, we demonstrated the feasibility of cell painting coupled with high‐throughput imaging to assess the morphological properties of intracellular organelles in relation to growth and productivity in fed‐batch production. Our efforts lay the groundwork for systematic elucidation of clone performance using a multiomics approach that can guide future process design strategies.
Fast‐charging of lithium‐ion batteries: A review of electrolyte design aspects
Authors: Lei Sheng , Zeng Ziqi , Cheng Shijie , Xie Jia
Published: August 2023

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) with fast‐charging capabilities have the potential to overcome the “range anxiety” issue and drive wider adoption of electric vehicles. The U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium has set a goal of fast charging, which requires charging 80% of the battery's state of charge within 15 min. However, the polarization effects under fast‐charging conditions can lead to electrode structure degradation, electrolyte side reactions, lithium plating, and temperature rise, which are highly linked to the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of electrolytes. The conventional nonaqueous electrolytes used in LIBs consist of carbonate and cannot support fast‐charging without compromising performance and lifespan. This review outlines the challenges of fast‐charging LIBs and the requirements of electrolytes suitable for fast‐charging. Additionally, recent developments in fast‐charging electrolytes from four key perspectives: electrolyte additives, low‐viscosity co‐solvents, high concentration or localized high‐concentration electrolytes, and advanced electrolytes are summarized. Furthermore, this review provides insights for the design of fast‐charging electrolytes based on the mechanism of charging process and offers an overview of the current state and future direction of the field.
The immune microenvironment characterisation and dynamics in hormone receptor–positive breast cancer before and after neoadjuvant endocrine therapy
Authors: Oner Gizem , Broeckx Glenn , Van Berckelaer Christophe , Zwaenepoel Karen , Altintas Sevilay , Canturk Zafer , Tjalma Wiebren , Berneman Zwi , Peeters Marc , Pauwels Patrick , van Dam Peter A.
Published: August 2023

Background

Oestrogen receptor positive (ER+)/HER‐2 negative breast cancer (BC) is considered to be an immunologically cold tumour compared to triple negative breast cancer. Therefore, the tumour microenvironment (TME) of ER+/HER‐2 negative BC is understudied. The aim of this project is to investigate the TME and the immune response during neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) and to correlate this with the treatment response in a real life setting.

Methods

Expression of immune checkpoint receptors and immune cells was examined immunohistochemically, pre‐ and post‐NET in a cohort of 56 ER+/HER‐2 negative BC patients. They were treated with tamoxifen (n = 16), an aromatase inhibitor (n = 40) or a combination of an aromatase inhibitor with a PI3K inhibitor (n = 11) for a median duration of 6 months (range 1–32 months). Immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies for PDL‐1, PD‐1, TIM‐3, LAG‐3, CTLA‐4, CD4, CD68 and FOXP3 were performed. All staining procedures were done according to validated protocols, and scoring was done by a pathologist specialized in breast cancer. Positivity was defined as staining >1% on TILs. Response to NET was evaluated according to tumour size change on imaging and Ki‐67 change.

Results

The median age was 61.02 (37–90) years. Diameter of tumour size decreased with a mean of 8.1 mm (−16 mm to 45 mm) (p < 0.001) during NET and the value of Ki‐67 value decreased with a median of 9 after NET (p < 0.001). An increase in PD‐L1 expression after NET showed a trend towards significant (p = 0.088) and CD‐4+ T cells significantly increased after NET (p = 0.03). A good response to NET defined as a decrease in tumour size and/or decrease of Ki‐67 was found to be associated with a longer duration of NET, a change of CD4+ T‐cells and a higher number of CD68+ tumour‐associated macrophages before the start of NET.

Conclusion

The immune microenvironment plays an important role in ER+/HER‐2 negative BC. NET influences the composition and functional state of the infiltrating immune cells. Furthermore, changes in the immune microenvironment are also associated with treatment response.
Nuclear receptor coactivator 6 (NCoA6) promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Wang Xin , Jia Yuming , Xu Xiaowu , Hu Yuheng , Fan Guixiong , Jing Desheng , Zhang Zhilei , Wang Chao , Song Changfeng , Qin Yi , Peng Li
Published: August 2023

Background

Nuclear receptor coactivator 6 (NCoA6) is overexpressed in various cancers and considered a multifunctional coactivator of various transcription factors and nuclear receptors. However, the role of NCoA6 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unclear.

Methods

NCoA6 expression data in PDAC were extracted from TCGA and GTEx databases, and their correlation with survival outcomes were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier plotter database. NCoA6 protein expression in PDAC tissues was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. RNA‐sequencing technology was used to sequence the transcriptome of NCoA6‐silenced PANC‐1 cells, followed by differential expression, GO/KEGG and GSEA analyses. The effects of NCoA6 on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, cell cycle, and apoptosis were determined in two representative cell lines (PANC‐1 and SW1990). Western blotting, qPCR, and co‐immunoprecipitation were performed to explore the mechanism of action of NCoA6 in PDAC cells.

Results

NCoA6 expression was markedly increased in PDAC tissues, and high NCoA6 expression was associated with poor survival prognosis. However, there was no significant relationship between NCoA6 expression and metastasis in PDAC patients. Our RNA‐sequencing data analysis found 1194 significant differentially expressed genes between the control and NCoA6‐silenced PANC‐1 cells. GO/KEGG analysis results mainly focused on cytokine production, cytokine activity, and cytokine‐cytokine receptor interactions. GSEA results showed that the knockdown of NCoA6 affected the expression of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) targeted genes. NCoA6 knockdown suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion of PDAC cells. Finally, western blotting, qPCR, and co‐immunoprecipitation results showed that NCoA6 interacted with HDAC1 and that NCoA6 expression was negatively correlated with F‐box and WD repeat domain‐containing 7 (FBW7) and caudal‐related homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2) expression in pancreatic cancer.

Conclusions

NCoA6 has a profound effect on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and prognosis of PDAC and is potentially related to the expression of HDAC1, FBW7, and CDX2. Our results may provide novel therapeutic strategies for PDAC patients.
Protocol for ridge preservation at severely compromised extraction sockets: Consecutive case series
Authors: Colamarino Aaron N. , Bane William E. , Blyleven Gary M. , Lincicum Adam R. , Stancoven Brian W. , Johnson Thomas M.
Published: August 2023

Background

The physiologic bone remodeling accompanying tooth extraction is a phenomenon well described in the dental literature. Extraction sockets severely compromised by local infection, trauma, iatrogenesis, or other factors may exhibit enhanced reduction in alveolar dimensions during healing. The purpose of this report is to present an alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) protocol specifically intended for use at severely compromised sites.

Methods

Seven patients presented to the Department of Periodontics, Army Postgraduate Dental School, Fort Gordon, Georgia, requiring extraction of teeth with partial or near‐complete loss of the facial/buccal cortex. At each site, a cross‐linked bovine collagen membrane was used to prevent collapse of the facial/buccal soft tissue and maintain space, a freeze‐dried bone allograft was applied in the socket, and a dense polytetrafluoroethylene membrane covered the occlusal aspect.

Results

All sites healed uneventfully and resulted in favorable alveolar ridge dimensions for implant placement.

Conclusion

Few authors have proposed specific ARP methods for managing severely deficient extraction sockets. The predominant recommendation has been staged reconstruction of the site applying hard and soft tissue augmentation. Observations reported herein suggest that staged reconstruction is avoidable at some extraction sockets exhibiting severe alveolar compromise. Controlled clinical investigation of this protocol appears warranted.

Key points

Few authors have proposed alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) methods specifically intended for use at severely compromised extraction sockets.

The prevailing recommendation at such sites is a staged protocol involving tooth extraction with delayed hard and soft tissue augmentation.

The presented bilaminar ARP technique may eliminate the need for staged reconstruction at some severely compromised extraction sockets.
The Aptness of Organic Diluents with Tri‐n‐Butyl Phosphate for Liquid‐Liquid Equilibria of Acrylic Acid
Authors: Athankar Kanti Kumar , Wasewar Kailas L.
Published: August 2023

Separation of carboxylic acids from downstream is a bottleneck in the chemical industry since it takes nearly 30–50 % of the overall production cost. In view of this, an attempt was made for the extraction of acrylic acid from aqueous solution with tri‐n‐butyl phosphate dissolved in organic diluents like benzene, toluene, xylene, hexane, and petroleum ether. The results are explained in terms of distribution coefficient (σ), extraction efficacy (η%), equilibrium complexation constant (Kε), loading ratio (ϕ), and coextraction of water. At lower concentration of acrylic acid and higher concentration of tri‐n‐butyl phosphate for the acrylic acid‐tri‐n‐butyl phosphate system, maximum extraction efficacy and distribution coefficient for benzene was found as 88.60 % and 7.772, respectively. Coextraction of water in the extract phase and law of mass action were discussed, too. Diffusivity of acrylic acid to the interface of extract (organic) and raffinate (aqueous) phases was calculated using the Wilke‐Chang equation and Reddy‐Doraiswamy equation. In view of designing a continuous extraction column, the number of theoretical stages and minimum solvent‐to‐feed ratio were also determined.
Efficient Spin–Orbit Charge‐Transfer Intersystem Crossing and Slow Intramolecular Triplet–Triplet Energy Transfer in Bodipy–Perylenebisimide Compact Dyads and Triads
Authors: Chen Xi , Rehmat Noreen , Kurganskii Ivan V. , Maity Partha , Elmali Ayhan , Zhao Jianzhang , Karatay Ahmet , Mohammed Omar F. , Fedin Matvey V.
Published: August 2023

Bodipy (BDP)‐perylenebisimide (PBI) donor–acceptor dyads/triad were prepared to study the spin–orbit charge‐transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT‐ISC). For BDP‐PBI‐3, in which BDP was attached at the imide position of PBI, higher singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ=85 %) was observed than the bay‐substituted derivative BDP‐PBI‐1 (ΦΔ=30 %). Femtosecond transient absorption spectra indicate slow Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET; 40.4 ps) and charge separation (CS; 1.55 ns) in BDP‐PBI‐3, while for BDP‐PBI‐1, CS takes 2.8 ps. For triad BDP‐PBI‐2, ultrafast FRET (149 fs) and CS (4.7 ps) process were observed, the subsequent charge recombination (CR) takes 5.8 ns and long‐lived 3PBI* (179.8 μs) state is populated. Nanosecond transient absorption spectra of BDP‐PBI‐3 show that the CR gives upper triplet excited state (3BDP*) and subsequently, via a slow intramolecular triplet energy transfer (14.5 μs), the 3PBI* state is finally populated, indicating that upper triplet state is involved in SOCT‐ISC. Time‐resolved electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed that both radical pair ISC (RP ISC) and SOCT‐ISC contribute to the ISC. A rare electron spin polarization of (e, e, e, e, e, e) was observed for the triplet state formed via the RP ISC mechanism, due to the S−T+1/T0 states mixing.
Prevalence and psychopathology features of mental rituals in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder: A descriptive exploratory study of 1001 patients
Authors: Ferrão João Vítor Bueno , do Rosário Maria Conceição , Fontenelle Leonardo F. , Ferrão Ygor Arzeno
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Mental rituals (MR) are compulsions with no overt behavioural or motoric signs. It is presently unclear whether MR found in obsessive–compulsive disorder are associated with a distinctive clinical profile.

Objectives

The main objectives of this paper were to assess the prevalence and psychopathological correlates of mental rituals in a large sample of OCD patients.

Methods

This exploratory case–control study compared 519 patients with versus 447 without MR in terms of sociodemographics, presence and severity of obsessive–compulsive symptoms, psychiatric comorbidities, sensory phenomena, suicidality, and insight.

Results

Current MR were found in 51.8%, while lifetime MR were found in 55.4% of the sample. The multiple logistic regression model determined that the most relevant clinical factors independently associated with current MR in OCD patients were the absence of any sensory phenomena and the presence of lifetime suicide ideation.

Conclusion

Due to its relation to OCD clinical aspects, MR are a frequent feature among OCD patients. It also seems to be associated with a range of features that are probably relevant for treatment, especially sensory phenomena and suicidality.
The performance of green communication across social media: Evidence from large‐scale retail industry in Italy
Authors: Crapa Giuseppe , Latino Maria Elena , Roma Paolo
Published: August 2023

Social media have surged prominently as communication channels for corporate social responsibility. However, little is still known about the performance of green versus non‐green communication across different social media. We contribute by examining whether the presence of green features in social media communication exerts a beneficial effect on consumer response in terms of likes, comments, and shares. We also investigate how this effect hinges upon the social media platform where the content is posted as well as the richness of the format (text, photos, videos) utilized for the diffusion. To our scopes, we use an ad hoc dataset of posts of two major large‐scale retailers in Italy across three major social media, namely Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Our results show that, while green content generally stimulates larger response than non‐green content, its effect varies across social media, with the highest effect being observed on Instagram (at least for likes) and the lowest on Twitter (at least for comments). Moreover, the extent to which the positive effect of green content increases as media richness increases (i.e., moving from only text to text plus photo, and then to text plus video) is also contingent upon the social media platform. On Facebook, the moderation of media richness is positive and significant, while being insignificant on Instagram. On Twitter, the moderation is even nonmonotonic in the sense that the highest (positive) effect of green content tends to be obtained for either low or high media richness. Our findings offer remarkable implications for firms engaging in environmental sustainability.
What environmental and climatic factors influence multidecadal fire frequency?
Authors: Lindenmayer David , Taylor Chris , Blanchard Wade , Zylstra Phil , Evans Maldwyn John
Published: August 2023

Fire is a key ecosystem process with more than half the world's land surface potentially subject to fire. A key aspect of fire ecology is the fire regime, with fire frequency an important component. Fire frequency appears to be increasing in some ecosystems, but decreasing in others. Such temporal and spatial variability in fire frequency highlights the importance of more effectively quantifying spatiotemporal changes in fire frequency for particular environments. We modeled changes in fire frequency over the past 40 years (1981–2020) in a 4.64 million ha area in Victoria, Australia. We quantified regional variation in the number of fires (hereafter termed fire frequency) during two 20‐year time periods (1981–2000 vs. 2001–2020), employing the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA), a standardized regionalization of Australia's terrestrial landscapes. We also quantified the climate and environmental factors influencing fire frequency in each IBRA subregion. Our empirical analyses revealed that fire frequency in Victoria was heterogeneous in both time and space. Wildfire frequency changed between 1981 and 2020, with the past 20 years (2001–2020) experiencing a substantially greater number of fires relative to the 20 years prior (1981–2000). Changes in fire frequency were not spatially uniform, with increases more pronounced in some IBRA subregions than others. Climate and topographic factors influenced the frequency of wildfires, but their effects manifested differently in different IBRA subregions. For example, fire frequency was associated with increasing rainfall deficit deviation in four IBRA subregions, but an opposite trend characterized two others. Associations between fire frequency and increasing temperature deviation also varied from negative to positive across subregions. We also found evidence of elevation, slope, and aspect effects, but these too varied between IBRA subregions. The complex spatiotemporal changes in fire frequency quantified in this study, and the complex between‐region differences in the factors associated with the number of fires, have major implications for biodiversity conservation, resource availability (e.g., timber yields), and ecosystem integrity. In ecosystems subjected to repeated fires at short intervals, new rapid detection and swift suppression technologies may be required to reduce the risks of ecosystem collapse as high‐severity wildfires increase in frequency.
Computational Mechanistic Insights on Homogeneous Water Oxidation Versus Catalyst Deactivation: A Case Study with Mononuclear Nickel and Copper Complexes
Authors: Singh Ajeet Kumar , Roy Lisa
Published: August 2023

Water splitting is a potential pathway for hydrogen gas evolution and thereby realization of a carbon‐neutral sustainable energy scheme. However, oxidation of water to dioxygen is the major impediment in conversion of solar energy to fuel. Herein, density functional studies are conducted to explore the reactivity conduits of two molecular electro‐catalysts consisting of nickel and copper tetra‐anionic tetradentate amide ligand complexes of the type [(L1)MII]2−, where L1=o‐phenylenebis(oxamidate), and their substitutionally modified analogues. While nickel complexes demonstrate complex borderline chemistry between homogeneous and heterogeneous pathways, showing competition between water oxidation and molecular species degradation, copper complexes display robust and efficient molecular water oxidation behavior. Our analysis predict that this disparity is primarily due to the reversible O−O bond formation in nickel complexes, which provide the platform necessary for a direct attack of OH−/H+ on the metal and terminally accessible amidate groups of the 2e− oxidized anionic intermediate, [(L1⋅)NiIII(OH)]1−, respectively. This intermediate streamline ligand deactivation with a comparatively higher driving force for nickel complexes in acidic medium. Contrarily, the copper complexes display radical character on the hydroxyl ligand in the corresponding intermediate, [(L1⋅)CuII(OH⋅)]1−, that expedite O−O interaction, leading to predominant homogeneous water oxidation under all conditions.
Genome‐wide impact of cytosine methylation and DNA sequence context on UV‐induced CPD formation
Authors: Wilson Hannah E. , Wyrick John J.
Published: August 2023

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is the primary etiological agent for skin cancers because UV damages cellular DNA. The most frequent form of UV damage is the cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD), which consists of covalent linkages between neighboring pyrimidine bases in DNA. In human cells, the 5′ position of cytosine bases in CG dinucleotides is frequently methylated, and methylated cytosines in the TP53 tumor suppressor are often sites of mutation hotspots in skin cancers. It has been argued that this is because cytosine methylation promotes UV‐induced CPD formation; however, the effects of cytosine methylation on CPD formation are controversial, with conflicting results from previous studies. Here, we use a genome‐wide method known as CPD‐seq to map UVB‐ and UVC‐induced CPDs across the yeast genome in the presence or absence in vitro methylation by the CpG methyltransferase M.SssI. Our data indicate that cytosine methylation increases UVB‐induced CPD formation nearly 2‐fold relative to unmethylated DNA, but the magnitude of induction depends on the flanking sequence context. Sequence contexts with a 5′ guanine base (e.g., GCCG and GTCG) show the strongest induction due to cytosine methylation, potentially because these sequence contexts are less efficient at forming CPD lesions in the absence of methylation. We show that cytosine methylation also modulates UVC‐induced CPD formation, albeit to a lesser extent than UVB. These findings can potentially reconcile previous studies, and define the impact of cytosine methylation on UV damage across a eukaryotic genome.
Modeling medium dense cellular network and evaluation of probability of coverage
Authors: Vaddi Sai Satwik , Venkatesh T. G. , Gupta Ankit Kumar
Published: August 2023

It is well known that cellular networks are continuously densifying at an enormous rate everywhere around the globe. Much work has been done in modeling ultra‐dense cellular (UDC) network. However, at present, there are no satisfactory models for medium dense cellular (MDC) network. Motivation of our work is to fill this gap in the literature. In particular, we propose to develop a model for the MDC network and derive the coverage probability. In this article, an optimization problem based on sparse dictionary learning (SDL) has been used to find a linear dependency between the UDC region and MDC region with respect to the base stations. A model for the MDC network is defined based on the linear dependency produced using SDL. The linear dependency allows us to define a relation connecting the distance metric between the MDC and UDC regions. Different terms in the expression for the equivalent distance metric have been identified, and the most relevant terms have been used to evaluate the coverage probability of the MDC network. Validation of our model has been done by comparing the correlation graph between the proposed model and the ideal model. Our proposed network model opens up the scope for more accurate modeling and analysis of medium‐dense cellular networks.