bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maintenance of Genetic Diversity Despite Population Fluctuations in the Lesser Prairie‐Chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus)
Authors: Lawrence Andrew J. , Carleton Scott A. , Oyler‐McCance Sara J. , DeYoung Randy W. , Nichols Clay T. , Wright Timothy F.
Published: January 2025

Assessments of genetic diversity, structure, history, and effective population size (Ne) are critical for the conservation of imperiled populations. The lesser prairie‐chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) has experienced declines due to habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation in addition to substantial population fluctuations with unknown effects on genetic diversity. Our objectives were to: (i) compare genetic diversity across three temporally discrete sampling periods (2002, 2007–2010, and 2013–2014) that are characterized by low or high population abundance; (ii) examine genetic diversity at lek and lek cluster spatial scales; (ii) identify potential bottlenecks and characterize genetic structure and relatedness; and (iii) estimate the regional Ne. We analyzed 194 samples across the shinnery oak prairie region of eastern New Mexico and western Texas using 13 microsatellite loci. Mean heterozygosity, allelic richness, and inbreeding coefficient were not significantly different between discrete sampling periods, suggesting that this population has maintained its genetic diversity across the sampled population fluctuations. We did not detect genetic structure using multiple Bayesian clustering approaches. Furthermore, there was no support for recent genetic bottlenecks, and we estimated that the Ne ranged from 229.5 (pcrit = 0.05, 95% CIs = 121.2–1023.1) to 349.1 (pcrit = 0.02, 95% CIs = 176.4–2895.2) during our final sampling period (2013–2014). Although we provide evidence for gene flow within this region, continued habitat loss and fragmentation that leads to population declines and isolation could increase the risk of genetic consequences. Continued monitoring of genetic diversity and increasing available habitat that supports robust populations of lesser prairie‐chickens may improve the likelihood of the species' persistence.
Voxel Volumes and Biomass: Estimating Vegetation Volume and Litter Accumulation of Exotic Annual Grasses Using Automated Ultra‐High‐Resolution SfM and Advanced Classification Techniques
Authors: Enterkine Josh , Hojatimalekshah Ahmad , Vermillion Monica , Van Der Weide Thomas , Arispe Sergio A. , Price William J. , Hulet April , Glenn Nancy F.
Published: January 2025

In much of the northern Great Basin of the western United States, rangelands, and semi‐arid ecosystems invaded by exotic annual grasses such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and medusahead (Taeniatherum caput‐medusae) are experiencing an increasingly short fire cycle, which is compounding and persistent. Improving and expanding ground‐based field methods for measuring the above‐ground biomass (AGB) may enable more sample collections across a landscape and over succession regimes and better harmonize with other remote sensing techniques. Developments and increased adoption of unoccupied aerial systems (UAS) and instrumentation for vegetation monitoring enable greater understanding of vegetation in many ecosystems. Research to understand the relationship of traditional field measurements with remotely sensed data in rangeland environments is growing rapidly, and there is increasing interest in the use of aerial platforms to quantify AGB and fine‐fuel load at pasture and landscape scales. Our study uses relatively inexpensive handheld photography with custom quadrat sampling frames to collect and automatically reconstruct 3D models of the vegetation within 0.2 m2 quadrats (n = 288). Next, we examine the relationship between volumetric estimates of vegetation with biomass. We found that volumes calculated with 0.5 cm voxel sizes (0.125 cm3) most closely represented the range of biomass weights. We further develop methods to classify ground points, finding a 2% reduction in predictive ability compared with validation ground surface reconstructions. This finding is significant given that our study site is characterized by a dense litter layer covering the ground surface, making reconstruction challenging. Overall, our best reconstruction workflow had an R2 of 0.42, further emphasizing the importance of high‐resolution imagery and reconstruction techniques. Ultimately, we conclude that more work is needed of increasing extents (such as from UAS) to better understand and constrain uncertainties in volumetric estimations of biomass in ecosystems with high amounts of invasive annual grasses and fine‐fuel litter.
A Two‐Step, One‐Pot Baeyer‐Villiger Oxidation of Biomass‐Derived Levoglucosenone Derivatives to Chiral, C4‐Sustituted 5‐Hydroxymethyl Butyrolactones
Authors: Cummings Andrew , Rice Clare , Sheldrake Gary N. , Murnaghan Christopher W. J.
Published: January 2025

A two‐step one‐pot rapid microwave assisted method has been developed for the Baeyer‐Villiger oxidation of biomass derived levoglucosenone (LGO) analogues. This method uses the acidic resin Amberlyst 15 as the catalyst and hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant in ethanol solution. A small library of C4‐substituted LGO analogues have been synthesised and oxidised using this method giving high yields in short times in each case. The purity of the recovered products was very high removing the need for chromatographic separation.
Chiral Thiourea Catalyzed Enantioselective Cascade Synthesis of 2,3‐Dihydrobenzofurans
Authors: Kumari Akanksha , Jain Anshul , Rana Nirmal K.
Published: January 2025

We established an efficient asymmetric cascade pathway for the construction of trans‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofurans. This reaction proceeds via a Michael addition followed by an oxa‐substitution, employing in‐situ generated pyridinium ylide and ortho‐hydroxy chalcone derivatives in the presence of a chiral thiourea catalyst at ambient temperature. This method accomplishes good to excellent yields and adequate stereoselectivity, with up to 84 % ee and >20 : 1 diastereomeric ratio. A key advantage of this cascade [4+1] annulation approach is its ability to construct chiral DHBs under mild conditions with notable yields and selectivity.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Fluorinated Pyrimidine Derivatives from Aldehydes by Photocatalytic α‐Perfluoroalkenylation
Authors: Zhu Yu‐Jun , Czekelius Constantin
Published: January 2025

A straightforward, operationally simple and inexpensive one‐pot synthesis of substituted 4‐perfluoroalkyl‐pyrimidine derivatives is reported. Employing triphenylphosphine as a photocatalyst and an additional imidazolidinone organocatalyst, aldehydes undergo α‐perfluoroalkenylation giving highly electron‐deficient enals, which form the heterocycle upon condensation with a guanidinium salt. The method tolerates many functional groups and gives the corresponding products in up to 84 % yield over both steps.
Enhancing the Detection Performance of Light‐Addressable Potentiometric Sensor Using Efficient Light Source Excitation
Authors: Tan Jie , Huang Zigeng , Cao Xin , Liu Shibin , Luo Jiezhang , Chen Yinghao , Zhao Wenbo
Published: January 2025

Light‐addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS), as a potentiometric semiconductor field‐effect electrochemical sensor with the advantages of high sensitivity, low cost, and simple fabrication, has been developed as an important tool for the label‐free detection of biochemical species. An important challenge is that its output signal is small, its sensing capability and anti‐interference capability are weak, and it needs to be further improved. In this paper, the effect of six typical waveforms as light‐source excitations on the outputs, pH‐sensing, and the resistance to noise interference of LAPS is innovatively investigated to seek efficient illumination. The frequency‐dependent photocurrent, anti‐interference capability, and pH‐sensing of LAPS under different waveform excitation conditions are evaluated and compared. The experimental results show that LAPS using illumination excited with a square wave has the maximum photocurrent and signal‐to‐noise ratio, the enhancement ratio of the photocurrent close to the theoretical value, high sensitivity, and linearity compared to other waveform excitations. This simple and efficient illumination scheme will open new way for improving the detection performance of LAPS as well as biochemical sensors based on the semiconductor field effect principle.
Carbon‐Supported Ni–Cu Bimetallic Nanoparticle Materials for Highly Efficient Electrocatalytic Conversion of CO2 to CO
Authors: Liu Yanzhuo , Liu Tianxia , Ma Bingzhen
Published: January 2025

Electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide is a highly effective method for energy storage. It is essential to explore inexpensive metal catalysts that exhibit high selectivity and yield for carbon monoxide, yet this remains a significant challenge. In this study, carbon‐supported Ni–Cu bimetallic nanoparticles (denoted as NixCuy NPs‐C) are synthesized through low‐temperature carbonization of NixCuy‐ZIF. The carbon matrix effectively prevents the aggregation of Ni/Cu NPs, allowing for a more uniform dispersion that exposes a greater number of active sites. The well‐conductive Ni/Cu particles facilitate electron transfer, contributing to high current density. Electrocatalytic performance tests indicate that the synthesized catalyst can efficiently convert carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, achieving a Faradaic efficiency for CO (FECO) exceeding 90% at potentials from −0.9 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)) to −1.1 V (vs. RHE), with a peak FECO of 96.37 % at −1.1 V (vs. RHE) and a total current density of 15.435 mA cm−2.
Rapid riparian vegetation development and channel stabilization linked to glacier retreat within a large transboundary watershed
Authors: Whited Diane , Pitman Kara J. , Moore Jonathan W. , Sergeant Christopher J. , Sexton Erin , Connor Mark
Published: January 2025

River floodplains are dynamic mosaics of aquatic and riparian habitats maintained by flow regimes and sediment processes, but these floodplains may be rapidly shifting with climate change. Specifically, previous work has highlighted that glacier retreat can be associated with river channel and floodplain change. Within a large and glacially influenced watershed, the Taku Watershed of northwestern British Columbia and southeastern Alaska, we used remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) to quantify four decades of annual floodplain habitat composition and river channel patterns in 16 subwatersheds that naturally varied in their glacier coverage and other landscape (e.g., floodplain elevation, slope) and climate variables (e.g., temperature, precipitation). We discovered rapid development of floodplain vegetation and increased habitat stability in subwatersheds with higher glacial coverage, and a lack of directional change in other subwatersheds. Floodplain vegetation coverage almost doubled over 38 years in subwatersheds with the highest glacier coverage. Focal analyses revealed that river channel structure also shifted in glacierized subwatersheds, with decreases in habitat turnover rate, water occupancy and some evidence for decreasing levels of channel braiding. A large landslide (1.5 km runout, 130 ha) during the study period caused a local disturbance to one of the floodplains, but with little immediate broader impacts at the scale of the entire floodplain. Collectively, climate change and associated glacier retreat are leading to the rapid transformation of floodplain ecosystems, with major implications for the habitat of important species such as migratory salmon.
Development of Heuristic Strategy With Hybrid Encryption for Energy Efficient and Secure Data Storage Scheme in Blockchain‐Based Mobile Edge Computing
Authors: Matrouk Khaled M. , Rasappan Punithavathi , Bhutani Priyanka , Mittal Shikha , Nisha A. Sahaya Anselin , Konduru Reddy Madhavi
Published: January 2025

Internet of Things (IoT) devices is extensively employed to collect physiological health data and provide diverse services to end‐users. Nevertheless, in recent applications, cloud computing‐based IoT proves beneficial for standard data storage and ensuring high‐security information sharing. Due to limitations in battery capacity, storage, and computing power, IoT devices are often considered resource‐constrained. Consequently, data signing by IoT devices, aimed at ensuring data integrity and authentication, typically demands significant computational resources. Unsafe data storage and high latency are considered as the major issues in the IoT‐based data storage mechanism for duplicating and misusing the information while it is stored in the cloud database. Hence, blockchain technologies are needed to provide high security over the stored data. Hence, the research aimed to implement an efficient blockchain‐based data storage system in mobile edge computing, safeguarding data from unauthorized access. In this approach, it contains four layers that are cloud layer, the entity layer, the block‐chain layer, and the edge computing layer. The user's data are stored in the optimal location in the entity layer, where the data storing location is find out using the proposed Hybrid Battle Royale with Archimedes Optimization Algorithm (HBRAOA). In the edge computing layer, an optimal key‐based homomorphic encryption algorithm using Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) is introduced to encrypt data with the most optimal key, ensuring secure storage. This encryption method leverages the same HBRAOA to enhance the efficiency. Next, the digital signature is demonstrated to give the authorization of the user, and it is distributed to the blockchain layer. Thus, the indexes of the shared data are stored in the blockchain layer to avoid fault tolerance and tamper‐proofing. Finally, the cloud layer receives the valuable encrypted data, and the authenticated users with known encrypted keys are able to access the data by decrypting them. The result analysis shows that the performance of the developed model, which attains 27%, 98%, 35%, and 18% enhanced than Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)‐ECC, Black Widow Optimization (BWO)‐ECC, Battle Royale Optimization (BRO)‐ECC and Archimedes Optimization Algorithm (AOA)‐ECC. The efficiency of the proposed blockchain‐based mobile edge computing scheme with the optimization strategy is validated by conducting several similarity measures over the conventional methods.
Deciphering the Neural Effects of Emotional, Motivational, and Cognitive Challenges on Inhibitory Control Processes
Authors: Bounoua Nadia , Stumps Anna , Church Leah , Spielberg Jeffrey M. , Sadeh Naomi
Published: January 2025

Converging lines of research indicate that inhibitory control is likely to be compromised in contexts that place competing demands on emotional, motivational, and cognitive systems, potentially leading to damaging impulsive behavior. The objective of this study was to identify the neural impact of three challenging contexts that typically compromise self‐regulation and weaken impulse control. Participants included 66 healthy adults (M/SDage = 29.82/10.21 years old, 63.6% female) who were free of psychiatric disorders and psychotropic medication use. Participants completed a set of novel Go/NoGo (GNG) paradigms in the scanner, which manipulated contextual factors to induce (i) aversive emotions, (ii) appetitive drive, or (iii) concurrent working memory load. Voxelwise analysis of neural activation during each of these tasks was compared to that of a neutral GNG task. Findings revealed differential inhibition‐related activation in the aversive emotions and appetitive drive GNG tasks relative to the neutral task in frontal, parietal and temporal cortices, suggesting emotional and motivational contexts may suppress activation of these cortical regions during inhibitory control. In contrast, the GNG task with a concurrent working memory load showed widespread increased activation across the cortex compared to the neutral task, indicative of enhanced recruitment of executive control regions. Results suggest the neural circuitry recruited for inhibitory control varies depending on the concomitant emotional, motivational, and cognitive demands of a given context. This battery of GNG tasks can be used by researchers interested in studying unique patterns of neural activation associated with inhibitory control across three clinically relevant contexts that challenge self‐regulation and confer risk for impulsive behavior.
New Zealand Early Learning Service Menus Do Not Meet Health New Zealand Guidelines for Providing Healthy Menus and Reducing Food‐Related Choking in Children
Authors: Hall Olivia , Ali Ajmol , Wham Carol
Published: January 2025

Objective

To assess alignment of food and drinks served to New Zealand (NZ) children in early learning services (ELS) with the Health NZ (formerly known as Ministry of Health) Healthy Food and Drink (HFD) and Reducing Food Related Choking (choking) guidance.

Methods

Menus (271) collected remotely from 148 ELS from November 2020–March 2021 were analysed for their nutritional quality based on a ‘traffic light’ classification of ‘green’ (most nutritious), ‘amber’ (moderately nutritious) and ‘red’ (least nutritious) based on the guidance.

Results

Overall, 2.6% of menus met the guidance, and alignment was greater for menus for over 2‐year‐olds (over‐2s) than under 2‐year‐olds (under‐2s; p < 0.01). One‐fifth (18.5%) of menus met the choking guidance. Services with a Healthy Heart Award (HHA) from the Heart Foundation provided more ‘green’ items to over‐2s (p = 0.039) and under‐2s (p = 0.01), and less ‘red’ items to over‐2s (p = 0.04). Providing more green menu items was inversely correlated with providing less high choking risk foods (p < 0.01). Menu scores did not vary by service location, neighbourhood socioeconomic deprivation or type (services operating independently versus those part of an education group chain).

Conclusions

Alignment with Health NZ nutritional guidance is low, particularly in ELS caring for very young children (under‐2s). Service characteristics, except for HHA status, are a poor predictor of nutritional quality of menus at ELS.

So What

Greater uptake of the HHA scheme could assist ELS to provide healthier food and drinks. Early learning services need further support from the public health sector to implement national nutritional guidelines.
Defining Health Management: A Conceptual Foundation for Excellence Through Efficiency, Sustainability and Equity
Authors: Valiotis George , Buttigieg Sandra C. , Cicchetti Americo , Dang Rui , Jamshed Nabil , Jevtic Marija , Magalhães Teresa , Nies Henk , Pferzinger Mangfred , Santana Rui , Correia Tiago , Weller Emmi , Cande Laura , Desson Zachary , Margheri Federica
Published: January 2025

The practice of healthcare management is essential for the efficient operation of health services, encompassing leadership, management, and direction within healthcare organisations. ‘Health management’ extends beyond healthcare management by integrating principles of public health and health policy. As health management is commonly practised but not cohesively recognised, the European Health Management Association (EHMA) conducted this study to develop a cohesive definition of health management. Developed through a qualitative methodology comprising focus group discussions and validation through quantitative expert interviews, this study proposed a holistic definition of health management, incorporating social, environmental and economic determinants of health, cross‐sector collaboration, and the ‘One Health’ approach. The publication of this unified definition has important implications for professional training, policy development, and health outcomes. It provides a foundational framework for curricula, informs precise policy formulation, and promotes excellence through health service delivery that reflects efficiency, sustainability, and equity.
Irregular Pulse and Cardiovascular Disease From NHANES (1999–2018): A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Zeng Qingping , Chang Weihong , Zhang Rui , Fan Hongxuan , Liu Aman , Zhang Ping , She Fei , Zhou Boda
Published: January 2025

Background and Aims

Pulse is an easily accessible life sign, while irregular pulse could be easily detected in daily life during blood pressure test. However, whether irregular pulse was associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) or mortality has not been reported on a large population scale. Here, we investigated the association between irregular pulse, CVD, and CVD mortality, to explore the potential of irregular pulse as screening indicator for CVD and mortality, thus influencing health policy.

Methods

This cohort study used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 1999 through 2018 and linked mortality information until 2019. Eligible participants were adults with valid records of self‐report CVD and pulse characteristics.

Results

We included data from 49,681 participants in the analysis. Compared with regular pulse group, irregular pulse group demonstrated an increased risk of CVD (1.34, [1.14, 1.58]), especially heart failure (1.75, [1.37, 2.24]) and coronary heart disease (1.27, [1.01, 1.60]). Irregular pulse group showed an increased risk for all‐cause mortality (HR 1.29, [95% CI, 1.17–1.42]) and CVD mortality (HR 1.53, [95% CI, 1.30–1.81]) compared with regular pulse group. The findings suggest that irregular pulse was associated with CVD and mortality. Participants with irregular pulse were associated with a significantly increased risk of all‐cause mortality (HR 1.29, 95% CI [1.17, 1.42], p < 0.001), and CVD mortality (HR 1.53, [1.30, 1.81], p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our study found that people with irregular pulse have a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular disease mortality than people with regular pulse. These findings highlight the importance of health screening and risk management for people with irregular pulse.
Exploring the Epidemiological Characteristics and Survival Analysis Among Prostate Cancer Patients Under 50: A Seer‐Based Population Study
Authors: Mali Bahaa , Mali Ali , Mali Alaa , Abdulrazzak Mohammed , Jobran Afnan W. M.
Published: January 2025

Background and Aims

Even though aging is a known risk factor for prostate cancer incidence and mortality, there has been an increase in incidence among young men since the late 1980s with notably lower survival rates than those among older men. However, there is insufficient knowledge about recent trends in the incidence and survival of this disease.

Methods

We analyzed prostatic cancer incidence trends in men under 50 from 1975 to 2020 using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 8 registries data. We further studied frequency, incidence rate, and survival rates in this group across SEER 22 registries, which cover around 41.9% of the US population. We analyzed the data by age, stage, and race subgroups and identified potential risk factors affecting survival prognosis using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results

Our results revealed that prostate cancer incidence rates in men under 50 have increased from 1975 to 2020. There was a significant decline from 2009 to 2014, followed by a gradual decrease. Between 2004 and 2020, 35,670 new cases were diagnosed. 76.10% of these cases were localized, 15.10% were regional, 4.20% were distant, and 4.60% were unstaged. Certain factors can negatively impact the prognosis, including age at diagnosis under 30, advanced stages of the disease, and non‐Hispanic black race.

Conclusion

Early‐onset prostate cancer has distinct epidemiological and clinical characteristics, and more research is required to gain a better understanding of the biological, genetic, and environmental factors that contribute to its development. This understanding will assist in the creation of more suitable management plans that can enhance survival rates.
A20 as a Potential Therapeutic Target for COVID‐19
Authors: Wu Yongyao , He Lilan , Li Rong , Li Jiuxuan , Zhao Qing , Shao Bin
Published: January 2025

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), is a major concern due to its astonishing prevalence and high fatality rate, especially among elderly people. Patients suffering from COVID‐19 may exhibit immunosuppression in the initial stage of infection, while a cytokine storm can occur when the disease progresses to a severe stage. This inopportune immune rhythm not only makes patients more susceptible to the virus but also leads to numerous complications resulting from the excessive production of inflammatory factors. A20, which is widely accepted as a pivotal regulator of inflammation, has been shown to be implicated in the processes of antiviral responses and immunosuppression. Thus, A20 may participate in regulating the pathological processes of COVID‐19.

Methods

This narrative literature review summarizes recent evidence on the mechanisms of A20 in regulating the pathological processes of COVID‐19. We also downloaded single‐cell RNA‐seq data sets from healthy individuals and patients with varying severities of COVID‐19 from the NCBI GEO database to further dissect A20's regulatory mechanisms of these intricate cytokine pathways that are closely associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.

Results

A20 might be one of the most critical anti‐infectious and anti‐inflammatory factors involved in the pathogenesis of COVID‐19. It effectively suppresses the immune damage and inflammatory storm caused by viral infection.

Conclusions

Understanding the relationship between A20‐regulated signaling pathways and pathological processes of COVID‐19 can provide insight into potential targets for intervention. Precise regulation of A20 to induce antiviral activity and an anti‐inflammatory response could mediate the pathogenesis of COVID‐19 and could become an effective treatment.
TLR4 Inhibition Attenuated LPS‐Induced Proinflammatory Signaling and Cytokine Release in Mouse Hearts and Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Wiger Christine W. , Ranheim Trine , Arnesen Henriette , Vaage Jarle , Pischke Søren E. , Yndestad Arne , Stensløkken Kåre‐Olav , Torp May‐Kristin
Published: January 2025

Background

Sepsis is associated with myocardial injury and early mortality. The innate immune receptor Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) can recognize pathogen‐associated‐molecular‐patterns (PAMPs) and damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs); the latter are released during tissue injury. We hypothesized that TLR4 inhibition reduces proinflammatory signaling and cytokine release in: (1) LPS or Escherichia coli‐treated isolated mouse heart; (2) LPS‐treated mouse primary adult cardiomyocytes; and (3) the isolated heart during ischemia–reperfusion.

Methods

Isolated C57BL/6N male mouse hearts were perfused for 120 min, with either LPS, E. coli, with and without CLI‐095 (TLR4 inhibitor). Primary adult mouse cardiomyocytes were treated with LPS or LPS + CLI‐095. Isolated hearts, exposed to 35 min of global ischemia, were treated with either vehicle or CLI‐095 during reperfusion. Infarct size was quantified by triphenyltetrazolium staining. Cytokine expression was analyzed with ELISA, western blot analysis, and qPCR.

Results

In isolated hearts, E. coli increased the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL‐6 and CXCL2), which was not attenuated with TLR4 inhibition. TLR4 inhibition reduced expression (p = 0.004) and release of IL‐6 (p < 0.0001) in LPS‐exposed isolated hearts. LPS activated the nuclear‐factor κ‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells signaling pathway (NF‐κB) in primary adult cardiomyocytes. Moreover, TLR4 inhibition reduced LPS‐induced mRNA expression and release of IL‐6 in primary adult cardiomyocytes. Isolated hearts treated with CLI‐095 during reperfusion after ischemia (induced DAMPs release) showed reduced infarct size (39 ± 17% to 26 ± 8%, p = 0.034) and decreased IL‐6 release (p = 0.006).

Conclusion

Inhibition of TLR4 reduced proinflammatory signaling and cytokine release in LPS‐treated and ischemia–reperfused isolated mouse hearts and in primary adult murine cardiomyocytes.
Solution Blow Spinning: An Emerging Nanomaterials‐Based Wound‐Care Technology
Authors: Sk Md Salauddin , Mwangomo Ruth , Daniel Luke , Gilmore Jordon
Published: January 2025

Application of one‐dimensional nanofibers have witnessed exponential growth over the past few decades and are still emerging with their excellent physicochemical and electrical properties. The driving force behind this intriguing transition lies in their unique high surface‐to‐volume ratio, ubiquitous nanodomains, improved tensile strength, and flexibility to incorporate deliberate functionalities required for specific and advanced applications. Besides numerous benefits, nanomaterials may adversely interact with biological tissues and potentially be cytotoxic and carcinogenic. However, precisely engineered design can outperform the risk with myriad benefits. Wound care technologies are evolving, and products involved in wound care management have a yearly market value of $15–22 billion. Solution blow spinning (SBS) is a facile technique to synthesize biocompatible nanofibers with scalable processing variables for multidirectional biomedical applications. SBS is feasible for a wide range of thermoplastic polymers and nanomaterials to fabricate nanocomposites. This review will focus on the relevance of SBS technology for wound care, including dressings, drug delivery, tissue engineering scaffolds, and sensors.
The Biological Properties of Co‐Doped Monetite Are Influenced by Thermal Treatment
Authors: de Almeida Gerson Santos , Suter Luisa Camilo , Pinto Thais Silva , Carra Maria Gabriela Jacheto , da Silva Feltran Géorgia , de Moraes Julia Ferreira , Corrêa Diego Rafael Nespeque , Saeki Margarida Juri , Lisboa‐Filho Paulo Noronha , Zambuzzi Willian Fernando
Published: January 2025

Calcium phosphates, notably monetite, are valued biomaterials for bone applications owing to their osteogenic properties and rapid uptake by bone cells. This study investigates the enhancement of these properties through Cobalt doping, which is known to induce hypoxia and promote bone cell differentiation. Heat treatments at 700°C, 900°C, and 1050°C are applied to both monetite and Cobalt‐doped monetite, facilitating the development of purer, more crystalline phases with varied particle sizes and optimized cellular responses. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization through XRD, FTIR, Raman, SEM/EDS, and ASAP analyses shows significant phase transformations into pyrophosphate, influencing the materials' structural and functional attributes. When utilized to condition a culture medium for MC3T3‐E1 cells, these materials demonstrate non‐cytotoxic behavior and provoke specific gene responses associated with the osteoblastic phenotype, angiogenesis, adhesion, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Significantly, non‐heat‐treated Cobalt‐doped Monetite retains properties advantageous for clinical applications such as dental and orthopedic implants, where lower processing temperatures are crucial. This attribute, combined with the material's straightforward production, highlights its practicality and potential cost‐effectiveness. Further research is essential to assess the long‐term safety and efficacy of these materials in clinical settings. Our findings underscore the promising role of Cobalt‐doped Monetite in advancing bone repair and regeneration, setting the stage for future innovations in treating bone lesions, enhancing implant integration, and developing advanced prosthetic coatings within the field of tissue engineering.
Biosynthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles by Origanum majorana Aqueous Leaves Extracts, Characterization and Evaluated Against to Schistosoma haematobium
Authors: Eldera Samah S. , Alkhtaby Lila A. , Al‐Wafi Reem , El‐Nour Mohamed Abou
Published: January 2025

Schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma worms, is a major neglected tropical disease in Africa, this disease is ranked as second after malaria. Nanotechnology is important for treating schistosomiasis while minimizing chemotherapy side effects. The current investigate aimed to assess the effectiveness of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), which were used for the first time in an attempt to find alternative treatment for schistosomiasis and synthesized by Origanum majorana, and to compare them with praziquantel (PZQ), the only chemical treatment approved by the World Health Organization. The study included evaluations both in the laboratory and in vivo. In the laboratory experiment, adult worms exposed to ZnO nanoparticles at concentrations of 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, and 3.125 μg/mL showed the highest complete mortality rates at concentrations of 100 and 50 μg/mL after 6 and 12 h, respectively. Combinations of ZnO nanoparticles at concentrations of 12.5 + 0.4, 25 + 0.3, 50 + 0.2, and 75 + 0.1 μg/mL with PZQ were also tested. In vivo, four groups of hamsters infected with Schistosoma haematobium were treated. In hamsters, the number of eggs present in the tissues as well as the size and number of granulomas significantly decreased when ZnO nanoparticles combined with PZQ were administered. The properties of ZnO particles synthesized by Origanum majorana were consistent and confirmed by all previous studies. These results indicate that green ZnO nanoparticles with PZQ showed high activity against S. haematobium in laboratory experiments.
Highly loaded copper on mesoporous silica as catalysts for acetaldehyde production from ethanol: their synthesis, characteristics, and catalytic properties
Authors: Krutpijit Chadaporn , Suelueam Sirimas , Jongsomjit Bunjerd
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND

The present study investigates copper (Cu)/mesoporous catalysts supported on mesocellular foam silica (MCF‐Si) and Santa Barbara Amorphous‐15 (SBA‐15) for ethanol dehydrogenation, focusing on catalyst synthesis, performance, and stability. Cu catalysts were impregnated on the MCF‐Si and SBA‐15 supports with different pore morphologies – spherical and hexagonal structure, respectively – using the wetness impregnation method and incipient wetness impregnation (IW), with a Cu loading of 60 wt%. The synthesized catalysts underwent physical and chemical characterization via scanning electron microscopy combined with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray fluorescence, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, N2 physisorption, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), carbon monoxide chemisorption, hydrogen temperature‐programmed reduction (H2 TPR), ammonia temperature‐programmed desorption, and carbon dioxide temperature‐programmed desorption.

RESULTS

It was observed that copper impregnation of the support in either method did not alter the structural characteristics. Incipient wetness resulted in superior catalytic activity, particularly with Cu/MCF‐Si (IW), having pure ethanol conversion of 99.4% and acetaldehyde yield of 95.7%, attributed to effective Cu dispersion and a lower reduction temperature. Further investigation of time‐on‐stream (TOS) behavior revealed sustained ethanol conversion rates exceeding 95% with a 10% ethanol feed. However, catalyst deactivation due to coke formation occurred with 100% ethanol, highlighting the importance of understanding catalyst stability and deactivation mechanisms.

CONCLUSION

Incipient wetness resulted in superior performance compared to wetness impregnation, with Cu/MCF‐Si (IW) achieving exceptional ethanol conversion rates due to effective Cu dispersion and a lower reduction temperature. TOS testing revealed sustained ethanol conversion; however, catalyst deactivation was observed with pure ethanol feed due to carbon deposition (coke formation). Characterization techniques, including XRD, TGA, and H2 TPR analyses, provided valuable insights into the deactivation processes, highlighting the need for strategies to mitigate oxidation‐induced deactivation. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
The Polynomial Method for Three‐Path Extendability of List Colourings of Planar Graphs
Authors: Gordinowicz Przemysław , Twardowski Paweł
Published: January 2025

We restate Thomassen's theorem of 3‐extendability (Thomassen, Journal of Combinatorial Theory Series B, 97, 571–583), an extension of the famous planar 5‐choosability theorem, in terms of graph polynomials. This yields an Alon–Tarsi equivalent of 3‐extendability.
Extremal Results on Conflict‐Free Coloring
Authors: Bhyravarapu Sriram , Gupta Shiwali , Kalyanasundaram Subrahmanyam , Mathew Rogers
Published: January 2025

A conflict‐free open neighborhood (CFON) coloring of a graph is an assignment of colors to the vertices such that for every vertex there is a color that appears exactly once in its open neighborhood. For a graph , the smallest number of colors required for such a coloring is called the CFON chromatic number and is denoted by . By considering closed neighborhood instead of open neighborhood, we obtain the analogous notions of conflict‐free (CF) closed neighborhood (CFCN) coloring, and CFCN chromatic number (denoted by ). The notion of CF coloring was introduced in 2002, and has since received considerable attention. We study CFON and CFCN colorings and show the following results. In what follows, denotes the maximum degree of the graph.

We show that if is a ‐free graph, then . Dębski and Przybyło had shown that if is a line graph, then . As an open question, they had asked if their result could be extended to claw‐free (‐free) graphs, which is a superclass of line graphs. Since , our result answers their open question. It is known that there exist separate families of ‐free graphs with and .

For a ‐free graph on vertices, we show that . This bound is asymptotically tight for some values of since there are graphs with .

Let be an integer. We define as follows:

It is easy to see that when . Let be a positive constant. It was shown that . In this paper, we show (i) , where is a constant such that and (ii) , where is a constant such that . Together with the known upper bound , this implies that .
Perceiving the Inevitable: Understanding Observer Reactions to Workplace Mistreatment Through the Lens of System Justification Theory
Authors: Lyubykh Zhanna , Barclay Laurie J. , Turner Nick , Hershcovis M. Sandy
Published: January 2025

System justification theory posits that individuals tend to justify and maintain the status quo. For workplace mistreatment, we argue this tendency can elicit psychological processes in observers that may further disadvantage targets of mistreatment. We propose that organizational climates that are perceived to tolerate mistreatment increase the likelihood that observers perceive specific instances of mistreatment as inevitable. This can activate system justification tendencies in which observers evaluate the mistreatment incident as more legitimate and the target as less legitimate, prompting harmful observer reactions (e.g., minimizing the incident, negatively gossiping about the target). To investigate system justification in observer reactions, we validate a measure of perceived mistreatment inevitability and conduct a multiwave survey to test our hypotheses. Our findings indicate that organizational climates that tolerate mistreatment increase observers' perceptions that specific instances of mistreatment are inevitable, thereby activating processes that prompt observers to justify and maintain the status quo. Theoretical implications include identifying what activates system justification, why observers justify mistreatment, and how these tendencies elicit harmful reactions further disadvantaging targets. Practically, our findings highlight the importance of addressing organizational climates that tolerate mistreatment, avoiding reliance on observers to intervene constructively, and effectively addressing mistreatment to prevent further harm to targets.
Understanding perfume deposition mechanisms on different textile substrates in a realistic laundering process
Authors: Marcotullio Luca , Gröb Péter , Scialla Stefano , Saveyn Pieter
Published: January 2025

The laundering process is an essential routine for maintaining the cleanliness and freshness of textiles. Achieving an efficient deposition and retention of fragrances on different fabric types remains a complex challenge. This study provides a novel comparison of the impact on perfume deposition of different fabric types across wash cycle stages and wash conditions. The critical role of perfume redeposition during rinsing is examined, where micelles entrapped in the textile matrix break due to surfactant concentrations dropping below the critical micelle concentration (CMC), resulting in the release and subsequent redeposition on fabrics of perfume raw materials (PRMs) contained in the micelles. Our findings reveal that adsorption kinetics are faster on cotton compared with polyester. Cotton, due to its amphoteric nature, exhibits greater interaction with water molecules during rinsing, leading to more significant PRM loss. Conversely, polyester demonstrates a higher PRM retention capacity, which can be attributed to its hydrophobic nature. Surprisingly, however, we find that redeposition during the rinse steps of hydrophobic PRMs is more pronounced on cotton than polyester, which may be due to their respective water retention capacities and consequent effect on the micelle breaking mechanism.
Ruthenium Oxide: A Near 0.8 µm Epsilon‐Near‐Zero Medium for Multipurpose Nonlinear Photonics
Authors: Wang Lin , Yan Jiahe , Yuan Jiaqi , Lau Kuen Yao , Dong Junhao , Zheng Jingying , Xu Beibei , Yusoff Norita Mohd , Mahdi Mohd Adzir , Qiao Yanbo , Zhang Zuxing , Qiu Jianrong , Liu Xiaofeng
Published: January 2025

The intriguing optical response associated with the vanishingly small dielectric primitivity in epsilon‐near‐zero (ENZ) materials has offered unprecedented opportunities for photonics. Due to the high‐limit of doping concentration, current homogeneous ENZ materials based on heavily doped conductive oxide including ITO usually exhibit a zero‐permittivity wavelength (λ0) longer than 1200 nm. Here, this is identified with combined theoretical and experimental investigations that stoichiometric rutile‐type RuO2 (r‐RuO2) exhibits the shortest λ0 of near 800 nm among conductive oxides, benefiting from the high free electron concentration with characteristic Drude‐type response. The ENZ effect is manifested by the strong field enhancement and the large nonlinear optical (NLO) response in colloidal processed r‐RuO2 nanoparticles (NPs) and thin films. By ultrafast transient spectroscopy, the strong NLO response in r‐RuO2 NPs is revealed to be the result of rapid thermalization/cooling of free electrons in the strong hybridized Ru‐4d/O‐2p orbitals. The ultrafast optical nonlinearity is exploited further for the development of multi‐purpose all‐optical switches that enable stable pulse laser generation in four mode‐locked and Q‐switched fiber lasers. Our results underscore the potential of stoichiometric metallic metal oxides as alternative ENZ materials for nonlinear photonics applications in the visible and NIR regions.
The design of retroviral vectors used in the CAR‐T products, risk management, and future perspective
Authors: Yin Huifang , Wei Xuejing
Published: January 2025

Chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell (CAR‐T) therapy is a revolutionary approach in cancer treatment. More than 10 CAR‐T products have already approved on market worldly wide, and they use either gamma retroviral vectors or lentiviral vectors to deliver the CAR gene. Both vectors have the ability to effectively and persistently integrate the CAR gene into T cells. Despite the advancements in CAR‐T therapy, the potential risks associated with the vectors, particularly the risks of the secondary malignancies, still remain as a concern. This article compares the characteristics of gamma retroviral and lentiviral vectors, discusses the development of vector packaging systems, and examines the design of self‐inactivating (SIN) vectors. It also addresses the risks of secondary malignancies that might possibly be associated with the retroviral vectors, and the strategies to decrease the risks and increase the safer clinical use of the vectors. This article also discusses the current regulatory landscape and management approaches aiming to mitigate these risks through stringent safety measures and ongoing monitoring. Future perspectives focus on improving the safety profiles of the vectors and broadening their scope of use. The article provides a thorough overview of the most recent research discoveries and regulatory updates in the field of CAR‐T therapy, highlighting the significance of a balanced strategy that strikes a balance between innovation and patient safety in the development and implementation of CAR‐T therapy.
At the nucleus of cancer: how the nuclear envelope controls tumor progression
Authors: Paganelli Francesca , Poli Alessandro , Truocchio Serena , Martelli Alberto M. , Palumbo Carla , Lattanzi Giovanna , Chiarini Francesca
Published: January 2025

Historically considered downstream effects of tumorigenesis—arising from changes in DNA content or chromatin organization—nuclear alterations have long been seen as mere prognostic markers within a genome‐centric model of cancer. However, recent findings have placed the nuclear envelope (NE) at the forefront of tumor progression, highlighting its active role in mediating cellular responses to mechanical forces. Despite significant progress, the precise interplay between NE components and cancer progression remains under debate. In this review, we provide a comprehensive and up‐to‐date overview of how changes in NE composition affect nuclear mechanics and facilitate malignant transformation, grounded in the latest molecular and functional studies. We also review recent research that uses advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to predict malignancy risk and treatment outcomes by analyzing nuclear morphology. Finally, we discuss how progress in understanding nuclear mechanics has paved the way for mechanotherapy—a promising cancer treatment approach that exploits the mechanical differences between cancerous and healthy cells. Shifting the perspective on NE alterations from mere diagnostic markers to potential therapeutic targets, this review calls for further investigation into the evolving role of the NE in cancer, highlighting the potential for innovative strategies to transform conventional cancer therapies.
Bonus Scheme, Managerial Delegation, and Quantity Competition
Authors: Chou Chung‐Hui
Published: January 2025

This note examines if owners would offer a bonus for each unit of output dependent on both firms' output levels in equilibrium and the impacts on market performances. The main contribution is showing that owners may lessen quantity competition more than the standard Cournot by adopting the relative quantity delegation in which they offer an incentive scheme based on profit plus a bonus for each unit of output that decreases in their own output levels but increases in rivals' ones. Consequently, contrary to conventional wisdom, output delegation increases profitability but reduces consumers' surplus.
Two London Memorials to “James Parkinson [1755–1824], Esq. Surgeon, Late of Hoxton‐Square”
Authors: Toodayan Nadeem , Lees Andrew J.
Published: January 2025

Of all London memorials commemorating historical medical personalities, none perhaps have been so frequented by neurologists as those honoring James Parkinson (1755–1824) of Hoxton square. Situated in the historical London borough of Hackney, there are two well‐known memorials to James Parkinson that can still be easily visited: The first, a large, inscribed marble memorial tablet at St Leonard's Church that Parkinson was closely affiliated with throughout life; the second, a historical blue plaque marking the site of Parkinson's birthplace and former home practice at 1 Hoxton Square. Although many contemporary neurologists would freely recall the historical significance of these locations, very few now living can detail the circumstances leading up to these memorials being erected. A new look at rediscovered primary resources provides considerable insight into the history of these monuments dedicated to James Parkinson. © 2025 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.