bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovative Real‐Time Flow Sensor Using Detergent‐Free Complex Emulsions with Dual‐Emissive Semi‐Perfluoroalkyl Substituted Α‐Cyanostilbene
Authors: Rakesh Narani , Tu Hsiung‐Lin , Chang Po‐Chun , Gebreyesus Sofani Tafesse , Lin Che‐Jen
Published: September 2023

In this study, the potential of complex emulsions is investigated as transducers in sensing applications. Complex emulsions are stabilized without external detergents by developing a novel α‐cyanostilbene substituted with PEG and semi‐perfluoroalkyl chain (CNFCPEG). CNFCPEG exhibits unique variable emission properties depending on its aggregation state, allowing dual blue and green emissions in complex emulsions with hydrocarbon‐in‐fluorocarbon‐in‐water (H/F/W) morphology. The green excimer emissions result from the self‐assembly of CNFCPEG at the fluorocarbon/water interface, while the blue emission observed is due to aggregation in the organic phase. A novel flow‐injection method is developed by incorporating complex emulsions with CNFCPEG into multiple‐well flow chips (MWFC). Iodine is successfully detected in a mobile aqueous solution by monitoring morphology changes. The findings demonstrate that self‐stabilized complex emulsions with MWFC hold great promise for real‐time sensing without costly instruments.
ConvNets for Electroencephalographic Decoding of Attempted Arm and Hand Movements of People with Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Cancino Sandra , López Juan Manuel , Delgado Saa Jaime F. , Schettini Norelli
Published: September 2023

Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) facilitate communication between the brain and external devices, providing an alternative solution for individuals with upper limb disabilities. The decoding of brain movement commands in BCIs relies on signal feature extraction and classification. Herein, the BNCI Horizon 2020 dataset is employed, which consists of electroencephalographic signals from ten participants with subacute and chronic cervical spinal cord injuries. These participants perform or attempt five distinct types of arm and hand movements. To extract signal features, a novel technique is introduced that estimates movement‐related cortical potentials and incorporates them into the processing pipeline. Moreover, a time‐frequency domain representation of the dataset is used as input for the classifier. Given the promising outcomes demonstrated by deep learning models in BCI classification, a pretrained ConvNet AlexNet is adopted to decode the motor tasks. The proposed method exhibits a remarkable average accuracy of 76.0% across all five categories, representing a significant advancement over existing state‐of‐the‐art techniques. Additionally, an in‐depth analysis of the convolutional layers in the model is conducted to gain comprehensive insights into the classification process. By examining the ConvNet filters and activations, the method contributes to a deeper understanding of the electrophysiology that underlies attempted movement.
Health effects of filtering facepiece respirators: Research and clinical implications of comfort, thermal, skin, psychologic, and workplace effects
Authors: Harber Philip , Beckett William S.
Published: September 2023

Filtering facepiece respirators (FFR's) such as N95s have become widely used in appropriate settings for personal respiratory protection and are increasingly used beyond workplace settings. Concerns about possible adverse effects have appeared in many publications, particularly since the COVID‐19 pandemic led to much more widespread use. This paper synthesizes known effects based upon review of publications in PubMed since 1995, addressing effects other than pulmonary and cardiovascular (reviewed elsewhere). Findings: (1) Subjective discomfort is very frequently reported; this includes general discomfort or organ‐system‐specific complaints such as respiratory, headache, dermatologic, and heat. Research methods are widely divergent, and we propose a taxonomy to classify such studies by methodology, study population (subjects, experimental vs. observational methodology, comparator, specificity, and timeframe) to facilitate synthesis. (2) Objective measures of increased heat and humidity within the mask are well documented. (3) Frequency and characteristics of dermatologic effects have been insufficiently evaluated. (4) Physical mask designs are varied, making generalizations challenging. (5) More studies of impact on work performance and communication are needed. (6) Studies of effect of FFR design and accompanying training materials on ease and consistency of use are needed.
Electron Delocalization Enables Sulfone‐based Single‐solvent Electrolyte for Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Mominur Rahman Muhammad , Hu Enyuan
Published: September 2023

Li‐metal batteries (LMB), although providing high energy density, face the grand challenge of identifying good electrolyte solvents for cycling. Common solvents are either only stable against lithium metal anode or only stable against LiNixMnyCo1‐x‐yO2 (NMC) cathode. There is significant effort trying to increase the cathode stability for ether electrolytes, which are in general stable against lithium metal anode. In comparison, there is much less effort trying to increase the anode stability of electrolytes that are stable against NMC cathode. One example is the sulfone‐based electrolyte. It has good cathode stability but is hindered from practical application because of (1) high viscosity and poor wetting capability and (2) poor anode stability. Here, we solve these issues by modifying the sulfone molecules using resonance and electron withdrawing effect. The viscosity is significantly reduced by delocalizing the electrons through introducing additional oxygen on the molecular backbone and applying appropriate fluorination. The resulting molecule 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl mesylate (TFEM) has decreased Lewis basicity and less reactivity toward Li+. The electrolyte based on TFEM as single solvent enables cycling of LMB under harsh conditions of low N/P ratio (21 mg/cm2 NMC811 and 50 μm Li) with 90 % capacity retention after 160 cycles at C/3 discharge rate.
Bromine‐Enhanced Generation and Epoxidation of Ethylene in Tandem CO2 Electrolysis Towards Ethylene Oxide
Authors: Xue Wenjie , Quan Li , Liu Hongxia , Yu Bo , Chen Xinqing , Xia Bao Yu , You Bo
Published: September 2023

The indirect electro‐epoxidation of ethylene (C2H4), produced from CO2 electroreduction (CO2R), holds immense promise for CO2 upcycling to valuable ethylene oxide (EO). However, this process currently has a mediocre Faradaic efficiency (FE) due to sluggish formation and rapid dissociation of active species, as well as reductive deactivation of Cu‐based electrocatalysts during the conversion of C2H4 to EO and CO2 to C2H4, respectively. Herein, we report a bromine‐induced dual‐enhancement strategy designed to concurrently promote both C2H4‐to‐EO and CO2‐to‐C2H4 conversions, thereby improving EO generation, using single‐atom Pt on N‐doped CNTs (Pt1/NCNT) and Br−‐bearing porous Cu2O as anode and cathode electrocatalysts, respectively. Physicochemical characterizations including synchrotron X‐ray absorption, operando infrared spectroscopy, and quasi in situ Raman spectroscopy/electron paramagnetic resonance with theoretical calculations reveal that the favorable Br2/HBrO generation over Pt1/NCNT with optimal intermediate binding facilitates C2H4‐to‐EO conversion with a high FE of 92.2 %, and concomitantly, the Br− with strong nucleophilicity protects active Cu+ species in Cu2O effectively for improved CO2‐to‐C2H4 conversion with a FE of 66.9 % at 800 mA cm−2, superior to those in the traditional chloride‐mediated case. Consequently, a single‐pass FE as high as 41.1 % for CO2‐to‐EO conversion can be achieved in a tandem system.
Pb‐Modified Ultrathin RuCu Nanoflowers for Active, Stable, and CO‐resistant Alkaline Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Oxidation
Authors: Dong Yuanting , Zhang Zhiming , Yan Wei , Hu Xinrui , Zhan Changhong , Xu Yong , Huang Xiaoqing
Published: September 2023

CO poisoning of Pt group metal (PGM) catalysts is a chronic problem for hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR), the anodic reaction of hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cell (HEMFC) for converting H2 to electric energy in sustainable manner. We demonstrate here an ultrathin Ru‐based nanoflower modified with Pb (PbRuCu NF) as an active, stable, and CO‐resistant catalyst for alkaline HOR. Mechanism studies show that the presence of Pb can weaken the adsorption of *H, strengthen *OH adsorption to facilitate CO oxidation, as a result of significantly enhanced HOR activity and improved CO tolerance. Furthermore, in situ electrochemical attenuated total reflection surface‐enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (ATR‐SEIRAS) suggests that Pb acts as oxygen‐rich site to regulate the behavior of the linear CO adsorption. The optimized Pb1.04‐Ru92Cu8/C displays a mass activity and specific activity of 1.10 A mgRu−1 and 5.55 mA cm−2, which are ≈10 and ≈31 times higher than those of commercial Pt/C. This work provides a facile strategy for the design of Ru‐based catalyst with high activity and strong CO‐resistance for alkaline HOR, which may promote the fundamental researches on the rational design of functional catalysts.
Chain‐walking polymerization of ethylene and 1‐octene with ortho‐phenyl‐based α‐diimine Ni (II) catalysts
Authors: Wu Jie , Li Pei , Zhang Juan , Dong Zhengquan , Li Wu , Bashir Muhammad Sohail , Li Yougui , Wang Fuzhou
Published: September 2023

A class of ortho‐phenyl‐substituted Ni (II) α‐diimine complexes with variable electronic nature in the 4‐phenyl position, {[(4‐Me‐2‐(4‐R‐C6H4)C6H3N=C)2Naphth]NiBr2, R = OMe (C1); R = Me (C2); R = H (C3)}, was prepared and characterized. These nickel dibromide complexes were confirmed by X‐ray crystallography analysis and crystallized as a centrosymmetric bromine‐bridged dimer in a distorted tetrahedral geometry at the two Ni (II) centers connected by a four‐membered ring. Because of the conjugation effect and steric hindrance effect of ortho‐phenyl substituent, these Ni‐Et2AlCl systems via controlled chain‐walking ethylene polymerization performed with high catalytic activities of up to 3.10 × 106 g PE (mol Ni h)−1 to yield high molecular weight branched PEs with narrow Mw/Mn values (PDI ≤ 2.39). This Ni (II) system also conducted the chain‐walking polymerization of 1‐octene, resulting in highly branched polyolefins (up to 107 branches/1000C).
Women's rights and child abductions under the Hague Convention
Authors: Shaknes Valentina , Stringer Justine , Brandt Stephanie
Published: September 2023

The Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is a multinational treaty designed to protect children internationally from the harmful effects of parental abduction. The Convention requires a mandatory return of a child who was wrongfully removed or retained outside the country of her habitual residence unless a narrow defense preventing return can be proven. When drafted, it was assumed that most abductors would be non‐custodial parents disappointed by an adverse custody decision in the home country. It is now clear that women have been disproportionately affected because in many, if not most, U.S. cases, the respondents, that is, the parents accused of the abduction, are the children's primary caregivers. When the child's home country is not willing or capable of protecting the mother and the child, they are forced to flee from often near‐lethal danger. Therefore, many cases brought under the Hague Convention involve severe domestic violence. The Hague Convention allows courts to deny the return if it would expose the child to a “grave risk of physical or psychological harm.” Nonetheless, a limited judicial understanding of domestic violence, coupled with societal gender biases, has impeded the application of this defense. Several recent developments discussed in this essay reflect a growing understanding of the lasting traumatic impact of domestic violence on these child victims.
Mathematical modeling of tar conversion on downdraft biomass gasification processes
Authors: Donskoy Igor
Published: September 2023

The article concerns some problems associated with the use of low‐grade fuels for the production of syngas in fixed‐bed gasifiers. Syngas is typically used to feed internal combustion engines in small power systems. Gas quality can be understood as its various characteristics, such as calorific value, the content of individual components (for example, hydrogen), low tar and soot content, and so forth. Achieving these quality criteria often requires specific conditions for the gasification process, in addition, some of them may be limited by additional requirements that are associated with thermal stability or fuel conversion requirements. When evaluating the technical and economic characteristics of gasification‐based power plants, the optimal efficiency does not always correspond to the higher efficiency of the gasification process and the quality of producer gas. In this regard, the aim is to develop optimization methods for different criteria and to create regime maps that cover physically achievable options. Novel mathematical models of tar conversion are proposed, allowing investigation of the dependencies of tar yield on gasification conditions, including the addition of catalysts or staged air supply. Computational tools based on thermodynamic and kinetic models make it possible to solve some of these problems, first of all, to consider and compare the efficiency of various methods for reducing tar content in producer gas (staged gasification, fuel mixing, thermal, and catalytic methods of tar elimination). The choice of relatively simple mathematical models allows us to conduct numerical calculations in a wide range of conditions and to optimize the parameters of biofuel conversion plants. This approach allows a more flexible choice of gasifier operating conditions, including its work as a part of a power unit. Optimal parameters are calculated for specific conditions: secondary air ratio (1–20%) and fraction of catalytic material (5–10%). The results may be used in the analysis and choice of biofuel gasification conditions at small power plants.
Intake of polyphenols from cereal foods and colorectal cancer risk in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study
Authors: Vingrys Kristina , Mathai Michael L. , McAinch Andrew J. , Bassett Julie K. , de Courten Maximilian , Stojanovska Lily , Millar Lynne , Giles Graham G. , Hodge Allison M. , Apostolopoulos Vasso
Published: September 2023

Background

Cereal‐derived polyphenols have demonstrated protective mechanisms in colorectal cancer (CRC) models; however, confirmation in human studies is lacking. Therefore, this study examined the association between cereal polyphenol intakes and CRC risk in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS), a prospective cohort study in Melbourne, Australia that recruited participants between 1990 and 1994 to investigate diet–disease relationships.

Methods

Using food frequency questionnaire diet data matched to polyphenol data, dietary intakes of alkylresorcinols, phenolic acids, lignans, and total polyphenols from cereals were estimated. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals for CRC risk were estimated for quintiles of intake with the lowest quintile as the comparison category, using multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazards models with age as the time axis adjusted for sex, socio‐economic status, alcohol consumption, fibre intake, country of birth, total energy intake, physical activity and smoking status.

Results

From 35,245 eligible adults, mean (SD) age 54.7 (8.6) years, mostly female (61%) and Australian‐born (69%), there were 1394 incident cases of CRC (946 colon cancers and 448 rectal cancers). Results for total cereal polyphenol intake showed reduced HRs in Q2 (HR: 0.80; 95% CI, 0.68–0.95) and Q4 (HR: 0.75; 95% CI, 0.62–0.90), and similar for phenolic acids. Alkylresorcinol intake showed reduced HR in Q3 (HR: 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67–0.95) and Q4 (HR: 0.79; 95% CI, 0.66–0.95).

Conclusions

Overall, the present study showed little evidence of association between intakes of cereal polyphenols and CRC risk. Future investigations may be useful to understand associations between cereal‐derived polyphenols and additional cancers in different populations.
Impact of Colored Shade Nets on Biomass Production, Essential Oil Composition and Orientin and Isoorientin Content in Lippia gracilis Schauer
Authors: Viana Abraão José Silva , Alves de Carvalho Alexandre , Alves de Assis Rafael Marlon , Mendonça Simony Carvalho , Rocha João Pedro Miranda , Pinto José Eduardo Brasil Pereira , Bertolucci Suzan Kelly Vilela
Published: September 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of ChromatiNet on vegetative growth, total antioxidant capacity, phenolic and essential oils (EOs) composition of Lippia gracilis. The plants were cultivated under full sunlight, black, blue and red ChromatiNet. The flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity were quantified spectrophotometrically. The C‐glycosylflavone isomers (orientin and isoorientin) were isolated and identified by conventional spectroscopic techniques and measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography‐diode array detection. The EO was analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Environment influenced growth, total antioxidant capacity and phytochemical levels. Shoot dry weight, thymol, carvacrol and (E)‐caryophyllene were favoured under red and black ChromatiNet. Root growth, EOs, caryophyllene oxide, p‐cymene, flavonoids, orientin and isoorientin were favoured in sunlight. Growth and accumulation of EOs, flavonoids and photosynthetic pigments increased under blue ChromatiNet. Therefore, Lippia gracilis plants have plasticity related to the spectral quality of light and it cultivate depends of the phytochemicals of interest.
Prognostic significance of the SYNTAX score and SYNTAX score II in patients with myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Di Maio Marco , Esposito Luca , Silverio Angelo , Bellino Michele , Cancro Francesco Paolo , De Luca Giuseppe , Di Muro Francesca Maria , Vassallo Maria Giovanna , Vecchione Carmine , Galasso Gennaro
Published: September 2023

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of the SYNTAX score (SS) and SYNTAX score II (SS‐II) in a contemporary real‐world cohort of myocardial infarction (MI) patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background

The role of SS and SS‐II in the prognostic stratification of patients presenting with MI and undergoing PCI has been poorly investigated.

Methods

This study included MI patients treated with PCI from January 2015 to April 2020 at the University Hospital of Salerno. Patients were divided into tertiles according to the baseline SS and SS‐II values. The primary outcome measure was all‐cause mortality at long‐term follow‐up; secondary outcome measures were cardiovascular (CV) death and MI.

Results

Overall, 915 patients were included in this study. Mean SS and SS‐II were 16.1 ± 10.0 and 31.6 ± 11.5, respectively. At propensity weighting adjusted Cox regression analysis, both SS (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02−1.06; p = 0.017) and SS‐II (HR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.07−1.10; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with the risk of all‐cause mortality at long‐term follow‐up; both SS (HR 1.04; CI 1.01−1.06; p < 0.001) and SS‐II (HR 1.08; CI 1.06−1.10; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with the risk of CV death, but only SS‐II showed a significant association with the risk of recurrent MI (HR 1.03; CI 1.01−1.05; p < 0.001). At 5 years, SS‐II showed a significantly higher discriminative ability for all‐cause mortality than SS (area under the curve: 0.82 vs. 0.64; p < 0.001). SS‐II was able to reclassify the risk of long‐term mortality beyond the SS (net reclassification index 0.88; 95% CI: 0.38−1.54; p = 0.033).

Conclusions

In a real‐world cohort of MI patients treated with PCI, SS‐II was a stronger prognostic predictor of long‐term mortality than SS.
Geometrically Deformed and Conformationally Rigid Phosphorus Trisamides Featuring an Unsymmetrical Backbone
Authors: Beims Niklas , Greven Tobias , Schmidtmann Marc , van der Vlugt Jarl Ivar
Published: September 2023

Nonclassical P(III) centers have attracted much attention in recent years. Incorporating a P(III) center in a rigid bicyclic platform offers a particularly attractive way to invoke significant geometric distortion of the phosphorus atom that may in turn induce unusual reactivity. Although still relatively scarcely explored, phosphorus centers enforced in a non‐C3 symmetry have gained significant traction lately. However, the current scaffolds are based on a relatively limited set of design principles and ligand platforms associated therewith. This work is focussed on the synthesis as well as versatile oxidation, addition and coordination chemistry of a geometrically distorted P(III) species featuring a synthetically modular, nonsymmetric trisamine platform derived from 2‐(methylamino)‐N‐(2‐(methylamino)phenyl)benzenesulfonamide.
Thalamic connections of the caudal part of the posterior parietal cortex differ from the rostral part in galagos (Otolemur garnettii)
Authors: Wang Qimeng , Stepniewska Iwona , Kaas Jon H.
Published: September 2023

In this study, thalamic connections of the caudal part of the posterior parietal cortex (PPCc) are described and compared to connections of the rostral part of PPC (PPCr) in strepsirrhine galagos. PPC of galagos is divided into two parts, PPCr and PPCc, based on the responsiveness to electrical stimulation. Stimulation of PPC with long trains of electrical pulses evokes different types of ethologically relevant movements from different subregions (“domains”) of PPCr, while it fails to evoke any movements from PPCc. Anatomical tracers were placed in both dorsal and ventral divisions of PPCc to reveal thalamic origins and targets of PPCc connections. We found major thalamic connections of PPCc with the lateral posterior and lateral pulvinar nuclei, distinct from those of PPCr that were mainly with the ventral lateral, anterior pulvinar, and posterior nuclei. The anterior, medial, and inferior pulvinar, ventral anterior, ventral lateral, and intralaminar nuclei had fewer connections with PPCc. Dominant connections of PPCc with lateral posterior and lateral pulvinar nuclei provide evidence that unlike the sensorimotor‐orientated PPCr, PPCc is more involved in visual‐related functions.
ZIF‐derived Low‐Cu‐loaded Carbon Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Zhang Mingyuan , Zhang Xiangtai , Hu Shuozhen , Zhang Xinsheng
Published: September 2023

Cu−N−C catalysts with nitrogen‐coordinated copper supported on carbon exhibits good catalytic performance in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and is considered as an excellent substitute for Pt catalyst. Achieving high electrocatalytic activity with low amount of copper is critical for improving the performance and reducing the cost of fuel cells. Here, we propose a Cu−NC‐8 catalyst, using zeolitic‐imidazolate‐framework (ZIF), which is rich in N‐coordination, as the precursor. High ‐emperature pyrolysis of the ZIF‐8 provides metal anchored sites in the carbon skeleton, which promotes the construction of Cu−N active centers by the introduced Cu. The N‐coordination also adjust the electron density of the C atoms to promote the adsorption of O2 on the catalyst, which is beneficial to the ORR activity of 4e− pathway. The 2.5 % Cu−NC‐8 electrocatalyst shows high efficiency ORR activity (Eonset=1.0 V and E1/2=0.82 V) and good stability.
Excellent MCM‐49 Supported CeCuOx Nanocatalyst with Ultrawide Operating Temperature Window and Strong Anti‐Alkali Ability for NH3‐SCR
Authors: Han Xinyu , Bian Mengyao , Liu Kaijie , Yang Xin , Zheng Daying , Yang Xiangguang , Zhang Yibo
Published: September 2023

NOx is a common atmospheric pollutant, and NH3‐SCR technology efficiently purifies it. CeCuOx binary‐oxide nanoparticles were synthesized and loaded onto acid MCM‐49 molecular sieve with a large specific surface area to increase acid sites and disperse active sites of the catalyst. The optimized 35 % CeCu/MCM‐49 catalyst effectively purified over 80 % of NOx in the temperature range of 200–500 °C and demonstrated excellent resistance to alkali metals, such as K, Na, and Ca. Even after K poisoning, it still removed over 80 % of NOx in the range of 200–450 °C. Various characterization methods, including XRD, FT‐IR, TEM, and N2 isotherm adsorption‐desorption tests, confirmed the structure of the catalyst remained intact after poisoning with no substance change, nor agglomeration of nanoparticles. NH3‐TPD and H2‐TPR confirmed that the catalyst had effective acidity and redox capacity that were not affected by alkali metals. In‐situ DRIFTs showed that the catalytic reaction predominant mechanism shifted from L−H to E−R mechanism after poisoning. This study provides valuable insights into the development of high‐performance Ce‐based NH3‐SCR catalysts with alkali metal resistance.
Extracapsular nodal extension and tumor deposits in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: González‐Vallejo Leyre , Blanco‐Sainzdelamaza Javier , Querejeta‐Ayerra Arrate , Chiesa‐Estomba Carlos
Published: September 2023

Background

Tumor deposits (TDs) are an infrequently mentioned feature of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) that are currently grouped under extranodal extension (ENE) in the AJCC 8th edition of HNSCC TNM staging. The prognostic implication of TDs in comparison to ENE remains uncertain.

Methods

This observational, retrospective, non‐randomized study evaluated patients with HNSCC who underwent initial surgical resection, with neck dissection and adjuvant radiotherapy ± chemotherapy. Clinical variables were considered, and statistical analyses were conducted to compare time progression and overall survival (OS) in patients with TDs against those with ENE.

Results

Of the 71 patients included in the study, 50 were diagnosed with ENE (pN2a‐ENE in 38 patients and pN3b‐ENE in 12), while 21 had TDs ± ENE. The median time to progression was significantly different based on the presence of ENE or TDs (p = .002) and pN2a‐ENE/pN3b‐ENE or TDs (p = .007). The three‐year OS was 55.7% for the entire group, 60.4% in ENE and 38.4% in TDs (p = .021). The OS difference between the pN2a‐ENE, pN3b‐ENE, and the TDs group was also significant (p = .05). The hazard ratio between ENE and TDs was Exp (B) 4.341 (p = .044).

Conclusions

TDs in HNSCC are associated with a lower OS than ENE, despite intensified adjuvant therapy. Our results confirm a better prognosis for pN2a‐ENE vs. pN3b‐ENE, and pN3b‐ENE vs. TDs. TDs may serve as an indicator of poor prognosis and require separate TNM classification in HNSCC staging. Larger studies are needed to evaluate TDs impact on treatment strategies and outcomes.
ICH S7B In Vitro Assays Do Not Address Mechanisms of QTC Prolongation for Peptides and Proteins – Data in Support of Not Needing Dedicated QTC Studies
Authors: Wu Wendy W. , Choe Moran , Johannesen Lars , Vicente Jose , Bende Girish , Stockbridge Norman L. , Strauss David G. , Garnett Christine
Published: September 2023

Current cardiac safety testing focuses on detecting drug‐induced QTC prolongation as a surrogate for risk of Torsade de Pointes. The nonclinical strategy, described in International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) S7B, includes in vitro assessment of hERG block or ventricular repolarization delay and in vivo QT prolongation. Several studies have reported predictive values of ICH S7B results for clinical QTC outcomes for small molecules; none has examined peptides and proteins other than monoclonal antibodies. To address this knowledge gap, information for peptides and proteins submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was collected. Results of hERG assays, ventricular repolarization assays, and in vivo QT assessment were compared with clinical QTC study outcomes. The results show that 14% clinical QTC studies for approved and investigational products failed to exclude 10‐ms QTC prolongation. Clinical QTC prolongation for these molecules lacked concentration‐dependence which is expected for hERG block‐mediated mechanism or QTC prolongation could not be excluded due to characterization in the clinical study. The hERG and ventricular repolarization assays do not identify clinical QTC prolongation potential for peptides and proteins. Lack of alignment between hERG and ventricular repolarization assay results and clinical QTC outcomes suggests that the mechanisms of QTC prolongation by some peptides and proteins are unrelated to direct cardiac ion channel block. Similar to large targeted proteins and monoclonal antibodies, peptides and proteins regardless of size have a low likelihood of direct cardiac ion channel interactions. This characteristic supports waiving the requirement for thorough QT assessment for products comprised of naturally occurring amino acids unless proarrhythmia potential is suggested by nonclinical or clinical data.
The difference distance between the apical foramen and the anatomical apex in primary teeth—An in vitro study
Authors: Alafandy Ansam Shafik , Makieh Ramah Eimad
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The apex area in the primary teeth changes continuously due to the physiologic resorption, therefore; the apical foramen (AF) may not correspond to the anatomic apex (AA), which gives a big challenge to achieve successful endodontic treatment. The aim of this research was to study the difference distance (DD) between the position of the AA and AF, besides the difference acceptance (DA) in primary teeth, and the effect of the following variables: root canal curvature, resorption degree, and canal size on DD and DA separately.

Methods

In this research, 180 root canals from 60 primary teeth were studied. Two lengths of each canal were measured by a K‐file from a certain point in the crown; the first length was until the AA and the second was until the AF. Then DD was obtained by calculating the difference between those two lengths. Statistical analysis tests were done. A p value of <.05 was considered significant at a 95% confidence level.

Results

The percentage of canals with 0 mm DD was 34.4%, while it was 1.1% with DD of 6 mm. The percentages of acceptable ( ≤ 2 mm) and unacceptable ( > 2 mm) difference were 84.4% and 15.6%, respectively. There was a significant difference in the DD value between the three groups of curvature degree and the three groups of canal size. There was a significant difference between the DA in the three groups of canal size.

Conclusion

DD has a wide variation value in primary teeth regardless of the degree of root resorption, which has not affected this value or the accepted difference; however, DD and acceptable difference values are somehow affected by the degree of root curvature and canal size. We recommend adding acceptable difference as a criterion when considering pulpectomy treatment in primary teeth.
Unified small‐signal model for DC‐DC converters based on the three‐state switching cell operating in discontinuous conduction mode
Authors: Tofoli Fernando Lessa
Published: September 2023

Unified small‐signal modeling approaches are of paramount importance for the design of controllers and closed‐loop control systems in power electronic converters. In this sense, this work proposes the small‐signal analysis of non‐isolated dc‐dc converters employing the three‐state switching cell (3SSC) in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). The modeling technique relies on the very same principles of the pulse width modulation (PWM) switch while not involving matrix operations, but only basic concepts related to electric circuits. Considering that the waveforms associated with the terminals of the 3SSC in DCM have a common behavior in all basic dc‐dc converters, it is possible to derive the small‐signal models for both operating regions of the 3SSC, that is, non‐overlapping mode (NOM) and overlapping mode (OM). Thus, one can effectively demonstrate that the same circuit can represent both modes, even though the coefficients that describe the models are calculated from distinct equations. The theoretical claims are validated in the frequency and time domains while comparing the model with the converter. The obtained results evidence that the unified model can accurately represent converters based on the 3SSC in DCM.
Optimized planar printed UCA configurations for OAM waves and the associated OAM mode content at the receiver
Authors: Ilić Andjelija Ž. , Vojnović Nebojša M. , Savić Slobodan V. , Grass Eckhard , Ilić Milan M.
Published: September 2023

Utilization of planar printed uniform circular antenna arrays (UCA) to generate the orbital angular momentum (OAM) carrying waves in the millimeter‐wave (mmWave) frequency band is advantageous from the viewpoints of easy signal modulation and mode reconfiguration, low cost, low profile, and straightforward integration with the existing broadband wireless infrastructure. The OAM mmWave UCA are highly promising as the enablers of very high transmission data rates required by hybrid 5G/6G optical and wireless communication systems by complementing and enhancing other technologies currently in use. Therefore, we here contribute a detailed electromagnetic analysis of important constraints of such antenna arrangements aimed at short‐range multimode OAM wave transmission. We investigate (i) the required antenna array dimensions and optimized UCA arrangements for a particular link range and (ii) the corresponding mode structure of OAM waves in the plane of receiving arrays. Four relatively simple antenna configurations operating in the 60‐GHz band are compared. Theoretical assumptions based on ideal OAM modes are critically assessed and, using state‐of‐the‐art numerical electromagnetic analysis, compared to realistically generated OAM waves. The proposed “cyclic transmission setup” resulted in much lower unwanted field components in the region of receiving arrays. RMS magnitudes of unwanted modes are on average about 64% of the received mode, in comparison with 80% (up to 94%) for sequential transmission. The observed mode impurities and mode mixing effects at the receiver indicate the need to dedicate more attention to the system‐level design, the development of efficient receiving arrays, the MIMO processing, and the stream separation.
Banana and its by‐products: A comprehensive review on its nutritional composition and pharmacological benefits
Authors: Kumari Payal , Gaur Supriya S. , Tiwari Ravindra K.
Published: September 2023

Bananas are widely popular as a key member of the Musaceae family and also considered a rich source of several nutrients, especially bioactive compounds. Besides, bananas are extensively grown in tropical and subtropical regions and are easily available for various use cases, that is, food industry and health benefits. Other than banana, its by‐products such as peel, pseudo‐stems, leaves, and blossoms are also rich in several nutrients, for example, carbohydrates, protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and so on. Moreover, their consumption intends to provide several therapeutic benefits, particularly the dietary fiber and phenolic compounds. Furthermore, bananas and their by‐products have been found to possess antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant activities. In spite of countless benefits, these residues are often discarded as waste. Observing these benefits, the current review focuses on the broad range of bioactive chemical and pharmacological elements in bananas and their by‐products. Also, this work focuses on their use in several food industries. As a result of the findings, the presented review reveals several innovative aspects of bananas and their products which can be utilized as a sustainable source of income for the agriculture industry.
Supervised exercise training in patients with advanced heart failure and left ventricular assist device: A multicentre randomized controlled trial (Ex‐VAD trial)
Authors: Feuerstein Anna , Schoenrath Felix , Belyavskiy Evgeny , Knierim Jan , Friede Tim , Placzek Marius , Bach Doris , Pieske‐Kraigher Elisabeth , Herrmann‐Lingen Christoph , Westenfeld Ralf , Roden Michael , Rybczynski Meike , Verheyen Nicolas , Dörr Marcus , von Haehling Stephan , Störk Stefan , Halle Martin , Falk Volkmar , Pieske Burkert , Edelmann Frank
Published: September 2023

Aims

Small studies and observations suggested that exercise training may improve peak oxygen consumption (peakVO2) in patients with advanced heart failure and left ventricular assist device (LVAD). We investigated whether in this patient group a supervised exercise training can improve exercise capacity.

Methods and results

In this multicentre, prospective, randomized, controlled trial, patients with stable heart failure and LVAD were randomly assigned (2:1) to 12 weeks of supervised exercise training or usual care, with 12 weeks of follow‐up. The primary endpoint was the change in peakVO2 after 12 weeks (51 patients provided a power of 90% with an expected group difference in peakVO2 of 3 ml/kg/min). Secondary endpoints included changes in submaximal exercise capacity and quality of life. Among 64 patients enrolled (97% male, mean age 56 years), 54 were included in the analysis. Mean difference in the change of peakVO2 after 12 weeks was 0.826 ml/min/kg (95% confidence interval [CI] −0.37, 2.03; p = 0.183). There was a positive effect of exercise training on 6‐min walk distance with a mean increase in the intervention group by 43.4 m (95% CI 16.9, 69.9; p = 0.0024), and on the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire physical domain score (mean 14.3, 95% CI 3.7, 24.9; p = 0.0124), both after 12 weeks. The overall adherence was high (71%), and there were no differences in adverse events between groups.

Conclusion

In patients with advanced heart failure and LVAD, 12 weeks of exercise training did not improve peakVO2 but demonstrated positive effects on submaximal exercise capacity and physical quality of life.
Olfr78, a novel short‐chain fatty acid receptor, regulates glucose homeostasis and gut GLP‐1 secretion in mice
Authors: Wang Yanan , Li Mengjie , Guo Jingya , Kang Seong‐Gook , Huang Kunlun , Tong Tao
Published: September 2023

Olfr78, which is a novel receptor for short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) acetate and propionate, plays essential roles in some cellular processes. The present study aimed to investigate the role of olfr78 in regulating energy metabolism and delineate the underlying mechanisms using olfr78−/− mice. Deletion of olfr78 did not influence the adiposity of mice fed either normal chow or a high‐fat diet (HFD). However, olfr78−/− mice exhibited glucometabolic dysfunction, as evidenced by increased fasting blood glucose levels, decreased serum insulin levels, and impaired oral glucose tolerance under HFD feeding. When compared to wild‐type (WT) mice, olfr78 deficiency enhanced HFD‐induced gluconeogenesis and increased the mRNA expression of key gluconeogenic genes in the liver and kidney. Quantitative real‐time PCR results revealed that olfr78 expression was higher in the colon compared with other tissues in WT mice. Analysis of the gut microbiota in the feces of olfr78−/− mice using 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed altered relative abundances of some representative SCFAs producers along with decreased levels of SCFAs, including propionic, isobutyric, 2‐methylbutyric, valeric, isovaleric, and 4‐methylvaleric acids. Importantly, mice lacking olfr78 had low circulating levels of glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1). In the STC‐1 enteroendocrine cell line, propionate and acetate induced the secretion of the gut hormone GLP‐1, and this effect was partially abolished by olfr78 siRNA‐mediated knockdown. Together, these results suggest a previously undescribed, specific regulatory role for gut olfr78 in glucose homeostasis and highlight olfr78 as a potential target for diabetes treatment.
Possible metabolic effect of acrylamide on biological system
Authors: Gupta Divya , Singh Shubham , Soni Richa , Gupte Shamli S. , Rathour Arti , Shrivastava Sadhana , Shukla Sangeeta
Published: September 2023

Acrylamide (AA) is a chemical agent mostly used in the manufacture of polymers and copolymers. Recently, it has gained attention because of its production in food items prepared at high‐temperature (>120°C) processes, such as frying, toasting, cooking, roasting or baking of high carbohydrate food items. As per the higher exposure of AA, appropriate identification of its toxic effect is necessary. Hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and immunotoxicity of AA have been observed in several studies. AA could also be considered as endocrine‐disrupting chemicals and its exposure leads to many hormonal abnormalities. Nearly one in every four couples of a developing nation suffers from infertility, and AA exposure may be one of the reasons. AA is proven as a potent reproductive toxicant, affecting both male and female reproductive organ functioning. This review summarizes research conducted on the toxicity of AA in various organs.
Complementary value of molecular analysis to expert review in refining classification of uncommon soft tissue tumors
Authors: Suurmeijer Albert J. H. , Dickson Brendan C. , Antonescu Cristina R.
Published: September 2023

The classification of many soft tissue tumors remains subjective due their rarity, significant overlap in microscopic features and often a non‐specific immunohistochemical (IHC) profile. The application of molecular genetic tools, which leverage the underlying molecular pathogenesis of these neoplasms, have considerably improved the diagnostic abilities of pathologists and refined classification based on objective molecular markers. In this study, we describe the results of an international collaboration conducted over a 3‐year period, assessing the added diagnostic value of applying molecular genetics to sarcoma expert pathologic review in a selected series of 84 uncommon, mostly unclassifiable mesenchymal tumors, 74 of which originated in soft tissues and 10 in bone. The case mix (71% historical, 29% contemporary) included mostly unusual and challenging soft tissue tumors, which remained unclassified even with the benefit of expert review and routine ancillary methods, including broad IHC panels and a limited number of commercially available fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes. All cases were further tested by FISH using a wide range of custom bacterial artificial chromosome probes covering most of known fusions in sarcomas, whereas targeted RNA sequencing was performed in 13 cases negative by FISH, for potential discovery of novel fusion genes. Tumor‐defining molecular alterations were found in 48/84 tumors (57%). In 27 (32%) cases the tumor diagnosis was refined or revised by the additional molecular work‐up, including five cases (6%), in which the updated diagnosis had clinical implications. Sarcoma classification is rapidly evolving due to an increased molecular characterization of these neoplasms, so unsurprisingly 17% of the tumors in this series harbored abnormalities only very recently described as defining novel molecularly defined soft tissue tumor subsets.
An observation: Could the spread of Adenovirus in South Asia pose a hazard to global public health?
Authors: Ahamed Rayhan , Ahmed Iftekhar , Bari Lazima Faiah , Dewan Syed Masudur Rahman
Published: September 2023

Background

One of the most pressing issues in healthcare today is the prevention of Adenovirus (AdV) infections. Children and the elderly, both of whom have weaker immune systems than healthy adults, are more vulnerable to infection.

Discussion

India has been the epicenter of a recent AdV epidemic in the South Asian area. Most of the nations, bordering India are still developing and have very low per capita incomes, yet their citizens often cross into India for trade, medical care, and vacation.

Conclusion

We are concerned that an epidemic of the AdV might occur in the Indian subcontinent, spread to other nations, and eventually affect the whole world if effective preventative and diagnostic measures are not taken.
Mechanochemical difluoromethylation of (thio)phenols and N‐heterocycles
Authors: Ford Joseph , Hopkin Benjamin , Sap Jeroen B. I. , Gouverneur Véronique
Published: September 2023

Herein, we report a minimalistic protocol for the solvent‐free, mechanochemical difluoromethylation of (thio)phenols and N‐heteroarenes using non‐ozone depleting chlorodifluoromethyl phenyl sulfone as a difluorocarbene source. This mechanochemical difluoromethylation features a short reaction time, excellent functional group tolerance, and compatibility with complex biologically active scaffolds.
Development and validation of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause symptoms and vaginal treatments acceptability questionnaire (GSM‐SVTAQ): An electronic patient‐reported outcomes measure
Authors: Hassanein Mohammed M. , Huri Hasniza Zaman , Baig Kauser , Abduelkarem Abduelmula R. , Al‐Momani Marwan
Published: September 2023

Objectives

To develop and validate an electronic, patient‐reported outcomes measure (PROM) specific for genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) patients. The PROM aimed to accurately assess the burden of GSM symptoms, their impact on health‐related and sexual quality of life, and the acceptability of vaginal treatments.

Methods

The study encompassed a comprehensive three‐stage approach to the development and validation of the PROM. Initially, during the preliminary design stage, the necessity for a new PROM was recognized, an expert panel was formed, and semi‐structured qualitative interviews were carried out with GSM patients. In the second stage, the study used the five‐step pre‐validation methodology established by Prior et al. to generate and refine the PROM items. The third and final stage encompassed the determination of scale and item content validity indexes to ensure validity. Additionally, the reliability of each construct was evaluated using Cronbach's α.

Results

The resulting PROM was named GSM‐SVTAQ (GSM‐symptoms and vaginal treatments acceptability questionnaire). It demonstrated excellent validity in assessing symptoms burden, health‐related and sexual quality of life, and vaginal treatment acceptability, with high content validity indices and strong internal consistency. The scale content validity indices and Cronbach's α coefficients for the three domains were (0.926, 0.939), (0.875, 0.947), and (0.824, 0.855), respectively.

Conclusion

The GSM‐SVTAQ stands as the first GSM‐specific, valid, and reliable PROM capable of comprehensively measuring the three components of GSM and the acceptability of vaginal treatments. Its implementation has the potential to significantly enhance patient care and outcomes in GSM management.
Hostile attribution bias's role in perceived stress among college freshman students: A latent growth modelling approach
Authors: Yang Yiying , Cheng Gang , Shi Yijun , Zhang Jingyu , Wu Lili
Published: September 2023

This study's objective was to examine the growth trajectories of freshman students' perceived stress and whether hostile attribution bias predicts the pattern of perceived stress change using latent growth analyses. A longitudinal dataset with fourth measurement points was gathered from a total of 1109 college students enrolled at a university in Guizhou Province in the first 3 months after college freshmen enrollment. The freshman students' levels of perceived stress tend to show a piecewise linear decline during the transition period, which manifests as a faster decline in the first stage (within the first month) than in the second stage (after the first month). Moreover, hostile attribution bias not only positively predicted the initial level of perceived stress but also positively predicted the slope of perceived stress in the first and second stages. In addition, there was a significant sex difference in the initial level of perceived stress where the initial level of perceived stress was higher in females than in males, but there was no significant sex difference in the rate of perceived stress decline. These results highlight the longitudinal relationship between hostile attribution bias and perceived stress and have implications for improving freshmen' college adaptation.