bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SrGa2B2O7: Bi3+, M+ (M = Li, Na, K), Novel Deep‐Blue Phosphors with High Quantum Yields and Negative Thermal Quenching for High‐Quality White LED
Authors: Yang Shuai , Lai Junhua , Zhao Yanjie , Yang Jianying , Li Fei
Published: January 2024

Luminescent materials with emissions at specific wavelengths, which have a relatively lower proportion of emissions in the solar spectrum, have great prospects for use in production and daily life. In this study, SrGaB2O7 deep‐blue phosphors doped with Bi3+ are synthesized, it has 430 nm deep‐blue emissions and a low proportion of emissions relative to 470–660 nm visible light in the solar spectrum. By co‐doping with alkali metal ions to compensate for the charge, the emission intensities and absolute quantum yields of the phosphors can be effectively improved. The SrGaB2O7:0.01Bi3+, 0.01K+ deep‐blue phosphor has a high quantum yield of 85% and negative thermal quenching properties. Moreover, the SrGaB2O7:0.01Bi3+, 0.01K+ deep‐blue phosphor can be packaged with different potting adhesives to form light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), exhibiting excellent luminescent performances and promising application prospects.
Transitioning from Subtyping to Precision Medicine in Parkinson's Disease: A Purpose‐Driven Approach
Authors: Marras Connie , Fereshtehnejad Seyed‐Mohammad , Berg Daniela , Bohnen Nicolaas I. , Dujardin Kathy , Erro Roberto , Espay Alberto J. , Halliday Glenda , Van Hilten Jacobus J. , Hu Michele T. , Jeon Beomseok , Klein Christine , Leentjens Albert F.G. , Mollenhauer Brit , Postuma Ronald B. , Rodríguez‐Violante Mayela , Simuni Tanya , Weintraub Daniel , Lawton Michael , Mestre Tiago A.
Published: January 2024

The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) created a task force (TF) to provide a critical overview of the Parkinson's disease (PD) subtyping field and develop a guidance on future research in PD subtypes. Based on a literature review, we previously concluded that PD subtyping requires an ultimate alignment with principles of precision medicine, and consequently novel approaches were needed to describe heterogeneity at the individual patient level. In this manuscript, we present a novel purpose‐driven framework for subtype research as a guidance to clinicians and researchers when proposing to develop, evaluate, or use PD subtypes. Using a formal consensus methodology, we determined that the key purposes of PD subtyping are: (1) to predict disease progression, for both the development of therapies (use in clinical trials) and prognosis counseling, (2) to predict response to treatments, and (3) to identify therapeutic targets for disease modification. For each purpose, we describe the desired product and the research required for its development. Given the current state of knowledge and data resources, we see purpose‐driven subtyping as a pragmatic and necessary step on the way to precision medicine. © 2024 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Deciphering classification systems for neck pain—Understanding the content of classification systems to enhance physiotherapy management of neck pain
Authors: Gerard Thomas , Naye Florian , Langevin Pierre , Decary Simon , Cook Chad , Tousignant‐Laflamme Yannick
Published: January 2024

Background

Neck pain is a prevalent and disabling condition. Conservative management of this condition has shown only moderate effects. A solution to improve treatment effectiveness is to sub‐group patients into a classification system (CS) that allows for more personalised care. However, current stratification methods have only shown short‐term efficacy for pain. Given the limitations of these tools, it is pertinent to understand how these CSs are composed to be able to propose alternative patient management solutions.

Objective

To identify and examine the different components of classification systems specific to patients with neck‐related conditions.

Method

A systematic literature search was performed on 3 databases (PubMed, Scopus and CINAHL). Only systematic reviews, with or without meta‐analysis, and scoping reviews reporting CS with associated treatment for neck pain were included. Bias evaluation was performed through risk of bias in systematic review tools.

Results

From the search strategy, 741 citations were retrieved, and seven studies were included. From these studies, 37 CS with associated treatments were extracted. Mobilisations showed that 64% were constructed using physical findings, 61% of CS were guided by symptom modulation, 25% used results of self‐reported questionnaire, 14% used individual characteristics, 14% incorporated cognitive findings, 8% used neurological findings, 3% used results of medical diagnostic test, and 3% incorporated environmental findings. Fear‐avoidance beliefs was the only cognitive parameter considered among CS.

Conclusion

This study shows that existing classification systems for neck pain are limited and lack coverage of all potential drivers of pain and disability. The lack of recognition of psychosocial and pain neuroscience parameters may partly explain the limited effectiveness of these tools.
Polymer‐based filaments with embedded magnetocaloric Ni‐Mn‐Ga Heusler alloy particles for additive manufacturing
Authors: Díaz‐García Álvaro , Law Jia Yan , Żrodowski Łukasz , Morończyk Bartosz , Wróblewski Rafał , Franco Victorino
Published: January 2024

One important issue associated to magnetocaloric materials that hinders its technological application is the poor processability and structural integrity of those with the highest performance, usually intermetallics undergoing first‐order magnetic phase transitions. Additionally, the performance of these magnetocaloric materials highly depends on the structural stability of the magnetocaloric phase, which is, in many cases, very sensitive to temperature and mechanical processes. Additive manufacturing via the extrusion of polymer‐based composites is regarded as a promising way to overcome these issues. A recently presented manufacturing method of encapsulating functional fillers into polymer capsules has been used to produce a composite filament with a large load of magnetocaloric off‐stoichiometric Ni2MnGa Heusler alloy fillers with a uniform distribution throughout the polymer matrix as demonstrated by x‐ray tomography characterization. The incorporation of these metallic particles causes changes in the thermal behavior of the polymer as well as an increase in the flowability of the composite with respect to the polymer at the same temperature. The increased flowability of the composites found during manufacturing can be compensated by lowering the extrusion temperatures, making this technique even more convenient for preserving the filler properties, which is an important concern when additive manufacturing magnetocaloric materials. This is confirmed by the magnetic and magnetocaloric behavior of the composites, with responses proportional to the fraction of fillers.

Highlights

Ultrasonic‐atomization produces highly spherical Ni‐Mn‐Ga Heusler alloy particles.

Ni‐Mn‐Ga filled polymer capsules allow a direct extrusion of composites for AM.

X‐ray tomography shows uniform volumetric filler distribution within the filaments.

Decreased viscosity of the matrix favors the lowering of the processing temperature.

The low processing temperatures avoid altering the MCE of the alloy fillers.
Enhanced mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)/copper oxide nanocomposites for flexible optoelectronic devices via in‐situ polymerization technique
Authors: Anju R. , Ramesan Manammel Thankappan
Published: January 2024

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) with varied compositions of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles was synthesized using in‐situ free radical polymerization. UV–visible, FT‐IR, XRD, FE‐SEM, DSC, and TGA were employed to examine their structure, morphology, and thermal properties. The broadening and intensification of UV absorption, as well as the shift in IR peaks of PMMA with the addition of CuO, confirm their interactions. The reduction in optical bandgap values with the reinforcement of nanofillers confirms the existence of intermediate energy bands in nanocomposites. XRD indicated that polymerization with CuO reduced the amorphous nature of PMMA. The FE‐SEM image revealed that the dispersion of CuO altered the nonporous, rough surface of PMMA into a homogeneous shape. The reinforcement of CuO enhanced the thermal stability and glass transition temperature of PMMA. The mechanical strength, modulus, impact strength, and rigidity of PMMA were significantly improved through in‐situ polymerization. The electrical property analysis revealed that the AC conductivity increased with frequency, temperature, and filler content. The reduction in activation energy of AC conductivity with temperature points toward their semiconducting nature. PMMA/CuO nanocomposites with higher tensile strength, lower bandgap energy, higher conductivity, and thermal properties can be used to make flexible optoelectronic devices.

Highlights

A series of PMMA/CuO nanocomposites were synthesized and characterized.

Enhanced optical property, thermal stability, and glass transition temperature.

Possess excellent dielectric constant and AC conductivity.

Mechanical strength and impact resistance of PMMA were greatly enhanced.

A promising material for flexible optoelectronic and power storage applications.
Registration of ‘CLL17’ rice
Authors: Angira Brijesh , Linscombe Steven D. , Webster Eric P. , Webster Connor , Harrell Dustin L. , Groth Donald E. , Dalla‐Lana Felipe , Zaunbrecher Richard E. , Dartez Valerie , Williams Brady , Theunissen Brent , Famoso Adam
Published: January 2024

‘CLL17’ (Reg. no. CV‐160; PI 693941), a high‐yielding long‐grain rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar, was developed by the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station near Crowley, LA, and approved for release in 2020. CLL17 contains the herbicide‐resistant gene for use in the Clearfield rice production system. The Clearfield rice production system is defined as the brand of rice cultivars that are tolerant to imidazolinone herbicides. CLL17 was derived from the cross ‘CL131’/‘Trenasse’. It showed good yield potential and favorable agronomic characteristics in the 2015 Clearfield Preliminary Yield Trial. In 2016, it was evaluated in the uniform regional rice nursery trial across four southern states. From 2017 to 2022, CLL17 was evaluated in 50 replicated trials across 10 locations in Louisiana. Three high‐yielding commercial cultivars were included as checks: ‘Cheniere’, ‘CL153’, and ‘CL111’. The grain yield of CLL17 was 9.0 t ha−1 compared with 8.9 t ha−1 for CL153, 8.3 t ha−1 for CL111, and 8.2 t ha−1 for Cheniere across 25 commercial advanced trials from 2017 to 2020. CLL17 had a similar plant height to CL111, 2‐cm taller than CL153, and 5‐cm taller than Cheniere. It exhibits typical US long‐grain rice cooking quality with intermediate amylose and gel temperature. CLL17 is susceptible to sheath blight [caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn ], resistant to Cercospora spp., leaf blast [caused by Magnaporthe grisea (T.T. Hebert)], and neck blast, and moderately susceptible to bacterial panicle blight (caused by Burkholderia glumae).
Registration of Arkot 1202, Arkot 1207, Arkot 1208, and Arkot 1214 cotton germplasm lines
Authors: Bourland Fred M. , Koebernick Jenny C. , Jones Don C.
Published: January 2024

Arkot 1202 (Reg. no. GP‐1143, PI 702793), Arkot 1207 (Reg. no. GP‐1144, PI 702794), Arkot 1208 (Reg. no. GP‐1145, PI 702795), and ‘Arkot 1214’ (Reg. no. GP‐1146, PI 702796) are conventional cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) germplasm lines released by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station in June 2023. Arkot 1202, Arkot 1207, and Arkot 1208 lines share ‘UA48’ (PVP 201100041) as a common parent. The second parent for Arkot 1202 and Arkot 1207 was MD25‐87Y and ‘Columbia’, respectively. The second parent for Arkot 1208 was the F1 of a double cross of F1 (Ark 0219‐15 crossed with LA063071653) and F1 (Arkot 0222 crossed with Ark 0203‐11). Arkot 1214 was derived from a four‐way cross of two double crosses: F1 (MD25‐26ne crossed with Arkot 0113) and F1 (Arkot 0114 crossed with ‘UA222’). In replicated field tests at four Arkansas sites over 5 years, the four lines produced more lint yield than UA48 and UA222. Wide adaptation of the lines was indicated by high lint yields of lines in 2020 regional tests. All four lines displayed high resistance to bacterial blight and Fusarium wilt race 1. Plant (leaf, stem, and bract) trichomes and tarnished plant bug response of Arkot 1202 and Arkot 1214 were equal to UA48, but Arkot 1207 and Arkot 1208 were equal to UA222. Yield component values of the four lines were equal to or better than UA222. The maturity and fiber quality of Arkot 1202 approached that of UA48 while the other three were similar to UA222.
Substrate selectivity and unique sequence signatures in SWEET/semiSWEET homologs of four taxonomic groups: Sequence analysis and phylogenetic studies
Authors: Gupta Ankita , Sankararamakrishnan Ramasubbu
Published: January 2024

The recently discovered SWEET (Sugar Will Eventually be Exported Transporter) proteins are involved in the selective transport of monosaccharides and disaccharides. The prokaryotic counterparts, semiSWEETs, form dimers with each monomer forming a triple‐helix transmembrane bundle (THB). The longer eukaryotic SWEETs have seven transmembrane helices with two THBs and a linker helix. Structures of semiSWEETs/SWEETs have been determined experimentally. Experimental studies revealed the role of plant SWEETs in vital physiological processes and identified residues responsible for substrate selectivity. However, SWEETs/semiSWEETs from metazoans and bacteria are not characterized. In this study, we used structure‐based sequence alignment and compared more than 2000 SWEET/semiSWEETs from four different taxonomic groups. Conservation of residue/chemical property was examined at all positions. Properties of clades/subclades of phylogenetic trees from each taxonomic group were analyzed. Conservation pattern of known residues in the selectivity‐filter was used to predict the substrate preference of plant SWEETs and some clusters of metazoans and bacteria. Some residues at the gating and substrate‐binding regions, pore‐facing positions and at the helix–helix interface are conserved across all taxonomic groups. Conservation of polar/charged residues at specific pore‐facing positions, helix–helix interface and in loops seems to be unique for plant SWEETs. Overall, the number of conserved residues is less in metazoan SWEETs. Plant and metazoan SWEETs exhibit high conservation of four and three proline residues respectively in “proline tetrad.” Further experimental studies can validate the predicted substrate selectivity and significance of conserved polar/charged/aromatic residues at structurally and functionally important positions of SWEETs/semiSWEETs in plants, metazoans and bacteria.
The effect of natural products used as pesticides on the soil microbiota: OECD 216 nitrogen transformation test fails to identify effects that were detected viaq‐PCR microbial abundance measurement
Authors: Pedrinho Alexandre , Karas Panagiotis A. , Kanellopoulos Alexandros , Feray Emma , Korman Ido , Wittenberg Gal , Ramot Ofir , Karpouzas Dimitrios G.
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

Natural products present an environmentally attractive alternative to synthetic pesticides which have been implicated in the off‐target effect. Currently, the assessment of pesticide toxicity on soil microorganisms relies on the OECD 216 N transformation assay (OECD stands for the Organisation Economic Co‐operation and Development, which is a key international standard‐setting organisation). We tested the hypotheses that (i) the OECD 216 assay fails to identify unacceptable effects of pesticides on soil microbiota compared to more advanced molecular and standardized tests, and (ii) the natural products tested (dihydrochalcone, isoflavone, aliphatic phenol, and spinosad) are less toxic to soil microbiota compared to a synthetic pesticide compound (3,5‐dichloraniline). We determined the following in three different soils: (i) ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3−) soil concentrations, as dictated by the OECD 216 test, and (ii) the abundance of phylogenetically (bacteria and fungi) and functionally distinct microbial groups [ammonia‐oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB)] using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q‐PCR).

RESULTS

All pesticides tested exhibited limited persistence, with spinosad demonstrating the highest persistence. None of the pesticides tested showed clear dose‐dependent effects on NH4+ and NO3− levels and the observed effects were <25% of the control, suggesting no unacceptable impacts on soil microorganisms. In contrast, q‐PCR measurements revealed (i) distinct negative effects on the abundance of total bacteria and fungi, which were though limited to one of the studied soils, and (ii) a significant reduction in the abundance of both AOA and AOB across soils. This reduction was attributed to both natural products and 3,5‐dichloraniline.

CONCLUSION

Our findings strongly advocate for a revision of the current regulatory framework regarding the toxicity of pesticides to soil microbiota, which should integrate advanced and well‐standardized tools. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Image detection model construction of Apolygus lucorum and Empoasca spp. based on improved YOLOv5
Authors: Xiong Bo , Li Delu , Zhang Qi , Desneux Nicolas , Luo Chen , Hu Zuqing
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

The polyphagous mirid bug Apolygus lucorum (Meyer‐Dür) and the green leafhopper Empoasca spp. Walsh are small pests that are widely distributed and important pests of many economically important crops, especially kiwis. Conventional monitoring methods are expensive, laborious and error‐prone. Currently, deep learning methods are ineffective at recognizing them. This study proposes a new deep‐learning‐based YOLOv5s_HSSE model to automatically detect and count them on sticky card traps.

RESULTS

Based on a database of 1502 images, all images were collected from kiwi orchards at multiple locations and times. We trained the YOLOv5s model to detect and count them and then changed the activation function to Hard swish in YOLOv5s, introduced the SIoU Loss function, and added the squeeze‐and‐excitation attention mechanism to form a new YOLOv5s_HSSE model. Mean average precision of this model in the test dataset was 95.9%, the recall rate was 93.9% and the frames per second was 155, which are higher than those of other single‐stage deep‐learning models, such as SSD, YOLOv3 and YOLOv4.

CONCLUSION

The proposed YOLOv5s_HSSE model can be used to identify and count A. lucorum and Empoasca spp., and it is a new, efficient and accurate monitoring method. Pest detection will benefit from the broader applications of deep learning. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Virtual twins for model‐informed precision dosing of clozapine in patients with treatment‐resistant schizophrenia
Authors: Mostafa Sam , Rafizadeh Reza , Polasek Thomas M. , Bousman Chad A. , Rostami‐Hodjegan Amin , Stowe Robert , Carrion Prescilla , Sheffield Leslie J. , Kirkpatrick Carl M. J.
Published: January 2024

Model‐informed precision dosing using virtual twins (MIPD‐VTs) is an emerging strategy to predict target drug concentrations in clinical practice. Using a high virtualization MIPD‐VT approach (Simcyp version 21), we predicted the steady‐state clozapine concentration and clozapine dosage range to achieve a target concentration of 350 to 600 ng/mL in hospitalized patients with treatment‐resistant schizophrenia (N = 11). We confirmed that high virtualization MIPD‐VT can reasonably predict clozapine concentrations in individual patients with a coefficient of determination (R2) ranging between 0.29 and 0.60. Importantly, our approach predicted the final dosage range to achieve the desired target clozapine concentrations in 73% of patients. In two thirds of patients treated with fluvoxamine augmentation, steady‐state clozapine concentrations were overpredicted two to four‐fold. This work supports the application of a high virtualization MIPD‐VT approach to inform the titration of clozapine doses in clinical practice. However, refinement is required to improve the prediction of pharmacokinetic drug–drug interactions, particularly with fluvoxamine augmentation.
Numerical Investigation of Copper Zinc Tin Sulphide Based Solar Cell with Non‐Toxic Zn (O, S) Buffer Layer
Authors: Lahoual Mohamed , Bourennane Mohammed , Aidaoui Lakhdar
Published: January 2024

Zinc oxide sulphide Zn (O, S) buffer layer has attracted enormous attention due to its composition of non‐toxic, low cost, and earth abundant elements, unlike cadmium sulphide (CdS) used in copper zinc tin sulphide (CZTS) solar cells. Zn (O, S) possesses a direct optical bandgap that's adjustable between 2.7 and 3.6 eV related to the mole fraction , making it a potential candidate as a buffer layer with CZTS based solar cells. In this work, the Zn (O, S)/CZTS‐based solar cell structure is numerically studied and compared with CdS/CZTS. The existence of defects and traps along the layers and interfaces is taken in consideration. To achieve optimal results, this research has focused on; effects of the element composition (x = S/(S + O)) ratio of Zn (O, S) buffer layer, the addition of a back surface field (BSF) layer, the influence of Zn (O, S)/CZTS and CdS/CZTS interfaces defect density, varying thicknesses and doping concentrations of the layers (absorber, buffer, BSF) on open‐circuit voltage (Voc), short‐circuit density (Jsc), fill factor (FF), and power conversion efficiency. Findings illustrate that the highest conversion efficiency of the Zn (O, S)/CZTS solar cell reached 14.65% with Voc = 0.9972 V, Jsc = 18.37 mA cm−2 and FF = 79.96% which is better than the CdS/CZTS structure.
Work Statistics and Entanglement Across the Fermionic Superfluid‐Insulator Transition
Authors: Zawadzki Krissia , Canella Guilherme A. , França Vivian V. , D'Amico Irene
Published: January 2024

Entanglement in many‐body systems may display quantum phase transition signatures, and analogous insights are emerging in the study of work fluctuations. Here, the fermionic superfluid‐to‐insulator transition (SIT) is considered and related to its entanglement properties and its work distribution statistics. Using the attractive fermionic Hubbard model with randomly distributed impurities, the work distribution is analyzed under two quench protocols triggering the SIT. In the first, the concentration of impurities is increased; in the second, the impurities' disorder strength is varied. The results indicate that, at criticality, the entanglement is minimized while the average work is maximized. This study demonstrates that, for this state, density fluctuations vanish at all orders, resulting in all central moments of the work probability distribution being precisely zero. For systems undergoing a precursor to the transition (short chains with finite impurity potential) numerical results confirm these predictions, with higher moments further from the ideal results. For both protocols, at criticality, the system absorbs the most energy with almost no penalty in terms of fluctuations: ultimately this feature can be used to implement a quantum critical battery. The impact of temperature on this critical behaviour is also investigated and shown to favor work extraction for high enough temperatures.
Steady‐state statistical properties and implementation of randomization designs with maximum tolerated imbalance restriction for two‐arm equal allocation clinical trials
Authors: Zhao Wenle , Carter Kerstine , Sverdlov Oleksandr , Scheffold Annika , Ryeznik Yevgen , Cassarly Christy , Berger Vance W.
Published: January 2024

In recent decades, several randomization designs have been proposed in the literature as better alternatives to the traditional permuted block design (PBD), providing higher allocation randomness under the same restriction of the maximum tolerated imbalance (MTI). However, PBD remains the most frequently used method for randomizing subjects in clinical trials. This status quo may reflect an inadequate awareness and appreciation of the statistical properties of these randomization designs, and a lack of simple methods for their implementation. This manuscript presents the analytic results of statistical properties for five randomization designs with MTI restriction based on their steady‐state probabilities of the treatment imbalance Markov chain and compares them to those of the PBD. A unified framework for randomization sequence generation and real‐time on‐demand treatment assignment is proposed for the straightforward implementation of randomization algorithms with explicit formulas of conditional allocation probabilities. Topics associated with the evaluation, selection, and implementation of randomization designs are discussed. It is concluded that for two‐arm equal allocation trials, several randomization designs offer stronger protection against selection bias than the PBD does, and their implementation is not necessarily more difficult than the implementation of the PBD.
Self‐Assembly of Delta‐Formamidinium Lead Iodide Nanoparticles to Nanorods: Study of Memristor Properties and Resistive Switching Mechanism
Authors: Muthu Chinnadurai , Resmi A. N. , Ajayakumar Avija , Ravindran N. E. Aswathi , Dayal G. , Jinesh K. B. , Szaciłowski Konrad , Vijayakumar Chakkooth
Published: January 2024

In the quest for advanced memristor technologies, this study introduces the synthesis of delta‐formamidinium lead iodide (δ‐FAPbI3) nanoparticles (NPs) and their self‐assembly into nanorods (NRs). The formation of these NRs is facilitated by iodide vacancies, promoting the fusion of individual NPs at higher concentrations. Notably, these NRs exhibit robust stability under ambient conditions, a distinctive advantage attributed to the presence of capping ligands and a crystal lattice structured around face‐sharing octahedra. When employed as the active layer in resistive random‐access memory devices, these NRs demonstrate exceptional bipolar switching properties. A remarkable on/off ratio (105) is achieved, surpassing the performances of previously reported low‐dimensional perovskite derivatives and α‐FAPbI3 NP‐based devices. This enhanced performance is attributed to the low off‐state current owing to the reduced number of halide vacancies, intrinsic low dimensionality, and the parallel alignment of NRs on the FTO substrate. This study not only provides significant insights into the development of superior materials for memristor applications but also opens new avenues for exploring low‐dimensional perovskite derivatives in advanced electronic devices.
Lipid Monolayer on Cell Surface Protein Templates Functional Extracellular Lipid Assembly
Authors: Dwivedi Anupma , Mazumder Anisha , Pullmannová Petra , Paraskevopoulou Anna , Opálka Lukáš , Kováčik Andrej , Macháček Miloslav , Jančálková Pavla , Svačinová Petra , Peterlik Herwig , Maixner Jaroslav , Vávrová Kateřina
Published: January 2024

When the ancestors of men moved from aquatic habitats to the drylands, their evolutionary strategy to restrict water loss is to seal the skin surface with lipids. It is unknown how these rigid ceramide‐dominated lipids with densely packed chains squeeze through narrow extracellular spaces and how they assemble into their complex multilamellar architecture. Here it is shown that the human corneocyte lipid envelope, a monolayer of ultralong covalently bound lipids on the cell surface protein, templates the functional barrier assembly by partly fluidizing and rearranging the free extracellular lipids in its vicinity during the sculpting of a functional skin lipid barrier. The lipid envelope also maintains the fluidity of the extracellular lipids during mechanical stress. This local lipid fluidization does not compromise the permeability barrier. The results provide new testable hypotheses about epidermal homeostasis and the pathophysiology underlying diseases with impaired lipid binding to corneocytes, such as congenital ichthyosis. In a broader sense, this lipoprotein‐mediated fluidization of rigid (sphingo)lipid patches may also be relevant to lipid rafts and cellular signaling events and inspire new functional materials.
Organic Phosphorescent Hopper‐Shaped Microstructures
Authors: Yao Wei , Sun Kai , Li Chenxiao , Zhang Shasha , Liu Kun , Wu Beishen , Mao Yufeng , Ma Huili , Huang Wei , An Zhongfu
Published: January 2024

Hopper‐shaped microcrystals, an unusual type of crystal with a large specific surface area, are promising for use in catalysis, drug delivery, and gas sensors. In contrast to well‐studied inorganic hopper‐shaped crystals, organic phosphorescent concave hopper‐shaped microstructures are rarely reported. This study reports the synthesis of two types of organic stepped indented hopper‐shaped microstructures with efficient room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) using a liquid phase self‐assembly strategy. The formation mechanism is attributed to the interfacial instability induced by the concentration gradient and selective etching. Compared with flat microstructures, the stepped indented hopper‐like RTP microstructures exhibit high sensitivity to oxygen. This work also demonstrates that packing the photochromic material into the concave hopper “vessel” effectively controls the switch of phosphorescence from energy transfer, expanding the potential applications of phosphorescent materials.
MOF Derivatives with Gradient Structure Anchored on Carbon Foam for High‐Performance Electromagnetic Wave Absorption
Authors: Deng Weibin , Li Tiehu , Li Hao , abdul Jalil , Liu Liting , Dang Alei , Liu Xin , Duan Mengfei , Wu Hongjing
Published: January 2024

The impedance matching and high loss capabilities of composites with homogeneous distribution are limited owing to high addition and lack of structural design. Developing composites with heterogeneous distribution can achieve strong and wide electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption. However, challenges such as complex design and unclear absorption mechanisms still exist. Herein, a novel composite with a heterogeneous distribution gradient is successfully constructed via MOF derivatives Co@ nitrogen‐doped carbon (Co@NC) anchored on carbon foam (CF) matrix (MDCF). Notably, the concentration of MOF can easily control the gradient structure. In particular, the morphologies of MOF derivatives on the surface of CF undergo a transition from the collapse of the inner layer to the integrity of the outer layer, accompanied by a continuous reduction in the size of Co nanoparticles. Correspondingly, enhanced interface polarization from the core‐shell of Co@NC and good impedance matching of MDCF can be obtained. The optimized MDCF exhibits the minimum reflection loss of −68.18 dB at 2.01 mm and effective absorption bandwidth covering the entire X‐band. Moreover, MDCF exhibits lightweight characteristics, excellent compressive strength, and low radar cross‐section reduction. This work highlights the immense potential of composites with heterogeneous distribution for achieving high‐performance EM wave absorption.
Phylogeny of Prosthechea (Laeliinae, Orchidaceae) based on nrITS and plastid DNA sequences: Reassessing the lumper‐splitter debate and shedding light on the evolution of this Neotropical genus
Authors: Vieira Tiago L. , Salazar Gerardo A. , van den Berg Cássio
Published: January 2024

After a confused taxonomic history, Prosthechea (Laeliinae, Orchidaceae) has been circumscribed in a broad sense to include species previously placed in Encyclia subg. Osmophytum. However, recent alternative classifications resurrecting old names such as Anacheilium and Hormidium, and proposing new genera such as Euchile, Panarica, Pollardia, and Pseudencyclia were presented, splitting Prosthechea into narrower genera. In this study, we provide a molecular phylogeny of Prosthechea to reassess alternative generic classifications and shed light on evolutionary aspects of this highly diverse Neotropical lineage. Eighty species of Prosthechea s.l. and 12 species of related genera were sampled. Bayesian and maximum parsimony analyses of sequences from three plastid regions (rpl32‐trnL, trnD‐trnT, ycf1) and nrITS were included. Possible conflicts between nuclear and plastid data were assessed with partitioned Bremer support. Ancestral state reconstructions of morphological characters relevant to the genus taxonomy are provided. Our results reinforce the monophyly of the lineage corresponding to a broad circumscription of Prosthechea. The small lineages corresponding to Euchile, Panarica, and Hormidium are monophyletic, whereas the larger Anacheilium, Pollardia, and Pseudencyclia are not monophyletic. Splitting Prosthechea into smaller genera is not supported by our phylogeny, and nonmonophyly also hinders the proposal of a comprehensive infrageneric classification. The phylogenetic relationships recovered reflect better the biogeographic patterns than the previously proposed morphological affinities, pointing to the existence of homoplastic floral traits within the genus. Conflicts between nuclear and plastid partitions were detected, suggesting a possible scenario of reticulate evolution.
Urbanization effects on urban vegetable farmers adaptation: Evidence from Ghana
Authors: Tuffour Michael , Owusu George , Sarpong Daniel Bruce
Published: January 2024

This study argues that urban change and urban agriculture are linked and this relationship affects urban farmers. This causes urban farmers to adapt to the urban change and, in this study, within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA). This is because urban agriculture serves as a source of livelihood for urban dwellers and a source of vital food ingredients which helps address food security concerns in the city. This study employs an exploratory sequential mixed method to investigate this phenomenon, which first uses a qualitative methodology and then quantitative methodology to investigate the changes that have occurred within the GAMA and how the farmers are adapting to these changes. A heterogeneous sampling aproach was used to select a total of 29 farmers from 10 farm sites for the qualitative data, while a multistage sampling approach was used to select 251 farmers from 16 farm sites for the quantitative data. The changes within the urban space realized by farmers include climate, land scarcity, increased population, and lifestyle dynamics. The population increase and lifestyle change, for instance, increased demand for vegetables and land scarcity caused farmers to move to secured lands, which led to farmers enjoying security on those lands. However, increased population, for instance, led to more unplanned settlements, which negatively resulted in polluted streams for farming. It also led to land scarcity that has resulted in the eviction of farmers from their farmlands. In adapting to some of the effects of these changes, farmers used several water sources to reduce their dependence on the polluted streams and embarked on intensification and relocated to cheap and cost‐free lands to be able to manage the land scarcity challenge. All these adaptation strategies prove farmers' resilience to the intense urban changes, which affect their farming activities. This calls for a specialized and focused support for urban agriculture by stakeholders responsible for the promotion of urban agriculture.
Predicting attentional allocation in real‐world environments: The need to investigate crossmodal semantic guidance
Authors: Wegner‐Clemens Kira , Malcolm George L. , Shomstein Sarah
Published: January 2024

Real‐world environments are multisensory, meaningful, and highly complex. To parse these environments in a highly efficient manner, a subset of this information must be selected both within and across modalities. However, the bulk of attention research has been conducted within sensory modalities, with a particular focus on vision. Visual attention research has made great strides, with over a century of research methodically identifying the underlying mechanisms that allow us to select critical visual information. Spatial attention, attention to features, and object‐based attention have all been studied extensively. More recently, research has established semantics (meaning) as a key component to allocating attention in real‐world scenes, with the meaning of an item or environment affecting visual attentional selection. However, a full understanding of how semantic information modulates real‐world attention requires studying more than vision in isolation. The world provides semantic information across all senses, but with this extra information comes greater complexity. Here, we summarize visual attention (including semantic‐based visual attention), crossmodal attention, and argue for the importance of studying crossmodal semantic guidance of attention.

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Attention

Psychology > Perception and Psychophysics
Sommerfeld enhancement for puffy self-interacting dark matter
Authors: Wang Wenyu , Xu Wu-Long , Yang Jin Min , Zhu Bin , Zhu Rui
Published: January 2024

Abstract

We examine the Sommerfeld enhancement effect for the puffy self-interacting dark matter. We find out two new parameters to classify the self-scattering cross section into the Born, the resonance and the classical regimes for the puffy dark matter. Then we observe that the resonance peaks for the puffy dark matter self-scattering and for the Sommerfeld enhancement effect have the same locations. Further, we find that for a large ratio between Rχ (radius of a puffy dark matter particle) and 1/mϕ (force range), the Sommerfeld enhancement factor approaches to 1 (no enhancement). Finally, for the puffy SIDM scenario to solve the small-scale problems, the values of the Sommerfeld enhancement factor are displayed in the allowed parameter regions.
Thermophilic biocatalysts for one-step conversion of citrus waste into lactic acid
Authors: Aulitto Martina , Alfano Alberto , Maresca Emanuela , Avolio Roberto , Errico Maria Emanuela , Gentile Gennaro , Cozzolino Flora , Monti Maria , Pirozzi Annachiara , Donsì Francesco , Cimini Donatella , Schiraldi Chiara , Contursi Patrizia
Published: January 2024

Agri-food residues offer significant potential as a raw material for the production of L-lactic acid through microbial fermentation. Weizmannia coagulans, previously known as Bacillus coagulans, is a spore-forming, lactic acid-producing, gram-positive, with known probiotic and prebiotic properties. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing untreated citrus waste as a sustainable feedstock for the production of L-lactic acid in a one-step process, by using the strain W. coagulans MA-13. By employing a thermophilic enzymatic cocktail (Cellic CTec2) in conjunction with the hydrolytic capabilities of MA-13, biomass degradation was enhanced by up to 62%. Moreover, batch and fed-batch fermentation experiments demonstrated the complete fermentation of glucose into L-lactic acid, achieving a concentration of up to 44.8 g/L. These results point to MA-13 as a microbial cell factory for one-step production of L-lactic acid, by combining cost-effective saccharification with MA-13 fermentative performance, on agri-food wastes. Moreover, the potential of this approach for sustainable valorization of agricultural waste streams is successfully proven.

Key points

• Valorization of citrus waste, an abundant residue in Mediterranean countries.

• Sustainable production of the L-( +)-lactic acid in one-step process.

• Enzymatic pretreatment is a valuable alternative to the use of chemical.

Graphical Abstract
Lower extremity infections: Essential anatomy and multimodality imaging findings
Authors: Matcuk George R. , Skalski Matthew R. , Patel Dakshesh B. , Fields Brandon K. K. , Waldman Leah E. , Spinnato Paolo , Gholamrezanezhad Ali , Katal Sanaz
Published: January 2024

In modern practice, imaging plays an integral role in the diagnosis, evaluation of extent, and treatment planning for lower extremity infections. This review will illustrate the relevant compartment anatomy of the lower extremities and highlight the role of plain radiographs, CT, US, MRI, and nuclear medicine in the diagnostic workup. The imaging features of cellulitis, abscess and phlegmon, necrotizing soft tissue infection, pyomyositis, infectious tenosynovitis, septic arthritis, and osteomyelitis are reviewed. Differentiating features from noninfectious causes of swelling and edema are discussed.
Agrobacterium-mediated transfer of the Fusarium graminearum Tri6 gene into barley using mature seed-derived shoot tips as explants
Authors: Gao Dongying , Abdullah Sidrat , Baldwin Thomas , Caspersen Ann , Williams Edward , Carlson Alvar , Petersen Mike , Hu Gongshe , Klos Kathy Esvelt , Bregitzer Phil
Published: January 2024

Key message

We transferred the Tri6 gene into the elite barley GemCraft via new transformation method through shoot organogenesis and identified the rearrangements of transgenes and phenotypic variations in the transgenic plants.

Despite its agronomic and economic importance, barley transformation is still very challenging for many elite varieties. In this study, we used direct shoot organogenesis to transform the elite barley cultivar GemCraft with the RNAi constructs containing Tri6 gene of Fusarium graminearum, which causes fusarium head blight (FHB). We isolated 4432 shoot tips and co-cultured these explants with Agrobacterium tumefaciens. A total of 25 independent T0 transgenic plants were generated including 15 events for which transgene-specific PCR amplicons were observed. To further determine the presence of transgenes, the T1 progenies of all 15 T0 plants were analyzed, and the expected PCR products were obtained in 10 T1 lines. Droplet digital (dd) PCR analysis revealed various copy numbers of transgenes in the transgenic plants. We determined the insertion site of transgenes using long-read sequencing data and observed the rearrangements of transgenes. We found phenotypic variations in both T1 and T2 generation plants. FHB disease was evaluated under growth chamber conditions, but no significant differences in disease severity or deoxynivalenol accumulation were observed between two Tri6 transgenic lines and the wildtype. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of the shoot tip transformation and may open the door for applying this system for genetic improvement and gene function research in other barley genotypes.
Are dilution, slow injection and care bolus technique the causal solution to mitigating arterial-phase artifacts on gadoxetic acid–enhanced MRI? A large-cohort study
Authors: Poetter-Lang Sarah , Ambros Raphael , Messner Alina , Kristic Antonia , Hodge Jacqueline C. , Bastati Nina , Schima Wolfgang , Chernyak Victoria , Bashir Mustafa R. , Ba-Ssalamah Ahmed
Published: January 2024

Objective

Arterial-phase artifacts are gadoxetic acid (GA)–enhanced MRI’s major drawback, ranging from 5 to 39%. We evaluate the effect of dilution and slow injection of GA using automated fluoroscopic triggering on liver MRI arterial-phase (AP) acquisition timing, artifact frequency, and lesion visibility.

Methods and materials

Saline-diluted 1:1 GA was injected at 1 ml/s into 1413 patients for 3 T liver MRI. Initially, one senior abdominal radiologist, i.e., principal investigator (PI), assessed all MR exams and compared them to previous and follow-up images, as well as the radiology report on record, determining the standard of reference for lesion detection and characterization. Then, three other readers independently evaluated the AP images for artifact type (truncation (TA), transient severe motion (TSM) or mixed), artifact severity (on a 5-point scale), acquisition timing (on a 4-point scale) and visibility (on a 5-point scale) of hypervascular lesions ≥ 5 mm, selected by the PI. Artifact score ≥ 4 and artifact score ≤ 3 were considered significant and non-significant artifacts, respectively.

Results

Of the 1413 exams, diagnostic-quality arterial-phase images included 1100 (77.8%) without artifacts, 220 (15.6%) with minimal, and 77 (5.4%) with moderate artifacts. Only 16 exams (1.1%) had significant artifacts, 13 (0.9%) with severe artifacts (score 4), and three (0.2%) non-diagnostic artifacts (score 5). AP acquisition timing was optimal in 1369 (96.8%) exams. Of the 449 AP hypervascular lesions, 432 (96.2%) were detected.

Conclusion

Combined dilution and slow injection of GA with MR results in well-timed arterial-phase images in 96.8% and a reduction of exams with significant artifacts to 1.1%.

Clinical relevance statement

Hypervascular lesions, in particular HCC detection, hinge on arterial-phase hyperenhancement, making well-timed, artifact-free arterial-phase images a prerequisite for accurate diagnosis. Saline dilution 1:1, slow injection (1 ml/s), and automated bolus triggering reduce artifacts and optimize acquisition timing.

Key Points

• There was substantial agreement among the three readers regarding the presence and type of arterial-phase (AP) artifacts, acquisition timing, and lesion visibility.

• Impaired AP hypervascular lesion visibility occurred in 17 (3.8%) cases; in eight lesions due to mistiming and in nine lesions due to significant artifacts.

• When AP timing was suboptimal, it was too late in 40 exams (3%) and too early in 4 exams (0.2%) of exams.
Follow-up of vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy in a real-world setting
Authors: Borkowetz Angelika , Kwe Jeremy , Boehm Katharina , Baunacke Martin , Herout Roman , Lucke Marius , Burcea Adriana , Thomas Christian
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP) is an approved treatment option for unilateral low-risk prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods

Patients with unilateral low- or intermediate-risk PCa undergoing hemiablation by VTP were evaluated in a real-world setting. Oncological outcome after VTP was measured by MRI-based re-biopsy at 12 and 24 months. Functional outcome after 1 year was investigated by IIEF-5 and IPSS questionnaires. Progression was defined as the evidence3 of ISUP ≥ 2 PCa.

Results

At any control biopsy (n = 46) after VTP, only 37% of patients showed no evidence of PCa. Recurrence-free survival was 20 months (95% CI 4.9–45.5) and progression-free survival was 38.5 months (95% CI 33.5–43.6 months). In-field and out-field recurrent PCa occurs in 37% (55% ISUP ≥ 2 PCa) and 35% (56% ISUP ≥ 2 PCa). Seventy-nine percent of patients preserved erectile function, respectively. Ten percent of patients presented long-term bladder outlet obstruction. None of the patients presented incontinence.

Conclusion

Due to the high-recurrence in- and out-field recurrence rate in a mainly low-risk prostate cancer cohort, VTP has to be regarded critically as a therapy option in these patients. Pre-interventional diagnostic evaluation is the main issue before focal therapy to reduce the risk of tumor recurrence and progression.