bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Use of Natural Filter Media Added with Peat Soil for Household Greywater Treatment
Authors: Radin Mohamed Radin Maya Saphira , Chan Chee-Ming , Wurochekke Anwaruddin Ahmed , Mohd. Kassim Amir Hashim bin
Published: August 2023

Greywater is wastewater that produces 50-80% of overall water consumption in a house. In many village houses of Malaysia, the household greywater that comes from kitchen, laundry, bathroom and sinks is usually untreated and discharged directly into streams or rivers. This phenomenon escalates the pollution among Malaysian rivers. This study examines the effects of household greywater treated with locally available peat soil. This study was performed by using a two-stage filter media (i) pretreatment (gravel + sand) (ii) peat based (peat + charcoal + gravel). Effects of filtration on the peat soil were examined via the one-dimensional consolidation test and X-Ray Fluorescence Test (XRF). Removal efficiency of the greywater effluent was found to be TSS- 81%, BOD- 54%, COD – 52% and AN - 87%. pH of the greywater was improved from acidic (4.6) to neutral (6.9). Quality of the treated greywater complied with the limits of the Malaysian Standard (Standard B) for wastewater effluent discharge. The consolidation test was affected and became slower. XRF test indicates that peat soil has an increased amount of the inorganic content of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) and Aluminium Oxide (Al2O3) associated with the absorption of certain elements in greywater. The peat based filter resulted in a substantial removal of pollutants. Further study is needed to look in depth the mechanism of adsorption and its applicability in a large scale processes.
Measures for Success in Dam Bottom Outlet Design
Authors: Amirsayafi Pouya
Published: August 2023

The present paper investigates measures for successful design of dam bottom outlets. First, some of definitions and functions of bottom outlets are provided. Associated challenges and solutions will be discussed. Different parts of bottom outlets like intake structures, conduit, control structure and outlet structures are discussed and measures for successful design for each of them are presented with related design cases. Also risk management measures for ensuring successful performance of bottom outlets are discussed with proper examples.
Approaching the issues of Urban Waterstreams Organization as a New City Landscape
Authors: Shafray Ekaterina , Seiyong Kim
Published: August 2023

Nowadays many cities set priorities to shift from automobile-centered towards more bicycle and pedestrianoriented planning directions followed by high-cost infrastructure change projects. Open spaces (recommended to be 15-20% of city land) have greater importance for social interaction and relaxation especially for middle-income communities. Seoul has a historical network of Cheonggyecheon water stream and its tributaries. The transport traffic is linked it and with pedestrian and cyclist circulation along natural and artificial lines. This paper considers different conditions of existing urban pathways in Seoul through the case studies: Chyonggyecheon as a largest water stream restoration project in a city; Seongbukcheon water stream as a linear open space for local residents; Jeongreungcheon under the Naebu expressway as a hybrid landscape. This paper aims to correlate the issues of existing water streams condition, local neighborhood condition (land value change), and community planning. Cost-effective revitalizing of high-dense downtown areas is a challenge for a city that incorporates multifunctional urban environment of hybrid landscapes and community planning.
The Implementation and Design of a Multi-Reflector Cup for LED Lighting
Authors: Chou Tse-Ya , Chou Ding-Chin , Gao Ling-Guei
Published: August 2023

In recent years, the luminous efficacy of light emitting diodes (LEDs) has met energy conservation requirements. However, in lighting applications, lighting instruments must be appropriately applied to illuminate regions of interest. In this study, the LED AR111 downlight was used as an example to limit beam areas within a preset illuminating range. The TRIZ method was applied to generate ideas for product design concepts. We proposed installing replaceable gratings on LED lighting instruments, three types of multi-reflector cups that can be installed at various angles were designed for use in lighting instruments, and designed multi-reflector cups within gratings based on compound parabolic concentrator principles for calculating various beam angles, thereby improving the distribution of luminous intensity by using secondary optics. The 3D model and optical simulation showed that multi-reflector cups effectively controlled beam angles, satisfied various types of applications for illuminated objects, and enabled the effective utilization of light beams. By manufacturing a lighting instrument and measuring the distribution of luminous intensity, we ascertained that the use of multi-reflector cups in lighting instruments effectively prevented glare. Moreover, replacing the multi-reflector cups for use at different angles enabled the illuminated object to receive favorable lighting. The component was verified to satisfy design requirements.
The embeddness of media education in the Hungarian education system
Authors: Borbás L. , Herzog Cs. , Szíjártó I. , Tóth T.
Published: August 2023

In the study we are interpreting the concept of Hungarian media education in a wide range: we observed the professional work of the courses, the solutions of the course concentration, the curricular and extracurricular activities. The observation was completed with three focus group interviews recorded on film- according to the conversations with the parents.
Optimization of carton recycling site selection using particle swarm optimization algorithm considering residents’ recycling willingness
Authors: Xi Yulong , Tao Fengming , Brooks Schanelle
Published: August 2023

With the development of the express delivery industry, how to increase the recycling rate of waste cartons has become a problem that needs to be solved. Recycling enterprises began to provide the new recycling mode, door-to-door recycling services, to residents with waste cartons. In this article, we constructed a site selection model for a carton recycling site with the aim of maximizing total profits. Considering the residents’ recycling willingness and the government subsidy earned through the contribution to carbon emission reduction, this model achieves the task of site selection and unit price fixation for carton recycling. We used the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to solve the model and compared it with the genetic algorithm (GA) for validity testing. PSO algorithm was also used to carry out sensitivity analysis in this model. The proposed model and the results of the sensitivity analysis can be used for decision-making in recycling enterprises as well as for further research on waste recycling and reverse logistics.
Signatures of prescribed fire in the microbial communities of Cornus florida are largely undetectable five months post-fire
Authors: Kapoor Beant , Onufrak Aaron , Klingeman III William , DeBruyn Jennifer M. , Cregger Melissa A. , Willcox Emma , Trigiano Robert , Hadziabdic Denita
Published: August 2023

Prescribed burn is a management tool that influences the physical structure and composition of forest plant communities and their associated microorganisms. Plant-associated microorganisms aid in host plant disease tolerance and increase nutrient availability. The effects of prescribed burn on microorganisms associated with native ecologically and economically important tree species, such as Cornus florida L. (flowering dogwood), are not well understood, particularly in aboveground plant tissues (e.g., leaf, stem, and bark tissues). The objective of this study was to use 16S rRNA gene and ITS2 region sequencing to evaluate changes in bacterial and fungal communities of five different flowering dogwood-associated niches (soil, roots, bark, stem, and leaves) five months following a prescribed burn treatment. The alpha- and beta-diversity of root bacterial/archaeal communities differed significantly between prescribed burn and unburned control-treated trees. In these bacterial/archaeal root communities, we also detected a significantly higher relative abundance of sequences identified as Acidothermaceae, a family of thermophilic bacteria. No significant differences were detected between prescribed burn-treated and unburned control trees in bulk soils or bark, stem, or leaf tissues. The findings of our study suggest that prescribed burn does not significantly alter the aboveground plant-associated microbial communities of flowering dogwood trees five months following the prescribed burn application. Further studies are required to better understand the short- and long-term effects of prescribed burns on the microbial communities of forest trees.
A decision tree model to predict liver cirrhosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Zhou Zheyu , Chen Chaobo , Sun Meiling , Xu Xiaoliang , Liu Yang , Liu Qiaoyu , Wang Jincheng , Yin Yin , Sun Beicheng
Published: August 2023

Background

The severity of liver cirrhosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients is essential for determining the scope of surgical resection. It also affects the long-term efficacy of systemic anti-tumor therapy and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Non-invasive tools, including aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), and γ-glutamyl transferase to platelet ratio (GPR), are less accurate in predicting cirrhosis in HCC patients. We aimed to build a novel decision tree model to improve diagnostic accuracy of liver cirrhosis.

Patients and Methods

The Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to identify independent cirrhosis predictors. A decision tree model was developed using machine learning algorithms in a training cohort of 141 HCC patients. Internal validation was conducted in 99 HCC patients. The diagnostic accuracy and calibration of the established model were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and calibration curves, respectively.

Results

Sex and platelet count were identified as independent cirrhosis predictors. A decision tree model integrating imaging-reported cirrhosis, APRI, FIB-4, and GPR was established. The novel model had an excellent diagnostic performance in the training and validation cohorts, with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.853 and 0.817, respectively. Calibration curves and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed good calibration of the novel model. The decision curve analysis (DCA) indicated that the decision tree model could provide a larger net benefit to predict liver cirrhosis.

Conclusion

Our developed decision tree model could successfully predict liver cirrhosis in HCC patients, which may be helpful in clinical decision-making.
Paleomass for R—bracketing body volume of marine vertebrates with 3D models
Authors: Motani Ryosuke
Published: August 2023

Body mass is arguably the most important characteristic of an organism, yet it is often not available in biological samples that have been skeletonized, liquid-preserved, or fossilized. The lack of information is especially problematic for fossil species, for which individuals with body mass information are not available anywhere. Multiple methods are available for estimating the body mass of fossil terrestrial vertebrates but those for their marine counterparts are limited. Paleomass is a software tool for estimating the body mass of marine vertebrates from their orthogonal silhouettes through bracketing. It generates a set of two 3D models from these silhouettes, assuming superelliptical body cross-sections with different exponent values. By setting the exponents appropriately, it is possible to bracket the true volume of the animal between those of the two models. The original version phased out together with the language platform it used. A new version is reported here as an open-source package based on the R scripting language. It inherits the underlying principles of the original version but has been completely rewritten with a new architecture. For example, it first produces 3D mesh models of the animal and then measures their volumes and areas with the VCG library, unlike the original version that did not produce a 3D model but instead computed the volume and area segment by segment using parametric equations. The new version also exports 3D models in polygon meshes, allowing later tests by other software. Other improvements include the use of NACA foil sections for hydrofoils such as flippers, and optional interpolation with local regression. The software has a high accuracy, with the mean absolute errors of 1.33% when the silhouettes of the animals are known.
Component Analysis and Identification of Ancient Glass Products Based on Statistical Methods
Authors: Wu Kerui , Li Minghan , Ren Hongyi
Published: August 2023

This paper analyzes its role in the composition analysis and identification of ancient glass products by flexible use of statistical methods, and emphasizes four statistical methods: systematic clustering algorithm, K-means algorithm, logistic regression model and grey correlation analysis. Taking the C project of CUMCM in 2022 as an example, this paper systematically introduces these four common data classification and statistical methods to classify and analyze the given data. In this paper, suitable chemical components of high potassium and lead barium glass were selected for subdivision, and the specific division methods and results w ere given. The chemical composition of glass relics of unknown category was analyzed to identify their type. The grey correlation matrix of surface weathering of high-potassium cultural relics was obtained, and the correlation degree of chemical components was analyzed. This greatly promotes the composition analysis and identification of chemical components in ancient relics.
Introgression of Stay Green Quantitative Trait Locus (QTLS) into Elite Sorghum Variety by MABC
Authors: Priyanka S. , Girish G. , Lokesha R. , Tembhurne B. V. , Patil Amaregouda , Patil Ayyanagouda
Published: August 2023

Sorghum is a major staple food crop for the people in semi-arid areas of Asia. Post-flowering drought is a global constraint of sorghum production. The study aimed to improve stay-green characteristics of GS-23 sorghum variety by transferring stg3A and stg3B QTL`s respectively from donor genotypes K260 and K359w of ICRISAT by using marker assisted backcrossing. The experimental material comprised of six basic generations P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 developed from crossing GS-23 × K260 and GS-23 × K359 were genotyped using a set of 133 SNPs and 79 SSR markers. Whereas, 53 polymorphic SNPs among parents and backcross F1s for stay green trait at maturity were used to track introgression of stay green trait. Similarly,10 SSR markers were found to be polymorphic were used to track introgression of stay green trait i.e., stay green trait QTL`s stg3A and stg3B from donor parent K260 and K359w respectively in GS-23 background across backcross population and to identify plants that were homozygous for the desired allele. In which 02 SNPs SnpSB0039 and SnpSB0093 were identified as polymorphic for both K260 and K359w. Whereas 17 SNPs identified polymorphic for K260 and 34 SNPs for K359w. These SNPs were validated in both F1 and BC1F1 populations of both the crosses. Similarly, out of 10 SSR markers utilized, 02 SSRs were identified polymorphic to K260 and 02 SSRs were identified for K359w. Whereas 06 SSRs were polymorphic to both the parents K260 and K359w. Prominent 02 SSRs viz., Xtxp 141_Fam and Xgap84_Vic found to be more reliable and polymorphic to both the parents. These SSRs were validated in both F1 and BC1F1 populations of both the crosses. The genotypic analysis revealed the presence of favorable alleles in homozygous conditions at markers loci associated with stg3A and stg3B  QTL`s in BC populations, suggesting successful introgression of stay green QTLs from the donor parents to the recurrent parent. Therefore, our study demonstrated the utility of marker-assisted backcrossing for drought tolerance improvement of locally adapted sorghum variety.
Analysis of Trend in Meteorological and Hydrological Time-series using Mann-Kendall and Sen’s Slope Estimator Statistical Test in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Authors: Garba Haruna , Udokpoh Udeme Udeme
Published: August 2023

The monthly, seasonal, annual, and decadal trends of seven hydro-meteorological variables were analysed for stations in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, controlled by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Cross River Basin Development Authority (CRBDA) from 1972 to 2021. At the 5% statistical significance level, the non-parametric Mann-Kendall and Sen's slope estimator techniques were used to detect if there was a positive or negative trend and the magnitude of the trend in hydro-meteorological data. In the present study, there was a significant statistically increasing (positive) trend in mean seasonal and annual rainfall, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and runoff. However, there was a significant statistically decreasing (negative) trend in average annual relative humidity, solar radiation, and potential evapotranspiration. The magnitudes of the trends were 19.39mm/year, 0.0314oC/year, 0.013oC/year, -0.104%/year, -8.78MJ/m2/year, -1.440mm/year, and 0.028m3/s/year for annual rainfall, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, PET, and runoff, respectively. The rising trends in precipitation, temperature, and runoff in this research area show that this region is subject to climatic variability. The results of the Mann-Kendall and Sen's slope estimator statistical tests revealed the consistency of performance in the detection of the trend for the hydro-meteorological variables.
Impactos do Modelo de Perdas Esperadas da IFRS 9 nos Bancos Brasileiros: Ocorreu o Previsto?
Authors: Dantas José Alves , Soares Matheus Fernandes , Simões Denis Tavares
Published: August 2023

Este estudo teve por objetivo verificar se foram confirmadas as estimativas de Dantas, Micheletto, Cardoso e Freire (2017) de que após a adoção da IFRS 9 os níveis das perdas de crédito dos bancos brasileiros nas demonstrações em IFRS seriam superiores aos reconhecidos em BRGAAP. Os testes empíricos tiveram por base as demonstrações financeiras – BRGAAP e IFRS – de 2009 a 2020 de 41 bancos brasileiros que divulgam nos dois padrões contábeis. Inicialmente, a comparação entre as demonstrações BRGAAP e IFRS no período pré-IFRS 9 revelou que as perdas em BRGAAP eram superiores às registradas de acordo com o modelo de perdas incorridas da IAS 39. Em seguida, a análise das demonstrações em IFRS nos períodos pré e pós-IFRS 9 demonstrou que o modelo de perdas esperadas aumentou os níveis de provisões comparativamente ao reconhecido sob a IAS 39. Por fim, foi constatado que apesar de as provisões serem nominalmente maiores no modelo de perdas esperadas da IFRS 9 em relação ao modelo misto do padrão BRGAAP, essa diferença não é estatisticamente relevante, não corroborando as estimativas de Dantas et al. (2017). As evidências empíricas sugerem a presença do efeito ancoragem do modelo de perdas instituído pelo regulador, conforme Resolução CMN nº 2.682/99, no reconhecimento das perdas na IFRS 9. Os achados possibilitam a compreensão sobre como está sendo aplicado o modelo de perdas esperadas nos bancos brasileiros, além de servir como base para a adoção de modelo equivalente nos padrões BRGAAP a partir de 2025, conforme Resolução CMN nº 4.966/2021.
Missing Components of Receptor Status Among Women With Invasive Breast Cancer
Authors: Stephens Julie A. , Fisher James L. , Wesolowski Robert , Paskett Electra D.
Published: August 2023

Importance

There are well-known differences in patient outcomes and effective therapeutic options across subtypes of breast cancer (BC), defined by the status of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and erb-B2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2 [formerly HER2]) expression, making testing for these receptors part of the routine workup for all patients with a diagnosis of invasive BC. Despite its importance, this information is missing in some BC cases.

Objective

To identify female patients with BC without record of testing for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, or ERBB2 status, defined as missing components of receptor status (MCRS).

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study used data from National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program of 18 population-based registries from women with a diagnosis of invasive BC (excluding death certificate–only and autopsy cases) from January 2012 to December 2016. The final analyses were completed in February 2022.

Main Outcome and Measure

The primary outcome was MCRS. Those with MCRS were summarized by age, race, stage at diagnosis, reporting source, primary payer, and geography. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for MCRS.

Results

Overall, 321 913 patients with invasive BC were included (1928 [1%] American Indian or Alaska Native, 28 173 [9%] Asian or Pacific Islander, 36 357 [11%] Black, and 252 447 [78%] White individuals); of these, 15 250 (4.7%) had MCRS. The multivariable model showed that the odds of MCRS were higher in women 80 years or older compared with those younger than 49 years (aOR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.65-1.88), Black compared with White women (aOR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.00-1.16), and those with distant stage or unknown/unstaged cancer at diagnosis compared with a local stage at diagnosis (aOR, 3.33; 95% CI, 3.17-3.50; and aOR, 19.39; 95% CI, 18.15-20.72; respectively). With hospital inpatient/outpatient or clinic as the reference group, cases reported by laboratory only, nursing/convalescent home/hospice, and a physician’s office were more likely to have MCRS (aOR, 1.42; 95% CI; 1.28-1.60; aOR, 9.37; 95% CI, 6.03-14.53; and aOR, 2.32; 95% CI, 2.06-2.62; respectively). Adjusted odds of MCRS were higher for the categories of insured/no specifics and insurance status unknown compared with those who were insured. The adjusted odds of MCRS were higher in rural compared with urban areas (aOR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03-1.15).

Conclusions and Relevance

The results of this cross-sectional study of women with a diagnosis of invasive BC suggest that despite a standard of care recommended by all expert guidelines, there needs to be greater focus on hormone receptor and ERBB2 testing in all women with invasive BC. The results of this study may help clinicians, public health practitioners, and policymakers target affected populations to minimize or eliminate this critical health disparity and help save more lives.
Miscommunication in Cancer Care—Do You Hear What I Hear?
Authors: Sullivan Donald R. , Rosa William E. , Rosenberg Abby R.
Published: August 2023

This Viewpoint identifies examples of bad communication from cancer clinicians toward patients as well as better methods for clinicians to use when communicating with patients with cancer.
Do-It-Yourself Low-Cost Stroboscopy
Authors: Shochat Isaac , Charnyk Konstantin , Grinblat Golda , Teitelbaum Tali , Taha Mohamad , Braverman Itzhak
Published: August 2023

This case series tests the construction of an extremely low-cost stroboscope and assesses its strengths and weaknesses.
Bright and Stable Perovskite Nanocrystals Lighted Up Remotely by Means of Wireless Power Transfer
Authors: Zelenkov Lev E. , Smirnov Pavel , Baranov Georgii , Tsyrinova Altana , Ilyin Stepan , Danilovskiy Eduard , Makarov Sergey , Kapitanova Polina
Published: August 2023

Halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) are an emerging family of low‐cost and high‐efficiency luminescent nanomaterials. They offer a broad gamut of emitted light colors owing to the broad bandgap tunability of the perovskite via anion variation. Previously, to lighten up perovskite NCs, they were placed between two electrodes to inject charge carriers or were integrated with commercial blue light‐emitting diodes powered by electric contacts. However, the opportunities for remote lighting of perovskite NCs have not been explored yet. In this work, the principles of wireless power transfer of electromagnetic energy are applied to light up perovskite NCs encapsulated into a polymer matrix. The photoluminescence and absorption spectra of the CsPbBr3 NCs in a polymer matrix on incident laser power density are experimentally studied. As a proof of concept, chess pieces are created consisting of the perovskite NCs and charge from a chessboard with an integrated metasurface‐based resonator that provides quasi‐homogeneous power distribution. The efficient lighting of the chess pieces with encapsulated NCs is demonstrated over the whole area of the chessboard at various heights up to ≈10 cm. The results of the study open the door for potential applications of perovskite NCs with remote lighting capability.
A Novel Cyan Phosphor (K,Rb)3GdSi2O7:Ce3+ for Full‐Spectrum Lighting through Local Structure Tailoring
Authors: Huang Zhuihao , Lyu Zeyu , Sun Dashuai , Shen Sida , Lu Zheng , Zhou Luhui , Wei Shuai , You Hongpeng
Published: August 2023

Crystal‐field engineering can obtain targeted emission more effectively, compared with the laborious experimental screening of new hosts. However, there still lack of paradigms for obtaining Ce3+‐doped cyan phosphors by crystal‐field engineering, and the correlation between the emission and the local structure of the Ce3+ ions has rarely been disclosed. Herein, through substituting the K+ in K3‐yRbyGdSi2O7:Ce3+ with Rb+, the emission color changes from yellow‐green to cyan and finally to blue. In addition, the emission intensity and thermal stability greatly improve, as the internal quantum efficiency increases from 39.4% (y = 0) to 83.6% (y = 1.2), and the thermal activation energy increases from 0.25 eV (y = 0) to 0.36 eV (y = 1.2). The optimized luminescent properties have been interpretated from the change in energy level splitting and configuration coordinate of Ce3+, both of which originate from the elongated Ce3+─O2− bonds. Finally, the cyan‐emitting phosphor K1.8R1.2GSO:Ce3+ is applied to bridge the cyan gap in a fabricated white light‐emitting diodes, and the color rendering index is improved from 90.8 to 93.4. This work not only provides an efficient cyan phosphor, but also highlights an avenue for the rational design of phosphors with optimal luminescent properties.
Association Between Fat Depletion and Prognosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: CT‐Based Body Composition Analysis
Authors: Choi Seok‐Jin , Yoon Soon Ho , Sung Jung‐Joon , Lee Jong Hyuk
Published: August 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study was to present the results of our investigation of the prognostic value of adipopenia and sarcopenia in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods

Consecutive patients with ALS with abdominal computed tomography (CT) were retrospectively identified at a single tertiary hospital between January 2010 and July 2021. Deep learning‐based volumetric CT body composition analysis software was used to obtain abdominal waist fat volume, fat attenuation, and skeletal muscle area at the L3 level, then normalized to the fat volume index (FVI) and skeletal muscle index (SMI). Adipopenia and sarcopenia were defined as the sex‐specific lowest quartile and SMI reference values, respectively. The associations of CT‐derived body composition parameters with clinical variables, such as body mass index (BMI) and creatinine, were evaluated by Pearson correlation analyses, and associations with survival were assessed using the multivariable Cox regression analysis.

Results

Eighty subjects (40 men, 65.5 ± 9.4 years of age) were investigated (median interval between disease onset and CT examination = 25 months). The mean BMI at the CT examination was 20.3 ± 4.3 kg/m2. The BMI showed a positive correlation with both FVI (R = 0.70, p < 0.001) and SMI (R = 0.63, p < 0.001), and the serum creatinine level was associated with SMI (R = 0.68, p < 0.001). After adjusting for sex, age, King's stage, BMI, creatinine, progression rate, and sarcopenia, adipopenia was associated with shorter survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01, 35.0, p = 0.049). In a subgroup analysis for subjects with nutritional failure (stage 4a), the HR of adipopenia was 15.1 (95% CI = 2.45, 93.4, p = 0.003).

Interpretation

Deep learning‐based CT‐derived adipopenia in patients with ALS is an independent poor prognostic factor for survival. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:1116–1125
Design, fabrication and evaluation of redox/pH dual‐responsive micelles for tumor targeting delivery and controlled release of paclitaxel
Authors: Xu Yingxue , Liang Na , Fu Jia , Zong Zhe , Long Xueling , Sun Shaoping
Published: August 2023

In this study, a polymer with tumor targeting function and dual redox/pH sensitivity is designed and synthesized by integrating chitosan (CS), Poloxamer 407 (P407), cholesterol (CHO), folic acid (FA), and disulfide bonds into one molecule (P407‐CS(FA)‐SS‐CHO). The polymer can self‐assemble in water to form micelles and solubilize paclitaxel (PTX). The mean particle size of PTX‐loaded P407‐CS(FA)‐SS‐CHO micelles is 133 nm. In vitro drug release study demonstrates the acid and glutathione (GSH) triggered PTX release behavior of the micelles. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate the excellent tumor growth inhibition efficacy and low systemic toxicity of the PTX‐loaded micelles. The P407‐CS(FA)‐SS‐CHO micelles will be potential intelligent drug carriers for PTX delivery.
Fabrication of N‐methyl morpholine‐N‐oxide modified bacterial exopolysaccharide as natural scaffold toward effective cartilage regeneration in monosodium iodoacetate induced experimental osteoarthritis
Authors: Sengupta Dipanjan , Chattopadhyay Helen , Sur Tapas , Auddy Biswajit , Datta Sriparna
Published: August 2023

A non‐pathogenic strain of Ochrobactrum pseudintermedium C1 produces potent surface‐active exopolysaccharides which exhibits a porous scaffold‐like architecture. Such a property is quite prospective in facilitating housing of cells for in vivo tissue regeneration. This surfactant exopolysaccharide has been fabricated for augmenting such regenerative properties. Different vital parameters of the fabricated EPS like surface morphology, swelling behavior, in vitro degradation study, cytotoxicity and biocompatibility have been evaluated which helped postulate the applicative profile of this natural scaffold. Further, Ochrobactrum‐borne fabricated EPS, when applied as a scaffold in monosodium iodoacetate induced experimental osteoarthritis in Wistar rat model, helped significant chondrogenesis without leaving any residual amount of scaffold. The functional restoration of knee joints, assessment of chondroitin sulfate in damaged cartilage, diminution of stress induced indicators like reactive oxygen metabolite and histopathological findings quite appreciably favored the objectives. Moreover, a single high dose exhibited considerable efficacy compared to repetitive targeted administration of the scaffold at regular intervals. Thus, this novel biological macromolecule offers a green and cost‐effective alternative to various commercially available synthetic scaffolds that promote tissue regeneration.
Benzimidazolone‐piperazine/triazole/thiadiazole/furan/thiophene conjugates: Synthesis, in vitro urease inhibition, and in silico molecular docking studies
Authors: Güven Okan , Menteşe Emre , Emirik Mustafa , Sökmen Bahar Bilgin , Akyüz Gülay
Published: August 2023

This study describes the synthesis, in vitro urease inhibition, and molecular docking studies of benzimidazolone derivatives incorporating the piperazine, triazole, thiadiazole, furan, thiophene, and thiosemicarbazide moieties. All newly synthesized compounds demonstrated varying degrees of urease inhibitory activity, with IC50 values ranging between 0.64 ± 0.099 and 0.11 ± 0.017 µM, when compared with the standard drug thiourea (IC50 value of 0.51 ± 0.028 µM). To confirm the experimental urease inhibition results and elucidate the mode of interaction of the synthesized compounds with the binding site of the urease enzyme, molecular docking studies were performed using the Schrödinger Suite package. Molecular docking studies showed that compounds with high in vitro urease inhibition interacted with key residues of the urease active site such as His221, Glu222, Asp223, His322, Arg338, and Ni2+ cations via hydrogen bonding, metal coordination, salt bridge, π–π stacking, and π–cation interactions.
Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed C−H/N−H Activation for Direct Synthesis of Pyrimidoindolones under Mild Conditions
Authors: Kumar Vikash , Maayuri Rajaram , Medhi Kapil , Gandeepan Parthasarathy
Published: August 2023

Pyrimidoindolones are an important structural motif found in many natural products and are essential to the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industry. Direct synthesis of 3,4‐unsubstituted pyrimidoindolones is not easily accessible. Here we report a rhodium(III)‐catalyzed C−H/N−H activation and annulation approach for obtaining pyrimidoindolones from N‐carbamoylindoles and vinylene carbonate. The reaction occurs at room temperature and does not require any external oxidants. A diverse spectrum of indoles were demonstrated to be viable substrates capable of producing the desired pyrimidoindolones in high yields. In addition, the reaction scope has been expanded to include pyrrole substrate. Furthermore, detailed mechanistic studies have been performed to delineate the working mode of the reaction.
Electro‐nape‐acupuncture regulates the differentiation of microglia through PD‐1/PD‐L1 reducing secondary brain injury in acute phase intracerebral hemorrhage rats
Authors: Liu Yijian , Zheng Shumei , Zhang Xiaohui , Guo Wenhui , Du Ruosang , Yuan Hongwen , Zhang Lu , Cui Hai
Published: August 2023

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the effect of electro‐nape‐acupuncture (ENA) on the differentiation of microglia and the secondary brain injury in rats with acute‐phase intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) through the programmed cell death protein‐1/ligand‐1 (PD‐1/PD‐L1) pathway.

Methods

A total of 27 male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham group, ICH group, and ENA group. The autologous blood infusion intracerebral hemorrhage model was used to study the effects of ENA by administering electroacupuncture at GB20 (Fengchi) and Jiaji (EX‐B2) acupoints on 24 h after the modeling, once per day for 3 days. The neurological function damage, hematoma lesion, and inflammatory cell infiltration were measured by the beam walking test and hematoxylin‐eosin staining. The expression of PD‐1, PD‐L1, CD86, CD206, and related cytokines around the hematoma was measured by western blot, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence.

Results

The ICH group had significant neurological deficits (p < .001), hematoma lesions, and inflammatory cell infiltration. The levels of CD86 protein, inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factors (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, and IL‐6 were increased (p < .001), while CD206 protein was reduced (p < .01), and the number of CD86+/CD11b+ cells was also increased (p < .001) compared to the sham group. However, after ENA intervention, there was a significant reduction in neurological function damage (p < .05), infiltration of inflammatory cells, and the expression levels of CD86+/CD11b+ cells (p < .05), resulting in the increased expression of PD‐1 protein and differentiation of M2 phenotype significantly (p < .001).

Conclusion

The study concludes that ENA could reduce neurological function damage, inhibit the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and improve the infiltration of inflammatory cells to improve secondary brain injury in acute‐phase intracerebral hemorrhage rats. These effects could be related to the increased expression of PD‐1 around the lesion, promoting the differentiation of microglia from M1 to M2 phenotype.
Nonlinear cloth simulation with isogeometric analysis
Authors: Ren Jingwen , Lin Hongwei
Published: August 2023

Physically based cloth simulation with nonlinear behaviors is studied in this article by employing isogeometric analysis (IGA) for the surface deformation in 3D space. State‐of‐the‐art simulation techniques, which primarily rely on the triangular mesh to calculate physical points on the cloth directly, require a large number of degrees of freedom. An effective method for the cloth deformation that employs high‐order continuous B‐spline surfaces dependent on control points is proposed. This method leads to the merit of fewer degrees of freedom and superior smoothness. The deformation gradient on the high‐order IGA element is then represented by the gradient of the B‐spline function. An iterative method for solving the nonlinear optimization transferred from the implicit integration and a direct implicit–explicit method are derived on the basis of elastic force calculation to improve efficiency. The knots of the representation are effectively utilized in collision detection and response to reduce the computational burden. Experiments of nonlinear cloth simulation demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method considering performance and efficiency, achieving accurate, efficient, and stable deformation.
Ligand‐Independent Activation of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Attenuation of Glutamine Levels by Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent
Authors: Denis Amina Anaise , Toledo Daniela , Hakim Queen Assala , Quintana Aline Andrea , Escobar Catalina Real , Oluwole Samuel Abidemi , Costa Arthur , Garcia Estefania Gil , Hill Anaya Rose , Agatemor Christian
Published: August 2023

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) are emerging sustainable alternatives to conventional organic solvents. Beyond their role as laboratory solvents, NADESs are increasingly explored in drug delivery and as therapeutics. Their increasing applications notwithstanding, our understanding of how they interact with biomolecules at multiple levels ‐ metabolome, proteome, and transcriptome ‐ within human cell remain poor. Here, we deploy integrated metabolomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics to probe how NADESs perturb the molecular landscape of human cells. In a human cell line model, we found that an archetypal NADES derived from choline and geranic acid (CAGE) significantly altered the metabolome, proteome, and transcriptome. CAGE upregulated indole‐3‐lactic acid and 4‐hydroxyphenyllactic acid levels, resulting in ligand‐independent activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor to signal the transcription of genes with implications for inflammation, immunomodulation, cell development, and chemical detoxification. Further, treating the cell line with CAGE downregulated glutamine biosynthesis, a nutrient rapidly proliferating cancer cells require. CAGE's ability to attenuate glutamine levels is potentially relevant for cancer treatment. These findings suggest that NADESs, even when derived from natural components like choline, can indirectly modulate cell biology at multiple levels, expanding their applications beyond chemistry to biomedicine and biotechnology.
Traumatic rosette cataract
Authors: Shariati Mehrdad Motamed , Same Mohammadreza
Published: August 2023

Key Clinical Message

One of the clinical presentations of traumatic cataracts is a rosette‐shaped posterior capsular opacity. The severity of vision loss, the patient's age, and the cornea, macula, and optic nerve states are major determinants of the therapeutic approach.
Systematic Search for Thermal Decomposition Pathways of Formic Acid on Anatase TiO2 (101) Surface**
Authors: Nabata Hitoshi , Maeda Satoshi
Published: August 2023

In this study, the reaction pathways for the thermal decomposition of formic acid on the anatase TiO2 (101) surface were systematically investigated. The investigation was carried out using a single‐component artificial force induced reaction method that combines density functional theory calculations. In order to uncover the overall mechanism at low surface coverage, we explored reaction path networks for three different conditions of the anatase TiO2 (101) surfaces: clean, protonated, and oxygen‐deficient surfaces. Previous temperature‐programmed desorption (TPD) experiments had shown that H2O desorption starts at a low temperature of about 300 K, while CO and formaldehyde desorption starts at high temperatures of about 500 K. The present reaction path networks are consistent with the overall trend observed in the TPD experiments. Using the reaction pathways extracted from these networks, the overall dissociation mechanism has been discussed.
Atomistic‐Level Effects of Noncovalent Interactions and Crystalline Packing for Organic Material Structural Integrity upon Exposure to Gamma Radiation
Authors: Kruse Samantha J. , Rajapaksha Harindu , MacGillivray Leonard R. , LaVerne Jay A. , Forbes Tori Z.
Published: August 2023

Developing an atomistic understanding of ionizing radiation induced changes to organic materials is necessary for intentional design of greener and more sustainable materials for radiation shielding and detection. Cocrystals are promising for these purposes, but a detailed understanding of how the specific intermolecular interactions within the lattice upon exposure to radiation affect the structural stability of the organic crystalline material is unknown. This study evaluates atomistic‐level effects of γ radiation on both single‐ and multicomponent organic crystalline materials and how specific noncovalent interactions and packing within the crystalline lattice enhance structural stability. Dose studies were performed on all crystalline systems and evaluated via experimental and computational methods. Changes in crystallinity were evaluated by p‐XRD and free radical formation was analyzed via EPR spectroscopy. Type of intermolecular interactions and packing within the crystal lattice was delineated and related to the specific free radical species formed and the structural integrity of each material. Periodic DFT and HOMO‐LUMO surface mapping calculations provided atomistic‐level identifications of the most probable sites for the radicals formed upon exposure to γ radiation and relate intermolecular interactions and molecular packing within the crystalline lattice to experimental results.
The 2030 Agenda and sustainable development in tourism firms: Board gender diversity and environmental policy on natural resource use
Authors: Gallego‐Sosa Clara , Fernández‐Torres Yakira , Gutiérrez‐Fernández Milagros
Published: August 2023

This study examines whether gender diversity on the board of directors determines the performance of tourism firms in terms of their use of natural resources. A variable measuring environmental performance in response to the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is created for the first time. The creation of this variable represents the main contribution of this study. Focusing on the under‐researched environmental dimension of natural resource use also contributes to the literature. A third contribution is the choice of the tourism sector, since its performance from the perspective of the SDGs has not been assessed in previous literature. Data correspond to a sample of 163 tourism companies over the period 2015–2020. Fixed effects estimation provides robust evidence of the importance of including female talent on the board of directors. Women's inclusion on the board can promote environmental policies that seek sustainable development.
Gene drives for invasive wasp control: Extinction is unlikely, with suppression dependent on dispersal and growth rates
Authors: Lester Philip J. , O'Sullivan David , Perry George L. W.
Published: August 2023

Gene drives offer a potentially revolutionary method for pest control over large spatial extents. These genetic modifications spread deleterious variants through a population and have been proposed as methods for pest suppression or even eradication. We examined the influence of local dispersal, long‐distance and/or human‐mediated dispersal, and variation in population growth on the success of a gene drive for the control of invasive social wasps (Vespula vulgaris). Our simulations incorporated a spatially realistic environment containing variable habitat quality in New Zealand. Pest eradication was not observed, except in extreme and unrealistic scenarios of constant, widespread, and spatially intense releases of genetically modified individuals every year for decades. Instead, the regional persistence of genetically modified and wild‐type wasps was predicted. Simulations using spatially homogeneous versus realistic landscapes (incorporating uninhabitable areas and dispersal barriers) showed little difference in overall population dynamics. Overall, little impact on wasp abundance was observed in the first 15 years after introduction. After 25 years, populations were suppressed to levels <95% of starting populations. Populations exhibited “chase dynamics” with population cycles in space, with local extinction occurring in some areas while wasps became abundant in others. Increasing the wasps' local dispersal distance increased the spatial and temporal variability of the occupied area and population suppression. Varying levels of human‐associated long‐distance dispersal had little effect on population dynamics. Increasing intrinsic population growth rates interacted with local dispersal to cause higher mean populations and substantially higher levels of variation in population suppression and the total amount of landscape occupied. Gene drives appear unlikely to cause a rapid and widespread extinction of this and probably other pests but could offer long‐term and cost‐effective methods of pest suppression. The predicted level of <95% pest suppression would substantially reduce the predation pressure and competitive interactions of this invasive wasp on native species. However, the predicted long‐term persistence of genetically modified pests will influence the ethics and likelihood of using gene drives for pest control, especially given concerns that modified wasps would eventually be transported back to their home range.
Combination therapy of HIFα inhibitors and Treg depletion strengthen the anti‐tumor immunity in mice
Authors: Wei Ping , Kou Wei , Riaz Farooq , Zhang Kaimin , Fu Juan , Pan Fan
Published: August 2023

Hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α), under hypoxic conditions, is known to play an oxygen sensor stabilizing role by exerting context‐ and cell‐dependent stimulatory and inhibitory functions in immune cells. Nevertheless, how HIF1α regulates T cell differentiation and functions in tumor settings has not been elucidated. Herein, we demonstrated that T‐cell‐specific deletion of HIF1α improves the inflammatory potential and memory phenotype of CD8+ T cells. We validated that T cell‐specific HIF1α ablation reduced the B16 melanomas development with the indication of ameliorated antitumor immune response with enhanced IFN‐γ+ CD8+ T cells despite the increase in the Foxp3+ regulatory T‐cell population. This was further verified by treating tumor‐bearing mice with a HIF1α inhibitor. Results indicated that HIF1α inhibitor also recapitulates HIF1α ablation effects by declining tumor growth and enhancing the memory and inflammatory potential of CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, a combination of Treg inhibitor with HIF1α inhibitor can substantially reduce tumor size. Collectively, these findings highlight the notable roles of HIF1α in distinct CD8+ T‐cell subsets. This study suggests the significant implications for enhancing the potential of T cell‐based antitumor immunity by combining HIF1α and Tregs inhibitors.