bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Passivation Improvement of Poly‐SiOx Based TOPCon Contacts by Thermal Annealing in a Water Vapor Atmosphere: Mechanism Exploration and Application Research
Authors: Zhou Jiakai , Wang Guichang , Su Xianglin , Ren Huizhi , Zeng Yuheng , Liu Wei , Zhang Bike , Zhang Xiaodan , Zhao Ying , Hou Guofu
Published: May 2023

Post‐treatment techniques of tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) structure are universally implemented via executing an additional hydrogenation process to optimize the passivation performance. However, the underlying physical mechanism and which method is most applicable are still being investigated. Herein, the effectiveness of thermal annealing in water vapor and N2 atmosphere is studied, which is both environmentally friendly and easy to operate. It is demonstrated that compared to other common hydrogenation techniques, the wet N2 outperforms in improving the passivation performance, which can be attributed to the neutralization of internal defects in poly‐Si and the optimization of structural densities, and interestingly, this gain effect is amplified when this contact is doped with oxygen impurity. A power conversion efficiency of 22.62% is achieved using this technology which verifies its reliability and applicability. A loss analysis based on numerical simulations, outlining ways to achieve higher conversion efficiency and highlighting the great potential of this technology is also provided. Extensive experiments and first‐principles calculations based on density‐functional theory are conducted to clarify the underlying dynamics, including the surface adsorption process and the potentiation mechanisms, revealing that passivation and neutralization of hydrogen atoms couple with the compactness optimization of the structure.
Single‐Crystal Seeds Inducing the Crystallization of High‐Performance α‐FAPbI3 for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: He Jun , Li Dewang , Liu Hongli , Xiang Junyan , Bai Jiaxv , Ren Yuting , Wang Zhongyue , Xia Meng , Yin Xunjie , Yuan Longfei , Zhang Fei , Wang Shirong
Published: May 2023

α‐phase formamidine lead iodine (α‐FAPbI3) as a competitive candidate to pursue high‐performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs) suffers from the weakness of random nucleation and disordered growth in chasing high‐grade polycrystalline films. Here, single‐crystal seeds crystallization (SCSC) method is proposed to obtain high‐quality α‐FAPbI3 perovskite films for the first time. Six single‐crystals seeds (CsPbBr3, CsPbI3, FAPbBr3, FAPbI3, MAPbBr3, and MAPbI3) are employed to regulate α‐FAPbI3 perovskite crystallization. These seeds act as nucleation sites and allow the perovskite to grow directly. The rapid crystallization significantly improves the crystallinity of perovskite films with uniform morphology, large grain size, and less defects. Of particular note, FAPbBr3 seed prefers to grow α‐FAPbI3 epitaxially from FAPbBr3@PbI2 heterostructure through a halogen anion exchange process. The average grain size of FAPbBr3‐perovskite film is boosted to 2.6 µm, and the trap density reduced by 11 times. The resultant FAPbBr3‐PSCs achieve a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.84% with a high open‐circuit voltage of 1.18 V. The unencapsulated PSC retains 91% of the initial PCE after 3000 h of storage at ≈30–50% relative humidity and preserves 98.5% of the original value after 155 h illumination with maximum power point tracking.
Origins and Suppression of Sn(II)/Sn(IV) Oxidation in Tin Halide Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Junke , Yao Huanhuan , Wang Shurong , Wu Cheng , Ding Liming , Hao Feng
Published: May 2023

Tin halide perovskite solar cells (TPSCs) have attracted aggressive research interest in the emerging perovskite photovoltaic devices due to their eco‐friendliness as compared to their lead halide counterparts. However, the easy Sn(II)/Sn(IV) oxidation of tin perovskites is a serious impediment to the development of TPSCs. Therefore, a clear understanding of the mechanisms, origins, and effects of the oxidation is essential to further boost the performance and stability of TPSCs. Herein, a systematic overview of the physicochemical process for the Sn(II)/Sn(IV) oxidation in TPSCs from the starting precursors to the final devices is presented. In addition, the effects of oxidation on the performance of TPSCs are then reviewed from crystal structure, defect chemistry, and optoelectronic properties. More importantly, the key issues to suppress the Sn(II)/Sn(IV) oxidation are seriously discussed on the basis of the reported antioxidation strategies. Finally, the challenges and outlooks toward TPSCs with higher power conversion efficiency and stability are proposed.
Managing cover crop C:N ratio and subsurface‐banded poultry litter rate for optimal corn yields
Authors: Mirsky Steven B. , Davis Brian W. , Poffenbarger Hanna , Cavigelli Michel A. , Maul Jude E. , Schomberg Harry , Spargo John T. , Thapa Resham
Published: May 2023

Cover crops can be used to provide some of the nitrogen (N) needs of a cash crop to complement mineral fertilizers or manure, but there has yet been limited work to describe corn (Zea mays L.) yield as a function of cover crop quality and N inputs. We investigated the response of corn yield to gradients of both preceding cover crop C:N ratio and poultry litter (PL) application rates in Beltsville, MD during 2012–2014. To achieve different C:N ratios of the cover crops, hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth. "Groff") and cereal rye (Secale cereale L. "Aroostook") were seeded in a replacement series of six seeding rate proportions, resulting in shoot C:N ratios of 9.2:1 to 152:1 across years. For each hairy vetch/cereal rye sown proportions, PL was side‐dressed at corn V5–V8 stage in subsurface bands (SSB) at four targeted rates: Zero, P‐based (67 kg plant available nitrogen [PAN] ha−1), N‐based (135 kg PAN ha−1), and excess N and P (269 kg PAN ha−1). We found that corn yield followed a linear‐plateau relationship across these two dimensions. Within the linear region, each unit increase in log‐scaled cover crop C:N ratio resulted in a yield decrease of 2.56 ± 0.26 Mg ha−1 at a given rate of SSB PL. To optimize corn yields, we describe a model where each unit increase in log‐scaled cover crop C:N ratio required an additional 45.9 ± 6.22 kg PAN ha−1 from SSB PL. Yields following winter fallow were typically intermediate to the range of yields observed following the gradient of cover crop C:N ratios. We did not find significant differences in corn yield responses when comparing SSB PL to at‐planting incorporated or broadcast PL; we also found no significant differences between SSB PL and surface‐banded urea ammonium nitrate. Taken together, our approach of modeling yield response across two dimensions can be widely used to guide adaptive N management in subsequent cash crops following winter cover crops, thereby balancing both economic and environmental objectives in cover crop‐based cropping systems.
Photo‐induced fusion of monodisperse polymer microspheres: A novel strategy for constructing topological microsphere clusters with improved stability
Authors: He Zixiang , Shen Su , Zhang Gong , Miao Tengfei , Cheng Xiaoxiao , Wang Zhao , Song Qingping , Zhang Wei
Published: May 2023

The preparation of monodisperse azobenzene (Azo) polymer microspheres by dispersion polymerization was reported. The photo‐induced fusion of Azo polymer microspheres was successfully achieved during the process of reversible trans‐cis‐trans photoisomerization of Azo units, and induced various unique “microsphere molecular” clusters or “microsphere polymers”. Encouraged by this interesting phenomenon, microsphere clusters of different topological structures were stabilized by the in situ acetal cross‐linking chemistry. The photo‐induced fusion polymerization of monodisperse polymer microspheres provides a new strategy for designing photo‐responsive clusters and allows for control over the mechanical properties of microspheres with high spatiotemporal resolution.
A machine learning framework for improving refinery production planning
Authors: Santander Omar , Kuppuraj Vidyashankar , Harrison Christopher A. , Baldea Michael
Published: May 2023

We propose a framework that relies on machine learning techniques and statistical modeling to enhance industrial production planning. Supervised learning is employed to improve the production planning model, whereas unsupervised learning is used to achieve economic synchronization between the process control and production planning layers. Finally, an upgraded production planning decision‐making structure is formulated where model uncertainty, the effect of process control/disturbances, and time correlation are considered. The proposed framework is implemented on an industry‐relevant refinery model demonstrating that the performance of the framework is substantially better than established industrial production planning techniques.
Construction of Chiral Quaternary Carbon Centers via Asymmetric Metal Carbene gem‐Dialkylation
Authors: Dong Shanliang , Hong Kemiao , Zhang Zhijing , Huang Jingjing , Xie Xiongda , Yuan Haoxuan , Hu Wenhao , Xu Xinfang
Published: May 2023

The catalytic asymmetric construction of all‐carbon quaternary stereocenters has received tremendous interest over the past decades, and numerous efficient protocols have been disclosed based on the formation of one C−C bond between two assembling reactants. However, the use of asymmetric multi‐component reactions that build two C−C bonds on the same carbonic center with concomitant assembly of quaternary stereocenters is rare and remains challenging. Herein, we disclose an enantioselective three‐component reaction of α‐diazo ketones with alkenes and 1,3,5‐triazines under dirhodium/chiral phosphoric acid cooperative catalysis, which leads to a practical and atom‐economic synthesis of poly‐functionalized chiral ketones that bear a α‐quaternary stereocenter in generally good to high yields with excellent enantioselectivities. In comparison to the previous method for the construction of tertiary and quaternary stereocenters via carbene gem‐difunctionalization reactions, this reaction features an unprecedented gem‐dialkylation process via sequential installation of two C−C bonds on the carbene center in one reaction, providing an essential complement to the asymmetric construction of all‐carbon quaternary stereocenters using common and readily available starting materials.
Dual Microenvironment Modulation of Pd Nanoparticles in Covalent Organic Frameworks for Semihydrogenation of Alkynes
Authors: Guo Mingchun , Meng Qiangqiang , Chen Wenyao , Meng Zheng , Gao Ming‐Liang , Li Qunxiang , Duan Xuezhi , Jiang Hai‐Long
Published: May 2023

The chemical microenvironment modulation of metal nanoparticles (NPs) holds promise for tackling the long‐lasting challenge of the trade‐off effect between activity and selectivity in catalysis. Herein, ultrafine PdCu2 NPs incorporated into covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with diverse groups on their pore walls have been fabricated for the semihydrogenation of alkynes. The Cu species, as the primary microenvironment of Pd active sites, greatly improves the selectivity. The functional groups as the secondary microenvironment around PdCu2 NPs effectively regulate the activity, in which PdCu2 NPs encapsulated in the COF bearing −CH3 groups exhibit the highest activity with >99 % conversion and 97 % selectivity. Both experimental and calculation results suggest that the functional group affects the electron‐donating ability of the COFs, which successively impacts the charge transfer between COFs and Pd sites, giving rise to a modulated Pd electronic state and excellent catalytic performance.
Luminescent transparent wood from a woody cellulosic template treated with an optical brightener
Authors: Chathoth Anish M. , Subba Rao Anantha N. , Nair Sreeja , Nagarajappa Giridhar B. , Pandey Krishna K.
Published: May 2023

Transparent wood (TW) has attracted tremendous research interest due to its numerous adaptive features and applications as a sustainable material. The present study unveils a novel and simple method of preparing luminescent transparent wood (LTW) with good optical properties and UV‐blocking nature. LTW was prepared by pre‐treatment of lignin‐modified wood (LMW) with a commercial fabric brightener/optical brightener (Ranipal®) prior to polymer infiltration. The resultant LTW showed unique bluish photoluminescence upon UV light irradiation. Under normal light illumination, the LTW exhibited a brilliant bright/white appearance compared to untreated TW samples. LTW fabricated using 1 mm thick silver oak wood veneer exhibited high transparency (82%) and high haze (90%) with enhanced UV blocking property. The novel LTW fabrication method using a readily available and low‐cost fabric brightener has significantly reduced the overall process complexity of LTW preparation. The treatment with optical brightener had no adverse effect on the material quality. The fabricated LTW with good optical features can be an excellent bio‐based input material to the multifunctional smart material category.
Teledyne's high‐performance 4 K × 4 K infrared detectors
Authors: Zandian Majid , Piquette Eric , Farris Mark , Edwall Dennis , Daraselia Mikhail , Holland Eric , Fisher Lisa , Ives Derek , Gygax John , Bennett Chris , Waczynskib Augustyn , Corrales Liz , Auyeung John , Carmody Michael , Nguyen Chanh , Beletic James W.
Published: May 2023

We present the test results of science grade 4 K × 4 K HgCdTe H4RG‐15 and H4RG‐10 SWIR 2.5 μm sensor chip assemblies (SCAs). Teledyne's 4 K × 4 K, 15 and 10 μm pixel pitch infrared arrays are developed for space and era of Extremely Large Telescopes. They are currently being used in new instrumentation on existing telescopes and missions. We report data on H4RG‐15 and H4RG‐10 arrays that have achieved science grade performance. For H4RG‐15 and H4RG‐10: very low dark current (<0.005 e−/pixel/s at 80 K and <0.01 e−/pixel/s at 95 K), high quantum efficiency >70–90%, single CDS readout noise <20 e−, operability >99%, total crosstalk <1.5%, well capacity >70 ke−, and power dissipation less than 4 mW are routinely achieved. These SCAs are substrate‐removed HgCdTe, which simultaneously detect visible and infrared light, enabling spectrographs to use a single SCA for visible‐IR sensitivity. Larger focal plane arrays can be constructed by assembling mosaics of individual arrays.
Optimum threshold of the 4Kscore for biopsy in men with negative or indeterminate multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: de Almeida S Ricardo , Thomas Jamie , Mason Matthew M. , Becerra Maria F. , Merhe Ali , Reis Isildinha M. , Kwon Deukwoo , Soodana‐Prakash Nachiketh , Tewari Ashutosh , Patel Vipul , Wagaskar Vinayak , Konety Badrinath , Kasraeian Ali , Czarniecki Stefan , Thoreson Gregory R. , Kim Eric H. , Swain Sanjaya , Parekh Dipen J. , Punnen Sanoj
Published: May 2023

Objective

The study aims to identify the optimal 4Kscore thresholds to determine the need for a prostate biopsy when multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (mpMRI) is negative or indeterminate.

Materials and methods

We analysed retrospective data from men in eight different institutions who underwent an mpMRI, 4Kscore and prostate biopsy for evaluation of prostate cancer. We selected men with a negative (PIRADS ≤2) or indeterminate (PIRADS 3) mpMRI. 4Kscore values were categorized into ranges of 1–7, 8–19, 20–32 and greater than 32. We evaluated the proportion of men with grade group 2 or higher (GG2+) cancer in groups defined by PIRADS and 4Kscore. We also evaluated the number of biopsies avoided and GG2+ cancer missed in each group reported depend on 4Kscore cutoff points.

Results

Among 1111 men who had an mpMRI, 4Kscore and biopsy, 625 of them had PIRADS ≤3 on mpMRI: 374 negative (PIRADS ≤2) and 251 indeterminate (PIRADS 3). In men with a negative mpMRI, we found a 4Kscore cut‐point of 33 resulted in an increased risk of GG2+ cancer on biopsy. In patients with an equivocal lesion on mpMRI, men with a 4Kscore cutoff ≥8 had a greater risk of GG2+ cancer on biopsy. Decision curve analysis supported the proposed cut‐points in each mpMRI group.

Conclusions

In men with negative and indeterminate mpMRI, we found the best 4Kscore threshold to determine the need for biopsy to be 33 and 8 respectively. Future prospective studies in independent populations are needed to confirm these findings.
Enhancing the biomass and docosahexaenoic acid‐rich lipid accumulation of Schizochytrium sp. in propionate wastewater
Authors: Ma Wang , Li Xin , Zhang Feng , Zhang Zi‐Yi , Yang Wen‐Qian , Huang Peng‐Wei , Gu Yang , Sun Xiao‐Man
Published: May 2023

In order to find a more effective way to obtain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) rich lipid from Schizochytrium sp., a widespread propionate wastewater (PW) is used. PW is a common industrial and domestic wastewater, and transforming it into valuable products is a potential treatment method. Schizochytrium sp. is a rapidly growing oleaginous organism, which has been used commercially for DHA production. Herein, PW is completely used for DHA production by Schizochytrium sp. by genetic engineering and fermentation optimization, which can alleviate the increasingly tense demand for water resources and environmental pollution caused by industrial wastewater. Firstly, the methylmalonyl‐CoA mutase (MCM) was overexpressed in Schizochytrium sp. to enhance the metabolism of propionate, then the engineered strain of overexpressed MCM (OMCM) can effectively use propionate. Then, the effects of PW with different concentration of propionate were investigated, and results showed that OMCM can completely replace clean water with PW containing 5 g L−1 propionate. Furthermore, in the fed‐batch fermentation, the OMCM obtained the highest biomass of 113.4 g L−1 and lipid yield of 64.4 g L−1 in PW condition, which is 26.8% and 51.7% higher than that of wild type (WT) in PW condition. Moreover, to verify why overexpression of MCM can promote DHA and lipid accumulation, the comparative metabolomics, ATP production level, the antioxidant system, and the transcription of key genes were investigated. Results showed that ATP induced by PW condition could drive the synthesis of DHA, and remarkably improve the antioxidant capacity of cells by enhancing the carotenoids production. Therefore, PW can be used as an effective and economical substrate and water source for Schizochytrium sp. to accumulate biomass and DHA.
Development of disposable electrode for the detection of mosquito‐borne viruses
Authors: Nasrin Fahmida , Khoris Indra Memdi , Chowdhury Ankan Dutta , Muttaqein Sjakurrizal El , Park Enoch Y.
Published: May 2023

Development of disposable, rapid, and convenient biosensor with high sensitivity and reliability is the most desired method of viral disease prevention. To achieve this goal, in this work, a practical impedimetric biosensor has been implemented into a disposable electrode on a screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPCE) for the detection of two mosquito‐borne viruses. The biosensor fabrication has step‐wisely carried out on the disposable electrode surface at room temperature: starting from conductive film formation, physical binding of the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)‐polyaniline (PAni) into the conductive film, and biofunctionalization. To get the maximum efficiency of the antibody, biotinylated antibody has been conjugated on the surface of AuNP‐PAni/PAni‐SPCE via the streptavidin‐biotin conjugation method which is a critical factor for the high sensitivity. Using the antibody–antigen interaction, this disposable electrode has designed to detect mosquito‐borne infectious viruses, Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and Zika virus (ZIKV) separately in a wide linear range of 100 fg mL−1 to 1 ng mL−1 with a low detection limit of 1.33 and 12.31 fg mL−1, respectively.
A systematic review on gut–brain axis aberrations in bipolar disorder and methods of balancing the gut microbiota
Authors: Obi‐Azuike Crystal , Ebiai Ruona , Gibson Taneil , Hernandez Ariana , Khan Asma , Anugwom Gibson , Urhi Alexsandra , Prasad Sakshi , Souabni Sara Ait , Oladunjoye Funso
Published: May 2023

Background

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a mood disorder that affects millions worldwide. Up to half of the diagnosed patients are reported to not receive adequate treatment. This study aims to assess the relationship between the gut–brain axis and BD and to discuss and compare the efficacy of varying methods of balancing gut microbiotas in BD.

Methods

Using PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar from November 2021 to February 2022, we found 5310 studies on gut microbiota and its relation to BD. Using our inclusion criteria, 5283 studies were excluded. A total of 27 full‐text articles were assessed for eligibility. Also, 12 articles that met our criteria and eligibility criteria reported on 613 BD patients.

Results

Most studies analyzed found an overall difference in gut microbiota composition in bipolar patients compared to healthy controls, though the alterations found were not consistent. Differences in Lactobacillus, Faecalibacterium, and Ruminococcus abundance in BD compared to controls were found to be the most consistent across a few of the studies, but their effects on the gut–brain axis conflicted. Probiotic supplementation was found to lower patient rehospitalizations and significantly improve depressive symptoms and cognitive impairments among patients with BD.

Conclusions

Multiple studies included in this review point toward a possible link between BD and the gut microbiota. Probiotic supplements and other gut‐balancing therapies could serve as effective adjunctive methods for the treatment of BD. Notable limitations of the studies included for analysis were small sample sizes and majority observational study designs. Furthermore, the microbiota aberrations found in patients with BD were not consistent across multiple studies. Despite these limitations, our findings demonstrate the need for further research regarding the relationship between aberrant gut microbiota profiles and BD, as well as the effectiveness of gut balancing methods as adjunctive treatments.
Evaluation of the Quality of Codonopsis Radix in Different Growth Years by the AHP‐CRITIC Method
Authors: Wang Yanping , Wang Zixia , Zhang Jingjing , Yu Huaqiao , Chen Yan , Gao Yingrui , Li Xiaodong , Li Wen , Hu Fangdi
Published: May 2023

The quality of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) has a significant correlation with the source and growth years. However, there is no research on the relationship between the growth period and the quality of Codonopsis Radix (CR). This work aims to evaluate the quality of CR in different growth years (2–5 years). First, the content of 6 efficacy‐related and 28 nutrient‐related components in different growth years of CR was analyzed. The results showed that with the increase in growth years of CR, the content of some components increased, while some decreased. Then, the AHP‐CRITIC method was performed to score the CR in different growth years, the results showed that the comprehensive score of CR increased with the increase of growth years, and the 5‐year‐CR had the highest score. Finally, in vitro activity assays were designed to verify the evaluation results. The results demonstrated that with the increase of growth years, the spleen lymphocyte proliferation activity and DPPH free radical scavenging activity of CR were enhanced, which proved that the AHP‐CRITIC method is reasonable to evaluate the quality of CR in different growth years. The aforementioned findings demonstrated that CR quality improved with longer planting years.
Keep your eye on…
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: May 2023

Non‐medication approaches for NOWS

Teen girls are faring worse than boys on mental health

AACAP warning on aborton pill ban
A clown nose‐like nodule revealing a metastatic lung carcinoma
Authors: Mkhinini Haifa , Ghariani Nadia Fetoui , Yacoub Sarra , Denguezli Mohamed
Published: May 2023

Key clinical Message

Clown nose‐like lesion can be the manifestation of inflammatory, infectious or neoplasm‐related diseases, and some genetic syndromes. Lung carcinoma metastasize rarely to the skin. To our knowledge, 16 cases of lung cancer metastasis with clown nose‐like lesions have been reported. Here, we describe a new case.

Cutaneous metastases of small‐cell‐lung carcinoma are rare, and nose involvement is much rarer. However, it can be the first warning sign of lung cancer. We describe the case of a patient who presented with a red nodule of the nasal tip reminding a clown‐nose.
A case report of cutaneous infection with Mycobacterium neoaurum
Authors: Mohebbipour‐Loren Alireza , Soghrati Mehrnaz , Barin Sajjad , Rezaei Mitra
Published: May 2023

Key Clinical Message

Cutaneous infection due to Mycobacterium neoaurum in immune‐competent individuals had only been reported in limited cases. The point that makes our case very impressive was its cutaneous infection, and presentation in the immune‐competent patient.

Cutaneous infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria usually occur in immunocompromised hosts. We report a rare case of cutaneous infection caused by Mycobacterium neoaurum in an immune‐competent patient.
Blastocystis sp.—An emerging cause of diarrhea post stem cell transplantation
Authors: Radhwi Osman , Almohammadi Abdullah , Almarzouki Adel , Barefah Ahmed , Bahashwan Salem , Alahwal Hatem
Published: May 2023

Key Clinical Message

Protozoans are endemic in the Middle East and diarrhea workup post stem cell transplant should always include stool examination for ova and parasites.

We present a case of Blastocystis sp. infection in a multiple myeloma patient who developed diarrhea on day five of post‐autologous stem cell transplantation. Diarrhea is a major complication and a potential cause of mortality in this population. Testing for endemic protozoan is recommended.
Extrusive luxation. Therapeutic procedure
Authors: Lago Laura , da Silva Luis , Fernandez‐Formoso Noelia , Rilo Benito
Published: May 2023

Key Clinical Message

Repositioning a traumatized tooth involves replacing and stabilizing it. When it is not possible, a method has been developed by an acetate splint. After few weeks, the tooth was aligned and correctly positioned.

Repositioning a traumatized tooth involves, first, replacing and second stabilizing it. Stabilization, on the other hand, usually requires flexible splints. Occasionally the immediate replacement may be impossible being necessary to use other procedure. When complete replacement is not possible.
Stereoselective Synthesis of Amphoteric α‐Haloalkenyl Boronates by Halogenative Semipinacol Rearrangement of B(MIDA)‐Propargylic Alcohols
Authors: Liu Li‐Cai , Qian Jiasheng , Duan Liyan , Wang Bin , Tu Fang‐Hai , Li Qingjiang , Wang Honggen
Published: May 2023

The facile synthesis of stereo‐defined and transformable functionality‐enriched building blocks is of great importance in modern organic chemistry, as it allows the rapid and divergent assembly of complex molecules. Herein a halogen electrophile (N‐bromosuccinimide and N‐iodosuccinimide) initiated semipinacol rearrangement reaction of B(MIDA)‐propargylic alcohols (MIDA=N‐methyliminodiacetyl) by aryl migration towards the synthesis of amphoteric α‐haloalkenyl boronates in moderate to good yields with excellent stereoselectivities is reported. The value of the products is evidenced by their ability to undergo divergent conversions to polysubstituted alkenes through manipulation of the C−B and C−X (X=Br, I) bonds and the carbonyl group.
Thienyl‐Substituted Diboranes(4): Electronic Stabilization of Radicals Versus Increased Reactivity towards Bond Activation
Authors: Schorr Fabian , Keim Timo , Arrowsmith Merle , Vargas Alfredo , Dewhurst Rian D. , Krummenacher Ivo , Braunschweig Holger
Published: May 2023

Low‐valent main group chemistry involves a balancing act between steric and electronic stabilization of the electron‐rich low oxidation state main group centers and their desired reactivity. Herein we show that the combination of sterically shielding mesityl and rotationally flexible 2‐thienyl groups, the latter having the potential to be either electronically stabilizing or activating, at a diborane(4) provides a platform for both radical anion stabilization and unusual bond activation and rearrangement reactions. The addition of a Lewis base to a 1,2‐dimesityl‐1,2‐dithienyldiborane(4) (1) results in direct and unprecedented C−H borylation of one thienyl substituent with cleavage of the B−B bond. The facile one‐electron reduction of 1 yields a stable diboron radical anion through delocalization of its unpaired electron over the entire planar 1,2‐dithienyldiboron framework, as evidenced by EPR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The two‐electron reduction of 1 with magnesium anthracene under more forcing conditions results in B−B bond cleavage and replacement of one thienyl sulfur atom by a mesitylboron moiety, leading to the formation of a magnesium complex of an η5‐diborafulvene dianion. Salt metathesis of the latter with [(η6‐p‐cymene)RuCl2] affords a mixed ruthenium sandwich complex of an η5‐borylborole dianion. Calculations highlight both the structural and electronic changes in the boron‐substituted heterocyclic C4B dianion upon switching coordination from magnesium (diborafulvene dianion) to ruthenium (borylborole dianion).
Safety, tolerability, and clinical activity of selinexor in combination with pembrolizumab in treatment of metastatic non–small cell lung cancer
Authors: Altan Mehmet , Tu Janet , Milton Denái R. , Yilmaz Bulent , Tian Yanyan , Fossella Frank V. , Mott Frank E. , Blumenschein George R. , Stephen Bettzy , Karp Daniel D. , Meric‐Bernstam Funda , Heymach John V. , Naing Aung
Published: May 2023

Background

In lung cancer, overexpression of nuclear export proteins can result in inactivation of critical tumor suppressor proteins and cell‐cycle regulators. Selective suppression of nuclear export proteins has immunomodulatory activities. Here, clinical safety and early efficacy data are presented on the combination of pembrolizumab and an oral selective nuclear export inhibitor, selinexor, for the treatment of metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC).

Methods

The primary objective of this prospective investigator‐initiated study was to determine the safety and tolerability of selinexor in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with mNSCLC. Secondary objectives included determination of objective tumor response rate, disease control rate, and progression‐free survival duration.

Results

A total of 17 patients were included in the final analysis. Fifteen (88%) received more than two lines of prior systemic therapy and 10 (59%) had prior exposure to anti–PD‐1/programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) therapy. The median age was 67.5 years. Ten patients had grade ≥3 adverse events related to selinexor treatment. Responses to treatment occurred in patients who did and did not undergo previous anti–PD‐1/PD‐L1 therapy and in patients with activating driver mutations. The median overall survival and progression‐free survival were 11.4 months (95% CI, 3.4–19.8 months) and 3.0 months (95% CI, 1.7–5.7 months), respectively. The overall response rate was 18% and the 6‐month disease control rate was 24%.

Conclusions

Selinexor in combination with pembrolizumab demonstrated promising antitumor activity in patients with mNSCLC, including those who had previously received anti–PD‐1/PD‐L1 therapy. The therapy‐related toxic effects were consistent with the prior safety data for both drugs, and no overlapping toxic effects were observed.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02419495.

Plain language summary

New strategies to prevent or reverse resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors are under investigation. Selective inhibitors of nuclear export proteins, such as selinexor, can induce restoration of tumor‐suppressing pathways and induce potent immunomodulatory activities.

This article contains the clinical safety and early efficacy data on the combination of pembrolizumab and selinexor in treatment of metastatic non–small cell lung cancer.
UML design for access control architecture in smart building application
Authors: Chaabane Mariam , Bouassida Rodriguez Ismael , Belkhiria Hamida
Published: May 2023

Cyber physical systems are complex systems to build and implement, electronic devices and concepts such as the energy saving, the user comfort and the privacy of sensitive data. In the physical world, buildings represent a major part of total energy consumption, that's why improving the energy efficiency levels of buildings is topical by which the emergence of smart buildings. Since, even if efforts are being made in normalizing the process of energy saving management while maintaining a high level of users' comfort, managing the access control in smart buildings systems remains an ad‐hoc process. This is why a number of researches focus on the design and implementation of solutions aimed at covering the process of access control management. In the context of developing a smart building application, already developed in our laboratory, we have set up an access control management system to manage users' access. We present the design of an access control architecture, using the Unified Modeling Language, upon the smart building application which is the subject of a maintenance work. The designed solution is implemented with the purpose of evolving the application to be used by multiple users. The implemented access control solution is an extended role‐based access control model.
Deep learning techniques for remote sensing image scene classification: A comprehensive review, current challenges, and future directions
Authors: Kumari Monika , Kaul Ajay
Published: May 2023

Since last decade, deep learning has made exceptional progress in various fields of artificial intelligence including image and voice recognition, natural language processing. Inspired by these successes, researchers are now applying deep learning techniques to classification of scenes in remote sensing images. The purpose of remote sensing image scene classification is to classify remote sensing scenes according to their content. These images display a complex structure due to the variety of landforms as well as the distance between the image collection instrument and earth. In our review, we discussed 76 relevant papers published on this topic over the past 6 years. The review conducts a comparison analysis based on the overall accuracy parameter to provide insight into the effectiveness of different methods on different proportions of the dataset. The five classes of techniques we describe are convolutional neural networks, autoencoders, generative adversarial networks, vision transformers, and few‐shot learning. Future directions are discussed in this review in order to enhance the effectiveness of deep learning‐based scene classification approaches. This article concludes with an overview of the proposed method to enhance the accuracy in classifying remote sensing images.
Layering of edge node for jamming attack detection and elimination in wireless sensor network
Authors: Murugaveni S. , Priyalakshmi B.
Published: May 2023

Wireless sensor network (WSN) is an environmental monitoring system exposing sensor nodes to various attacks. Jamming is an attack that disrupts the entire sensor network and affects the network's life span. The jammer broadcasts the signal at a frequency similar to the broadcast signal to jam the corresponding sensor node. There are many jamming detection schemes that only detect the jamming node, but they do not focus on eliminating the node that is not jamming. In this article, a novel strategy is used along with optimization to eliminate the disturbance in the sensor network and save the power consumed by nodes. The system uses the edge node, the sub‐edge node, and the cluster head for detection of jamming attack. Hyperbolic optimization is implemented in the cluster to eliminate data transmission failures. The proposed model considers the node's round trip time to detect jamming attacks. The optimization method considers the cluster head as the cluster member based on the probability of jamming in the network. The design is implemented and analyzed in MATLAB platform. As a result, the proposed method has improved the detection accuracy to 11.1% compared with extant techniques.
Atypical clinical features of post COVID‐19 mucormycosis: A case series
Authors: Al‐jumaily Hassanien A. , Al‐Anee Auday M. , Al‐Quisi Ahmed F.
Published: May 2023

Objectives

This case series aims to evaluate patients affected with post COVID‐19 mucormycosis from clinical presentation to surgical and pharmacological treatment to improve the disease prognosis.

Material and Methods

This case series was conducted at a specialized surgery hospital in Baghdad Medical City for over 10 months. Fifteen cases who had mild to severe COVID‐19 infections followed by symptoms similar to aggressive periodontitis, such as mobility and bone resorption around the multiple maxillary teeth, were included in this case series.

Results

All patients did not receive COVID‐19 vaccination; seven had a history of diabetes mellitus type 2, another five patients had a history of diabetes‐like syndrome during the COVID‐19 infection, and the remaining three patients had no history of any systemic diseases. No intracranial involvement was seen in all patients, and bilateral sinus involvement was seen in three patients.

Conclusion

Being highly suspicious of all patients affected with COVID‐19 is highly recommended to avoid the complications of the late diagnosis of mucormycosis. In addition, our knowledge and methods in diagnosing and treating classical mucormycosis should be modified regarding post COVID‐19 mucormycosis.
Iron deficiency anemia detection using machine learning models: A comparative study of fingernails, palm and conjunctiva of the eye images
Authors: Asare Justice Williams , Appiahene Peter , Donkoh Emmanuel Timmy , Dimauro Giovanni
Published: May 2023

Anemia is one of the global public health challenges that particularly affect children and pregnant women. A study by WHO indicates that 42% of children below the age of 6 and 40% of pregnant women worldwide are anemic. This affects the world's total population by 33%, due to the cause of iron deficiency. The non‐invasive technique, such as the use of machine learning algorithms is one of the methods used in the diagnosis or detection of clinical diseases, which anemia detection cannot be overlooked in recent days. In this study, a machine learning approach was used to detect iron‐deficiency anemia with the application of Naïve Bayes, CNN, SVM, k‐NN, and decision tree algorithms. This enabled us to compare the conjunctiva of the eyes, the palpable palm, and the color of the fingernail images to justify which of them has a higher accuracy for detecting anemia in children. The method utilized was categorized into three different stages: dataset collection, dataset preprocessing, and model development for anemia detection. The CNN achieved a higher accuracy of 99.12%, while the SVM had the least accuracy of 95.4%. The performance of the models justifies that the non‐invasive approach is an effective mechanism for anemia detection.
Analysis of food security using various indicators for policy implications: Empirical evidence from the two large cities of Bahir Dar and Gondar, the Amhara region, Ethiopia
Authors: Mekonen Dersolegn , Bazezew Arega , Anteneh Mesfin , Kassie Tesfahun
Published: May 2023

Sustainable urbanisation assumes the maintenance of nearby wetlands and farms from an environmental standpoint. With rare exceptions, Third World cities are systematically urbanising, polluting and destroying their vital environmental support systems. For instance, uncollected trash frequently covers open areas in cities, creating mini‐utopias for rodents and mosquito‐borne disease carriers. The persistent gaps in the rates of waste production and disposal are frequently startling. Urban migration, unemployment, food prices, and growing rental housing costs have emerged as major urban problems in many Ethiopian cities. The study's primary objective was to analyse the status of food security indicators experienced by urban households and their coping mechanisms for policy implications using empirical data. The study used a mixed method research strategy that combines quantitative and qualitative research methods. Focus groups, key informant interviews, and questionnaire surveys were used to collect the data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to assess the data gathered. In development studies, establishing exact, accurate, trustworthy and meaningful indicators of urban food security continue to be difficult. Despite the developing world's significant incidence of food insecurity being acknowledged, the precise number of people who lack access to food and the extent to which they are impacted remain unknown. Food security measures, such as the dietary energy supply (DES), household dietary diversity score (HDDS), and reduced coping strategy index (rCSI), were used to identify households that were food insecure. The survey found that 54% of households consumed less than 2100 kcal per adult daily and experienced food insecurity. A baseline of 2100 kcal per adult equivalent per day revealed that 56.7% of families in Bahir Dar and 52.7% of households in Gondar experienced food insecurity. Less than four food groups were consumed by 64% of households, which is far below the FAO's recommendation. The findings also showed that eating fewer meals per day, choosing fewer quality foods, and limiting portion sizes at times were the most often used coping mechanisms during food shocks. The overall findings of the study highlight an urgent need for actions that might increase the food security of the urban poor, such as price stability, the building of communal housing, enabling micro‐finance and providing starting money.
A new HNO3 digestion procedure for Re–Os isotope analysis and its implications for organic‐rich sedimentary rocks and mafic rocks
Authors: Zhao Bingshuang , Long Xiaoping , Li Jie , Shen Anjiang , He Xunyun
Published: May 2023

The precision of available Re–Os isotope analysis for organic‐rich sedimentary (ORS) rocks is influenced by the coexisting clastic and organic components and the considerable differences between Re and Os mass fractions in such rocks. Here, we present a new method to analyse Re–Os isotopes of organic‐rich sedimentary (ORS) rocks by thermal ionization mass spectrometry. Nitric acid (HNO3) was used as the single digestion medium, and this method mainly relies on HNO3 at the optimum digestion condition, which can both equilibrate Os isotope between spike and sample and prevent the dissolving of clastic particles as many as possible especially the non‐aqueous elements inside. After a series of condition experiments, our data demonstrate that digestion temperatures and durations play important roles not only on the equilibrium between sample and spike, but also on the dissolving‐out quantity of non‐aqueous Re and Os elements. The optimum condition of 24 h and 230°C (the obtained Re and Os concentrations for the oil shale reference material SGR‐1b, and the 187Os/188Os ratios are 33.44 ± 0.09 ng/g, 0.4452 ± 0.0107 ng/g and 1.7822 ± 0.0439, n = 3, 1SD) can produce the Re–Os isotopic ratios of ORS at a precise level, and restrain the liberation of clastic Re and Os. This method at the digestion condition of 24 h and 230°C, therefore, will increase the accuracy of Re–Os isotope analysis of ORS on the basis of low blank and high efficiency. When this method is used for olivine tholeiite reference materials (BIR‐1a), the result demonstrates that the Os isotopes of mafic rocks do not produce fractionation when the temperature is higher than 200°C during the HNO3 digestion.
Chiral Crystals, Jack, Conductivity and Magnetism
Authors: Kahr Bart , Yang Yongfan , Whittaker St. John , Shtukenberg Alexander G. , Lee Stephanie
Published: May 2023

Recently, the application of magnetic fields to chiral chemical systems has been rewarding. In a forward‐looking 1986 paper, ‘Chiral Metals?’, Wallis, Karrer, and Jack D. Dunitz forecast ‘that the limitation to proper symmetry elements in a chiral conductor could be associated with the emergence of new properties, those connected with interactions between applied electric and magnetic fields and their internal counterparts.’ This was a prescient remark, but it has become manifest in ways that would not have been foreseen in its details by the authors. Here are reviewed the development of chiral conductors broadly imagined by Dunitz and coworkers, based on enantiopure tetrathiafulvalene derivatives that restrict space groups to those that have only symmetry operations of the first kind, as well as the new emergent properties associated with the transport of electrons when magnetic fields are applied to chiral crystals among other systems. These include electrical magnetochiral anisotropy (eMChA), inverse electrical magnetochiral anisotropy (ieMChA), helimagnetism and chirality induced spin selectivity (CISS). The conclusion discussing the circumstances under which achiral TTF crystals becomes chiral, only seems to introduce an oxymoron.
Differences in prenatal diagnosis rate of congenital anomalies associated with singletons and multiple births: An observational study of more than 1.9 million births in Zhejiang Province, eastern China, during 2012–2018
Authors: Chen Lijin , Wen Hong , Lou Haifeng , Chen Xinning , Chen Danqing , Zhu Shankuan , Zhang Xiaohui
Published: May 2023

Objective

To characterize differences in the prenatal detection of congenital anomalies (CAs) associated with singleton and multiple births.

Methods

This observational study covered all births registered in the CA surveillance system in Zhejiang Province of China during 2012–2018. Differences in the incidence and characteristics between singletons and multiple births with CAs were tested. Multivariate logistic regression models were performed to explore the associations of prenatal detection rate of CAs with multiple births.

Results

Totals of 49 872 singletons and 3324 multiple births with CAs were analyzed. The mean incidences of CA for single and multiple births were 27.12 and 54.42 per 1000 births, respectively. After adjustment for covariates, CAs associated with multiple births were less likely to be diagnosed prenatally (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.34–0.43), as were congenital heart defects, congenital hydrocephalus, cleft lip with cleft palate, cleft lip without cleft palate, limb reduction defects, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, trisomy 21 syndrome, congenital malformation of the urinary system, and other chromosomal malformation, compared with singletons with CAs.

Conclusion

Multiple birth is associated with a significantly higher risk of CA, but a significantly lower prenatal diagnosis rate. Therefore, the healthcare of women with multiple pregnancy and their fetuses should be strengthened.