bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unruptured Pseudoaneurysm of Cystic Artery: A Case Report
Authors: Rajyaguru Ajay , Singh Sachin , Savani Mitesh , Bhatt Jatin
Published: January 2023

Cystic Artery Pseudoaneurysm (CAP) is a rare, abnormal dilation of the artery supplying the gallbladder. The main causes could be acute cholecystitis and iatrogenic injury during cholecystectomy. Ruptured pseudoaneurysm of cystic artery generally presents with haemobilia, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding or intraperitoneal bleeding. Only a few cases of unruptured CAP are reported that are successfully treated with open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This case is one of the rare cases of unruptured CAP where a 78-year-old female patient who was a known case of hypothyroidism, presented with upper abdominal pain and vomiting, diagnosed with acute calculous cholecystitis with CAP. She was managed with laparoscopic cholecystectomy, converted to open cholecystectomy and discharged with uneventful postoperative period. Due to the high risk of rupture, the patient required urgent surgical intervention either by open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy by a skilled laparoscopic surgeon. The operating need for conversion to laparotomy should be considered neither a failure nor a complication but an attempt to avoid intra and postoperative complications.
Women’s Participation in Leadership in Schools and Local Government in Ibumu and Image Wards in Kilolo District, Iringa Region,Tanzania
Authors: Mwahombela Lucas
Published: January 2023

This study assessed women’s participation in decision making at schools and political leadership at local government in Ibumu and Image Ward in Kilolo District, Iringa region, Tanzania. It also assessed factors contributing to women’s underrepresentation in leadership positions and low levels of their participation in decision making and what should be done in order to enable them have equal access to decision making and leadership. The study was conducted in Kilolo District. The study was guided by questions focusing on how women participated in decision making and leadership, reasons for the situation and strategies to address women’s low level of participation in decision making and leadership. The methods of data collection were semi-structured interviews, document analysis and observations. Data were analyzed using a thematic framework. The findings revealed that very few women participate in decision making and leadership positions due to lack of education, men were not ready to allow women to participate in decision making. The basis for the lack of women participation, came from threats from husbands, antiquated traditions and customs, family responsibilities, lack of confidence in women and stereotypes. Male leaders held most top political leadership position and were the main decision makers.
Incidence of Pencil and Pen Eye Injury among Children in Anambra State, South-East, Nigeria: Ten Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Anajekwu Cosmas Chinedu , Eze Gloria Chizoba
Published: January 2023

Background: Eye injuries constitute a significant portion of most ophthalmologic consultations and ocular emergencies with grave consequences, especially in children, if not managed well early enough. Traumatic eye damage is the leading cause of monocular blindness worldwide. This study aimed to determine the incidence, circumstances and types of ocular injury among children in Anambra state, South-East, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: A ten- year retrospective study of 211 children aged below 18 years who presented with eye trauma in two mission hospitals in Anambra State, Nigeria. Case file of children with ocular trauma were retrieved from the medical records and those with pencil and pen injury isolated. Required information was extracted from the case files and recorded in a pro-forma. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science, Version 20 (SPSS-20).

Results: The incidence of pencil/pen eye injury was 10.9% (23/211). The injuries were commoner in males (M:F=1.6:1) and in those aged five years and below. Stab injuries constituted 56.5% (13) of the injuries while 34.8% (8) were missile injuries. Forty-six percent (6) of the stab injuries were self-inflicted with two-third of this being in children younger than five years. Corneal laceration, followed by anterior uveitis, was the commonest form of eye injury.

Conclusion: There is a high incidence of pencil and pen injury in South-East, Nigerian children. Although visual prognosis is good with early presentation and treatment, adequate preventive measures should be put in place to forestall the occurrence of this potentially blinding condition in children.
Qualitative Evaluation of Germinated Multi-Millet-Based Functional Snack Product
Authors: Anurag . , Garg Amar P.
Published: January 2023

Considering the health benefits of extruding germinated multi-millet grains, the current study emphasizes the extrusion processing of multi-millet grain blends (sorghum millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, pearl millet, and rice) in various ratios of 11.5:11.5:11.5:11.5:6:4 to produce nutritionally important expanded snack products. The extrusion process was adjusted for all multi-millet grain preparations under a controlled moisture content of 20-21% (w.b.), at a most stable die (with 3mm diameter) temperature of 130°C, and a constant screw speed of 270 rpm for efficient extrusion processing. Results showed that the best-studied extruded snack product was T3 over T1 and T2. The suitability of T3 over T1 and T2 was based on its physicochemical properties, such as a high expansion ratio, low bulk density, low hardness, low moisture content, and a high water absorption index, while the water solubility index showed a negative correlation. The developed extruded snack product of the highest overall acceptable sensory properties was obtained from T3.
Identification of Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae Causing Leaf Blight Disease of Thaumatococcus daniellii (Benn.) Benth (Sweet Prayer Plant)
Authors: Anucha J. , Ikechi-Nwogu C. G. , Nwachukwu E. O.
Published: January 2023

This study is aimed at isolating and identifying the common fungal pathogens causing leaf blight disease of Thaumatococcus daniellii known as the sweet prayer plant, using the molecular technique. It is a highly nutritional plant, used as laxatives, venom antidote, sedative and in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Despite its global popularity owing to the usefulness of the leaves in food wrapping and packaging, it has been observed that the plants suffer severe leaf blight disease caused by fungal pathogens. Samples of leaves showing disease symptoms were collected from the Umuakali community in Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State between June 2021 and October 2022. Fungal isolates were collected from leaves and morphologically identified. The DNA of the most common fungal isolate, SPP-01, was molecularly characterized using Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS-1) molecular markers. Sequences obtained were subjected to BLAST search in the GenBank database. The morphological results indicated that the SPP- 01 isolate was a Lasiodiplodia species. The molecular weight of the DNA of the isolate was over 550 Base Pairs. Based on sequence similarity, the DNA sequence of the isolate was 99% identical to Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae. A pathogenicity test of the isolated pathogen was carried out. Therefore, these findings showed that L. pseudotheobromae is the causal fungal pathogen of leaf blight disease of the sweet prayer plant. It is expected that this finding will promote the acquaintance of the fungal species associated with the sweet prayer plant and provide information for developing an effective disease management strategy for mitigating the losses caused by L. pseudotheobromae and also provide the basis for further study of potential mycotoxin effect of consuming disease leaves. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of molecular characterization of L. pseudotheobromae infesting sweet prayer plant in Rivers State.
Optimization of RNA Extraction Protocol for Rat Skeletal Muscle Samples
Authors: Felipe Stela Mirla da Silva , Pacheco Christina , Martins Jonathan Elias Rodrigues , Freitas Raquel Martins de , Oliveira Paulo Elesson Guimarães de , Mendes Sávio Victor Diógenes , Alves Juliana Osório , Ceccatto Vânia Marilande
Published: January 2023

Aims: The present study aimed to stablish and characterize an optimized protocol conformation to obtain adequate RNA quality from rodents skeletal muscle samples for sequencing studies.

Place and Duration of Study: The in vivo experiments and analyses were performed in the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Gene Expression – LABIEX of the Superior Institute of Biomedical Science – ISCB from the State University of Ceará - UECE. Between 2017-2020.

Methodology: Were used 23 samples from male Wistar rat skeletal muscle, specifically from soleus muscle. Total RNA extraction was performed using the classic TRIzol® method and commercial kit, merging steps from both. Capillary electrophoresis in the Bioanalyzer platform was used for RNA quality evaluation.

Results: (C) Analyzes of adapted protocol RNA concentration, RIN and rate 28S/18S showed satisfactory results. 28S/18S Ribosomal bands appear well defined, without small traces, which indicates RNA with high integrity and without contamination of genomic DNA.

Conclusion: Obtained RNA quality and integrity data satisfied the exigencies for posterior RNA-seq.
Knowledge and attitude of university students about the use of condoms as a method to prevent / Conhecimento e atitude de universitários sobre o uso do preservativo como método de prevenção
Authors: Da Silva Moreira Anderson , Cavalcante de Melo Géssyca , Santos Silva Yhasmin , Thereza dos Santos Paixão Julya
Published: January 2023

Objetivos: analisar o conhecimento e a atitude de universitários da área da saúde sobre o uso do preservativo como método de prevenção das infecções sexualmente transmissíveis e comparar o grupo de participantes que já tiveram relações sexuais dos que ainda não tiveram. Metodologia: estudo descritivo, transversal e quantitativo, sobre conhecimento e atitude. Foi executado em formato on-line durante o período de setembro a dezembro de 2021. A análise de dados foi realizada por meio dos softwares JASP 0.9.1.0 e BioEstat 5.0. Resultados: dos 219 participantes, 96 (43.8%) possuíam conhecimento inadequado e 116 (53.0%) atitude inadequada acerca do uso do preservativo. O conhecimento inadequado esteve associado com a faixa etária (p=0.008) e relacionamento (p=0.000); a atitude inadequada com a faixa etária (p=0.001), ano acadêmico em curso (p=0.040), religião (p=0.005) e relacionamento (p=0.000). Conclusão: são importante ações voltadas ao aumento do conhecimento, o que possibilita melhores atitudes sobre o uso de preservativos.
Low‐Density Multilayer Graphdiyne Film with Excellent Energy Dissipation Capability under Micro‐Ballistic Impact
Authors: Xiao Kailu , Jin Weiyue , Liu Huibiao , Huang Chenguang , Li Yuliang , Wu Xianqian
Published: January 2023

Dynamical performance of multilayer graphdiyne (MLGDY) with ultra‐low density and flexible features is investigated using laser‐induced micro‐projectile impact testing (LIPIT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results reveal that the MLGDY exhibits excellent dynamic energy dissipation ability mainly due to the excellent in‐plane wave velocity resulting from the diacetylene linkages between benzene rings. In addition, the unique multiple crack tips and their propagation further promote the energy dissipation capability. The energy dissipation capability of the MLGDY is found to reduce with increasing thickness due to compression‐shear induced failure of several upper layers of relatively thick MLGDY, which hinders delocalized energy dissipation ability. Moreover, the impact resistance force of the MLGDY increases almost linearly with increasing impact velocity, demonstrating the applicability of the traditional compressive resistance theory of laminates for MLGDY. Based on the experimental observation and the simulation results, two feasible strategies, i.e., combining with high‐strength multi‐layer graphene and rotated graphdiyne (GDY) interlayer to avoid stacking of sp‐hybridized carbon atoms, are proposed to further improve the impact resistance of the MLGDY. The study provides direct proof of excellent impact resistance of the versatile MLGDY and proposes feasible fabrication strategies to further improve the anti‐ballistic performance in future.
Rational Design of Electrode Materials for Advanced Supercapacitors: From Lab Research to Commercialization
Authors: Huang Jun , Xie Yuanpeng , You Yang , Yuan Jili , Xu Qinqin , Xie Haibo , Chen Yiwang
Published: January 2023

Supercapacitors can harvest electrical energy from intermittent sources and transfer it quickly, but their specific energy must be raised if they are applied to efficiently power wearable and flexible electronics, as well as larger equipment. However, the remaining big gap between the lab research and practical applications seriously hinders the further progress of advanced supercapacitors, especially for electrode materials. Consequently, from a commercial/usable perspective, a clear guideline from lab research to commercialization is highly desired for bringing advanced supercapacitors from basic research into reality. This review focuses on the key factors of advanced supercapacitors from lab research to commercialization and summarizes recent progress in the field of supercapacitors as well as outlines key perspectives for future research. First, the several energy storage mechanisms are illustrated for building better supercapacitors. Then, the up‐to‐date key achievements and progresses of smart methods toward high‐energy supercapacitors and effective strategies for commercial‐level mass‐loading as well as high packing density electrodes are summarized and commented upon. Also, integrated systems of supercapacitors and application fields of commercial supercapacitors are also highlighted. Subsequently, future research directions are presented here to guide research toward the commercialization of advanced supercapacitors.
Highly Transparent and Mechanically Robust Energy‐harvestable Piezocomposite with Embedded 1D P(VDF‐TrFE) Nanofibers and Single‐walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Kim Kiyong , Lee Sangsu , Nam Jeong‐Seok , Joo Minkyeong , Mikladal Bjørn , Zhang Qiang , Kauppinen Esko I. , Jeon Il , An Seongpil
Published: January 2023

Herein, highly transparent, flexible, and ultrathin piezocomposite, in which electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF‐TrFE)] nanofibers (NFs) and aerosol‐synthesized single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are embedded in elastomer matrix, is fabricated. The P(VDF‐TrFE) NF mat is exploited as a piezoelectric layer of the piezocomposite while the SWCNT film is applied as a transparent conductive electrode thereof. The use of these 1D nanomaterials allows the piezocomposite not only to be high transparency along with low diffusion of light (i.e., haze factor) but also to exhibit enhanced mechanical properties. In addition, the coupling effect of piezo‐ and flexoelectricity exhibited from the electrospun NFs and the acid‐doping effect conducted on the SWCNTs facilitates a significant improvement in kinetic energy‐harvesting performance, leading to a maximum output voltage of 26.8 V. Moreover, electrospinning and aerosol chemical vapor deposition methods employed here are facile, scalable, and cost‐effective, thus are expected to accelerate the development of industrially feasible next‐generation wearable electronics.
Highly Flexible Infrared Emitter with Spatially Controlled Emissivity for Optical Security
Authors: Kang Dongkyun , Kim Yeongseon , Kim Chanhee , Lee Myeongkyu
Published: January 2023

Engineering the infrared (IR) emissivity of a material or structure is crucial for a variety of fields, including thermal camouflage, radiative cooling, personal thermal management, and optical security. For practical and wide‐spread use, the emitter should possess high mechanical flexibility while maintaining the capabilities of space‐selectively and dynamically controlling its emissivity. In this paper, an optical resonator consisting of a Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) layer on top of a thin metal reflector stationed on a flexible substrate is presented as an IR emitter that satisfies the aforementioned requirements. A laser‐induced phase change from amorphous to crystalline GST enables dynamic tuning of the local emissivity of the resonator. This study illustrates that although GST is a brittle material, the emitters fabricated on plastic and paper substrates are highly robust against bending up to a radius of curvature of 0.5 cm. Moreover, visible light and IR images can be independently recorded in the same region by employing a spatially modulated laser beam owing to the multispectral properties of GST. The fact that a single emitter can exhibit different visible and IR images is particularly attractive for optical security applications, including anti‐forgery. This feature is experimentally demonstrated using white paper and color‐printed paper.
Gate‐Tunable Anisotropic Oxygen Ion Migration in SrCoOx: Toward Emerging Oxide‐Based Artificial Synapses
Authors: Miao Tingting , Cui Bin , Huang Cungang , Wang Di , Liu Long , Liu Weikang , Li Yongzhe , Chu Ruiyue , Ren Xue , Liu Liang , Cheng Bin , Zhou Guangjun , Qin Hongwei , Xing Guozhong , Hu Jifan
Published: January 2023

The construction of artificial synapse based on the electric field‐controlled ion migration has been developed to be a prospective approach to achieving intelligent devices with advantage of low‐energy consumption. However, it is still a very challenging task for artificial synapses to imitate the complex synapse diversity of biological system. Herein, the ionic liquid gating induced oxygen ion migration to realize the reversible phase transition between insulating SrCoO2.5and metallic SrCoO3with anisotropic dynamics due to the fast oxygen transport channel along [110] crystal orientation is used. The crystal orientation‐dependent oxygen ion migration and resultant metal–insulator transition offer an intriguing opportunity to build up a variety of artificial synapses with different performances, like excitatory or inhibitory characters, learning accuracy, and cooperation capability. Our findings not only give an insight into the anisotropic ion migration in oxides but also could be a fundamental step toward the development of diverse oxide‐based artificial neural networks.
A New Force‐Decoupling Triaxial Tactile Sensor Based on Elastic Microcones for Accurately Grasping Feedback
Authors: Gu Yiding , Zhang Ting , Li Jian , Zheng Chaoyue , Yang Mingye , Li Shibin
Published: January 2023

Tactile sensor capable of detecting both normal and tangential forces is essential for the next‐generation robotic electronics. However, designing a reliable triaxial tactile sensor to decouple the normal and tangential forces is still a challenge for current research. Herein, a capacitive triaxial force sensor based on a microcone dielectric layer together with the force decoupling method is proposed. The lateral and vertical displacement of the top electrode relative to the bottom electrodes under the action of external forces can be perfectly detected according to the capacitance variations. The microcone‐structured sensor combined with the new decoupling method leads to a high sensitivity of 3.5 kPa−1 for normal force in a low‐pressure range of 0––50 Pa and 0.134 N−1 for tangential force in 0–0.5 N, and a fast response time of 26 ms. The sensors mounted on the fingers of a robotic arm can provide effective tactile information during the grasping task. Finally, a conceptual 3 × 3 tactile sensor array is fabricated and verified for spatial pressure mapping. This work provides new insight into piezocapacitive tactile sensor design and shows its great potential in robotic applications.
Earthworm‐Inspired Multi‐Material, Adaptive Strain‐Limiting, Hybrid Actuators for Soft Robots
Authors: Xiong Quan , Ang Benjamin W. K. , Jin Tao , Ambrose Jonathan W. , Yeow Raye C. H.
Published: January 2023

This research presents a new class of versatile multi‐material hybrid actuators (MASH actuators), powered by pneumatics and electrostatic adhesion (EA)‐based adaptive strain‐limiting layers. Soft pneumatic actuators with strain‐limiting layers as the mainstream actuation for soft robotics have been developed for decades. However, due to their permanent strain‐limiting layers, those actuators possess fewer motion patterns. Inspired by the longitudinal muscles of the earthworm, a concept of an adaptive strain‐limiting layer with the ability to vary its length, stiffness, and position is presented. By integrating two flexible EA brakes into a soft pneumatic actuator as adaptive strain‐limiting layers, the actuator can achieve multiple motion patterns including extension, contraction, and bilateral bending, with permutations among these motions. The EA‐based strain‐limiting layer can increase the original actuator length by up to 86%, and the baseline actuator stiffness by up to 605%. To demonstrate its potential in locomotion and manipulation, an earthworm‐inspired crawling robot possessing great terrain adaptability and a versatile soft robotic gripper based on this hybrid actuator concept are developed.
Data‐Driven Design of Electrically Conductive Nanocomposite Materials: A Case Study of Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene/Carbon Nanotube Binary Composites
Authors: So Changrok , Kim Young-Shin , Park Jong Hyuk , Kim Gwan-Yeong , Cha Daniel , Ko Jong Hwan , Kang Boseok
Published: January 2023

The field of polymer‐based nanoscience has always been of significant interest in the search for polymer/carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites with optimized material properties for new applications. Herein, it is demonstrated that data collected from the online literature can be used to develop an efficient deep learning model to design acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS)/CNT binary composites. A dataset of 14 945 data points is constructed from 110 studies. The results demonstrate that compared with a vanilla deep regression model, the proposed model achieves a 26% lower average mean absolute error and an accuracy of 80.6%, which is 16.2% higher than the vanilla deep regression model in predicting the six electrical and mechanical properties of target ABS/CNT composites. In addition, a Monte Carlo simulation integrated with the developed deep neural network (DNN) model effectively screens input variables for users and thus appropriately guides them to manufacture a composite product with desired physical properties.
Analysis of trait–performance–fitness relationships reveals pollinator‐mediated selection on orchid pollination traits
Authors: Rodríguez‐Otero Cristina , Hedrén Mikael , Friberg Magne , Opedal Øystein H.
Published: January 2023

Premise

The role of pollinators in evolutionary floral divergence has spurred substantial effort into measuring pollinator‐mediated phenotypic selection and its variation in space and time. For such estimates, the fitness consequences of pollination processes must be separated from other factors affecting fitness.

Methods

We built a fitness function linking phenotypic traits of food‐deceptive orchids to female reproductive success by including pollinator visitation and pollen deposition as intermediate performance components and used the fitness function to estimate the strength of pollinator‐mediated selection through female reproductive success. We also quantified male performance as pollinarium removal and assessed similarity in trait effects on male and female performance.

Results

The proportion of plants visited at least once by an effective pollinator was moderate to high, ranging from 53.7% to 85.1%. Tall, many‐flowered plants were often more likely to be visited and pollinated. Given effective pollination, pollen deposition onto stigmas tended to be more likely for taller plants. Pollen deposition further depended on traits affecting the physical fit of pollinators to flowers (flower size, spur length), though the exact relationships varied in time and space. Using the fitness function to assess pollinator‐mediated selection through female reproductive success acting on multiple traits, we found that selection varied detectably among taxa after accounting for sampling uncertainty. Across taxa, selection on most traits was stronger on average and more variable when pollination was less reliable.

Conclusions

These results support pollination‐related trait–performance–fitness relationships and thus pollinator‐mediated selection on traits functionally involved in the pollination process.
Examination of potentially modifiable dementia risk factors across the adult life course: The Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Hwang Phillip H. , Ang Ting Fang Alvin , De Anda‐Duran Ileana , Liu Xue , Liu Yulin , Gurnani Ashita , Mez Jesse , Auerbach Sanford , Joshi Prajakta , Yuan Jing , Devine Sherral , Au Rhoda , Liu Chunyu
Published: January 2023

INTRODUCTION

We examined for associations between potentially modifiable risk factors across the adult life course and incident dementia.

METHODS

Participants from the Framingham Heart Study were included (n = 4015). Potential modifiable risk factors included education, alcohol intake, smoking, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, social network, diabetes, and hypertension. Cox models were used to examine associations between each factor and incident dementia, stratified by early adult life (33–44 years), midlife (45–65 years), and late life (66–80 years).

RESULTS

Increased dementia risk was associated with diabetes (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07–2.46) and physical inactivity (HR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.12–2.20) in midlife, and with obesity (HR = 1.76; 95% CI = 1.08–2.87) in late life. Having multiple potential modifiable risk factors in midlife and late life was associated with greater risk.

DISCUSSION

Potentially modifiable risk factors individually have limited impact on dementia risk in this population across the adult life course, although in combination they may have a synergistic effect.

Highlights

Diabetes and physical inactivity in midlife is associated with increased dementia risk.

Obesity in late life is associated with increased dementia risk.

Having more potentially modifiable risk factors in midlife and late life is associated with greater dementia risk.
Organic Additive‐derived Films on Cu Electrodes Promote Electrochemical CO2 Reduction to C2+ Products Under Strongly Acidic Conditions
Authors: Nie Weixuan , Heim Gavin P. , Watkins Nicholas B. , Agapie Theodor , Peters Jonas C.
Published: January 2023

Electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2R) at low pH is desired for high CO2 utilization; the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains a challenge. High alkali cation concentration at a high operating current density has recently been used to promote electrochemical CO2R at low pH. Herein we report an alternative approach to selective CO2R (>70 % Faradaic efficiency for C2+ products, FEC2+) at low pH (pH 2; H3PO4/KH2PO4) and low potassium concentration ([K+]=0.1 M) using organic film‐modified polycrystalline copper (Modified‐Cu). Such an electrode effectively mitigates HER due to attenuated proton transport. Modified‐Cu still achieves high FEC2+ (45 % with Cu foil /55 % with Cu GDE) under 1.0 M H3PO4 (pH≈1) at low [K+] (0.1 M), even at low operating current, conditions where HER can otherwise dominate.
Einseitige Borat‐Veresterung während enzymatischer Nukleosid‐phosphorolyse: Scheinbare Gleichgewichtsverschiebungen und kinetische Auswirkungen**
Authors: Kaspar Felix , Brandt Felix , Westarp Sarah , Eilert Lea , Kemper Sebastian , Kurreck Anke , Neubauer Peter , Jacob Christoph R. , Schallmey Anett
Published: January 2023

Biokatalytische Nukleosid(trans‐)glykosylierungen mithilfe von Nukleosidphosphorylasen haben sich zu einem praktischen und bequemen Ansatz zur Herstellung von modifizierten Nukleosiden entwickelt, die wichtige Pharmazeutika für die Behandlung verschiedener Krebsarten und Virusinfektionen darstellen. Die bei diesen Reaktionen erzielten Ausbeuten werden jedoch im Allgemeinen ausschließlich durch die inhärenten thermodynamischen Eigenschaften der beteiligten Nukleoside bestimmt, was den biokatalytischen Zugang zu vielen begehrten Nukleosidanaloga erschwert. Wir beschreiben hier einen Ansatz zur Manipulation der Ausbeuten in solchen Reaktionssystemen. Wir zeigen wie eine entropisch getriebene, einseitige Veresterung von Nukleosiden gegenüber Ribosylphosphaten mit anorganischem Borat zu scheinbaren Gleichgewichtsverschiebungen in Phosphorolyse‐ und Glykosylierungsreaktionen führt. Darüber hinaus beschreiben wir die kinetischen Implikationen einer solchen in situ‐Veresterung der Reaktanten für eine Modell‐Phosphorylase.
Metalloallostery and Transition Metal Signaling: Bioinorganic Copper Chemistry Beyond Active Sites
Authors: Pham Vanha N. , Chang Christopher J.
Published: January 2023

Transition metal chemistry is essential to life, where metal binding to DNA, RNA, and proteins underpins all facets of the central dogma of biology. In this context, metals in proteins are typically studied as static active site cofactors. However, the emergence of transition metal signaling, where mobile metal pools can transiently bind to biological targets beyond active sites, is expanding this conventional view of bioinorganic chemistry. This Minireview focuses on the concept of metalloallostery, using copper as a canonical example of how metals can regulate protein function by binding to remote allosteric sites (e.g., exosites). We summarize advances in and prospects for the field, including imaging dynamic transition metal signaling pools, allosteric inhibition or activation of protein targets by metal binding, and metal‐dependent signaling pathways that underlie nutrient vulnerabilities in diseases spanning obesity, fatty liver disease, cancer, and neurodegeneration.
Metal‐free hydroarylation derived ferrocene‐dihydrocoumarin as ultrasensitive dual‐channel probe selectively for picric acid
Authors: Srivastava Suman , Tamrakar Arpna , Joshi Sandeep , Pandey Mrituanjay D. , Pandey Rampal
Published: January 2023

4‐Ferrocenyl‐6,7‐dimethoxy‐3,4‐dihydrocoumarin (3) was synthesized by intermolecular hydroarylation of phenol from β‐ferrocene acrylic acid, and structure has been thoroughly characterized and confirmed by analysing X‐ray single‐crystal data. Compound 3 serves as highly selective fluorescent probe towards explosive picric acid (PA) through quenching of fluorescence in aqueous media. Probe 3 ensures high selectivity for PA in the background presence of various nitroaromatics, anions, cations and some phenols. The LoD for PA has been estimated to be 25.0 ppb using fluorescent probe 3. Binding stoichiometry and binding site of 3 towards PA have been supported by Job's plot, ESI‐mass, performing NMR titration and eventually by developing a model compound 4‐ferrocenyl‐3,4‐dihydrocoumarin 4, which strongly suggested 6,7‐dimethoxy groups as best probable binding site for PA. Overall, present approach deals with development of a ferrocenyl‐dihydrocoumarin conjugate for highly selective and ultrasensitive ‘turn‐off’ fluorescent probe for PA, which has been well‐supported through rational spectral analyses as well as through synthesizing a model compound.
Construction of an Aspergillus oryzae triple amylase deletion mutant as a chassis to evaluate industrially relevant amylases using multiplex CRISPR/Cas9 editing technology
Authors: Haeger Gerrit , Grankin Alina , Wagner Michaela
Published: January 2023

Aspergillus oryzae is an industrially relevant organism for the secretory production of heterologous enzymes, especially amylases. The activities of potential heterologous amylases, however, cannot be quantified directly from the supernatant due to the high background activity of native α‐amylase. This activity is caused by the gene products of amyA, amyB, and amyC. In this study, an in vitro CRISPR/Cas9 system was established in A. oryzae to delete these genes simultaneously. First, pyrG of A. oryzae NSAR1 was mutated by exploiting NHEJ to generate a counter‐selection marker. Next, all amylase genes were deleted simultaneously by co‐transforming a repair template carrying pyrG of Aspergillus nidulans and flanking sequences of amylase gene loci. The rate of obtained triple knock‐outs was 47%. We showed that triple knockouts do not retain any amylase activity in the supernatant. The established in vitro CRISPR/Cas9 system was used to achieve sequence‐specific knock‐in of target genes. The system was intended to incorporate a single copy of the gene of interest into the desired host for the development of screening methods. Therefore, an integration cassette for the heterologous Fpi amylase was designed to specifically target the amyB locus. The site‐specific integration rate of the plasmid was 78%, with exceptional additional integrations. Integration frequency was assessed via qPCR and directly correlated with heterologous amylase activity. Hence, we could compare the efficiency between two different signal peptides. In summary, we present a strategy to exploit CRISPR/Cas9 for gene mutation, multiplex knock‐out, and the targeted knock‐in of an expression cassette in A. oryzae. Our system provides straightforward strain engineering and paves the way for development of fungal screening systems.
Tert‐Butyl Nitrite‐initiated C−N Bond Cleavage of 1‐Nitromethyl‐N‐aryltetrahydroisoquinolines: Synthesis of Furoxans with N−NO Skeleton
Authors: Sun Zheng , Zhang Shuwei , Ma Qiyuan , Li Yuemei , Ding Han , Yuan Yu , Jia Xiaodong
Published: January 2023

A series of furoxan derivatives with N‐nitroso groups were synthesized in good yields by TBN initiated radical sp3 C−N bond cleavage of 1‐nitromethyl‐N‐aryltetrahydroisoquinolines. This reaction grafts the biologically important furoxan skeleton and N‐nitroso group into on molecule, greatly improving the molecular complexity in one step transformation. The mechanistic study shows that this reaction is mediated by the in situ generated α‐carbonyl nitrile oxide, which is afforded by TBN promoted C−N bond cleavage.
Scaffold hopping strategy to derive 4‐hydroxy‐1‐alkyl‐2‐oxo‐1,2‐dihydrothieno[2,3‐b:4,5‐b′]dipyridine‐3‐carbonylglycine derivatives as a novel hypoxia‐inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase domain inhibitor for the potential treatment of chronic kidney disease anemia
Authors: Park Ga Young , Park Cheoul‐Hong , Lee Sang Kwang , Im Chun Young , Kim Soong‐Hyun , Hwang Hee Jong , Lee Jieon , Lee Taeho , Hong Yong Rae , Song Minsoo
Published: January 2023

Derivatives of 4‐hydroxy‐1‐alkyl‐2‐oxo‐1,2‐dihydrothieno[2,3‐b:4,5‐b′]dipyridine‐3‐carbonylglycine were developed as a novel hypoxia‐inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD) inhibitor. The chemical space of the tricyclic 4‐hydroxypyridinyl glycines was examined thoroughly during our optimization study. One of our most potent compounds 12ar exhibits superior enzymatic activity to the known PHD inhibitors that are in the late stage of clinical studies. The functional efficacy of our PHD inhibitors was confirmed via the increased level of erythropoietin (EPO) expression in a dose‐dependent manner in vitro.
An integrated microbiome project for charactering microbial diversity in classroom based on virtual simulation experiments
Authors: Sun Hao , Wang Pinmei , Li Yudong
Published: January 2023

Microbiome study requires both molecular techniques and bioinformatics skills, which are challenging for biologists to participate in this growing field. To introduce microbiome concepts and skills to students, a 6‐week wet‐lab and bioinformatics course for undergraduates was implemented through the project‐based learning (PBL) approach. In the saliva microbiome project, students collected their saliva samples, performed DNA extraction and PCR amplification, followed by metagenomic analysis to compare the diversity and abundances of microbes among samples. First, students are required to practice molecular techniques and bioinformatics analysis skills in a virtual simulation lab. To our knowledge, our study is the first one to incorporate a virtual lab into microbiome experience. Then, students applied their recently acquired skills to produce and analyze their own 16S amplicon sequencing data and reported their results via a scientific report. The student learning outcomes show that the Virtual lab can improve students' laboratory techniques and research capabilities. Moreover, a simple pipeline to analyze 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing data is introduced in a step‐by‐step manner that helps students to develop analysis skills. This project can be modified as either a virtual course or a module within another course such as microbiology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics. Our study provides evidence on the positive impact of virtual labs on learning outcomes in undergraduate science education.
Empirical evidence of tourist satisfaction and loyalty in the case of Bucharest—A partial least squares structural equation modelling approach
Authors: Muntean Mihaela‐Carmen , Sorcaru Iulian Adrian , Manea Ludmila‐Daniela
Published: January 2023

Tourist satisfaction (TS), tourist loyalty (TL), the decision to revisit a destination and the choice to recommend it to acquaintances can have a decisive influence on inbound tourist flows. These influencing factors are closely related to tourist behaviour. The main objective of this study was to investigate TS and loyalty of both foreign and Romanian tourists in Bucharest, by testing under‐examined and new variables. The hypotheses and conceptual research model were based on the following antecedents and consequences of TS: tourists' expectations and travel motivations (TEM), destination authenticity and infrastructure quality, destination safety (DS), tourists' emotions (TE) and TL. The analysis was unique in testing the effect of novelty‐seeking tourists' desire to extend their stay on their expectations and motivations. The mediating effect of TE on the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty was also tested for the first time. Data were collected using a 24‐item online questionnaire. The data were modelled with partial least squares structural equation modelling. Based on 122 valid responses processed with SmartPLS software, the results confirm most of the research hypotheses. The findings reveal that tourists' desire to extend the length of stay on their expectations and motivations has the highest statistical contribution to TEM. Furthermore, a statistically insignificant relationship between DS and TS was identified. The findings are useful for all stakeholders of tourism development in Bucharest.
Cinnamaldehyde Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium‐Induced Colitis in Mice by Modulating TLR4/NF‐κB Signaling Pathway and NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation
Authors: Tan Xiaofen , Wen Yifan , Han Zhijun , Su Xuyang , Peng Jing , Chen Feng , Wang Yadong , Wang Tianming , Wang Changzhong , Ma Kelong
Published: January 2023

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal disease mainly associated with immune dysfunction and microbiota disturbance. Cinnamaldehyde (CIN) is an active ingredient of Cinnamomum cassia with immunomodulatory and anti‐inflammatory properties. However, the therapeutic effect and detailed mechanism of CIN on UC remains unclear, and warrant further dissection. In this study, network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses were introduced to predict the potential targets and mechanism of CIN against UC. The therapeutic effect and the predicted targets of CIN on UC were further validated by in vivo and in vitro experiments. Seven intersection targets shared by CIN and UC were obtained, and four hub targets, i. e., toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4), transcription factor p65 (NF‐κB), NF‐kappa‐B inhibitor alpha (IκBα), prostaglandin G/H synthase 2 (COX2) were acquired, which were mainly involved in NF‐κB, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), Toll‐like receptor and NOD‐like receptor signaling pathways. CIN alleviated the symptoms of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis by decreasing the disease active index (DAI), restoring colon length, and relieving colonic pathology. CIN attenuated systemic inflammation by reducing serum myeloperoxidase (MPO), TNF‐α, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), down‐regulating TLR4, phosphorylated‐NF‐κB (p‐NF‐κB), phosphorylated‐IκBα (p‐IκBα), and COX2 expression in colonic tissues, and decreasing NOD‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), Caspase‐1, and IL‐1β protein expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated RAW264.7 cells. These results indicate that CIN alleviates DSS‐induced colitis inflammation by modulating TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Telltale atria—The meaning of adverse remodeling
Authors: Eng Marvin H. , Zahr Firas
Published: January 2023

Key Points

Right atrial area index/left atrial area index ratio (RLR) above 0.6 was associated with higher mortality rates.

Elevated RLR are also associated with pulmonary hypertension.

Surgical data suggests that reverse atrial remodeling is possible and associated with improved outcomes.
In Vivo Applications of Bioorthogonal Reactions: Chemistry and Targeting Mechanisms
Authors: Mitry Madonna M. A. , Greco Francesca , Osborn Helen M. I.
Published: January 2023

Bioorthogonal chemistry involves selective biocompatible reactions between functional groups that are not normally present in biology. It has been used to probe biomolecules in living systems, and has advanced biomedical strategies such as diagnostics and therapeutics. In this review, the challenges and opportunities encountered when translating in vitro bioorthogonal approaches to in vivo settings are presented, with a focus on methods to deliver the bioorthogonal reaction components. These methods include metabolic bioengineering, active targeting, passive targeting, and simultaneously used strategies. The suitability of bioorthogonal ligation reactions and bond cleavage reactions for in vivo applications is critically appraised, and practical considerations such as the optimum scheduling regimen in pretargeting approaches are discussed. Finally, we present our own perspectives for this area and identify what, in our view, are the key challenges that must be overcome to maximise the impact of these approaches.
Breeding populations of Marbled Godwits and Willets have high annual survival and strong site fidelity to managed wetlands
Authors: Sandercock Brett K. , Gratto‐Trevor Cheri L.
Published: January 2023

The Prairie Pothole Region of central Canada supports a diverse community of breeding waterbirds, but many species have declining populations and the demographic mechanisms driving the declines remain unknown. We conducted a 7‐year field study during 1995–2001 to investigate the demographic performance of Marbled Godwits (Limosa fedoa) and Willets (Tringa semipalmata) breeding in managed wetlands near Brooks, Alberta. Mark‐recapture analyses based on Cormack–Jolly–Seber models revealed that the annual rates of apparent survival for Marbled Godwits ( = 0.953 ± 0.012SE) and Willets ( = 0.861 ± 0.015SE) are among the highest rates of survivorship reported for any breeding or nonbreeding population of large‐bodied shorebirds. Our estimates of life expectancy for males were comparable to longevity records in godwits (17.3 years ±5.8SE vs. 25–29+ years) and willets (7.7 ± 1.5SE vs. 10+ years). The two species both showed strong breeding site fidelity but differed in rates of mate fidelity. Pairs that reunited and males that switched mates usually nested <300 m from their previous nests, whereas females that switched mates usually moved longer distances >1.1–1.5 km. Returning pairs usually reunited in godwits (85%) but not in willets (28%), possibly because of species differences in adult survival or patterns of migration. Baseline estimates of annual survival for banded‐only birds will be useful for evaluating the potential effects of new tracking tags or the environmental changes that have occurred during the past 20 years. Conservation strategies for large‐bodied shorebirds should be focused on reduction of exposure to anthropogenic mortality because low rates of natural mortality suggest that losses to collisions at breeding sites or harvest at nonbreeding areas are likely to cause additive mortality.
Stereoselective Polymerization of Aromatic Vinyl Polar Monomers
Authors: Li Xin‐Lei , Xu Tie‐Qi
Published: January 2023

Polar vinyl polymers, a class of polymers with polar groups as side chains, have significant advantages over conventional nonpolar polyolefin materials in terms of viscosity, toughness, interfacial properties (dyeability and printability), and compatibility with solvents or other polymers. Among them, aromatic polar vinyl polymers are of interest because of their good heat resistance properties. In addition, stereoselective polymerization of aromatic polar vinyl monomers has been rapidly developed because the steric structure of the polymer has a significant impact on its physical properties. In this paper, we review the research progress of stereoselective polymerization catalysts for aromatic polar vinyl monomers in recent years, discuss in detail the influence of ligand structure, electronic effect of substituents, spatial site resistance effect, central rare earth metal species and polymerization solvents on the activity and stereoselectivity of polymerization reactions, and explore the possible mechanism of polymerization reaction.
New Advances in the Synthesis of Emerging Cyclic Amidrazones to Foster Bioisosterism of Azaheterocycles
Authors: Leblanc Johann , Mathé‐Allainmat Monique , Grosse Sandrine , Guillemont Jérôme , Tessier Arnaud , Lebreton Jacques
Published: January 2023

The pace and the scope of new molecules design is often constrained by limitations in synthetic chemistry. The azaheterocyclic amidrazones are of particular interest for bioisosteric considerations in drug discovery. However, the lack of efficient synthetic access has undoubtedly hampered their occurrence in the drug chemical space. Our current results describe a robust synthetic access relying on cyclization of aminohydrazine in presence of various orthoesters by either metal free‐ or metal‐catalyzed condensations. This optimized synthetic access to cyclic amidrazones as original scaffold should inspire the chemist community and further drive innovation in the design of molecular structure for many applications (for example, drugs, materials, dyes).
Best practices to increase your shot at grant funding
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: January 2023

LAS VEGAS — “I spent about 16 years at Syracuse University, in their emergency communications department. In [this] my former job, ‘no’ was never an option. I had to find a solution [to whatever problem we faced]. Grant funding is similar,” Shannon Day, Grants Development Consultant, Grants Office, LLC, said.
The effects of shocks to interest rate expectations in the euro area: Estimates at the country level
Authors: Mandler Martin , Scharnagl Michael
Published: January 2023

We estimate the effects of shocks to interest rate expectations on the four largest euro area economies. We identify these shocks in a Bayesian vector autoregressive (BVAR) model augmented by survey expectations. We separate the expectations shocks from standard monetary policy shocks by assuming that they do not affect the current policy rate. Our sign restrictions also ensure that these shocks do not contain central bank information shocks. We find that an expected decline in the future short‐term rate leads to an increase in output and prices. The increases do not become larger for changes to interest rate expectations further in the future, that is, we do not find evidence of a forward guidance puzzle. Using the multicountry structure of our model, we test for cross‐country differences in the shocks' effects and find output and price effects to be greatest in Germany. We also compare the effects of shocks to interest rate expectations to those of standard monetary policy shocks and show the first type to affect output and prices more strongly in Germany and France.