bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gene Expression Profiling Soybean Stem Tissue Early Response to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and In Silico Mapping in Relation to Resistance Markers
Authors: Calla Bernarda , Vuong Tri , Radwan Osman , Hartman Glen L. , Clough Steven J.
Published: July 2009

White mold, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, can be a serious disease of crops grown under cool, moist environments. In many plants, such as soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], complete genetic resistance does not exist. To identify possible genes involved in defense against this pathogen, and to determine possible physiological changes that occur during infection, a microarray screen was conducted using stem tissue to evaluate changes in gene expression between partially resistant and susceptible soybean genotypes at 8 and 14 hours post inoculation. RNA from 15 day‐old inoculated plants was labeled and hybridized to soybean cDNA microarrays. ANOVA identified 1270 significant genes from the comparison between time points and 105 genes from the comparison between genotypes. Selected genes were classified into functional categories. The analyses identified changes in cell‐wall composition and signaling pathways, as well as suggesting a role for anthocyanin and anthocyanidin synthesis in the defense against S. sclerotiorum. In‐silico mapping of both the differentially expressed transcripts and of public markers associated with partial resistance to white mold, provided evidence of several differentially expressed genes being closely positioned to white mold resistance markers, with the two most promising genes encoding a PR‐5 and anthocyanidin synthase.
The Low Phytic Acid Phenotype in Soybean Line CX1834 Is Due to Mutations in Two Homologs of the Maize Low Phytic Acid Gene
Authors: Gillman Jason D. , Pantalone Vincent R. , Bilyeu Kristin
Published: July 2009

Plant seeds accumulate phosphorus in the form of myo‐inositol‐1,2,3,4,5,6‐hexa‐kisphosphate, commonly referred to as phytic acid. Phytic acid is found complexed with cationic mineral species in the form of phytate, which is not well digested or absorbed by monogastric species such as humans, poultry, and swine. As a result, soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] has an effective deficiency of phosphorus and other minerals, despite high levels of minerals and phosphorus in the seed. Excreted phytate can also contribute to phosphorus contamination of groundwater and eutrophication of freshwater lakes and streams. In maize (Zea mays L. ssp. mays), a recessive mutation in a conserved region within the low phytic acid 1 (lpa1) gene is responsible for the low phytic acid phenotype. We have identified recessive mutations in two soybean homologs of the maize lpa1 gene in soybean line CX1834, a mutagenized line with a low phytic acid phenotype. In three populations analyzed, we identified complete association between homozygosity for mutant alleles of the two lpa1 homologs and the low phytic acid phenotype in soybean. Molecular marker assays were designed that can be used to directly select for the mutant alleles that control the phenotype.
Association of a Four‐Basepair Insertion in the P34 Gene with the Low‐Allergen Trait in Soybean
Authors: Bilyeu Kristin , Ren Chengwei , Nguyen Henry T. , Herman Eliot , Sleper David A.
Published: July 2009

The value of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is determined in part by functionality of major seed components, extractable oil and high protein meal. Soybean meal is an important protein source for animal feeds, and use of soybean meal by the food industry is increasing. Food allergens have negative impacts for both foods and feeds. The major soybean allergen, Gly m Bd 30K, was identified as the P34 protein, a low abundance but highly conserved seed protein. Recently, two soybean germplasm accessions (PI 567476 and PI 603570A) were identified as having reduced P34 content without other collateral changes in seed protein composition. In order to develop molecular markers to enhance breeding for low P34, our objective was to characterize the P34 gene region in wild‐type and low‐P34 soybean lines and exploit any sequence differences to allow direct selection for mutant P34 alleles. The results indicated the two low‐P34 germplasm accessions contain a four‐basepair insertion at the P34 start codon. The mutant allele may inhibit efficient translation initiation of the P34 protein. Inheritance of the mutant P34 alleles completely associated with the low‐P34 phenotype. Molecular markers were developed that were based on the mutant allele of the P34 gene.
Single‐Feature Polymorphism Mapping in Bread Wheat
Authors: Banks Travis W. , Jordan Mark C. , Somers Daryl J.
Published: July 2009

Probe hybridization data from the Affymetrix GeneChip platform can be used to identify genetic polymorphisms. Developed from gene expression data, these single‐feature polymorphism (SFP) markers are located in or are tightly associated with gene sequences. Using two different methods to identify SFPs, 1035 and 875 SFPs were mapped in a segregating population of 64 doubled haploid lines from the Triticum aestivum L. cross RL4452 × ‘AC Domain’. Statistical associations between the SFP maps and the rice (Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica) genome were in agreement with known cereal syntenic blocks, and the mapping data were corroborated by previously established physical locations for wheat expressed sequence tags. This approach allowed the rapid identification of markers from the genic regions of the complex hexaploid wheat genome.
Putting the Function in Maize Genomics
Authors: Moose Stephen P. , Muszynski Michael G. , Rogowsky Peter , Guo Mei
Published: July 2009

The 51st Maize Genetics Conference was held March 12–15, 2009 at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois. Nearly 500 attendees participated in a scientific program (available at http://www.maizegdb.org/maize_meeting/2009/) covering a wide range of topics which integrate the rich biology of maize with recent discoveries in our understanding of the highly dynamic maize genome. Among the many research themes highlighted at the conference, the historical emphasis on studying the tremendous phenotypic diversity of maize now serves as the foundation for maize as a leading experimental system to characterize the mechanisms that generate variation in complex plant genomes and associate evolutionary change with phenotypes of interest.
RESEARCH ON THE QUALITY OF PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION BY RAILWAY
Authors: Maskeliūnaitė Lijana , Sivilevičius Henrikas , Podvezko Valentinas
Published: July 2009

The transportation of passengers by railroads is a dynamic process because setting, wherein the process takes place, undergoes continuous changes observed at technical, technological and transportation process planning levels. Every passenger has different needs and aims and can afford different possibilities. Therefore, the conception of quality differs in each individual case. In order to be able to plan a railway trip process in a proper manner, it is important to become familiarized with passenger needs and preferences and eliminate any existing deficiencies. To this end, it is reasonable to conduct passenger surveys. The paper provides an affinity diagram of railway transportation quality factors, the elements whereof correspond to the structure of the survey questionnaire. For determining the level of the quantitative significance (weight) of indicators, there was applied the method of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) developed and introduced by the American scientist T. Saaty. The scope of research work carried out by the authors covered the determination of the highest eigenvalue, the compatibility ratio, the concordance correlation coefficient, the estimated and critical value of chi‐square values (the examples of estimations are presented in the paper) as well as the classification and processing of the surveyed data on passenger questionnaire and the analysis of respondents’ opinion. The closing part of the paper presents conclusions drawn based on the findings of the survey and respective recommendations for quality improvements in passenger transportation by Lithuanian railways.
RESEARCH ON ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR EFFICIENCY IN THE PROCESS OF INTERACTIONS BETWEEN DIFFERENT TRANSPORT MODES IN THE TERMINAL
Authors: Batarlienė Nijolė , Jarašūnienė Aldona
Published: July 2009

The infrastructure of transport means has to be modernized and organized in such a way that operators could employ effective transportation technologies and processes and that the sustainable development of different transport modes and their proper interoperability with the transport systems of the neighbouring states are achieved. The long‐term development strategy of the Lithuanian transport system notes that the solution to the problems of transport technology is based on improvements in technological supply and the rational use of the informational modeling methodology of the whole transportation process. The interaction between different transport modes in the terminal is a complex and multiplex task. To reach a successful solution for this task, a thorough evaluation and analysis of numerous factors is required and a preliminary research of respective elements is necessary. The application of advanced technologies is essential in the terminal where several road transport modes are involved in the process of interaction. Therefore, an information transmission centre (ITC) is necessary.
AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENT APPROACH TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT ESTIMATION: MODEL DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION
Authors: Akgüngör Ali Payıdar , Doğan Erdem
Published: July 2009

This study proposes an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model and a Genetic Algorithm (GA) model to estimate the number of accidents (A), fatalities (F) and injuries (I) in Ankara, Turkey, utilizing the data obtained between 1986 and 2005. For model development, the number of vehicles (N), fatalities, injuries, accidents and population (P) were selected as model parameters. In the ANN model, the sigmoid and linear functions were used as activation functions with the feed forward‐back propagation algorithm. In the GA approach, two forms of genetic algorithm models including a linear and an exponential form of mathematical expressions were developed. The results of the GA model showed that the exponential model form was suitable to estimate the number of accidents and fatalities while the linear form was the most appropriate for predicting the number of injuries. The best fit model with the lowest mean absolute errors (MAE) between the observed and estimated values is selected for future estimations. The comparison of the model results indicated that the performance of the ANN model was better than that of the GA model. To investigate the performance of the ANN model for future estimations, a fifteen year period from 2006 to 2020 with two possible scenarios was employed. In the first scenario, the annual average growth rates of population and the number of vehicles are assumed to be 2.0 % and 7.5%, respectively. In the second scenario, the average number of vehicles per capita is assumed to reach 0.60, which represents approximately two and a half‐fold increase in fifteen years. The results obtained from both scenarios reveal the suitability of the current methods for road safety applications.
AGILE SERVICE ORIENTED SHIPPING COMPANIES IN THE CONTAINER TERMINAL
Authors: Liu Wei , Xu Huan , Zhao Xin
Published: July 2009

Agility is regarded as one of the core capabilities and the developing trend of supply chains and their enterprises. Along with the development of economical globalization, supply chain management and containerization as well as container ports as a part of supply chain take more roles like logistics or distribution centers. Under this background, the container terminal should have superior response and develop agility. The main goal of this paper is to emphasize and illustrate the importance and imminence of implementing agility in container terminals. To achieve this goal, the analysis of the economies of scale in the container terminal is presented. In this paper, however, more attention will be paid to agile service oriented shipping companies. The concept and characters of agile service in the container terminal is illustrated. The paper also focuses on the agile organizational structure of the container terminal. Finally, the fuzzy quality synthetic evaluation method is given to evaluate the performance level of agile service in container terminal oriented shipping companies.
TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT: THE POPULARITY OF STUDY PROGRAMMES AMONG THE APPLICANTS TO LITHUANIAN UNIVERSITIES EVALUATING THE QUALIFICATIONS OF GRADUATES IN THE LABOUR‐MARKET
Authors: Prentkovskis Olegas , Kliukas Romualdas , Vasiliauskas Aidas Vasilis , Daniūnas Alfonsas , Marina Valerija , Ledauskaitė Kristina , Zemlickienė Vaida
Published: July 2009

The accession of Lithuania to the European Union made transport one of the most important branches of national economy. Presently, economic development is hardly possible without an efficient transport system (providing both local and international transportation). The operation of industrial, construction and agricultural enterprises as well as work efficiency and a public opinion largely depend on the reliability and effective performance of transport systems which is not possible without qualified transport managers. The paper presents requirements raised for controlling the abilities and level of educating specialists in Transport Management and introduces employee assesment at student skills. Specialists in Transport Management are trained at vocational and higher schools of Lithuania. Experts in the field of Transport Management are trained at two university‐level higher schools in Lithuania (Bachelors, Masters and Doctors) including Vilnius Gediminas Technical University and The General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania (the introduced higher schools are located in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania). Although both study programmes taught at the above mentioned higher schools cover the area of Transport Management, they have some differences discussed in the paper. A brief survey of admission to Lithuanian higher schools is analyzed in the article. Some statistical data on the popularity of study programmes chosen by the applicants participating in the joint admission programme to Lithuanian higher schools is presented in the article. Also the popularity of the study programmes of Transport Management (competition, competitiveness indices and average competitive marks and motivation indices) available at two higher schools of Lithuania is described.
THE STRATEGY OF PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION BY NATIONAL RAILWAY TRANSPORT: THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE OBLIGATIONS
Authors: Butkevičius Jonas
Published: July 2009

Based on research carried out by the author, the article identifies the problems of passenger transportation by national railway transport such as reduction in passenger flows, the growth of transportation costs, insufficient financing of loss‐making transportation, unequal competition conditions for road transport, deficiencies of legal basis etc. Following the EU experience, passenger transportation by national railway transport is suggested to be developed. The author of the article puts forward suggestions regarding the formation of the strategy for implementing public service obligations, including the formation and implementation of public sector provisions as well as the concrete measures for railway transport.
PRINCIPLES FOR MODELLING TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESSES INVESTIGATION INTO THE STRENGTH AND DURABILITY OF AUTOMATIC COUPLER SA‐3 IN RAILWAY CARRIAGES
Authors: Daunys Mykolas , Putnaitė Donata , Bazaras Žilvinas
Published: July 2009

The paper presents the durability analysis of the automatic coupler in railway carriages. The loading of the automatic coupler predetermined by the weight of a train, train speed and railway relief is a time‐dependent variable. The finite element method was used for stress‐strain state calculation taking into account acting forces. In order to reduce stress concentration, the geometry of the automatic coupler's body was modified. Modelling results for different rounded radii demonstrated it was possible to reduce stress concentration up to 34%. Under maximum forces, plastic strain occurs in the automatic coupler's body. The calculation of strain and stress state in the body of the automatic coupler shows it is under a static, low and high cycle loading. Therefore, to calculate the durability of the automatic coupler, the dependencies for low cycle nonstationary stress limited loading has been proposed evaluating low cycle quasistatic and fatigue damages. In order to evaluate high cycle fatigue damage, a linear law for the summation of loading cycles has been suggested. For low cycle damage evaluation, the calculation method for the summation of fatigue and quasi‐static damages created at one loading cycle taking into account loading level and neglecting the sequence of cycles has been put forward. Thus, to calculate the automatic coupler for each specific case, it is necessary to determine the number of loading cycles at each loading level and to evaluate durability considering dependencies presented in this paper.
THE IMPACT OF TRANSPORT ON THE COMPETITIVENESS OF NATIONAL ECONOMY
Authors: Mačiulis Alminas , Vasiliauskas Aidas Vasilis , Jakubauskas Gražvydas
Published: July 2009

Transport has always been and remained one of the main driving forces in the economical development of any country including Lithuania. The paper assesses a positive impact of transport on Lithuanian economy in the light of the analysis of the main indicators measuring the success of the transport sector: the share of transport and warehousing sectors to national GDP (%) and the share of the export of transport services in GDP (%). It is also widely acknowledged that transport is going to play a crucial role in economic development in the future, especially in transit‐related transport like the Baltic States. On the other hand, the growth of transport, particularly in road transport, has had a significant impact on congestion, safety and pollution. Therefore, the task of transport decision makers is to find the key for sustainable transport development and reduction of a negative transport impact to sustain the transport sector as the engine of economy. The paper analyses both the positive and negative impacts of transport on economy and evaluates the possible ways developing the sustainable transport system.
Sensitivity and Specificity of Ultrasonography in Early Diagnosis of Metatarsal Bone Stress Fractures: A Pilot Study of 37 Patients
Authors: BANAL FRÉDÉRIC , GANDJBAKHCH FRÉDÉRIQUE , FOLTZ VIOLAINE , GOLDCHER ALAIN , ETCHEPARE FABIEN , ROZENBERG SYLVIE , KOEGER ANNE-CLAUDE , BOURGEOIS PIERRE , FAUTREL BRUNO
Published: July 2009

Objective.

To date, early diagnosis of stress fractures depends on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or bone scan scintigraphy, as radiographs are usually normal at onset of symptoms. These examinations are expensive or invasive, time-consuming, and poorly accessible. A recent report has shown the ability of ultrasonography (US) to detect early stress fractures. Our objective was to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of US versus dedicated MRI (0.2 Tesla), taken as the gold standard, in early diagnosis of metatarsal bone stress fractures.

Methods.

A case-control study from November 2006 to December 2007 was performed. All consecutive patients with mechanical pain and swelling of the metatarsal region for less than 3 months and with normal radiographs were included. US and dedicated MRI examinations of the metatarsal bones were performed the same day by experienced rheumatologists with expertise in US and MRI. Reading was undertaken blind to the clinical assessment and MRI/US results.

Results.

Forty-one feet were analyzed on US and dedicated MRI from 37 patients (28 women, 9 men, mean age 52.7 ± 14.1 yrs). MRI detected 13 fractures in 12 patients. Sensitivity of US was 83%, specificity 76%, positive predictive value 59%, and negative predictive value 92%. Positive likehood ratio was 3.45, negative likehood ratio 0.22.

Conclusion.

In cases of normal radiographs, US is indicated in the diagnosis of metatarsal bone stress fractures, as it is a low cost, noninvasive, rapid, and easy technique with good sensitivity and specificity. From these data, we propose a new imaging algorithm including US.
Biomarkers of Chronic Uveitis in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Predictive Value of Antihistone Antibodies and Antinuclear Antibodies
Authors: NORDAL ELLEN B. , SONGSTAD NILS T. , BERNTSON LILLEMOR , MOEN TOROLF , STRAUME BJØRN , RYGG MARITE
Published: July 2009

Objective.

To study the predictive value of antinuclear autoantibody (ANA) tests and antihistone antibodies (AHA) as risk factors for development of chronic asymptomatic uveitis of insidious onset in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods.

ANA by indirect immunofluorescence using HEp-2 cells (IF-ANA), ELISA for ANA (E-ANA), and AHA were analyzed in sera of 100 children with recent-onset JIA and in 58 control sera. Clinical features, including age at onset, JIA subgroup, and presence of uveitis, were recorded in this prospective population-based cohort study.

Results.

E-ANA was positive in 4 of the 100 sera, and was not associated with uveitis. Chronic uveitis developed in 16 children with JIA: in 14 of 68 positive for IF-ANA ≥ 80, and in 13 of 44 positive for AHA ≥ 8 U/ml. IgM/IgG AHA were found in higher proportions in children with uveitis (mean 12.4 U/ml) than in those with JIA and no uveitis (mean 6.9 U/ml) or in healthy controls (mean 4.3 U/ml).

Conclusion.

No association was found between E-ANA and uveitis, and most IF-ANA-positive sera were E-ANA-negative. E-ANA is not clinically relevant in this setting and should never be used to determine frequencies of eye examinations to detect new uveitis in JIA. AHA ≥ 8 U/ml, IF-ANA titer ≥ 320, and young age at onset of arthritis were significant predictors for development of chronic uveitis. The diagnostic value of AHA ≥ 8 U/ml as a biomarker of chronic uveitis in JIA is very similar to IF-ANA ≥ 80.
Characteristics of X (Formerly Twitter) Community Notes Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation
Authors: Allen Matthew R. , Desai Nimit , Namazi Aiden , Leas Eric , Dredze Mark , Smith Davey M. , Ayers John W.
Published: April 2024

This study evaluated the topics, accuracy, and credibility of X (formerly Twitter) Community Notes addressing COVID-19 vaccination.
Recreational Marijuana Laws and Teen Marijuana Use, 1993-2021
Authors: Anderson D. Mark , Fe Hao T. , Liang Yang , Sabia Joseph J.
Published: April 2024

This cross-sectional study uses data from the Youth Risk Behavior surveys to assess the association of state-level recreational marijuana laws and youth marijuana use.
Shifting patterns of multiple sclerosis treatment in a highly prevalent United States population
Authors: Kwon Sue , Sillau Stefan , Corboy John R. , Nair Kavita V. , Carlson Aaron M.
Published: April 2024

Objective

Our objectives were to (1) obtain the prevalence and demography of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in a representative Colorado population, and (2) to assess the utilization of disease‐modifying therapy within this prevalent cohort.

Methods

This is a retrospective, observational study of patients that had contact with the University of Colorado Health System from 2012 to 2020. We queried Health Data Compass, a data warehouse, for patient data and applied the MS Prevalence Workgroup Algorithm to generate a prevalent cohort. We calculated prevalence as of 31 December 2020, and stratified by age, sex, race, and ethnicity. Payer information and treatment exposure were obtained from linked claims from the Colorado All Payers Claim Database. Disease‐modifying therapies were classified as highly effective and moderately effective based on the clinical trial, TREAT‐MS (NCT03500328).

Results

From a population of 1,382,821 individuals, 8557 people with MS were captured. Age‐adjusted prevalence of MS as of 31 December 2020 was 572.3 per 100,000 with a mean age of 47.36. Prevalence varied between demographic subgroups, with the lowest prevalence in Hispanic men (215.6) and highest in White (824.1) and Black women (820.1). Overall disease‐modifying therapy exposure was 62.4%, with increased highly effective therapy use and a corresponding decrease in moderately effective therapy use on a yearly basis.

Interpretation

MS is highly prevalent in a representative Colorado cohort. Overall treatment and proportion of highly effective therapy exposure increased significantly during a critical period of MS therapeutic advances, indicating a shift in disease management driven sharply by the availability of on‐label anti‐CD20 therapy.
Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis Associated With Alterations in the Gastrointestinal Microbiota
Authors: Andréasson Kristofer , Olofsson Tor , Lagishetty Venu , Alrawi Zaid , Klaassens Eline , Holster Savanne , Hesselstrand Roger , Jacobs Jonathan P. , Wallman Johan K. , Volkmann Elizabeth R.
Published: April 2024

Objective

Emerging research suggests that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with intestinal dysbiosis. This prospective pilot study evaluates changes in intestinal microbial composition in patients with RA initiating treatment with either methotrexate (MTX) or a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi).

Methods

Consecutive patients, fulfilling the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/EULAR classification criteria for RA, who started treatment with either MTX or TNFi delivered a stool sample upon initiation of immunosuppression and 3 months later. A 16S ribosomal RNA gene‐based validated microbiota test (GA‐map Dysbiosis Index Score [DIS], Genetic Analysis, Oslo, Norway) was used to evaluate for the presence and degree of dysbiosis. Fecal levels of Prevotella copri (P. copri) were analyzed by custom‐made quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Changes in microbial composition were analyzed in relation to changes in disease activity, as measured by the disease activity score based on 28‐joint counts, using C‐reactive protein.

Results

At baseline, dysbiosis was present in 33 of 50 (66%) participants and more common in participants with more than 2 years of disease duration (P = 0.019). At the 3‐month follow‐up, 27 of 50 (54%) were good treatment responders and the DIS had improved in 14 of 50 (28%). Participants initiating TNFi more often exhibited improvement in the DIS compared with those initiating MTX (P = 0.031). P. copri was identified in 32 of 50 (64%) at baseline. An improvement in disease activity score based on 28‐joint counts, using C‐reactive protein was associated with a simultaneous decrease in P. copri abundance (rs = 0.30, P = 0.036).

Conclusion

This study affirms that dysbiosis is a feature of RA. Although patients were not randomized to MTX or TNFi, the findings suggest that specific therapies may differentially modulate the gastrointestinal microbiota in RA. The association between P. copri and treatment response requires further study.
Optimization analysis of distributed energy consumption based on dynamic data synchronization and intelligent control
Authors: Yang Liu , Zhang Huaguang , Zhang Juan , Yue Xiaohui
Published: April 2024

With the rapid development of the global renewable energy source field, the importance of dynamic index processing technology in distributed energy systems has become more and more obvious. To better improve the real‐time dynamic interaction means of microgrids in the energy Internet and optimize the relevant methods for microgrid energy consumption detection, this article proposes to introduce the distributed Hadoop platform into the electrical thermal coupling multivariate data in the form of cluster configuration, and then use the Spark framework to detect and capture real‐time data, to complete the tracking and analysis of energy consumption data. At the same time, the Internet of Things and the cloud intelligent monitoring system are combined to further clean and explore the data, to achieve the in‐depth detection of the energy consumption problem of the microgrid under the premise of reducing the initial investment, and achieve the purpose of reducing the operating cost. In this case, the outliers are detected according to the photovoltaic indicators of photovoltaic power stations, the filtration and purification functions of photovoltaic indicators are used by the nuclear density curve, and the sustainable solar energy is optimized by combining multiple indicators such as wind direction and temperature. Based on reducing energy consumption, the overfitting phenomenon of the controller is controlled, and an optimized controller‐led cloud platform is established. By establishing the objective function model, the robustness of the controller is guaranteed and the detection expectation is satisfied by the experiment of energy consumption data. In addition, when the cloud platform is created, this study uses a genetic algorithm to optimize the controller index and then builds a cloud console detection mechanism that collaborates with the Internet. Through the research, it is found that outliers may lead to the redundancy of energy consumption indicators in the non‐processing state. This study adopts the optimization of energy consumption parameters and the help of a distributed data framework to deal with and effectively solve this problem. In terms of interpolation simulation verification combined with experimental data, this paper proposes to use the Internet of Things, wearable devices, sensors, and other means to monitor the cost of energy consumption, to realize the distributed dynamic storage of massive real‐time data in the process of parallel processing, as well as the evaluation and detection of real‐time data replacement.
Hairless (Hr) Deficiency Mitigates High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Mice
Authors: Wang Hongwei , Guo Haoyu , Zhu Kuicheng , He Long , Yang Jian‐jun
Published: April 2024

Obesity is a significant global health concern linked to excessive dietary energy intake. This research focuses on the mammalian hairless protein (HR), known for its role in skin and hair function, and its impact on metabolism. Examining male wild‐type (Hr+/+) and Hr null (Hr−/−) mice over a 14‐week normal chow diet (NCD) or high‐fat diet (HFD) intervention. This study reveals that HR deficiency exhibited a protective effect against HFD‐induced obesity and insulin resistance. This protective effect is attributed to increased energy expenditure in Hr−/− mice. Moreover, the brown adipose tissue (BAT) of Hr−/− mice displays elevated levels of the thermogenic protein, uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1), and its key transcriptional regulators (PPARγ and PGC1α), compared to Hr+/+ mice. In summary, the findings underscore the protective role of HR deficiency in countering HFD‐induced adiposity by enhancing insulin sensitivity, raising energy expenditure, and augmenting thermogenic factors in BAT. Further exploration of HR metabolic regulation holds promise for potential therapeutic targets in addressing obesity‐related metabolic disorders.
Advanced Hierarchical Biomorphous Silicon Carbide Monoliths
Authors: Hoffmann Patrizia , Simon Swantje , Zierath Bodo , Fey Tobias
Published: April 2024

Porous silicon carbide (SiC) has attracted considerable attention in the field of cellular ceramics for a variety of applications such as catalyst supports, filters, or in the biomedical field due to its excellent structural properties, mechanical strength, and chemical stability. However, SiC has certain limitations due to high‐temperature profiles and costly manufacturing methods. Therefore, it is investigated that porous biomorphic silicon carbide monoliths using a powder blend of paper‐derived carbon fibers, phenolic resin, and silicon, resulting in comparatively low sintering temperatures (T = 1300 to 1550 °C) and good mechanical strength. This near‐net‐shape process uses low‐cost raw materials and enables the production of silicon carbides with high open porosity (P = 51.48% to 68.28%) and low shrinkage. The influence of different amounts of carbon sources (Cfibers and Cresin) on the mechanical (4‐point bending) and thermal properties (laser flash method) is investigated. In addition, to improve the pressure gradients, macrochannels with multiple layers of sacrificial polymer lattices are incorporated, resulting in hierarchical structures with high permeability. Thus, this advanced biomimetic approach offers great potential for structured cellular ceramics with tailored properties for biomedical, catalyst support, or nuclear fuel cladding materials.
Effect of Accumulative Roll Bonding Cycles and Postprocessing Heat Treatment Temperature on Shape Memory Properties of Cu–Al–Ag Alloys
Authors: Seifollahzadeh Parinaz , Alizadeh Morteza , El‐Tahawy Moustafa , Gubicza Jenő
Published: April 2024

Herein, Cu/Al/Ag‐layered composites with two silver powder concentrations (2 wt% and 3 wt%) are fabricated with the aid of accumulative roll bonding (ARB). The ARB‐ed samples are heat treated at different temperatures (750, 850, 950, and 1050 °C), times (30, 45, and 60 min), and cycles (1–9 cycles) to produce Cu–Al–Ag shape memory alloys. The samples are characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and electron backscattering diffraction. Phase transformation temperatures are measured by differential scanning calorimetry. Strain recovery and shape memory behavior are evaluated by bending and tensile tests, respectively. The results indicate that alloys containing 2 wt% Ag, rolled till 9 cycles, heat treated at 950 °C for 60 min, and samples with 3 wt% Ag, fabricated by 9 cycles, annealed at 850 °C for 60 min show maximum β martensite phase amount. The strain recovery ratios of the first and second samples are 71.7% and 71.2%, respectively. Additionally, the tensile test shows that the residual plastic strain and the recovered strain for the first sample with 2 wt% Ag are equal to 0.7% and 3.0%, respectively. These results for the second sample with 3 wt% Ag are 1.2% and 3.4%, respectively.
3D Hydrogel Culture System Recapitulates Key Tuberculosis Phenotypes and Demonstrates Pyrazinamide Efficacy
Authors: Gupta Vishal K. , Vaishnavi Vijaya V. , Arrieta‐Ortiz Mario L. , P.S. Abhirami , K.M. Jyothsna , Jeyasankar Sharumathi , Raghunathan Varun , Baliga Nitin S. , Agarwal Rachit
Published: April 2024

The mortality caused by tuberculosis (TB) infections is a global concern, and there is a need to improve understanding of the disease. Current in vitro infection models to study the disease have limitations such as short investigation durations and divergent transcriptional signatures. This study aims to overcome these limitations by developing a 3D collagen culture system that mimics the biomechanical and extracellular matrix (ECM) of lung microenvironment (collagen fibers, stiffness comparable to in vivo conditions) as the infection primarily manifests in the lungs. The system incorporates Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infected human THP‐1 or primary monocytes/macrophages. Dual RNA sequencing reveals higher mammalian gene expression similarity with patient samples than 2D macrophage infections. Similarly, bacterial gene expression more accurately recapitulates in vivo gene expression patterns compared to bacteria in 2D infection models. Key phenotypes observed in humans, such as foamy macrophages and mycobacterial cords, are reproduced in the model. This biomaterial system overcomes challenges associated with traditional platforms by modulating immune cells and closely mimicking in vivo infection conditions, including showing efficacy with clinically relevant concentrations of anti‐TB drug pyrazinamide, not seen in any other in vitro infection model, making it reliable and readily adoptable for tuberculosis studies and drug screening.
Delivery of miRNAs Using Porous Silicon Nanoparticles Incorporated into 3D Hydrogels Enhances MSC Osteogenesis by Modulation of Fatty Acid Signaling and Silicon Degradation
Authors: Shrestha Surakshya , Tieu Terence , Wojnilowicz Marcin , Voelcker Nicolas H. , Forsythe John S. , Frith Jessica E.
Published: April 2024

Strategies incorporating mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), hydrogels and osteoinductive signals offer promise for bone repair. Osteoinductive signals such as growth factors face challenges in clinical translation due to their high cost, low stability and immunogenicity leading to interest in microRNAs as a simple, inexpensive and powerful alternative. The selection of appropriate miRNA candidates and their efficient delivery must be optimised to make this a reality. This study evaluated pro‐osteogenic miRNAs and used porous silicon nanoparticles modified with polyamidoamine dendrimers (PAMAM‐pSiNP) to deliver these to MSC encapsulated within gelatin‐PEG hydrogels. miR‐29b‐3p, miR‐101‐3p and miR‐125b‐5p are strongly pro‐osteogenic and are shown to target FASN and ELOVL4 in the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway to modulate MSC osteogenesis. Hydrogel delivery of miRNA:PAMAM‐pSiNP complexes enhanced transfection compared to 2D. The osteogenic potential of hBMSC in hydrogels with miR125b:PAMAM‐pSiNP complexes is evaluated. Importantly, a dual‐effect on osteogenesis occurred, with miRNAs increasing expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) whilst the pSiNPs enhanced mineralisation, likely via degradation into silicic acid. Overall, this work presents insights into the role of miRNAs and fatty acid signalling in osteogenesis, providing future targets to improve bone formation and a promising system to enhance bone tissue engineering.
Artificial Intelligence‐Driven Platform: Unveiling Critical Hepatic Molecular Alterations in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development
Authors: Jiang Miao , Wu Pengyun , Zhang Yuwei , Wang Mengling , Zhang Mingjie , Ye Zhaoxiang , Zhang Xuejun , Zhang Cai
Published: April 2024

Since most Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) typically arises as a consequence of long‐term liver damage, the hepatic molecular characteristics are closely related to the occurrence of HCC. Gaining comprehensive information about the location, morphology, and hepatic molecular alterations related to HCC is essential for accurate diagnosis. However, there is a dearth of technological advancements capable of concurrently providing precise HCC diagnosis and discerning the accompanying hepatic molecular alterations. In this study, an integrated information system is developed for the pathological‐level diagnosis of HCC and the revelation of critical molecular alterations in the liver. This system utilizes computed tomography/Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering combined with an artificial intelligence strategy to establish connections between the occurrence of HCC and alterations in hepatic biomolecules. Employing artificial intelligence techniques, the SERS spectra from both healthy and HCC groups are successfully classified into two distinct categories with a remarkable accuracy rate of 91.38%. Based on molecular profiling, it is identified that the nucleotide‐to‐lipid signal ratio holds significant potential as a reliable indicator for the occurrence of HCC, thereby serving as a promising tool for prevention and therapeutic surveillance.
Tumor‐Tailored Ionizable Lipid Nanoparticles Facilitate IL‐12 Circular RNA Delivery for Enhanced Lung Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Xu Shufen , Xu Yue , Solek Nicholas C. , Chen Jingan , Gong Fanglin , Varley Andrew James , Golubovic Alex , Pan Anni , Dong Songtao , Zheng Gang , Li Bowen
Published: April 2024

The advancement of message RNA (mRNA) ‐based immunotherapies for cancer is highly dependent on the effective delivery of RNA (Ribonucleic) payloads using ionizable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). However, the clinical application of these therapies is hindered by variable mRNA expression among different cancer types and the risk of systemic toxicity. The transient expression profile of mRNA further complicates this issue, necessitating frequent dosing and thus increasing the potential for adverse effects. Addressing these challenges, a high‐throughput combinatorial method is utilized to synthesize and screen LNPs that efficiently deliver circular RNA (circRNA) to lung tumors. The lead LNP, H1L1A1B3, demonstrates a fourfold increase in circRNA transfection efficiency in lung cancer cells over ALC‐0315, the industry‐standard LNPs, while providing potent immune activation. A single intratumoral injection of H1L1A1B3 LNPs, loaded with circRNA encoding interleukin‐12 (IL‐12), induces a robust immune response in a Lewis lung carcinoma model, leading to marked tumor regression. Immunological profiling of treated tumors reveals substantial increments in CD45+ leukocytes and enhances infiltration of CD8+ T cells, underscoring the ability of H1L1A1B3 LNPs to modulate the tumor microenvironment favorably. These results highlight the potential of tailored LNP platforms to advance RNA drug delivery for cancer therapy, broadening the prospects for RNA immunotherapeutics.
Precise Capture and Dynamic Release of Circulating Liver Cancer Cells with Dual‐Histidine‐Based Cell Imprinted Hydrogels
Authors: Sun Wenjing , You Xin , Zhao Xinjia , Zhang Xiaoyu , Yang Chunhui , Zhang Fusheng , Yu Jiaqi , Yang Kaiguang , Wang Jixia , Xu Fangfang , Chang Yongxin , Qu Boxin , Zhao Xinmiao , He Yuxuan , Wang Qi , Chen Jinghua , Qing Guangyan
Published: April 2024

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) detection presents significant advantages in diagnosing liver cancer due to its noninvasiveness, real‐time monitoring, and dynamic tracking. However, the clinical application of CTCs‐based diagnosis is largely limited by the challenges of capturing low‐abundance CTCs within a complex blood environment while ensuring them alive. Here, an ultrastrong ligand, l‐histidine–l‐histidine (HH), specifically targeting sialylated glycans on the surface of CTCs, is designed. Furthermore, HH is integrated into a cell‐imprinted polymer, constructing a hydrogel with precise CTCs imprinting, high elasticity, satisfactory blood compatibility, and robust anti‐interference capacities. These features endow the hydrogel with excellent capture efficiency (>95%) for CTCs in peripheral blood, as well as the ability to release CTCs controllably and alive. Clinical tests substantiate the accurate differentiation between liver cancer, cirrhosis, and healthy groups using this method. The remarkable diagnostic accuracy (94%), lossless release of CTCs, material reversibility, and cost‐effectiveness ($6.68 per sample) make the HH‐based hydrogel a potentially revolutionary technology for liver cancer diagnosis and single‐cell analysis.
Thermal Welding of Liquids
Authors: Wen Yunhui , Li Kaijuan , Luo Jiaqiu , Feng Weixiao , Shi Shaowei
Published: April 2024

Welding of thermoplastics is a common practice in many industrial sectors, but it has yet to be realized with fluids. Here, the thermal welding of liquids by using the assembly and jamming of nanoparticle surfactants (NPSs) at liquid–liquid interfaces is reported. By fine‐tuning the dynamic interaction strength within NPSs, the interfacial activity of NPSs, as well as the binding energy of NPSs to the interface can be precisely controlled, leading to a dynamic exchange of NPSs, maximizing the reduction in the interfacial energy. With NPSs jammed at the interface, the structures of liquids can be manipulated to complex geometries by applying an external force and, due to the temperature responsiveness of NPSs, when bringing liquids into contact and heating the system, welding of liquids can be achieved. This work provides a straightforward strategy for the construction of modular all‐liquid fluidics, opening up numerous opportunities in fields like biotechnology, healthcare, and materials science.
The Improvement of Tin‐Based Perovskite Thin Film Quality to Enhance the Performance of Near‐Infrared PeLEDs Through Thiocyanate Modification
Authors: Shen Yipeng , Tang Zhaobing , Chen Jianan , Zhang Ting , Qian Lei , Xiang Chaoyu
Published: April 2024

The morphological characteristics of in‐situ‐grown perovskite thin films are strongly influenced by the interface properties of previous layer. Additionally, their photoelectric characteristics are closely tied to the formed defects during the solution‐processing film for the oxidized tin ions, which significantly hinders the practicality of tin‐based perovskites in near‐infrared light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). Here, formamidine thiocyanate is employed to modify the interfacial behaviors of hole transport layer under the perovskite layer, resulting in reduced contact angle, improved surface wettability, enhancement of the crystallinity and film quality of tin‐based perovskite. Furthermore, by introducing guanidine thiocyanate into the precursor solution, the oxidation is successfully suppressed during the film formation of tin‐based perovskite, thereby reducing film defects to suppress non‐radiative recombination. A near‐infrared LEDs with a maximum external quantum efficiency reached 5.1%, representing a twofold improvement compared to unmodified devices. This advancement holds significant implications for the progression of tin‐based near‐infrared light emission technology.
Three‐Component Palladium‐Catalyzed Tandem Suzuki‐Miyaura/Allylic Substitution: A Regioselective Synthesis of (2‐Arylallyl) Aryl Sulfones
Authors: Bellido Marina , Garçon Martí , Verdaguer Xavier , Riera Antoni
Published: April 2024

A one‐pot Pd‐catalyzed tandem process to prepare (2‐arylallyl) aryl sulfones has been developed. This strategy is based on the modular assembly of a boronic acid, a sodium sulfinate and 2‐bromoallyl acetate. The reaction is completely regioselective towards the terminal alkene, yielding (2‐arylallyl) aryl (or alkyl) sulfones with yields ranging from 56 to 93%. Control experiments together with DFT calculations allowed to propose a plausible reaction mechanism of the tandem reaction. The usefulness of this methodology has been demonstrated with the formal synthesis of the marketed drug Apremilast and of several natural products by asymmetric hydrogenation. Using the commercially available UbaPHOX iridium complex, chiral β‐methyl sulfones with up to 98% ee were obtained
Selective Hydrosilylation and Hydroboration of Allenes Catalyzed by Cobalt‐Pincer Complexes
Authors: Lewandowski Dariusz , Hreczycho Grzegorz
Published: April 2024

Achieving precise control over regioselectivity and stereoselectivity in the hydroelementation of terminal allenes presents a formidable challenge. Despite the existence of various catalytic methods for their functionalization, this entire class of reactions remains significantly underdeveloped and demands extensive research. Here, we report a method for the hydroelementation of allenes using inexpensive PN5P pincer cobalt complexes built on a triazine backbone. Depending on the substituent at the ring, the method enables the selective synthesis of E‐alkenylsilane or Z‐allylborane derivatives. In the presented approach, silanes and pinacoloboranes play a dualistic role of simultaneous activator and substrate excluding the need for the addition of external bases. Finally, the application potential of the obtained compounds was demonstrated by performing further functionalizations of the obtained compounds.