bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integratable Paper‐Based Iontronic Power Source for All‐In‐One Disposable Electronics
Authors: Peng Puguang , Yang Feiyao , Wang Zhonglin , Wei Di
Published: September 2023

With the emergence of disposable electronics, compatible safe, flexible, and recyclable power sources have become a critical challenge. Here, an ultra‐thin paper‐based iontronic power source is enabled by highly efficient translational Li+ transport within 2D nanofluidic channels of graphene oxide under a salinity gradient and the fine‐tuned interfacial redox reactions. The paper‐based source can generate volumetric power and energy densities of 438.02 mW cm−3 and 30.02 mWh cm−3, respectively. Its areal power density is 1095.05 mW cm−2, surpassing most flexible batteries. It maintains a working state when bent or even cut and can be simply recycled by incineration. By filling 2D nanofluidic inks in different pens, the power source can be drawn on paper when needed, which not only overcomes the inherent defect of self‐discharge for most batteries but also enables writing directly on any insulating substrates. Furthermore, all‐in‐one disposable electronics comprised of an energy management system (paper‐based triboelectric nanogenerator and iontronic power source) and wireless sensing system (temperature sensor with NFC circuits) are integrated onto one piece of paper by duplex printing, demonstrating the huge potential of such integratable iontronic power sources for soft, wireless, and conformable disposable electronics.
Addressing the Sluggish Kinetics of Sulfur Redox for High‐Energy Mg–S Batteries
Authors: Li Zhenyou , Welle Alexander , Vincent Smobin , Wang Liping , Fuchs Stefan , Riedel Sibylle , Roy Ananyo , Bosubabu Dasari , García‐Lastra Juan Maria , Fichtner Maximilian , Zhao‐Karger Zhirong
Published: September 2023

A key challenge for practical magnesium–sulfur (Mg–S) batteries is to overcome the sluggish conversion kinetics of sulfur cathodes, achieving a high energy density and long‐lasting battery life. To address this issue, a doping strategy is demonstrated in a model Ketjenblack sulfur (KBS) cathode by introducing selenium with a high electronic conductivity. This leads to a significantly enhanced charge transfer in the resultant KBS1−xSex cathodes, giving rise to a higher S utilization and less polysulfide dissolution. Compared to the bare S cathode, the S‐Se composite cathodes exhibit a higher capacity, smaller overpotentials, and improved efficiency, serving as better benchmark compounds for high‐performance Mg–S batteries. First principles calculations reveal a charge transport mechanism via electron polaron diffusion in the redox end‐products, that enhances the reaction kinetics. By suppressing polysulfide dissolution in the electrolyte, the use of the KBS1−xSex cathodes also enables a more uniform anode reaction, and thereby significantly extends the cyclability of the cells. To improve the performance, further efforts are made by implementing a Mo6S8 modified separator into the cell. With an optimized cathode composition of KBS0.86Se0.14, the cell applying modified separator shows an improvement of capacity retention by >50% after 200 cycles.
Pseudo‐eye‐of‐the‐tiger sign in cerebellar ataxia with neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS)
Authors: Abreu Vasco Sousa , Silva José Sá , Igreja Liliana , Malaquias Maria João , Pinto Catarina Mendes
Published: September 2023

The well‐known eye‐of‐the‐tiger sign features bilateral and symmetrical changes in the globus pallidus, with a central area of high signal and peripheral low signal on T2‐weighted MRI. Although formally considered pathognomonic of pantothenate kinase‐associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), there are other neurodegenerative or genetic diseases showing similar findings. Cerebellar ataxia with neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is a late‐onset ataxia, that was recently associated with biallelic AAGGG repeat expansion in the RFC1 gene. Although its predominant MRI finding is cerebellar atrophy, there may be other less common associated findings. Our aim is to present two cases of CANVAS with associated (pseudo‐)eye‐of‐the‐tiger sign, highlighting the possibility of yet another differential diagnosis for this imaging sign.
Is “Water in Salt” Electrolytes the Ultimate Solution? Achieving High Stability of Organic Anodes in Diluted Electrolyte Solutions Via a Wise Anions Selection
Authors: Nimkar Amey , Alam Khorsed , Bergman Gil , Levi Mikhael D. , Major Dan Thomas , Shpigel Netanel , Aurbach Doron
Published: September 2023

The introduction of the water‐in‐salt (WIS) electrolytes concept to prevent water splitting and widen the electrochemical stability window, has spurred extensive research efforts toward development of improved aqueous batteries. The successful implementation of these electrolyte solutions in many electrochemical systems shifts the focus from diluted to WIS electrolyte solutions. Considering the high costs and the tendency of these nearly saturated solutions to crystallize, this trend can be carefully re‐evaluated. Herein we show that the stability of organic electrodes comprising the active material perylene‐3,4,9,10‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA), is strongly influenced by the solvation character of the anions rather than the concentration of the electrolyte solution. Even though the charging process of PTCDA involves solely insertion of cations (i.e., principal counter‐ions), surprisingly, the dominant factor influencing its electrochemical performance, including long‐term electrode stability, is the type of the co‐ions (i.e., electrolytic anions). Using systematic electrochemical analysis combined with theoretical simulations, we show that the selection of kosmotropic anions results in fast fading of the PTCDA anodes, while a selection of chaotropic anions leads to excellent stability, even at electrolytes concentrations as low as 0.2 M. These findings provide a new conceptual approach for designing advanced electrolyte solutions for aqueous batteries.
Chiral Deep Eutectic Solvents Enable Full‐Color and White Circularly Polarized Luminescence from Achiral Luminophores
Authors: Wen Xin , Du Sifan , Zhang Li , Liu Minghua
Published: September 2023

Herein, chiral deep eutectic solvents (DES) are prepared by lauric acid as hydrogen bond donors (HBD) and chiral menthol as hydrogen bond acceptors (HBA). When achiral fluorescent molecules are dopedin the menthol‐based chiral DES, they emit circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) with handedness controlled by the molecular chirality (l or d) of menthol. Remarkably, the strategy is universal and a series of achiral fluorescent molecules can be endowed with CPL activity, showing a full‐color and white CPL upon appropriate mixing, which paves the way to prepare white CPL materials. Interestingly, CPL appears only in a certain temperature range in the DES. Variable‐temperature spectra and other characterization methods reveal that the H‐bond network in the chiral DES plays an important role in inducing CPL. This work unveils how the interior structure as well as the hydrogen‐bond network of a chiral DES can transfer its chirality to achiral luminophores for the first time and realizes a full‐color and white CPL in a DES.
Atroposelective Synthesis of C−N Vinylindole Atropisomers by Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydroarylation of 1‐Alkynylindoles
Authors: Zhan Li‐Wen , Lu Chuan‐Jun , Feng Jia , Liu Ren‐Rong
Published: September 2023

Transition‐metal‐catalyzed hydroarylation of unsymmetrical internal alkynes remains challenging because of the difficulty in controlling regioselectivity and stereoselectivity. Moreover, the enantioselective hydroarylation of alkynes using organoboron reagents has not been reported. Herein, we report for the first time that palladium compounds can catalyze the hydroarylation of 1‐alkynylindoles with organoborons for the synthesis of chiral C−N atropisomers. A series of rarely reported vinylindole atropisomers was synthesized with excellent regio‐, stereo‐ (Z‐selectivity), and enantioselectivity under mild reaction conditions. The ready availability of organoborons and alkynes and the simplicity, high stereoselectivity, and good functional group tolerance of this catalytic system make it highly attractive.
A Porphyrin Iron(III) π‐Dication Species and its Relevance in Catalyst Design for the Umpolung of Nucleophiles
Authors: Engbers Silène , Guo Yisong , Klein Johannes E. M. N.
Published: September 2023

Isoporphyrins have recently been identified as remarkable species capable of turning the nucleophile attached to the porphyrin ring into an electrophile, thereby providing umpolung of reactivity (Inorg. Chem. 2022, 61, 8105–8111). They are generated by nucleophilic attack on an iron(III) π‐dication, a class of species that has received scant attention. Here, we explore the effect of the porphyrin meso‐substituent and report a iron(III) π‐dication bearing the meso‐tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) ligand. We provide an extensive study of the species by UV/Vis absorption, 2H NMR, EPR, applied field Mössbauer, and resonance Raman spectroscopy. We further explore the system's highly dynamic and tunable properties and address the nature of the axial ligands as well as the conformation of the porphyrin ring. The insights presented are essential for the rational design of catalysts for the umpolung of nucleophiles. Such catalytic avenues could for example provide a novel method for electrophilic chlorinations. We further examine the importance of electronic tuning of the porphyrin by nature of the meso‐substituent as a factor in catalyst design.
Luminescence modulation of Tb/Eu@Polysulfone films for advanced anti‐counterfeiting
Authors: Monteiro Bernardo , Avó João , Moro Artur J. , Pereira Cláudia C. L.
Published: September 2023

Herein, we present the successful preparation of emissive polysulfone thin films doped with tetracoordinated Tb3+ and Eu3+ complexes, with emission co‐regulated by simultaneous excitation light and heat with controllable emissive pattern. We suggest a ligand driven light induced interaction with polymeric organic host that promotes increased emission in the blue region. Our system lays on dynamic irreversible generation of emissive color from green to cyan. Under commercial 366 nm UV lamp, the unambiguously selected pre‐chosen pattern will emit brighter than non‐irradiated film in the blue region of visible spectrum.
Flexible strain sensors with high sensitivity and large monitoring range prepared by biaxially stretching conductive polymer composites with a bilayer structure
Authors: Li Jiayi , Xiang Dong , Zhao Chunxia , Li Hui , Zhou Lihua , Wang Li , Yan Guilong , Li Zhenyu , Wang Ping , Wang Bin , Wu Yuanpeng
Published: September 2023

In order to prepare a flexible strain sensor with a large monitoring range, high sensitivity and excellent stability, a polyolefin elastomer (POE)/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) conductive polymer composite with a bilayer structure was prepared by biaxially stretching in this work. The results showed that the bilayer structured nanocomposites had better processability and better stability than monolayer CNT/POE nanocomposites during biaxial stretching. The biaxial stretching process could promote the dispersion and planar orientation of CNTs within the polymer, improving the crystallinity of nanocomposites and the sensing performance of strain sensors. The optimal stretching ratios (SRs) of bilayer structured nanocomposites were studied. The 8 wt% CNT/POE‐POE strain sensor with an SR of 2.5 exhibited a high sensitivity (gauge factor/GF = 72604.7 at 900% strain), wide strain range (0%–900%), and stable cycling performance (1000 cycles at 30% strain), showing a broad application prospect in wearable electronic devices. This study provides a valuable method for efficiently manufacturing high performance and low‐cost flexible strain sensors.
Physical property characterizations of natural rubber nanocomposites through experimental techniques, models and CRR concept
Authors: Velayudhan Prajitha , Paduvilan Jibin Keloth , Patanair Bindu , Sidharthan Sisanth Krishnageham , Kaliyathan Abitha Vayyaprontavida , Delpouve Nicolas , Saiter‐Fourcin Allisson , Thomas Sabu
Published: September 2023

In this research, the combinations of silica (SiO2), with either graphite (GR) or graphene oxide (GO), are studied as hybrid reinforcements of natural rubber (NR). Whereas individual improvements of rigidity, strength or ductility can be obtained depending on the composition, a synergistic reinforcement is specifically evidenced after addition of GO/SiO2 with a 3:1 ratio. For this formulation, both strength and modulus drastically increase while keeping the strain at break at a decent level. From the confrontation of all tensile tests results with theoretical reinforcement models, a good correlation between the experimental data and the Guth Gold model is observed, which reveals that the mechanical properties should essentially be governed by the filler/matrix interactions. This assumption has been discussed through the cooperative rearranging region (CRR) concept, by analyzing the calorimetric response of the nanocomposites at the glass transition. Not only the 3:1 GO/SiO2 composition is the only one for which the glass transition clearly shifts to higher temperatures, its CRR average size is also the lowest in comparison with reference NR. This result, interpreted as the signature of the most efficient intercalation of the fillers, matches well with the steep strain hardening recorded for this nanocomposite.
Photocatalyst‐ and Transition Metal‐Free Light‐Induced Borylation Reactions
Authors: Bhanja Rosalin , Bera Shyamal Kanti , Mal Prasenjit
Published: September 2023

The increasing global warming concerns have propelled a surge in the demand for sustainable energy sources within the domain of synthetic organic chemistry. A particularly prominent area of research has been the development of mild synthetic strategies for generating heterocyclic compounds. Heterocyclic compounds containing boron have notably risen to prominence as pivotal reagents in a myriad of organic transformations, showcasing their wide‐ranging applicability. This comprehensive review is aimed at collecting the literature pertaining to borylation reactions induced by light, specifically focusing on photocatalyst‐free and transition metal‐free methodologies. The central emphasis is on delving into selective mechanistic investigations. The amalgamation and analysis of these research insights elucidate the substantial potential inherent in eco‐friendly approaches for synthesizing heterocyclic compounds, thus propelling the landscape of sustainable organic chemistry.
Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase: Structural and biotechnological aspects
Authors: Vosough Parisa , Vafadar Asma , Naderi Samaneh , Alashti Shayan Khalili , Karimi Sara , Irajie Cambyz , Savardashtaki Amir , Taghizadeh Saeed
Published: September 2023

Suicide gene therapy involves introducing viral or bacterial genes into tumor cells, which enables the conversion of a nontoxic prodrug into a toxic‐lethal drug. The application of the bacterial cytosine deaminase (bCD)/5‐fluorocytosine (5‐FC) approach has been beneficial and progressive within the current field of cancer therapy because of the enhanced bystander effect. The basis of this method is the preferential deamination of 5‐FC to 5‐fluorouracil by cancer cells expressing cytosine deaminase (CD), which strongly inhibits DNA synthesis and RNA function, effectively targeting tumor cells. However, the poor binding affinity of toward 5‐FC compared to the natural substrate cytosine and/or inappropriate thermostability limits the clinical applications of this gene therapy approach. Nowadays, many genetic engineering studies have been carried out to solve and improve the activity of this enzyme. In the current review, we intend to discuss the biotechnological aspects of Escherichia coli CD, including its structure, functions, molecular cloning, and protein engineering. We will also explore its relevance in cancer clinical trials. By examining these aspects, we hope to provide a thorough understanding of E. coli CD and its potential applications in cancer therapy.
M‐quantile regression shrinkage and selection via the Lasso and Elastic Net to assess the effect of meteorology and traffic on air quality
Authors: Ranalli M. Giovanna , Salvati Nicola , Petrella Lea , Pantalone Francesco
Published: September 2023

In this work, we intersect data on size‐selected particulate matter (PM) with vehicular traffic counts and a comprehensive set of meteorological covariates to study the effect of traffic on air quality. To this end, we develop an M‐quantile regression model with Lasso and Elastic Net penalizations. This allows (i) to identify the best proxy for vehicular traffic via model selection, (ii) to investigate the relationship between fine PM concentration and the covariates at different M‐quantiles of the conditional response distribution, and (iii) to be robust to the presence of outliers. Heterogeneity in the data is accounted by fitting a B‐spline on the effect of the day of the year. Analytic and bootstrap‐based variance estimates of the regression coefficients are provided, together with a numerical evaluation of the proposed estimation procedure. Empirical results show that atmospheric stability is responsible for the most significant effect on fine PM concentration: this effect changes at different levels of the conditional response distribution and is relatively weaker on the tails. On the other hand, model selection allows to identify the best proxy for vehicular traffic whose effect remains essentially the same at different levels of the conditional response distribution.
Luminescent lanthanide mixed N‐phthaloylglycinate and terephthalate coordination polymers: Structural and optical properties
Authors: Arruda Joaldo G. , Faustino Wagner M. , Pesci Rafaela B. P. , Miranda Victor M. , Deflon Victor M. , Brito Hermi F. , Costa Israel F. , Terraschke Huayna , Teotonio Ercules E. S.
Published: September 2023

A new class of lanthanide mixed‐carboxylate ligands compounds with formula {[Ln2(phthgly)4(bdc)(H2O)6]·(H2O)4}∞, labelled as Ln3+: Eu (1) and Gd (2) coordination polymers (CP) were synthesized under mild reaction conditions between lanthanide nitrate salts and a solution of N‐phthaloylglycine (phthgly) and terephthalic (bdc) ligands. The (1) and (2) coordination polymers were formed by symmetric binuclear units, in which phthgly and bdc carboxylate ligands are coordinated to the lanthanide ions by different coordination modes. Surprisingly, all organic ligands participate in hydrogen bonding interactions, forming an extremally rigid crystalline structure. The red narrow emission bands from the 5D0→7FJ transitions of the Eu3+ ion show a high colour purity. The intramolecular energy transfer process from L→Eu3+ ion has been discussed. The experimental intensity parameters (Ω2,4) reflect lower angular distortion and polarizability of the chemical environment around the metal ion compared with other Eu3+ compounds reported in the literature. This novel class of coordination polymer offers a more attractive platform for developing luminescent functional materials for different applications.
Luminescence features of Ho3+, Er3+ and Tm3+ ions in red lead added non‐conventional antimony oxide glass system
Authors: Rao Yeti Dana , Sekhar Ayyagari Venkata , Kumar Vandana Ravi , Kumar Valluri Ravi , Venkatramaiah Nutalapati , Purnachand Nalluri , Gandhi Yerramreddy , Veeraiah Nalluri
Published: September 2023

In this study, a glass system based on heavy metal oxides, namely Pb3O4–Sb2O3–SiO2, was prepared with Ho2O3, Er2O3, and Tm2O3 as dopants. The prepared glass were characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared (IR) studies. The luminescence efficiencies of the three rare earth ions viz., Ho3+, Er3+, and Tm3+ in the glass system were investigated, specifically focusing on green (Ho3+, Er3+), blue (Tm3+), and near‐infrared (NIR) emissions. The optical absorption (OA) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra of RE mixed glass displayed strong bands in the visible and NIR regions, which were analyzed using the Judd–Ofelt (J–O) theory. The J–O coefficients (Ωλ) were found to be in the order of Ω2 > Ω4 > Ω6 for all the three glass. Notably, the Tm3+‐doped glass exhibited the lowest Ω2 value, which was attributed to a larger degree of disorder in the glass network due to lower fractions of Sb5+ and Pb4+ ions that take part in the glass network forming. This conclusion was arrived based on the IR studies. Furthermore, the quantitative analysis of PL spectra and decay curves indicated that SbHo and SbEr glass were suitable for efficient green emission, while SbTm glass is a promising choice for blue laser emission.
Accelerated and intensified manufacturing of an adenovirus‐vectored vaccine to enable rapid outbreak response
Authors: Joe Carina C. D. , Segireddy Rameswara R. , Oliveira Cathy , Berg Adam , Li Yuanyuan , Doultsinos Dimitrios , Scholze Steffi , Ahmad Asma , Nestola Piergiuseppe , Niemann Julia , Douglas Alexander D.
Published: September 2023

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations' “100‐day moonshot” aspires to launch a new vaccine within 100 days of pathogen identification, followed by large‐scale vaccine availability within the “second hundred days.” Here, we describe work to optimize adenoviral vector manufacturing for rapid response, by minimizing time to clinical trial and first large‐scale supply, and maximizing output from the available manufacturing footprint. We describe a rapid virus seed expansion workflow that allows vaccine release to clinical trials within 60 days of antigen sequence identification, followed by vaccine release from globally distributed sites within a further 40 days. We also describe a perfusion‐based upstream production process, designed to maximize output while retaining simplicity and suitability for existing manufacturing facilities. This improves upstream volumetric productivity of ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 by approximately fourfold and remains compatible with the existing downstream process, yielding drug substance sufficient for 10,000 doses from each liter of bioreactor capacity. This accelerated manufacturing process, along with other advantages such as thermal stability, supports the ongoing value of adenovirus‐vectored vaccines as a rapidly adaptable and deployable platform for emergency response.
Multi‐lipase gene knockdown in Chinese hamster ovary cells using artificial microRNAs to reduce host cell protein mediated polysorbate degradation
Authors: Weiß Linus , Schmieder‐Todtenhaupt Valerie , Haemmerling Frank , Lakatos Daniel , Schulz Patrick , Fischer Simon
Published: September 2023

A large number of companies observe polysorbate (PS) degradation and associated (sub‐)visible particle formation in biological drug formulations, which compromise the stability of the drug product, ultimately posing a risk toward delivering innovative medicines to patients. The main culprits of PS degradation are hydrolytic host cell proteins (HCPs) originating from the production cell lines, which are mostly Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell derived. Here, a small portion of particularly difficult‐to‐remove HCPs—mainly lipases—cause hydrolytic cleavage of PS resulting in the accumulation of free fatty acid aggregates/particles. One possible mitigation strategy is the removal of such critical HCPs in the production cell line. Multigene regulation can be achieved via microRNAs (miRNAs) thereby serving as a smart tool to reduce the expression of different target genes using a single miRNA. To enable a tailored gene regulation of multiple specific target lipases self‐designed and non‐naturally occurring artificial miRNAs (amiRNA) can be designed. Based on micro‐conserved regions in the mRNA sequence of two sets of target HCPs, we provide a proof‐of‐concept for a simultaneous multi‐lipase knockdown in CHO cells using single amiRNAs. By this, we were not only able to reduce PS degradation but laid the foundation to expand this tool to other areas of cell line phenotype engineering.
Connecting green HRM practices to pro‐environmental behavior through green human capital in the hospitality sector
Authors: Ogiemwonyi Osarodion , Alam Mohammad Nurul , Alotaibi Hammad S.
Published: September 2023

The increasing focus on environmental sustainability has opened up a new area of research that explores the role of green “human resource management (HRM)” practices. Scholars in this field are investigating how these practices can support efforts toward achieving environmental sustainability. Although there is growing interest in studying green HRM practices, there have only been a few studies that have looked into how these practices affect the abilities, experience, expertise, intelligence, knowledge, skills, and training of employees in relation to pro‐environmental behavior (PEB). This is important as PEB can help to reduce negative environmental activities and promote green sustainability in the hospitality sector. To bridge this empirical gap, the investigation of the effects of green HRM practices on PEB was carried out, with a particular emphasis on the mediating function of green human capital (GHC). A research study was conducted on 269 stable participants in the Nigerian hospitality sector using the “partial least squares [PLS]” approach. The study successfully shows that green HRM practices, such as green hiring, green training and development, green discipline management, and environmental performance, can directly predict GHC. The analysis was based on both PLS and social cognitive theory (SCT). According to the study, green HRM practices are connected to PEB through GHC, except for green compensation. The study indicates that PEB can be predicted by environmental performance and GHC. This study has significant theoretical implications for green HRM practices and provides valuable insights to hospitality managers. Moreover, it offers suggestions for potential areas of future research.
Physical activity and cancer risk: a dose‐response analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: Diao Xiayao , Ling Yudong , Zeng Yi , Wu Yueqian , Guo Chao , Jin Yukai , Chen Xiaojiang , Feng Shoucheng , Guo Jianrong , Ding Chao , Diao Feiyu , Du Zhicheng , Li Shanqing , Qiu Haibo
Published: September 2023

Objective

Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity, is widely believed to decrease cancer risk. This study aimed to quantitatively establish the dose‐response relationships between total physical activity and the risk of breast, colon, lung, gastric, and liver cancers.

Methods

A systematic review and dose‐response analysis were conducted using PubMed and Embase from January 1, 1980 to March 20, 2023. Prospective cohort studies that examined the association between physical activity and the risks of any of the 5 outcomes were included. The search was confined to publications in the English language with a specific focus on human studies. Physical activity is standardized by using the data from US National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) and the Global Burden of Disease 2019 database.

Results

A total of 98 studies, involving a combined population of 16,418,361 individuals, were included in the analysis. Among the included studies, 57 focused on breast cancer, 17 on lung cancer, 23 on colon cancer, 5 on gastric cancer, and 7 on liver cancer. Overall, elevated levels of physical activity exhibited an inverse correlation with the risk of cancer. The dose‐response curve for lung cancer exhibited a non‐linear pattern, with the greatest benefit risk reduction observed at 13,200 MET‐minutes/week of physical activity, resulting in a 14.7% reduction in risk (relative risk 0.853, uncertainty interval 0.798 to 0.912) compared to the inactive population. In contrast, the dose‐response curves for colon, gastric, breast, and liver cancers showed linear associations, indicating that heightened levels of total physical activity were consistently associated with reduced cancer risks. However, the increase in physical activity yielded a smaller risk reduction for colon and gastric cancers compared to breast and liver cancers. Compared to individuals with insufficient activity (total activity level < 600 MET‐minutes/week), individuals with high levels of activity (≥ 8,000 MET‐minutes/week) experienced a 10.3% (0.897, 0.860 to 0.934) risk reduction for breast cancer; 5.9% (0.941, 0.884 to 1.001) for lung cancer; 7.1% (0.929, 0.909 to 0.949) for colon cancer; 5.1% (0.949, 0.908 to 0.992) for gastric cancer; 17.1% (0.829, 0.760 to 0.903) for liver cancer.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated a significant inverse relationship between total physical activity and the risk of breast, gastric, liver, colon, and lung cancers.
Association of ctDNA detection and recurrence assessment in patients with neoadjuvant treatment
Authors: Zhou Jiaxin , Mo Haocong , Hu Dahai , Zhao Xiaoxu , Zhou Hong , Pan Jinghua
Published: September 2023

Background

The utilization of neoadjuvant therapy is progressively expanding in various clinical settings. However, the absence of a clinically validated biomarker to evaluate the treatment response remains a significant challenge in the field. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection, a novel and emerging monitoring approach in the field of oncology, holds promise as a potential prognostic biomarker for patients with cancer. This meta‐analysis investigated the clinical significance of ctDNA detection as a predictive tool for cancer recurrence in patients receiving neoadjuvant treatment.

Methods

A comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted using public databases to identify relevant studies that investigated the association between ctDNA detection and cancer recurrence in patients receiving neoadjuvant treatment. Hazard ratios (HRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated to assess the relationship between cancer recurrence and relevant factors. Cancer recurrence was considered the primary outcome.

Results

A total of 23 studies encompassing 1590 patients across eight different cancer types were included in the final analysis. Positive ctDNA detection was significantly associated with higher cancer recurrence, especially at post‐neoadjuvant treatment and post‐surgery time points. The risk values for the different cancer categories and geographic areas also differed significantly.

Conclusion

Our comprehensive meta‐analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between ctDNA detection and a higher risk of cancer recurrence in patients receiving neoadjuvant treatment. In addition, the risk of recurrence was influenced by variations in cancer type, timing of detection, and geographic region. These findings highlight the promising clinical applicability of ctDNA as a prognostic marker and monitoring approach for patients with cancer. However, the precise mechanism is unknown and more evidence is needed for further research.
TRAF6 promotes chemoresistance to paclitaxel of triple negative breast cancer via regulating PKM2‐mediated glycolysis
Authors: Xu Han , Li Longzhi , Dong Bing , Lu Ji , Zhou Kun , Yin Xiaoxing , Sun Huizhen
Published: September 2023

Ample evidence reveals that glycolysis is crucial to tumor progression; however, the underlying mechanism of its drug resistance is still worth being further explored. TRAF6, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is well recognized to overexpress in various types of cancer, which predicts a poor prognosis. In our study, we discovered that TRAF6 was expressed more significantly in the case of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) than in other of breast cancers, promoting chemoresistance to paclitaxel; that inhibited TRAF6 expression in the chemoresistant TNBC (TNBC‐CR) cells enhanced the sensitivity by decreasing glucose uptake and lactate production; that TRAF6 regulated glycolysis and facilitated chemoresistance via binding directly to PKM2; and that overexpressing PKM2 in the TNBC‐CR cells with TRAF6 knocked down regained significantly TRAF6‐dependent drug resistance and glycolysis. Additionally, we verified that TRAF6 could facilitate PKM2‐mediated glycolysis and chemoresistance in animal models and clinical tumor tissues. Thus, we identified the novel function of TRAF6 to promote glycolysis and drug resistance in TNBC with the regulation of PKM2, which could provide a potential molecular target for TNBC treatment.
RCC1 functions as a tumor facilitator in clear cell renal cell carcinoma by dysregulating cell cycle, apoptosis, and EZH2 stability
Authors: Wu Yunfei , Xu Zhijie , Chen Xiaoyi , Fu Guanghou , Tian Junjie , Jin Baiye
Published: September 2023

Background

RCC1 functions as a pivotal guanine nucleotide exchange factor and was reported to be involved in mitosis, the assembly of the nuclear envelope, nucleocytoplasmic transport in cell physiological processes. Recent studies reported that RCC1 could regulate immunological pathways and promote the growth of some malignant solid tumors. However, the prognostic value and exact function of RCC1 remain unknown in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (cRCC).

Methods

The UALCAN and KM plotter portals were used to analyze the expression profile and related tumor prognosis of RCC1 in ccRCC using data from TCGA. The expression profile of RCC1 was also confirmed in clinical samples using qRT‐PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. The role of RCC1 on ccRCC cells in vitro was confirmed by a series of functional assays. Animal experiments were performed to verify the suppressive effect of RCC1 knockdown on tumor growth in vivo. The correlation of RCC1 expression with that of EZH2 was explored in clinical samples using IHC. The interaction between RCC1 and EZH2 was further verified using a CO‐IP assay and a protein stability assay.

Results

RCC1 was upregulated in ccRCC tissues compared with normal tissues in TCGA dataset and paired clinical samples. RCC1 promoted ccRCC progression by accelerating the cell cycle and suppressing apoptosis. In addition, RCC1 could bind EZH2 and regulate its expression at the posttranscriptional level. RCC1 and EZH2 expression showed a strong correlation in clinical samples. Further investigation proved that RCC1 regulated EZH2 protein stability through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway.

Conclusions

RCC1 could be a potential therapeutic target in ccRCC. The RCC1/EZH2 axis takes part in the development of ccRCC.
Uncover superpower, unlock leadership potential
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: September 2023

ORLANDO, FLORIDA — Superheroes don’t have the corner on the market for superpowers, according to Adam Mendler, MBA, the CEO, Creator, and Host of Thirty Minute Mentors, a business and leadership podcast.
Partnerships play key role in achieving goals
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: September 2023

Whether she's striving to improve student‐athlete safety, renovate facilities, expand programs, or raise funds, Dana L. Harmon, M.S., Director of Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, knows partnerships play a critical role in achieving goals. She's seen it happen time and again as campus partnerships help bring her plans to fruition, which in turn allows her student‐athletes and campus community to reap the benefits.
Vigna unguiculata L. Walp. Leaves as a Source of Phytochemicals of Dietary Interest: Optimization of Ultrasound‐Assisted Extraction and Assessment of Traditional Consumer Habits
Authors: Pioltelli E. , Sartirana C. , Copetta A. , Brioschi M. , Labra M. , Guzzetti L.
Published: September 2023

Vigna unguiculata L. Walp. is an African crop spread worldwide mainly for pulses production. Despite being a neglected and under‐utilized food, cowpea leaves are a rich source of phytochemicals and micronutrients. The aim of the work is to characterize the phytochemical composition of cowpea leaves by an optimized ultrasound‐assisted extraction (USAE) and to compare raw and boiled leaves. A three‐level factorial design (Box‐Behnken) was employed for the optimization of the USAE considering three different parameters (% ethanol, drug‐to‐solvent ratio, and number of cycles). The optimized extracts were characterized by LC/MS/MS. Finally, leaves were boiled at 100 °C for 30 min to simulate traditional cooking procedures and compared to raw leaves. The best extraction condition was EtOH/H2O 1 : 2 v/v, drug to solvent ratio 1 : 47 w/v, and 3 extraction cycles. The phytochemicals identified mainly belong to the family of phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. Boiled leaves revealed a significant loss of most phytochemicals and a net decrease of their antioxidant activity compared to the raw ones. The results highlight the potential nutraceutical value of cowpea leaves whilst the impoverishment triggered by traditional consumer habits pushes the need to evaluate alternative cooking procedures helpful in the maintenance of their phytochemical properties.
CO2 Electroreduction to C2+ Products over Cu‐Pb Heterojunction Catalyst
Authors: Han Shitao , Xia Wei , Jia Shuaiqiang , Yao Ting , Jiao Jiapeng , Wang Min , Dong Xue , Yang Jiahao , Zhou Dawei , He Mingyuan , Wu Haihong , Han Buxing
Published: September 2023

The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) presents a promising approach for producing valuable chemicals and fuels, offering a dual benefit in terms of environmental preservation and the efficient utilization of carbon resources. In this work, we proposed a stepwise electrodeposition method to prepare Cu−Pb bimetallic heterojunction catalyst on polyaniline‐modified carbon paper (PANI‐CuPb‐x), where x is the electrodeposition times(min). Among the studied catalysts, the electrode electrodeposited for 2 min (PANI‐CuPb‐2) exhibited a remarkable performance during the electrocatalysis CO2 to multicarbon (C2+) products process, achieving a Faraday efficiency (FE) of 81.46 % and a partial current density of 15.41 mA cm−2 at −1.2 V (vs. RHE) in an H‐type cell. The detailed study demonstrated that introducing Pb could effectively improve the formation of COOH*inhibit hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Furthermore, the heterojunction structure in the catalysts facilitated C−C coupling of the generated C1 intermediate species, which enhanced the CO2 to C2+ reaction.
Digitalization of bridge inventory via automated analysis of point clouds for generation of BIM models
Authors: Hajdin Rade , Richter Rico , Rakic Lazar , Diederich Holger , Hildebrand Justus , Schulz Sebastian , Döllner Jürgen , Bednorz Jennifer
Published: September 2023

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is becoming increasingly prevalent in infrastructure asset management, as it facilitates current management practices. This includes the construction of BIM models for roads, rails, bridges, tunnels etc. Bridges are particularly challenging to digitalize due to their complex geometry. The manual construction of bridge BIM models based on 2D plans is hardly feasible due to the related workload. Given the recent advancements in the field of 3D surveying and artificial intelligence, new possibilities emerge for an automated generation of as‐is bridge BIM models.

This paper presents a novel, modular framework for the automatic processing of point clouds into as‐is BIM models, based on a fusion of artificial intelligence and heuristic algorithms. Representative bridge element datasets were provided to train neural network. Trained neural network can identify elements of a bridge, which are further processed using geometric algorithms into surface and solid bridge elements. This result can be additionally enriched with semantic information from existing databases. The final BIM models are exported in the standardized vendor‐free Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) format.
Buckling Strength of Cold‐Formed Stiffened Thin‐Walled Steel Box Bridge Piers under Cyclic Loading
Authors: Mamaghani Iraj H.P. , Mwaura Njiru
Published: September 2023

This paper presents numerical simulations on the behavior of thin‐walled steel tubular bridge piers of box sections under cyclic lateral loading in the presence of constant axial compression loads, using three‐dimensional finite element analysis adopted in commercial computer software ABAQUS. The analysis and experimental results are compared to show how the adopted material models, such as elastic perfectly plastic (EPP), kinematic hardening (KH), and isotropic hardening (ISO) material models are effective and reliable for capacity prediction and cyclic behavior evaluation. The effects of cyclic lateral loading on the hysteresis behavior of the thin‐walled steel tubular bridge piers of box sections have been evaluated by analyzing the hysteresis curve, envelope curve, stiffness, and strength degradation characteristics, considering the interaction of local buckling and flexural buckling. In contrast to the ISO and EPP material models, the analysis results compare reasonably well with test results using the KH material model.
Structural assessment of an historical steel railway bridge in the north of Spain
Authors: Carpintero Ismael , Rueda Jorge
Published: September 2023

At the beginning of the 20th century, some railway lines were built in the north of Spain to support industrialization in this area. In the region there were coal and iron mines, as well as ports to market the products, reason why it was one of the first Spanish regions to develop. Due to the rugged relief, it was necessary to adapt the layout of the lines to the terrain, so many bridges were built for that purpose. At the same time, steelmaking was transitioning from manual to industrial metallurgical furnaces and processes. These processes determined the structural and durability characteristics of the metallic material used for those bridges. Nowadays, the maintenance of this type of bridges is conditioned by the difficulty of access to inspect, the structural typology of the details, and the mechanical characteristics of the material; and also the insufficient training of the technicians who inspect this type of structures. The case study is an old steel bridge that served the trade of an important regional factory. Routine inspections found no major structural defects; however, thanks to a complete historical and structural study that was being developed, significant damage was detected that made it necessary to immediately stop traffic on the bridge.
A new Post‐Installed Reinforcement System to Extend Life Time of Existing Structures as Contribution to Sustainability
Authors: Feix Jürgen , Lechner Johannes
Published: September 2023

Most of the infrastructure structures in Central Europe were erected between 1960 and 1990 and are therefore now between 30 and 60 years old. As recalculations of bridges show, frequently deficits in load‐bearing capacity arise due to aging of the structures, the increasing loads on these structures and the changes in the design codes. Often, a complete replacement of these structures is planned, which leads to high investment costs but also to massive traffic disruptions due to the complete or partial closure of the structure. Investigations show clearly that strengthening of existing structures is far more sustainable than building a new bridge. Therefore, in the last decade, research has been conducted at the University of Innsbruck on new, efficient post‐installed reinforcement systems with the help of which the lifetime of existing infrastructure buildings can be significantly extended. These new systems have to be installed in the existing structure as quickly as possible and with a minimum disruption of the traffic. This is the only way to keep traffic disruption and thus environmental impact to a minimum. The development of new systems for the strengthening of existing structures is shown and the positive effects to the environmental impact are figured out at some project examples.
Concept for ai‐supported information allocation based on IFC data
Authors: Faltin Fabian , Gille Jonathan , Jäkel Jan‐Iwo
Published: September 2023

Across the different phases of a construction project, many actors are involved in the design, the construction, and the operation of the structure. Each actor and all stakeholders in the project require different information structures. Unifying these information structures has great benefits for the recipients of the information. This way, inspection routines, certifications or approvals could be automated. Within the framework of the BIM methodology, there are already solutions like the Level of Information Need (LOIN) or attribute mapping via translation tables. But the required effort to tailor the information for all stakeholders is considerable. Therefore actors or stakeholders who often receive IFC data from different sources with different structures face difficulties to automate their processes. In this paper, a concept is presented that uses deep learning techniques to translate between specific information structures of different stakeholders. In this way, the effort of providing information can be reduced. The proof of concept shows that a LSTM model can extract the desired information from an IFC file. It is also weighed up how the concept is to be evaluated, what opportunities and challenges the application may face.
Performance‐Based Assessment of a Long Span Bridge
Authors: Makhoul Nisrine , Schmidt Franziska
Published: September 2023

The Normandy Bridge is an important asset in northern France, as it is a road cable‐stayed bridge that links Honfleur to Le Havre, spanning over the Seine River in the region of Normandy. When it was opened in 1995, it was the longest cable‐stayed bridge in the world with a 2143‐meters total length and had the greatest distance between cable‐stayed bridge piers (250 meters), its height is 214.77 meters. The bridge benefited for a while from a Bridge Weight in Motion (BWIM) system to monitor its traffic, to assess the fatigue of the bridge due to increased traffic.

The paper aims to assess the performance of the Normandy bridge. For that purpose, first, the Normandy bridge is introduced, along with available monitoring helping assess the state of the bridge and manage it. Second, the performance indicators and the key performance indicators are estimated for this bridge. The objective is to verify if the bridge fulfills the pre‐specified performance goals. In the end, a quality control plan for the Normandy bridge is suggested for implementation.
Measurements, Simulation, Analysis and Geolocation in a Digital Twin tool for bridge management
Authors: Chacón Rolando , Ramonell Carlos , Posada Hector , Tomar Rahul , de la Rosa Christian Martínez , Stipanovic Irina
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a digital‐twin based tool that can be used for bridge management. The tool offers various capabilities that include embedding BIM geometries, simulations, measurements, GIS location, and performance analysis. These features enable efficient and effective management of bridges by providing detailed information and analysis of the bridge's performance, which can help in identifying potential issues and implementing appropriate solutions. The methodology represents one of the outcomes of Ashvin, an H2020 project aimed to providing assistant solution for design, construction and management of infrastructure systems. The hitherto obtained findings include this digital tool which can be of practical and beneficial use for bridge owners and operators, as it can help them to organize and centralize the bridge data in a way it helps making informed decisions regarding the maintenance, repair, and replacement of bridges. Overall, this paper highlights the importance of embracing technology in the management of critical infrastructure such as bridges, which can significantly improve their performance and extend their lifespan.