bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Docking Study of a New Series of Thiophene Derivatives Based on 3‐Oxobutanamidothiophene as an Anticancer Agent
Authors: Mehdhar Fatima S. , Saeed Ali , Abdel‐Latif Ehab , Abdel‐Galil Ebrahim , El‐Rayyes Ali , Abdel‐Ghani Ghada E.
Published: May 2024

Herein, the constructing synthon 3‐oxobutanamidothiophene derivatives 2 a and 2 b were synthesized and utilized for building a wide variety of pyran, thiazole, pyrazole or pyrimidine ring heterocyclic compounds that can be used as anticancer medications. 3‐Oxobutanamidothiophene derivatives 2 a,b were coupled with 4‐substitutedphenyl diazonium chloride to produce the corresponding hydrazones derivatives 3 a–f. Various thiophene‐pyran derivatives 4 a,b were synthesized through the treatment of thiophene components 2 a,b with different arylidene‐malononitrile. 2‐Aminothiophene derivatives 5 were prepared via Gewald's reaction between 2 a,b, elemental sulfur, and various activated nitrile derivatives. The 3‐oxobutanamidothiophene derivatives 2 a,b were reacted with PhNCS and the potassium salt intermediates 6 a,b with ethyl bromoacetate to pick up the corresponding thiophene‐thiazolidin‐4‐one derivatives 7. Treatment of the conforming thiocarbamoyl compounds 8 a,b, which undergo heating with three types of α‐halogenated reagents to afford the corresponding substitutedthiophene‐3‐carboxamides 9 a,b. Condensation of keteneN,S‐acetals 10 a,b with hydrazines furnished the thiophene‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxamide hybrids 11 a,b, while condensation with urea and/or thiourea afforded the corresponding thiophene‐pyrimidine‐5‐carboxamides 12 a,b. The recently synthesized thiophene compounds were characterized there in vitro anticancer properties against HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) and MDA‐MB‐231 (breast cancer) were evaluated. Molecular docking was also performed to predict the binding modes of synthesized derivatives with the good anticancer results designed as potential inhibitors for a specific target.
Synthesis of MgZnAl Layered Triple Hydroxide Nanoplates as an Efficient Adsorbent for Removing the Acid Yellow 76 Azo Dye
Authors: Kazemi Sayed Yahya , Pourfaraj Reza , Biparva Pourya
Published: May 2024

A simple hydrothermal method was employed for synthesizing MgZnAl layered triple hydroxide nanoplates (MgZnAl LTH) as an efficient adsorbent for removing the Acid Yellow 76 (AY76) azo dye. A batch process was used to perform adsorptions were and investigate the effects of experimental parameters including temperature, adsorbent dosage, solution pH. The best adsorption conditions obtained were pH of 4, MgZnAl LTH dosage of 20 mg and temperature of 55 °C. The kinetics of adsorption was studied using pseudo‐first‐order, pseudo‐second‐order, Elovich, and intraparticle diffusion models. To obtain equilibrium absorption data, Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin isotherms were utilized. The findings showed that the adsorption data based on the experiment had a good agreement with the Freundlich model. The highest capacity of adsorption equal to 277.8 mg/g was obtained for the MgZnAl LTH nanoplates toward AY76. Thermodynamic results showed that the process of adsorption of AY76 onto MgZnAl LTH nanoplates had a spontaneous and endothermic nature.
New Polymorphic Structures of Uranyl Butyrate and Crotonate
Authors: Pirozhkov Pavel A. , Vologzhanina Anna V. , Savchenkov Anton V.
Published: May 2024

New polymorphs of diaquadicrotonato‐ and diaquadibutyratodioxidouranium(VI) were synthesized. X‐ray diffraction analysis at low and room temperatures revealed the monoclinic crystal system for both compounds at both room and low temperatures. New structures contain molecular complexes in which uranium atoms are coordinated by two bidentate carboxylate ions and two water molecules. The crystal structures feature the same packing motif that constitutes layers formed by hydrogen bonds. IR spectroscopy uncovered differences in vibrations of carboxyl and uranyl groups. Voronoi‐Dirichlet parameters of the synthesized compounds and some previously published uranyl carboxylates that have similar complex and crystal structures to the new ones were compared. The new structures demonstrate once again that the volume of Voronoi‐Dirichlet polyhedron of the uranium atom in U sublattice depends on the nature of carboxylate ion alkyl chain.
Photoredox‐Catalyzed Transition‐Metal‐Free C(sp2)−H Phosphorylation Using 9‐Mesityl‐10‐Methylacridinium Perchlorate Photocatalyst
Authors: Gao Jin , Jiang Shuangfei , Gan Qiaoyu , Chen Xi , Zhang Rui , Zhu Wenchao , Zhang Xinghua , Jiang Zeqi
Published: May 2024

Visible light mediated transition‐metal‐free C(sp2)−H phosphorylation of thiazole and quinoxaline derivatives using Mes‐Acr‐MeClO4 as a photocatalyst has been described. This photoredox‐catalyzed direct C(sp2)−H phosphorylation transformation could smoothly proceed under mild conditions, utilizing oxygen in the air as a green oxidant without the addition of metals, bases, additives, and external oxidants. The mechanistic studies helped to rationalize the formation of C(sp2)−P bond followed a radical pathway through a SET process.
Seeking Cells, Targeting Bacteria: A Cascade‐Targeting Bacteria‐Responsive Nanosystem for Combating Intracellular Bacterial Infections
Authors: Tang Haiqin , Chu Wenlin , Xiong Jingdi , Wu Hongkun , Cheng Lei , Cheng Li , Luo Jun , Yin Han , Li Jinlin , Li Jiyao , Yang Jiaojiao , Li Jianshu
Published: May 2024

Intracellular bacteria pose a great challenge to antimicrobial therapy due to various physiological barriers at both cellular and bacterial levels, which impede drug penetration and intracellular targeting, thereby fostering antibiotic resistance and yielding suboptimal treatment outcomes. Herein, a cascade‐target bacterial‐responsive drug delivery nanosystem, MM@SPE NPs, comprising a macrophage membrane (MM) shell and a core of SPE NPs. SPE NPs consist of phenylboronic acid‐grafted dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (SP NPs) encapsulated with epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG), a non‐antibiotic antibacterial component, via pH‐sensitive boronic ester bonds are introduced. Upon administration, MM@SPE NPs actively home in on infected macrophages due to the homologous targeting properties of the MM shell, which is subsequently disrupted during cellular endocytosis. Within the cellular environment, SPE NPs expose and spontaneously accumulate around intracellular bacteria through their bacteria‐targeting phenylboronic acid groups. The acidic bacterial microenvironment further triggers the breakage of boronic ester bonds between SP NPs and EGCG, allowing the bacterial‐responsive release of EGCG for localized intracellular antibacterial effects. The efficacy of MM@SPE NPs in precisely eliminating intracellular bacteria is validated in two rat models of intracellular bacterial infections. This cascade‐targeting responsive system offers new solutions for treating intracellular bacterial infections while minimizing the risk of drug resistance.
Stable Zinc Electrode Reaction Enabled by Combined Cationic and Anionic Electrolyte Additives for Non‐Flow Aqueous Zn─Br2 Batteries
Authors: Kim Jeonghyun , Park Hyeonghun , Cho Youngin , Lee Taegyoung , Kim Hyerim , Pak Chanho , Kim Hyeong‐Jin , Kim Sangryun
Published: May 2024

Aqueous zinc–bromine batteries hold immense promise for large‐scale energy storage systems due to their inherent safety and high energy density. However, achieving a reliable zinc metal electrode reaction is challenging because zinc metal in the aqueous electrolyte inevitably leads to dendrite growth and related side reactions, resulting in rapid capacity fading. Here, it is reported that combined cationic and anionic additives in the electrolytes using CeCl3 can simultaneously address the multiple chronic issues of the zinc metal electrode. Trivalent Ce3+ forms an electrostatic shielding layer to prevent Zn2+ from concentrating at zinc metal protrusions, while the high electron‐donating nature of Cl− mitigates H2O decomposition on the zinc metal surface by reducing the interaction between Zn2+ and H2O. These combined cationic and anionic effects significantly enhance the reversibility of the zinc metal reaction, allowing the non‐flow aqueous Zn─Br2 full‐cell to reliably cycle with exceptionally high capacity (>400 mAh after 5000 cycles) even in a large‐scale battery configuration of 15 × 15 cm2.
Method to Study Potential‐Induced Degradation of Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules in an Inert Environment
Authors: Breugelmans Robbe , Lammar Stijn , Aguirre Aranzazu , Aernouts Tom , Vermang Bart , Daenen Michaël
Published: May 2024

The efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is advancing rapidly, yet their sensitivity to ambient conditions poses challenges. An additional degradation mechanism, potential‐induced degradation (PID), can emerge during field operation, but the understanding of PID within perovskite devices is limited. To exclude environmental stressors, this study is conducted in an inert environment at room temperature. PSCs and mini‐modules are subjected to a 324 h PID stress test at −1000 V, revealing relative efficiency losses of around 29% and 24% for the PSCs and mini‐modules, respectively, exposing subtle degradation differences. These degradation rates are notably lower than reported in the literature, suggesting possible additional degradation pathways arising from suboptimal encapsulation combined with ambient conditions. Subsequently, half of the stressed samples are subject to +1000 V for 523 h and recover to a reduced efficiency loss of 15% and 7.7% for the PSCs and module, respectively. In contrast, storing the stressed samples on the shelf increased the efficiency losses to 32% (PSCs) and 41% (module). Therefore, the post‐PID rates differ significantly between both groups, whereas both effects of voltage recovery and progressed degradation are more pronounced in modules compared to cells. This study contributes to a robust method for PID research.
The early Cambrian Bushizheia yangi and head segmentation in upper stem‐group euarthropods
Authors: O'Flynn Robert J. , Williams Mark , Yu Mengxiao , Guo Jin , Audo Denis , Schmidt Michel , Mai Huijuan , Liu Yu , Edgecombe Gregory D.
Published: May 2024

Bushizheia yangi O'Flynn & Liu, a euarthropod from the lower Cambrian (Series 2, Stage 3) Chengjiang Konservat‐Lagerstätte, possesses both raptorial frontal appendages sharing traits with stem‐group euarthropods, and deuteropodan characters shared by all extant euarthropods (e.g. dorsal arthrodization and arthropodization of all limbs). Microtomography of new specimens of B. yangi shows previously unknown details of head morphology: a six‐segmented head composed of an ocular segment that carries diminutive paired stalked eyes, a post‐ocular segment with deutocerebral frontal appendages, and four subsequent cephalic segments each bearing a pair of appendages. The phylogenetic position of B. yangi in the euarthropod stem‐group adds support to a six‐segmented head being an ancestral state for Deuteropoda. This study also reports the first occurrence of possible eggs closely associated with B. yangi. The homology of raptorial frontal appendages between lower stem‐group euarthropod radiodonts and deuteropods (i.e. upper stem and crown‐group euarthropods) is strengthened by similarity and phylogenetic continuity between B. yangi, its likely sister taxon Kiisortoqia soperi Stein, from the Sirius Passet Konservat‐Lagerstätte, and other euarthropod taxa.
Chitinozoan response to the ‘Kellwasser events’: population dynamics and morphological deformities across the Frasnian–Famennian mass extinction
Authors: De Backer Tim , Day James (Jed) E. , Emsbo Poul , McLaughlin Patrick I. , Vandenbroucke Thijs R.A.
Published: May 2024

Fossil (zoo)plankton dynamics during Devonian ocean‐anoxic and extinction events can shed light on the palaeoceanographic and geochemical processes that shaped the middle Palaeozoic biosphere. However, datasets on (Upper) Devonian marine palynology, illustrating such dynamics, remain underexplored. The type section of the Sweetland Creek Shale in Iowa (USA) offers a detailed conodont zonation for the upper Frasnian and across the Frasnian–Famennian boundary, records the Upper and Lower Kellwasser events and has pristine preservation of organic material, making this an ideal section to study the effects of this catastrophic event on chitinozoan zooplankton populations. A total of 3998 specimens were recovered, imaged and classified into 12 distinct species, 10 of which were previously unknown. This study demonstrates the unrealized potential of chitinozoans as a regional biostratigraphic tool in the Upper Devonian. The Lower Kellwasser Event is characterized by a drop in chitinozoan abundance and the run up to the Upper Kellwasser Event marks a period of rapid species turnover rates. Interestingly, every assemblage in this interval is nearly monospecific. Patterns of changing spine morphologies in Fungochitina pilosa, Ramochitina sp. A and Saharochitina sp. A are herein explored as potential ecophenotypic expressions. We identify Angochitina monstrosa as a new disaster species. The discovery of two teratological chitinozoans specimens, in combination with the presence of the disaster species Angochitina monstrosa and deformation in contemporaneous conodonts, supports our previous discovery that marine teratology is a feature of many Palaeozoic extinction events, possibly triggered by the injection of hydrothermal brines into the ocean.
Blockchain‐based decentralized oracle network framework for identity management in metaverse environment
Authors: Gupta Ankur , Gupta Rajesh , Gohil Keyaba , Tanwar Sudeep , Garg Deepak
Published: May 2024

Managing identities in metaverse environment is challenging due to the conflicting requirements of ensuring user privacy while enforcing accountability. Users may participate in the metaverse through multiple virtual identities or avatars for different applications/scenarios. Thus, virtual identities must be continuously generated and mapped with real identities. Further, user privacy needs to be protected while not ensuring blanket anonymity to indulge in objectionable or unlawful conduct. Ensuring privacy for the metaverse while still being able to pinpoint users for their actions in the metaverse is a significant research issue. Solving the aforementioned issue, we propose a third‐party identity management solution for the metaverse based on creating a decentralized oracle network (DON) providing identity authentication and mapping service. The proposed identity management framework is metaverse platform agnostic, ensuring users' privacy on the platform while still being able to uncover their real identities if warranted. The proposed framework is viable as evidenced by experimental results of DON and blockchain implementation. The DON based framework leverage the benefits of blockchain technology and introduces immutability, transparency, and traceability into the the metaverse environment. This ensures data integrity and minimizes the frequency of cyber attacks in the metaverse ecosystem.
Exploring teacher identity development: Asian teaching assistants' experience at a U.S. university
Authors: Zhu Yangyang , Alsup Janet
Published: May 2024

This study explored the teacher identity development of Asian teaching assistants (ATA) at a U.S. university. The researchers used a qualitative design with two semi‐structured interviews with each of the three participants. Findings suggest that ATAs were unprepared for racial diversity and experienced anti‐Asian sentiment in the classroom during the COVID‐19 pandemic. They struggled to make sense of the content of the courses they were teaching due to a lack of systematic training. Some constructed teacher identity through a challenging process: moving from being self‐doubting, nervous, and frustrated to being comfortable, confident, and even creative. The findings suggest that universities should pay attention to the preparation of international teaching assistants (ITA) for teaching in a multicultural U.S. context with unfamiliar student expectations for teaching and learning.
How Can Language Education Contribute to Securing a Livable Planet?
Authors: Porto Melina
Published: May 2024

The aim of this study was to test the notion of ecological citizenship empirically in the English language classroom in an underrepresented region, Latin America. A pedagogic project aimed at the development of students as ecological citizens was designed and implemented in 2019 in four English language classrooms in a public secondary school in Argentina. Participants were 111 teenagers aged 15–17 taking their fourth or fifth years. The project addressed the theme ‘the world we want’ using the UN sustainable development goals as a foundation, in particular, those concerned with environmental issues. The study is theoretically grounded on the notion of ecological citizenship and the research question is: How can language education contribute to securing a livable planet? Data types include Instagram publications (video, text, and a variety of semiotic resources); Instagram comments; student artifacts created in class (graphs, charts, tables, icons); infographics sewed together to make a quilt; a project video; the Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters; and a final student survey. Qualitative analysis was done in three phases and findings indicate that the creative arts and community engagement in combination fostered students' development as ecological citizens in this context. Implications for language education are considered.
Geophysics as a hypothesis‐testing tool for critical zone hydrogeology
Authors: Dumont Marc , Singha Kamini
Published: May 2024

Geophysical methods have long been used in earth and environmental science for the characterization of subsurface properties. While imaging the subsurface opens the “black box” of subsurface heterogeneity, we argue here that these tools can be used in a more powerful way than characterization, which is to develop and test hypotheses. Critical zone science has opened new questions and hypotheses in the hydrologic sciences holistically around controls on water fluxes between surface, biological, and underground compartments. While groundwater flows can be monitored in boreholes, water fluxes from the atmosphere to the aquifer through the soil and the root system are more complex to study than boreholes can inform upon. Here, we focus on the successful application of various geophysical tools to explore hypotheses in critical zone hydrogeology and highlight areas where future contributions could be made. Specifically, we look at questions around subsurface structural controls on flow, the dimensionality and partitioning of those flows in the subsurface, plant water uptake, and how geophysics may be used to constrain reactive transport. We also outline areas of future research that may push the boundaries of how geophysical methods are used to quantify critical zone complexity.

This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Nature of Freshwater Ecosystems

Science of Water > Hydrological Processes

Water and Life > Methods
How does science and technology studies contribute to climate mitigation research? Advanced review of infrastructure as a concept and method
Authors: Silvast Antti , Virtanen Mikko J. , Valkenburg Govert , Kongsager Rico
Published: May 2024

The objective of this paper is to review how Science and Technology Studies (STS) has contributed to climate change mitigation research. We focus on large‐scale infrastructures as a key topic of both mitigation efforts and recent STS scholarship. The paper assesses the conceptual and methodological treatments in this field, uses literature evidence to identify research gaps, and suggests potential topics for future research. Our research firstly contributes to the use of STS approaches in the novel field of climate change mitigation infrastructure, asking how scholarship in the field has learned from STS and developed STS further. Second, we examine how infrastructures are approached in this literature and conclude that the reviewed works almost exclusively associate infrastructure with physical supply systems. This is paradoxical since several of them also advocate a socio‐technical perspective on infrastructures, which would require much more substantiation of the social aspects than they seem to provide. Third, we explore the fits between theoretical frameworks and methods in this field and discover a strong reliance on case studies, literature reviews, and theoretical‐conceptual discussions. This situation suggests that methodological advancements in STS infrastructure studies has still been untapped in this area.

This article is categorized under:

The Carbon Economy and Climate Mitigation > Decarbonizing Energy and/or Reducing Demand
A review of nature‐based infrastructures and their effectiveness for urban flood risk mitigation
Authors: Esraz‐Ul‐Zannat Md. , Dedekorkut‐Howes Aysin , Morgan Edward Alexander
Published: May 2024

Anthropogenic climate change and rapid urbanization are contributing to more frequent and intense urban flooding. There is widespread agreement that traditional gray infrastructure, a single‐purpose solution, fails to address the problem properly and contributes to adverse direct and indirect environmental impacts. As such, Nature‐based Solutions (NbS) can provide improved outcomes to flood risk management along with co‐benefits to society and the economy, as they have numerous benefits incuding often a smaller carbon footprint or even sometimes sequestering carbon. However, there is ambiguity and misconception about NbS and the uptake of NbS for flood management, which is still inadequate compared to traditional gray infrastructure. This research seeks to explore various nature‐based infrastructures including their present status of application for flood risk management to build resilience to urban flooding through a systematic literature review. The robustness of some NbS is questionable and varies across different spatial scales from plot to watershed. NbS can work stand‐alone in many cases as well as supplement traditional gray infrastructure to achieve wider benefits. The review provides a comparison of nature‐based solutions with gray infrastructure, identifies flood mitigation infrastructures that include nature‐based elements, and provides an overview of their effectiveness across different scales. The research findings should contribute to a better understanding of appropriate and diverse options of NbS, gray, and hybrid designs by policymakers and decision‐makers to enable them in effectively designing and implementing urban flood risk mitigation measures.

This article is categorized under:

Climate and Development > Urbanization, Development, and Climate Change

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Learning from Cases and Analogies
Conservation and mitigation approaches for human–gray wolf (Canis lupus) conflicts in Shigar Valley, Northern Pakistan
Authors: Zaman Muhammad , Riegert Jan , Chen Yi , Yu Yang , Guo Cheng , Fan Longcheng
Published: May 2024

Human‐gray wolf conflict over livestock depredation and absence of mitigation measures is a key threat leading to the decline of wolf populations in Pakistan, where gray wolves are endangered. In this study, we collected data from January 2019 to September 2021, and human–wolf conflict and mitigation measures were investigated by interviews with 200 shepherds that were randomly selected from 43 different human settlements. We used binary logistic GLM models to predict landscape features related to gray wolf conflict patterns. Over the 3 years of the study, the gray wolf was responsible for 963 livestock losses and 244.50 million rupees (1,381,388.14 USD) in economic loss in summer, and 798 livestock losses along with 169.31 million rupees (956,608.1356 USD) economic loss in winter for the same 200 shepherds in Shigar valley. Our questionnaires revealed that shepherds hold negative attitudes toward the species when there is inadequate compensation by the several government department.
Analyzing groundwater storage anomalies in data‐scarce areas of Ethiopia's Rift Valley Basin using artificial neural network
Authors: Nannawo Abera Shigute , Lohani Tarun Kumar , Eshete Abunu Atlabachew
Published: May 2024

Groundwater storage anomalies (GWSA) study requires the use of hydro‐climatic models coupled with Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment climate (GRACE) and GRACE Follow‐On (GRACE‐FO) Terrestrial Water Storage experiments. Understanding groundwater storage anomalies in the research area is difficult due to the restricted hydro‐meteorological data availability, especially, groundwater levels, changes in groundwater storage, and budgetary and technical constraints. No such investigation of GWS anomalies prior to this study in this Basin was conducted. The research focuses on GWSA investigations in the basin employing Global Land Data Assimilation Systems and Artificial Neural Networks‐Back Propagation Algorithm techniques are required. The ultimate objective of this study was to reduce the GRACE GWS from 1° to 0.25° and close the discontinuity between GRACE/GRACE‐FO observations. The results illustrated that GRACE/GRACE‐FO GWS throughout the basin were overall declining. The GWS anomaly significantly decreased between 2011 and 2013, with the highest monthly depletion in March 2011 (−158 mm). In contrast, from mid‐June to mid‐October, the maximum positive value varied from 20.80 mm in the southernmost basin to 39.49 mm in the central‐southeastern basin. The basin's eastern, central‐southeastern, northern, and southern areas displayed positive monthly GWS trends. The entire dry season has been influenced by negative anomalies. Hence, the identification of GWS variations and a comprehensive understanding of their effects provided valuable scientific insights. Identifying and analyzing anomalies in groundwater storage (GWS) can provide valuable information. This data can be efficiently used to develop appropriate regulatory frameworks, which may contribute to the long‐term viability of the availability of groundwater.
Detecting Inequalities from Earth Observation–Derived Global Societal Variables
Authors: Ehrlich Daniele , Pesaresi Martino , Kemper Thomas , Schiavina Marcello , Freire Sergio , Melchiorri Michele
Published: May 2024

Societal inequalities manifest at a range of scales, from coarse (inter-continent) to fine (intra-city). Satellite-measured night-time lights (NTL) have shown value for capturing and estimating socioeconomic characteristics, including economic activity, well-being, and poverty. However, multi-scale mapping and visualization of inequalities, especially their relative gradations and spatial patterns, have remained a challenge. To narrow this gap, we developed an approach that combines globally available built-up surface, population density, and night-time light intensity data. The integration of these earth observation-derived variables through a spatial visualization frame reveals patterns of societal inequalities at different scales. Our findings suggest that: (1) Outlining and mapping settlements using night-time lights alone underrepresent settlements of low-income countries, as both rural and suburbia of larger cities of the Global South are scarcely lit at night. (2) Combining population and built-up density that spatially locate people on the surface of the Earth with NTL provides insights on deprivation related to the lack of electricity and the services that come with it. (3) Night-time lights and inequality maps are the results of many factors that need to be addressed at different scales. A body of scientific literature that we review has just started to describe the variety of night-time light sources and the spatial variation within and across countries. New, fine-resolution NTL, population, and built-up density that are now becoming available may provide additional insights.
Interpretable deep learning models for the inference and classification of LHC data
Authors: Ngairangbam Vishal S. , Spannowsky Michael
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The Shower Deconstruction methodology is pivotal in distinguishing signal and background jets, leveraging the detailed information from perturbative parton showers. Rooted in the Neyman-Pearson lemma, this method is theoretically designed to differentiate between signal and background processes optimally in high-energy physics experiments. A key challenge, however, arises from the combinatorial growth associated with increasing jet constituents, which hampers its computational feasibility. We address this by demonstrating that the likelihood derived from comparing the most probable signal and background shower histories is equally effective for discrimination as the conventional approach of summing over all potential histories in top quark versus Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) scenarios. We propose a novel approach by conceptualising the identification of the most probable shower history as a Markov Decision Process (MDP). Utilising a sophisticated modular point-transformer architecture, our method efficiently learns the optimal policy for this task. The developed neural agent excels in constructing the most likely shower history and demonstrates robust generalisation capabilities on unencountered test data. Remarkably, our approach mitigates the complexity inherent in the inference process, achieving a linear scaling relationship with the number of jet constituents. This offers a computationally viable and theoretically sound method for signal-background differentiation, paving the way for more effective data analysis in particle physics.
Coherent γ*-nucleus scattering and coherent nuclear states
Authors: Mueller A. H.
Published: May 2024

Abstract

In the context of a McLerran-Venugopalan (MV) model for a large nucleus, coherent scattering of a virtual photon on that nucleus is evaluated in the A− = 0 gauge, the gauge appropriate for the target nucleus. The evaluation of the scattering in A− = 0 gauge is very intricate compared to the usual A+ = 0 gauge evaluation natural for the scattering process, but has the advantage of directly giving the scattering in terms of a partonic description of the nucleus. In the limit where a tagged forward jet puts the dipole-nucleus scattering in the saturation regime the coherent reactions are equal to the inelastic reactions. In terms of the nuclear wave function the coherent reactions come from color singlet and zero total transverse momentum quark-antiquark pairs in the wave function and in the saturation regime the nuclear wave function is a coherent state for these pairs. In the saturation region half of all quarks (or antiquarks) come from zero momentum and color charge pairs.
Correlation functions of scalar field theories from homotopy algebras
Authors: Okawa Yuji
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We present expressions for correlation functions of scalar field theories in perturbation theory using quantum A∞ algebras. Our expressions are highly explicit and can be used for theories both in Euclidean space and in Minkowski space including quantum mechanics. Correlation functions at a given order of perturbation theory can be calculated algebraically without using canonical quantization or the path integral, and we demonstrate it explicitly for φ3 theory. We show that the Schwinger-Dyson equations are satisfied as an immediate consequence of the form of the expressions based on quantum A∞ algebras.
Neutrino masses from new Weinberg-like operators: phenomenology of TeV scalar multiplets
Authors: Giarnetti Alessio , Herrero-García Juan , Marciano Simone , Meloni Davide , Vatsyayan Drona
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The unique dimension-5 effective operator, LLHH, known as the Weinberg operator, generates tiny Majorana masses for neutrinos after electroweak spontaneous symmetry breaking. If there are new scalar multiplets that take vacuum expectation values (VEVs), they should not be far from the electroweak scale. Consequently, they may generate new dimension-5 Weinberg-like operators which in turn also contribute to Majorana neutrino masses. In this study, we consider scenarios with one or two new scalars up to quintuplet SU(2) representations. We analyse the scalar potentials, studying whether the new VEVs can be induced and therefore are naturally suppressed, as well as the potential existence of pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone bosons. Additionally, we also obtain general limits on the new scalar multiplets from direct searches at colliders, loop corrections to electroweak precision tests and the W-boson mass.
Revisiting logarithmic correction to five dimensional BPS black hole entropy
Authors: Anupam A.H. , Chowdhury Chandramouli , Sen Ashoke
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We compute logarithmic correction to the entropy of BPS black holes in asymptotically flat five dimensional space-time using finite temperature black hole geometry and find perfect agreement with the microscopic results and macroscopic computations based on zero temperature near horizon geometry. We also reproduce the Bekenstein-Hawking term for zero temperature black hole entropy from the corresponding term for finite temperature black hole.
Structure-activity relationships and pharmacokinetic evaluation of L-cystine diamides as L-cystine crystallization inhibitors for cystinuria
Authors: Hu Longqin , Albanyan Haifa , Yang Jeffrey , Tan Xiangduan , Wang Yiling , Yang Min , Zhong Xiaodi , Ward Michael D. , Sahota Amrik
Published: May 2024

Cystinuria is a rare genetic disorder characterized by defective l-cystine reabsorption from the renal proximal tubule, resulting in abnormally high concentrations of L-cystine and subsequent l-cystine crystallization and stone formation in urine. l-Cystine diamides have shown great promise as inhibitors of l-cystine crystallization. The free α-amino groups in l-cystine diamides have previously been shown to be necessary for l-cystine crystallization inhibitory activity. In this study, three additional series of l-cystine diamide analogs were designed to explore further the structure-activity relationships for l-cystine crystallization inhibition. It has been demonstrated that the middle disulfide bond is required for optimal l-cystine crystallization inhibitory activity, and the only regions that can be modified are the two terminal amides. The presence of another basic amine 2–3 atoms away from the amide nitrogen is also critical for optimal activity. Disulfide exchange was found to be the main metabolic pathway resulting in the formation of two molecules of the active mixed disulfide metabolite from a single l-cystine diamide. l-Cystine diamides have the potential to be developed into a much-needed therapy for cystinuria.
Efficacy and safety of surufatinib plus toripalimab, a chemotherapy-free regimen, in patients with advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, or biliary tract cancer
Authors: Zhang Panpan , Chen Zhendong , Shi Si , Li Zhiping , Ye Feng , Song Lijie , Zhang Yanqiao , Yin Fei , Zhang Xing , Xu Jianming , Cheng Ying , Su Weiguo , Shi Michael , Fan Songhua , Tan Panfeng , Zhong Chen , Lu Ming , Shen Lin
Published: May 2024

Background

The programmed death 1 inhibitor toripalimab plus the angio-immuno kinase inhibitor surufatinib showed a tolerable safety profile and preliminary efficacy in patients with advanced solid tumors in a phase I study.

Methods

This open-label, multi-cohort study in China enrolled patients with advanced solid tumors who had failed or were intolerable to standard treatment into tumor-specific cohorts. Patients received surufatinib (250 mg orally, once daily) plus toripalimab (240 mg intravenously, once every three weeks). Results for three cohorts (gastric/gastroesophageal junction [GC/GEJ] adenocarcinoma, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma [ESCC], and biliary tract carcinoma [BTC]) are reported here. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed objective response rate (ORR) per Response Evaluation criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1.

Results

Between December 17, 2019, and January 29, 2021, 60 patients were enrolled (GC/GEJ, n = 20; ESCC, n = 20; BTC, n = 20). At data cutoff (February 28, 2023), ORRs were 31.6%, 30.0%, and 11.1%, respectively. Median progression-free survival was 4.1, 2.7, and 2.9 months, respectively. Median overall survival was 13.7, 10.4, and 7.0 months, respectively. Overall, grade ≥  3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 28 (46.7%) patients.

Conclusions

Surufatinib plus toripalimab showed promising antitumor activity and a tolerable safety profile in immunotherapy-naïve patients with GC/GEJ adenocarcinoma, ESCC, or BTC. These findings warrant further study in larger randomized trials comparing surufatinib plus toripalimab with standard therapies in these tumors.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04169672.
Long-term survival after anti-PD-1 discontinuation in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC): a proof of concept of benefit of concomitant cemiplimab and radiotherapy
Authors: Bailly-Caillé Barbara , Levard Romain , Kottler Diane , Dompmartin Anne , L’Orphelin Jean-Matthieu
Published: May 2024

Background

In a princeps study we conducted in patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma treated with concomitant anti-Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and radiotherapy, we demonstrated a clinico radiological response to cemiplimab that appeared to persist over time, 1 year after treatment discontinuation.

Method

We conducted a single-center descriptive study at Caen Hospital from September 1, 2021 to September 2023, in 14 patients with advanced carcinoma treated with cemiplimab until September 1, 2021. The aim of this update is to examine clinical and radiological follow-up 2 years after discontinuation of cemiplimab.

Results

Of the 12 patients with a partial or complete response, we report 8 (66.7%) persistent responses 2 years after stopping cemiplimab, with only 2 patients progressing to distant disease, one lost to follow-up, and one death a priori unrelated to the disease.

Conclusion

Our study confirms a long-term and persistent effect despite discontinuation of cemiplimab at least up to 2 years later.
Different Dilutions of Mesobotox in Facial Rejuvenation: Which is Better?
Authors: Salem Samar Abdallah , Seoudy Wael Mohamed , Abd El-Rahman Nesma Saber , Afify Ahmed Abdelfattah
Published: May 2024

Background

Microbotulinum toxin A treatment is a technique of delivering multiple intradermal injections of diluted botulinum toxin type A into the dermis or the interface between the dermis and the superficial layer of the facial muscles to preserve the facial mobility. The current study aimed to evaluate and compare the clinical effect of different dilutions of microbotulinum toxin A in periorbital and mid-facial rejuvenation.

Methods

This randomized prospective interventional study included 30 female patients with different types of wrinkles in periorbital and/or mid-face. Patients were divided into three groups: group I (10 patients): 100U botulinum toxin in 5 ml saline, group II (10 patients): 100U botulinum toxin in 7 ml saline and group III (10 patients): 100U botulinum toxin in 10 ml saline.

Results

A statistically significant better global esthetic improvement scale (GAIS) scores after 1 month were observed in group I compared to groups II and III. Also, after 6 months better GAIS scores were observed in group I compared to group II and in group II compared to group III. Assessment of different esthetic parameters measured by the Antera 3D camera revealed a statistically significant improvement in all parameters (periorbital and mid-face) in group I and in most of parameters (periorbital and mid-face) in groups II and III with more evident improvement after 1 month compared to after 6 months.

Conclusion

Intradermal microbotulinum toxin A is a cost-effective method for improving periorbital and mid-face wrinkles with a better effect of 1:5 than 1:7 and 1:10 dilutions.

Facial wrinkles possess a great burden on patients' psychological status, and the emergence of novel rejuvenation technique with minimal side effects is necessary.

MicroBoNT-A usage in the literature was through variety of dilutions and concentrations. Therefore, a conclusive and comparative study was essential to compare the effect of different microBoNT-A dilutions.

In this context, the current study aimed to evaluate and compare the clinical effect of different dilutions of microBoNT-A in periorbital and mid-facial rejuvenation.

Level of Evidence III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
The Impact of Epidural Analgesia on Immobility and extended Hospital Stay After Periacetabular Osteotomy
Authors: Ahmad Sufian S. , Becker Nils , Grap Laura-Vanessa , Windhagen Henning , Haertlé Marco
Published: May 2024

Aims

Early mobilisation after periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) represents an important goal after surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of epidural aznalgesia (EA) is associated with prolonged immobility and an increased length of stay (LOS) after PAO surgery.

Methods

From January 2022 to July 2023, the study included a cohort of 150 PAO procedures all performed by the same surgeon (SSA). Patients were categorized into two distinct groups: those who received epidural analgesia (EA) (79 PAOs) and those who did not receive EA (71 PAOs). "Ready for discharge" was defined as the ability to ascend and descend a standardized flight of stairs independently. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify additional factors influencing LOS after PAO.

Results

Patients in the EA group were ready for discharge 5.95 ± 2.09 days after surgery which was significantly longer than in the No EA group´s average of 4.18 days ± 2.5, (p < 0.001). While the reduction in the number of patients experiencing pulmonary embolism in the No EA group did not reach statistical significance, it still demonstrated a relevant decrease from two patients within the EA group (2.53%) to 0 (0%) in the No EA group. The active engagement of the surgeon in mobilising patients led to a substantial reduction in LOS, decreasing it from 5.81 ± 2.18 days to 2.2 ± 0.77 days (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis revealed five independent factors influencing the LOS following PAO which included absence of EA, surgeon-led mobilisation within 24 h after surgery, postoperative hemoglobin levels, BMI, and prior experience with PAO surgery on the contralateral side.

Conclusions

Opting against the use of EA in patients undergoing PAO is advisable, as it will result in extended postoperative immobility and the associated risks. Additionally, the active participation of the surgeon in the mobilisation process is strongly recommended.
Development and functional testing of a novel in vitro delayed scratch closure assay
Authors: Aw Yi Bing , Chen Sixun , Yeo Aimin , Dangerfield John A. , Mok Pamela
Published: May 2024

As the development of chronic wound therapeutics continues to expand, the demand for advanced assay systems mimicking the inflammatory wound microenvironment in vivo increases. Currently, this is performed in animal models or in in vitro cell-based models such as cell culture scratch assays that more closely resemble acute wounds. Here, we describe for the first time a delayed scratch closure model that mimics some features of a chronic wound in vitro. Chronic wounds such as those suffered by later stage diabetic patients are characterised by degrees of slowness to heal caused by a combination of continued localised physical trauma and pro-inflammatory signalling at the wound. To recreate this in a cell-based assay, a defined physical scratch was created and stimulated by combinations of pro-inflammatory factors, namely interferon, the phorbol ester PMA, and lipopolysaccharide, to delay scratch closure. The concentrations of these factors were characterised for commonly used human keratinocyte (HaCaT) and dermal fibroblast (HDF) cell lines. These models were then tested for scratch closure responsiveness to a proprietary healing secretome derived from human Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) previously validated and shown to be highly effective on closure of acute wound models both in vitro and in vivo. The chronically open scratches from HaCaT cells showed closure after exposure to the MSC secretome product. We propose this delayed scratch closure model for academic and industrial researchers studying chronic wounds looking for responsiveness to drugs or biological treatments prior to testing on explanted patient material or in vivo.
GALAD score as a prognostic model for recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after local ablation
Authors: Qiao Wenying , Li Jiashuo , Xiong Yiqi , Zheng Jiasheng , Jin Ronghua , Hu Caixia
Published: May 2024

Background

Currently, the high recurrence rate still forms severe challenges in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. The GALAD score, including age, gender, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive AFP (AFP-L3), and des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin (DCP) was developed as a diagnostic model. However, evidence is still lacking to confirm the capability of the GALAD score to predict the recurrence of HCC.

Methods

This study included 390 HCC patients after local ablation at Beijing You'an Hospital from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022. Firstly, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was calculated to assess the predictive capability of the GALAD score. Then, the Kaplan–Meier (KM) curve and log-rank test were used to compare the prognosis between two groups classified by GALAD score. Finally, a nomogram for high-risk patients was established by Lasso-Cox regression. It was assessed by ROC curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

The ROC curve (AUC: 0.749) and KM curve showed the GALAD score had good predictive ability and could clearly stratify patients into two groups through the risk of recurrence. Prognostic factors selected by Lasso-Cox regression contained tumor number, tumor size, and globulin. The nomogram for high-risk patients showed reliable discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility.

Conclusion

This research displayed that the GALAD score is an effective model for predicting the recurrence of HCC. Meanwhile, we found the poor prognosis of the high-risk group and created a nomogram for these patients.