bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grip strength is inversely associated with DNA methylation age acceleration
Authors: Peterson Mark D. , Collins Stacey , Meier Helen C.S. , Brahmsteadt Alexander , Faul Jessica D.
Published: November 2022

Background

There is a large body of evidence linking muscular weakness, as determined by low grip strength, to a host of negative ageing‐related health outcomes. Given these links, grip strength has been labelled a ‘biomarker of aging’; and yet, the pathways connecting grip strength to negative health consequences are unclear. The objective of this study was to determine whether grip strength was associated with measures of DNA methylation (DNAm) age acceleration.

Methods

Middle age and older adults from the 2006 to 2008 waves of the Health and Retirement Study with 8–10 years of follow‐up were included. Cross‐sectional and longitudinal regression modelling was performed to examine the association between normalized grip strength (NGS) and three measures of DNAm age acceleration, adjusting for cell composition, sociodemographic variables and smoking. Longitudinal modelling was also completed to examine the association between change in absolute grip strength and DNAm age acceleration. The three DNAm clocks used for estimating age acceleration include the established DunedinPoAm, PhenoAge and GrimAge clocks.

Results

There was a robust and independent cross‐sectional association between NGS and DNAm age acceleration for men using the DunedinPoAm (β: −0.36; P < 0.001), PhenoAge (β: −8.27; P = 0.01) and GrimAge (β: −4.56; P = 0.01) clocks and for women using the DunedinPoAm (β: −0.36; P < 0.001) and GrimAge (β: −4.46; P = 0.01) clocks. There was also an independent longitudinal association between baseline NGS and DNAm age acceleration for men (β: −0.26; P < 0.001) and women (β: −0.36; P < 0.001) using the DunedinPoAm clock and for women only using the PhenoAge (β: −8.20; P < 0.001) and GrimAge (β: −5.91; P < 0.001) clocks. Longitudinal modelling revealed a robust association between change in grip strength from wave 1 to wave 3 was independently associated with PhenoAgeAA (β: −0.13; 95% CI: −0.23, −0.03) and GrimAgeAA (β: −0.07; 95% CI: −0.14, −0.01) in men only (both P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our findings provide some initial evidence of age acceleration among men and women with lower NGS and loss of strength over time. Future research is needed to understand the extent to which DNAm age mediates the association between grip strength and chronic disease, disability and mortality.
Current status of undergraduate orthodontic education in Canada
Authors: Brown Matthew M. , Wiltshire William A. , Russell Kathy
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study evaluated teaching hours and mode of instruction of undergraduate orthodontic education dental students in Canada receive, changes implemented by each educational dental institution (EDI) in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, and plans for mode of orthodontic education delivery post‐COVID‐19.

Methods

An electronic survey was administered to the program directors of undergraduate orthodontics at each EDI to reveal details regarding the (i) time and details of didactic, preclinical, and clinical experience provided to students and (ii) perceptions of undergraduate program directors about the adequacy of the current curricula.

Results

All 10 Canadian EDIs participated in the survey during the year 2021. Most EDIs deliver their orthodontic curricula beginning in the second year of the program (7, 70.0%), continuing through third (7, 70.0%) and fourth (6, 60.0%) years. The number of hours of didactic, preclinical, and clinical instruction varied by as much as 50 h per academic year across different EDIs. In response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, almost all EDIs (9, 90.0%) maintained the same amount of didactic lecture time yet most switched to synchronous (5, 50.0%) or asynchronous (3, 30.0%) online delivery format. Most EDIs (8, 80.0%) indicated the quality of education was maintained during the pandemic.

Conclusions

There exists significant variation in undergraduate orthodontic time allotment among Canadian EDIs. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, most Canadian EDIs maintained a consistent amount of teaching hours while transitioning to some form of online course delivery. Most program directors indicated they believed students received the same quality of education after the change in mode of course delivery. The future of undergraduate orthodontic education will likely continue the accelerated trend toward online education.
Expansion of the partnered pharmacist medication charting model on admission in the General Medicine Unit — initiation of new medications
Authors: Hua Phuong U. , Edwards Gail , Van Dyk Eleanor , Yip Gary , Mitra Biswadev , Dooley Michael J. , Tong Erica Y.
Published: November 2022

Background

Increasing life expectancy has seen a continual rise in older patients who present to hospital with acute decompensation. Pharmacists are well equipped to make medication recommendations in these settings to meet patient care needs, promote harm minimisation, and improve workflow efficiency. The Partnered Pharmacist Medication Charting (PPMC) model enables pharmacists to chart regular medications for patients admitted to the General Medicine Unit (GMU) in collaboration with treating clinicians. The model was expanded to assess the safety of pharmacists additionally charting newly initiated medications.

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the safety of the expanded PPMC model through the number of medication errors.

Method

This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary hospital. Patients admitted to the GMU and received PPMC were included. Pharmacists were able to chart any new medications as well as the patients' pre‐admission medications. The primary outcome was the number of medication errors charted on admission. Medication errors were defined as medications charted outside of the specific recommendations documented in the medication management plan written by the PPMC pharmacist and co‐signed by the admitting medical officer.

Results

A total of 8093 medications were charted by a credentialed pharmacist, with 10% (n = 816) planned newly initiated medications. Eight (0.98%) medication charting errors were identified in the PPMC model, which included five planned medications omitted. Of the 811 newly charted medications, 87 (10.7%) were amended within 24 h, with the majority being due to change in diagnosis or driven by changes in clinical status or investigative results becoming available.

Conclusion

The expansion of the PPMC model of care to enable pharmacist charting of new medications was found to be safe. The adoption of the model may aid in reducing medication errors, thereby improving patient care and safety.
miR‐96‐5p regulates cervical cancer cell resistance to cisplatin by inhibiting lncRNA TRIM52‐AS1 and promoting IGF2BP2
Authors: Wu En Yuesu , Huang Li‐Ping , Bao Jin‐Hua
Published: November 2022

MicroRNA (miRNA) and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) are both regulators of cancer progression. This study sought to discuss the functional mechanism of miR‐96‐5p/lncRNA TRIM52 antisense RNA 1 (head‐to‐head; TRIM52‐AS1) in cervical cancer (CC) cell resistance to cisplatin (DDP). DDP‐resistant CC cell line was established using increasing concentrations of DDP, followed by transfection with miR‐96‐5p inhibitor, or si‐TRIM52‐AS1, or insulin‐like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) overexpression vector. Expression levels of miR‐96‐5p, TRIM52‐AS1, and IGF2BP2 were determined. Changes in IC50 value to DDP, cell proliferation, and apoptosis rate were evaluated by cell‐counting kit‐8 assay, colony formation, and flow cytometry. The bindings of miR‐96‐5p to IGF2BP2 and TRIM52‐AS1 to IGF2BP2 were verified by dual‐luciferase or RNA pull‐down assays. These experiments revealed an up‐expression of miR‐96‐5p and IGF2BP2 while an under‐expression of TRIM52‐AS1 in CC cells. After DDP treatment, miR‐96‐5p inhibition increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation and DDP resistance. miR‐96‐5p bound to TRIM52‐AS1 and downregulated TRIM52‐AS1 expression, and TRIM52‐AS1 bound to IGF2BP2 to inhibit IGF2BP2 expression. TRIM52‐AS1 inhibition or IGF2BP2 overexpression neutralized the inhibition of silencing miR‐96‐5p on CC cell resistance to DDP. Overall, miR‐96‐5p improved CC cell resistance to DDP by inhibiting TRIM52‐AS1 and promoting IGF2BP2.
Sustainable Polyurethane Networks with High Self‐Healing and Mechanical Properties Based on Dual Dynamic Covalent Bonds
Authors: Zeng Yanning , Li Jiawei , Hu Chaoying , Yang Bin , Ning Zhao
Published: November 2022

Hydroxy‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) based polyurethanes (PU) networks are broadly applied in industry and aviation, however, their nonrecyclability leads to the waste of petroleum. In this work, a series of novel self‐healing, weldable, and recyclable HTPB‐based PU networks with dual reversible covalent bonds are fabricated by one‐pot polycondensation. To shorten the relaxation time, dual reversible covalent bonds (disulfide bonds and boronic ester bonds) are incorporated into the HTPB‐based PU networks. Meanwhile, to promote tensile strength, the rigid isocyanate and cross‐link agent are introduced into the networks. Obtained HTPB‐based PU network structures are characterized by FTIR, Raman, and DMA measurements. Obtained HHMB‐4‐20 network shows the best mechanical properties (tensile strength = 6.97 MPa, elongation at break = 302 %), and the mechanical properties almost can be recovered after welding/reprocessing by hot pressing. To satisfy the demands of industrial sustainability, the synthesis of PU networks with capabilities of reprocessing, self‐healing, and welding is a feasible approach.
Distal finger reconstruction technique combining a distally‐based finger flap and a partial toe flap
Authors: Hirase Yuichi , Kanno Yuri , Okubo Arisa , Onozawa Hisasuke , Yagishita Mikio , Yamada Tetsuo
Published: November 2022

Background

Although aesthetic reconstruction of an amputated distal finger can be achieved through partial toe transfer, this approach often damages the weight‐bearing region of the toe from which the flap is harvested. The purpose of this report is to introduce the minimum invasive surgery technique to reconstruct the distal finger aesthetically without damaging the weight‐bearing region of the toe.

Patients and Methods

Thirty‐one amputated fingertips in 30 patients aged 18 to 68 years were treated using this operative technique. Operations were performed between January 2010 and December 2020. All patients were missing the distal finger beyond the PIP joint, and the amputation stump had been covered with healthy skin. A distally based finger flap was elevated at the recipient site, and a slender partial toe flap, including the nail, was harvested from the great toe. These flaps were combined to form the distal finger. In all cases, the weight‐bearing region of the toe remained intact. The donor site wound was first closed with artificial dermis, and skin grafting was performed 3 weeks after the surgery. A few patients did not require skin grafting because their wounds epithelized spontaneously.

Results

In most patients, the transplanted flap remained healthy and the distal finger was aesthetically restored. Two patients aged over 60 years who were smokers developed necrosis of the transplanted partial toe flap. In all patients, the weight‐bearing region of the great toe was intact, and they had no trouble walking during the three‐year follow‐up period after surgery.

Conclusion

Our technique, which combines elevation of a distally‐based finger flap and transplantation of a partial toe flap, was able to minimize the skin defect area in the great toe. This new distal finger reconstruction technique is minimally invasive and can be used to prevent secondary donor site issues.
Outcome measures in psoriatic arthritis: Where next?
Authors: Hackett Simon , Coates Laura C.
Published: November 2022

Objective

To provide an overview of commonly used outcome measure in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Background

PsA is a heterogenous inflammatory arthritis, associated with psoriasis that affects between 0.1% and 2% of the population and approximately one in three patients with psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis places a significant burden on patients' overall quality of life and is associated with a range of comorbidities. Although assessment of patients and monitoring of symptoms has greatly improved over the last 2 decades, capturing disease activity in this multisystem disease remains challenging. Previous efforts have traditionally focussed on assessment of individual disease domains, however recent evidence suggests that composite measurements, particularly those incorporating patient reported outcomes may not only help monitor disease activity more accurately, but also help in accurately validating therapy outcomes in PsA patients.

Purpose

This review discusses currently used outcome measurements in PsA and also highlights the importance of emerging measurements such as biomarkers and their possible role in capturing treatment response.
Short‐term educational value of online neuromuscular ultrasound courses
Authors: Tawfik Eman A. , Wijntjes Juerd , Walker Francis O. , Cartwright Michael S. , van Alfen Nens
Published: November 2022

Introduction/Aims

We have previously reported that online neuromuscular ultrasound courses are feasible and were found to be useful by most survey respondents. However, our previous report lacked objective assessment of the educational value of the courses. Therefore, we aimed in this study to evaluate the learning outcomes of online neuromuscular ultrasound courses.

Methods

Each of the basic and advanced courses featured one pre‐ and two post‐course online knowledge tests. The percentage of corrected answers and the participants' scores in the three tests were calculated and compared.

Results

A total of 153 out of 277 course participants answered the course test. The mean percentage of correct answers were significantly higher in the second and first post‐course tests compared to the pre‐course test (Basic course test: 80.2 ± 14.8%, 75.5 ± 15.9%, 64.3 ± 19.1%, respectively; Advanced course test: 80.9 ± 20.1, 78.9 ± 15.2%, 69.5 ± 20.2%, respectively). The mean scores of the participants in the basic course test significantly improved in the first and second post‐course tests (from 66.6% to 77.5% and from 67.2% to 80.2%, respectively) whereas those of the participants in the advanced course test significantly improved in the first post‐course test only (from 76.3% to 85.4%).

Discussion

This report demonstrates the capability of online neuromuscular ultrasound courses, particularly the basic‐level courses, to enhance knowledge. This information can further help integrate virtual neuromuscular ultrasound teaching as a standard complementary educational format together with supervised in‐person or remote hands‐on training.
Risk assessment of dorsal scapular nerve injury in the medial scapular area associated with upper extremity position: An ultrasonographic study
Authors: Kang Byung Heon , Lee Dae Wook , Kang Seok , Yoon Joon Shik
Published: November 2022

Introduction/Aims

Injuries to the dorsal scapular nerve (DSN) in the interscapular region are relatively uncommon. Physicians may therefore underestimate the risk of damage to the DSN during procedures. The aim of this study was to identify the topographic position of the DSN in the interscapular region and to identify injection positions for the upper extremities that minimize the risk of damage to the DSN during procedures.

Methods

The positional relationships between the DSN and scapula were quantified by ultrasonography in 46 healthy volunteers. The distances between the medial scapular line and DSN and the DSN depths from the surface in Zones 1 (the superior angle), 2 (the scapular spine), and 3 (between the scapular spine and inferior angle) were measured in the anatomical and contralateral shoulder touch positions (positions 1 and 2, respectively).

Results

The DSN was located further away from the medial border of the scapula and closer to the skin in position 2 than in position 1. The horizontal distance of the DSN in Zone 2 differed significantly between the two positions (0.85 ± 0.38 vs 1.23 ± 0.38, P < .001). The results suggest a safe area as just medial to the medial scapular border in Zone 2 in position 2. The safety margin should be considered at least 1.5 cm medial to the medial border of the scapula in Zone 3 in position 1.

Discussion

Performing invasive procedures in the interscapular region, appropriate individualized positioning may reduce the risk of DSN injury.
Catch-and-Release Angling Effects on Lake Sturgeon in Wisconsin, USA
Authors: Shaw Stephanie L. , Lawson Zachary , Gerbyshak Joseph , Nye Nathan , Donofrio Michael
Published: November 2022

Discard mortality is an important factor to consider when managing catch-and-release fisheries. Even low levels of discard mortality can induce population-level effects particularly in long-lived, low-productivity species like Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens. Unfortunately, little is known about the effects of catch-and-release angling on Lake Sturgeon physiology and probability of discard mortality. We used controlled angling events with standardized gear to capture 96 Lake Sturgeon from August to October 2019 from four regional locations in Wisconsin, USA. We evaluated the physiological effects of angling and activation of the stress response using whole blood concentrations of lactate and glucose as well as assessment of reflex impairment and postcapture monitoring of recovery time. Lactate levels were positively related to fight duration and the fight duration × total length interaction. Glucose level was related to the time a fish spent out of water postangling event. Water temperature had a positive effect on the probability of reflex impairment and the probability that a sturgeon required recovery time. The recovery duration was positively related to the amount of time that the fish was out of water. The movements of a subset of 15 individuals from one location were monitored using acoustic telemetry for approximately 2 weeks postangling. All individuals showed continuous up- and downstream movement during the postrelease monitoring period, and there was no evidence of mortality related to the angling events. Managers considering catch-and-release fisheries for Lake Sturgeon should consider population-specific relative abundance and catch rates. They should exercise caution in scenarios when seasonal aggregations may lead populations to be susceptible to high catch rates, during times of elevated water temperatures, or the combination of these factors. The Lake Sturgeon in this study appeared to be robust to angling-induced stress effects. Nevertheless, caution is still warranted, as low levels of discard mortality have the potential to influence low-productivity species like Lake Sturgeon.
Effect of different starch contents on physical, morphological, mechanical, barrier, and biodegradation properties of tapioca starch and poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) blend film
Authors: Akhir Maisara A. M. , Zubir Syazana A. , Mariatti Jaafar
Published: November 2022

Study on degradation behaviors of biodegradable poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) blended with different compositions of thermoplastic starch (TPS) under soil burial and natural weathering environments is vital in order to predict the product service‐life and planning for in situ biodegradation after product disposal. In this article, different compositions of TPS (0%, 20%, 40%, 50%, and 60%) were compounded with PBAT using single screw extruder. The samples were characterized for their tensile properties, fractured surface morphology, water barrier and surface hydrophorbicity properties in order to investigate the effect of starch fractions in PBAT blends. The degradation behavior under natural weathering and soil burial conditions was also determined during the 9 months duration by observing the change of physical appearance, weight loss, surface morphology, chemical structural, and tensile properties. The findings showed that the addition of TPS (20%, 40%, 50%, and 60%) had led to a reduction in tensile strength (41.47%, 60.53%, 63.43%, and 68.53%), and reduction in elongation at break (42.92%, 92.1%, 92.23%, and 93.22%, respectively) and water barrier properties. The findings also showed that there were distinct degradation behavior under both conditions. Upon exposure to natural weathering, photodegradation and Norrish type I & II occurred whereas under the soil burial condition, hydrolytic, and enzymatic degradation take places. Sample with the highest starch contents underwent the highest weight loss and reduction in tensile properties under both environments. The findings in this study are useful in order to investigate the feasibility of PBAT/Tapioca starch blends for biodegradable plastic film for various industrial applications especially in packaging and agricultural mulch.
COVID‐19 and pediatric pulmonology: Feedback from an expert center after the first year of the pandemic
Authors: Corvol Harriet , Prevost Blandine , Aubertin Guillaume , Thouvenin Guillaume , Taytard Jessica , Nathan Nadia
Published: November 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak has evolved with different waves corresponding to subsequent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) mutations. While the most severe cases have been observed in the elderly and in individuals with underlying comorbidities, severe pediatric and young adult cases have been observed, as well as post‐infectious inflammatory syndromes and persistent symptoms leading to long‐COVID. This manuscript describes the experience of a pediatric respiratory unit during the first year of the pandemic and reviews the corresponding literature with a special emphasis on children and young people with underlying conditions, such as immunosuppression, sickle cell disease, and cystic fibrosis.
Preparation of Nitrocellulose by Homogeneous Esterification of Cellulose Based on Ionic Liquids
Authors: Duan Xikai , Li Zhaoqian , Wu Bo , Shen Jinpeng , Pei Chonghua
Published: November 2022

The industrial nitrification system of preparing nitrocellulose (NC) adopts nitric and sulfuric mixed acid, which generates a large amount of waste acid and by‐products, and requires a laborious procedure for the stability treatment. In this study, a novel method was developed for the preparation of NC. NC with a nitrogen content of 12.62 % was prepared in 15 min by homogeneous esterification of cellulose based on [Bmim]Cl (1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride). The samples were characterized by FT‐IR, XRD, Raman, XPS, TG‐DSC, GPC, SEM, and elemental analysis. In addition, the activation energy (Ea) was calculated according to the Kissinger method. The burning rate and chemical stability of samples were also tested. The results showed that the NC had 3D honeycomb structure with pores of 200–300 nm diameter, uniform distribution of nitrogen elements, nitrogen content of 12.62 %, and minimum polydispersity index (PDI) of 1.55. The heat of decomposition (Qdec) released by the samples was increased by 141 J/g, the Ea decreased by 16.4 %, and the burning rate increased by 40.5 % when compared with commercially available NC12.6%. The chemical stability was very well only after water cooking. Compared with the conventional method, this method doesn't use sulfuric acid, generates less waste acid, and doesn't produce by‐products such as sulfate esters. The procedure of stability treatment was also very effortless. The costs could also be reduced by the recycling of ionic liquids.
Hemodynamic assessment of transitioning from parenteral prostacyclin to selexipag in pediatric pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Colglazier Elizabeth , Stevens Leah , Parker Claire , Nawaytou Hythem M. , Amin Elena K. , Becerra Jasmine , Steurer Martina , Fineman Jeffrey R.
Published: November 2022

Despite the increase in therapeutic options, parenteral prostacyclins remain the cornerstone in the medical management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). While the use of parenteral prostacyclins in pediatric patients is well documented, less is known about alternative drug delivery methods such as enteral administration. Given that parenteral routes of prostacyclin administration (IV or SC) are invariably accompanied by complicated logistics and lifestyle compromises, enteral prostacyclin administration represents an attractive treatment option. Selexipag (Uptravi®) was approved for adults PAH in 2015. There is limited data on the hemodynamic efficacy of transitioning from parenteral prostacyclins to selexipag, particularly in the pediatric population. We report 11 pediatric PAH patients who underwent this transition, in which 10 had complete cardiac catheterization data before and following the transition to selexipag. All patients/families reported an improvement in quality of life, and the transitions occurred without adverse effects. However, 3 of the 11 (27%) did not tolerate the transition; two for worsening hemodynamics, and one for acute right ventricular failure in the setting of an intercurrent illness. In addition, the transition to selexipag was associated with a modest increase in pulmonary vascular resistance index (6/10) and decrease in cardiac index (6/10) in some patients. Selexipag use in pediatric PAH represents a significant addition to our therapeutic arsenal, and its use provides a meaningful improvement in quality of life compared with other prostacyclin formulations. However, when goals of care include aggressive disease management, a decision between improved quality of life and possible adverse outcomes must be considered, and its substitution should include cautious, close, long‐term follow‐up.
Around seven decades river course shifting and bank erosion susceptibility of river Mujnai
Authors: Sarkar Sudipa , Bera Biswajit
Published: November 2022

River bank erosion is a destructive fluvio‐hydrological hazard particularly inhabited flood plain of the dynamic Himalayan foreland basin. Every year during monsoonal months, morphology of the landscape is continuously modifying through the dynamic river system. The principal objectives of this study are (i) to identify the river bank erosion susceptibility through BESI (River Bank Susceptibility Index) model which has been modified from Rosgen's (2001) Bank Erosion Hazard Index (BEHI) model and historical reconstruction (from 1955 to 2021) of the river course of Mujnai and (ii) to examine the principal factors of river bank erosion particularly for the river Mujnai within Himalayan Foreland Basin. Sedimentary bank facies analysis has also been done to ascertain the causes of river bank instability. Hence, rate of bank migration, changes of channel width, channel sinuosity index (SI), channel length, erosion and accretion of the river bank, and so forth have been measured through geospatial techniques. Result showed that the younger Quaternary sediments are prone to erosion and BESI result illustrated that around 28% areas are under high erosion zones like Deoagaon, Dhulagaon, Hedayet Nagar, and Dalimpur villages in Alipurduar district. Average maximum width of the channel was recorded in 1980 (147.92 m). Additionally, the lateral migration in case of left bank was around 141.08 m (in the 1980) and 192.62 m in right bank (in 1980) while the shifting rate was 14.10 m/y and 17.51 m/y respectively. Quaternary bank materials, bioturbation and indistinct laminations of river bank are principal regulating factors behind bank erosion in this area. Monsoonal high‐velocity flow, bank full discharge and severe flood incidents accelerate the bank erosion vulnerability, particularly in this dynamic flood plain. Soft engineering techniques such as bioengineering, geo‐textile fabric, tree, grass and brush revetment should be implemented at high bank erosion vulnerable sites of river Mujnai.
Disposable Sensors for Heavy Metals Detection: A Review of Carbon and Non‐Noble Metal‐Based Receptors
Authors: Dahake Rashmi V. , Bansiwal Amit
Published: November 2022

Heavy metals and metalloid pollution poses a severe threat to the environment and human health. Various anthropogenic sources are responsible for the release of these contaminants into the water and food chain of humans and animals. To protect the environment and human health, the detection of heavy metals in various environmental matrices becomes vital. Sophisticated lab‐based instruments require more time, effort, and huge investments which warrants the requirement of field‐based disposable sensors. Various optical and electrochemical sensors are reported to demonstrate good sensitivity, selectivity, and detection limits (LOD). The disposable electrodes comprised of glass, paper, plastic, and fabric are gaining importance owing to the ease of application in field analysis, reproducibility, and low cost. The majority of these sensors are based on noble/precious metals namely gold, silver, and platinum. However, limited availability and high cost of these receptors restrict wide spread applicability of these sensors. Numerous earth‐abundant materials and non‐noble metal‐based sensors are also evolving recently due to several advantages namely large‐scale availability, ease of modifications, stability, and shelf life which overcomes the limitations of noble/precious metals‐based sensors. The present review provides a review of recent advances in various non‐noble and earth‐abundant micro and nanomaterials used as receptors in optical and electrochemical biosensors for the detection of metals/metalloids in various matrices. The review also highlights the strategies for the design and fabrication of disposable electrodes, their modification methods, detection strategy, and mechanism involved in the detection of heavy metals. Various gaps existing in the reported sensor systems and future perspectives are also delineated in the present manuscript.
DFT Investigation, Hirshfield Analysis and Molecular Docking of Cu(II) Complex of O‐Vanillin Based Ligand
Authors: De Anindita , Kathait Ms.Anjali , Jain Preeti , Guin Mridula
Published: November 2022

In this work, electronic structure and intermolecular interaction of a literature reported, biologically active Cu(II) complex comprising of a Schiff base ligand containing o‐vanillin and 2‐aminothiazole moieties is presented. Hirshfeld surface analysis is performed to comprehend the close contacts between two neighbouring molecules. The geometry of the complex is optimized using Density Functional Theory. Further, HOMO and LUMO energies, chemical reactivity parameters and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) are investigated. The interaction energy calculation from Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the complex is stabilized by dispersion energy which is major contributing factor in stabilizing the complex. The intermolecular interaction in the complex having 57 % contribution from H−H interaction. To investigate the anticancer potential of the complex, binding studies with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor(EGFR) and Tyrosine Kinase (TRK) receptor was performed by molecular docking analysis. Complex has shown good free energy of binding against both the target molecules which is −11.71&−10.56 Kcal/mol respectively along with significant inhibition constant. The mode of interaction is predominantly hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions along with a few salt bridges. These results predict excellent anticancer potential of this category of metal complexes.
A Polyaniline‐Supported, Chromium‐Based Metal‐Organic Framework for Electrochemical Sensing of Cadmium(II)
Authors: Roy Ekta , Pal Souvik , Kung Chung‐Wei , Yu Sheng‐Sheng , Nagar Achala , Lin Chia‐Her
Published: November 2022

In this work a conducting electrochemical sensing probe, Cr‐BDC‐NH2@PANI composite material (BDC=1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate), was successfully synthesized by polymerization of conducting polyaniline (PANI) around the Cr‐BDC‐NH2 material. The synthesized composite material was characterized by various analytical techniques. The Cr‐BDC‐NH2@PANI composite was successfully dropped cast on the surface of an inexpensive pencil graphite electrode (PGE) to detect the cadmium ions at trace level. The selectivity of proposed sensor observed towards cadmium ion is due to chelation mechanism operating between cadmium ions and amine groups. Under optimized condition, the proposed sensor is capable of measuring cadmium ions in aqueous as well as in human blood serum, plasma, and various water samples within the range of 0.50‐32.5 μg L−1 with the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.20 μg L−1. The Cr‐BDC‐NH2@PANI composite material modified sensor shows high affinity and no interference with real samples.
Studies Directed Toward the Total Synthesis of Nannocystin A
Authors: Nomula Rajesh , Pratapure Madhukar S. , Kontham Ravindar
Published: November 2022

A full account of our efforts directed toward the stereoselective total synthesis of nannocystin A, a macrocyclic myxobacterial metabolite, is presented. In this endeavor, we have attempted two distinct synthetic routes to access polyketide fragment (C1‐C11) of macrocyclic depsipeptide (21‐membered) natural product from readily accessible building blocks 1,3‐propanediol and benzaldehyde employing Evans aldol, CBS reduction, Heck cross‐coupling, and Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation as key transformations. Ultimately, accomplished the synthesis of the complete skeleton (21‐membered precursor for macrocyclic depsipeptide) of the nannocystin A possessing desired stereochemistry and functional groups.
Sulfided NiMo/(Al)‐MCM‐41 Catalysts for Anisole Hydrodeoxygenation: Impact of Aluminium Incorporation in the Mesostructured Support
Authors: Méndez Franklin J. , González‐Mota Manuel , Vargas‐Villagrán Haydee , González‐García Gerardo , Bokhimi Xim , Klimova Tatiana E.
Published: November 2022

NiMoS nanocatalysts supported on MCM‐41 modified with aluminium were studied in the anisole hydrodeoxygenation. Our interest was to study the effect of the Al incorporation to the support on the activity and selectivity. The results indicate that the catalytic behaviour strongly depended on the Al presence in the MCM‐41 support and its loading. The anisole conversions and the respective pseudo‐first‐order rate constants increased with Al‐incorporation compared to the NiMo/Si‐MCM‐41 sample. The highest catalytic activity was obtained with the NiMo/Al‐MCM‐41(60) nanocatalyst. Aluminum presence in the support also had a strong effect on the selectivity of the catalysts, promoting the formation of phenol as an intermediate product mainly through demethylation of the O‐CH3 group of anisole, as well as through demethylation of 2‐methylphenol intermediate. These results were ascribed to an increased acidity of the Al‐MCM‐41‐supported samples and the participation of these acidic sites in the interaction with anisole and oxygen‐containing reaction intermediates.
Microalgae‐Based Biohybrid Microrobot for Accelerated Diabetic Wound Healing
Authors: Choi Hyunsik , Kim Bolam , Jeong Sang Hoon , Kim Tae Yeon , Kim Dong‐Pyo , Oh You‐Kwan , Hahn Sei Kwang
Published: November 2022

A variety of wound healing platforms have been proposed to alleviate the hypoxic condition and/or to modulate the immune responses for the treatment of chronic wounds in diabetes. However, these platforms with the passive diffusion of therapeutic agents through the blood clot result in the relatively low delivery efficiency into the deep wound site. Here, a microalgae‐based biohybrid microrobot for accelerated diabetic wound healing is developed. The biohybrid microrobot autonomously moves at velocity of 33.3 µm s−1 and generates oxygen for the alleviation of hypoxic condition. In addition, the microrobot efficiently bound with inflammatory chemokines of interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) for modulating the immune responses. The enhanced penetration of microrobot is corroborated by measuring fibrin clots in biomimetic wound using microfluidic devices and the enhanced retention of microrobot is confirmed in the real wounded mouse skin tissue. After deposition on the chronic wound in diabetic mice without wound dressing, the wounds treated with microrobots are completely healed after 9 days with the significant decrease of inflammatory cytokines below 31% of the control level and the upregulated angiogenesis above 20 times of CD31+ cells. These results confirm the feasibility of microrobots as a next‐generation platform for diabetic wound healing.
Review of security issues in Internet of Things and artificial intelligence‐driven solutions
Authors: Abed Ali Kamil , Anupam Angesh
Published: November 2022

Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of several hardware and software systems which is broadly based upon internet services and several state‐of‐the‐art sensing and communication technologies. The emergence of 5G technology will witness a further surge in the growth of IoT across the world but simultaneously security concerns pertinent to the IoT technology also need rigorous evaluations. This article will present a thorough survey of the security challenges in an IoT network, recent cases of attacks on IoT technology, communication protocols prevalent in IoT systems and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in IoT security. For the first time, all the major attributes related to IoT security along with potential solutions using AI are reviewed and articulated together. This work would act as a useful resource for understanding useful perspectives in future research focused around the development of more secured IoT communication protocols as well as AI tools for handling privacy and security in IoT.
The Effect of Zr on the High‐Temperature Oxidation Resistance of 12Cr Ferritic/Martensitic Steels
Authors: Zeng Wen , Zhou Ming , Yang Mei , Qiu Risheng , Luo Xianfu
Published: November 2022

The high‐temperature oxidation resistance of 12Cr ferritic/martensitic steels with Zr contents in the range of 0–1.3607 wt% is investigated at 650 and 800 °C in air. The results show that the oxidation resistance of steels is improved by adding Zr. The oxide layer on the surface of steels after oxidation is mainly composed of MnCr2O4 and Cr2O3, where traces of Mn2O3 and ZrO2 oxides can also be detected there. The oxide layer of steels consists of two layers, that is, the outer Mn‐rich oxides (MnCr2O4, Mn2O3) and the inner Cr‐rich oxides (Cr2O3). For none‐Zr steels oxidized at 650 °C, Cr2O3 oxides are also formed in the outer layer. The addition of Zr promotes the outer oxides to change from Cr2O3 oxides to MnCr2O4 oxides and reduces the growth rate of MnCr2O4 oxides. The effect of Zr on the high‐temperature oxidation resistance of steels can be attributed to its promoting effect on the formation of outer Mn‐rich oxides, which can refine the size of outer Mn‐rich oxides and form a dense outer oxide layer. The dense outer oxide layer can inhibit the inward diffusion of oxygen and improve the oxidation resistance of steel.
Enhancing the Quality of Human-Robot Cooperation Through the Optimization of Human Well-Being and Productivity
Authors: Messeri Costanza
Published: November 2022

In human-robot interaction frameworks maximizing the team efficiency is crucial. However, it is also essential to mitigate the physical and cognitive workload experienced by the shop-floor worker during the collaborative task. In this chapter we first investigate the impact of the robot interaction role (whether being leader or follower during cooperation) on both the human physiological stress and production rate. Based on that, a game-theoretic approach is proposed to model the trade-off between the maximization of the human performance and the minimization of the human cognitive stress. Then, we describe a closed-loop robot control strategy that, based on the proposed game-theoretic model, enables the robot to simultaneously minimize the human cognitive stress and maximize his/her performance during cooperation, by adjusting its role. Eventually, a real-time task allocation strategy is proposed to both ensure the minimization of the human physical fatigue and the effectiveness of the production process. This method relies on a new sophisticated musculoskeletal model of the human upper-body. All these methodologies have been experimentally tested in realistic human-robot collaborative scenarios involving several volunteers and the ABB IRB 14000 dual-arm “YuMi" collaborative robot.
Stability of the microcanonical ensemble in Euclidean Quantum Gravity
Authors: Marolf Donald , Santos Jorge E.
Published: November 2022

Abstract

This work resolves a longstanding tension between the physically-expected stability of the microcanonical ensemble for gravitating systems and the fact that the known negative mode of the asymptotically flat Schwarzschild black hole decays too rapidly at infinity to affect the ADM energy boundary term at infinity. The key to our study is that we fix an appropriate off-shell notion of energy, which we obtain by constructing the microcanonical partition function as an integral transform of the canonical partition function. After applying the rule-of-thumb for Wick rotations from our recent companion paper to deal with the conformal mode problem of Euclidean gravity, we find a positive definite action for linear perturbations about any Euclidean Schwarzchild (-AdS) black hole. Most of our work is done in a cavity with reflecting boundary conditions, but the cavity wall can be removed by taking an appropriate limit.
The effect of internal control quality on real and accrual-based earnings management: evidence from France
Authors: Boulhaga Mounia , Bouri Abdelfettah , Elbardan Hany
Published: November 2022

This paper examines the effect of internal control (IC) quality, measured by IC weakness disclosures, on the quality of financial statements’ information, measured by real and accrual-based earnings management. The sample consists of 686 firm-year observations of French non-financial companies listed in the SBF 120 index during the period between 2012 and 2018. Using ordinary least squares (OLS) and generalized method of moments (GMM) regression, our empirical results indicate that IC weakness disclosures are positively and significantly related to real activities manipulation and negatively associated with discretionary accruals. This provides empirical evidence that a good system of IC reduces accrual-based earnings management activities and improves the reliability of financial statements; however, it cannot control real earnings management (REM). The research findings are of practical interest not only to financial analysts, auditors, and investors—guiding them to pay attention to REM activities in case of disclosures of IC weaknesses—but also to regulators, who may consider additional disclosure requirements when reporting material IC weaknesses and designing policies that could help in reducing REM practices.
Oscillation and Concentration in Sequences of PDE Constrained Measures
Authors: Kristensen Jan , Raiță Bogdan
Published: November 2022

We show that for constant rank partial differential operators $$\mathscr {A}$$
A
whose wave cones are spanning, generalized Young measures generated by bounded sequences of $$\mathscr {A}$$
A
-free measures can be characterized by duality with $$\mathscr {A}$$
A
-quasiconvex integrands of linear growth. This includes a characterization of the concentration effects in such sequences that allows us to conclude that, in sharp contrast to the oscillation effects, the concentration always has $$\mathscr {A}$$
A
-free structure.
The influence of tDCS on perceived bouncing/streaming
Authors: Friehs Maximilian A. , Stegemann Marlena J. , Merz Simon , Geißler Christoph , Meyerhoff Hauke S. , Frings Christian
Published: November 2022

Processing ambiguous situations is a constant challenge in everyday life and sensory input from different modalities needs to be integrated to form a coherent mental representation on the environment. The bouncing/streaming illusion can be studied to provide insights into the ambiguous perception and processing of multi-modal environments. In short, the likelihood of reporting bouncing rather than streaming impressions increases when a sound coincides with the moment of overlap between two moving disks. Neuroimaging studies revealed that the right posterior parietal cortex is crucial in cross-modal integration and is active during the bouncing/streaming illusion. Consequently, in the present study, we used transcranial direct current stimulation to stimulate this brain area. In the active stimulation conditions, a 9 cm2 electrode was positioned over the P4-EEG position and the 35 cm2 reference positioned over the left upper arm. The stimulation lasted 15 min. Each participant did the bouncing/streaming task three times: before, during and after anodal or sham stimulation. In a sample of N = 60 healthy, young adults, we found no influence of anodal tDCS. Bayesian analysis showed strong evidence against tDCS effects. There are two possible explanations for the finding that anodal tDCS over perceptual areas did not modulate multimodal integration. First, upregulation of multimodal integration is not possible using tDCS over the PPC as the integration process already functions at maximum capacity. Second, prefrontal decision-making areas may have overruled any modulated input from the PPC as it may not have matched their decision-making criterion and compensated for the modulation.
Fire behaviour of a Carbon/Nomex honeycomb sandwich composite used in aircraft interiors as ceiling panel
Authors: Papadogianni V. , Romeos A. , Perrakis K. , Panidis T.
Published: November 2022

Fire behaviour of a carbon/Nomex honeycomb composite, used as ceiling panel in aircraft cabins, has been investigated experimentally. The thermal decomposition that was examined in a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA), under inert atmosphere, at several heating rates (5,10 and 20 °C/min), revealed a complex degradation process with overlapping stages. Cone Calorimeter tests at different incident heat fluxes, ranging from 20 to 70 kW/m2 have also been performed. The material exhibited good fire performance with relatively low amount of heat release and long ignition times. Ignition did not occur at 20 and 30 kW/m2. Combustion of the material at 40 kW/m2 proceeded in one stage, while at higher heat fluxes two stages were observed. The burning mechanisms and structural changes during thermal decomposition at different heat fluxes were also examined. The long tail after flameout in heat release curves and the significant increase in CO production and mass loss were analysed with respect to smouldering combustion of the material core. Measurements of the surface temperature prior to ignition were in agreement with the degradation processes observed in the TGA, and were also employed for the determination of ignition temperature (Tig = 593 °C). A modified iterative method, based on the correlation of the ignition data with the imposed heat flux, was adopted for the determination of the ignition parameters, including critical heat flux and temperature for ignition, providing results in agreement with experimental observations.