bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, Physiochemical Properties, Photochemical Probe, and
Antimicrobial Effects of Novel Norfloxacin Analogues
Authors: Bakhotmah Dina A. , Abdul-Rahman Reda M. , Makki Mohammad S. , El-Zahabi Mohamed A. , Suliman Mansor
Published: March 2011

The emerging resistance to antimicrobial drugs demands the synthesis of new remedies for microbial infections. Attempts have been made to prepare new compounds by modifications in the quinolone structure. An important method for the synthesis of new quinolone is using Vilsmeier approach but has its own limitations. The present work aimed to synthesize novel norfloxacin analogues using modified Vilsmeier approach and conduct preliminary investigations for the evaluation of their physicochemical properties, photochemical probe, and antimicrobial effects. In an effort to synthesize norfloxacin analogues, only 7-bromo-6-N-benzyl piperazinyl-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid was isolated using Vilsmeier approach at high temperature, where N,N′-bis-(4-fluoro-3-nitrophenyl)-oxalamide and N,N′-bis-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-malonamide were obtained at low temperature. Correlation results showed that lipophilicity, molecular mass, and electronic factors might influence the activity. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial effects against important pathogens, for their potential use in the inhibition of vitiligo.
Highly Soluble and Oxidizing Organic Salts Doped Hole‐Transporting Layer Enables Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Luo Xin , Gao Danpeng , Zhang Daqing , Zhou Guorong , Guo Yuxiao , Zhang Chunlei , Zhu Zonglong , Xu Bo
Published: February 2025

Chemical doping plays a crucial role in enhancing the charge transport and electrical conductivity of hole‐transporting layers (HTLs) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), leading to improved device performance and stability. However, developing highly soluble and oxidizing chemical dopants that ensure stable PSCs remains a significant challenge. Herein, the design and synthesis of a novel organic radical cation salt, XD1, comprising tris(4‐methoxyphenyl)aminium as the radical cation and bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide (TFSI⁻) as the anion, are reported. XD1 exhibits excellent solubility in various organic solvents and demonstrates strong oxidative capability, significantly boosting the conductivity of HTLs by three orders of magnitude. Compared to conventional dopants like LiTFSI and Magic Blue (MB), XD1‐doped Spiro‐OMeTAD films demonstrate superior characteristics, including enhanced compactness, uniformity, and hydrophobicity. Remarkably, PSCs incorporating 2.0 mol% XD1 achieve a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.25%, surpassing the 24.44% PCE of LiTFSI‐doped cells. Particularly, unencapsulated PSCs with XD1 retain over 91% of their initial efficiency after 1 000 h of continuous one‐sun illumination at 85 °C in an N₂ atmosphere. This work represents a significant advancement in the development of highly soluble and efficient dopants for efficient and stable PSCs.
Dipropyne‐Modified N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Stabilized Atomically Precise Copper(I) Nanocluster Catalysts for CO₂ Electroreduction
Authors: Han Bao‐Liang , Zhao Lan‐Cheng , Yuan Zhi‐Rui , Wang Zhi , Yu Qun , Luo Geng‐Geng , Wang Li‐Kai , Tung Chen‐Ho , Sun Di
Published: February 2025

Atomically precise copper(I) nanoclusters with stable active sites are highly sought‐after catalysts for the electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR), providing an exceptional platform to elucidate structure–activity relationships. However, the rational synthesis of robust copper nanoclusters as effective electrocatalysts and understanding the relationship between a more realistic active site and its performance remain a significant challenge due to their inherent instability. Here, a novel dipropyne‐modified NHC ligand is elaborately devised to synthesis two atomically precise copper nanoclusters, [Cu17H6(NHCH)4(dppm)4]3+ (Cu17a) and [Cu17H6(NHCPh)4(dppm)4]3+ (Cu17b), both exhibiting a distinct unique square orthobicupola Cu17H6 core (J28, Johnson solid). The robust σ‐ and π‐bonding between copper and the NHC ligands imparts ultrahigh stability of nanoclusters, while the unique coordination pattern (μ7‐ησ1:ησ1:ησ1:ησ1:ησ1:ηπ2:ηπ2) of NHC ligands facilitates exposure of neighboring copper atoms, generating accessible catalytic sites. Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction experiments show that Cu17a achieves the highest Faradaic efficiency for ethylene production among reported nanoclusters. The active sites and tandem catalytic reaction mechanism of the CO2RR are elucidated through a combination of theoretical calculations with attenuated total reflection‐surface‐enhanced IR absorption spectroscopy (ATR‐SEIRAS). This work not only introduces dipropyne‐modified NHC ligands for synthesizing stable copper nanoclusters but also offers critical insights into molecular design principles for CO2RR catalysts.
Embodied Auxetic Intelligence in a Glove‐Type Wearable Haptic Interface Connecting Humans to Robots and the Metaverse
Authors: Oh Saewoong , Jang JaeHyung , Ji Wonhee , Yang Yang , Khan Mannan , Majidi Carmel , Ryu Jee‐Hwan , Oh Il‐Kwon
Published: February 2025

The versatility of fingers stems from their ability to interact with surroundings by taking poses, performing various grasping modes, and making dynamic bending motions. However, conventional glove‐type wearable interfaces often fail to fully engage the structural diversity and dynamic motions of fingers, providing tactile feedback to limited areas and restricting the full utilization of finger versatility for rich interactions. Here, a glove‐type auxetic wearable haptic (GAWH) interface that employs an auxetic meta‐design to offer embodied mechanical intelligence is introduced. This unique design ensures the positioning of haptic‐effective regions on all finger joints with high conformability, despite the variations in finger sizes among individuals. The GAWH delivers multimodal tactile feedback including static pressure, dynamic vibration, and variable stiffness with high spatial resolution to all joints. This enables users to interact with objects through diverse grasping modes and enhanced perception. Consequently, the GAWH provides real‐time meta‐linkage to virtual reality, allowing users to perform grasping tasks intuitively. Additionally, the GAWH facilitates interaction between humans and robots by enabling users to understand how robots feel during haptic‐assisted teleoperation. Overall, this work establishes a foundation for wearable haptic interfaces that can simultaneously enhance versatility, adaptability, and diversity, leveraging the full potential of the versatile fingers.
Biphenylene Coordination and Ring‐Opening by Alkali‐Metal Nickelates
Authors: Hevia Eva , Borys Andryj. M. , Denjean Aurore E. F. , Vedani Luca , Balcells David
Published: February 2025

The pre‐coordination of substrates to heterobimetallic complexes plays a key role in facilitating challenging bond activations and catalytic reactions. Herein, we report a family of low‐valent phenyl‐alkali‐metal nickelates containing a η4‐coordinated biphenylene ligand and demonstrate how the coordination and solvation preferences of the alkali‐metal cation (Li, Na or K) influence the rate of C–C bond oxidative addition at nickel through combined structural, spectroscopic and computational studies. The rate of C–C bond cleavage can be further manipulated by replacing the two phenyl‐carbanionic ligands with a cyclic 2,2’‐biphenyl scaffold, which affords thermally stable and symmetric spirocyclic nickelates upon ring‐opening.
Photogeneration and visualization of a surface‐stabilized dinitrene
Authors: Frezza Federico , Sánchez-Grande Ana , Canola Sofia , Nacci Christophe , Klívar Jiří , Mutombo Pingo , Chen Qifan , Gómez-Fernandez José María , Sánchez-Sánchez Carlos , Berger Jan , Ernst Karl-Heinz , Stará Irena G. , Martín-Gago José Ángel , Starý Ivo , Grill Leonhard , Jelinek Pavel
Published: February 2025

Nitrenes are known as key intermediates in various chemical reactions. Nitrene transfer reactions are particularly effective for synthesizing nitrogen‐containing compounds, where metal catalysts play a crucial role in controlling nitrene reactivity and selectivity. In this study, we demonstrate the formation of a stable surface‐supported dinitrene on Au(111) through UV irradiation of its diazide precursor, characterized by scanning probe techniques. The photoreaction mechanism is elucidated with wavelength‐dependent experiments and time‐dependent density functional theory calculations. Our findings present the first real‐space visualization of a metal nitrene adsorbed on a surface, highlighting its potential in catalysis and surface functionalization.
Dual‐Function Nanocomposites: CuS@ZnO P–N Heterojunctions for Enhanced Light‐Driven Photocatalysis and Microbial Inactivation
Authors: Mahmood Zahid , Abbas Naseem , Bilal Muhammad , Javed Khalid , Mahmood Sajid , Iqbal Shahid , Shah Mazloom , Alotaibi Khalid M.
Published: February 2025

Organic dyes pose significant environmental and health concerns, including increased carcinogenicity and detrimental effects on photosynthesis due to elevated levels of BOD and COD. Herein, a hydrothermal approach was employed to synthesize CuS@ZnO nanocomposites. Structural properties of the prepared nanocomposites were confirmed and evaluated by using XRD and FTIR techniques. Morphological characteristics and particle size (showing an average size of around 40 nm) were evaluated by FESEM. To assess their effectiveness, the prepared nanomaterials were investigated against the photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB). The CuS@ZnO‐b composite, with a 1:1 M ratio, achieved an impressive 94.31% photodegradation efficiency against 10 ppm RhB with a quantum yield of 1.97 × 10−5 molecules photon−1 (within 120 min at pH 4.0, 50‐W light intensity and 40°C). The ability of the CuS@ZnO photocatalyst to absorb visible light effectively and generate free radicals was significantly enhanced by increased photon energy activation. The antimicrobial effectiveness of the CuS@ZnO nanocomposite was tested against two bacterial strains, Lactobacillus and Escherichia coli, using the agar disk diffusion technique. The nanocomposites showed excellent antimicrobial activity, producing inhibition zones of 18 mm for Lactobacillus and 19 mm for Escherichia coli, demonstrating their strong potential to combat these bacteria. These findings underscore potential advancements in photocatalytic systems for water purification applications.
Evaluation of New Zealand's Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, and Medical Imaging Research Output: A Bibliometric‐Based Approach
Authors: Li Vicky , Mdletshe Sibusiso
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The use of medical imaging services has increased globally with a concurrent increase in radiology, nuclear medicine and medical imaging (RNMI) research. However, New Zealand's RNMI research output relative to global trends is under‐examined. This project evaluates New Zealand's RNMI research output between 1996 and 2022 compared to selected countries while highlighting global RNMI research output trends.

Methods

A bibliometric‐based performance analysis was conducted using publication data from the SCImago Journal, the Country Rank portal, Clarivate InCites Benchmarking, and the Analytics platform. Registration data of RNMI professionals by country was collected to evaluate the relationship between research output and the number of registered professionals.

Results

Among the seven selected countries (the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa), New Zealand's research output was low, even when adjusted for population size and the number of professionals. A significant positive correlation was found between the number of registered RNMI professionals and the number of RNMI publications. Despite this, New Zealand had the highest percentage of RNMI documents cited.

Conclusion

Although New Zealand's RNMI publications follow the global upward trend, it does so at a proportionate loss. New Zealand ranked low in most bibliometric indicators apart from the percentage of documents cited, where it showed a notable citation impact. Emphasising research, increasing collaborative efforts, and undertaking further statistical analyses may enhance New Zealand's RNMI research output.
The Accuracy of Sonographers' Reports in a High‐Risk Obstetric Service: Is the Input of Radiologists Necessary?
Authors: Necas Martin , Prout Kara , Park Sarah , Mourits Danielle , Lewis Elizabeth , Wackrow Wendy , Manunui Emma , Hall Caitlin , Park Angelina
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Sonographers demonstrate high accuracy in the interpretation and independent reporting of diagnostic ultrasound examinations. This raises important questions about whether sonographers need to be routinely supervised by radiologists. The aim of this study was to compare obstetric reports independently issued by sonographers with final reports issued by radiologists in a large tertiary teaching hospital.

Methods

This study was a retrospective sequential review of obstetric ultrasound reports on high‐risk antenatal clinic patients and obstetric inpatients between 19 August 2024 and 11 October 2024. Sonographers performed the required examinations and independently issued their reports directly to clinicians. At a later time, radiologists reviewed the sonographers' reports and authorised final reports. Any differences between the sonographers' and radiologists' reports were analyzed.

Results

Of the 650 reports issued by sonographers, 269 (41%) contained abnormal findings, most commonly abnormal growth, fluid volume, or Doppler parameters. Radiologists agreed with the sonographers' clinical interpretation in 649(99.8%) of cases. Radiologists detected no single error in the sonographers' interpretation of fetal viability, growth, amniotic fluid, Doppler parameters, fetal abnormalities, utero‐placental abnormalities, or adnexal abnormality. The involvement of radiologists in the verification/authorization of sonographers' reports resulted in the introduction of one new interpretive error and 13 new interpretive discrepancies. Sonographers committed a small number of spelling (12), transcription (7), wrong word errors (2) and one wrong patient error (1). Radiologists did not detect the majority of these errors.

Conclusion

Independent reporting of obstetric ultrasound examinations by sonographers is safe and effective. We recommend that sonographers authorize obstetric reports independently.
Thermodynamic analysis of Casson fluid flow through porous rectangular conduit in the presence of thermal radiation and convective boundaries
Authors: Koyani Foram , Raje Ankush , Bhise Ashlesha , Ramesh Katta
Published: February 2025

The study of flow and heat transfer in Casson fluid is of significant importance, as the Casson fluid model effectively describes various complex fluids relevant to industries such as food processing, nuclear reactors, engineering devices, and biomedical applications. In this work, the flow characteristics, heat transfer behavior, entropy generation, and Bejan number have been analyzed for the incompressible Casson fluid flowing through a rectangular duct embedded in a porous medium. No‐slip boundary conditions for fluid velocity and convective boundary conditions for thermal transport are applied at the duct walls. Additionally, the impact of thermal radiation on temperature profiles is investigated to understand heat transfer enhancement. The governing equations include the momentum equation (describing fluid velocity), the energy equation (describing temperature distribution), and thermodynamic equations (addressing entropy generation and irreversibility). These equations are modelled and solved using the well‐established finite difference method. The results, presented as two‐dimensional graphs, provide valuable insights into the influence of key parameters on fluid behavior, heat transfer efficiency, and system irreversibility, offering implications for practical applications.
Decoloniality as an Essential Trustworthy AI Requirement
Authors: Wakunuma Kutoma , Ogoh George , Akintoye Simisola , Eke Damian Okaibedi
Published: February 2025

Requirements for achieving trustworthiness in AI differ based on socio-cultural and political expectations of a community, country, or region. In this chapter, we present decoloniality as an essential requirement for trustworthy AI in Africa and other regions with visible scars of colonialism and continued coloniality. Through a critical examination of evident colonial tendencies or coloniality in AI ecosystems, this chapter provides clarity on realisation and assessment of decoloniality in the design, development, and deployment of AI systems in and for Africa. We make the argument that decoloniality will help in dismantling the legacies of colonialism that continue to shape global power dynamics and knowledge production and in this case AI. We also explore the challenges decoloising AI face in Africa and conclude by making recommendations for both policy and practice.
A Note on the Facial Edge-Coloring Conjecture
Authors: Jendrol’ Stanislav , Onderko Alfréd
Published: February 2025

Let G be a connected plane graph that can have loops and multiple edges. An l-facial edge-coloring of a plane graph G is a coloring of edges of G such that any two edges, that share the same facial trail of length at most

$$l + 1$$

l
+
1

, receive distinct colors. It is an edge variant of the l-facial vertex coloring, which arose as a generalization of the well-known cyclic coloring. It was conjectured by Lužar et al. in 2015 that every plane graph admits an l-facial edge-coloring with at most

$$3l + 1$$

3
l
+
1

colors for any

$$l \ge 1$$

l
≥
1

. It is known that the bound

$$3l+1$$

3
l
+
1

is tight for general plane graphs. The conjecture was recently confirmed for

$$l \le 3$$

l
≤
3

by Horňák, Lužar and Štorgel (3-facial edge-coloring of plane graphs, Discrete Math. 346 (2023) 113312). In this note we prove that the conjecture holds, in the case when

$$l \ge 4$$

l
≥
4

, for every graph whose reduction (the graph obtained from G by suppressing all its 2-vertices) is 3-edge connected, and the length of the longest path in G with interior vertices of degree 2 is at most

$$\frac{3l + 1}{10}$$

3
l
+
1

10

.
Differences in Blood Eosinophil Level During Stable Disease and During Exacerbation of COPD and Exacerbation Risks
Authors: Kwok Wang Chun , Tam Terence Chi Chun , Chau Chi Hung , Lam Fai Man , Ho James Chung Man
Published: February 2025

Background

Although blood eosinophil count (BEC) has been extensively studied as a biomarker in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there remain challenges and controversy in using a single reading. It has not been determined whether the difference in BEC between baseline and that during an acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) has any role in predicting subsequent AECOPD.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted to investigate the possible role of differences in BEC from baseline to that during AECOPD to predict future AECOPD risk. The BEC difference was expressed as absolute eosinophil difference: BEC at index moderate-to-severe exacerbation (E
i) – baseline BEC (E
0).

Results

Among 348 Chinese patients with COPD, 158 who experienced an index moderate-to-severe AECOPD were analyzed. Using the cut-off of 105 cells/µL for absolute eosinophil difference as determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, patients with absolute eosinophil difference ≥ 105 cells/µL had a shorter time to subsequent AECOPD with adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.68 (95% CI = 1.02–2.74; p = 0.040). They also had a higher annual number of subsequent AECOPD (2.49 ± 2.84/year vs 1.58 ± 2.44/year, p = 0.023). Similar findings were shown in the subgroup with stable-state baseline BEC < 300 cells/µL.

Conclusion

Greater difference in BEC between baseline and upon moderate-to-severe AECOPD might be associated with shorter time to next AECOPD, as well as more episodes of subsequent AECOPD.
Motor Imagery Practice to Improve Respiratory and Cough Function
Authors: Donohue Cara
Published: February 2025

Motor imagery practice (MP), or visualizing performing a task without executing it, is an effective intervention for the limbs and tongue. However, MP of expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) and voluntary cough (VC) has not been explored. We examined the feasibility and impact of MP of VC and EMST on pulmonary and cough function in twenty community-dwelling adults. Participants underwent two baseline research evaluations of maximum expiratory and inspiratory pressure (MEP, MIP), forced vital capacity (FVC), voluntary peak expiratory flow rate (PEF), and cough spirometry. After the second research evaluation, participants underwent five weeks of MP of VC or EMST (alternating assignment, 25 repetitions, 70% training load, daily) at home with weekly telehealth sessions. Participants underwent post-treatment research evaluations of MEP, MIP, FVC, PEF, cough spirometry, and the Exercise Therapy Burden Questionnaire (ETBQ). Treatment adherence and telehealth attendance were tracked. Descriptives and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were performed. MP adherence was 95% and telehealth attendance was 91%. Median (IQR) ETBQ scores were 8 (1, 15), indicating minimal burden. Across both MP groups, increases in PEF from a handheld device (+ 13.7, 95% CI: 1.8, 25.6, p = 0.03) and from cough spirometry (+ 0.71, 95% CI: 0.05, 1.4, p = 0.04) were observed. Increases in PEF from cough spirometry (+ 1.00, 95% CI: 0.12, 1.9, p = 0.04) were observed for the MP VC group. Preliminary data demonstrate MP of VC and EMST is feasible and improves voluntary cough in community-dwelling adults. Future research is needed in larger sample sizes and patient populations with pulmonary, cough, and swallowing impairments.
Health-related quality-of-life outcomes in CNS WHO grade 2 and 3 meningioma: a systematic review
Authors: Cook William H. , Khalil Fareha , Gillespie Conor S. , Helmy Adel E.
Published: February 2025

WHO grade 2 and 3 meningioma constitute approximately 20% of all meningioma. The lower incidence of these more aggressive meningiomas has led to under-representation of clinical outcomes in the literature. It is hypothesised that patients with grade 2 or 3 meningiomas are disabled by tumour and treatment morbidity, contributing to lower health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL). A PRISMA-compliant systematic review was conducted (PROSPERO CRD42023441009). MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched between inception and September 2023. Studies of adults (> 16 y.o.) with histologically-proven WHO grade 2 and 3 cranial meningioma who underwent a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery and had HRQoL outcome data were included. Primary outcome was HRQoL. Fifteen studies were included. HRQoL was measured with 10 different tools, three of which have been validated in meningioma patients. Only two studies exclusively reported on WHO grade 2 and 3 meningioma and four further studies considered WHO grade in statistical analysis. WHO grade 2 and 3 meningioma were associated with reduced HRQoL in two studies that reported direct comparison and no difference in another two. Psychological domains were reduced in most studies compared to normative data or controls including in one of the two studies reporting on WHO grade 2 and 3 tumours exclusively. This systematic review highlights the need for prospective studies of more patients with grade 2 and 3 meningioma with validated meningioma-specific HRQoL tools. The current literature is limited by the small proportion of patients within reported studies, and heterogenous and poorly reported management paradigms.
The role of winter cereals as cold-weather refuge for Taiga Bean Geese Anser fabalis fabalis wintering in Denmark
Authors: Vergin Lisa , Clausen Kevin Kuhlmann , Madsen Jesper
Published: February 2025

Suitable foraging habitats are essential for migratory birds during their wintering period, as well as alternative staging areas to which they can relocate, e.g. due to changes in weather conditions. This study focusses on the habitat use of Taiga Bean Geese (Anser fabalis fabalis) at a wintering site in Denmark, that is particularly important for the geese during cold spells. Recent plans for energy constructions in this area have raised concerns about the potential loss of agricultural foraging habitats for geese. To better understand the role and importance of the different habitats, we analysed habitat use and energy intake on both agricultural fields and semi-natural pastures. We investigated the proportional use of winter cereal fields of GPS-tagged Taiga Bean Geese in relation to daily average temperatures and collected food and faecal samples on winter cereals and pastures during both cold and mild weather condition to investigate possible differences in energetic intake. The results showed an increased use of winter cereals when temperatures dropped. Moreover, during cold periods, the geese appeared to only be able to maintain a positive energy balance on winter cereals, which could explain the increased use in low temperatures. In mild situations, pastures seemed to also cover the energy requirements of wintering Taiga Bean Geese, with an energy assimilation efficiency similar to what was found on winter cereals. Our study underlines the importance of ensuring the availability of refuges that can meet the energetic needs of geese across different weather situations, especially when planning constructions that may affect those resources.
A game-theoretic approach for hierarchical epidemic control
Authors: Jia Feiran , Mate Aditya , Li Zun , Jabbari Shahin , Chakraborty Mithun , Tambe Milind , Wellman Michael P. , Vorobeychik Yevgeniy
Published: February 2025

We design and analyze a multi-level game-theoretic model of hierarchical policy interventions for epidemic control, such as those in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our model captures the potentially mismatched priorities among a hierarchy of policy-makers (e.g., federal, state, and local governments) with respect to two cost components that have opposite dependence on the policy strength—post-intervention infection rates and the socio-economic cost of policy implementation. Additionally, our model includes a crucial third factor in decisions: a cost of non-compliance with the policy-maker immediately above in the hierarchy, such as non-compliance of counties with state-level policies. We propose two novel algorithms for approximating solutions to such games. The first is based on best response dynamics (BRD) and exploits the tree structure of the game. The second combines quadratic integer programming (QIP), which enables us to collapse the two lowest levels of the game, with the best response dynamics. We experimentally characterize the scalability and equilibrium approximation quality of our two approaches against model parameters. Finally, we conduct experiments in simulations based on both synthetic and real-world data under various parameter configurations and analyze the resulting (approximate) equilibria to gain insight into the impact of decentralization on overall welfare (measured as the negative sum of costs) as well as emergent properties like social welfare, free-riding, and fairness in cost distribution among policy-makers.
Parental Bonding and Dyadic Adjustment: The Mediating Role of the Differentiation of Self
Authors: Lampis Jessica , Busonera Alessandra , Tommasi Marco
Published: February 2025

Emotional connections with significant caregivers greatly influence how individuals perceive themselves and others in intimate relationships. Grounded in the differentiation of self theory, this study examined factors that contribute to the quality of couple relationships. It investigated the association between parental attachment bonds and the quality of romantic attachments, as well as whether differentiation of self processes mediate these relationships. The study involved 480 participants in couple relationships, with an average age of 35.4 years, who completed assessments on parental attachment bonds (using the Parental Bonding Instrument), differentiation of self (using the Differentiation of Self Inventory Revised), and couple functioning (using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale). Structural Equation Modeling analyses revealed that the quality of parental attachment predicted distinct patterns of differentiation of self, which subsequently accounted for significant variability in dyadic adjustment levels. The implications of our findings are discussed.
A ″On–Off″ Fluorescent Sensor Based on Coumarin-Furoic Hydrazide for Recognition of Fe3+: Drinking Water, Test Strip Applications and DFT Calculations
Authors: Karagoz Abdurrahman , Savran Tahir , Yilmaz Ibrahim
Published: February 2025

A coumarin based fluorescent probe (E)-N'-((7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromon-3-yl)methylene)furan-2-carbohydrazide (CFHZ) was synthesized for the detection of Fe3+ and its characterizations were carried out using spectroscopic methods such as FT-IR, mass spectrometry1H-NMR, 13C-NMR. The novel probe CFHZ showed a highly selective and sensitive “turn-off” response to Fe3+ ion without any interference from other analytes. Strong fuorescence quenching phenomena of the CFHZ were observed in EtOH:H2O (99/1, v/v) detection system (λem = 470 nm) upon the additions of Fe3+. The binding stoichiometry between CFHZ and Fe3+ was determined by Job's method, FT-IR and MALDI TOF–MS and found to be 2:1. Also, the binding constant was determined to be 1.82 × 105 M−1 and the limits of detection for the analysis of Fe3+ was measured as 25.7 nM. Besides, experimental applications were carried out for real-time monitoring of Fe3+ in water samples using developed sensor. Additionally, fluorescence imaging experiments for Fe3+ detection of CFHZ probe on test papers were successfully performed.
Exploring the Intersection of Cancer, Domestic Homicide, and Domestic Abuse-Related Suicides Using Domestic Homicide Reviews
Authors: Dheensa Sandi , Bracewell Kelly , Boughton Grace , Hepworth Eleanor , Myall Michelle , Rowlands James
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Research about the overlap between cancer and domestic abuse (DA) is limited. We analyzed Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) reports from England and Wales where the victim or perpetrator had a cancer diagnosis to investigate the nature of DA in a cancer context, and cancer care and other healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) responses to DA.

Methods

We adopted the READ approach to document analysis: Readying materials (including manually searching reports for the term ‘cancer’); Extracting data; Analyzing data; and Distilling findings (using thematic analysis). We framed results using the social-ecological model of violence.

Results

We retrieved 24 DHR reports, which covered 27 domestic homicides/DA-related suicides. Victims had cancer diagnoses in 15/27 cases, perpetrators in 8/27, and both in 1/27. Three cases involved two homicides. Victims were mostly older (median 67). Most (19/24) domestic homicides/DA-related suicides occurred within 3 years of diagnosis, yet cancer HCPs rarely made explicit contributions to the DHR process. Our qualitative themes explain how: (1) cancer and DA affected each other; (2) professionals missed opportunities to identify and respond to DA (including because cancer masked DA indicators, turning down care and support offers were underrecognized indicators, and care was fragmented and non-holistic with insufficient information-exchange); and (3) cancer diagnoses were under-considered and misunderstood in the DHR process.

Conclusions

Since cancer masked DA indicators, professionals working with affected people and families should have a low threshold for concern. More explicit contributions to DHRs by cancer HCPs may improve understanding of this intersection and improve future practice.
Uncertainty and Well-Being in Turkish Adults: Exploring the Role of Religiosity and Psychological Symptoms
Authors: Türk Nuri , Arslan Gökmen , Kaya Alican , Yildirim Oğuzhan
Published: February 2025

Religiosity offers individuals a sense of purpose and connection, which can lead to greater life satisfaction and improved psychological well-being and happiness. On the other hand, psychological challenges such as depression, anxiety, stress, and difficulty dealing with uncertainty can negatively affect life satisfaction. This study examined these dynamics using a hypothetical model, incorporating mediation and moderation analyses to explore the connections between intolerance of uncertainty, life satisfaction, religiosity, and psychological symptoms in a group of 565 participants (286 of whom were female). The findings revealed notable positive and negative relationships among these variables. Specifically, the study found that (i) religiosity and psychological symptoms both play a mediating role in the link between intolerance of uncertainty and life satisfaction, and (ii) religiosity serves as a moderator in this relationship. The moderation analysis showed that when religiosity levels are low, the negative effect of intolerance of uncertainty on life satisfaction is significantly stronger. In contrast, high levels of religiosity significantly weaken this negative relationship, indicating that religiosity acts as a buffer against the adverse impact of uncertainty on life satisfaction. These results underscore the potential value of religiosity in helping individuals cope with the harmful effects of uncertainty on their sense of life satisfaction. Additionally, lower levels of psychological symptoms and reduced intolerance of uncertainty were associated with higher life satisfaction, suggesting that religiosity may play a protective role in promoting overall well-being.
Strong nonreciprocity in a bistable pendulum with contactless coupling to a monostable pendulum
Authors: Rouleau Michael , Booker Zachary , Shi Chengzhi , Meaud Julien
Published: February 2025

This article studies the nonreciprocity of a system that consists of a bistable element coupled to a monostable element through a contactless magnetic interaction. To illustrate the concept, the bistable element is physically realized using a pendulum that interacts with a stationary magnet and the monostable element is a classical pendulum. A numerical model is implemented to simulate the nonlinear dynamics of the system. Both simulations and experiments show that the system exhibits a strong amplitude-dependent nonreciprocity in response to initial excitations. At small input amplitudes, the system has an intrawell response with minimal transmission of energy whether the excitation is exerted on the side of the bistable pendulum or on the other side. However, at high input amplitude, a strong nonreciprocal behavior is observed: excitation of the bistable pendulum causes an interwell response which considerably reduces the distance between the two pendulums and allows energy to be efficiently transmitted through the contactless magnetic interaction; excitation of the monostable pendulum does not cause any interwell response and results in limited energy transmission. The combination of bistability and contactless nonlinear interactions allows the system to exhibit very strong amplitude-dependent nonreciprocity, which may be useful in a wide range of applications.
Aleksandr Dugin’s Traditionalist roots
Authors: Sedgwick Mark
Published: February 2025

By the time of the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Russian political activist Aleksandr Dugin was known as an ultra-nationalist, a fascist, a geopolitician, a Eurasianist, a Heideggerian, and sometimes also as a Traditionalist in the school established by René Guénon. Some, however, hold that Dugin had left Traditionalism far behind, or perhaps had never really been a Traditionalist in the first place. This article examines the extent to which Dugin’s engagement with Traditionalism has persisted throughout his intellectual and political career. It begins with Dugin’s formative years in the late-Soviet Iuzhinskii Circle, where he first encountered Traditionalism, and explores his adaptations of Guénon’s views. The article argues that Dugin’s works, including his best-seller The Fundamentals of Geopolitics (1997), reflect his continued commitment to Traditionalist principles, despite significant modifications. The article thus challenges views that dismiss Dugin’s Traditionalism as superficial or abandoned. It concludes that Dugin’s enduring adherence to Traditionalism is essential to understanding his influence on Russian political thought and his broad appeal.
Classic Theory of Aerosol Filtration for Application to Urban Green Infrastructure
Authors: Tomson Nathalie , Michael Ruby N. , Agranovski Igor E.
Published: February 2025

The use of green infrastructure (GI) in urban environments has been widely investigated for its associated ecosystem services including air pollution mitigation. Plants are well-known for their ability of purifying air through photosynthesis and microbial activities occurring in the rhizosphere, however the simple filtration of particulate matter in air by plants is still not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the potential to adapt classic filtration theory for application in GI design. Two native Australian plants used as filter media were involved in laboratory experiments to remove aerosol particles ranging in size from 0.3 to > 10 µm. A comparison of aerosol removal efficiencies obtained from the laboratory experiments and predicted through classic filtration theory showed good correlation for the smaller (needle-like) leaf system. In contrast, the correlation obtained for a plant with larger elliptical leaves was not as good, showing a larger difference between the results. Such outcomes led to the conclusion that smaller and spatially homogeneous plant systems have more predictable aerosol filtration characteristics, which can be reasonably calculated using filtration theory. This finding provides practical insight into GI design, allowing quantitative predictions of local air pollution reductions using green barriers.

Graphical Abstract
Resistance exercise training in older men reduces ATF4-activated and senescence-associated mRNAs in skeletal muscle
Authors: Von Ruff Zachary D. , Miller Matthew J. , Moro Tatiana , Reidy Paul T. , Ebert Scott M. , Volpi Elena , Adams Christopher M. , Rasmussen Blake B.
Published: February 2025

Sarcopenia increases the risk of frailty, morbidity, and mortality in older adults. Resistance exercise training improves muscle size and function; however, the response to exercise training is variable in older adults. The objective of our study was to determine both the age-independent and age-dependent changes to the transcriptome following progressive resistance exercise training. Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained before and after 12 weeks of resistance exercise training in 8 young (24 ± 3.3 years) and 10 older (72 ± 4.9 years) men. RNA was extracted from each biopsy and prepared for analysis via RNA sequencing. We performed differential mRNA expression, gene ontology, and gene set enrichment analyses. We report that when comparing post-training vs pre-training 226 mRNAs and 959 mRNAs were differentially expressed in the skeletal muscle of young and older men, respectively. Additionally, 94 mRNAs increased, and 17 mRNAs decreased in both young and old, indicating limited overlap in response to resistance exercise training. Furthermore, the differential gene expression was larger in older skeletal muscle. Finally, we report three novel findings: 1) resistance exercise training decreased the abundance of ATF4-activated and senescence-associated skeletal muscle mRNAs in older men; 2) resistance exercise-induced increases in lean mass correlate with increased mRNAs encoding mitochondrial proteins; and 3) increases in muscle strength following resistance exercise positively correlate with increased mRNAs involved in translation, rRNA processing, and polyamine metabolism. We conclude that resistance exercise training elicits a differential gene expression response in young and old skeletal muscle, including reduced ATF-4 activated and senescence-associated gene expression.
Association between gene mutations and outcomes in Japanese high-risk AML patients: a phase 1/2 study of NS-87/CPX-351
Authors: Makishima Hideki , Mikasa Taisuke , Isogaya Kento , Miyamoto Toshihiro , Yamauchi Takuji , Yokota Akira , Onozawa Masahiro , Ando Kiyoshi , Ogawa Yoshiaki , Usuki Kensuke , Yamauchi Takahiro , Ota Shuichi , Takada Satoru , Morita Yasuyoshi , Ishikawa Takayuki , Takenaka Katsuto , Kuroda Junya , Sekiguchi Naohiro , Kawakita Toshiro , Miyazaki Yasushi
Published: February 2025

This phase 1/2 study investigated the association between genetic characteristics and outcomes for NS-87/CPX-351 in Japanese patients with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia. Blood samples collected from 29 patients were analyzed using a 70-gene next-generation sequencing panel. The most frequently mutated genes were TP53 (44.8%), TET2 (24.1%), DNMT3A (13.8%), and NRAS (13.8%). The rates of composite complete remission (CRc; complete remission [CR] or CR with incomplete hematologic recovery [CRi]) were comparable between patients with and without mutations in TP53, TET2, DNMT3A, and NRAS (P = 0.571 for all). Notably, patients with TP53 mutations had a similar CRc rate (69.2% vs. 56.3%), but shorter overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), and relapse-free survival (RFS) compared to patients with wild-type TP53 (median OS: 7.43 vs. 18.18 months; P = 0.108, median EFS: 2.43 vs. 6.28 months; P = 0.012, median RFS: 1.48 vs. 10.19 months; P = 0.012). In conclusion, no gene mutations directly associated with the efficacy of NS-87/CPX-351 were found. While NS-87/CPX-351 achieved remission even in patients with TP53 mutations, relapse risk was higher in these patients. Therefore, it is advisable to consider treatment strategies such as early transplantation after achieving remission with NS-87/CPX-351, especially in patients with TP53 mutations.
Biogenic-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using the Ligilactobacillus salivarius KC27L Postbiotic: Antimicrobial, Anti-Biofilm, and Antioxidant Activity and Cytotoxic Effects
Authors: Yuksekdag Zehranur , Kilickaya Reyhan , Kara Filiz , Acar Berat Cinar
Published: February 2025

This study aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the postbiotic of the Ligilactobacillus salivarius KC27L strain and evaluate their multifunctional biological properties. The use of L. salivarius, a probiotic bacterium known for its ability to produce a wide range of metabolites, plays a crucial role in this process by acting as a natural, eco-friendly reducing, and stabilizing agent during AgNP synthesis. This approach not only eliminates the need for hazardous chemicals typically used in nanoparticle synthesis but also enhances the biocompatibility and biological efficacy of the resulting nanoparticles. Synthesized AgNPs were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR (metabolites of postbiotic); UV–vis (peak of 435 nm); scanning electron microscope, SEM; transmission electron microscopy, TEM (spherical shapes, sizes < 50 nm), energy-dispersive spectrometry, EDS (peak at 3 keV); and zeta potential (− 18.6 mV). These nanoparticles (0.156–40 mg/mL) were evaluated for the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities against Escherichia coli ATCC 11229, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 35984, and Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175, and antioxidant activities using four different methods (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging, metal ion chelating, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and superoxide anion scavenging activities). Also, the cytotoxic activity was investigated against a normal cell line (L929) for 24, 48, and 72 h. At a concentration of 40 mg/mL, the AgNPs demonstrated the highest antimicrobial efficacy, with inhibition zones measured as 14.9 mm for P. aeruginosa, 9.5 mm for E. coli, 15.7 mm for S. epidermidis, and 12.9 mm for S. mutans. The AgNPs exhibited anti-biofilm activities against all Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains studied. According to the DPPH method, the highest antioxidant activity was determined at 40 mg/mL AgNP concentration (80.93%). AgNPs were found to have no toxic effect at low concentrations (0.39–25 µg/mL). Biogenic synthesized AgNPs could be used in biotechnological applications (biomaterials, health, environmental, etc.) with antibacterial, anti-biofilm, antioxidant, and nontoxic properties. However, further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of action of the particles fully.
Investigating the antiproliferative properties of Amaryllidaceae plant species and their bioactive compounds on brain tumour cell lines
Authors: Omoruyi Sylvester I. , Augustine Tanya N. , Mabasa Lawrence , Hussein Ahmed A. , Mavumengwana Vuyo
Published: February 2025

Glioblastoma multiforme is considered the most aggressive type of brain tumour due to its highly invasive properties that make complete surgical resection almost impossible and treatment very challenging. The current treatment for glioblastoma involves surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Despite these treatment options, tumour recurrence and toxicity from the chemotherapeutic agents remain problematic, which calls for novel treatment approaches. In this study, we investigate the antiproliferative activities of three Amaryllidaceae plant species, Crossyne flava, Amaryllis belladonna, and Boophone haemanthiodes, as well as their isolated bioactive compounds on U87 and U251 glioblastoma cell lines, with H9C2 cardiac myocyte used as a normal cell line. The effect of plant extracts and compounds on cell viability and long-term survival was determined using the MTT [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide] and clonogenic assay, respectively. Additionally, the ATP levels and apoptosis-inducing potential of the plant extracts and compounds were determined using the Promega Mitochondrial ToxGlo™ and Caspase-Glo™ 3/7 assay kits, respectively. The results reveal that both plant extracts and compounds induce cytotoxicity in glioblastoma cell lines, and the extracts also inhibit the long-term survival of U87 and U251 cells. The extracts were also selective to the cancer cells when the selectivity index was calculated. Furthermore, the plant extracts and compounds inhibited ATP production in the cancer cells, while induction of apoptosis was only evident in the compound-treated cells. Overall, our findings suggest that the Amaryllidaceae plant family could be a rich source of botanicals and phytochemicals that might be effective against glioblastoma.