bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Programmable Amine Synthesis via Iterative Boron Homologation
Authors: Xie Qiqiang , Zhang Rui , Dong Guangbin
Published: July 2023

The value of Matteson‐type reactions has been increasingly recognized for developing automated organic synthesis. However, the typical Matteson reactions almost exclusively focus on homologation of carbon units. Here, we report the detailed development of sequential insertion of nitrogen and carbon atoms into boronate C−B bonds, which provides a modular and iterative approach to access functionalized tertiary amines. A new class of nitrenoid reagents is uncovered to allow direct formation of aminoboranes from aryl or alkyl boronates viaN‐insertion. The one‐potN‐insertion followed by controlled mono‐ or double‐carbenoid insertion has been realized with widely available aryl boronates. The resulting aminoalkyl boronate products can undergo further homologation and various other transformations. Preliminary success on homologation ofN,N‐dialkylaminoboranes and sequentialN‐and C‐insertions with alkyl boronates have also been achieved. To broaden the synthetic utility, selective removal of a benzyl or aryl substituent permits access to secondary or primary amine products. The application of this method has been demonstrated in the modular synthesis of bioactive compounds and the programmable construction of diamines and aminoethers. A plausible reaction mechanism, supported by preliminary NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) and computational studies, is also proposed.
Size‐ and Emission‐Controlled Synthesis of Full‐Color Luminescent Metal‐Organic Frameworks for Tryptophan Detection
Authors: Xia Hai‐Lun , Zhang Jian , Si Jincheng , Wang Hexiang , Zhou Kang , Wang Lei , Li Jingbai , Sun Wen , Qu Lulu , Li Jing , Liu Xiao‐Yuan
Published: July 2023

The development of nanoscaled luminescent metal–organic frameworks (nano‐LMOFs) with organic linker‐based emission to explore their applications in sensing, bioimaging and photocatalysis is of great interest as material size and emission wavelength both have remarkable influence on their performances. However, there is lack of platforms that can systematically tune the emission and size of nano‐LMOFs with customized linker design. Herein two series of fcu‐ and csq‐type nano‐LMOFs, with precise size control in a broad range and emission colors from blue to near‐infrared, were prepared using 2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole and its derivative based ditopic‐ and tetratopic carboxylic acids as the emission sources. The modification of tetratopic carboxylic acids using OH and NH2 as the substituent groups not only induces significant emission bathochromic shift of the resultant MOFs, but also endows interesting features for their potential applications. As one example, we show that the non‐substituted and NH2‐substituted nano‐LMOFs exhibit turn‐off and turn‐on responses for highly selective and sensitive detection of tryptophan over other nineteen natural amino acids. This work sheds light on the rational construction of nano‐LMOFs with specific emission behaviours and sizes, which will undoubtedly facilitate their applications in related areas.
Enhancing the microstructural, optical, and tensile properties of the PVC‐PMMA blend film: The role of PbO nanoparticles incorporation
Authors: El‐Gamal Samy , Khaled M. , Mohammed Ghada
Published: July 2023

PVC‐PMMA and PVC‐PMMA‐PbO PNC films were prepared. HR‐TEM confirmed the nanoparticle structure of PbO, while XRD assured its purity, tetragonal structure, with crystallites measuring 35.71 nm. SEM showed the blend surface appeared smooth and homogenous with a fingerprint shape, and loading increased the surface roughness. PbO was reported to be evenly distributed across the blend surface. FTIR confirmed that all blend functional groups are present and the formation of hydrogen bonds between PVC and PMMA, besides the strong interactions between PbO and blend chains. Different optical constants were investigated using UV–vis‐IR spectroscopy. The transmittance of the blend was 81.99% and decreased to 48.14% after loading 4 wt.% PbO (at 500 nm). Loading causes an increase in absorption. The extinction coefficient shows low extinction coefficients (k < 10−6). Loading PbO narrowed the blend band gaps and increased the refractive index n. The carrier's concentration to the electron effective mass was reported. Optical conductivity, energy loss functions, and nonlinear optical parameters were also studied. Tensile properties revealed that loading increased Young's modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break. The enhancements in optical and mechanical characteristics of PNC films illustrate the possibility of extending their applications to include the semiconductor, electronics, and optics industries.
Deciphering the role of fungus in degradation of polypropylene from hospital waste
Authors: Pallavi Preeti , Rajhans Geetanjali , Kumar Vikas , Kumar Sen Sudip , Raut Sangeeta
Published: July 2023

Health and environmental consequences are unavoidable when it comes to management of hospital waste (HW) disposables. In order to eradicate the HW, this study isolated a novel fungus SPF21 from a hospital dumping yard to degrade Polypropylene (PP). We measured the attributes of PP inoculated with fungus using mass loss, Fourier trans‐form infrared (FTIR), contact angle (CA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The weight of PP exposed to SPF21 was reduced by 25% in 90 days. The SEM images reveal that there are pores all over the sample surface; they alsocaused voids during the biodegradation of PP. FTIR analysis indicates that the spectra of treated mask pieces show the absence of peak at 1746 cm−1 and the appearance of a new peak at 1643 cm−1. A period of 90‐day exposure to the fungal isolate SPF21 reduced the CA of PP by 44.8% when compared to the nonexposed PP samples, suggesting that the surface of PP turned more hydrophilic after exposure. Moreover, our study on PP degradation by the fungus Ascotricha sinuosa SPF21 appears to be promising from the perspective of environmental, health, and economic hazards. Our results indicate that biodegradation greatly facilitates fungus deposition and changes PP film morphology and hydrophilicity.
Applicability of fluorescamine as a fluorogenic reagent for highly sensitive fluorimetric analysis of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (avapritinib) in pharmaceuticals and biological samples
Authors: Saraya Roshdy E. , Salman Baher I. , Hassan Yasser F. , Hassan Ahmed I. , Refaat Shymaa Abdelsattar , Batakoushy Hany A.
Published: July 2023

Avapritinib (AVP) was the first precision drug to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020 for patients suffering from metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and progressive systemic mastocytosis. The analysis of AVP in pharmaceutical tablets and human plasma was then carried out using a fast, efficient, sensitive, and simple fluorimetric method using a fluorescamine reagent. The procedure is based on the interaction between fluorescamine as a fluorogenic reagent and the primary aliphatic amine moiety in AVP using borate buffer solution at pH 8.8. The produced fluorescence was measured at 465 nm (Excitation at 395 nm). The calibration graph's linearity range was discovered to be 45.00–500.0 ng mL−1. Utilizing the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) and US‐FDA recommendations, the research technique was validated and bioanalytically validated. The proposed approach was effectively employed for determining the stated pharmaceuticals in plasma with a high percentage of recovery ranging from 96.87 to 98.09 and pharmaceutical formulations with a percentage of recovery equal to 102.11% ± 1.05%. In addition, the study was extended to a pharmacokinetic study of AVP with 20 human volunteers as a step for AVP management in therapeutic cancer centers.
Unravelling the components of Chinese college counsellors' mental models: A three‐step coding‐based content analysis
Authors: Qiu Huamin , Zhuang Tengteng , Shi Yin
Published: July 2023

This paper explores the components of Chinese college counsellors' mental models in their daily work based on a rich content analysis of the story accounts of 152 exemplary college counsellors over the past 8 years. On the basis of a rigid three‐step coding procedure, this study reveals that Chinese college counsellors' mental models generally comprise four common constituents, namely a love‐filled faith system, a rule‐based thinking system, a professionalism‐based knowledge system and action‐based performance. These components jointly illustrate the general landscape of Chinese college counsellors' internal well‐being and fill a research gap regarding the sparse attention given to counsellors in the global literature on faculty professionalism.
Is a change in social competencies associated with a change in drug use and crime in substance‐abusing offenders? Evidence from the breaking the cycle demonstration project
Authors: Walters Glenn D.
Published: July 2023

Background

The Breaking the Cycle (BTC) Demonstration Project is an intensive drug intervention programme designed to break the cycle of drug use and offending in which many substance‐abusing offenders find themselves trapped, by providing them with alternatives to drug use and crime.

Aims

To determine whether an increase in social competencies mediates between any relationship involving enrolment in the Breaking the Cycle Demonstration Project and subsequent drug use or self‐reported offending.

Methods

A group of 1088 Project participants (847 males and 241 females) were compared to a set of 987 offenders who received standard probation services alone (756 males and 231 females) using a quasi‐experimental research design.

Results

Project participants reported a significant rise in social competencies and significant reductions in both drug use and self‐reported offending compared to the comparison group. While social competencies mediated the BTC‐subsequent drug use association, drug use did not mediate the BTC‐subsequent social competencies association. The direction of the social competencies–offending relationship was more equivocal in that both progressions (from BTC to social competencies and from BTC to offending) were significant.

Conclusions

These findings add to the evidence of the success of the Breaking the Cycle Demonstration Project in reducing drug use and offending by finding that improvements in social competencies among substance‐abusing participants may be a critical step in reducing drug use. The route to reducing reoffending is not so dependent on a single pathway, although findings suggest that more attention should be paid to both changing and measuring social competencies in future interventions with substance‐misusing offenders.
Unravelling the Mystery of COVID‐19 Pathogenesis: Spike Protein and Cu Can Synergize to Trigger ROS Production
Authors: Katarzyna Lesiów Monika , Witwicki Maciej , Tan Nian Kee , Graziotto Marcus Edward , New Elizabeth Joy
Published: July 2023

The COVID‐19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on global health, highlighting the need to understand how the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus damages the lungs in order to develop effective treatments. Recent research has shown that patients with COVID‐19 experience severe oxidative damage to various biomolecules. We propose that the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection involves an interaction between copper ions and the virus‘s spike protein. We tested two peptide fragments, Ac‐ELDKYFKNH‐NH2 (L1) and Ac‐WSHPQFEK‐NH2 (L2), derived from the spike protein of the Wuhan strain and the β variant, respectively, and found that they bind Cu(II) ions and form a three‐nitrogen complexes at lung pH. Our research demonstrates that these complexes trigger the overproduction of ROS, which can break both DNA strands and transform DNA into its linear form. Using A549 cells, we demonstrated that ROS overproduction occurs in the mitochondria, not in the cytoplasm. Our findings highlight the importance of the interaction between copper ions and the virus‘s spike protein in the development of lung damage and may aid in the development of therapeutic procedures.
Synthesis of 2‐Amino‐2‐deoxy‐1,3‐dithioidoglycosides via Organocatalytic Relay Glycosylation of 3‐O‐Acetyl‐2‐nitrogalactals
Authors: Wan Yongyong , Deng Lei , Wang Liming , Tu Yuanhong , Liu Hui , Sun Jian‐song , Zhang Qingju
Published: July 2023

Comprehensive Summary

Idose‐type glycosides have numerous biological activities and have been widely used as anticoagulant drugs and anti‐infection drugs. Thioglycosides have enhanced stability for acid‐mediated or enzymatic hydrolysis, and have a wide range of applications in glycobiology and drug development. Herein, we describe an efficient method for site‐selective and stereoselective synthesis of potential bioactive 2‐amino‐2‐deoxy‐1,3‐dithioidoglycosides via organocatalysis sequential C3‐Ferrier rearrangement and Michael addition of 3‐O‐acetyl‐2‐nitrogalactals. Both stepwise and one‐pot protocols were carried out and work well. This unique thio‐glycosylation protocol highlighted the various advantages, including (i) mild reaction conditions; (ii) excellent site‐selectivity and stereoselectivity, good to excellent yields; (iii) broad substrate scopes; (iv) being atom‐economic and environmentally friendly; (v) the reactions can be scaled up.
Colorimetric Detection of Multiple Phenols Based on Multifunctional Fe3O4/SnS2 Composites
Authors: Han Libao , Wu Minghuo , Hu Yufeng
Published: July 2023

Phenols pose a great threat to human and environment due to their high toxicity and low bio‐degradability. Therefore, the development of a rapid and sensitive detection method for multiple phenols is of great importance. Here, a colorimetric detection method based on Fe3O4/SnS2 composites was established for the detection and discrimination of ten phenols for the first time. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of the photo catalyst SnS2 significantly improved the peroxidase‐like activity of Fe3O4, leading to an enhancing efficiency of the colorimetric detection method. The developed method was capable of detecting phenol within a concentration range of 0.5–2000 μM, with detection limit as low as 0.06 μM. This method was successfully applied to detect total phenols in samples obtained from two sewage treatment plants and seawater. Furthermore, by employing principal component analysis, the established colorimetric method enabled the simultaneous discrimination of all ten phenols. The performance was further evaluated by accurately identifying binary or ternary mixtures of phenols, and even identifying the type of phenol in 10 unknown samples containing one of the ten phenols. These findings highlight the potential of the Fe3O4/SnS2 composite as a promising candidate for the simultaneous detection of multiple phenols in liquid samples.
Lightweight and flexible hardware implementation of authenticated encryption algorithm SIMON‐Galois/Counter Mode
Authors: Cheng Xin , Xu Yixuan , Wang Kefan , Zhang Yongqiang , Li Bin , Zhang Zhang
Published: July 2023

This brief proposes a new lightweight authenticated encryption algorithm SIMON‐GCM for Internet of Things (IoT) security, which realizes the combination of SIMON block cipher and Galois/Counter Mode (GCM). The designed SIMON circuit supports 128/192/256‐bit key size, which improves the flexibility and enlarges the range of applications. Moreover, the scheme of 32‐cycle Galois field (GF) multiplier in GF(2128) is adopted to effectively reduce the hardware cost of the Galois Hash (GHASH) function in GCM. At the same time, a finite state machine (FSM) is used to run the SIMON and GHASH modules in parallel, thus shortening the authenticated encryption time. The whole circuit is designed and implemented in field programmable gate array (FPGA) platforms. It is measured to yield a throughput of 32.4 Gbps when consuming 331 slices in Artix‐7. Compared with the existing authenticated encryption algorithms, the proposed algorithm achieves lower resource consumption and better flexibility.
Clusterin is closely associated with adipose tissue insulin resistance
Authors: Wang Yansu , Yu Haoyong , Ma Xiaojing , Wang Yufei , Liu Weijie , Zhang Hongwei , Chen Wei , Yu Song , Bao Yuqian , Yang Ying
Published: July 2023

Aims

Clusterin (encoded by CLU) is a novel adipokine. Serum clusterin levels were elevated in populations with obesity and diabetes. Adipose tissue insulin resistance (Adipo‐IR) is proposed as an early metabolic defect that precedes systemic insulin resistance. Herein, we aimed to investigate the relationship between serum clusterin levels and Adipo‐IR. CLU expression in human abdominal adipose tissues and clusterin secretion in human adipocytes was also explored.

Materials and Methods

A total of 201 participants (aged 18–62 years, 139 of whom were obese) were recruited. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure serum clusterin levels. Adipo‐IR was calculated from the product of fasting free fatty acids and fasting insulin levels. Transcriptome sequencing of abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) was performed. Human adipocytes were used to detect the secretion of clusterin.

Results

Serum clusterin levels were independently associated with Adipo‐IR after adjusting for several confounding factors (standardised β = 0.165, p = 0.021). CLU expression in VAT and SAT was associated with obesity‐related metabolic risk factors. Higher CLU expression in VAT was accompanied by an increase in collagen accumulation. Clusterin secretion in differentiated human adipocytes was stimulated by insulin and inhibited by rosiglitazone.

Conclusions

Clusterin is strongly associated with Adipo‐IR. Serum clusterin may function as an effective indicator of adipose tissue insulin resistance.
The structure of forest vegetation on industrial landfills of different ages
Authors: Gorozhanina Elena , Gura Dmitry , Sitkiewicz Patryk , Degtyarevskaya Tatyana
Published: July 2023

The purpose of the research is to describe plant community formation on the quarry surfaces to determine a path for optimal revegetation. To achieve the goal, the studies determined soil pH, the content of skeletal fraction, basal respiration, and performed the acidimetric assessment of CO2. The research program aimed to investigate the peculiarities of plant communities' formation in areas with different degrees of revitalization and investigate the influence of soil cover on plant associations. Results showed that the average basal soil respiration rate on the quarry was extremely low (about 0.3 mg CO2/g of soil/h). The CO2 content in the carbonate ranged from 0.07% to 0.7%, with the higher figures observed in older Kuzbass rather than Mosbass and Sokolovsky quarries. An analysis of soil samples from three quarries revealed four plant groups at sites associated with the prevalence of specific fractions, such as gravel, sand, silt, and stony soil. Given that Kuzbass is the oldest open‐pit mine, forest vegetation species dominate here in the surveyed areas (>40%), and this feature is typical of gravel soils. The dominant species present on the gravel substrate were downy birch (Betula pubescens), common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), European oak (Quercus robur), Siberian spruce (Picea obovata), common juniper (Juniperus communis), Siberian larch (Larix sibirica), common pine (Pinus), and Siberian fir (Abies sibirica). Mosbass is also characterized by a diversity of similar species, though work on mineral mining there ended in 2009, more recently than in other sites. Stony and sandy soil fractions predominated in the Sokolovsky quarry, although other studied substrates were also present.
Regulation of Lithium‐Ion Flux by Nanotopology Lithiophilic Boron‐Oxygen Dipole in Solid Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Cui Manying , Zhao Hongyang , Qin Yanyang , Zhang Shishi , Zhao Ruxin , Zhang Miao , Yu Wei , Gao Guoxin , Hu Xiaofei , Su Yaqiong , Xi Kai , Ding Shujiang
Published: July 2023

Inhomogeneous lithium‐ion (Li+) deposition is one of the most crucial problems, which severely deteriorates the performance of solid‐state lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Herein, we discovered that covalent organic framework (COF‐1) with periodically arranged boron‐oxygen dipole lithiophilic sites could directionally guide Li+ even deposition in asymmetric solid polymer electrolytes. This in situ prepared 3D cross‐linked network Poly(ACMO‐MBA) hybrid electrolyte simultaneously delivers outstanding ionic conductivity (1.02 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 30 °C) and excellent mechanical property (3.5 MPa). The defined nanosized channel in COF‐1 selectively conducts Li+ increasing Li+ transference number to 0.67. Besides, The COF‐1 layer and Poly(ACMO‐MBA) also participate in forming a boron‐rich and nitrogen‐rich solid electrolyte interface to further improve the interfacial stability. The Li‖Li symmetric cell exhibits remarkable cyclic stability over 1000 h. The Li‖NCM523 full cell also delivers an outstanding lifespan over 400 cycles. Moreover, the Li‖LiFePO4 full cell stably cycles with a capacity retention of 85% after 500 cycles. the Li‖LiFePO4 pouch full exhibits excellent safety performance under pierced and cut conditions. This work thereby further broadens and complements the application of COF materials in polymer electrolyte for dendrite‐free and high‐energy‐density solid‐state LMBs.
Heart transplantation and anti‐HLA antibodY: myocardial dysfunction and prognosis ‐ HeartLAy study
Authors: Sciaccaluga Carlotta , Natali Benedetta Maria , Righini Francesca Maria , Sorini Dini Carlotta , Landra Federico , Mandoli Giulia Elena , Sisti Nicolò , Menci Daniele , D'Errico Antonio , D'Ascenzi Flavio , Focardi Marta , Bernazzali Sonia , Maccherini Massimo , Valente Serafina , Cameli Matteo
Published: July 2023

Aims

The presence of anti‐human leucocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies has been implicated in a higher incidence of complications as well as mortality rate in heart transplantation. The aim of the study was to identify through non‐invasive parameters early signs of myocardial dysfunction in the presence of anti‐HLA antibodies but without evidence of antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) and its possible prognostic impact.

Methods and results

A total of 113 heart‐transplanted patients without acute cellular rejection (ACR) and AMR or cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) were prospectively enrolled and divided into two groups [‘HLA+’ (50 patients) and ‘HLA−’ (63 patients)], based on the presence of anti‐HLA antibodies. Each patient was followed for 2 years after the enrolment, recording episodes of AMR, ACR, CAV, and mortality. Clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups. Among laboratory data, N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide and high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin values were significantly higher in the presence of anti‐HLA antibodies (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). The echocardiographic parameters that showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups were deceleration time of E wave (DecT E, P < 0.001), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (P < 0.001), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (P = 0.011), tricuspid S′ wave (P = 0.002), and free wall right ventricular longitudinal strain (fwRVLS, P = 0.027), whereas left atrial strain did not differ significantly (P = 0.408). Univariate analysis showed that anti‐HLA antibodies were associated with the development of CAV at both 1 and 2 year follow‐up [odds ratio (OR) 11.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.43–90.79, P = 0.022 and OR 3.37, 95% CI 1.78–9.67, P = 0.024, respectively]. Bivariate analysis demonstrated that both fwRVLS and DecT E were predictors of CAV development independently from HLA status.

Conclusions

The presence of circulating anti‐HLA antibodies is correlated with a mild cardiac dysfunction, even in the absence of AMR, and CAV development. Interestingly, reduced values of DecT E and fwRVLS were predictors of future development of CAV, independently from anti‐HLA antibody.
Serum a‐1 antitrypsin as a novel biomarker in chronic heart failure
Authors: Zheng Ying‐Ying , Wu Ting‐Ting , Hou Xian‐Geng , Yang Hai‐Tao , Yang Yi , Xiu Wen‐Juan , Pan Ying , Ma Yi‐Tong , Mahemuti Ailiman , Xie Xiang
Published: July 2023

Aims

Chronic heart failure (CHF) remains a major health issue worldwide. In the present study, we aimed to identify novel circulating biomarkers for CHF using serum proteomics technology and to validate the biomarker in three independent cohorts.

Methods and results

The isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation technology was utilized to identify the potential biomarkers of CHF. The validation was conducted in three independent cohort. Cohort A included 223 patients with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and 321 patients with ischaemic heart failure (IHF) from the CORFCHD‐PCI study. Cohort B recruited 817 patients with IHD and 1139 patients with IHF from the PRACTICE study. Cohort C enrolled 559 non‐ischaemic heart disease patients with CHF (n = 316) or without CHF (n = 243). We found the expression of a‐1 antitrypsin (AAT) was elevated significantly in patients with CHF compared with that in the patients with stable IHD using statistical and bioinformatics analyses. In a validation study, there was a significant difference between patients with stable IHD and patients with IHF in AAT concentration either in cohort A (1.35 ± 0.40 vs. 1.64 ± 0.56, P < 0.001) or in cohort B (1.37 ± 0.42 vs. 1.70 ± 0.48, P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.70 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66 to 0.74, P < 0.001] in cohort A and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.72 to 0.76, P < 0.001) in cohort B. Furthermore, AAT was negative correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (r = −0.261, P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounders using a multivariate logistic regression analysis, AAT remained an independent association with CHF in both cohort A (OR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.667 to 5.90, P < 0.001) and cohort B (OR = 4.10, 95% CI: 2.97 to 5.65, P < 0.001). This association was also validated in cohort C (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.02 to 3.38, P = 0.043).

Conclusions

The present study suggests that serum AAT is a reliable biomarker for CHF in a Chinese population.
NO Reactions Inside Crystals
Authors: Sondrup Møller Mads , Petrunin Victor , Mossin Susanne , McKee Vickie , McKenzie Christine J.
Published: July 2023

Reactions of chemisorbed reagents inside the crystalline molecular solid state are rare but offer unexploited methods for selective solvent‐free chemical synthesis. Here we show that the greenhouse gas precursor, nitric oxide (NO) is chemisorbed by crystals of the hexafluorophosphate salts of complexes containing dicobalt sites. On NO sorption a cascade of reactions results in the in‐crystal synthesis of nitrite and other gaseous NOx. Recrystallization enabled structural elucidation of the mixed valent {[(bpbp)Co2(μ‐(η1‐O : η1‐N)‐ONO)]2(bdc)}4+ (bpbp=2,6‐bis(N,N‐bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl)‐4‐tert‐butylphenolato, bdc=1,4‐benzenedicarboxylato) cation. Overlapping signals in the solid‐state EPR spectra confirm the CoIICoIII oxidation state and the presence of NO2 trapped inside the unrecrystallised solid products (br. g=4, triplet g=2 (340 mT), A(N)=73 MHz), despite three cycles of vacuum and N2 flushing. Consistently, νN−O bands appear in the Raman and IR spectra that are due to the coordinated nitrate and the trapped NO2 that were synthesized in‐crystal. The latter is expelled by heating the solid to 160 °C or by recrystallization. Dimetallic cooperativity is proposed for the NO transformations in these rare examples of selective, chemisorptive substrate reactions in the solid‐state.
Luminescent Copper(I)‐Complexes with an Anionic NHC obtained via a Coordination Polymer as Versatile Precursor**
Authors: Schmeinck Philipp , Sretenović Dragana , Guhl Jasper , Kühnemuth Ralf , Seidel Claus A. M. , Marian Christel M. , Suta Markus , Ganter Christian
Published: July 2023

The anionic diamido N‐heterocyclic carbene 1 is used to prepare a series of linear as well as trigonal, heteroleptic CuI complexes with small molecular ligands such as pyridine derivatives or triphenylphosphine. A key role lies in the versatile precursor for these complexes, a moisture‐ and air‐stable 1D coordination polymer [1 ⋅ Cu]n composed of only the NHC ligand and CuI, such that the copper is linearly coordinated by the carbene carbon atom and one oxygen atom of the backbone of the carbene. This polymer can easily be cleaved into monomeric complexes by addition of the desired ligand to dispersions of the polymer in dichloromethane. In solution, the complexes are in equilibrium with this highly insoluble polymer and free ligand. Thus, analytical and spectroscopical experiments with the compounds are limited to their crystalline state, characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction experiments. Some of the complexes exhibit visible luminescence in the solid state upon irradiation with ultraviolet light. The spectral features (emission wavelength, Stokes shift, width of the emission band, vibrational fine structure) significantly differ among the complexes. Quantum mechanical computations reveal a subtle interplay of several factors such as coordination number and charge transfer character of the emissive state.
Epileptic seizures worsen the gait and motor abnormalities in adult patients with Dravet syndrome (with a case report and literature review)
Authors: Du Xiaoping , Lian Shizhong , Sun Meizhen , Li Ruilong , Wang Huifang , Yang Xiaoping , Wang Huifen , Zhang Xiaobin , Wang Fengpeng , Yao Yi , Guo Junhong
Published: July 2023

Dravet syndrome (DS), previously known as severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy (SMEI), is considered the most serious “epileptic encephalopathy.” Here, we present a man with a de novo SCN1A mutation who was diagnosed with DS at the age of 29. In addition to pharmaco‐resistant seizures and cognitive delay, he also developed moderate to severe motor and gait problems, such as crouching gait and Pisa syndrome. Moreover, it deteriorated significantly following an epileptic seizure. The patient presented with severe flexion of the head and trunk in the sagittal plane and fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for camptocormia and antecollis. After a week, it spontaneously alleviated partially. We applied levodopa to the patient and had a good response. Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) was assessed at three different times: 4 days after the seizure, 1 week after the seizure, and after taking levodopa for 2 years. The results were 4, 12, and 19 points, respectively. We postulated that: (1) gait and motor deficits are somehow influenced by recurrent epileptic episodes;(2) the nigrostriatal dopamine system is involved. To our knowledge, we were the ones who first reported this phenomenon.
Seismic reliability of Italian code‐conforming bridges
Authors: Franchin Paolo , Baltzopoulos Georgios , Biondini Fabio , Callisto Luigi , Capacci Luca , Carbonari Sandro , Cardone Donatello , Dall'Asta Andrea , Flora Amedeo , Gorini Davide Noè , Marchi Andrea , Noto Fabrizio , Perrone Giuseppe , Iervolino Iunio
Published: July 2023

Seismic reliability assessment of selected bridge structures code‐conforming with respect to the current Italian practice is carried out. Two viaducts, tall and shallow, and two highway overpasses, with traditional seat‐type or integral abutments, are considered. Each structure is ideally placed at three reference sites, that is, Milan, Naples and L'Aquila, characterised by low, moderate and high seismic hazard, respectively. At each site, a soil profile representative of typical local conditions is defined for foundation design, site response analysis and soil‐structure interaction modelling. Probabilistic seismic hazard is used in conjunction with multiple‐stripe non‐linear dynamic analysis, featuring conditional‐spectrum compatible ground motions, to establish the failure rate with respect to two purposely defined and functionality‐related performance levels. It is confirmed the decreasing seismic reliability with increasing design seismic action, already observed for other structural types, and it is shown that integral abutment overpasses tend to be more reliable than traditional ones, even seismically isolated ones. The results are of larger interest given the closeness of the Italian code to the Eurocode.
Linguistic embodiment in typical and atypical anorexia nervosa: Evidence from an image‐word matching task
Authors: Meneguzzo Paolo , Dal Brun David , Collantoni Enrico , Meregalli Valentina , Todisco Patrizia , Favaro Angela , Tenconi Elena
Published: July 2023

Objective

The integration of sensory, motor, and cognitive systems is embodied cognition, according to which mind and body are not separate and distinct, and our body (and our brain, as part of the body) contributes to determining our mental and cognitive processes. In spite of limited data available, Anorexia nervosa (AN) appears as a condition in which embodied cognition is altered, in particular, if we consider bodily sensations and visuospatial information processing. We aimed to evaluate the ability to correctly identify body parts and actions in both full (AN) and atypical AN (AAN), looking at the role of the underweight status.

Method

A group of 143 females (AN = 45, AAN = 43, unaffected women = 55) was enrolled. All participants performed a linguistic embodied task to evaluate the association between a picture—showing a bodily action—and a written verb. Additionally, a subsample of 24 AN participants performed a retest after stable weight recovery.

Results

Both AN and AAN demonstrated an abnormal ability to evaluate the picture‐written verb associations, especially if the involved bodily effectors were the same in both stimuli (i.e., pictorial and verbal) and needed a longer response time.

Conclusions

Specific embodied cognition linked to body schema seems to be impaired in persons with AN. The longitudinal analysis showed a difference between AN and AAN only in the underweight condition, suggesting the presence of an abnormal linguistic embodiment. More attention should be devoted to embodiment during AN treatment to improve bodily cognition, which might, in turn, diminish body misperception.
Power efficient stochastic modeling for Narrowband Internet of Things devices in 5G networks
Authors: Mittal Nikita , Jain Vidyottama , Dharmaraja S.
Published: July 2023

Narrowband Internet of Things (NB‐IoT) embodies the vision of connecting virtually anything with everything and aims to support a massive number of devices for small data transmission. However, an efficient power‐saving model for battery‐operated NB‐IoT devices is the need of the hour. In addition to the legacy discontinuous reception (DRX) scheme, efficient beamforming helps in saving device power. Moreover, the extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) mode and Power Saving Mode (PSM) in Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle mode enhances the effect of sleep while no data is available for the device to serve. In this work, power‐saving techniques for NB‐IoT devices are studied via stochastic modeling. This work proposes a semi‐Markov model (SMM) for beam measurement and beamforming‐based DRX mechanism, in RRC modes. The steady‐state probabilities for the SMM are calculated using the two‐stage method. The numerical results show the effective contribution of efficient beamforming, eDRX state and PSM state in enhancing the power saving of NB‐IoT devices.
Physiochemical properties of Sarawak's adapted Liberica coffee silverskin utilizing varying solvents
Authors: Buyong Nick Laurence , Nillian Elexson
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to investigate the physiochemical properties of Sarawak's adapted Liberica coffee silverskin (CS) using multiple solvents (distilled water, methanol, and ethanol) and its impact on the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities of the CS. The results showed that the highest TPC was observed in the methanol extract (15.24 ± 0.65 mg GAE/g), while the highest TFC was recorded when extracted with ethanol (25.14 ± 0.59 mg QE/g). The DPPH activity was also found to be highest in the ethanol extract (83.85 ± 1.78%), concurred by the results in the FRAP assay as the highest reduction was also in ethanol (11.40 ± 18.57 μmol FSE/g). These findings demonstrate that the bioactive compounds of CS extracted can be greatly influenced by the choice of solvent while highlighting the potential for Sarawak's adapted Liberica CS to be further harnessed into a value‐added product and enabling a better by‐product waste management.
Increasing Profitability of Ethanol Photoreforming by Simultaneous Production of H2 and Acetal
Authors: Savateev Oleksandr , Shvalagin Vitaliy , Tang Junwang
Published: July 2023

Often, H2 is produced photocatalytically at the expense of sacrificial agents. When a sacrificial agent is selectively oxidized, this allows coupling of H2 production with synthesis of value‐added organic compounds. Herein, it is argued that the conversion of bioethanol into 1,1‐diethoxyethane with simultaneous H2 production increases the economic viability of photocatalysis and suggests a semiconductor material that is the most relevant for this purpose.
Negative versus withdrawn maternal behavior: Differential associations with infant gray and white matter during the first 2 years of life
Authors: Lyons‐Ruth Karlen , Ahtam Banu , Li Frances Haofei , Dickerman Sarah , Khoury Jennifer E. , Sisitsky Michaela , Ou Yangming , Bosquet Enlow Michelle , Teicher Martin H. , Grant P. Ellen
Published: July 2023

Distinct neural effects of threat versus deprivation emerge by childhood, but little data are available in infancy. Withdrawn versus negative parenting may represent dimensionalized indices of early deprivation versus early threat, but no studies have assessed neural correlates of withdrawn versus negative parenting in infancy. The objective of this study was to separately assess the links of maternal withdrawal and maternal negative/inappropriate interaction with infant gray matter volume (GMV), white matter volume (WMV), amygdala, and hippocampal volume. Participants included 57 mother‐infant dyads. Withdrawn and negative/inappropriate aspects of maternal behavior were coded from the Still‐Face Paradigm at four months infant age. Between 4 and 24 months (M age = 12.28 months, SD = 5.99), during natural sleep, infants completed an MRI using a 3.0 T Siemens scanner. GMV, WMV, amygdala, and hippocampal volumes were extracted via automated segmentation. Diffusion weighted imaging volumetric data were also generated for major white matter tracts. Maternal withdrawal was associated with lower infant GMV. Negative/inappropriate interaction was associated with lower overall WMV. Age did not moderate these effects. Maternal withdrawal was further associated with reduced right hippocampal volume at older ages. Exploratory analyses of white matter tracts found that negative/inappropriate maternal behavior was specifically associated with reduced volume in the ventral language network. Results suggest that quality of day‐to‐day parenting is related to infant brain volumes during the first two years of life, with distinct aspects of interaction associated with distinct neural effects.
Economic preferences and obesity: Evidence from a clinical lab‐in‐field study
Authors: Pastore Chiara , Schurer Stefanie , Tymula Agnieszka , Fuller Nicholas , Caterson Ian
Published: July 2023

Many studies which describe the relationship between obesity and economic preference rely on healthy, clinically‐irrelevant populations. Instead, we study economic decision‐making of a clinically‐relevant population of 299 people with obesity who participated in a 6‐months Randomized Controlled Trial in two Sydney‐based hospitals to prevent diabetes onset. To elicit preferences, we use incentive‐compatible experimental tasks that participants completed during their medical screening examination. In this population, we find that participants are risk averse, show no evidence of present bias, and have impatience levels comparable to healthy samples described in the international literature. Variations in present bias and impatience are not significantly associated with variations in markers of obesity. We find however a statistically significant negative association between risk tolerance and markers of obesity for women. Importantly, impatience moderates the link between risk tolerance and obesity, a finding which we are able to replicate in nationally‐representative survey data. We discuss explanations for why our findings deviate markedly from the literature for this understudied but highly policy‐relevant population. One explanation is that our specific population consists of forward‐looking, well‐educated individuals, who are willing to participate in an intensive health intervention. Hence, other factors may be at play for why these individuals live with obesity.
A combination of computed tomography scan and ultrasound provides optimal detection of cervical lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinomas: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Albuck Aaron L. , Issa Peter P. , Hussein Mohammad , Aboueisha Mohamed , Attia Abdallah S. , Omar Mahmoud , Munshi Ruhul , Shama Mohamed , Toraih Eman , Randolph Gregory W. , Kandil Emad
Published: July 2023

Background

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is common. This meta‐analysis assesses the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (US), and CT + US in detecting central and lateral LNM.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed by searching PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane for studies published up to April 2022. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were calculated. The area under the curve (AUC) for summary receiver operating curves (sROC) were compared.

Results

The study population included 7902 patients with a total of 15 014 lymph nodes. Twenty‐four studies analyzed the sensitivity of the overall neck region in which dual CT + US imaging (55.9%) had greater sensitivities (p < 0.001) than either US (48.4%) or CT (50.4%) alone. The specificity of US alone (89.0%) was greater (p < 0.001) than CT alone (88.5%) or dual imaging (86.8%). The DOR for dual CT + US imaging was greatest (p < 0.001) at 11.134, while the AUCs of the three imaging modalities were similar (p > 0.05). Twenty‐one studies analyzed the sensitivity of the central neck region in which both CT (45.8%) and CT + US imaging (43.4%) had greater sensitivities (p < 0.001) than US alone (35.3%). The specificity of all three modalities was higher than 85%. The DOR for CT (7.985) was greater than US alone (4.723, p < 0.001) or dual CT + US imaging (4.907, p = 0.015). The AUC of both CT + US (0.785) and CT alone (0.785) were significantly greater (p < 0.001) than US alone (0.685). Of the 19 studies that reported lateral LNM, CT + US imaging sensitivity (84.5%) was higher than CT alone (69.2%, p < 0.001) and US alone (79.7%, p = 0.038). The specificity of all imaging techniques was all greater than 80.0%. CT + US imaging DOR (35.573) was greater than CT (20.959, p = 0.024) and US (15.181, p < 0.001) individually. The AUC of independent imaging was high (CT: 0.863, US: 0.858) and improved significantly when combined (CT + US: 0.919, p = 0.024 and p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

We report an up‐to‐date analysis elucidating the diagnostic accuracy of LNM detection by either CT, US, or in combination. Our work suggests dual CT + US to be the best for overall detection of LNM and CT to be preferable in detecting central LNM. The use of either CT or US alone may detect lateral LNM with acceptable accuracy, yet dual imaging (CT + US) significantly improved detection rates.
Ultrasonography‐guided core‐needle biopsy of lymphadenopathies suspected of lymphoma: Analysis on diagnostic efficacy and safety of 1000 front‐line biopsies in a multicenter Italian study
Authors: Picardi Marco , Giordano Claudia , Vigliar Elena , Zeppa Pio , Cozzolino Imma , Pugliese Novella , Della Pepa Roberta , Esposito Maria , Abagnale Davide Pio , Ciriello Mauro , Muccioli‐Casadei Giada , Troncone Giancarlo , Russo Daniela , Mascolo Massimo , Varricchio Silvia , Accarino Rossella , Persico Marcello , Pane Fabrizio
Published: July 2023

The reliability and safety of front‐line ultrasonography guided core needle biopsy (UG‐CNB) performed with specific uniform approach have never been evaluated in a large series of patients with lymphadenopathies suspected of lymphoma. The aim of this study was to assess the overall accuracy of UG‐CNB in the lymph node histological diagnosis, using a standard reference based on pathologist consensus, molecular biology, and/or surgery. We retrospectively checked the findings concerning the application of lymph node UG‐CNB from four Italian clinical units that routinely utilized 16‐gauge diameter modified Menghini needle under power‐Doppler ultrasonographic guidance. A data schedule was sent to all centers to investigate the information regarding techniques, results, and complications of lymph node UG‐CNB in untreated patients over a 12‐year period. Overall, 1000 (superficial target, n = 750; deep‐seated target, n = 250) biopsies have been evaluated in 1000 patients; other 48 biopsies (4.5%), screened in the same period, were excluded because inadequate for a confident histological diagnosis. Most patients were suffering from lymphomas (aggressive B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma [aBc‐NHL], 309 cases; indolent B‐cell [iBc]‐NHL, 279 cases; Hodgkin lymphoma [HL], 212 cases; and nodal peripheral T‐cell [NPTC]‐NHL, 30 cases) and 100 cases from metastatic carcinoma; 70 patients had non‐malignant disorders. The majority of CNB results met at least one criterion of the composite reference standard. The overall accuracy of the micro‐histological sampling was 97% (95% confidence interval: 95%–98%) for the series. The sensitivity of UG‐CNB for the detection of aBc‐NHL was 100%, for iBc‐NHL 95%, for HL 93%, and for NPTC‐NHL 90%, with an overall false negative rate of 3.3%. The complication rate was low (6% for all complications); no patient suffered from biopsy‐related complications of grade >2 according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Lymph node UG‐CNB as mini‐invasive diagnostic procedure is effective with minimal risk for the patient.
Effects of photobiomodulation at various irradiances on normal and dihydrotestosterone‐treated human hair dermal papilla cells in vitro
Authors: Sun Miao , Jiang Hui , Lin Shangfei , Qin Haokuan , Ding Xiaolei , Lai Yongxian , Liu Shangfeng , Liu Muqing
Published: July 2023

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of hair loss caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binding to androgen receptors in dermal papilla cells (DPCs). Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a promising treatment for AGA but suffers from inconsistent outcomes and inconsistent effective light parameters. This study investigated the impact of red light at various irradiances on normal and DHT‐treated DPCs. Our results suggested that red light at 8 mW/cm2 was most effective in promoting DPCs growth. Furthermore, a range of irradiances from 2 to 64 mW/cm2 modulated key signaling pathways, including Wnt, FGF, and TGF, in normal and DHT‐treated DPCs. Interestingly, 8 mW/cm2 had a greater impact on these pathways in DHT‐treated DPCs and altered the Shh pathway, suggesting that the effect of PBM varies with the cellular environment. This study highlights specific factors that influence PBM effectiveness and provides insight into the need for personalized PBM treatment approaches.