bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of
Staphylococcus aureus
Strains Isolated in Poland in 1996 to 2004 That Were Deficient in Species-Specific Proteins
Authors: Luczak-Kadlubowska Agnieszka , Krzyszton-Russjan Jolanta , Hryniewicz Waleria
Published: November 2006

One hundred seventy
Staphylococcus aureus
isolates, collected in 1996 to 2004, were reidentified by phenotypic and genotypic methods. One hundred ten of these (65%) were confirmed, as previously denoted, to be clumping factor (CF)- or free coagulase-deficient
S. aureus
, based on their phenotype. Based on the CF or coagulase production, three groups of phenotypically deficient
S. aureus
isolates were distinguished. Group 1 encompassed CF-positive and coagulase-deficient isolates, group 2 consisted of CF-deficient and coagulase-positive isolates, and group 3 included isolates that were CF positive, had delayed coagulase activity, and were deficient in other species-specific features. All investigated strains harbored the
clfA
,
clfB
,
coa
,
spa
, and
nuc
genes, but the presence of their products was not detected by the phenotypic methods. Glycopeptide susceptibility testing showed that 26 isolates (23.6%) were hetero-glycopeptide-intermediate
S. aureus
(hGISA) or hetero-teicoplanin-intermediate
S. aureus
(hTISA), based on the population analysis profile. The relatedness of the isolates was evaluated by multiple-locus variable number of tandem repeats analysis, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and multilocus sequence typing. The phenotypically deficient
S. aureus
isolates were classified into PFGE types B (ST239-III) and D (ST246-IA) and were related to the common clones, Hungarian and Iberian, respectively, which have been widely disseminated in Poland and globally. The simultaneous occurrence of hGISA/hTISA and the CF-deficient phenotypes was found for 62.1% of isolates belonging to group 2. The majority of these isolates were assigned to the Iberian clone (PFGE type D; ST247-IA). An association between the defect in coagulase and that in thermonuclease production was observed, which concerned 59.2% of isolates of group 1. The majority of these isolates belonged to the Hungarian clone (PFGE type B; ST239-III).
Presence of Pathogenicity Island Genes in
Enterococcus faecalis
Isolates from Pigs in Denmark
Authors: Shankar Nathan , Baghdayan Arto S. , Willems Rob , Hammerum Anette M. , Jensen Lars B.
Published: November 2006

Enterococcus faecalis
isolates of porcine origin were screened for the presence of a previously identified pathogenicity island (PAI). By using the
esp
gene as a genetic marker for the presence of this PAI, 9
esp-
positive and 10
esp
-negative isolates of porcine origin were investigated by use of a designed oligonucleotide array. The results indicated the clustering of
esp
-positive strains by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), but surprisingly, all strains investigated contained parts of the PAI. None of the strains of animal origin investigated belonged to previously identified MLST complex 2, where most isolates from patients cluster. Five of the nine
esp
-positive
E. faecalis
isolates of animal origin belonged to the same PAI complex as human isolate MMH594 but differed in their sequence types, which strongly indicates the horizontal transfer of the PAI between enterococci of porcine and human origin.
Molecular Epidemiology of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Hungary
Authors: Ködmön Csaba , Niemann Stefan , Lukács Judit , Sör Éva , Dávid Sándor , Somoskövi Ákos
Published: November 2006

Sixty-eight drug-resistant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
isolates (44.2% of all resistant cases) were analyzed by IS
6110
restriction fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting and spoligotyping to provide a deeper insight into the status of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Hungary. A total of 54.4% of the drug-resistant cases and 75% of the multidrug-resistant cases could be clustered. Analysis of the spoligotyping patterns of the strains revealed a high rate (66.2%) of infection by the Haarlem genotype, while none of the patients were infected by the Beijing genotype. The magnitude and the dynamics of drug-resistant tuberculosis are underestimated in Hungary.
Presence of Copper- and Zinc-Containing Superoxide Dismutase in Commensal
Haemophilus haemolyticus
Isolates Can Be Used as a Marker To Discriminate Them from Nontypeable
H. influenzae
Isolates
Authors: Fung W. W. Mary , O'Dwyer Clíona A. , Sinha Sunita , Brauer Aimee L. , Murphy Timothy F. , Kroll J. Simon , Langford Paul R.
Published: November 2006

Respiratory isolates of
Haemophilus haemolyticus
are regularly misclassified as nontypeable (NT)
Haemophilus influenzae
due to an aberrant hemolytic reaction on blood agar, with implications for treatment. The presence of
sodC
or its cognate protein, copper-zinc superoxide dismutase, can distinguish respiratory isolates of
H. haemolyticus
from NT
H. influenzae
with 100% accuracy.
Development and Evaluation of Reverse Transcription-Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for Rapid and Real-Time Detection of Japanese Encephalitis Virus
Authors: Parida M. M. , Santhosh S. R. , Dash P. K. , Tripathi N. K. , Saxena P. , Ambuj S. , Sahni A. K. , Lakshmana Rao P. V. , Morita Kouichi
Published: November 2006

The standardization and validation of a one-step, single-tube accelerated quantitative reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay is reported for rapid and real-time detection of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). The RT-LAMP assay reported in this study is very simple and rapid; the amplification can be obtained in 30 min under isothermal conditions at 63°C by employing a set of six primers targeting the E gene of JEV. The RT-LAMP assay demonstrated exceptionally higher sensitivity compared to that of RT-PCR, with a detection limit of 0.1 PFU. The specificities of the selected primer sets were established by cross-reactivity studies with other closely related members of the JEV serocomplex as well as by evaluation of healthy human volunteers. The comparative evaluation of the RT-LAMP assay for clinical diagnosis with a limited number of patient cerebrospinal fluid samples revealed 85% concordance with conventional RT-PCR, with a sensitivity and a specificity of 100% and 86%, respectively. The concentration of virus in most of the clinical samples was 10
2
to 10
5
PFU/ml, as determined from the standard curve based on the time of positivity in the samples. In addition, the monitoring of gene amplification can also be visualized with the naked eye by using SYBR green I fluorescent dye. Thus, due to easy operation without a requirement of sophisticated equipment and skilled personnel, the RT-LAMP assay reported here is a valuable tool for the rapid and real-time detection of JEV not only by well-equipped laboratories but also by peripheral diagnostic laboratories with limited financial resources in developing countries.
THE SCHWINGER REPRESENTATION OF A GROUP: CONCEPT AND APPLICATIONS
Authors: CHATURVEDI S. , MARMO G. , MUKUNDA N. , SIMON R. , ZAMPINI A.
Published: November 2006

The concept of the Schwinger Representation of a finite or compact simple Lie group is set up as a multiplicity-free direct sum of all the unitary irreducible representations of the group. This is abstracted from the properties of the Schwinger oscillator construction for SU(2), and its relevance in several quantum mechanical contexts is highlighted. The Schwinger representations for SU(2), SO(3) and SU(n) for all n are constructed via specific carrier spaces and group actions. In the SU(2) case, connections to the oscillator construction and to Majorana's theorem on pure states for any spin are worked out. The role of the Schwinger Representation in setting up the Wigner–Weyl isomorphism for quantum mechanics on a compact simple Lie group is brought out.
TRANSITION OF MODIFIED LAYERED STRUCTURED BISMUTH TITANATE FROM NORMAL TO RELAXOR FERROELECTRIC STATE
Authors: SIDDESHWAR A. , PRASAD G. , KUMAR G. S.
Published: November 2006

The Aurivillius-type compounds with generic formula Sr x Bi 4-x Nb x Ti 3-x O 12 (with x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) have been synthesized to investigate the effect of Sr and Nb substitution on the bismuth titanate, by a conventional solid state technique. The phase formation of the compound was confirmed through XRD. The dielectric measurements were made at different constant frequencies of 10 kHz, 50 kHz, 100 kHz, 500 kHz and 1 MHz over a wide temperature range. The samples showed a transition from normal ferroelectric behavior to relaxor dielectric behavior with an increasing value of "x".
GRIFFITH-FORMULA AND J-INTEGRAL FOR A CRACK IN A POWER-LAW HARDENING MATERIAL
Authors: KNEES DOROTHEE
Published: November 2006

We consider an elastic body with pre-existing crack which is subjected to external loadings. It is assumed that the constitutive relation is of power-law type (Ramberg/Osgood model). Several fracture criteria are based on the energy release rate, which is the derivative of the potential deformation energy with respect to the crack length. The goal of this paper is to derive the Griffith-formula and the Eshelby–Cherepanov–Rice integral for the energy release rate of this nonlinear model taking into account the actual regularity of the corresponding displacement and stress fields.
STABILITY FOR SOLUTIONS OF A STATIONARY EULER–POISSON PROBLEM
Authors: AMBROSO ANNALISA
Published: November 2006

We study the stability of the solutions of a stationary Euler–Poisson problem modeling a plasma diode. The model was presented in a previous paper, where we proved the existence of multiple solutions. Since, physically speaking, we expect only one solution to be present, we propose here two strategies for selecting the physical stationary regime. On the one hand, we study the energy functional associated with the stationary problem and order the different solutions in terms of their energy level and as stationary points for the functional. On the other hand, starting from the remark that a stable stationary state is the state which is reached after an evolution, we solve numerically the corresponding time-dependent Euler–Poisson problem and show that only one of the possible solutions is indeed stable in this sense. These two independent approaches select the same solution that we label therefore as stable.
The Application of Diffusion‐ and Perfusion‐Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis and Therapy of Acute Cerebral Infarction
Authors: Han Ying , Li Enzhong , Tian Jie , Chen Jian , Wang Huifang , Dai Jianping
Published: November 2006

Diffusion‐ and perfusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI and PWI) was applied for stroke diagnose in 120 acute ( <48 h) ischemic stroke patients. At hyperacute ( <6 h) stage, it is difficult to find out the infarction zone in conventional T1 or T2 image, but it is easy in DWI, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map; when at 3–6‐hour stage it is also easy in PWI, cerebral blood flow (CBF) map, cerebral blood volume (CBV) map, and mean transit time (MTT) map; at acute (6–48 h) stage, DWI or PWI is more sensitive than conventional T1 or T2 image too. Combining DWI with ADC, acute and chronic infarction can be distinguished. Besides, penumbra which should be developed in meaning was used as an indication or to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy. There were two cases ( <1.5 h) that broke the model of penumbra because abnormity was found in DWI but not that in PWI, finally they recovered without any sequela.
Generalized Baer rings
Authors: Kwak Tai Keun
Published: November 2006

We investigate the question whether the p.q.‐Baer center of a ring R can be extended to R. We give several counterexamples to this question and consider some conditions
under which the answer may be affirmative. The concept of a generalized p.q.‐Baer property which is a generalization of Baer property of a ring is also introduced.
The Successive-Order-of-Interaction Radiative Transfer Model. Part I: Model Development
Authors: Heidinger Andrew K. , O’Dell Christopher , Bennartz Ralf , Greenwald Thomas
Published: November 2006

This study, the first part of a two-part series, develops the method of “successive orders of interaction” (SOI) for a computationally efficient and accurate solution for radiative transfer in the microwave spectral region. The SOI method is an iterative approximation to the traditional adding and doubling method for radiative transfer. Results indicate that the approximations made in the SOI method are accurate for atmospheric layers with scattering properties typical of those in the infrared and microwave regions. In addition, an acceleration technique is demonstrated that extends the applicability of the SOI approach to atmospheres with greater amounts of scattering. A comparison of the SOI model with a full Monte Carlo model using the atmospheric profiles given by Smith et al. was used to determine the optimal parameters for the simulation of microwave top-of-atmosphere radiances. This analysis indicated that a four-stream model with a maximum initial-layer optical thickness of approximately 0.01 was optimal. In the second part of this series, the accuracies of the SOI model and its adjoint are demonstrated over a wide range of microwave remote sensing scenarios.
Observations of Precipitation Size and Fall Speed Characteristics within Coexisting Rain and Wet Snow
Authors: Yuter Sandra E. , Kingsmill David E. , Nance Louisa B. , Löffler-Mang Martin
Published: November 2006

Ground-based measurements of particle size and fall speed distributions using a Particle Size and Velocity (PARSIVEL) disdrometer are compared among samples obtained in mixed precipitation (rain and wet snow) and rain in the Oregon Cascade Mountains and in dry snow in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Coexisting rain and snow particles are distinguished using a classification method based on their size and fall speed properties. The bimodal distribution of the particles’ joint fall speed–size characteristics at air temperatures from 0.5° to 0°C suggests that wet-snow particles quickly make a transition to rain once melting has progressed sufficiently. As air temperatures increase to 1.5°C, the reduction in the number of very large aggregates with a diameter > 10 mm coincides with the appearance of rain particles larger than 6 mm. In this setting, very large raindrops appear to be the result of aggregrates melting with minimal breakup rather than formation by coalescence. In contrast to dry snow and rain, the fall speed for wet snow has a much weaker correlation between increasing size and increasing fall speed. Wet snow has a larger standard deviation of fall speed (120%–230% relative to dry snow) for a given particle size. The average fall speed for observed wet-snow particles with a diameter ≥ 2.4 mm is 2 m s−1 with a standard deviation of 0.8 m s−1. The large standard deviation is likely related to the coexistence of particles of similar physical size with different percentages of melting. These results suggest that different particle sizes are not required for aggregation since wet-snow particles of the same size can have different fall speeds. Given the large standard deviation of fall speeds in wet snow, the collision efficiency for wet snow is likely larger than that of dry snow. For particle sizes between 1 and 10 mm in diameter within mixed precipitation, rain constituted 1% of the particles by volume within the isothermal layer at 0°C and 4% of the particles by volume for the region just below the isothermal layer where air temperatures rise from 0° to 0.5°C. As air temperatures increased above 0.5°C, the relative proportions of rain versus snow particles shift dramatically and raindrops become dominant. The value of 0.5°C for the sharp transition in volume fraction from snow to rain is slightly lower than the range from 1.1° to 1.7°C often used in hydrological models.
Psychometric Properties of the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale With Australian Adolescent Girls
Authors: Hawkins Colleen C. , Watt Helen M. G. , Sinclair Kenneth E.
Published: November 2006

The psychometric properties of the Frost, Marten, Lahart, and Rosenblate Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (1990) are investigated to determine its usefulness as a measurement of perfectionism with Australian secondary school girls and to find empirical support for the existence of both healthy and unhealthy types of perfectionist students. Participants were 409 female mixed-ability students from Years 7 and 10 in two private secondary schools in Sydney, Australia. Factor analyses yielded four rather than the six factors previously theorized. Cluster analysis indicated a distinct typology of healthy perfectionists, unhealthy perfectionists, and nonperfectionists. Healthy perfectionists were characterized by higher levels on Organization, whereas unhealthy perfectionists scored higher on the Parental Expectations & Criticism and Concern Over Mistakes & Doubts dimensions of perfectionism. Both types of perfectionists scored high on Personal Standards.
Defacements/Effacements
Authors: King C. Richard
Published: November 2006

This article experiments with performative and dialogic techniques to trace the contours of anti-Asian American sentiments in sport. It suggests that jokes and joking behaviors are one the key things that binds Asian Americans to sport in the popular imaginary. Moreover, it outlines the ways that sporting humor works to efface and deface Asians and Asian Americans. Well-known utterances by Fuzzy Zoeller, directed at Tiger Woods, and Shaquille O’Neal, directed toward Yao Ming, center much of the discussion.
Renal MALToma: an unusual lymphoma in a patient with lupus
Authors: Mortlock A M , Lim C SE , Morgan H , Wong T W , Joshi A , Kuttikat A , Chakravarty K
Published: November 2006

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas (NHL) have been reported in association with autoimmune disorders particularly Sjogren’s syndrome. We report a case of renal MALToma, an unusual NHL in an 84-year-old Caucasian lady with long-standing, non-aggressive Systemic Lupus Erythematosis with no associated Sjorgen’s syndrome and who never received cytotoxics.
Do Clinical and Social Factors Predict Quality of Life in Leg Ulceration?
Authors: Franks Peter J. , Moffatt Christine J.
Published: November 2006

This cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the association between clinical and social variables and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients suffering from leg ulceration. Patients were given a questionnaire to complete that incorporated clinical and social factors with the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). The mean difference in NHP scores was calculated between categories for social and clinical variables, after adjustment for the patients’ ages and gender. The 758 patients (mean age = 74.6 years, 64% women) had leg ulceration present for a median of 10.5 months (range, 0.5-708). Bodily pain (mean difference [d ] = 8.9, P < .001), emotion (d = 4.7, P = .009) and social isolation (d = 0.032) were associated with large (> 10 cm2) ulceration, whereas pain (P = .022) and social isolation (P = .008) were significantly associated with long ulcer duration. Patients treated by district nurses in community clinics experienced significantly less pain (d = -11.5P < .001) and better sleep quality (d = -8.3P = .006) than other patients did, whereas patients being treated by district nurses in the patients’ own homes experienced deficits in pain (d = 11.4,P < .001), sleep quality (d = 8.8, P = .001), and mobility (d = 6.3, P = .002). There is some evidence to support the notion that large, long-duration ulceration leads to poorer HRQoL. Patients treated in nurse-led leg ulcer clinics experienced better HRQoL than did patients treated in other clinical areas. This observation needs to be evaluated more fully in future studies.
Prolactin delays hair regrowth in mice
Authors: Craven A J , Nixon A J , Ashby M G , Ormandy C J , Blazek K , Wilkins R J , Pearson A J
Published: November 2006

Mammalian hair growth is cyclic, with hair-producing follicles alternating between active (anagen) and quiescent (telogen) phases. The timing of hair cycles is advanced in prolactin receptor (PRLR) knockout mice, suggesting that prolactin has a role in regulating follicle cycling. In this study, the relationship between profiles of circulating prolactin and the first post-natal hair growth cycle was examined in female Balb/c mice. Prolactin was found to increase at 3 weeks of age, prior to the onset of anagen 1 week later. Expression of PRLR mRNA in skin increased fourfold during early anagen. This was followed by upregulation of prolactin mRNA, also expressed in the skin. Pharmacological suppression of pituitary prolactin advanced dorsal hair growth by 3.5 days. Normal hair cycling was restored by replacement with exogenous prolactin for 3 days. Increasing the duration of prolactin treatment further retarded entry into anagen. However, prolactin treatments, which began after follicles had entered anagen at 26 days of age, did not alter the subsequent progression of the hair cycle. Skin from PRLR-deficient mice grafted onto endocrine-normal hosts underwent more rapid hair cycling than comparable wild-type grafts, with reduced duration of the telogen phase. These experiments demonstrate that prolactin regulates the timing of hair growth cycles in mice via a direct effect on the skin, rather than solely via the modulation of other endocrine factors.
Pituitary hormone mRNA expression in European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax in seawater and following acclimation to fresh water
Authors: Varsamos Stamatis , Xuereb Benoît , Commes Thérèse , Flik Gert , Spanings-Pierrot Céline
Published: November 2006

The mRNA expression of pituitary prolactin (prl), growth hormone (gh), somatolactin (sl), proopiomelanocortin (pomc), and gonadotropins (gthI and gthII) was quantified by real-time PCR, in sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, adapted for 1 month to seawater (SW) or freshwater (FW). In addition, IGF-I (igfI) mRNA expression in liver and branchial Na+/K+-ATPase activity were determined. L17 ribosomal protein (rpL17) and elongation factor 1α (ef1α) were validated as reference genes in real-time PCR in the experimental context. The real-time PCR assays were validated for the different hormone genes considered. Expression of pituitary pomc, gthI, gthII, gh, and liver igfI was not significantly different between FW and SW fish. Pituitary prlwas 4.5-foldhigher in FWthan in SW, whereas pituitary sl was 1.8-fold higher in SW- compared with FW-adapted fish. Gill Na+/K+-ATPase specific activity was 2.3-fold higher in FW sea bass compared with SW fish. Plasma cortisol levels were 6.5-fold lower in SW- than in FW-adapted specimens. The results are discussed in relation to the osmoregulatory strategy of this euryhaline SW species, which displays features that do not fit present models based on salmonids and FWeuryhaline teleosts.
Survival in Patients With De Novo Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Authors: Schoen Martin W. , Montgomery R. Bruce , Owens Lukas , Khan Saira , Sanfilippo Kristen M. , Etzioni Ruth B.
Published: March 2024

This cross-sectional study investigates trends in overall survival among patients with newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer in 2 national registries in the United States.
Intrusion detection system based on the beetle swarm optimization and K‐RMS clustering algorithm
Authors: Pran S. Gokul , Raja Sivakami , Jeyasudha S.
Published: March 2024

Intrusion detection is a cyber‐security method that is significant for network security. It is utilized to detect behaviors that compromise security and privacy within a network or in the context of a computer system. To enhance the identification, an Intrusion Detection System Based on the Beetle Swarm Optimization and K‐RMS Clustering Algorithm cluster‐based hybrid classifiers is proposed in this manuscript. Here, the data is amassed from CICIDS2017 dataset. Then the data is preprocessed to eradicate the unwanted noise. After completing the preprocessed data, it can be clustered by using K‐RMS clustering algorithm. This algorithm cluster the entire data to the associated cluster set depending on the data behavior. The classification algorithm is considered to predict the data as normal or attacking behaviors. The hybrid classification is used to predict the data. The solitary predictor aims to achieve high detection rates and accuracy. The hybrid classifiers, such as support vector machines, artificial neural networks are applied to recognize the normal or intruder. The performance of the SVM‐ANN‐IDS method attains 22.05%, 15.87%, 27.25% higher accuracy, 23.90% and 28.53% higher precision, 29.29%, 19.19% and 23.27% higher specificity and 18.28%, 24.36% and 27.49% greater recall when compared to the existing models, like developing novel deep‐learning model to improve network intrusion categorization (DNN‐IDS), Intrusion identification scheme on real‐time data traffic under machine learning techniques along feature selection method (RNN‐SVM‐IDS) and recurrent deep learning basis feature fusion ensemble meta‐classifier for intellectual network intrusion identification scheme (RNN‐IDS) respectively.
Nanoscale Precursor Distribution by Microfluidization for Scalable Production of Highly Efficient Thermocatalysts
Authors: Kim Jongkyoung , Lee Myeung‐Jin , Kim Jihun , Jang Wonsik , Lee Jong Hoon , Ding Xingyu , Zhang Kelvin H. L. , An Kwangjin , Kim Hong‐Dae , Cho Seungho
Published: March 2024

The preparation of two‐dimensional (2D) materials often requires complicated exfoliation procedures having low yields. The exfoliated nanosheets are prone to thermal aggregation and unsuitable for thermocatalysis. Herein, a scalable approach produces 2D catalyst precursors well‐distributed and mixed at the nanoscale. Using continuous microfluidization and single‐layer layered double hydroxide (LDH) synthesis, the prepared suspension contained exfoliated hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) nanosheets and single‐layer LDHs. The increased contact area between h‐BN and LDHs enables the formation of highly dispersed MnCoAl mixed metal oxide nanoparticles anchored on h‐BN nanosheets after calcination. In the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3 (NH3‐SCR, a representative thermocatalytic application), this nanocomposite demonstrates a record turnover frequency of 0.772 h−1 among reported Mn‐based NH3‐SCR catalysts, with high NOx conversion and high N2 selectivity at low temperatures. By creating 2D precursors mixed at the nanoscale, this new synthetic approach can realize the scalable production of highly efficient thermocatalysts.
High C‐Selectivity for Urea Synthesis Through O‐Philic Adsorption to Form *OCO Intermediate on Ti‐MOF Based Electrocatalysts
Authors: Liu Xiaofang , Feng Jie , Cheng Xuefeng , Zhang Jinchang , Huo Jinyan , Chen Dongyun , Marcomini Antonio , Li Youyong , Xu Qingfeng , Lu Jianmei
Published: March 2024

The advent of utilizing nitrate (NO3−) for electrochemical co‐reduction with carbon dioxide (CO2) to effectively synthesize high‐value‐added organic nitrogen compounds has captured the attention of the environmental and energy fields. C─N coupling is a key step during the electrochemical co‐reduction process. An effective strategy to improve the efficiency of synthesis is to explore the optimal reaction pathway and coupling active species. Herein, a p‐type semiconductor nanosphere (Ti‐DHTP) is presented for electrochemical co‐reduction to synthesize urea by combining CO2 and NO3−. At a low voltage of −0.6 V versus RHE, the electrochemical synthesis of urea exhibits 95.5% C‐selectivity and 21.75% Faraday efficiency. Comparative experiments, in situ experiments, and theoretical simulations confirm that a new coupling pathway for the synthesis of urea from *NH2 and *OCO intermediates become a key step in Ti‐DHTP‐driven C─N coupling. Moreover, the more efficient *OCO intermediate inhibits the generation of large amounts of C‐bearing by‐products. Meanwhile, Ti‐DHTP has difficulty hydrogenating to form *COOH during the reduction of CO2 leading to the subsequent inability to produce *CO intermediates. This work reveals a new C─N coupling mechanism, which provides a feasible strategy for future research on the electrochemical synthesis of organic nitrogen‐bearing compounds.
Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Frameworks Enabling Highly Robust Aqueous Phase Ultralong Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence
Authors: Luo Wuzhen , Zhou Jiayin , Nie Yujing , Li Feiming , Cai Shunyou , Yin Guangqiang , Chen Tao , Cai Zhixiong
Published: March 2024

Aqueous phase room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials are attracting increasing interest owing to their unique optical properties and promising applications. However, the realization of ultralong aqueous state RTP remains a formidable challenge due to severe quenching of triplet excitons in aqueous medium. In this study, a universal strategy is presented to achieve aqueous RTP materials through the encapsulation of organic phosphors within rigid hydrogen‐bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) by in situ self‐assembly. Benefiting from the compact and rigid microenvironments provided by HOFs, the nonradiative dissipations are immensely suppressed and populated triplet excitons are greatly stabilized by geometrical confinement and isolating organic phosphors from quenchers. As a result, the assembled HOFs‐based materials reveal robust RTP emission with an ultralong phosphorescence lifetime of up to 493.1 ms and exhibit long‐term optical and structural stability in water and even in harsh conditions (acid and base) for more than 10 days. Moreover, a fluorescent dye is introduced to finely tune the afterglow performance based on triplet‐to‐singlet Förster resonance energy transfer (TS‐FRET), facilitating advanced information encryption and anticounterfeiting applications. This study provides a reliable and universal method to design and prepare robust RTP materials and expands their applications in advanced information encryption.
Inverse‐Vaccines for Rheumatoid Arthritis Re‐establish Metabolic and Immunological Homeostasis in Joint Tissues
Authors: Thumsi Abhirami , Martínez Diego , Swaminathan Srivatsan J. , Esrafili Arezoo , Suresh Abhirami P. , Jaggarapu Madhan Mohan Chandrasekhar , Lintecum Kelly , Halim Michelle , Mantri Shivani V. , Sleiman Yasmine , Appel Nicole , Gu Haiwei , Curtis Marion , Zuniga Cristal , Acharya Abhinav P.
Published: March 2024

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes immunological and metabolic imbalances in tissue, exacerbating inflammation in affected joints. Changes in immunological and metabolic tissue homeostasis at different stages of RA are not well understood. Herein, the changes in the immunological and metabolic profiles in different stages in collagen induced arthritis (CIA), namely, early, intermediate, and late stage is examined. Moreover, the efficacy of the inverse‐vaccine, paKG(PFK15+bc2) microparticle, to restore tissue homeostasis at different stages is also investigated. Immunological analyses of inverse‐vaccine‐treated group revealed a significant decrease in the activation of pro‐inflammatory immune cells and remarkable increase in regulatory T‐cell populations in the intermediate and late stages compared to no treatment. Also, glycolysis in the spleen is normalized in the late stages of CIA in inverse‐vaccine‐treated mice, which is similar to no‐disease tissues. Metabolomics analyses revealed that metabolites UDP‐glucuronic acid and L‐Glutathione oxidized are significantly altered between treatment groups, and thus might provide new druggable targets for RA treatment. Flux metabolic modeling identified amino acid and carnitine pathways as the central pathways affected in arthritic tissue with CIA progression. Overall, this study shows that the inverse‐vaccines initiate early re‐establishment of homeostasis, which persists through the disease span.
From Fluorescence‐Transfer‐Lightening‐Printing‐Assisted Conductive Adhesive Nanocomposite Hydrogels toward Wearable Interactive Optical Information‐Electronic Strain Sensors
Authors: Su Gongmeiyue , Wang Ni , Liu Yangkun , Zhang Ruoyao , Li Zhao , Deng Yulin , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: March 2024

The interactive flexible device, which monitors the human motion in optical and electrical synergistic modes, has attracted growing attention recently. The incorporation of information attribute within the optical signal is deemed advantageous for improving the interactive efficiency. Therefore, the development of wearable optical information‐electronic strain sensors holds substantial promise, but integrating and synergizing various functions and realizing strain‐mediated information transformation keep challenging. Herein, an amylopectin (AP) modified nanoclay/polyacrylamide‐based nanocomposite (NC) hydrogel and an aggregation‐induced‐emission‐active ink are fabricated. Through the fluorescence‐transfer printing of the ink onto the hydrogel film in different strains with nested multiple symbolic information, a wearable interactive fluorescent information‐electronic strain sensor is developed. In the sensor, the nanoclay plays a synergistic “one‐stone‐three‐birds” role, contributing to “lightening” fluorescence (≈80 times emission intensity enhancement), ionic conductivity, and excellent stretchability (>1000%). The sensor has high biocompatibility, resilience (elastic recovery ratio: 97.8%), and strain sensitivity (gauge factor (GF): 10.9). Additionally, the AP endows the sensor with skin adhesiveness. The sensor can achieve electrical monitoring of human joint movements while displaying interactive fluorescent information transformation. This research poses an efficient strategy to develop multifunctional materials and provides a general platform for achieving next‐generation interactive devices with prospective applications in wearable devices, human‐machine interfaces, and artificial intelligence.
An Advanced Healthcare Sensing Platform for Direct Detection of Viral Proteins in Seconds at Femtomolar Concentrations via Aerosol Jet 3D‐Printed Nano and Biomaterials
Authors: Ali Md. Azahar , Zhang George Fei , Hu Chunshan , Yuan Bin , Gao Shou‐Jiang , Panat Rahul
Published: March 2024

Sensing of viral antigens has become a critical tool in combating infectious diseases. Current sensing techniques have a tradeoff between sensitivity and time of detection; with 10–30 min of detection time at a relatively low sensitivity and 6–12 h of detection at a high (picomolar) sensitivity. In this research, uniquely nanoengineered interfaces are demonstrated on 3D electrodes that enable the detection of spike antigens of SARS‐CoV‐2 and their variants in seconds at femtomolar concentrations with excellent specificity, thus, overcoming this tradeoff. The 3D electrodes, manufactured using a high‐resolution aerosol jet 3D nanoprinter, consist of a microelectrode array of sintered gold nanoparticles coated with graphene and antibodies specific to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) spike antigens. An impedance‐based sensing modality is employed to sense several pseudoviruses of SARS‐CoV‐2 variants of concern (VOCs). This device is sensitive to most of the pseudoviruses of SARS‐CoV‐2 VOCs. A high sensitivity of 100 fm, along with a low limit‐of‐detection of 9.2 fm within a test range of 0.1–1000 pm, and a detection time of 43 s are shown. This work illustrates that effective nano‐bioengineering of interfaces can be used to create an ultrafast and ultrasensitive healthcare diagnostic tool for combating emerging infections.
Humidity‐Induced Self‐Oscillating and Self‐Healing Hypercrosslinked Metal–Organic Polyhedra Membranes
Authors: Li Jiamin , Liu Zhaoyi , Liu Jinjin , Liu Xue , Luo Yang , Liang Jiajie , Zhang Zhenjie
Published: March 2024

Designing autonomously oscillating materials is highly desirable for emerging smart material fields but challenging. Herein, a type of hypercrosslinked metal–organic polyhedra (HCMOPs) membranes formed by covalent crosslinking of boronic acid‐modified Zr‐based MOPs with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) are rationally designed. In these membranes, MOPs serve as high‐connectivity nodes and provide dynamic borate bonds with PVA in hypercrosslinked networks, which can be broken/formed reversibly upon the stimulus of water vapor. The humidity response characteristic of HCMOPs promotes their self‐oscillating and self‐healing properties. HCMOP membranes can realize a self‐oscillating property above the water surface even after loading a cargo that is 1.5 times the weight of the membrane due to the fast adsorption and desorption kinetics. Finally, the HCMOP actuator can realize energy conversion from mechanical energy into electricity when coupled with a piezoelectric membrane. This work not only paves a new avenue to construct MOP‐polymer hybrid materials but also expands the application scopes of MOPs for smart actuation devices.
Efficacy of lateral lymph node dissection for local control of rectal cancer: A multicenter study
Authors: Tanaka Yusuke , Hino Hitoshi , Shiomi Akio , Uehara Kay , Watanabe Jun , Nishikawa Takeshi , Ueno Hideki , Kinugasa Yusuke , Kawai Kazushige , Ajioka Yoichi
Published: March 2024

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) for rectal cancer by comparing the local control in patients with and without pathological lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM).

Methods

We included 189 patients with rectal cancer who underwent total mesorectal excision and LLND at 13 institutions between 2017 and 2019. Patients with and without pathological LLNM were defined as the pLLNM (+) and (−) groups, respectively. Propensity score‐matching helped to balance the basic characteristics of both groups. The incidences of local recurrence (LR) and lateral lymph node recurrence (LLNR) were compared between the groups.

Results

In the entire cohort, 39 of the 189 patients had pathological LLNM. The 3‐year LR and LLNR rates were 18.3% and 4.0% (p = 0.01) and 7.7% and 3.3% (p = 0.22) in the pLLNM (+) and (−) groups, respectively. After propensity score matching, the data from 62 patients were analyzed. No significant differences in LR or LLNR were observed between both groups. The 3‐year LR and LLNR rates were 16.4% and 9.8% (p = 0.46) and 9.7% and 9.8% (p = 0.99) in the pLLNM (+) and (−) groups, respectively.

Conclusion

LLND would lead to comparable local control in the pLLNM (+) and (−) groups if the clinicopathological characteristics except for LLNM are similar.
Coupling coarse‐grained DEM‐CFD and intraparticle model for biomass fast pyrolysis simulation and experiment validation
Authors: Wang Bing , Dai Jianjian , Li Sijie , Lin Yixi , Patrascu Michael , Gao Xi
Published: March 2024

The understanding of complex fluidization hydrodynamics and chemical reactions in biomass fast pyrolysis fluidized bed reactors is lacking and requires further investigation. It is urgent to develop accurate mathematical models capable of describing the complex multiphase reaction system of biomass pyrolysis. A comprehensive multiscale model based on coarse‐grained discrete element method (DEM)‐computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was developed in open‐source MFiX code. It incorporates detailed biomass pyrolysis kinetics and an intraparticle model. To validate the model, measurements were conducted in a fluidized bed pyrolyzer, including quantifying the segmental pressure drop along the height of the bed and determining the yields and compositions of gas, liquid, and solid products. The particle mixing and segregation, axial distribution and residence time, Lacey index, and pyrolysis products were investigated. The study provides experimental and theoretical foundations for designing multiphase fluidized bed reactors and advancing biomass thermochemical conversion.
Intracranial calcifications simulating Aicardi‐Goutières syndrome in PARS2‐related mitochondrial disease
Authors: Gerard Amanda , Mizerik Elizabeth , Mohila Carrie A. , AlAwami Sarah , Hunter Jill V. , Kearney Debra L. , Lalani Seema R. , Scaglia Fernando
Published: March 2024

PARS2 encodes an aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetase that catalyzes the ligation of proline to mitochondrial prolyl‐tRNA molecules. Diseases associated with PARS2 primarily affect the central nervous system, causing early infantile developmental epileptic encephalopathies (EIDEE; DEE75; MIM #618437) with infantile‐onset neurodegeneration. Dilated cardiomyopathy has also been reported in the affected individuals. About 10 individuals to date have been described with pathogenic biallelic variants in PARS2. While many of the reported individuals succumbed to the disease in the first two decades of life, autopsy findings have not yet been reported. Here, we describe neuropathological findings in a deceased male with evidence of intracranial calcifications in the basal ganglia, thalamus, cerebellum, and white matter, similar to Aicardi‐Goutières syndrome. This report describes detailed autopsy findings in a child with PARS2‐related mitochondrial disease and provides plausible evidence that intracranial calcifications may be a previously unrecognized feature of this disorder.
Aluminagerma[5]pyramidanes—Formation and Skeletal Rearrangement
Authors: Bührmann Lukas , Albers Lena , Beuße Maximilian , Schmidtmann Marc , Müller Thomas
Published: March 2024

The salt metathesis reaction of dipotassium germacyclopentadienediide with aluminum(III) dichlorides provides either half‐sandwich alumole complexes of germanium(II) or aluminylene germole complexes. Their molecular structure and the delocalized bonding situation, revealed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, are equally described as isomeric aluminagerma[5]pyramidanes with either the germanium or the aluminum atom in the apical position of the pentagonal pyramid. The product formation and the selectivity of the reaction depends on the third substituent of the aluminum dichloride. Aryl‐substituents favor the formation of alumole complexes and Cp*‐substituents that of the isomeric germole complexes. With amino‐substituents at the aluminum atom mixtures of both isomers are formed and the positional exchange of the two heteroatoms is shown by NMR spectroscopy. The alumole complexes of germanium(II) undergo facile reductive elimination of germanium and form the corresponding alumoles.
Electrochemical CO2 Activation and Valorization on Metallic Copper and Carbon‐Embedded N‐Coordinated Single Metal MNC Catalysts
Authors: Wang Xingli , Ju Wen , Liang Liang , Riyaz Mohd , Bagger Alexander , Filippi Michael , Rossmeisl Jan , Strasser Peter
Published: March 2024

The electrochemical reductive valorization of CO2, referred to as the CO2RR, is an emerging approach for the conversion of CO2‐containing feeds into valuable carbonaceous fuels and chemicals, with potential contributions to carbon capture and use (CCU) for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Copper surfaces and graphene‐embedded, N‐coordinated single metal atom (MNC) catalysts exhibit distinctive reactivity, attracting attention as efficient electrocatalysts for CO2RR. This review offers a comparative analysis of CO2RR on copper surfaces and MNC catalysts, highlighting their unique characteristics in terms of CO2 activation, C1/C2(+) product formation, and the competing hydrogen evolution pathway. The assessment underscores the significance of understanding structure–activity relationships to optimize catalyst design for efficient and selective CO2RR. Examining detailed reaction mechanisms and structure‐selectivity patterns, the analysis explores recent insights into changes in the chemical catalyst states, atomic motif rearrangements, and fractal agglomeration, providing essential kinetic information from advanced in/ex situ microscopy/spectroscopy techniques. At the end, this review addresses future challenges and solutions related to today's disconnect between our current molecular understanding of structure–activity‐selectivity relations in CO2RR and the relevant factors controlling the performance of CO2 electrolyzers over longer times, with larger electrode sizes, and at higher current densities.
Cross‐Linkable Fullerene Enables Elastic and Conductive Grain Boundaries for Efficient and Wearable Tin‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Hou Enlong , Chen Jingfu , Luo Jiefeng , Fan Yuteng , Sun Chao , Ding Yu , Xu Peng , Zhang Hui , Cheng Shuo , Zhao Xinjing , Xie Liqiang , Yan Jiawei , Tian Chengbo , Wei Zhanhua
Published: March 2024

Tin‐based perovskite solar cells (TPSCs) have received increasing attention due to their low toxicity, high theoretical efficiency, and potential applications as wearable devices. However, the inherent fast and uncontrollable crystallization process of tin‐based perovskites results in high defect density in the film. Meanwhile, when fabricated into flexible devices, the prepared perovskite film exhibits inevitable brittleness and high Young's modulus, seriously weakening the mechanical stability. In this work, we design and synthesize a cross‐linkable fullerene, thioctic acid functionalized C60 fulleropyrrolidinium iodide (FTAI), which has multiple interactions with perovskite components and can finely regulate the crystallization quality of perovskite film. The obtained perovskite film shows an increased grain size and a more matched energy level with the electron transport material, effectively improving the carrier extraction efficiency. The FTAI‐based rigid device achieves a champion efficiency of 14.91 % with enhanced stability. More importantly, the FTAI located at the perovskite grain boundaries could spontaneously cross‐link during the perovskite annealing process, which effectively improves the conductivity and elasticity of grain boundaries, thereby giving the film excellent bending resistance. Finally, the FTAI‐based wearable device yields a record efficiency of 12.35 % and displays robust bending durability, retaining about 90 % of the initial efficiency after 10,000 bending times.
Improving stability of human three dimensional skin equivalents using plasma surface treatment
Authors: Phuphanitcharoenkun Suphanun , Louis Fiona , Sowa Yoshihiro , Matsusaki Michiya , Palaga Tanapat
Published: March 2024

In developing three‐dimensional (3D) human skin equivalents (HSEs), preventing dermis and epidermis layer distortion due to the contraction of hydrogels by fibroblasts is a challenging issue. Previously, a fabrication method of HSEs was tested using a modified solid scaffold or a hydrogel matrix in combination with the natural polymer coated onto the tissue culture surface, but the obtained HSEs exhibited skin layer contraction and loss of the skin integrity and barrier functions. In this study, we investigated the method of HSE fabrication that enhances the stability of the skin model by using surface plasma treatment. The results showed that plasma treatment of the tissue culture surface prevented dermal layer shrinkage of HSEs, in contrast to the HSE fabrication using fibronectin coating. The HSEs from plasma‐treated surface showed significantly higher transepithelial electrical resistance compared to the fibronectin‐coated model. They also expressed markers of epidermal differentiation (keratin 10, keratin 14 and loricrin), epidermal tight junctions (claudin 1 and zonula occludens‐1), and extracellular matrix proteins (collagen IV), and exhibited morphological characteristics of the primary human skins. Taken together, the use of plasma surface treatment significantly improves the stability of 3D HSEs with well‐defined dermis and epidermis layers and enhanced skin integrity and the barrier functions.