bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visible‐Light‐Driven LaFeO3/CdS Heterojunction Photocatalysts for Photo‐Fenton Degradation of Levofloxacin
Authors: Qi Huixiu , Wu Min , Wang Jun , Zhang Bingjie , Dai Chaohua , Teng Fukang , Zhao Min , He Lin
Published: April 2023

A series of composite photocatalysts LaFeO3/CdS‐x (LFO/CS‐x, x=10–50 wt%) were prepared by a simple sol‐gel and solvothermal two‐step method for photo‐Fenton degradation of levofloxacin (LVF). The removal rate of LVF by LFO/CS‐40 reached 97.3 % within 100 min, showing excellent photocatalytic activity compared with LaFeO3 and CdS. The prepared composites were characterized and analyzed by XRD, FT‐IR, DRS, SEM, HRTEM, XPS, photoelectrochemical analysis and other techniques. Mechanistic investigations show that the heterojunction structure, can promote the separation and migration of photogenerated electron‐hole pairs, and the photogenerated charges can induce the generation of various active species under the synergistic effect of H2O2, and then efficiently degrade pollutants. Additionally, the effects of different parameters on the photo‐Fenton degradation were explored, and the good stability of composites is proved by cycling tests. The LFO/CS‐40 composite photocatalyst designed in this work has potential application prospects in the green and efficient treatment of antibiotic wastewater.
Eco‐Friendly Synthesis of Iron Nanoparticles Using Green Tea Extract: Characterization and Evaluation of Their Catalytic, Anti‐oxidant and Anti‐bacterial Potentials
Authors: Gupta Komal , Saini Kirti , Mathur Jaya
Published: April 2023

The green route for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles has emerged as a promising pathway due to its simple, non‐toxic, low‐cost, and environment‐friendly nature. In this study, eco‐friendly iron nanoparticles were successfully synthesized from the extract of green tea leaves. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV‐Visible, FT‐IR, SEM, EDX, TEM, and XRD techniques. The morphological analysis of the nanoparticles by SEM and TEM studies revealed that they were spherical in shape with particle size in the 30–70 nm range. The XRD investigation established the amorphous nature of the nanoparticles. The role of the phytochemicals of the tea extract as the reducing and stabilizing agents for the nanoparticles was confirmed by the FT‐IR analysis. The iron nanoparticles exhibited significant catalytic potential in the degradation of organic dyes‐ malachite green and methylene blue. The reactions followed pseudo‐first‐order kinetics and the percent degradation of 85.20 % for malachite green and 89.42 % for methylene blue was achieved in 20 min. and 10 min. respectively. The nano‐catalyst was reusable for three consecutive cycles of degradation reaction without any significant loss in its activity. The anti‐oxidant activity of the nanoparticles was studied by the DPPH assay wherein the nanoparticles exhibited a promising free radical scavenging ability of about 77 % with the IC50 value of 589.70 μg/mL. The anti‐bacterial activity of the nanoparticles was analyzed by the agar well diffusion method against four bacterial strains: gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and gram‐negative Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The zones of inhibition and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values of the nanoparticles were determined. The nanoparticles showed moderate toxicity against all the tested bacterial strains. The synthesis of the iron nanoparticles was rapid and simple and the results of the investigated applications were significant and promising.
Synthesis, Electrochemical and Antioxidant Properties of New Thiazolylazo‐based Mixed Ligand Metal Complexes
Authors: Özdemir Neşet , Yıldırım Baştemur Gizem , Akpınar Reyhan , Perçin Özkorucuklu Sabriye , Erdem Tunçmen Mukadder , Karipcin Fatma
Published: April 2023

The complexes of 4‐(2‐thiazolylazo)resorcinol (TAR) and 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy), [M(bpy)(TAR)(H2O)]AcO [(M=CoII, CuII, ZnII] and [Mn(bpy)(TAR)AcO] were synthesized and their structure was determined by elemental analysis, thermal analysis (DTA/TGA), IR spectroscopy, molar conductivity, and magnetic measurements. The ligand 4‐(2‐thiazolylazo)resorcinol coordinated to metalII ions via azo and thiazolyl group nitrogens and one oxygen atom of resorcinol, while 2,2′‐bipyridine also contributed two coordination bonds via its nitrogen atoms. The electrochemical profile of the compounds was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) which confirmed their electrochemical activity. The results obtained by CV method pointed out that the electrode reactions were diffusion controlled. The total antioxidant capacities of the ligands and complexes were evaluated by using cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) method. The complexes displayed more antioxidant activity than their ligands. The Trolox equivalent antioxidant activity (TEAC) values of all complexes exhibited more higher and approximate values to Trolox but bpy ligand did not show any activity.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline Hydrochloride by Zinc oxide/Polypyrrole/Carbon nanotubes
Authors: Lv Yuguang , Gong Zhao , Ren Zhixin , Guan Yuchen , Wu Jiang , Lv Kuilin
Published: April 2023

In this study, the intermediates of the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC‐HCl) were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The doping of polypyrrole (PPy) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) increased the reaction rate of TC‐HCl degradation by ZnO. The prepared ZnO has a large specific surface area, which can improve the adsorption performance. The introduction of PPy and CNTs can promote electron transfer and reduce the recombination of photogenerated electron hole pairs in the composite material ZnO/PPy/CNTs(ZPC), and the photocatalytic performance of the composite sample is improved. In addition, the new visible light catalyst has strong degradation effect on TC‐HCl. Using tetracycline hydrochloride as a pollutant, the photocatalytic degradation performance of each sample was analyzed. After 240 min of photoreaction, the Degradation rate of TC‐HCl (DTC‐HCl) by ZnO was 24.1 %, while that by ZPC was 91.5 %. Meanwhile, the intermediates of photocatalytic degradation of TC‐HCl were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The peak intensity of TC‐HCl from adsorption equilibrium to the end of the photocatalytic reaction occurred at a retention time of about 10.05 min and decreased with the increase of the reaction time. This indicates that TC‐HCl is broken down into small molecules during the reaction. Through the analysis of intermediates and active species, the degradation pathway of tetracycline hydrochloride was deduced.
Title: Cr(III) Incorporated Melamine‐Terephthalaldehyde Porous Organic Framework Nanosheet Catalyst for Carbon Dioxide Fixation Reaction
Authors: Deori Naranarayan , Borah Rakhimoni , Lahkar Surabhi , Brahma Sanfaori
Published: April 2023

Cr(III) centers have been incorporated into melamine‐terephthalaldehyde porous organic framework (MT‐POF) through N‐donor site coordination. Morphological studies by SEM give evidence of the transformation of spherulitic texture of non‐metalated MT‐POF to aggregated platelike structure in chromium metalated POF, MT‐Cr(III) POF (bulk). The flattening in the surface morphology of bulk MT‐Cr(III) POF might be a consequence of conformational change in POF caused by the template effect of the Cr(III) coordination. On sonication, bulk MT‐Cr(III) POF transformed into a distinguishable stacked nanosheet structure in MT‐Cr(III) POFN as revealed by FE‐SEM and TEM images. MT‐Cr(III) POFN could catalyse the carbon dioxide cycloaddition reaction to epoxides to yield cyclic carbonates in presence of tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) co‐catalyst. It was found that bulkier epoxide substrates showed lesser conversions to their corresponding cyclic carbonates (styrene oxide, 41 %; allyl glycidyl ether, 70 %; butyl glycidyl ether, 63 % conv.), whereas smaller substrates showed much higher conversions (epichlorohydrin, 96 %; epibromohydrin, 95 % conv.) under the reaction conditions [MT‐Cr(III) POFN, 10 mg; TBAB, 2 mol%; 5 bar CO2; 60 °C] giving a clear evidence of the substrate discrimination. The reason for the lesser conversions of the bigger substrates can be attributed to the steric clash rendered by the POF network.
Pt nanoparticles anchored on Ti3C2 MXene‐derived TiO2 nanosheets for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Zhang Qi , Liu Tengfei , Jiang Yingnan , Sun Wenxuan , Sun Meiling , Yin Guangchao , Lu Qing
Published: April 2023

Platinum (Pt)‐based electrocatalysts are the most excellent catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). But Pt is limited and expensive on earth, adding the proper matrix to disperse and anchor Pt is a viable way to reduce Pt consumption. Based on the excellent structure and electrochemical properties of two‐dimensional (2D) MXene, the Ti3C2 MXene‐derived TiO2 supported Pt nanoparticles (NPs) catalysts should have good catalytic performance in theoretically, but it has not been studied in experimentally. In this study, Pt NPs were anchored on the multilayer Ti3C2 MXene‐derived TiO2 nanosheets (NSs) to obtain super catalyst. The as‐prepared Pt/TiO2/Ti3C2 catalyst exhibited excellent HER performance under acidic conditions, with an overpotential of 147 mV and a small Tafel slope (54 mv dec−1) at 10 mA cm−2. Meanwhile, it has good stability under acidic conditions, and the activity has no obvious attenuation after 1000 CV cycles. In addition, the results show that anchoring Pt NPs on Ti3C2 MXene‐derived TiO2 NSs can help to reduce the binding energy and hybridization strength between H atoms and the support, thereby promoting the fast hydrogen adsorption‐desorption kinetics and enhancing the activity of HER. This work provides a new avenue for rational construction of high‐performance Ti3C2‐based catalysts.
P1 Push‐Pull Dye as a Case Study in QM/MM Theoretical Characterization for Dye‐sensitized Solar Cell Organic Chromophores**
Authors: D'Annibale Valeria , Chen Cheng Giuseppe , Bonomo Matteo , Dini Danilo , D'Abramo Marco
Published: April 2023

In this work, an accurate modelling of the absorption spectrum and of the ground and excited state redox properties of the P1 dye – a benchmark system in p‐type Dye‐sensitized Solar Cells (p‐DSCs) – is presented. The computed values were obtained by means of a QM/MM approach that combines a low computational cost with a proper treatment of the effects of the environment. The good agreement between our theoretical‐computational estimates and the available experimental data underlines how a proper description of the redox thermodynamics of the ground and electronic excited states of the dye in a realistic environment can be provided by in silico modelling.
A comprehensive overview of MXene‐based anode materials for univalent metal ions (Li+, Na+, and K+) and bivalent zinc ion capacitor application
Authors: Dubey Prashant
Published: April 2023

The excellence of MXene electrode material for high performance battery and supercapacitor devices represents immense possibility to construct MXene‐based metal ion capacitors (MICs) with a high energy/power density and long cyclic life. Various reports indicate that the MXene and its composites/heterostructures can be a suitable anode material to assemble MICs in non‐aqueous/aqueous electrolytes. The pillaring of MXenes with Sn4+, Fe2O3, TiO2, Fe3O4/C, SnO2, NaNbO3, MoS2, CNTs, graphene, etc. effectively alleviates restacking of nanosheets and provides large interlayer spacing as well as additional active sites. Formation of three‐dimensional network with porous structures and heteroatom doping are also advantageous for high performance electrode materials. Results indicate that the MICs can achieve a high energy density (up to 241 Wh kg−1) like rechargeable battery, a high power density (up to 25,000 W kg−1) like supercapacitor, and a satisfactory cyclic stability. This article reviews state‐of‐the art MXene‐based anode materials for various MICs. After a brief introduction about the MICs, its storage principle, historical background, and insights of the MXene synthesis, property, and storage mechanism, the article summarizes/evaluates the electrochemical performance of various MICs assembled by the MXene‐based anode materials. Finally, we outline challenges/future prospects of the MICs using MXene‐based anode materials.
Efficient Fe3O4@TiO2 Composite Nanoparticles Catalyzed Synthesis of Novel Azo Xanthene Dyes with Promising Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Abdolmohammadi Shahrzad , Hossaini Zinatossadat , Azizi Zahra
Published: April 2023

A number of novel azo xanthene dyes were prepared via a convenient and rapid cyclocondensation reaction of 3,4‐methylenedioxyphenol with pre‐synthesized (E)‐1,2‐diphenyl‐1‐diazenes in the molar ratio of 2 : 1. The synthesis was carried out in the presence of Fe3O4@TiO2 composite nanoparticles in aqueous ethanol solution at room temperature. This method offers several benefits such as simple experimental work‐up procedure, maximum eco‐friendly manner, short reaction time, and especially high yields of products. The synthesized dyes were investigated for their antibacterial activity and very good results were obtained.
Controlling the Self‐Assembly of Hierarchical PS‐b‐P4VP Structures Prepared by Dip‐Coating and Emulsion Breath Figure Techniques
Authors: Nguyen Hoang M. , Mader Ariane V. , De Swarnalok , Basarir Fevzihan , Vapaavuori Jaana
Published: April 2023

The breath figure (BF) method is a common laboratory‐scale pathway for fabricating porous structures. The emulsion BF approach, one of the BF variations, has attracted increasing attention since it bypasses the high humidity requirement, which is characteristic for the conventional BF method. In this paper, we used the emulsion BF technique with PS‐b‐P4VP block copolymer (BCP) and SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) as the stabilizers for water droplets. We combined this with the dip‐coating technique to obtain a hierarchical structure consisting of BF pores and BCP nanodomains. By altering the dip‐coating speeds and the NPs’ surface wetting properties and size, the average diameters of BF pores could be controlled. Notably, we were able to achieve both nano and microscale BF pores in the network. The effect of NPs for stabilization and dip‐coating parameters on BF pores and BCP nanodomains formation was established, extending the comprehension of this underdeveloped subject.
An Efficient Approach Towards the Synthesis of Nintedanib
Authors: Maji Saroj , Barman Souvik , Panda Gautam
Published: April 2023

Nintedanib, a potent, oral, small‐molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is known as a triple angiokinase inhibitor, inhibiting three major signaling pathways in angiogenesis. Here, we report full details of the alternative path toward the synthesis of nintedanib via novel intermediates. A key feature of our approach is the stereoselective intramolecular cyclization strategy that enables the concise conversion of β‐keto amide into a 3‐acyloxindole derivative, which is an important scaffold for nintedanib synthesis. Subsequent condensation of oxindole scaffold with synthesized amine derivative led to the drug nintedanib with good yields.
Reversed Regulation Effects of ssDNA on the Mimetic Oxidase and Peroxidase Activities of Covalent Organic Frameworks
Authors: Zhang Li , Tan Quan‐Gen , Xiao Sai‐Jin , Yang Gui‐Ping , Zheng Qiong‐Qing , Sun Chen , Mao Xiang‐Lan , Fan Jia‐Qi , Liang Ru‐Ping , Qiu Jian‐Ding
Published: April 2023

Nanomaterials with enzyme mimetic activity have attracted extensive attention, especially in the regulation of their catalytic activities by biomolecules or other polymers. Here, a covalent organic framework (Tph‐BT COF) with excellent photocatalytic activity is constructed by Schiff base reaction, and its mimetic oxidase activity and peroxidase activity is inversely regulated via single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA). Under light‐emitting diode (LED) light irradiation, Tph‐BT exhibited outstanding oxidase activity, which efficiently catalyzed oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to produce blue oxTMB, and ssDNA, especially those with poly‐thymidine (T) sequences, can significantly inhibit its oxidase activity. On the contrary, Tph‐BT showed weak peroxidase activity, and the presence of ssDNA, particularly poly‐cytosine (C) sequences, can remarkably enhance the peroxidase activity. The influence of base type, base length, and other factors on the activities of two enzymes is also studied, and the results reveal that the adsorption of ssDNA on the surface of Tph‐BT prevented intersystem crossing (ISC) and energy transfer processes to reduce 1O2 generation, while the electrostatic interaction between ssDNA and TMB enhanced Tph‐BT's affinity for TMB to facilitate the electron transfer from TMB to •OH. This study investigates multitype mimetic enzyme activities of nonmetallic D‐A conjugated COFs and demonstrates their feasibility of regulation by ssDNA.
Sandwich‐Structured Quasi‐Solid Polymer Electrolyte Enables High‐Capacity, Long‐Cycling, and Dendrite‐Free Lithium Metal Battery at Room Temperature
Authors: Liu Qi , Dan Yongjie , Kong Miqiu , Niu Yanhua , Li Guangxian
Published: April 2023

The insufficient ionic conductivity, limited lithium‐ion transference number (tLi+), and high interfacial impedance severely hinder the practical application of quasi‐solid polymer electrolytes (QSPEs). Here, a sandwich‐structured polyacrylonitrile (PAN) based QSPE is constructedin which MXene‐SiO2 nanosheets act as a functional filler to facilitate the rapid transfer of lithium‐ion in the QSPE, and a polymer and plastic crystalline electrolyte (PPCE) interface modification layer is coated on the surface of the PAN‐based QSPE of 3 wt.% MXene‐SiO2 (SS‐PPCE/PAN‐3%) to reduce interfacial impedance. Consequently, the synthesized SS‐PPCE/PAN‐3% QSPE delivers a promising ionic conductivity of ≈1.7 mS cm−1 at 30 °C, a satisfactory tLi+ of 0.51, and a low interfacial impedance. As expected, the assembled Li symmetric battery with SS‐PPCE/PAN‐3% QSPE can stably cycle more than 1550 h at 0.2 mA cm−2. The Li||LiFePO4 quasi‐solid‐state lithium metal battery (QSSLMB) of this QSPE exhibits a high capacity retention of 81.5% after 300 cycles at 1.0 C and at RT. Even under the high‐loading cathode (LiFePO4 ≈ 10.0 mg cm−2) and RT, the QSSLMB achieves a superior area capacity and good cycling performance. Besides, the assembled high voltage Li||NMC811(loading ≈ 7.1 mg cm−2) QSSLMB has potential applications in high‐energy fields.
Induction of immunogenic cell death effect of licoricidin in cervical cancer cells by enhancing endoplasmic reticulum stress‐mediated high mobility group box 1 expression
Authors: Wu Pei‐Ju , Chiou Hui‐Ling , Hsieh Yi‐Hsien , Lin Chia‐Liang , Lee Hsiang‐Lin , Liu I‐Chun , Ying Tsung‐Ho
Published: April 2023

Licoricidin (LCD) is an activity compound of the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, which has therapeutic efficacy, including anti‐virus, anti‐cancer, and enhanced immunity in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Herein, this study aimed to clarify the effect of LCD on cervical cancer cells. In the present study, we found that LCD significantly inhibited cell viability via inducing cell apoptosis and companies with cleaved‐PARP protein expression and caspase‐3/‐9 activity. Cell viability was markedly reversed these effects by pan‐caspase inhibitor Z‐VAD‐FMK treatment. Furthermore, we showed that LCD‐induced ER (endoplasmic reticulum) stress triggers upregulating the protein level of GRP78 (Bip), CHOP, and IRE1α, and subsequently confirmed the mRNA level by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. In addition, LCD exhibited the release of danger‐associated molecular patterns from cervical cancer cells, such as the release of high‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), secretion of ATP, and exposure of calreticulin (CRT) on the cell surface, which led to immunogenic cell death (ICD). These results provide a novel foundation that LCD induces ICD via triggering ER stress in human cervical cancer cells. LCD might be an ICD inducer of immunotherapy in progressive cervical cancer.
Hsa_circ_0008500 inhibits apoptosis of adipose‐derived stem cells under high glucose through hsa‐miR‐1273h‐5p/ELK1 axis
Authors: Meng Fandong , Shen Fengjie , Chu Xuan , Ling Hongwei , Qiao Yun , Liu Deshan
Published: April 2023

Preliminary researches have confirmed that the number of apoptosis of adipose tissue‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) in patients with diabetes is significantly increased, leading to a difficult healing wound. Increasing researches revealed that circular RNAs (circRNAs) can control apoptosis. However, it is still unclear whether and how circRNAs are critical for regulating ADSCs apoptosis. In this study, we utilized in vitro model in which ADSCs were cultivated with normal glucose (NG) (5.5 mM) or high glucose (HG) (25 mM) medium, respectively, and found that more apoptotic ADSCs were observed in HG medium comparing to ADSCs in NG medium. Furthermore, we found that hsa_circ_0008500 attenuated HG‐mediated ADSCs apoptosis. In addition, Hsa_circ_0008500 could directly interact with hsa‐miR‐1273h‐5p, acting as a miRNA sponge, which subsequently suppressed Ets‐like protein‐1(ELK1) expression, the downstream target of hsa‐miR‐1273h‐5p. Thus, these results indicated that targeting the hsa_circ_0008500/hsa‐miR‐1273h‐5p/ELK1 signaling pathway in ADSCs may be a potential target for repairing diabetic wounds.
The Creative Process and Social Responsibility
Authors: Liggett Susan
Published: April 2023

Creativity can have a communal aspect when a group of people have a common goal. With the added advantage of an objective, creativity can be channeled and directed in specific directions and become centered around a focused set of ideas and principles. This can be applied to particular areas of human concern such as civic society, health and well-being, health services, rehabilitation, business regeneration, wartime resilience, and preparing for the future. Examples from these areas are presented in order to understand how creativity has been instrumental in achieving positive goals and has acted as a driver and motivator of change for individuals and communities.
Vergleich zwischen den drei kommunikativen Instanzen
Authors: Bührig-Hollmann Annette
Published: April 2023

Auf der Grundlage der ministeriellen Vorgaben erinnern die Ergebnisse zum Konzept der Selbststeuerung des erwachsenen Lerners an die Gouvernemtalitätsebatte im Anschluss an Foucault. Mit der programmatischen Leerstelle auf der ersten kommunikativen Instanz reagieren die Ausbildungsinstitutionen einerseits mit dem Fokus auf die Rolle und Verantwortung der erwachsenen Lerner und andererseits mit der Forderung nach einer bestimmten Haltung der Ausbildenden. Mit diesen Ausbildungsprinzipien werden voraussetzungsreiche Anforderungen beschrieben, die kaum einer theoretischen Begriffsklärung Stand halten noch in der gewünschten Weise in der Ausbildungssituation nachzuweisen sind.
Soziale Positionierungen
Authors: Bührig-Hollmann Annette
Published: April 2023

Mit der Frage danach, was die UNB vor dem Hintergrund der verschiedenen kommunikativen Instanzen leistet, stellt sich im Hinblick auf die Agierenden auch die Frage nach dem Verständnis der eigenen Rolle während einer UNB. Von außen betrachtet bedeutet dies: Wie positionieren sich die Interagierenden innerhalb des Interaktionsgeschehens? Wer agiert, wer reagiert? Wer übernimmt Verantwortung für den Prozess oder seine Teile? Gibt es jemanden, der führt und wenn ja, mit welchen kommunikativen Strategien?
Information Theory on Change to Reflection
Authors: Xu Jianfeng , Wang Shuliang , Liu Zhenyu , Wang Yashi , Wang Yingfei , Dang Yingxu
Published: April 2023

Information reflects the existence, basic characteristics, and movement states of matter in the world. In the information society, it is difficult for human activities to leave information for the wide application of information technologies and systems bring a broad significance. Having achievements in both theory and application, information theory can be divided into the information theory on change and the information theory on reflection on the basis of cognitive perspective. In this chapter, the objective information theory (OIT) will be introduced to the background and motivation. It starts from the information theory on change. The bottleneck problems are discussed on information science, and information system. Then, the information theory on reflection is put forward. Two theories are further discriminated from the perspective of information. Finally, the monograph contents are briefed.
Measuring Objective Information
Authors: Xu Jianfeng , Wang Shuliang , Liu Zhenyu , Wang Yashi , Wang Yingfei , Dang Yingxu
Published: April 2023

In the context of the sextuple model, this chapter presents a metrics system with 11 indicators to measure objective information. Under the measurement, potential, and features of the set, each indicator is mathematical explored from the methodological foundations, specific definitions, and related propositions for quantitative information analysis and information systems applications.
Exemplifying Objective Information: Air Traffic Control System
Authors: Xu Jianfeng , Wang Shuliang , Liu Zhenyu , Wang Yashi , Wang Yingfei , Dang Yingxu
Published: April 2023

Air Traffic Control System (ATCS) is a large-scale information system that spreads all over the world and is widely used (Zhang et al., Modern Air Traffic Management (in Chinese). Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Press, Beijing, 2005). Although it cannot represent the entire information system, its structure, functional composition and application methods can already reflect many basic characteristics of today’s information systems, especially large-scale information systems. In this chapter, OIT is applied to explain the behavior of ATCS for demonstrating the feasibility and practicality to investigate information systems.
Exemplifying Objective Information Theory: Smart Court
Authors: Xu Jianfeng , Wang Shuliang , Liu Zhenyu , Wang Yashi , Wang Yingfei , Dang Yingxu
Published: April 2023

It is a worldwide engineering challenge to develop large-scale complex information systems such as Smart Court. The nationwide construction, application and promotion of the Smart Court system-of-systems engineering project of China guarantee the upgrade and reshaping of the judicial operation pattern of Chinese people’s courts. It has gained remarkable achievements and brought China to the leading position in judicial informatization in the world. In this chapter, OIT is applied to explain the behavior of Smart Court for demonstrating the feasibility and practicality to investigate system-of-systems.
Remark on modular weights in low-energy effective field theory from type II string theory
Authors: Kikuchi Shota , Kobayashi Tatsuo , Nasu Kaito , Otsuka Hajime , Takada Shohei , Uchida Hikaru
Published: April 2023

Abstract

We revisit the modular weights in type IIB magnetized D-brane models. The simple analysis of wave function shows that the four-dimensional matter fields have the modular weight -1/2, but it may shift as one in type IIA intersecting D-brane models. For example, the localized gauge flux as well as the localized curvature can shift the modular weight in the magnetized D-brane models. Such corrections do not affect physical couplings such as physical Yukawa couplings. However, it leads to differences in supersymmetry breaking sfermion masses, which depend on the modular weights, although the A-term coefficients and the sum of sfermion masses squared seem to be the same between two models.
Aligned fields double copy to Kerr-NUT-(A)dS
Authors: Chawla Samarth , Keeler Cynthia
Published: April 2023

Abstract

We find Abelian gauge fields that double copy to a large class of black hole spacetimes with spherical horizon topology known as the Kerr-NUT-(A)dS family. Using a multi-Kerr-Schild prescription, we extend the previously-known double copy structure for arbitrarily rotating general dimension black holes, to include NUT charges and an arbitrary cosmological constant. In all cases, these single copy gauge fields are ‘aligned fields’, because their nonzero components align with the principal tensor which generates the Killing structure of the spacetime. In five dimensions, we additionally derive the same single-copy field strengths via the Weyl double copy procedure.
Effect of orthodontic extraction of mandibular premolars on third molar angulation after treatment with fixed appliances
Authors: Di Giovanni Tamara , Vogiatzi Theodosia , Koretsi Vasiliki , Walsh Tanya , Silikas Nick , Papageorgiou Spyridon N.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Orthodontic treatment involving premolar extractions might improve the angulation of lower third molars, which are the teeth most often impacted. This study analyzes the impact of first/second lower premolar extraction during orthodontic therapy on the angulation of mandibular third molars.

Methods

A total of 120 patients treated non-extraction (n = 40), with extraction of first (n = 40), or second lower premolars (n = 40) were included. The mesiodistal angulation of lower third molars relative to the adjacent tooth and their developmental stage were evaluated from posttreatment orthopantomograms. Between-group differences were statistically evaluated at a significance level of 0.05.

Results

The orthopantomograms of 120 patients (51% female) with a median age of 15.2 years at the time of debonding were evaluated after a mean treatment duration time of 2.9 years. No difference (P > 0.05) was seen between the average angulation of the lower third molars of the right (mean = 24.4°, standard deviation [SD] 13.6°) and the left side (mean = 23.6°, SD 14.1°). No differences in the angulation of the lower third molar were found between the non-extraction and extraction groups for the right (P = 0.44) or the left side (P = 0.22). Likewise, no differences were found when comparing the first and second premolars for the right (P = 0.26) or the left side (P = 0.10). Premolar extraction was associated with an advanced root development stage of the right third molar (odds ratio 7.1; 95% confidence interval 1.1–48.1; P = 0.04), with no differences between extraction of the first or second premolar (P = 0.10).

Conclusion

Orthodontic treatment involving premolars extractions might be associated with a small acceleration in root development, but not with the angulation, of lower third molars.
Diagnosis of Small Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms
Authors: Radojewski Piotr , Dobrocky Tomas , Branca Mattia , Almiri William , Correia Manuel , Raabe Andreas , Bervini David , Gralla Jan , Wiest Roland , Mordasini Pasquale
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Differentiating normal anatomical variants such as an infundibulum or a vascular loop from true intracranial aneurysms is crucial for patient management. We hypothesize that high-resolution 7 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) improves the detection and characterization of normal anatomical variants that may otherwise be misdiagnosed as small unruptured aneurysms.

Methods

This is a retrospective, single-center study. All patients were scanned on a clinically approved 7 T MRI scanner and on a 3 T scanner. Image analysis was performed independently by three neuroradiologists blinded to clinical information. The presence of an unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) and level of diagnostic certainty were assessed and the interrater agreement was calculated. If an aneurysm was present, the anatomic location and shape were recorded and compared.

Results

In total, 53 patients with equivocal cerebrovascular findings on 1.5 T or 3 T MRI referred for a 7T MRI examination were included. Aneurysms were suspected in 42 patients examined at 3 T and in 23 patients at 7 T (rate difference 36%, 95% confidence interval, CI, 19–53%, p-value < 0.001). Major disagreement between the field strengths was observed in the A1 segment of anterior cerebral artery/anterior communicating artery (A1/ACOM) complex. The interrater agreement among the readers on the presence of an aneurysm on 7 T MRI was higher than that for 3 T MRI (0.925, 95% CI 0.866–0.983 vs. 0.786, 95% CI 0.700–0.873).

Conclusion

Our analysis demonstrates a significantly higher interrater agreement and improved diagnostic certainty when small intracranial aneurysms are visualized on 7 T MRI compared to 3 T. In a selected patient cohort, clinical implementation of 7 T MRI may help to establish the definitive diagnosis and thus have a beneficial impact on patient management.
Optimization of process parameters for the development of Ni–Al-Ti-Mn-Co-Fe–Cr high entropy alloy system via spark plasma sintering
Authors: Olorundaisi Emmanuel , Babalola Bukola Joseph , Bayode Bamidele Lawrence , Teffo Linda , Olubambi Peter A.
Published: April 2023

A novel equal atomic Ni–Al-Ti-Mn-Co-Fe–Cr high entropy alloy (HEA) was developed via the spark plasma sintering (SPS) process. This study investigates the influence of the sintering parametric processes, which consist of the sintering temperature (ST) and heating rate (HR) at constant pressure and dwelling time (DT) on the Microhardness (MH) and relative density (RD) of the developed HEA. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to develop a predictive model. The design of experiment (DOE) approach was adopted to reduce the number of experiments and eliminate trial by error. ST and HR were considered model variables in developing the model. The user-defined design (UDD) under RSM was used to predict the optimal sintering parameters, and an experiment was conducted to validate the result. The result indicates that ST and HR play a significant role in achieving high densification and hardness. The developed alloy shows the highest MH value of 136.3 HV at 850 °C and an HR of 100 °C/min. Equally, the least crystallite size of 2.05 µm was realized at the maximum ST. However, the modeling response suggested that full densification of about 99% can be achieved at an ST of 850 °C, a pressure of 50 MPa, a DT of 5 min, and an HR of 100 °C/min.
Critical analysis of the prescription and evaluation of protein kinase inhibitors for oncology in Germany
Authors: Obst Caecilia S. , Seifert Roland
Published: April 2023

The prices of oncology drugs have been rising progressively in recent years. Despite accounting for only a small share of prescriptions, oncology drugs are the most expensive drugs on the market. However, the association between drug price and clinical benefit often remains questionable. Therefore, we set out to analyze the development of prescription and benefit assessment of protein kinase inhibitors. We identified 20 protein kinase inhibitors with oncological indications that were newly approved by theEuropean Medicines Agency(EMA) between 2015 and 2019, based on theArzneiverordnungsreport(AVR,Drug Prescription Report). For these 20 drugs, the number of prescriptions, sales, defined daily dose (DDD), and DDD costs were identified for the year of approval and for 2020, respectively, based on data from theWissenschaftliches Institut der Ortskrankenkassen(WIdO,Scientific Institute of the General Local Health Insurance Fund, AOK). Moreover, the additional benefit assessments by theGemeinsamer Bundesausschuss(GBA,Federal Joint Committee) were considered for each drug. It is shown that the share of a drug in prescriptions, sales, and DDD does not correlate with the clinical benefit of the drug as measured by the additional benefit assessment by the GBA. Lastly, the advertisement pattern of protein kinase inhibitors in a representative oncology journal does not correlate with drug benefit. In conclusion, the immense costs of oncology drugs are therefore largely caused by drugs for which no additional benefit has been proven by the GBA. In order to ensure the long-term stability of health care systems, price-regulation measures are urgently needed, especially for drugs whose additional benefit has not been proven.
Immune checkpoint inhibition combined with targeted therapy using a novel virus-like drug conjugate induces complete responses in a murine model of local and distant tumors
Authors: Huis in ‘t Veld Ruben V. , Ma Sen , Kines Rhonda C. , Savinainen Anneli , Rich Cadmus , Ossendorp Ferry , Jager Martine J.
Published: April 2023

Metastases remain the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Therefore, improving the treatment efficacy against such tumors is essential to enhance patient survival. AU-011 (belzupacap sarotalocan) is a new virus-like drug conjugate which is currently in clinical development for the treatment of small choroidal melanoma and high-risk indeterminate lesions in the eye. Upon light activation, AU-011 induces rapid necrotic cell death which is pro-inflammatory and pro-immunogenic, resulting in an anti-tumor immune response. As AU-011 is known to induce systemic anti-tumor immune responses, we investigated whether this combination therapy would also be effective against distant, untreated tumors, as a model for treating local and distant tumors by abscopal immune effects. We compared the efficacy of combining AU-011 with several different checkpoint blockade antibodies to identify optimal treatment regimens in an in vivo tumor model. We show that AU-011 induces immunogenic cell death through the release and exposure of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), resulting in the maturation of dendritic cells in vitro. Furthermore, we show that AU-011 accumulates in MC38 tumors over time and that ICI enhances the efficacy of AU-011 against established tumors in mice, resulting in complete responses for specific combinations in all treated animals bearing a single MC38 tumor. Finally, we show that AU-011 and anti-PD-L1/anti-LAG-3 antibody treatment was an optimal combination in an abscopal model, inducing complete responses in approximately 75% of animals. Our data show the feasibility of combining AU-011 with PD-L1 and LAG-3 antibodies for the treatment of primary and distant tumors.
Körperpsychotherapeutische Gruppentherapie für jugendliche Patientinnen mit Anorexia nervosa
Authors: Graute Lea Anna , Wessing Ida , Dalhoff Anke
Published: April 2023

Hintergrund

Ansätze zur Behandlung der Körperbildstörung, Kernsymptom der Anorexia nervosa (AN), fokussieren unterschiedliche Komponenten (perzeptiv, kognitiv-affektiv). Auf Basis der Beobachtung massiver Störungen der ganzheitlichen Körperwahrnehmung bei jugendlichen AN-Patientinnen wurde eine störungsspezifische körperpsychotherapeutische Gruppentherapie entwickelt, die gezielt Aspekte des Körpererlebens integriert.

Ziel der Arbeit

Evaluation und Untersuchung von Zusammenhängen mit Veränderungen des perzeptiven Körperbildes.

Material und Methoden

Am Ende der Gruppenteilnahme füllten 52 AN-Patentinnen (Alter: Mittelwert = 15,35 Jahre) den Therapiebeurteilungsfragebogen zur Konzentrativen Bewegungstherapie im Gruppen-Setting (TBF-KBT-G) aus. Körpermaßschätzungen mithilfe des Test for Body Image Distortion in Children and Adolescents (BID) zu Beginn und Ende der Gruppenteilnahme wurden verglichen. Korrelationen wurden genutzt, um Zusammenhänge zwischen Therapiebeurteilung und Veränderung der Körpermaßschätzung zu untersuchen.

Ergebnisse

Patientinnen berichteten von einer positiven Beziehung zur Therapeutin, einer positiven Gruppenatmosphäre sowie teils von positiven körperbezogenen Erfahrungen und vertieftem Selbstzugang anhand der KBT-Methode. Die Patientinnen überschätzten ihre Körpermaße, und dies bestand am Ende der Gruppenteilnahme fort. Patientinnen mit positiven körperbezogenen Erfahrungen zeigten eher eine bessere Körpermaßschätzung.

Diskussion

Trotz des Fokus auf den aversiv erlebten Körper beschrieben die jugendlichen AN-Patientinnen ein positives Beziehungserleben in der Gruppe und können die KBT-Methode teilweise gut für sich nutzen. Störungen des perzeptiven Körperbildes erscheinen relativ persistent; eher mit einer Verbesserung assoziiert waren positive körperbezogene Erfahrungen. Insgesamt sind diese Ergebnisse als ermutigend zu interpretieren.
Local and Overall Deviance R-Squared Measures for Mixtures of Generalized Linear Models
Authors: Di Mari Roberto , Ingrassia Salvatore , Punzo Antonio
Published: April 2023

In generalized linear models (GLMs), measures of lack of fit are typically defined as the deviance between two nested models, and a deviance-based R2 is commonly used to evaluate the fit. In this paper, we extend deviance measures to mixtures of GLMs, whose parameters are estimated by maximum likelihood (ML) via the EM algorithm. Such measures are defined both locally, i.e., at cluster-level, and globally, i.e., with reference to the whole sample. At the cluster-level, we propose a normalized two-term decomposition of the local deviance into explained, and unexplained local deviances. At the sample-level, we introduce an additive normalized decomposition of the total deviance into three terms, where each evaluates a different aspect of the fitted model: (1) the cluster separation on the dependent variable, (2) the proportion of the total deviance explained by the fitted model, and (3) the proportion of the total deviance which remains unexplained. We use both local and global decompositions to define, respectively, local and overall deviance R2 measures for mixtures of GLMs, which we illustrate—for Gaussian, Poisson and binomial responses—by means of a simulation study. The proposed fit measures are then used to assess, and interpret clusters of COVID-19 spread in Italy in two time points.
Discrimination between Gaussian process models: active learning and static constructions
Authors: Yousefi Elham , Pronzato Luc , Hainy Markus , Müller Werner G. , Wynn Henry P.
Published: April 2023

The paper covers the design and analysis of experiments to discriminate between two Gaussian process models with different covariance kernels, such as those widely used in computer experiments, kriging, sensor location and machine learning. Two frameworks are considered. First, we study sequential constructions, where successive design (observation) points are selected, either as additional points to an existing design or from the beginning of observation. The selection relies on the maximisation of the difference between the symmetric Kullback Leibler divergences for the two models, which depends on the observations, or on the mean squared error of both models, which does not. Then, we consider static criteria, such as the familiar log-likelihood ratios and the Fréchet distance between the covariance functions of the two models. Other distance-based criteria, simpler to compute than previous ones, are also introduced, for which, considering the framework of approximate design, a necessary condition for the optimality of a design measure is provided. The paper includes a study of the mathematical links between different criteria and numerical illustrations are provided.
Systemic oxidative stress associates with disease severity and outcome in patients with new-onset or worsening heart failure
Authors: de Koning Marie-Sophie L. Y. , Emmens Johanna E. , Romero-Hernández Esteban , Bourgonje Arno R. , Assa Solmaz , Figarska Sylwia M. , Cleland John G. F. , Samani Nilesh J. , Ng Leong L. , Lang Chim C. , Metra Marco , Filippatos Gerasimos S. , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Anker Stefan D. , Dickstein Kenneth , Voors Adriaan A. , Lipsic Erik , van Goor Harry , van der Harst Pim
Published: April 2023

Background

Oxidative stress may be a key pathophysiological mediator in the development and progression of heart failure (HF). The role of serum-free thiol concentrations, as a marker of systemic oxidative stress, in HF remains largely unknown.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between serum-free thiol concentrations and disease severity and clinical outcome in patients with new-onset or worsening HF.

Methods

Serum-free thiol concentrations were determined by colorimetric detection in 3802 patients from the BIOlogy Study to TAilored Treatment in Chronic Heart Failure (BIOSTAT-CHF). Associations between free thiol concentrations and clinical characteristics and outcomes, including all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and a composite of HF hospitalization and all-cause mortality during a 2-years follow-up, were reported.

Results

Lower serum-free thiol concentrations were associated with more advanced HF, as indicated by worse NYHA class, higher plasma NT-proBNP (P < 0.001 for both) and with higher rates of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio (HR) per standard deviation (SD) decrease in free thiols: 1.253, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.171–1.341, P < 0.001), cardiovascular mortality (HR per SD: 1.182, 95% CI: 1.086–1.288, P < 0.001), and the composite outcome (HR per SD: 1.058, 95% CI: 1.001–1.118, P = 0.046).

Conclusions

In patients with new-onset or worsening HF, a lower serum-free thiol concentration, indicative of higher oxidative stress, is associated with increased HF severity and poorer prognosis. Our results do not prove causality, but our findings may be used as rationale for future (mechanistic) studies on serum-free thiol modulation in heart failure.

Graphical abstract

Associations of serum-free thiol concentrations with heart failure severity and outcomes
Mitotic phosphorylation of Tau/MAPT modulates cell cycle progression in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Clementi Letizia , Sabetta Samantha , Zelli Veronica , Compagnoni Chiara , Tessitore Alessandra , Mattei Vincenzo , Angelucci Adriano
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Tau/MAPT (microtubule associated protein tau) protein is actively studied for the pathologic consequences of its aberrant proteostasis in central nervous system leading to neurodegenerative diseases. Besides its ability to generate insoluble toxic oligomers, Tau homeostasis has attracted attention for its involvement in the formation of the mitotic spindle. This evidence, in association with the description of Tau expression in extra-neuronal tissues, and mainly in cancer tissues, constitutes the rationale for a more in-depth investigation of Tau role also in neoplastic diseases.

Methods

In our study, we investigated the expression of phosphorylated Tau in prostate cancer cell lines with particular focus on the residue Thr231 present in microtubule binding domain.

Results

The analysis of prostate cancer cells synchronized with nocodazole demonstrated that the expression of Tau protein phosphorylated at residue Thr231 is restricted to G2/M cell cycle phase. The phosphorylated form was unable to bind tubulin and it does not localize on mitotic spindle. As demonstrated by the use of specific inhibitors, the phosphorylation status of Tau is under the direct control of cdk5 and PP2A, while cdk1 activation was able to exert an indirect control. These mechanisms were also active in cells treated with docetaxel, where counteracting the expression of the dephosphorylated form, by kinase inhibition or protein silencing, determined resistance to drug toxicity.

Conclusions

We hypothesize that phosphorylation status of Tau is a key marker for G2/M phase in prostate cancer cells and that the forced modulation of Tau phosphorylation can interfere with the capacity of cell to efficiently progress through G2/M phase.