bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemiluminescence method based on the KIO4−K2CO3−Mn2+ reaction for rapid and sensitive determination of forchlorfenuron in dried fruit
Authors: Chen Baisen , Tan Rongxia , Hu Yufei , Li Gongke
Published: July 2023

Forchlorfenuron is a low‐toxic phenylurea plant growth regulator. Excessive intake of forchlorfenuron can lead to metabolic disorders of the matrix and be harmful to human health. The chemiluminescence intensity of the KIO4–K2CO3–Mn2+ reaction decreased in the presence of forchlorfenuron. Based on this result, a rapid and sensitive chemiluminescence method was established to determine forchlorfenuron by combining it with a batch injection static device. The injection speed, injection volume and reagent concentration of the forchlorfenuron–KIO4–K2CO3–Mn2+ chemiluminescence reaction were optimized. Under these optimized conditions, the linear range of the method was 1.0–200.0 μg/L, and the limit of detection was 0.29 μg/L (S/N = 3). The chemiluminescence method for the determination of forchlorfenuron could be completed in 10 s. The method was applied to detect the residual forchlorfenuron in dried fruit samples, and the results are consistent with high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. This method has the advantages of high sensitivity, rapid response, less reagent consumption, and convenient operation. It will provide a new perspective for chemiluminescence for the rapid and sensitive determination of forchlorfenuron in various complex samples.
Lipopolysaccharide‐induced sickness behavior is not altered in male Fmr1‐deficient mice
Authors: Santana‐Coelho Danielle , Hodges Samantha L. , Quintero Saul I. , Womble Paige D. , Sullens D. Greg , Narvaiz David A. , Herrera Rebecca , Sekeres Melanie J. , Lugo Joaquin N.
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Fragile X syndrome is the main monogenetic cause of intellectual disability and autism. Alterations in the immune system are commonly found in these developmental disorders. We and others have demonstrated that Fmr1 mutant mice present an altered response to immune stimuli. However, whether this altered immune response can influence the Fmr1 mutant behavioral outcomes in response to inflammation has not been fully investigated.

Materials and methods

In the current study, we examine the behavioral sickness response of male wildtype and knockout  mice to the innate immune stimulus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (0.1 mg/kg) to determine if Fmr1 mutants have altered sickness behavior. We used an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure changes in the cytokine interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) to determine that inflammation was induced in the mice. Sickness behavior was assessed in a wheel‐running paradigm, and a tail suspension test was used to assess the depressive‐like phenotype that follows sickness behavior in response to LPS.

Results

The ELISA using blood serum confirmed a significant increase in IL‐6 in mice that were treated with LPS. Treated Fmr1 mutants exhibited decreased distance traveled in the wheel running after LPS administration, similar to treated controls. Another cohort of animals treated with LPS were tested in the tail suspension test and exhibited no alterations in immobility time in response to LPS.

Conclusion

Together, our data suggest that Fmr1 mutant mice do not have altered sickness behavior in response to a low dose of LPS.
Alteration of gut microbiome and correlated amino acid metabolism are associated with acute myelocytic leukemia carcinogenesis
Authors: Xu Jing , Kang Yong , Zhong Yan , Ye Wencan , Sheng Tianle , Wang Qingming , Zheng Jifu , Yang Qiuyue , Yi Ping , Li Zhenjiang
Published: July 2023

Background

The aim of this study is to investigate the profiles of gut microbiota and metabolites in acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) patients treated with/without chemotherapy.

Methods

Herein, high‐throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed to analysis gut microbiota profiles, and liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry were performed to analysis metabolites profiles. The correlation between gut microbiota biomarkers identified by LEfSe and differentially expressed metabolites were determined by spearman association analysis.

Results

The results showed the distinguished gut microbiota and metabolites profiles between AML patients and control individuals or AML patients treated with chemotherapy. Compared to normal populations, the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes was increased at the phylum level than that in AML patients, and LEfSe analysis identified Collinsella and Coriobacteriaceae as biomarkers of AML patients. Differential metabolite analysis indicated that, compared to AML patients, numerous differential amino acids and analogs could be observed in control individuals and AML patients treated with chemotherapy. Interestingly, spearman association analysis demonstrated that plenty of bacteria biomarkers shows statistical correlations with differentially expressed amino acid metabolites. In addition, we found that both Collinsella and Coriobacteriaceae demonstrate remarkable positive correlation with hydroxyprolyl‐hydroxyproline, prolyl‐tyrosine, and tyrosyl‐proline.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our present study investigated the role of the gut‐microbiome–metabolome axis in AML and revealed the possibility of AML treatment by gut‐microbiome–metabolome axis in the further.
Quality‐of‐life, mental health, and perspective on TKI dose reduction as a prelude to discontinuation in chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Chen Yilin , Xu Na , Yang Yunfan , Liu Zhenfang , Xue Mengxing , Meng Li , He Qun , Chen Chunyan , Zeng Qingshu , Zhu Huanling , Du Xin , Zou Jing , He Wenjun , Guo Jingming , Chen Suning , Yuan Guolin , Wu Hui , Hong Mei , Cheng Fanjun , Liu Bingcheng , Zhang Yanli , Li Weiming
Published: July 2023

Background

Treatment‐free remission (TFR) has become the main target for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) dose optimization is crucial in managing adverse events, and improving adherence in clinical practice. In persons achieving a deep molecular response (DMR), some data suggest TKI dose reduction before discontinuation does not change success rate of achieving TFR, but this is controversial. However, data on quality‐of‐life (QoL) and mental health in CML patients with full‐dose TKI, low‐dose TKI, and TKI discontinuation are limited. Moreover, recent evidence indicating the feasibility of TKI dose reduction and discontinuation after dose reduction, which may change CML patients' perspectives on TKI discontinuation.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study using online questionnaires to explore the QoL, mental health in patients with diverse TKI dose, and perspective on TKI dose reduction as a prelude to discontinuation.

Results

1450 responses were included in the analysis. 44.3% of respondents reported a moderate‐to‐severe impact of TKI treatment on their QoL. 17% of respondents had moderate‐to‐severe anxiety. 24.4% of respondents had moderate‐to‐severe depression. In 1326 patients who had not discontinued their medication, 1055 (79.6%) patients reported they would try TKI discontinuation because of concerns over side effects of long‐term medication (67.9%), financial burden (68.7%), poor QoL (77.9%), pregnancy needs (11.6%), anxiety and depression while taking TKI (20.8%), inconvenience of TKI treatment (22.2%). 613 of 817 (75.0%) patients on full‐dose TKI therapy indicated they preferred trying a dose reduction before discontinuing TKI therapy after dose reduction compared with 31 (3.8%) preferring no dose reduction before stopping.

Conclusions

TKI dose reduction showed a significant improvement of patients' QoL and mental health, comparable to the effect of TKI discontinuation. Most patients indicated they preferred dose reduction before stopping TKI therapy. In clinical practice, TKI dose reduction can be considered as a bridge from full‐dose treatment to discontinuation.

Our results showed that tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) dose reduction showed a significant improvement of patients' quality‐of‐life and mental health, comparable to the effect of TKI discontinuation. Most patients desire to discontinue TKI in the future. TKI discontinuation after dose reduction is more acceptable compared to discontinuing it directly. In clinical practice, TKI dose reduction can be considered as a bridge from full‐dose treatment to discontinuation. Please do not hesitate to contact me in case further clarification is needed with this submission.
Transformational escapes: Accessing consumer transformation through extraordinary experiences
Authors: Scussel Fernanda , Suarez Maribel , Petroll Martin
Published: July 2023

Previous research implies that the transformational potential of extraordinary experiences arises from the engagement with the experiential context, although we still do not know how this process happens and to what extent it changes consumers. In this article, we explore the processes by which consumers transform themselves through extraordinary experiences and the characteristics of such a transformation. Based on a three‐year ethnography in the context of marathon running, we identified the three processes that engender consumer transformation: the physical transformation process, the mental transformation process, and the discursive transformation process. These processes are sheltered by the transformational escape, defined as the consumption setting that integrates structural and antistructural features through the engagement of consumers' routine with the extraordinary experience, enabling consumer transformation. We extend current theorizations by revealing the dynamics that elongate extraordinary experience duration, enable the dynamic between routine and extraordinary experience, and enlarge the reach of consumer transformation.
Nanocarbon in Sodium‐ion Batteries – A Review. Part 1: Zero‐dimensional Carbon Dots
Authors: Thangaraj Baskar , Solomon Pravin Raj , Hassan Jamal
Published: July 2023

In the recent past, sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) have assumed to be an alternative to lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) as sodium is abundantly available in nature. It is low cost with its storage mechanism almost similar to LIBs. The ionic radius of Na is three‐fold larger than that of Li and offers a low standard electrochemical potential than Li. The built‐in SIBs are better than LIBs. However, in terms of energy density, specific capacity, and rate capability, there is a lack of suitable anode materials for SIBs. Interestingly, carbon‐based quantum dots are a new class of zero‐dimensional (0D) material with ultra‐small size having unique physicochemical properties. The utility of carbon quantum dots (CQDs), graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (g‐C3N4 QDs) has drawn attention to the scientists and industrialists for the development of SIBs due to their quantum size and structural diversities, physicochemical properties, amenability for doping with heteroatoms and good electrical conductivity. This article reviews the role of various carbon quantum dots commonly used as anodes in SIBs.
Neighboring‐Group Participation by C‐2 Acyloxy Groups: Influence of the Nucleophile and Acyl Group on the Stereochemical Outcome of Acetal Substitution Reactions
Authors: Chun Yuge , Remmerswaal Wouter A. , Codée Jeroen D. C. , Woerpel K. A.
Published: July 2023

A single acyloxy group at C‐2 can control the outcome of nucleophilic substitution reactions of pyran‐derived acetals, but the extent of the neighboring‐group participation depends on a number of factors. We show here that neighboring‐group participation does not necessarily control the stereochemical outcome of acetal substitution reactions with weak nucleophiles. The 1,2‐trans selectivity increased with increasing reactivity of the incoming nucleophile. This trend suggests the intermediacy of both cis‐fused dioxolenium ions and oxocarbenium ions in the stereochemistry‐determining step. In addition, as the electron‐donating ability of the neighboring group decreased, the preference for the 1,2‐trans products increased. Computational studies show how the barriers for the ring‐opening reaction on the dioxolenium ions and the transition states to provide the oxocarbenium ions change with the electron‐donating capacity of the C‐2‐acyloxy group and the reactivity of the nucleophile.
American Radium Society Appropriate Use Criteria for the use of liver‐directed therapies for nonsurgical management of liver metastases: Systematic review and guidelines
Authors: Hallemeier Christopher L. , Sharma Navesh , Anker Christopher , Selfridge J. Eva , Lee Percy , Jabbour Salma , Williams Vonetta , Liu David , Kennedy Timothy , Jethwa Krishan R. , Kim Ed , Kumar Rachit , Small William , Tchelebi Leila , Russo Suzanne
Published: July 2023

The liver is a common site of cancer metastases. Systemic therapy is widely accepted as the standard treatment for liver metastases (LM), although select patients with liver oligometastases may be candidates for potentially curative liver resection. Recent data support the role of nonsurgical local therapies such as ablation, external beam radiotherapy, embolization, and hepatic artery infusion therapy for management of LM. Additionally, for patients with advanced, symptomatic LM, local therapies may provide palliative benefit. The American Radium Society gastrointestinal expert panel, including members representing radiation oncology, interventional radiology, surgical oncology, and medical oncology, performed a systemic review and developed Appropriate Use Criteria for the use of nonsurgical local therapies for LM. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses methodology was used. These studies were used to inform the expert panel, which then rated the appropriateness of various treatments in seven representative clinical scenarios through a well‐established consensus methodology (modified Delphi). A summary of recommendations is outlined to guide practitioners on the use of nonsurgical local therapies for patients with LM.
A novel multicarrier index keying‐aided non‐orthogonal multiple access systems in presence of uncertain channel state information
Authors: M. Shwetha H. , Sundru Anuradha
Published: July 2023

This paper investigates the performance of novel multicarrier index keying‐aided non‐orthogonal multiple access (MCIK‐NOMA) system. Unlike the classical scheme, the proposed system sends the information through both index domain and constellation domain symbols thereby increases the spectral efficiency. The impact of channel state information (CSI) uncertainty on the system's performance is investigated. More specifically, the performance of MCIK‐NOMA under three different CSI conditions is analyzed: perfect CSI, MMSE‐based variable CSI, and fixed CSI uncertainty. This paper also discusses the optimum power difference needed for the successful separation of symbols at the SIC receiver by alternating the power ratio in the proposed system. The influence of selecting different active subcarriers and modulation techniques on the system's performance is studied in detail. The simulation results show that the proposed system achieves better BER and spectral efficiency and outperforms the existing systems.
Dynamical BLUP modeling of reaction norm evolution, accommodating changing environments, overlapping generations, and multivariate data
Authors: Ergon Rolf
Published: July 2023

For theoretical studies, reaction norm evolution in a changing environment can be modeled by means of the multivariate breeder's equation, with the reaction norm parameters treated as traits in their own right. This is, however, not a feasible approach for the use of field data, where the intercept and slope values are not available. An alternative approach is to use infinite‐dimensional characters and smooth covariance function estimates found by, e.g., random regression. This is difficult because of the need to find, for example, polynomial basis functions that fit the data reasonably well over time, and because reaction norms in multivariate cases are correlated, such that they cannot be modeled independently. Here, I present an alternative approach based on a multivariate linear mixed model of any order, with dynamical incidence and residual covariance matrices that reflect the changing environment. From such a mixed model follows a dynamical BLUP model for the estimation of the individual reaction norm parameter values at any given parent generation, and for updating of the mean reaction norm parameter values from generation to generation by means of Robertson's secondary theorem of natural selection. This will, for example, make it possible to disentangle the microevolutionary and plasticity components in climate change responses. The BLUP model incorporates the additive genetic relationship matrix in the usual way, and overlapping generations can easily be accommodated. Additive genetic and environmental model parameters are assumed to be known and constant, but it is discussed how they can be estimated by means of a prediction error method. The identifiability by the use of field or laboratory data containing environmental, phenotypic, fitness, and additive genetic relationship data is an important feature of the proposed model.
Infant feeding choices among Panamanian mothers: A qualitative study
Authors: De La Cruz Danae , Lee Richard Philip , Gallagher Justine
Published: July 2023

Infant and child nutrition practices are among the most critical determinants of infant health and breastfeeding is considered the gold standard of infant feeding. Despite extensive public health interventions to promote breastfeeding, its prevalence has decreased in recent years in Panama, particularly in urban settings. There has been a nearly 20% drop in breastfeeding in the 10 years leading to 2020. Current literature often fails to elucidate the factors underpinning Panamanian mothers' decision making in relation to breastfeeding. This article explores the experiences, views, and decision making related to infant feeding choices of mothers in Panama City. The study used a qualitative approach, involving online semistructured interviews with seven participants. Utilizing the socioecological model enabled an understanding of the influence of the various, nested levels of a mother's social environment on behaviors and practices. Five themes were developed following analysis: “practical, bodily, and emotional challenges”; “workplace influences”; “family and friends’ support”; “the role of health care and healthcare professionals”; “the influence of social and cultural norms on decisions and practices.” The main barrier to breastfeeding was the lack of family support, especially from grandmothers. In contrast, private lactation consultation and partners' support were perceived as the best approaches for breastfeeding success, suggesting an urgent need for publicly available lactation support. This study demonstrates the importance of understanding the complexity of the social norms surrounding infant feeding, showing the challenges that mothers face in this process, and sheds light on the (public) interventions necessary to improve breastfeeding initiation and continuation.
A data fusion approach for nondestructive tracking of the ripening process and quality attributes of green Hayward kiwifruit using artificial olfaction and proximal hyperspectral imaging techniques
Authors: Bakhshipour Adel
Published: July 2023

A data fusion strategy based on hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and electronic nose (e‐nose) systems was developed in this study to inspect the postharvest ripening process of Hayward kiwifruit. The extracted features from the e‐nose and HSI techniques, in single or combined mode, were used to develop machine learning algorithms. Performance evaluations proved that the fusion of olfactory and reflectance data improves the performance of discriminative and predictive algorithms. Accordingly, with high classification accuracies of 100% and 94.44% in the calibration and test stages, the data fusion‐based support vector machine (SVM) outperformed the partial least square discriminant analysis (PLSDA) for discriminating the kiwifruit samples into eight classes based on storage time. Moreover, the data fusion‐based support vector regression (SVR) was a better predictor than partial least squares regression (PLSR) for kiwifruit firmness, soluble solids content (SSC), and titratable acidity (TA) measures. The prediction R2 and RMSE criteria of the SVR algorithm on the test data were 0.962 and 0.408 for firmness, 0.964 and 0.337 for SSC, and 0.955 and 0.039 for TA, respectively. It was concluded that the hybrid of e‐nose and HSI systems coupled with the SVM algorithm delivers an effective tool for accurate and nondestructive monitoring of kiwifruit quality during storage.
Poly(2‐Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) Hydrogel‐Based Microneedles for Metformin Release
Authors: Sharma Manoj B. , Kap Özlem , Abdelmohsen Hend A. M. , Ashton Mark D. , Harper Garry R. , Firlak Melike , Aaltonen Jasmine E. , Bolland Kerry A. , Bragg Ryan , Deeley Sarah , Francis Ella , Kazi Nahin , Mapley Bethany L. , Oikonomou Vasileios , Aljohani Amal D. , Cheneler David , Kilic Volkan , Horzum Nesrin , Hardy John G.
Published: July 2023

The release of metformin, a drug used in the treatment of cancer and diabetes, from poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate), pHEMA, hydrogel‐based microneedle patches is demonstrated in vitro. Tuning the composition of the pHEMA hydrogels enables preparation of robust microneedle patches with mechanical properties such that they would penetrate skin (insertion force of a single microneedle to be ≈40 N). Swelling experiments conducted at 20, 35, and 60 °C show temperature‐dependent degrees of swelling and diffusion kinetics. Drug release from the pHEMA hydrogel‐based microneedles is fitted to various models (e.g., zero order, first order, second order). Such pHEMA microneedles have potential application for transdermal delivery of metformin for the treatment of aging, cancer, diabetes, etc.
Superhydrophilic Interconnected Biomass‐Based Absorbers Toward High‐Speed Evaporation for Solar Steam Generation
Authors: Wei Dan , Cao Xiaoyu , Ma Miaomiao , Zhao Zexiang , Zhang Jing , Dong Xinyu , Wang Chengbing
Published: July 2023

Taking abundant and sustainable solar energy as the only energy source, solar‐powered interface evaporation has been regarded as a promising method to alleviate the pressure of freshwater shortage. However, the uptake of clean water from brine is constantly accompanied by evaporation of water and condensation of vapor, which inevitably generates salt solid, preventing further continuous and stable evaporation. The most direct method is to fabricate a photothermal material with salt self‐resistance by using the reflux of salt ions. Here, a superhydrophilic interconnected biomass carbon absorber (SBCA) is prepared by freeze‐drying and carbonization, realizing strong liquid pumping, and self‐blocking salt. In combination with superior broadband light absorption (94.91%), high porosity (95.9%), superhydrophilicity, and excellent thermal localization, an evaporation device with excellent evaporation rate (2.45 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 kW m−2) is successfully proposed. In the meantime, the porous skeleton and rapid water transport can enhance the diffusion of salt ions and slow down the rate of salt deposition. As a result, no salt deposition is found on the SBCA surface after continuous irradiation at 1 kW m−2 for 15 h. The design can provide a convenient and low‐cost efficient strategy for solar steam generators to address clean water acquisition.
Student support services: Perceptions and recommendations for the next generation
Authors: Perez Herminio L. , Sabato Emily
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Student support services/student affairs are central to the student academic experience and success at US and Canadian dental schools. This manuscript evaluates student and administrator perceptions of support services and offers recommendations for best practices in student services in predoctoral dental education to help institutions improve the student experience.

Methods

A survey of administrators and dental students found perceptions of student support services vary between these groups.

Results

Seventeen student services administrators and 263 students started the survey, and 12 administrators and 156 students completed the full survey. Survey comments indicated access to student support services is a concern. Results of the student survey, in conjunction with current literature, were utilized to develop recommendations for dental student support services.

Conclusion

Recommendations for student support services in dental schools include accessibility of student services, and ensuring students have access to support in the domains of wellness, academic support, and peer support as well as implementation of humanistic practices. Wellness supports should include behavioral health services, physical health services, and access to mindfulness interventions. Academic support services should include study skills, time management training, and academic supports such as tutoring. Structured peer support programs should also be implemented. Dental schools should also be mindful of the changing support needs of incoming dental students.
Disease models of mitochondrial aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetase defects
Authors: Tyynismaa Henna
Published: July 2023

Mitochondrial aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases (mtARS) are enzymes critical for the first step of mitochondrial protein synthesis by charging mitochondrial tRNAs with their cognate amino acids. Pathogenic variants in all 19 nuclear mtARS genes are now recognized as causing recessive mitochondrial diseases. Most mtARS disorders affect the nervous system, but the phenotypes range from multisystem diseases to tissue‐specific manifestations. However, the mechanisms behind the tissue specificities are poorly understood, and challenges remain in obtaining accurate disease models for developing and testing treatments. Here, some of the currently existing disease models that have increased our understanding of mtARS defects are discussed.
Liquid chromatographic determination of lumacaftor in the presence of ivacaftor and identification of five novel degradation products using high‐performance liquid chromatography ion trap time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Özcan Saniye , Erdoğan Uzunoğlu Ülfet , Levent Serkan , Can Nafiz Öncü
Published: July 2023

Lumacaftor is a transmembrane conductance regulator potentiator drug, prescribed for the treatment of cystic fibrosis in patients who are homozygous for the F508del mutation. Quantitation of lumacaftor besides its degradation products and ivacaftor was achieved on a fused‐core silica particle column packed with pentafluorophenylpropyl stationary phase (Ascentis Express F5, 2.7 μm particle size 100 mm × 4.6 mm; Supelco) using gradient elution (A: 0.1% [v/v] formic acid in water, B: 0.1% [v/v] formic acid in acetonitrile [the mobile phase pH 2.5]). A constant flow rate at 1 mL/min was applied, and the detection was realized using a photodiode array detector set at 216 nm. The pseudo tablet formulation of the lumacaftor/ivacaftor fixed‐dose combination preparation, namely, Orkambi®, was prepared in vitro and used for the analytical performance validation and method application studies. In addition, five novel degradation products, four of which even have no Chemical Abstracts Services registry number, were identified using high‐resolution mass spectrometry instrument, and their possible mechanisms of formation were proposed. According to current literature, this paper can be regarded as the most comprehensive liquid chromatographic study on lumacaftor determination, among its counterparts.
Fluorinated Sulfonated Poly(ether sulfone)‐Based Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) Dispersion: A Hole Transport Layer Material in Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Subramani Devaraju , Mohanty Aruna Kumar , Won Du‐hyun , Hong Youngkun , Paik Hyun‐jong
Published: July 2023

Here the synthesis of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) aqueous dispersion using sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) (SPES) with hydrophobic fluorinated groups to improve the weather and water stability of the conductive film is reported. The conductivity and surface morphology of the fabricated PEDOT:SPES conductive thin films are investigated. The PEDOT:SPES film after the N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) treatment showed a 200 times increase in the conductivity and the transmittance is over 96.5%. Raman spectroscopy indicates conformational changes in PEDOT chains due to the solvent treatment. The PEDOT:SPES film shows better water and weather stability performance in terms of dimensional stability in comparison to the commercial PEDOT:poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PSS). Further, the organic solar cells performance is tested using PEDOT:SPES as hole transport layer and poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT):[6,6]‐phenyl C71‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) as active material. The PEDOT:SPES achieves a good power conversion efficiency (=3.36%), comparable with the conventional PEDOT:PSS (AI 4083).
Extensions of valuations to rational function fields over completions
Authors: Dutta Arpan
Published: July 2023

Given a valued field and its completion , we study the set of all possible extensions of v to . We show that any such extension is closely connected with the underlying subextension . The connections between these extensions are studied via minimal pairs, key polynomials, pseudo‐Cauchy sequences, and implicit constant fields. As a consequence, we obtain strong ramification theoretic properties of . We also give necessary and sufficient conditions for to be dense in .
On harmonic and biharmonic maps from gradient Ricci solitons
Authors: Branding Volker
Published: July 2023

We study harmonic and biharmonic maps from gradient Ricci solitons. We derive a number of analytic and geometric conditions under which harmonic maps are constant and which force biharmonic maps to be harmonic. In particular, we show that biharmonic maps of finite energy from the two‐dimensional cigar soliton must be harmonic.
Well‐posedness and blow‐up of the fractional Keller–Segel model on domains
Authors: Costa Masterson , Cuevas Claudio , Silva Clessius , Soto Herme
Published: July 2023

This work deals with well‐posedness and blow‐up in the setting of Lebesgue and Besov spaces to the time‐fractional Keller–Segel model for chemotaxis under homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions in a smooth domain of . The KS model consists in a coupled system of partial differential equations. In particular, we also treat the unique continuation of the solution and the persistence of continuous dependence on the initial data for the continued solution.
Operation of a passively Q‐switched Tm:YAP laser with Ta2NiS5 as a saturable absorber
Authors: Huang Renjie , He Xin , Liu Hai , Pan Chao , Zhou Long , Yang Yuqiang , Yu Shuang , Cui Zheng , Li Linjun
Published: July 2023

In this study, the operation of compact diode‐pumped continuous wave and passively Q‐switched (PQS) Tm:YAlO3 (Tm:YAP) solid‐state lasers (SSLs) on the 3F4–3H6 transition is demonstrated. The first PQS operation of a mid‐infrared (mid‐IR) Tm:YAP laser at 1986.64 nm is realized with a Ta2NiS5‐based saturable absorber (SA). Under PQS mode, the Tm:YAP laser generated a maximum output power of 1.278/1.393 W with an optical‐to‐optical conversion efficiency of 8.81%/9.61%, corresponding to a narrowest pulse duration of 787/914 ns and a high repetition frequency of 187.932/151.115 kHz for 1.5%/2.5% transmittance of output coupler. The experimental results show that Ta2NiS5‐based SA is an excellent optical switch for diode‐pumped PQS mid‐IR SSL emitting around 2.0 μm.
Age and gender differences in lumbar intervertebral disk strain using mechanical loading magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Menon Rajiv G. , de Moura Hector L. , Kijowski Richard , Regatte Ravinder R.
Published: July 2023

The objective of the current study was to investigate age‐ and gender‐related differences in lumbar intervertebral disk (IVD) strain with the use of static mechanical loading and continuous three‐dimensional (3D) golden‐angle radial sparse parallel (GRASP) MRI. A continuous 3D‐GRASP stack‐of‐stars trajectory of the lumbar spine was performed on a 3‐T scanner with static mechanical loading. Compressed sensing reconstruction, motion deformation maps, and Lagrangian strain maps during loading and recovery in the X‐, Y‐, and Z‐directions were calculated for segmented IVD segments from L1/L2 to L5/S1. Mean IVD height was measured at rest. Spearman coefficients were used to evaluate the associations between age and global IVD height and global IVD strain. Mann–Whitney tests were used to compare global IVD height and global IVD strain in males and females. The prospective study enrolled 20 healthy human volunteers (10 males, 10 females; age 34.6 ± 11.4 [mean ± SD], range 22–56 years). Significant increases in compressive strain were observed with age, as evidenced by negative correlations between age and global IVD strain during loading (ρ = −0.76, p = 0.0046) and recovery (ρ = −0.68, p = 0.0251) in the loading X‐direction. There was no significant correlation between age and global IVD height, global IVD strain during loading and recovery in the Y‐direction, and global IVD strain during loading and recovery in the Z‐direction. There were no significant differences between males and females in global IVD height and global IVD strain during loading and recovery in the X‐, Y‐, and Z‐directions. It was concluded that our study demonstrated the significant role aging plays in internal dynamic strains in the lumbar IVD during loading and recovery. Older healthy individuals have reduced IVD stiffness and greater IVD compression during static mechanical loading of the lumbar spine. The GRASP‐MRI technique demonstrates the feasibility to identify changes in IVD mechanical properties with early IVD degeneration due to aging.
Tensor train completion: Local recovery guarantees via Riemannian optimization
Authors: Budzinskiy Stanislav , Zamarashkin Nikolai
Published: July 2023

In this work, we estimate the number of randomly selected elements of a tensor that with high probability guarantees local convergence of Riemannian gradient descent for tensor train completion. We derive a new bound for the orthogonal projections onto the tangent spaces based on the harmonic mean of the unfoldings' singular values and introduce a notion of core coherence for tensor trains. We also extend the results to tensor train completion with auxiliary subspace information and obtain the corresponding local convergence guarantees.
Flow similarity model predicts the allometry and allometric covariation of petiole dimensions
Authors: Price Charles A.
Published: July 2023

Allometric relationships for plants, plant organs and plant parts, have long generated interest among biologists. Several prominent theoretical models based on biomechanical and/or hydraulic arguments have been introduced with mixed support. Here, I test a more recent offering, flow similarity, which is based on the conservation of volumetric flow rate and velocity. Using dimensional data for 935 petioles from 43 angiosperm species, I show that both the intraspecific and interspecific petiole allometries are more closely aligned with the predictions of the flow similarity model than that of elastic or geometric similarity. Further, allometric covariation among empirical scaling exponents falls along predicted functions with clustering around the flow similarity predictions. This work adds to the body of literature highlighting the importance of hydraulics in understanding the physiological basis of plant allometries, identifies previously unknown central tendencies in petiole allometry, and helps to delineate the scope within which the flow similarity model may be applicable.
Tobacco/nicotine dependence as a risk factor for substance use disorders and related mental health conditions among cancer patients
Authors: Cuomo Raphael E. , Mackey Tim K. , Purushothaman Vidya
Published: July 2023

Background

Cancer patients often face multiple comorbidities and are at risk for various mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Tobacco/nicotine dependence (TND) is a known risk factor for poor health outcomes and has been associated with psychiatric disorders including substance use disorder. However, the specific relationship between TND and the risk of substance use disorder and mental health conditions among cancer patients remains underexplored. This study aimed to assess the association between TND and the risk of comorbid conditions among cancer patients.

Methods

Data were obtained from a database of electronic health records for patients from the University of California health system. The odds for every condition among cancer patients with TND were calculated and compared with those for cancer patients without TND. ORs were adjusted for gender, ethnicity, and race.

Results

Three thousand seven hundred and ninety‐one cancer patients with TND had 252,619 total conditions, and 51,711 cancer patients without TND had 2,310,880 conditions. After adjusting for confounders, the condition for which TND most exacerbated risk was psychoactive substance‐induced organic anxiety disorder (OR = 16.3, p < 0.001). This appeared consistent with the second, third, and fifth most‐exacerbated conditions: stimulant use disorder (OR = 12.8, p < 0.001), cocaine induced mental disorder (OR = 11.0, p < 0.001), and cocaine use disorder (OR = 11.0, p < 0.001). Different conditions exacerbated by TND include acute alcoholic intoxication (OR = 11.4, p < 0.001), opioid use disorder (OR = 7.6, p < 0.001), schizoaffective disorder (OR = 7.4, p < 0.001), and cannabis use disorder (OR = 6.3, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our findings reveal a strong association between TND and an increased risk of substance use disorder and mental health conditions among cancer patients. Specifically, cancer patients with TND were at an elevated risk for psychoactive substance‐induced organic anxiety disorder, stimulant use disorder, and cocaine‐related disorders. Additionally, TND was associated with an increased risk of acute alcoholic intoxication, opioid use disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and cannabis use disorder. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive screening and interventions to address TND and comorbid conditions among cancer patients.
ProsTAV, a novel blood‐based test for biopsy decision management in significant prostate cancer
Authors: Gómez Gómez Enrique , Cano Castiñeira Roque , Burgos Javier , Rodríguez Antolín Alfredo , Miles Brian J. , Martínez Salamanca Juan Ignacio , Bianco Fernando , Fernández Luis , Calmarza Isabel , Pastor Jordi , Butler Ray G. , de Pedro Nuria
Published: July 2023

Background

Current pathways in early diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) can lead to unnecessary biopsy procedures. Here, we used telomere analysis to develop and evaluate ProsTAV®, a risk model for significant PCa (Gleason score >6), with the objective of improving the PCa diagnosis pathway.

Methods

This retrospective, multicentric study analyzed telomeres from patients with serum PSA 3–10 ng/mL. High‐throughput quantitative fluorescence in‐situ hybridization was used to evaluate telomere‐associated variables (TAVs) in peripheral blood mononucleated cells. ProsTAV® was developed by multivariate logistics regression based on three clinical variables and six TAVs. The predictive capacity and accuracy of ProsTAV® were summarized by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and its clinical benefit with decision curves analysis.

Results

Telomeres from 1043 patients were analyzed. The median age of the patients was 63 years, with a median PSA of 5.2 ng/mL and a percentage of significant PCa of 23.9%. A total of 874 patients were selected for model training and 169 patients for model validation. The area under the ROC curve of ProsTAV® was 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62–0.79), with a sensitivity of 0.90 (95% CI, 0.88–1.0) and specificity of 0.33 (95% CI, 0.24–0.40). The positive predictive value was 0.29 (95% CI, 0.21–0.37) and the negative predictive value was 0.91 (95% CI, 0.83–0.99). ProsTAV® would make it possible to avoid 33% of biopsies.

Conclusions

ProsTAV®, a predictive model based on telomere analysis through TAV, could be used to increase the prediction capacity of significant PCa in patients with PSA between 3 and 10 ng/mL.
Night trading: Lower risk but higher returns?
Authors: Lachance Marie‐Eve
Published: July 2023

This paper demonstrates that overnight returns are subject to highly persistent biases and examines the profitability of overnight‐only investments in that context. Overnight returns tend to exceed their intraday counterparts, and the paper first reconciles these patterns by introducing a model that factors in systematic biases. This model identifies one‐fifth of stocks as having positive and statistically significant overnight biases. Investing overnight in these stocks in the next year yields twice the market's return for a third of the market beta. Results also have implications for daytime investors as these stocks underperform intraday. Implementation costs and issues are discussed.
Organic management and soil health promote nutrient use efficiency
Authors: Toda Misato , Walder Florian , van der Heijden Marcel G. A.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Nitrogen is a key nutrient for plants. Often less than 50% of the applied nitrogen fertilisers is acquired by crops and nitrogen can be easily lost into the environment causing environmental pollution. Thus, to make agriculture more sustainable, it is important to investigate which factors determine nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). We investigated whether NUE was higher in organically managed soils compared to conventionally managed soils.

Materials and Methods

To test this, we carried out a pot experiment in a greenhouse using soils from 16 fields. The soils were collected from conventionally (eight fields) or organically managed fields (eight fields). In addition, plants received two different 15N enriched N sources (mineral 15N or an organic fertiliser source, namely 15N enriched plant litter). Plants were harvested at three time points, and growth and nitrogen uptake were assessed at each time point.

Results

NUE depended on management type and harvest time and the higher NUE of organically managed soils became more evident towards the second and third harvest. The average NUE at the end of the experiment was 93% and 55% for mineral fertiliser and litter application, respectively. This indicated that mineral fertilisers were immediately acquired by the plants, while nutrients in organic amendments had a lower availability and probably would be supplied later but steadier. Further, NUE was positively linked to microbial biomass, soil organic carbon content, and aggregate size, indicating that enhanced soil quality and soil health leads to a more efficient use of fertilisers.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that organic management and soil health promote a more efficient use of nutrients and contribute to a more sustainable agriculture.
Genetic mapping identified major main‐effect and three co‐localized quantitative trait loci controlling high iron and zinc content in groundnut
Authors: Parmar Sejal , Janila Pasupuleti , Gangurde Sunil S. , Variath Murali T. , Sharma Vinay , Bomireddy Deekshitha , Manohar Surendra S. , Varshney Rajeev K. , Singam Prashant , Pandey Manish K.
Published: July 2023

Malnutrition is a major challenge globally, and groundnut is a highly nutritious self‐pollinated legume crop blessed with ample genomic resources, including the routine deployment of genomic‐assisted breeding. This study aimed to identify genomic regions and candidate genes for high iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) content, utilizing a biparental mapping population (ICGV 00440 × ICGV 06040;). Genetic mapping and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis (474 mapped single‐nucleotide polymorphism loci; 1536.33 cM) using 2 seasons of phenotypic data together with genotypic data identified 5 major main‐effect QTLs for Fe content. These QTLs exhibited log‐of‐odds (LOD) scores ranging from 6.5 to 7.4, explaining phenotypic variation (PVE) ranging from 22% (qFe‐Ah01) to 30.0% (qFe‐Ah14). Likewise, four major main effect QTLs were identified for Zn content, with LOD score ranging from 4.4 to 6.8 and PVE ranging from 21.8% (qZn‐Ah01) to 32.8% (qZn‐Ah08). Interestingly, three co‐localized major and main effect QTLs (qFe‐Ah01, qZn‐Ah03, and qFe‐Ah11) were identified for both Fe and Zn contents. These genomic regions harbored key candidate genes, including zinc/iron permease transporter, bZIP transcription factor, and vacuolar iron transporter which likely play pivotal roles in the accumulation of Fe and Zn contents in seeds. The findings of this study hold potential for fine mapping and diagnostic marker development for high Fe and Zn contents in groundnut.
Impact of mining industries on the groundwater level fluctuation in Singrauli coalfield area by using remote sensing and GIS, India
Authors: Sonkar Ashwani Kumar , Varshney Ramita , Ahmed Shah Izhar , Vishwakarma Ashish Kumar , Jamal Aarif
Published: July 2023

The coal mining industries influence hydro‐geological parameters, which affect the aquifer recharge in the coal mining areas. This research aimed to evaluate the impact of various hydro‐geological parameters on fluctuation of groundwater level in the study area. The various hydro‐geological parameters such as soil, geology, drainage pattern, elevation and slope have been considered to accomplish the objective. A comparative analysis was performed by comparing the groundwater level fluctuation (WLF) map with the GIS‐based various hydro‐geological parameter maps to assess the combined influence of different hydro‐geological parameters on groundwater level fluctuation. A total of eighty‐six (86) dug‐wells were chosen to monitor the level of the groundwater for around ten blocks of Singrauli coalfield, and these wells were examined during the months of dry and wet seasons for 2016. Based on the comparative analysis between the WLF map and thematic maps of various hydro‐geological parameters, it has been found that WLF in the south‐western and some portions of the north‐eastern showed moderate to a higher value. This may be because most of the non‐hilly areas come under gentle to moderate slope category, with lower elevation in the area forming the suitable hydro‐geological condition for recharging groundwater. It was observed that the northwest, south‐east and central part of the study area showed lower WLF, which may be due to the presence of overburden dump, presence of higher elevation and steep slope. Thus, the combined effect of slope, elevation, geology, drainage and mining activities on the WLF in the study region is moderate.