bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of Mn(V)‐Oxo to Mn(IV)‐Oxyl Conversion: From Closed‐Cubane Photosystem II to Mn(V) Catalysts and the Role of the Entering Ligands
Authors: Ariafard Alireza , Longhurst Matthew , Swiegers Gerhard F. , Stranger Robert
Published: April 2024

The low activation barrier for O−O coupling in the closed‐cubane Oxygen‐Evolving Centre (OEC) of Photosystem II (PSII) requires water coordination with the Mn4 ′dangler′ ion in the Mn(V)‐oxo fragment. This coordination transforms the Mn(V)‐oxo complex into a more reactive Mn4(IV)‐oxyl species, enhancing O−O coupling. This study explains the mechanism behind the coordination and indicates that in the most stable form of the OEC, the Mn4 fragment adopts a trigonal bipyramidal geometry but needs to transition to a square pyramidal form to be activated for O−O coupling. This transition stabilizes the Mn4 dxy orbital, enabling electron transfer from the oxo ligand to the dxy orbital, converting the oxo ligand into an oxyl species. The role of the water is to coordinate with the square pyramidal structure, reducing the energy gap between the oxo and oxyl forms, thereby lowering the activation energy for O−O coupling. This mechanism applies not only to the OEC system but also to other Mn(V)‐based catalysts. For other catalysts, ligands such as OH− stabilize the Mn(IV)‐oxyl species better than water, improving catalyst activation for reactions like C−H bond activation. This study is the first to explain the Mn(V)‐oxo to Mn(IV)‐oxyl conversion, providing a new foundation for Mn‐based catalyst design.
Xanthene‐Based Dyes for Photoacoustic Imaging and their Use as Analyte‐Responsive Probes
Authors: Brøndsted Frederik , Stains Cliff I.
Published: April 2024

Developing imaging tools that can report on the presence of disease‐relevant analytes in multicellular organisms can provide insight into fundamental disease mechanisms as well as provide diagnostic tools for the clinic. Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a light‐in, sound‐out imaging technique that allows for high resolution, deep‐tissue imaging with applications in pre‐clinical and point‐of‐care settings. The continued development of near‐infrared (NIR) absorbing small‐molecule dyes promises to improve the capabilities of this emerging imaging modality. For example, new dye scaffolds bearing chemoselective functionalities are enabling the detection and quantification of disease‐relevant analytes through activity‐based sensing (ABS) approaches. Recently described strategies to engineer NIR absorbing xanthenes have enabled development of analyte‐responsive PAI probes using this classic dye scaffold. Herein, we present current strategies for red‐shifting the spectral properties of xanthenes via bridging heteroatom or auxochrome modifications. Additionally, we explore how these strategies, coupled with chemoselective spiroring‐opening approaches, have been employed to create ABS probes for in vivo detection of hypochlorous acid, nitric oxide, copper (II), human NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase isozyme 1, and carbon monoxide. Given the versatility of the xanthene scaffold, we anticipate continued growth and development of analyte‐responsive PAI imaging probes based on this dye class.
Hydrosilylation of Olefins Activated on Highly Lewis‐Acidic Calcium Cation
Authors: Grochowska‐Tatarczak M. , Koteras K. , Kazimierczuk K. , Malinowski P. J.
Published: April 2024

The report introduces simple yet highly reactive calcium salt, Ca[Al(ORF)4]2 (RF=C(CF3)3), 1, which effectively catalyses olefin hydrosilylation through an unusual mechanism involving the activation of the alkene molecule. Upon dissolution in o‐difluorobenzene (oDFB), 1 forms a highly Lewis acidic [Ca(oDFB)6]2+ complex. Our DFT calculations reveal that fluoride ion affinity is comparable to SbF5. Reactivity tests show that it effectively catalyses the hydrosilylation of olefins with high regioselectivity, also in reactions involving sterically demanding substrates like (iPr)3SiH or tetrasubstituted olefins. Experimental and computational results point to the mechanism where the olefin molecule forms a complex with Ca2+, which significantly facilitates the attack of H‐SiR3 on the C=C double bond.
Artificial Neural Networks for Gas‐Liquid Flow Regime Classification in Small Channels
Authors: Haase Stefan , May Henry , Hiller Andreas , Schubert Markus
Published: April 2024

The reliable design of multiphase micro‐structured apparatus requires a precise knowledge of the internal flow regime. Previous research indicated that classifiers based on artificial neural networks (ANN) are relatively simple to develop and provide a reasonable accuracy when trained with data for specific inlet designs. This paper introduces advanced ANN classifiers capable of predicting all relevant flow regimes regardless of the inlet design with a recall of 94 % and above for Taylor, churn, dispersed, rivulet, and parallel flows, between 89 % and 94 % for annular and bubbly flows, and 83 % for Taylor‐annular flow. These classifiers were trained and validated by using more than 13,000 experimental data points extracted from 97 flow maps.
Anisotropic Plasmon Resonance Enables Spatially Controlled Photothermal and Photochemical Effects in Hot Carrier‐Driven Catalysis
Authors: Wang Jiaqi , Zhu Zhijie , Feng Kai , Liu Shuang , Zhou Yuxuan , Urooj Ifra , He Jiari , Wu Zhiyi , Shen Jiahui , Hu Xu , Chen Zhijie , Dong Xudong , Sohail Manzar , Ma Yanyun , Chen Jinxing , Li Chaoran , An Xingda , He Le
Published: April 2024

Comprehensive Summary

Localized surface plasmon resonance has been demonstrated to provide effective photophysical enhancement mechanisms in plasmonic photocatalysis. However, it remains highly challenging for distinct mechanisms to function in synergy for a collective gain in catalysis due to the lack of spatiotemporal control of their effect. Herein, the anisotropic plasmon resonance nature of Au nanorods was exploited to achieve distinct functionality towards synergistic photocatalysis. Photothermal and photochemical effects were enabled by the longitudinal and transverse plasmon resonance modes, respectively, and were enhanced by partial coating of silica nanoshells and epitaxial growth of a reactor component. Resonant excitation leads to a synergistic gain in photothermal‐mediated hot carrier‐driven hydrogen evolution catalysis. Our approach provides important design principles for plasmonic photocatalysts in achieving spatiotemporal modulation of distinct photophysical enhancement mechanisms. It also effectively broadens the sunlight response range and increases the efficacy of distinct plasmonic enhancement pathways towards solar energy harvesting and conversion.
Transforming the oncology data paradigm by creating, capturing, and retrieving structured cancer data at the point of care: A Mayo Clinic pilot
Authors: Tevaarwerk Amye J. , Karam Dhauna , Gatten Clare A. , Harlos Elizabeth S. , Maurer Matthew J. , Giridhar Karthik V. , Haddad Tufia C. , Alberts Steven R. , Holton Sara J. , Stockham Abigail , Leventakos Konstantinos , Hubbard Joleen M. , Mansfield Aaron S. , Halfdanarson Thorvardur R. , Chen Ruqin , Jochum Jacob A. , Schwecke Anna S. , Eiring Rachel A. , Carroll Jamie L. , Riaz Irbaz Bin , McWilliams Robert R. , Galanis Evanthia , Mandrekar Sumithra J.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Structured data capture requires defined languages such as minimal Common Oncology Data Elements (mCODE). This pilot assessed the feasibility of capturing 5 mCODE categories (stage, disease status, performance status (PS), intent of therapy and intent to change therapy).

Methods

A tool (SmartPhrase) using existing and custom structured data elements was Built to capture 4 data categories (disease status, PS, intent of therapy and intent to change therapy) typically documented as free‐text within notes. Existing functionality for stage was supported by the Build. Participant survey data, presence of data (per encounter), and time in chart were collected prior to go‐live and repeat timepoints. The anticipated outcome was capture of >50% sustained over time without undue burden.

Results

Pre‐intervention (5‐weeks before go‐live), participants had 1390 encounters (1207 patients). The median percent capture across all participants was 32% for stage; no structured data was available for other categories pre‐intervention. During a 6‐month pilot with 14 participants across three sites, 4995 encounters (3071 patients) occurred. The median percent capture across all participants and all post‐intervention months increased to 64% for stage and 81%–82% for the other data categories post‐intervention. No increase in participant time in chart was noted. Participants reported that data were meaningful to capture.

Conclusions

Structured data can be captured (1) in real‐time, (2) sustained over time without (3) undue provider burden using note‐based tools. Our system is expanding the pilot, with integration of these data into clinical decision support, practice dashboards and potential for clinical trial matching.
Prediabetes is associated with increased cardiac events in patients with cancer who are prescribed anthracyclines
Authors: Cheang Iokfai , Zhu Xu , Huang Jia‐Yi , Tse Yi‐Kei , Li Hang‐Long , Ren Qing‐Wen , Wu Mei‐Zhen , Chan Yap‐Hang , Xu Xin , Tse Hung‐Fat , Gue Ying , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Li Xinli , Yiu Kai‐Hang
Published: April 2024

Background

Prediabetes, which is a precedent of overt diabetes, is a known risk factor for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Its impact on adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with cancer who are prescribed anthracycline‐containing chemotherapy (ACT) is uncertain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of prediabetes with cardiovascular events in patients with cancer who are prescribed ACT.

Methods

The authors identified patients with cancer who received ACT from 2000 to 2019 from Clinical Data Analysis Reporting System of Hong Kong. Patients were divided into diabetes, prediabetes, and normoglycemia groups based on their baseline glycemic profile. The Primary outcome, a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), was the composite event of hospitalization for heart failure and cardiovascular death.

Results

Among 12,649 patients at baseline, 3997 had prediabetes, and 5622 had diabetes. Over median follow‐up of 8.7 years, the incidence of MACE was 211 (7.0%) in the normoglycemia group, 358 (9.0%) in the prediabetes group, and 728 (12.9%) in the diabetes group. Compared with normoglycemia, prediabetes (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.43) and diabetes (adjusted HR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.24–1.70) were associated with an increased risk of MACE. In the prediabetes group, 475 patients (18%) progressed to overt diabetes and exhibited a greater risk of MACE (adjusted HR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.31–2.36) compared with patients who remained prediabetic.

Conclusions

In patients with cancer who received ACT, those who had prediabetes at baseline and those who progressed to diabetes at follow‐up had an increased risk of MACE. The optimization of cardiovascular risk factor management, including prediabetes, should be considered in patients with cancer who are treated before and during ACT to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Plain Language Summary

Patients with cancer who have preexisting diabetes have a higher risk of cardiovascular events, and prediabetes is often overlooked.

In this study of 12,649 patients with cancer identified in the Clinical Data Analysis Reporting System of Hong Kong who were receiving treatment with anthracycline drugs, prediabetes was correlated with increased deaths from cardiovascular disease and/or hospitalizations for heart failure.

Patients who progressed from prediabetes to diabetes within 2 years had an increased risk of combined hospitalization for heart failure and death from cardiovascular disease.

These findings indicate the importance of paying greater attention to cardiovascular risk factors, including how prediabetes is managed, in patients who have cancer and are receiving chemotherapy with anthracyclines, emphasizing the need for surveillance, follow‐up strategies, and consideration of prediabetes management in cancer care.
Wetting Effect Induced Depletion and Adsorption Layers: Diffuse Interface Perspective
Authors: Zhang Haodong , Zhang Hongmin , Wang Fei , Nestler Britta
Published: April 2024

When a multi‐component fluid contacts arigid solid substrate, the van der Waals interaction between fluids and substrate induces a depletion/adsorption layer depending on the intrinsic wettability of the system. In this study, we investigate the depletion/adsorption behaviors of A−B fluid system. We derive analytical expressions for the equilibrium layer thickness and the equilibrium composition distribution near the solid wall, based on the theories of de Gennes and Cahn. Our derivation is verified through phase‐field simulations, wherein the substrate wettability, A−B interfacial tension, and temperature are systematically varied. Our findings underscore two pivotal mechanisms governing the equilibrium layer thickness. With an increase in the wall free energy, the substrate wettability dominates the layer formation, aligning with de Gennes’ theory. When the interfacial tension increases, or temperature rises, the layer formation is determined by the A−B interactions, obeying Cahn's theory. Additionally, we extend our study to non‐equilibrium systems where the initial composition deviates from the binodal line. Notably, macroscopic depletion/adsorption layers form on the substrate, which are significantly thicker than the equilibrium microscopic layers. This macroscopic layer formation is attributed to the interplay of phase separation and Ostwald ripening. We anticipate that the present finding could deepen our knowledge on the depletion/adsorption behaviors of immiscible fluids.
2D Tellurium Films Based Self‐Drive Near Infrared Photodetector
Authors: Li Luji , Zhang Gaojie , Younis Muhammad , Luo Tianyuan , Yang Li , Jin Wen , Wu Hao , Xiao Bichen , Zhang Wenfeng , Chang Haixin
Published: April 2024

To reduce the amount of energy consumed in integrated circuits, high efficiency with the lowest energy is always expected. Self‐drive device is one of the options in the pursuit of low power nanodevices. It is a typical strategy to form an internal electric field by constructing a heterojunction in self‐drive semiconductor system. Here, a two‐step method is proposed to prepare high quality centimeter‐sized 2D tellurium (Te) thin film with hall mobility as high as 37.3 cm2 V−1 s−1, and the 2D Te film is further assembled with silicon to form a heterojunction for self‐drive photodetector, which can realize effective detection from visible to near infrared bands. The photodetectivity of the heterojunctions can reach 1.58×1011 Jones under the illumination of 400 nm@ 1.615 mW/cm2 and 2.08×108 Jones under the illumination of 1550 nm@ 1.511 mW/cm2 without bias. Our experiments demonstrate the potential of 2D tellurium thin films for wide band and near infrared integrated device applications.
Selective Conversion of Furfural to Furfuryl Alcohol by Heterogeneous TiO2 Photocatalysis
Authors: Lopes Joana C. , Sampaio Maria J. , Silva Cláudia G. , Faria Joaquim L.
Published: April 2024

Selective synthesis of furfuryl alcohol from furfural conversion via semiconductor photocatalytic route has appeared as a promising solution for transforming biomass into high‐value‐added products under mild temperature and pressure conditions. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalysts were prepared by a simple sol‐gel method followed by a calcination treatment ranging from 500–1000 °C, resulting in materials with distinct physicochemical properties. The photocatalytic efficiency of the TiO2 samples was examined in the selective production of furfuryl alcohol from furfural under UV‐LED irradiation. The influence of various organic solvents, including ethanol, methanol, 2‐propanol, and acetonitrile, was evaluated to optimise the selectivity towards furfuryl alcohol production. Photocatalysts with larger anatase to rutile ratio and increased density of oxygen vacancies (defects) exhibited superior performance for furfuryl alcohol production. The presence of these defects on the catalyst surface leads to a significant enhancement in the photocatalytic efficiency by acting as crucial active sites. Among the TiO2 samples, the highest conversion of furfural into furfuryl alcohol was observed with the TiO2 sample calcined under an air atmosphere at 600 °C (TiO2‐600), achieving 85 % yield and 100 % selectivity for furfural after 30 min reaction using ethanol as solvent.
Facile Synthesis of Self‐Supported Solid Amine Sorbents for Direct Air Capture
Authors: Wan Zhijian , Hunt Russell , White Cameron , Gillbanks Jeremy , Czapla Jason , Xiao Gongkui , Surin Sophia , Wood Colin
Published: April 2024

Conventional usage of tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) via being supported on porous solid materials for carbon capture is susceptible to oxidative degradation during regeneration cycles. This study reports a novel method to synthesize a TEPA based solid polymer for efficient CO2 removal via direct air capture (DAC). The polymer was obtained through epoxy‐amine crosslinking reaction, leading to the transformation of liquid TEPA to a self‐supported solid polymer. The synthesis was conducted under ambient conditions via a one‐pot process with no waste products, which is aligned with green synthesis. The performance of the solid amine was evaluated in DAC under realistic conditions and compared with TEPA supported on SiO2 and zeolite 13X prepared through the conventional method. The solid TEPA amine exhibited a high CO2 uptake of 6.2 wt.% comparable to the conventional counterparts. More importantly, the solid TEPA amine demonstrated high resistance to oxidation during the accelerated ageing process at 80 °C in air for 24 h, whereas the two supported TEPA samples experienced severe degradation, with zeolite 13X supported TEPA incurring a reduction of 86.5 % in CO2 capturing capacity after the ageing. This work sheds light on the novel usage of TEPA as an efficient solid amine for practical DAC operation.
One‐Step Decoration of Subnanometer MoOx Clusters on Bi11VO19 Nanotubes for Visible‐Light‐Driven Water Oxidation
Authors: Jin Linfeng , Cheng Chao , Guo Changfa , Wabaidur Saikh Mohammad , Zhong Yijun , Hu Yong
Published: April 2024

For the sluggish reaction kinetics due to a four‐electron transfer process, water oxidation is always a major obstacle to solar splitting of water to hydrogen. It remains a tough challenge to develop efficient nonnoble‐metal photocatalysts for water oxidation. Herein, we decorate the host photocatalyst of Bi11VO19 nanotubes with the coatalyst of subnanometer MoOx clusters (denoted as Bi11VO19/MoOx hetero‐nanotubes) via a one‐step cation‐exchange solvothermal reaction using Na2V6O16 nanowires as the hard template. It is observed that the morphology and microstructure of Bi11VO19/MoOx hetero‐nanotubes vary with the dosage of Mo source and polyvinylpyrrolidone, as well as with the solvent composition. The optimized Bi11VO19/MoOx hetero‐nanotubes significantly enhance the photooxidation of water to oxygen with visible light, delivering an oxygen production rate of 790 μmol g−1 h−1, which is 12 times that of bare Bi11VO19 nanotubes. In situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and (photo)electrochemical characterization suggest that the enhanced photoactivity may be caused by the decorated cocatalyst of MoOx clusters, which extracts electrons from Bi11VO19 nanotubes, leaving an abundance of holes for water photooxidation. This work demonstrates a potential strategy to develop photocatalysts for energy conversion by constructing Bi11VO19‐based nanostructures.
Resolving Conflict: An Act of Commitment
Authors: Freebairn‐Smith Laura
Published: April 2024

Resolving conflict is an act of connection. It is an act of commitment to a relationship and a person.
Estimating the effect of lipid‐lowering agents on novel subtypes of adult‐onset diabetes
Authors: Ye Jianan , Guo Keyu , Li Jiaqi , Li Xia , Zhou Zhiguang , Yang Lin
Published: April 2024

Aims

The aims of the present study were to assess the effects of lipid‐lowering drugs [HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors, and Niemann–Pick C1‐Like 1 (NPC1L1) inhibitors] on novel subtypes of adult‐onset diabetes through a Mendelian randomisation study.

Materials and Methods

We first inferred causal associations between lipid‐related traits [including high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), triglycerides (TG), apolipoproteins A‐I, and apolipoproteins B] and novel subtypes of adult‐onset diabetes. The expression quantitative trait loci of drug target genes for three classes of lipid‐lowering drugs, as well as genetic variants within or nearby drug target genes associated with LDL‐C, were then utilised as proxies for the exposure of lipid‐lowering drugs. Mendelian randomisation analysis was performed using summary data from genome‐wide association studies of LDL‐C, severe autoimmune diabetes, severe insulin‐deficient diabetes (SIDD), severe insulin‐resistant diabetes (SIRD), mild obesity‐related diabetes (MOD), and mild age‐related diabetes.

Results

There was an association between HMGCR‐mediated LDL‐C and the risk of SIRD [odds ratio (OR) = 0.305, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.129–0.723; p = 0.007], and there was an association of PCSK9‐mediated LDL‐C with the risk of SIDD (OR = 0.253, 95% CI = 0.120–0.532; p < 0.001) and MOD (OR = 0.345, 95% CI = 0.171–0.696; p = 0.003). Moreover, NPC1L1‐mediated LDL‐C (OR = 0.109, 95% CI = 0.019–0.613; p = 0.012) and the increased expression of NPC1L1 gene in blood (OR = 0.727, 95% CI = 0.541–0.977; p = 0.034) both showed a significant association with SIRD. These results were further confirmed by sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

In summary, the different lipid‐lowering medications have a specific effect on the increased risk of different novel subtypes of adult‐onset diabetes.
Quantifying the impacts of climate change and human activities on ecological flow security based on a new framework
Authors: Wang Hongxiang , Cheng Siyuan , Bai Xiangyu , Yuan Weiqi , Wang Bing , Hong Fengtian , Guo Wenxian
Published: April 2024

Climate change and human activities combine to alter river hydrology, thereby threatening the health of river ecosystems. Quantifying the impacts of climate change and human activities on ecological flow assurance is essential for water resource management and river ecological protection. However, fewer studies quantify the impacts of climate change and human activities on ecological flow assurance based on a complete set of frameworks. The present study introduces an integrated assessment framework designed to quantify the impacts of climate change and human activities on ecological flow security. The framework includes the following steps: (1) natural river runoff reconstruction utilizing a semi‐distributed hydrological model (SWAT), (2) calculation of the most suitable ecological stream flow of the watershed ecosystem by using the non‐parametric kernel density estimation method, (3) calculation of the safety and security levels under minimum ecological flow and appropriate ecological flow conditions in the watershed and (4) quantification of the influences of climate change and human activities on the security of ecological flow in the watershed through the application of a quantitative attribution method. The impact of climate change and human activities on the ecological flow assurance level was analysed using three hydrological stations in Xiangtan, Hengyang and Laobutou, which are the main tributaries of the Xiangjiang River Basin, as a case study. The findings indicated a substantial decrease in ecological flow assurance levels across the basin during the period of human impact (1991–2019). The quantitative assessment results suggest that human activities predominantly drive the degradation of ecological flow assurance throughout the period of human impact, accounting for 57.05% of the total impact. Extensive gradient reservoir scheduling and anthropogenic water withdrawals were the main factors contributing to the degradation of ecological flow assurance in the study basin. The methodology and findings presented in this study offer insights into the evolutionary characteristics and driving forces behind ecological flow security in a dynamic environment. Furthermore, they establish a scientific foundation for local water resource management and river ecosystem protection.
Pseudocapacitive Heteroatom‐Doped Carbon Cathode for Aluminum‐Ion Batteries with Ultrahigh Reversible Stability
Authors: Li Jiahui , El‐Demellawi Jehad K. , Sheng Guan , Björk Jonas , Zeng Fanshuai , Zhou Jie , Liao Xiaxia , Wu Junwei , Rosen Johanna , Liu Xingjun , Alshareef Husam N. , Tu Shaobo
Published: April 2024

Aluminum (Al)‐ion batteries have emerged as a potential alternative to conventional ion batteries that rely on less abundant and costly materials like lithium. Nonetheless, given the nascent stage of advancement in Al‐ion batteries (AIBs), attaining electrode materials that can leverage both intercalation capacity and structural stability remains challenging. Herein, we demonstrate a C3N4‐derived layered N,S heteroatom−doped carbon, obtained at different pyrolysis temperatures, as a cathode material for AIBs, encompassing the diffusion−controlled intercalation and surface‐induced capacity with ultrahigh reversibility. The developed layered N,S‐doped corbon (N,S‐C) cathode, synthesized at 900 °C, delivers a specific capacity of 330 mAh g−1 with a relatively high coulombic efficiency of ~85% after 500 cycles under a current density of 0.5 A g−1. Owing to its reinforced adsorption capability and enlarged interlayer spacing by doping N and S heteroatoms, the N,S‐C900 cathode demonstrates outstanding energy storage capacity with excellent rate performance (61 mAh g−1 at 20 A g−1) and ultrahigh reversibility (90 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1 after 10 000 cycles).
Heart failure: the grim reaper of the cardio‐renal‐metabolic triad
Authors: Österman Joakim , Al‐Sodany Ehab , Haugen Löfman Ida , Barany Peter , Evans Marie
Published: April 2024

Aims

Current understanding of the prognosis for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and overlapping cardio‐renal‐metabolic components, specifically heart failure (HF) and diabetes mellitus (DM), remains limited. While previous studies have explored the interactions between CKD, HF, and DM, they have predominantly focused on cohorts of HF or DM patients. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the long‐term outcomes and treatment patterns in a cohort of CKD patients, particularly those with coexisting HF and DM.

Methods and results

We analysed data from the Swedish national CKD patient cohort, the Swedish Renal Registry, with a follow‐up period extending up to 10 years. The study examined the risks of all‐cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE)—defined as a composite of non‐fatal myocardial infarction, hospitalization for congestive HF, non‐fatal stroke, or cardiovascular death—and the initiation of kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Analyses were conducted using Cox proportional hazards and competing risk models. Among the 27 647 patients, 48% had CKD alone, 12% had CKD with HF, 27% had CKD with DM, and 13% had CKD with both HF and DM. After 5 years, mortality rates were 23% for patients with CKD, 30% for those with CKD/DM, 54% for CKD/HF, and 55% for CKD/HF/DM. The 10 year absolute risk of MACE was 28% for CKD alone, 35% for CKD/DM, 67% for CKD/HF, and 73% for CKD/HF/DM. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for mortality was approximately three times higher in patients with any HF combination, with HRs of 2.57 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.43–2.71] for CKD/HF and 3.22 (95% CI 3.05–3.39) for CKD/HF/DM, compared with CKD alone. The impact of HF on MACE prognosis was even more pronounced, with adjusted sub‐hazard ratios (SHRs) of 3.33 (95% CI 3.14–3.53) for CKD/HF and 4.26 (95% CI 4.04–4.50) for CKD/HF/DM. Additionally, CKD patients diagnosed with HF were less likely to commence KRT, and the risk of death prior to KRT initiation was roughly twice as high for these groups, with SHRs of 2.05 (95% CI 1.93–2.18) for CKD + HF and 2.43 (95% CI 2.29–2.58) for CKD + HF + DM.

Conclusions

In a cohort of CKD patients, having HF contributes substantially to increased mortality and the risk of MACE, and these patients are less likely to start KRT. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted therapeutic strategies and management plans for CKD patients, particularly those with concurrent HF, to enhance patient prognosis.
Visible‐Light‐Mediated Alkylation of N‐Heteroarenes Using 2‐Mercaptothiazolinium Salts as Alkyl Radical Source
Authors: Tian Yuan , Fu Xin‐Xin , Cheng Ru‐Meng , Feng Jia , Shen Mei‐Hua , Zhu Chi‐Fan , Xu Hua‐Dong
Published: April 2024

A visible‐light‐mediated radical heteroarylation of 2‐mercaptothiazolinium salts with N‐heteroarenes is reported, furnishing the corresponding functionalized N‐heteroarenes in good to high yields. Various alkyl bromides were converted conveniently into redox‐active thiazolinium salts and subsequently into alkyl radicals by reaction with an excited‐state photocatalyst. This mild protocol permits efficient functionalization of various N‐heteroarenes with a wild range of cyclic and acyclic primary and secondary alkyl groups.
An advancing method for web service reliability and scalability using ResNet convolution neural network optimized with Zebra Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Gokulakrishan D. , Ramakrishnan R. , Saritha G. , Sreedevi B.
Published: April 2024

Web service reliability and scalability is an important mission that keeps web services running normally. Within web service, the web services invoked by users not only depend on the service itself, but also on web load condition. Due to the features of web dynamics, traditional reliability and scalability methods have become inappropriate; at the same time, the web condition parameter sparsity problem will cause inaccurate reliability prediction. To address these challenges, Web Service Reliability and Scalability Determination Using ResNet Convolutional Neural Network optimized with Zero Optimization Algorithm (WRS‐ResNetCNN‐ZOA) is proposed in this manuscript. Initially, the input data is collected from WSRec dataset. The ResNet convolutional neural network (ResNetCNN) with Business Process Execution Language (BPEL) specification is introduced to forecast the reliability and scalability of web service. The results are categorized as right and wrong based on ResNetCNN. The weight parameters of the ResNetCNN is optimized by Zebra Optimization Algorithm to improve accuracy of the prediction. The performance of the proposed method is examined under some performance metrics, like F‐measure, reliability, scalability, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and precision. The proposed technique attains 15.36%, 35.39%, 23.87%, 20.67% better reliability, 42.39%, 11.39%, 34.16%, 25.78% better accuracy when analyzed to the existing methods, like Web Reliability based on K‐clustering, (WRS‐KClustering), Web Reliability prediction based on AdaBoostM1 and J48 (WRS‐AdaM1‐J48), Web Reliability prediction based on Online service Reliability (WRS‐OPUN), and Web Reliability prediction based on Dynamic Bayesian Network (WRS‐DBNS), respectively.
A novel semisupervised learning method with textual information for financial distress prediction
Authors: Qiu Yue , He Jiabei , Chen Zhensong , Yao Yinhong , Qu Yi
Published: April 2024

Financial distress prediction (FDP) has attracted high attention from many financial institutions. Utilizing supervised learning‐based methods in FDP, however, is time consuming and labor intensive. Therefore, in this paper, we exploit active‐pSVM method, which combines potential data distribution information and existing expert experience to solve FDP problem. Moreover, with the increasingly popular textual information, we construct several features on our protocol that are based on the Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) text information. Using datasets that are collected in different time windows from the listed Chinese companies, we conducted an extensive experiment and were able to confirm a better efficiency of our active‐pSVM, when compared with some common supervised learning‐based methods. Our study also covers the application of MD&A text information on weakly supervised learning model in FDP.
Advancing Environmental Flows Science: Hindcasting and Forecasting Flow–Ecology Relationships
Authors: Winemiller Kirk O. , Perkin Joshuah S. , Trungale Joseph F. , Hoeinghaus David J. , Moore Georgianne W. , Schwalb Astrid N. , Mitchell Zachary A. , Trimble Aaron , Reeves Cole , Hardy Thomas B. , Buzan David
Published: April 2024

To advance current environmental flow standards in Texas, we developed field, laboratory, and analytical methods to model recruitment dynamics of indicator species selected to cover a range of population responses to flow variation. Preliminary investigations were conducted in three central Texas river basins to evaluate the feasibility of these methods for formulating and evaluating the state's environmental flow standards. Age analysis allowed back-calculation of dates of fish hatching, mussel recruitment, and tree germination for estimation of temporal variation in recruitment. Recruitment data were then analyzed in relation to flow regime components. Statistical models were derived for flow–recruitment relationships of Shoal Chub Macrhybopsis hyostoma, Smallmouth Buffalo Ictiobus bubalus, threeridge mussel Amblema plicata, and boxelder Acer negundo. The Shoal Chub model was used to hindcast recruitment dynamics in the Brazos River, revealing a decline in recruitment after dam construction. The Smallmouth Buffalo model revealed that strong year-classes were positively associated with springtime pulses of long duration but negatively associated with frequent short-duration pulses. Results for the threeridge mussel were not as easily interpreted, but for all three river basins generally showed weaker recruitment during periods with extreme low and high flows. The boxelder model revealed positive associations between recruitment and high flow components and was used to forecast the probability of germination under five simulated flow regime scenarios, thereby providing an additional means for evaluating the suitability of environmental flow standards. Assessment of how hydrology influences recruitment provides an evidence-based method to hindcast responses to past flow regimes and forecast responses to future flow scenarios, thereby providing a basis for evaluating environmental flow standards and water management options.
Masseter muscle thickness is predictive of cancer cachexia in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Balanta‐Melo Julián , Jones Alexander J. , Novinger Leah J. , Moore Michael G. , Bonetto Andrea
Published: April 2024

Background

Cancer cachexia is prevalent in head and neck cancer patients. The L3 skeletal muscle index (SMI) is often used to assess sarcopenia and cachexia but is infrequently able to be measured in this population. Masseter muscle thickness (MT) may serve as an alternative predictor of cachexia.

Methods

SMI and MT were calculated from 20 trauma (CTRL) and 40 cachectic (CA‐CX) and non‐cachectic (CA‐NCX) head and neck cancer patients. Area Under the Curve of the Receiver Operating Characteristics (AUC‐ROC) analysis was performed for SMI and MT.

Results

Both SMI and MT were significantly decreased in CA‐CX patients (vs. CA‐NCX mean difference −19.5 cm2/m2 and −2.06 mm, respectively) and significant predictors of CA‐CX (AUC = 0.985 and 0.805, respectively). When analyzed by sex, the same findings were observed for MT in males and trended toward significance in females.

Conclusions

Compared with SMI, MT is a good alternative prognostic biomarker to determine CA‐CX status in HNC patients.
A comprehensive evaluation of hydrological processes in a second‐generation dynamic vegetation model
Authors: Zhou Hao , Tang Jing , Olin Stefan , Miller Paul A.
Published: April 2024

The global water and carbon cycles are greatly influenced by terrestrial vegetation, making trustworthy representations of dynamic biosphere–hydrosphere interactions a crucial component of both ecosystem and climate models. This paper comprehensively evaluates the hydrological performance of a leading dynamic global vegetation model Lund‐Potsdam‐Jena General Ecosystem Simulator (LPJ‐GUESS), using a broad range of the latest available global observation‐based gridded datasets that cover the main components of the hydrological cycle. Overall, we find that the hydrological components modelled by LPJ‐GUESS agree well with global gridded datasets of runoff, evapotranspiration and surface soil moisture, though there are discrepancies in some regions and periods. Furthermore, LPJ‐GUESS accurately captures both inter‐ and intra‐annual variations of runoff in most regions and catchment areas, including the Danube, Murray, Yangtze, Yenisei and Nile basins. Total evapotranspiration modelled by LPJ‐GUESS agrees closely with the evapotranspiration estimates of the Global Land Evaporation Amsterdam Model and PML‐V2 datasets, but with some disagreement in the individual components, especially for evaporation. The surface soil moisture simulated by LPJ‐GUESS aligns with ESA‐CCI (v5.3) surface soil moisture datasets in most regions, with greatest discrepancies in subarctic areas. We attribute these discrepancies to two main sources: (1) absent or poor representation of processes such as river routing, storage and supply of water bodies, and cropland irrigation; and (2) uncertainties in both reference datasets and input to the model, including precipitation, soil texture, and land use.
Manipulation of metavalent bonding to stabilize metastable phase: A strategy for enhancing zT in GeSe
Authors: Huang Yilun , Lyu Tu , Zeng Manting , Wang Moran , Yu Yuan , Zhang Chaohua , Liu Fusheng , Hong Min , Hu Lipeng
Published: April 2024

Exploration of metastable phases holds profound implications for functional materials. Herein, we engineer the metastable phase to enhance the thermoelectric performance of germanium selenide (GeSe) through tailoring the chemical bonding mechanism. Initially, AgInTe2 alloying fosters a transition from stable orthorhombic to metastable rhombohedral phase in GeSe by substantially promoting p‐state electron bonding to form metavalent bonding (MVB). Besides, extra Pb is employed to prevent a transition into a stable hexagonal phase at elevated temperatures by moderately enhancing the degree of MVB. The stabilization of the metastable rhombohedral phase generates an optimized bandgap, sharpened valence band edge, and stimulative band convergence compared to stable phases. This leads to decent carrier concentration, improved carrier mobility, and enhanced density‐of‐state effective mass, culminating in a superior power factor. Moreover, lattice thermal conductivity is suppressed by pronounced lattice anharmonicity, low sound velocity, and strong phonon scattering induced by multiple defects. Consequently, a maximum zT of 1.0 at 773 K is achieved in (Ge0.98Pb0.02Se)0.875(AgInTe2)0.125, resulting in a maximum energy conversion efficiency of 4.90% under the temperature difference of 500 K. This work underscores the significance of regulating MVB to stabilize metastable phases in chalcogenides.
Differentiation of neural stem cells from human olfactory mucosa into dopaminergic neuron‐like cells
Authors: Ertem Tuğba , Uysal Onur
Published: April 2024

The aim of this study was to develop an alternative treatment method for neurodegenerative diseases with dopaminergic neuron loss such as Parkinson's disease by differentiating cells obtained from human olfactory mucosa‐derived neural stem cells (hOM‐NSCs) with neurotrophic agents in vitro. hOM‐NSCs were isolated and subjected to immunophenotypic and MTT analyses. These hOM‐NSCs were then cultured in a 3D environment to form neurospheres. The neurospheres were subjected to immunophenotypic analysis and neuronal differentiation assays. Furthermore, hOM‐NSCs were differentiated into dopaminergic neuron‐like cells in vitro. After differentiation, the dopaminergic neuron‐like cells were subjected to immunophenotypic (TH, MAP2) and genotypic (DAT, PITX3, NURR1, TH) characterization. Flow cytometric analysis showed that NSCs were positive for cell surface markers (CD56, CD133). Immunofluorescence analysis showed that NSCs were positive for markers with neuronal and glial cell characteristics (SOX2, NESTIN, TUBB3, GFAP and NG2). Immunofluorescence analysis after differentiation of hOM‐NSCs into dopaminergic neuron‐like cells in vitro showed that they were positive for a protein specific for dopaminergic neurons (TH). qRT‐PCR analysis showed that the expression of dopaminergic neuron‐specific genes (DAT, TH, PITX3, NURR1) was significantly increased. It was concluded that hOM‐NSCs may be a source of neural stem cells that can be used for cell replacement therapies in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, are resistant to cell culture, can differentiate into neuronal and glial lineage, are easy to obtain and are cost effective.
Effect of Histamine H2 Receptor Antagonists on All‐Cause Mortality in Critically Ill Patients With Essential Hypertension: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Pan Jian‐Mei , Guo Yu , Jiang Fang‐Fang , Xu Ran , Zhang Xin , Cai Wen‐Ke , Yin Sun‐Jun , Wang Ping , Huang Yan‐Hua , Zhang Xue‐Sha , Li Yi‐Hua , Cai Liao , He Gong‐Hao
Published: April 2024

Previous studies found that histamine H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) had blood pressure lowering and cardioprotective effects, but the impact of H2RAs on the survival outcomes of critically ill patients with essential hypertension is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of H2RAs exposure with all‐cause mortality in patients with essential hypertension based on Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database. A total of 17,739 patients were included, involving 8482 H2RAs users and 9257 non‐H2RAs users. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to improve balance between 2 groups that were exposed to H2RAs or not. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used to compare the cumulative survival rates and multivariable Cox regression models were performed to evaluate the association between H2RAs exposure and all‐cause mortality. After 1:1 PSM, 4416 pairs of patients were enrolled. The results revealed potentially significant association between H2RAs exposure and decreased 30‐day, 90‐day, and 1‐year mortalities in multivariate analyses (HR = 0.783, 95% CI: 0.696‐0.882 for 30‐day; HR = 0.860, 95% CI: 0.778‐0.950 for 90‐day; and HR = 0.883, 95% CI: 0.811‐0.961 for 1‐year mortality, respectively). Covariate effect analyses showed that the use of H2RAs was more beneficial in essential hypertension patients with age ≥ 60, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, coronary arteriosclerosis, stroke, and acute kidney failure, respectively. In conclusion, H2RAs exposure was related to lower mortalities in critically ill patients with essential hypertension, which provided novel potential strategy for the use of H2RAs in essential hypertension patients.
Exhaled breath condensate contains extracellular vesicles (EVs) that carry miRNA cargos of lung tissue origin that can be selectively purified and analyzed
Authors: Mitchell Megan I. , Ben‐Dov Iddo Z. , Ye Kenny , Liu Christina , Shi Miao , Sadoughi Ali , Shah Chirag , Siddiqui Taha , Okorozo Aham , Gutierrez Martin , Unawane Rashmi , Biamonte Lisa , Parikh Kaushal , Spivack Simon , Loudig Olivier
Published: April 2024

Lung diseases, including lung cancer, are rising causes of global mortality. Despite novel imaging technologies and the development of biomarker assays, the detection of lung cancer remains a significant challenge. However, the lung communicates directly with the external environment and releases aerosolized droplets during normal tidal respiration, which can be collected, stored and analzsed as exhaled breath condensate (EBC). A few studies have suggested that EBC contains extracellular vesicles (EVs) whose microRNA (miRNA) cargos may be useful for evaluating different lung conditions, but the cellular origin of these EVs remains unknown. In this study, we used nanoparticle tracking, transmission electron microscopy, Western blot analyses and super resolution nanoimaging (ONi) to detect and validate the identity of exhaled EVs (exh‐EVs). Using our customizable antibody‐purification assay, EV‐CATCHER, we initially determined that exh‐EVs can be selectively enriched from EBC using antibodies against three tetraspanins (CD9, CD63 and CD81). Using ONi we also revealed that some exh‐EVs harbour lung‐specific proteins expressed in bronchiolar Clara cells (Clara Cell Secretory Protein [CCSP]) and Alveolar Type II cells (Surfactant protein C [SFTPC]). When conducting miRNA next generation sequencing (NGS) of airway samples collected at five different anatomic levels (i.e., mouth rinse, mouth wash, bronchial brush, bronchoalveolar lavage [BAL] and EBC) from 18 subjects, we determined that miRNA profiles of exh‐EVs clustered closely to those of BAL EVs but not to those of other airway samples. When comparing the miRNA profiles of EVs purified from matched BAL and EBC samples with our three tetraspanins EV‐CATCHER assay, we captured significant miRNA expression differences associated with smoking, asthma and lung tumor status of our subjects, which were also reproducibly detected in EVs selectively purified with our anti‐CCSP/SFTPC EV‐CATCHER assay from the same samples, but that confirmed their lung tissue origin. Our findings underscore that enriching exh‐EV subpopulations from EBC allows non‐invasive sampling of EVs produced by lung tissues.
Clonally unrelated primary large B‐cell lymphomas separated by over a decade involving the central nervous system and testicle: Possible predisposition to lymphomas of immune‐privileged sites?
Authors: George Giby V. , Aldowitz Diana G. , Jajosky Audrey N. , Wallace Danielle S. , Burack W. Richard , Friedberg Jonathan W. , El Hussein Siba
Published: April 2024

Primary large B‐cell lymphomas of immune‐privileged sites (IP‐LBCLs) comprise LBCLs arising within “immune sanctuaries,” including the central nervous system (CNS), vitreoretina, and testes. Although patients present with localized disease, the prognosis remains poor with high relapse rates, either at the originating site or within another immune‐privileged site. Generally, in the presence of an antecedent IP‐LBCL, subsequent LBCLs are expected to be clonally related. However, we present a primary CNS LBCL and later primary testicular LBCL in a middle‐aged man, diagnosed over a decade apart, which proved to be clonally unrelated by targeted ultra‐deep next‐generation sequencing of the IgH locus.