bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insight into Synergistic Brønsted and Lewis Acidic Deep Eutectic Solvent for Beckmann Rearrangement of Cyclohexanone Oxime
Authors: Hou Tengteng , Yu Baowei , Tao Maolin , Chen Lifang , Qi Zhiwen
Published: October 2024

ε‐Caprolactam (CPL) is industrially produced by Beckmann rearrangement of cyclohexanone oxime (CHO) under fuming sulfuric acid, resulting in corrosive and environmental issues. Herein, we prepared triethylamine hydrochloride (TEAHC) and ZnCl2 formed deep eutectic solvent (DES) [TEAHC:2ZnCl2] with Brønsted and Lewis acid sites for efficient liquid rearrangement, achieving 100% conversion of CHO and 95.5% yield of CPL at 80 °C for only 1 h. The results show that ZnCl2 in [TEAHC:2ZnCl2] can promote the detachment of proton, which acts as Brønsted acid site combined with another ZnCl2 molecule to synergistically catalyze the reaction. In the Brønsted acid catalyzed process, the nitrogen atom in CHO as reactive site can be readily attacked by the proton to form protonated CHO, which subsequently undergoes rearrangement. By adding ZnCl2 into TEAHC to obtain [TEAHC:2ZnCl2], the formation of ZnCl2‐CHO complex results in a significant reduction in reaction energy barrier through synergistic effect of Brønsted and Lewis acids. Particularly, the fitted reaction kinetics and low activation energy also confirm the rearrangement can occur under low reaction temperature. Thus, the DESs with efficient catalytic performances for ketoxime rearrangements provide a potential method to design active sites for Beckmann rearrangements of oximes under mild reaction conditions.
PROTOCOL: Employee work motivation, effort, and performance under a merit pay system: A systematic review
Authors: Velghe Cédric , McIlquham‐Schmidt Anders , Celik Pinar , Storme Martin , De Spiegelaere Stan
Published: October 2024

This is the protocol for a Campbell systematic review. The objectives are as follows: One goal of this systematic review is to identify whether merit pay predicts employee work motivation, effort, and performance; a second goal is to determine whether the association between merit pay and subsequent employee work motivation, effort, and performance is stronger depending on the actual relationship between the performance ratings and merit increases received, as well as on the perceived relationship by employees between their performance and their pay; a third goal is to identify whether the association between merit pay and subsequent employee motivation depends on what type of motivation is measured (i.e., intrinsic vs. extrinsic/general work motivation).
Influence of Atmospheric Gas Species on an Argyrodite‐Type Sulfide Solid Electrolyte During Moisture Exposure
Authors: Morino Yusuke , Ito Daisuke , Otoyama Misae , Sano Hikaru
Published: October 2024

Sulfide solid electrolytes have potential in practical all‐solid‐state batteries owing to their high formability and ionic conductivity. However, sulfide solid electrolytes are limited by the generation of toxic hydrogen sulfide and conductivity deterioration upon moisture exposure. Although numerous studies have investigated the hydrolysis degradation induced by “moisture,” the influence of “atmospheric gases” during moisture exposure has not been extensively investigated despite the importance for practical fabrication. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the impact of atmospheric gases during moisture exposure on an argyrodite‐type Li6PS5Cl via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrolyte powder was exposed to various atmospheric gases, namely Ar, Ar+500 ppm CO2, O2, and O2+500 ppm CO2, with moisture at a dew point of −20 °C, and H2S gas generation was monitored. As a result, the amount of H2S gas did not depend on the atmospheric gases. However, the atmospheric gases had a significant effect on the decrease in conductivity. Spectroscopic analyses revealed that CO2 facilitates the formation of carbonates and that O2 promotes the formation of phosphates and sulfonates. The formation of these compounds leads to surface degradation, which further decreases the conductivity.
Are You a Supercommunicator?
Authors: Dennis Marguerite J.
Published: October 2024

I think all college and university administrators, including presidents, deans, faculty, admission and financial aid officers, student affairs deans, registrars, and alumni officers, could benefit from the advice of Charles Duhigg, presented in his book Supercommunicators.
Field notes from a sandbox: Learning wild patience with wild bees
Authors: Bratman Eve
Published: October 2024

This creative non‐fiction essay discusses challenges of insect identification and wild bee collection. It engages themes of early childhood education, love of nature, and the links between patience and passion for discovery. It argues in defense of perseverance and slow knowledge acquisition, reminding readers of the importance of such qualities for biodiversity conservation, even amidst the age of instant gratification tools that make naturalism accessible to the layman.
Important Crop Pollinators Respond Less Negatively to Anthropogenic Land Use Than Other Animals
Authors: Williams Jessica J. , Newbold Tim , Millard Joseph , Groner Vivienne P. , Pearson Richard G.
Published: October 2024

Animal‐mediated pollination is a key ecosystem service required to some extent by almost three‐quarters of the leading human food crops in global food production. Anthropogenic pressures such as habitat loss and land‐use intensification are causing shifts in ecological community composition, potentially resulting in declines in pollination services and impacting crop production. Previous research has often overlooked interspecific differences in pollination contribution, yet such differences mean that biodiversity declines will not necessarily negatively impact pollination. Here, we use a novel species‐level ecosystem service contribution matrix along with mixed‐effects models to explore how groups of terrestrial species who contribute differently to crop pollination respond globally to land‐use type, land‐use intensity, and availability of natural habitats in the surrounding landscape. We find that the species whose contribution to crop pollination is higher generally respond less negatively (and in some cases positively) to human disturbance of land, compared to species that contribute less or not at all to pollination. This result may be due to these high‐contribution species being less sensitive to anthropogenic land conversions, which has led humans to being more reliant on them for crop pollination. However, it also suggests that there is potential for crop pollination to be resilient in the face of anthropogenic land conversions. With such a high proportion of food crops requiring animal‐mediated pollination to some extent, understanding how anthropogenic landscapes impact ecological communities and the consequences for pollination is critical for ensuring food security.
Interactions Between Non‐Native Western Mosquitofish and Native Bluegill Sunfish: Mesocosm Experiments
Authors: Rettig Jessica E. , Tristano Elizabeth P. , Burger Anthony C. , Smith Geoffrey R.
Published: October 2024

Aquatic ecosystems are often negatively affected by invasive species. However, biotic resistance by native species, either by competition or predation, can reduce the impacts of invasions by non‐native species. The Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) is one of the most impactful invasive species of freshwater fish and cause declines in native fish populations. Using two mesocosm experiments conducted in different years, we examined the ecological interactions between juveniles of the native fish, Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus), and adults of the invasive fish, G. affinis. We found evidence for interactions between L. macrochirus and G. affinis. However, interactions did not appear symmetric, with L. macrochirus generally more affected by intraspecific interactions than interspecific interactions whereas G. affinis was more affected by interspecific interactions than intraspecific interactions. The presence of either species of fish led to a decrease in the number of large zooplankton and a tendency for a decrease in the total number of zooplankton. Based on these results, native L. macrochirus appear to be able to reduce the ability of non‐native G. affinis to establish or maintain populations through both competition and predation (i.e., acting as an intraguild predator). The consistency of our results across both experiments, with their different designs and their occurring in different years, gives weight to these conclusions. The reduction of or prevention of establishment of populations of invasive G. affinis would likely benefit the aquatic communities of ponds with fish, especially small‐bodied native fish.
Responses of Soil Water Potential and Plant Physiological Status to Pulsed Rainfall Events in Arid Northwestern China: Implications for Disclosing the Water‐Use Strategies of Desert Plants
Authors: Ma Yuanyuan , Liu Hu , Zhao Wenzhi , Guo Li , Yang Qiyue , Li Yulong , Liu Jintao , Yetemen Omer
Published: October 2024

Soil water potential (SWP) strongly influences plant productivity and ecosystem functioning, particularly in arid regions characterized by sporadic and pulsed rainfall. This work aims to improve understanding of the response of SWP to varied rainfall pulses, and of the water‐use strategies of a widespread C4 shrub (Haloxylon ammodendron, HA) in arid northwestern China. Rainfall manipulation experiments and field measurements on HA were undertaken to explore the response features of SWP and plant physiological status to pulsed rainfall events of varied magnitudes and durations. The physiological state of HA was evaluated by quantifying critical metrics indicative of plant water‐use strategies, including leaf water potential, photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate. The response value of SWP increased with rainfall magnitude and was most affected by three vital factors (antecedent SWP, total rainfall and rainfall intensity). Low antecedent SWP amplifies SWP's sensitivity to subsequent events, accelerating its response to smaller rainfalls (<5 mm) compared with larger ones (>15 mm). Small rainfall can increase SWP by 0.5–2 MPa in the 20‐cm layer, sustaining plant physiological activities under high antecedent SWP conditions (>−3.5 MPa), with a maximum average rise in photosynthetic rate of 9.20 ± 0.45 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1, enhancing HA's water use efficiency to 1.79 ± 0.22 μmol CO2 mmol−1 H2O. Therefore, small events play a vital role in maintaining SWP and promoting water use of desert plants. Given the nature of plants' utilization of small rainfall events, re‐examining ecologically valid SWP thresholds of HA and other similar desert plants is critical.
Tunable and Selective Transformation of Aromatic Thioether Enabled by Regulating Active Species Under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Jia Meng‐Ze , Tan Bin , Chen Yun‐Rui , Pan Jia‐Qi , Yu Shi‐Kai , Xin Ling , Zhang Jie
Published: October 2024

Through effective regulation of active species in photocatalytic process, the oxidation or C(sp3)−S bond cleavage upgrading of widespread aryl alkyl sulfides under mild conditions was successfully achieved by using a pyridinium photocatalyst. Benefiting from the excellent redox ability of the photocatalyst, the electron transfer between the pyridinium molecule and the substrate, molecular oxygen, or counter‐anion effectively promotes the conversion and upgrading of the substrate thioether. Among them, the efficient generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) enables the highly selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides under visible light and air atmosphere. More importantly, the chlorine radical (Cl⋅) generated by electron transfer, reported for the first time, contributes to the cleavage of C(sp3)−S bonds, achieving the transformation of aryl alkyl sulfides to disulfides. By harnessing the superior photocatalytic ability of pyridinium molecules, this work not only achieves the highly selective conversion of thioether by taming the active species in the photocatalytic process, but also sheds light on the untapped potential of chlorine radicals in the field of C(sp3)−S bond activation and cleavage.
Evaluating Depth of Invasion as a Continuous Prognostic Factor in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Edri Nofar , Dudkiewicz Dean , Yaniv Dan , Ritter Amit , Strenov Yulia , Mizrachi Aviram , Bachar Gideon , Shpitzer Thomas , Yosefof Eyal
Published: October 2024

Background

Depth of invasion (DOI) has a significant clinical impact on the staging system of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We aimed to compare the prognostic impact of treating DOI as a continuous variable rather than a categorical one.

Methods

A retrospective review of 277 OSCC patients surgically treated in a tertiary care center from 2000 to 2020, with a minimum 2‐year follow‐up. The analyses were performed using Cox and logistic regression.

Results

DOI as a continuous variable significantly predicted mortality in both univariate (p < 0.001) and multivariate (p < 0.001) analyses. It was also a significant predictor of locoregional recurrence (multivariate p = 0.039) and occult lymph node metastasis (univariate p = 0.005, multivariate p = 0.04). Categorical analysis failed to demonstrate the same significance.

Conclusions

DOI as a continuous factor rather than a categorical one is significantly associated with mortality, locoregional recurrence, and occult lymph node metastasis. This innovative approach promotes personalized risk stratification and better decision‐making.
Maize biomass yield variations due to diverse nitrogen applications using Aquacrop
Authors: Mirzaee Omid , Rahimikhoob Ali , Varavipour Maryam , Seyedzadeh Amin
Published: October 2024

In the quest to increase crop yields and production intensity to meet the demands of a growing global population, the responsible use of nitrogen (N) applications is paramount. Excessive application of these fertilizers results in economic losses, environmental pollution and reduced N‐use efficiency. To address this challenge, precision agriculture techniques offer promising solutions. This study explored the relationships among applied N, maize crop parameters and the nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) to optimize N application usage and crop performance. The AquaCrop model was used to simulate water productivity and plant parameters accurately. The research establishes equations between the NNI and maize parameters, enabling the use of AquaCrop to simulate crop responses to varying N levels. The results demonstrate that AquaCrop effectively simulates more than 95% of the biomass changes. The findings suggest that applying N based on presented equations optimized the use of N applications, thereby mitigating economic losses and environmental impacts.
Reducing flow heterogeneity in drip irrigation networks using genetic algorithms
Authors: Córdoba Alejandro Tapia , Manzano Jose Maria
Published: October 2024

Irrigation based on non‐compensated drip emitters is extremely common in agriculture, especially due to its simplicity, robustness and competitive cost. Nevertheless, because of friction losses in the pipe, together with irregular terrain, these systems often suffer from uneven water distribution in the drip emitters, which not only results in inefficient use of water resources but also might lead to inadequate irrigation in certain parts of the field. This work proposes to design the topology of the irrigation network to compensate for these discharge differences. To this end, a graph‐based mathematical model is developed to determine the discharge flows at different emitters for any network topology. This model is employed to formulate an integer nonlinear optimization problem, for which a messy genetic algorithm is proposed. The methodology is validated on an example problem, which is based on a rectangular agricultural crop of 49 fruit trees. The results revealed a 70% reduction in the coefficient of variation of the irrigation discharge rates, which was employed as a metric of irrigation uniformity. This caused a 75% reduction in the water excess. The results demonstrate that the uniformity can be improved simply by choosing a proper connectivity layout to build the pipe network.
Pants on fire: Risks for and outcomes of atypical lying
Authors: Decrop Romain , Docherty Meagan
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Most people are generally honest, but around 5% of individuals are prolific liars, some of whom lie for fun or no reason. However, developmental research on atypical lying features (e.g., motives, attitudes, inclinations for dishonesty) and the associated traits and negative outcomes is lacking. We examined how psychopathic traits are related to the development of lying trajectories and whether exhibiting atypical lying features during a developmental period when lies tend to decrease in frequency (i.e., adolescence to adulthood) increases the risk for adulthood antisocial behaviors.

Methods

Data come from the multisite Pathways to Desistance project, a longitudinal study of serious juvenile offenders in the United States who were interviewed across 11 time points over 7 years from 2000 to 2010. Age‐based trajectory analyses modeled self‐reported atypical lying features from ages 14 to 26 for male participants (N = 1170; 42.1% Black, 34.0% Hispanic, 19.2% White, 4.6% Other), and examined how subscales from the Youth Psychopathy Inventory predicted lying trajectory classes and whether those classes differed in adulthood offending and substance use.

Results

Around 5% of the sample maintained elevated atypical lying features in adolescence and into adulthood. These individuals were more manipulative, remorseless, impulsive, and irresponsible in adolescence, and were more likely to offend and use substances in adulthood.

Conclusions

Findings highlight how atypical lying features during the normative developmental desistance period of lying may be elevated for prolific liars and how traits can be used to identify at‐risk individuals. This information will help to inform intervention and prevention programs targeting externalizing behaviors.
Effects of FOLFOX Chemotherapy on Tumor Oxygenation and Perfused Vasculature: An In Vivo Study by Optical Techniques
Authors: Druzhkova Irina , Bylinskaya Kseniya , Plekhanov Anton , Kostyuk Alexey , Kirillin Mikhail , Perekatova Valeriya , Khilov Aleksandr , Orlova Anna , Polozova Anastasiya , Komarova Anastasiya , Lisitsa Uliyana , Sirotkina Marina , Shirmanova Marina , Turchin Ilya
Published: October 2024

The effects of cytotoxic chemotherapy on tumor vasculature and oxygenation are in the focus of modern investigations because vascular structure and distribution of oxygen influence tumor behavior and treatment response. The aim of our study was to monitor changes in the vascular component of colorectal tumor xenografts induced by a clinical combination of chemotherapy drugs FOLFOX in vivo using two complementary techniques: diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and optical coherence tomography–based microangiography (OCT‐MA). These techniques revealed a slower decrease in tumor blood oxygenation in treated tumors as compared to untreated ones, faster suppression of tumor vasculature perfusion and increase in water content as a result of treatment, and decrease in total hemoglobin in untreated tumors. Immunohistochemical analysis of hypoxia‐inducible factor HIF‐2α detected tissue hypoxia as a consequence of inappropriate oxygen supply in the treated tumors. The obtained results show the prospects for monitoring of treatment efficacy using DRS and OCT‐MA.
Metal Nanoparticles for Simultaneous Use in AC Magnetic Field Hyperthermia and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Solak Kübra , Atiş Mustafa , Kasapoğlu Ahmet Emre , Karaman Adem , Mavi Ahmet
Published: October 2024

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are produced for both diagnosis and treatment due to their simultaneous availability in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic hyperthermia (MHT). Extensive investigations focus on developing MNPs for individual MHT or MRI applications, but the development of MNPs for theragnostic applications has received very little attention. In this study, through efficient examination of synthesis conditions such as metal precursors, reaction parameters, and solvent choices, we aimed to optimize MNP production for effective utilization for MHT and MRI simultaneously. MNPs were synthesized by thermal decomposition under 17 different conditions and deeply characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The heating efficiency of MNPs under an alternating current (AC) magnetic field was quantified, while MRI performance was evaluated through agar phantom experiments. Our findings highlight the crucial role of benzyl ether in metal ion reduction and size control. Metal‐doped iron oxide MNPs displayed promise for MHT, whereas Mn‐doped iron oxide MNPs exhibited enhanced MRI capabilities. Consequently, five engineered MNPs were considered potential candidates for further studies, demonstrating their dual ability in MRI and MHT.
Functionalized Polyvinyl Alcohol–Gelatin Graft for the Treatment of Tympanic Membrane Perforations
Authors: Joseph Jasmin , Ramesh P. , Sayooj K. , Unnikrishnan M. , Unnikrishnan G.
Published: October 2024

The majority of issues related to patients suffering from conductive hearing loss and repeated otitis media are due to chronic tympanic membrane perforations. This generally requires a surgical procedure called tympanoplasty to seal the perforation where autologous grafts are used to reconstruct the membrane. However, the limitations associated with surgical procedures and the limited graft‐material availability often cause difficulties in this route; demanding novel procedures or materials. The basic requirements for a synthetic graft‐material for this application cover excellent cell adherence with no immune response and inflammatory actions at the site of implantation along with wound‐healing characteristics and sufficient acoustic and mechanical properties. With this aim, an innovative graft material has been developed with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the base component through this work. To ensure better cell adhesion and proliferation, a natural polymer, gelatin, has been cross‐linked with PVA through a maleic anhydride (MA) intermediate; with a two‐step synthesis protocol. The mechanical strength of graft material has been found to be tunable by adjusting the ratio of gelatin with PVA. Laser Doppler Vibrometry (LDV) has been employed to evaluate its acoustic properties upon exposure to a frequency sweep of 10—8000 Hz. The in vitro biocompatibility assays using L929 and RPMI 2650 cells substantiate the material's compatibility; ensuring its potential clinical applications toward chronic tympanic membrane perforations.
Compositional Variations in Calcium Phosphate Cement and Poly(Lactic‐Co‐Glycolic‐Acid) Porogens Do Not Affect the Orthotopic Performance of Calcium Phosphate Cement/Poly(Lactic‐Co‐Glycolic‐Acid) Cements
Authors: Grosfeld Eline‐Claire , van Dijk Natasja W. M. , Ulrich Dietmar J. O. , Mikos Antonios G. , Jansen John A. , van den Beucken Jeroen J. J. P.
Published: October 2024

Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) has evolved as an appealing bone substitute material, especially since CPCs were combined with poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) porogens to render the resulting CPC/PLGA composite degradable. In view of the multiple variables of CPC and PLGA used previously, the effect of CPC composition and PLGA porogen morphology (i.e., microspheres versus microparticles) on the biological performance of CPC/PLGA has not yet been investigated. Consequently, we here aimed to evaluate comparatively various CPC/PLGA formulations varying in CPC composition and PLGA porogen morphology on their performance in a rabbit femoral condyle bone defect model. CPCs with a composition of 85 wt% α‐TCP, 15 wt% dicalcium phosphate anhydrate (DCPA) and 5 wt% precipitated hydroxyapatite (pHA), or 100 wt% α‐TCP were combined with spherical or irregularly shaped PLGA porogens (CPC/PLGA ratio of 60:40 wt% for all formulations). All CPC/PLGA formulations were applied via injection in bone defects, as created in the femoral condyle of rabbits, and retrieved for histological evaluation after 6 and 12 weeks of implantation. Descriptive histology and quantitative histomorphometry (i.e., material degradation and new bone formation) were used for analyses. Descriptively, all CPC/PLGA formulations showed material degradation at the periphery of the cement within 6 weeks of implantation. After 12 weeks, bone formation was observed extending into the defect core, replacing the degraded CPC/PLGA material. Quantitatively, similar material degradation (up to 87%) and new bone formation (up to 28%) values were observed, irrespective of compositional variations of CPC/PLGA formulations. These data prove that neither the CPC compositions nor the PLGA porogen morphologies as used in this work affect the biological performance of CPC/PLGA formulations in a rabbit femoral condyle bone defect model.
Hospitalization of patients with Down syndrome in acute care hospitals in Japan
Authors: Yasunami Keisuke , Matsugaki Ryutaro , Muramatsu Keiji , Matsuda Shinya
Published: October 2024

Background

Down syndrome is the most common genetic disorder, and the life expectancy of patients with Down syndrome has increased over the decades. However, the diseases and social problems experienced by patients with Down syndrome remain unknown in Japan. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the disease status of such patients admitted to acute care hospitals in Japan.

Methods

This observational study was conducted using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination data from 2016 to 2021 to evaluate routes of admission, principal diagnoses, comorbidity of dementia, orthopedic surgeries for limb fractures, and discharge destinations of patients with Down syndrome (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision code: Q90).

Results

Overall, 26,195 individuals with Down syndrome were included, of whom 5195 were ≥20 years of age. As the age increased, the number of admissions from home decreased and that from nursing homes increased. Pneumonia was the most common principal diagnosis, with the incidence of aspiration pneumonia increasing in patients >40 years of age. We observed an increase in the incidence of dementia and surgery for limb fractures after 40 years of age. The number of discharges to home decreased with increasing age, whereas that to nursing homes increased with increasing age.

Conclusions

These results suggest that patients with Down syndrome are often hospitalized because of pneumonia and that the incidence of aspiration pneumonia, dementia, and limb fractures increases after 40 years of age. Therefore, a system to prevent pneumonia, especially aspiration pneumonia, and limb fractures in patients with Down syndrome is needed.
Graphs with girth 2ℓ+1 $2\ell +1$ and without longer odd holes are 3‐colorable
Authors: Chen Rong
Published: October 2024

For a number , let denote the family of graphs which have girth and have no odd hole with length greater than . Wu et al. conjectured that every graph in is 3‐colorable. Chudnovsky et al. and Wu et al., respectively, proved that every graph in and is 3‐colorable. In this paper, we prove that every graph in is 3‐colorable.
Deciphering the Biocontrol Potential of Trichoderma asperellum (Tv1) Against Fusarium‐Nematode Wilt Complex in Tomato
Authors: Anbalagan Selva A. , Appusamy Sudha , Kumaresan Parthiban V. , Chellappan Gopalakrishnan , Narayanan Swarnakumari , Rangasamy Anandham , Perveen Kahkashan , Bukhari Najat A. , Sayyed Riyaz
Published: October 2024

The study assessed Trichoderma spp. as a biocontrol agent for managing wilt‐nematode complex in tomato crops, aiming to mitigate yield losses. Fusarium sp. and Meloidogyne sp. were isolated from infected plant samples and confirmed molecularly and morphologically as Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici and Meloidogyne incognita. Four Trichoderma spp. procured from the Department of Plant Pathology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India were identified molecularly as Trichoderma asperellum (Tv1), Trichoderma asperelloides (Tasd1), Trichoderma harzianum (Th1), and Trichoderma koningiopsis (Tk1) utilizing ITS and TEF1 primer pairs. Among them, Tv1 effectively inhibited the mycelial growth of pathogen isolates. Furthermore, crude metabolite of Tv1 exhibited similar effects. The mortality rate of M. incognita J2s ranged from 90.48% to 100% after 24–72 h of incubation and inhibition percentage of egg hatching reached 90.20%. The shoot length, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight of the tomato plants treated with Tv1 conidia were increased. In a pot experiment, Tv1 treatment reduced disease incidence by 64.57%, comparable to carbendazim treatment (82.32%). Tv1‐treated plants had fewer root galls, egg masses, and J2s per 100 g of roots than the inoculated‐untreated control plants. The root‐knot index (RKI) was significantly lower in plants treated with carbafuran (1.98 ± 0.047) and Tv1 (3.06 ± 0.086) than in control (4.47 ± 0.109). The bio‐control efficiency of Tv1 against M. incognita was 21.04%, and the nematodes' reproductive factor (RF) declined to 0.53 in Tv1 treatment group. Based on the findings above, it was established that Tv1 effectively controlled nematode populations and wilt disease when applied in soil.
The Structure Dissection of Compacted CeO2/La2O3 Laminates by Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Hu Yi , Chen Jun , Liu Xinai , Zhong Hang , Xu Jingsong , Chen Jun
Published: October 2024

To tackle the challenge of non‐destructively analyzing complex oxide layers formed by atmospheric corrosion on active metals, we investigate the potential of inverse spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (inverse‐SORS) to detect corrosion products and elucidate how the spectroscopic features of SORS vary. This study explores the utilization of inverse‐SORS technology for longitudinal structural analysis of opaque CeO2/La2O3 laminates, which serve as a proxy for corrosion products. Through a combination of experimental measurements and Monte Carlo simulation, it demonstrates the feasibility of inverse‐SORS in non‐destructively elucidating the layered structure of these laminates. With increasing the spatial offset of this technology, the Raman intensity ratio of La2O3‐to‐CeO2 increases from 0.23 to 3.2 and then decreases to 0.27 for the CeO2/La2O3 sample with a 34‐μm‐thick CeO2 layer under 532‐nm excitation, whereas the bottom La2O3 layer is hardly detected when the thickness of the upper La2O3 layer increases to 225 μm. The results reveal that a thinner CeO2 layer facilitates the escape and detection of Raman signals originating from the bottom La2O3 layer, leading to an enhanced La2O3‐to‐CeO2 signal ratio and a reduced offset at the characteristic peak. The research also sheds light on the intricate interplay among multiple variables, such as spatial offset, laser wavelength, the corresponding absorption factor, the thickness of the oxide layer, and the compactness. These insights suggest that SORS is a valuable and non‐destructive approach for dissecting the structures of highly turbid composites of metallic compounds and semi‐quantitatively deducing their thickness.
Density estimation using spatial capture‐recapture analyses: application to vaccination of prairie dogs against sylvatic plague
Authors: Russell Robin E. , Tripp Daniel W. , Richgels Katherine L. D. , Rocke Tonie E.
Published: October 2024

Prairie dogs are notoriously difficult to enumerate, with previously methods including visual counts, mark‐resight, burrow counts, and catch per unit effort. Unlike those methods, spatial capture‐recapture (SCR) analyses allow for formal estimation of density along with associated estimates of uncertainty, detection probability, and the size of the average area over which an individual was detected during the study period (referred to as an activity center). Using SCR analyses, we compared density estimates as part of a field trial evaluating the effectiveness of an oral sylvatic plague vaccine in black‐tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus), Gunnison's prairie dogs (C. gunnisoni), white‐tailed prairie dogs (C. leucurus), and Utah prairie dogs (C. parvidens) at 11 study areas in the western United States. The study was designed as a matched pairs analysis that included 27 individual paired plots (54 plots), each consisting of a plot treated with vaccine baits and a plot treated with placebo baits. Overall, we captured >3,000 individuals each year on these plots, and recapture rates ranged from 5–87%. For black‐tailed prairie dogs, density estimates ranged from 2.7 individuals/ha (95% CI = 2.2–3.3/ha) to 77.3/ha (63.2–94.4/ha), and for Gunnison's prairie dogs, estimates ranged from 11.7/ha (10.6–12.8/ha) to 15.4/ha (14.4–16.7/ha). White‐tailed prairie dogs were at their lowest density (3.3/ha, 95% CI = 2.9–3.8/ha) during the first year of the study and their highest density (14.5/ha; 13.5–15.6/ha) during the last year of the study. Utah prairie dog density estimates ranged from a low of 4.0/ha (95% CI = 3.55–4.6/ha) to a high of 20.8/ha (16.8–25.8/ha). Best‐fitting models of prairie dog density indicated increasing patterns of density over time on most study plots, negative effects of plague, and positive effects of vaccination. Finally, we found low correlations between catch per unit effort estimates from previous published literature at these sites and our densities estimates. Spatial capture‐recapture estimates allowed us to consistently compare treatment effects across space and time, although some exceptions are noted where we observed significant movement between plots within a pair (3 pairs) and when trapping effort between plots or years was not consistent.
MCL augmentation using a peroneus longus split tendon autograft satisfactorily restores knee stability with no impairment in foot function and with a low failure rate for concurrent ACL reconstruction
Authors: Hinz Nico , Müller Maximilian Michael , Eggeling Lena , Drenck Tobias , Breer Stefan , Kowald Birgitt , Frosch Karl‐Heinz , Akoto Ralph
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Addressing grade 2 and 3 medial‐sided instabilities during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is crucial to reduce the risk of ACL graft failure. This study introduced a minimally invasive, medial collateral ligament (MCL) augmentation technique using a peroneus longus split tendon autograft, which was fixed to the femoral deep MCL insertion and tibial superficial MCL insertion.

Methods

This prospective, longitudinal, single‐centre case series included patients who underwent MCL augmentation concurrent with primary or revision ACL reconstruction due to anteromedial instability. Preoperatively and at 1‐year follow‐up, clinical examinations, such as rolimeter test of anterior tibial translation and medial instability, knee (International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee form [IKDC], Lsyholm, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS]) and foot function scores (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score [AOFAS]) and complications, were analyzed.

Results

Thirty‐one patients with a mean follow‐up of 13.5 ± 2.6 months and a mean age of 27.8 ± 9.6 years were included. The side‐to‐side difference for anterior tibial translation significantly improved from preoperative to 1‐year follow‐up with an ACL reconstruction failure rate of 6.5%. No patient retained a grade 2 or 3 medial instability on valgus stress testing with 30° flexion. Significant improvements from preoperative to 1‐year postoperative follow‐up were observed in knee function scores: IKDC (48.9 ± 26.9– 71.3 ± 11.5, p < 0.001) and Lysholm (59.9 ± 28.5–80.5 ± 11.2, p = 0.002) as well as KOOS pain, ADL, sport and QoL, each reaching the respective minimal clinically important difference values. The foot function score AOFAS showed no significant impairment (100 ± 0–99.3 ± 2.5, p = 0.250). Complications included cyclops lesions of ACL reconstruction in three patients.

Conclusion

At 1‐year follow‐up, MCL augmentation using a peroneus longus split tendon autograft for patients simultaneously undergoing ACL reconstruction satisfactorily restores knee stability, has a low ACL reconstruction failure rate and does not significantly impair foot function.

Level of Evidence

Level IV therapeutic study; case series.
Synthesis of Ultrathin Film PEGDMA Hydrogels Coated onto Different Surfaces by Atmospheric Pressure Plasma: Characterization and Potential Features for the Biomedical Field
Authors: Sans Jordi , Azevedo Gonçalves Ingrid , Cardenas‐Morcoso Drialys , Quintana Robert
Published: October 2024

The preparation of resistant ultrathin film (utf) hydrogels coated onto different working surfaces (e.g., fabrics) is paying increasing attention as an advantageous strategy for customizing their resultant properties. More specifically, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐based utf‐hydrogels are relevant for their superior biocompatibility or antibiofouling properties. However, promoting the generation of poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) cross‐links ideally without the use of initiators or other cross‐link agents, which might compromise the final bioactivity of the system, is complicated. Moreover, the actual synthesis techniques used for the preparation of such utf‐hydrogels face important drawbacks like high scale‐up costs or important geometrical restrictions, completely hindering its technological transfer. Herein, for the first time and easy and technologically scalable technology is reported for the synthesis and direct deposition of PEGDMA400 utf‐hydrogels onto different substrates based on atmospheric pressure nanosecond pulsed plasma approach. The advantages of the technology are explored and discussed, reporting the ready‐to‐use transparent coating of fabrics. After washing the samples using washing programs of a commercial laundry machine, coatings are still well adhered, showing excellent stability. Finally, the resultant properties of PEGDMA400 utf‐hydrogels are exhaustively characterized using in operando conditions in order to elucidate their potential capabilities in the biomedical field.
Active near‐infrared laser heterodyne system based on supercontinuum laser source for gas measurement
Authors: Xue Zhengyue , Li Jun , Shen Fengjiao , Zhang Sheng , Gao Xiaoming , Tan Tu
Published: October 2024

The performance of an active near‐infrared laser heterodyne system using a supercontinuum light source as the light signal for trace species detection is experimentally demonstrated. The characteristics of the supercontinuum light source and the data processing methods used in heterodyne detection are described. The measurement of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) absorption spectra was carried out in the laboratory to evaluate the active laser heterodyne system, and high‐resolution absorption spectra of CO₂ and CH₄ were recorded simultaneously. The stability of the active laser heterodyne system is analyzed using Allan variance analysis of long‐term observation data. The active near‐infrared laser heterodyne detection system demonstrated in this paper has great potential for the development of industrial parks' gas monitoring.
Think Tank 2: How Do We Precisely Define the “High Risk Bladder” and What Are the Interrelationships Between Inflammation, Blood Flow, Fibrosis, and Loss of Bladder Compliance?
Authors: Arlandis Salvador , Fry Christopher , Wyndaele Michel , Apostolidis Apostolos , Finazzi‐Agró Enrico , Tyagi Pradeep , Winder Michael , Hashitani Hikaru , Mosiello Giovanni , Averbeck Marcio Augusto , Wein Alan , Abrams Paul
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Defining “high‐risk bladder” or “high‐pressure bladder” involves recognizing the potential for an unsafe lower urinary tract, where dysfunction in storage and micturition can threaten upper urinary tract health, leading to unfavorable outcomes like dialysis, recurrent infections, systemic impact, or mortality.

Methods

ICI‐RS was held in Bristol in June 2024, and Think Tank 2 aimed to define research priorities including identifying clinical predictors and developing prevention and monitoring strategies.

Results

Risk factors encompass both congenital and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction, bladder outlet obstruction, vascular diseases, and inflammatory disorders, but a validated stratification risk is lacking. Reduced compliance and detrusor overactivity lead to high filling pressures and raised detrusor leak point pressure, playing urodynamic studies a crucial role in risk assessment, though further research is needed for different neurogenic populations. Congenital conditions such as spina bifida, posterior urethral valves, and bladder exstrophy also contribute to a high‐risk bladder through fibrosis and reduced compliance. Inflammation and ischemia are key factors, with inflammation leading to fibrosis and impaired bladder storage and voiding function. Novel treatments, including sGC activators, PDE5 inhibitors, and regenerative therapies like stem cell injections and extracorporeal shock wave treatment, show promise in mitigating fibrosis and improving bladder compliance.

Conclusions

Identifying and validating clinical risk stratification models, precise biomarkers and therapeutic windows remains essential for effective management and reversal of bladder fibrosis and dysfunction.
Setting national nursing research priorities in Qatar: A Delphi survey
Authors: Alomari Albara Mohammad Ali , Mannethodi Kamaruddeen , Singh Kalpana , Kunjavara Jibin , Joy George Vellaramcheril , Pitiquen Ederlie Encarnacion , Lenjawi Badriya A. L.
Published: October 2024

Aim

To establish consensus on the priorities of nursing research in Qatar regarding nursing administration, nursing practice and nursing education for the years 2023–2033.

Design

Classic Delphi format over three phases.

Methods

The first phase involved a qualitative round where participants identified 10 research priorities. In phase two, the collected sentences were analysed and grouped into themes. Participants were then requested to rate these sentences based on their perceived importance. During phase three, participants received their individual responses, the consolidated group response from the second round, and were given the opportunity to agree or disagree with the group ranking. The panel of experts consisted of 32 participants who agreed to participate in all three rounds. They included a mixture of nursing academics, clinical managers and nursing directors from public sectors and nursing schools in Qatar.

Results

The experts reached a consensus on the research priorities for Qatar. These prioritized topics focused on improving patient care outcomes, enhancing workforce development, strengthening nursing leadership, integrating technology to improve nursing and nursing education and promoting evidence‐based practice.

Conclusion

This research emphasizes the importance of progress in nursing to meet healthcare demands. Findings showed the need of future research to focus on improving nursing workforce and well‐being, leadership styles and technology, and evidence‐based practice and technology in nursing education.

Impact

The impact of identifying nursing research priorities in Qatar will improve healthcare practices, fostering a culture of evidence‐based care. These advancements will motivate nurses to engage more actively in research, thereby enhancing overall healthcare outcomes.

Public Contribution

Not applicable.
How to create your own space: Montgomery College's Shinta Hernandez is embracing new challenges
Authors: Arnett Autumn A.
Published: October 2024

In even a very short conversation with the new Dean of MC Online and Academic Support at Montgomery College, MD, it is immediately clear that Shinta Hernandez isn’t the type to consider what she can’t do.
Wandering campus footloose: Honoring and developing connections to campus buildings
Authors: Fatzinger Jim , Darville D.
Published: October 2024

Campus buildings have been part of our community conversations of late, usually as leaders determine whether or not those particular founders or donors should be honored. But, as writer Goldie Blumenstyk recently shared, sometimes a building's name offers a sense of inclusion. Other authors have also discussed of late how physical infrastructure can help maximize campus pride, publicity, and even investment.
Encourage volunteerism for team building
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: October 2024

You know those really old people that volunteer at the hospital? Well, that now describes my husband and me. My husband drives a golf cart in the parking lots, carrying the visitors and patients to and fro. I sit at the front desk of one of the two medical office buildings that sit on the hospital campus. I smile, say hi, and answer simple questions. I’m not unlike the greeters at the big‐box stores, except I wear a red vest rather than a blue one.
Interlaminar fracture toughness of flax, carbon, and hybrid flax carbon‐woven fiber‐reinforced composites
Authors: Jamil Abuzar , M.N. Prabhakar , Lee Dong Woo , Song Jung‐il
Published: October 2024

The effect of the asymmetric distribution of woven flax fiber on the interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer (CFRP) is investigated experimentally via a double cantilever beam test, and the results are backed by analytical and numerical analysis. Four hybrid configurations are fabricated with different stacking sequences of (CFRP) and flax fiber‐reinforced polymer (FFRP) plies. The results of hybrid specimens are compared with those of all CFRP and all FFRP specimens. The hybrid composite with one carbon/flax fiber layer at the interface requires the highest critical energy release rate, GC, to initiate cracks. A resin layer on top of the flax plies and a carbon fiber imprint in that layer are observed, thus signifying an increase in GC for the hybrid composites with dissimilar interface layers. Varying the number of carbon/flax fiber layers at the interface adversely affects GC. Mode II contribution to the GC was verified analytically for asymmetric hybrid configurations. The agreement between experimental, numerical, and analytical results is excellent. The hybridization of flax with carbon enhances the fracture toughness of CFRP while providing an opportunity to achieve lightweight, high‐performance, and eco‐friendly structures.

Highlights

Flax fiber is used to increase the fracture toughness (GC) of CFRP

Asymmetric carbon/flax fiber hybrid composites are designed for this purpose

One interface carbon/flax hybrid exhibits a 70% increase in GC

Blocking the plies together results in reduced GC and mode‐II fracture as well

Numerical and analytical analysis agrees well with experimental results