bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction of Mesoporous Aluminosilicate Thin Films on ITO Electrodes for Immobilizing a Cationic Ru(II) Water Oxidation Catalyst
Authors: Harada Shunpei , Yamada Ayano , Nakano Narumi , Okamura Masaya , Hikichi Shiro
Published: September 2024

Aluminosilicate (Al‐SiO2) thin films with vertically aligned mesochannels were successfully synthesized on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) electrodes and employed for the immobilization of a cationic Ru(II) water oxidation catalyst without requiring linker groups. Optimal synthesis conditions yielded uniform mesoporous Al‐SiO2 films with tunable Al content, high surface area (568 m2/g), 3.94 nm pore size, and 155 nm thickness. Electrochemical studies confirmed the presence of the immobilized Ru complex undergoing diffusion‐controlled Ru(III/II) and Ru(IV/III) electron transfer. The Ru loading reached 4.71 nmol/cm2 at Si/Al=9.6, with higher Al content enhancing loading amounts via cation exchange. The Ru‐modified electrode exhibited high electrocatalytic water oxidation activity, achieving 75.3 % Faradaic efficiency and a turnover number of 298.6 for O2 evolution for 1 hour. This work provides a new approach to construct porous environments on an electrode surface to immobilize positively charged transition‐metal complexes as catalysts, offering potential applications in the development of electrocatalytic systems for energy conversion.
Atomic‐Level Synergistic Catalysts: Single‐Atom Site Integrated with Atom, Cluster and Nanoparticle
Authors: Zhu Pan , Feng Wuyi , Liu Jing , Liu Ting , Zhang Jiatao , Zhao Di
Published: September 2024

The emerging atomic‐level synergistic catalysts based on the single‐atom sites and other valuable components, such as atom, cluster, nanoparticle and other nano‐matter, shine in various catalytic fields. They can integrate the advantages of individual catalytic sites and other valuable components to enhance the activity, selectivity and stability of many chemical reactions via activating their key rate‐determining steps and multistep transformations. In addition, because of the ultrahigh atom utilization (~100 %) and adjustable microenvironment of metal centers, the single‐atom sites can intelligently construct with other useful large size sites to strengthening in tandem a typical catalytic process. Herein, the structure and mechanism of atomic‐level synergistic catalysts with controllable electronic structures and regulatory reaction processes are presented. We particularly emphasize the interactions between active components of atomic‐level synergistic catalysts and catalytic reaction processes, which are essential for understanding how these catalysts are cooperatively working. It is anticipated that this minireview can make the promotion of advanced atomic‐level synergistic catalysts based on single‐atom sites.
Confinement Effects of Two‐Dimensional Surfaces on Water Adsorption and Dissociation over Pt(111)
Authors: Tiwari Nidhi , Tiwari Ashwani K.
Published: September 2024

It has been established that the confined space created by stacking a two dimensional (2D) surface atop a metal catalyst serves as a nano‐reactor. According to recent research, when a graphene (Gr) overlayer encloses a catalyst from above, the activation barrier for the water dissociation reaction, a process with major industrial significance, decreases. In order to investigate how the effect of confinement varies among different two‐dimensional (2D) materials, we study the adsorption and dissociation barriers of water molecule on (111) under graphene, hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN), and heptazine‐based graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) layers using density functional theory calculations. Our findings reveal that the strength of adsorption does not decrease consistently with a reduction in the height of the 2D overlayer. Furthermore, a smaller barrier is not always the consequence of poorer adsorption of the reactant. We also examine the effect of confinement on the shape of the reaction path, on the frequencies of vibrational modes, and on the rate constants derived using the harmonic transition state theory. Overall, all three 2D surfaces cause a decrease in barrier height and a weakening of adsorption, though to differing degrees due to a mix of mechanical, geometric and electronic variables.
General Synthesis of Single‐Crystalline Ta2O5 Nanorods Towards Enhanced Photocatalytic H2 Production Activity
Authors: Zhang Hanxu , Zhou Chao , Shi Run , Zhang Tierui
Published: September 2024

As a potential candidate for photocatalytic H2 production from water splitting, Ta2O5 catalyst presents suitable conduction and valence band positions, but suffers from poor charge transfer ability, which seriously limits its photocatalytic performance enhancement. Here, a facile and eco‐friendly hydrothermal method was developed for the fabrication of one‐dimensional (1D) Ta2O5 nanorods using the freshly precipitated tantalic acids as the precursors. An oriented attachment mechanism was proposed for the growth of Ta2O5 nanorods. Moreover, the present synthetic approach was further extended to direct synthesis of nine kinds of alkaline tantalates and alkaline‐earth tantalates nanostructures, suggesting its general applicability. A significant increase in activity in photocatalytic H2 production was revealed on 1D Ta2O5 nanorods. The improved photocatalytic H2 production activity of Ta2O5 nanorods was mainly attributed to its 1D nanorods structure with high crystallization and large specific surface areas as well as excellent charge transfer efficiency.
Utilization of natural hybridization and intra‐cultivar variations for improving soybean yield, seed weight, and agronomic traits
Authors: Jiang Guo‐Liang , Mireku Patrick , Song Qijian
Published: September 2024

Soybean (Glycine max) is a highly self‐pollinated species, but cross‐pollination occasionally occurs and variations within cultivars can be observed under certain conditions. To explore the potential uses of natural hybridization and intra‐cultivar/advanced line variations, 78 of breeding lines derived from the segregants of natural hybridization and the intra‐cultivar/line variations and their 17 source cultivars/lines were evaluated over four crop seasons for yield, seed weight, and other agronomic traits. All the lines were also genotyped using BARCSoySNP6K assays to compare the genetic similarities between the new lines and the source genotypes. Analysis of variance results indicated that genotypic differences, year effects, and genotype × year interactions were significant for all the traits. The broad‐sense heritability of the traits was estimated to be 67.22%–98.80%, suggesting that the traits were mainly affected by genetic factors. Compared with the source materials, yield of 34 breeding lines exceeded by >5%, and 17 of them had yield increases of 11.85%–41.59%. Seed weight increased significantly in 24 lines, and 11 lines showed improvements in both seed weight and yield, although there was a negative correlation between these two traits. In addition, 36 and 29 lines showed a shortened period of flowering and maturity, respectively. Plant height of 20 lines decreased by >8.5 cm. Genotypic matching rate between the new lines and the source materials varied from 48.86% to 99.90%. These results demonstrated that both segregations resulting from natural crossing and intra‐cultivar/line variations could be used to improve important traits in soybean.
Strategies for enhancing productivity, resilience, nutritional quality, and consumption of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] for food and nutritional security in India
Authors: Yadav O. P. , Gupta S. K. , Govindaraj M. , Singh D. V. , Verma A. , Sharma R. , Mahala R. S. , Srivastava S. K. , Birthal P. S.
Published: September 2024

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is an important component of agri‐food system in areas experiencing drought and high temperature and for increasing the resilience to climatic stresses and addressing malnutrition. The purpose of this review is to examine strategies for improving productivity, stress resilience, and nutritional quality of pearl millet and to understand its consumption pattern. Genetic diversification of hybrid parental lines remains strategically important to breed diverse, disease‐resistant and drought‐tolerant hybrids. Resistance to diseases, tolerance to drought, and high temperature and greater contents of iron and zinc are targeted in improving hybrid parental lines. Lodging resistance, compact panicles, panicle exertion, and improved seed set are universal traits, whereas duration, tillering ability, seed color, and seed size have a strong regional preference. The strategy of developing high‐yielding and disease‐resistant hybrids with adaptation to challenged agro‐ecologies has led to increase in yield from 303 to 1219 kg/ha between 1960 and 2020. Yield and stress resilience are to be increased further using conventional breeding and new tools like genomic selection, speed breeding, genome editing, and precision phenotyping. Mainstreaming grain nutritional traits, viz., iron and zinc contents in genetic improvement are essential to develop high‐yielding and nutrient‐rich pearl millet. There is need to enhance the consumption of pearl millet by strengthening existing value‐chain, providing consumer a choice of diverse range of food products, creating awareness about its health benefits and promotion through government schemes.
Difficulties in Emotion Regulation in Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
Authors: Stern Casey M. , Graver Haley , McPherson Iman , Gydus Julia , Kambanis P. Evelyna , Breithaupt Lauren , Burton‐Murray Helen , Zayas Lázaro , Eddy Kamryn T. , Thomas Jennifer J. , Becker Kendra R.
Published: September 2024

Objective

Despite substantial research indicating difficulties with emotion regulation across eating disorder presentations, emotion regulation has yet to be studied in adults with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). We hypothesized that (1) those with ARFID would report greater overall emotion regulation difficulties than nonclinical participants, and (2) those with ARFID would not differ from those with other eating disorders on the level of emotion regulation difficulty.

Methods

One hundred and thirty‐seven adults (age 18–30) from an outpatient clinic with ARFID (n = 27), with other primarily restrictive eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa; n = 34), and with binge/purge eating disorders (e.g., bulimia nervosa; n = 51), as well as nonclinical participants (n = 25) recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). We compared DERS scores across groups.

Results

In line with expectations, patients with ARFID scored significantly higher than nonclinical participants on the DERS Total (p = 0.01) with a large effect size (d = 0.87). Also as hypothesized, those with ARFID did not differ from those with other primarily restrictive (p = 0.99) or binge/purge disorders (p = 0.29) on DERS Total.

Discussion

Adults with ARFID appear to exhibit emotion regulation difficulties which are greater than nonclinical participants, and commensurate with other eating disorders. These findings highlight the possibility of emotion regulation difficulties as a maintenance mechanism for ARFID.
Anatomical traits explain drought response of seedlings from wet tropical forests
Authors: Jhaveri Rishiddh , Cannanbilla Lakshmipriya , Bhat K. S. Arpitha , Sankaran Mahesh , Krishnadas Meghna
Published: September 2024

Water availability regulates plant community dynamics but the drought response of seedlings remains poorly known, despite their vulnerability, especially for the Asian tropics. In particular, discerning how functional traits of seedlings mediate drought response can aid generalizable predictions of tree responses to global environmental change. We assessed interspecific variation in drought response explained by above‐ and below‐ground seedling traits. We conducted a dry‐down experiment in the greenhouse using 16 tree species from the humid forests of Western Ghats in southern India, chosen to represent differences in affinity to conditions of high and low seasonal drought (seasonality affiliation). We compared survival, growth, and photosynthetic performance under drought and well‐watered conditions and assessed the extent to which species' responses were explained by seasonality affiliation and 12 traits of root, stem and leaf. We found that the species from seasonally dry forest reduced photosynthetic rate in drought compared with well‐watered conditions, but seasonality affiliation did not explain differences in growth and survival. Performance in drought vs well‐watered conditions were best explained by anatomical traits of xylem, veins and stomata. Species with larger xylem reduced their growth and photosynthesis to tolerate desiccation. In drought, species with smaller stomata correlated with lower survival even though photosynthetic activity decreased by a larger extent with larger stomata. Overall, anatomical traits of xylem and stomata, directly related to water transport and gas‐exchange, played a more prominent role than commonly used traits (e.g., specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content) in explaining species response to drought, and may offer a good proxy for physiological traits related to drought tolerance of seedlings.
The impact of elevation and prediction of climate change on an ultra high‐elevation ectotherm
Authors: Gao Jie , Wei Zian , Jin Yuanting
Published: September 2024

Climate change may affect the survival and reproduction of ectotherms. The toad‐headed lizard Phrynocephalus theobaldi, which holds the distinction of occupying the highest elevation among all reptile species on Earth, with an elevational range from 3600 to 5000 m, represents an ideal model for studying the adaptations to climatic changes across elevational gradients. Here, we used mechanistic and hybrid species distribution models (HSDM) together with characteristic measurements of thermal biology (CTmax, CTmin, and Tsel) to simulate and compare the distribution and activity periods of the lizard across elevations in response to climate change. NicheMapR simulations using only climate factors predicted that all populations will be negatively impacted by climate change (+3°C) by suffering a reduced distribution. However, the impact was clearly reduced in simulations that accounted for thermal physiological traits. Longer activity periods were predicted for all populations during climate change. The suitable distribution is predicted to change slightly, with an increase anticipated for both high and low elevation populations. However, the forecast indicates a more pronounced increase in suitable habitats for populations at higher elevations (>4200 m) compared to those at lower elevations (<4200 m). This study underscores the key influence of climate change on population establishment and stresses the importance of physiological traits in distribution simulation for future studies to understand the potential constraints in animal adaptation to extreme high environments.
Symbiosis between the Javan rhinoceros and slender‐billed crow: A novel inferred cleaning mutualism
Authors: Stone Montana M. , Afriandi Herry , Suwanda Firmanto Noviar , Andono Ardi , Mahmud Rois , Khairani Oktavia K. , Clark Anne B. , Webster Michael , McGowan Kevin , Radcliffe Robin W.
Published: September 2024

Over the past century, the Javan rhinoceroses' (Rhinoceros sondaicus) secluded nature and low population size have led to a gap in knowledge of their ecology. With fewer than 80 individuals surviving in a single population in West Java, Indonesia, the Javan rhinoceros is one of the most critically endangered mammals in the world. As part of a pilot bioacoustics study of the Javan rhinoceros in 2019, we systematically reviewed camera trap footage from the core Javan rhinoceros range in Ujung Kulon National Park (UKNP). In doing so, we discovered a previously unknown interaction between the Javan rhinoceros and the slender‐billed crow (Corvus enca), in which the crow finds and eats ectoparasites from the rhinoceros (Figure 1). We describe this interaction and suggest that it may represent a cleaning mutualism with benefits for both the crow and the rhinoceros.
Poly‐ADP‐ribosylation dynamics, signaling, and analysis
Authors: Al‐Rahahleh Rasha Q. , Sobol Robert W.
Published: September 2024

ADP‐ribosylation is a reversible post‐translational modification that plays a role as a signaling mechanism in various cellular processes. This modification is characterized by its structural diversity, highly dynamic nature, and short half‐life. Hence, it is tightly regulated at many levels by cellular factors that fine‐tune its formation, downstream signaling, and degradation that together impacts cellular outcomes. Poly‐ADP‐ribosylation is an essential signaling mechanism in the DNA damage response that mediates the recruitment of DNA repair factors to sites of DNA damage via their poly‐ADP‐ribose (PAR)‐binding domains (PBDs). PAR readers, encoding PBDs, convey the PAR signal to mediate cellular outcomes that in some cases can be dictated by PAR structural diversity. Several PBD families have been identified, each with variable PAR‐binding affinity and specificity, that also recognize and bind to distinct parts of the PAR chain. PARylation signaling has emerged as an attractive target for the treatment of specific cancer types, as the inhibition of PAR formation or degradation can selectively eliminate cancer cells with specific DNA repair defects and can enhance radiation or chemotherapy response. In this review, we summarize the key players of poly‐ADP‐ribosylation and its regulation and highlight PBDs as tools for studying PARylation dynamics and the expanding potential to target PARylation signaling in cancer treatment.
Energy, exergy, exergy‐economic, and environmental evaluation of an optimized hybrid photovoltaic heat pump system with solar collector and PCM
Authors: Ghodrati Armin , Ahmadi Abolfazl , Mirhosseini Mojtaba
Published: September 2024

Nowadays, the use of hybrid systems has become very common all over the world. In this study, the aim is to minimize the use of grid energy to provide heating and cooling energy with the help of a hybrid heat pump equipped with a flat solar collector, phase change material (PCM), and photovoltaic (PV) panels. To achieve the best results, a numerical dynamic model consisting of different solar PV panels in three models, batteries, inverters, and hybrid heat pump along with collector and PCM has been modeled by solving Engineering Equation Solver (EES) and TRNSYS software. According to the proposed scenarios, multi‐objective optimization has been done to simultaneously improve the study answers in several sections by multi‐objective particle swarm optimization algorithm with MATLAB software. Also, economic and environmental optimization is also presented separately for comparing and reviewing solutions. The results of multi‐objective optimization show that the amount of lifecycle cost (LCC) when using polycrystalline panel is 21.26% lower than monocrystalline panel and 38.71% higher than thin film panel. As a result, according to the specific conditions and attitude, you can choose the desired system. Also, in the economic optimization, it was found that the best system is related to the polycrystalline panel, the volume of PCM used in the system is equal to 1 , the number of panels used is 18, and the minimum amount of LCC is $3929.08.
Role of MgO in Al2O3‐supported Fe catalysts for hydrogen and carbon nanotubes formation during catalytic methane decomposition
Authors: Bayazed Mohammed O. , Al‐Fatesh Ahmed S. , Fakeeha Anis H. , Ibrahim Ahmed A. , Abasaeed Ahmed E. , Alromaeh Abdulaziz I. , Frusteri Francesco , Abu Dahrieh Jehad K.
Published: September 2024

Catalytic methane decomposition is a promising technology for reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating the effects of climate change by producing clean hydrogen and value‐added carbon without the emission of greenhouse gases. The aim of the study was to investigate the use of Al2O3‐modified MgO doped iron‐based catalysts for the catalytic decomposition of methane. The catalysts were synthesized using the impregnation method and characterized using various analysis techniques, including Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller, temperature programmed reduction, temperature programmed oxidation, X‐ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, Raman, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The activity of the synthesized catalysts was tested in a packed‐bed reactor with a gas flow rate of 20 mL/min at a temperature of 800°C. The investigation focuses on the influence of incorporating magnesium into alumina catalysts with MgO concentration ranging from (20%–70%), where higher magnesium levels improve catalytic activity by creating more active sites, positively impacting methane decomposition. Enhanced catalyst reducibility and increased particle dispersion lead to improved catalytic properties despite the reduced surface area. The FA70M and FA63M catalysts exhibited almost the same catalytic characteristics and the highest stability and methane conversion among the catalysts investigated, reaching 87% and 85% at 800°C for 120 min. Moreover, both catalysts showed hydrogen yields of 86% and 85%, respectively. The introduction of MgO further increased the total carbon yield from 103% with FA and 39% for FM to 114% and 120% for the respective catalysts (FA70M and FA63M). During the methane decomposition reaction, carbon nanotubes of varying diameters were produced. Higher iron loading resulted in a positive trend.
International Workers' Day: Consumption Patterns of Morphine, Codeine, and Methamphetamine in Urban and Rural Areas Based on Wastewater-Based Epidemiology
Authors: Li Wen , Lu Jianjiang , Zhao Haijun , Zhao Jie , Yan Yujun , Xu Yan
Published: September 2024

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a reliable means to estimate drug consumption in a specific population. By measuring the concentration of drug residues or metabolites in wastewater, the consumption behavior pattern of a specific population can be deduced. Using the WBE method, the present study, for the first time, continuously monitored the differences in the consumption of morphine (MOR), codeine (CODE), and methamphetamine (METH) in three wastewater-treatment plants in a city and two surrounding villages in Xinjiang, China during International Workers' Day and the following week. The wastewater samples were pretreated by solid-phase extraction and then analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Methamphetamine was not detected in rural areas and was detected only on International Workers' Day in urban areas. According to the estimation of per capita consumption, the per capita consumption of MOR, CODE, and METH in urban inhabitants was 12.04 to 23.39, 10.44 to 16.39, and 1.31 mg/day/1000 inhabitants. The per capita consumption of MOR and CODE in rural areas was 5.19 to 8.35 and 2.56 to 3.52 mg/day/1000 inhabitants. The consumption of MOR in urban and rural areas was significantly higher than that of CODE and METH. During International Workers' Day, workdays, and weekends, the consumption of MOR and CODE in urban areas is significantly higher than that in rural areas. Compared with those on weekends, the consumption of urban MOR and CODE increased more during International Workers' Day. The consumption of MOR in urban areas showed a weekend effect. The present study can provide information for subsequent research and government departments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2569–2577. © 2024 SETAC
Evaluating the Effects of Diet on the Sensitivity of Hyalella azteca to an “Eco-friendly” Deicing Agent
Authors: Kohler Paige , Yates Rebecca E. , Tomlinson Greysen R. , Harwood Amanda D.
Published: September 2024

Salting of roadways contaminates local waterways via snowmelt and precipitation runoff, eliciting various toxicological impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Recently, “eco-friendly” deicing alternatives have been introduced in hopes of mitigating environmental impacts of deicing agents, while maintaining human safety. These “eco-friendly” alternatives may pose their own set of environmental concerns that require further study. While the potential toxicity of road salts has been evaluated for various aquatic species, the environmental factors that may influence this toxicity are less understood; and for emerging deicing alternatives, there is a lack of literature documenting these potential implications. For aquatic organisms, the highest exposure to road salts may coincide with reduced food availability, namely during the winter months. The present study evaluates the effect of a conditioning diet on the sensitivity of adult Hyalella azteca to an “eco-friendly”-labeled beet deicer (Snow Joe MELT Beet-IT). Various conditioning diets were examined, including TetraMinTM, TetraMin and diatom (Thalassiosira weissflogii) combinations, and TetraMin and conditioned Acer sacharum leaves. For each diet type, 48- and 96-h water-only toxicity bioassays were conducted with adult H. azteca. These results were compared to organisms which experienced a 96-h starvation period prior to exposure and culture organisms. Diet types representing excess quality and quantity of food significantly decreased the toxicity of beet deicer to the organisms. However, starvation likely increases the toxicity of road salts to H. azteca. Therefore, the quantity and quality of food available to H. azteca may influence their sensitivity to deicing agents. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2608–2615. © 2024 SETAC
Numerical investigation of the impact of inlet and outlet ports of water jet impingement cooling modules
Authors: Tarek Noura , Nabil Mahmoud , Hassan Muhammed A. , Kayed Hatem
Published: September 2024

The ever‐growing applications of high‐power chips have driven research efforts to enhance the performance of their active cooling modules. This study proposes a simple tweak of the cooling module's ports for lower thermal resistance. A dual‐inlet single‐outlet (CP2) jet impingement cold plate (JICP), a dual‐inlet dual‐outlet (CP3) JICP, and a single‐inlet dual‐outlet (CP4) JICP were assessed computationally and benchmarked against a single‐inlet single‐outlet JICP (CP1) at the same area ratio (AR) and average diameter (Davg) of inlet and outlet ports. The results show that the pressure losses inflate by up to 4.67 folds when using CP3 with AR = 5/3 and Davg = 3.0 mm. Yet, this design also shows the largest Nusselt number and the lowest outlet water temperature, module body temperature, average temperature of the target surface, and thermal resistance (0.07415 K/W). The thermal resistance is reduced by 34.13% using CP3 at AR = 3/5 and Davg = 6.0 mm. The temperature uniformity index was boosted to 97.5%. These enhancements are attributed to the shorter and symmetric flow path, the shorter residence time of water within the JICP, and the direct heat diffusion by the walls of the lower chamber.
Obesity aggravates the role of C‐reactive protein on knee pain: A cross‐sectional analysis with NHANES data
Authors: Luo Ling , Li Mingzi , Huang Wenlong , Zhang Siying , Sun Jianbo , Zhang Bingsong , Hu Wei , Yu Haibing
Published: September 2024

Objective

To examine the relationship between C‐reactive protein (CRP) and knee pain, and further explore whether this association is mediated by obesity.

Methods

The population was derived from 1999 to 2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between CRP and knee pain in three different models, and the linear trend was analyzed. A restricted cubic spline model to assess the nonlinear dose−response relationship between CRP and knee pain. Mediation analyses were used to assess the potential mediating role of obesity. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were performed to ensure robustness.

Results

Compared with adults with lower CRP (first quartile), those with higher CRP had higher risks of knee pain (odds ratio 1.39, 95% confidence interval 1.12−1.72 in third quartile; 1.56, 1.25−1.95 in fourth quartile) after adjusting for covariates (except body mass index [BMI]), and the proportion mediated by BMI was 76.10% (p < .001). BMI and CRP were linear dose−response correlated with knee pain. The odds ratio for those with obesity compared with normal to knee pain was 2.27 (1.42−3.65) in the first quartile of CRP, 1.99 (1.38−2.86) in the second, 2.15 (1.38−3.33) in the third, and 2.92 (1.72−4.97) in the fourth.

Conclusion

Obesity mediated the systemic inflammation results in knee pain in US adults. Moreover, higher BMI was associated with higher knee pain risk in different degree CRP subgroups, supporting an important role of weight loss in reducing knee pain caused by systemic inflammation.
Impact of Microparticle Transarterial Chemoembolization (mTACE) on myeloid‐derived suppressor cell subtypes in hepatocellular carcinoma: Clinical correlations and therapeutic implications
Authors: Yue Yuanxun , Ren Zhizhong , Wang Yaqin , Liu Ying , Yang Xiaowei , Wang Tianxiao , Bai Yating , Zhou He , Chen Qian , Li Sujun , Zhang Yuewei
Published: September 2024

Background

Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a pivotal role in immunosuppression and tumor progression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While various treatments like surgical resection, ablation, and radiotherapy have been studied for their effects on circulating MDSC frequencies in HCC patients, the findings remain inconclusive. Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) stands as the standard care for unresectable HCC, with Microparticle TACE (mTACE) gaining prominence for its capacity to induce significant tumor necrosis. However, the immunological ramifications of such pathological outcomes are scarcely reported.

Methods and Results

This study aims to elucidate the alterations in MDSC subtypes, specifically monocytic MDSCs (mMDSCs) and early‐stage MDSCs (eMDSCs), post‐mTACE and to investigate their clinical correlations in HCC patients. A cohort comprising 75 HCC patients, 16 liver cirrhosis patients, and 20 healthy controls (HC) was studied. Peripheral blood samples were collected and analyzed for MDSC subtypes. The study also explored the associations between MDSC frequencies and various clinical parameters in HCC patients. The frequency of mMDSCs was significantly elevated in the HCC group compared to liver cirrhosis and HC. Importantly, mMDSC levels were strongly correlated with aggressive clinical features of HCC, including tumor size, vascular invasion, and distant metastasis. Post‐mTACE, a marked reduction in mMDSC frequencies was observed, while eMDSC levels remained stable.

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the critical role of mMDSCs in HCC pathogenesis and their potential as a therapeutic target. The study also highlights the efficacy of mTACE in modulating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, thereby opening new avenues for combinatorial immunotherapeutic strategies in HCC management.
Developing a new unsteady‐state equation for the design of subsurface drainage systems suitable for the Delta region, Egypt
Authors: Fath‐Allah Safaa Youssef Mohammad
Published: September 2024

The main goal of this research is to obtain a new unsteady‐state equation for the design of subsurface drainage systems that provides a more combatable solution under conditions in the Delta region, Egypt, while simultaneously avoiding all obstacles, difficulties and points of argument in other unsteady‐state equations. The point of argument in unsteady‐state assumptions is the initial water table shape. Then, the study reached a constant called Csh, which represents the initial water table shape and was proven to depend on drain depth (d.d.). Moreover, the new equation avoids using the drainable porosity of soil (f), which is the greatest restriction in using unsteady‐state equations. The new equation replaces f with another constant called Cs, which can be easily determined by using tables or graphs depending on drain depth (d.d.) and hydraulic conductivity (k). Another new important variable is also used in the new equation: the hydraulic head after 6 days of irrigation (h). Using this parameter with the initial water table (h0) and the water table after t days (ht) ensures more accurate results. Then, the new equation, which can be called the Safaa equation, can result in an optimum solution for the Delta region, Egypt, because it provides spacing between laterals (L), which results in the desired performance with the least cost.
MACC1 enhances an oncogenic RNA splicing of IRAK1 through interacting with HNRNPH1 in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Shiqing , Li Zhuoshi , Chen Chaoqun , Guo Tao , Zhao Shilei , Zhao Jinyao , Zhang Wenjing , Qi Yangfan , Zhang Jinrui , Wang Yang , Lv Yuesheng , Gu Chundong
Published: September 2024

Dysregulation of alternative pre‐mRNA splicing plays a critical role in the progression of cancers, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. It is reported that metastasis‐associated in colon cancer 1 (MACC1) is a novel prognostic and predictive marker in many types of cancers, including lung adenocarcinoma. Here, we reveal that the oncogene MACC1 specifically drives the progression of lung adenocarcinoma through its control over cancer‐related splicing events. MACC1 depletion inhibits lung adenocarcinoma progression through triggering IRAK1 from its long isoform, IRAK1‐L, to the shorter isoform, IRAK1‐S. Mechanistically, MACC1 interacts with splicing factor HNRNPH1 to prevent the production of the short isoform of IRAK1 mRNA. Specifically, the interaction between MACC1 and HNRNPH1 relies on the involvement of MACC1's SH3 domain and HNRNPH1's GYR domain. Further, HNRNPH1 can interact with the pre‐mRNA segment (comprising exon 11) of IRAK1, thereby bridging MACC1's regulation of IRAK1 splicing. Our research not only sheds light on the abnormal splicing regulation in cancer but also uncovers a hitherto unknown function of MACC1 in tumor progression, thereby presenting a novel potential therapeutic target for clinical treatment.
Robotic Assisted TKA achieves adjusted mechanical alignment targets more consistently compared to manual TKA without improving outcomes
Authors: Rajgopal Ashok , Sundararajan Sriram Surendra , Aggarwal Kalpana , Kumar Sumit , Singh Gargi
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Robotic total knee arthroplasty (rTKA), with its purported advantages of more accurate alignment, greater functional outcomes and patient satisfaction, is gaining popularity in patients undergoing TKA. The purpose of our study was to compare these parameters along with gait pattern and kneeling ability in a cohort of patients who underwent simultaneous TKA with manual instrumentation (mTKA) and rTKA in contralateral knees at a 1‐year follow‐up.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of 135 consecutive patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral TKA using robotic assistance on one side and manual instrumentation on the contralateral side between January 2022 and June 2022. The target alignment in both cohorts was adjusted mechanical. Patients were followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months to assess and compare alignment, range of motion (ROM) and patient‐reported outcome measures (PROM) data. Gait parameters and kneeling ability were assessed at 1‐year follow‐up.

Results

While adjusted mechanical alignment was achieved in all rTKA patients, we recorded five outliers (≥3° with relation to 180° HKA axis) in the mTKA cohort (three varus and two valgus). There were no significant differences between both cohorts with regards to ROM, PROM scores, gait analysis parameters and kneeling ability at 1‐year follow‐up.

Conclusion

rTKA helps in achieving the adjusted mechanical alignment more consistently than mTKA. This, however, does not contribute to better functional outcomes and patient satisfaction at 1‐year follow‐up.

Level of Evidence

Level III.
Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Bacillus subtilis on in vitro fermentation in the rumen of Hu sheep
Authors: Kamal Mahmoud , Linlin Kou , Gao Jian , Xinrui Zhao , Xinming Cheng , Haibo Wang , Lulu Dai , Abd El‐Hack Mohamed E. , Mahrose Khalid , Cheng Yanfen
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND

The demand for animal products is increasing in developing countries due to population growth. However, livestock production contributes significantly to global warming, accounting for 25%. Probiotics can help improve livestock efficiency by enhancing gut microbes and fat metabolism. They can modify rumen populations, enhance fermentation, reduce methane emissions and improve feed digestion. In this study, the goal was to determine the most effective method of reducing methane emissions in the rumen of sheep in vitro by adding different concentrations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Bacillus subtilis.

RESULTS

Adding 8 × 106 CFU g−1 S. cerevisiae during fermentation reduced pH levels after 48 h. This also increased the concentrations of NH3‐N, microbial protein and total gas production. At the same time, it decreased methane emissions. Furthermore, adding 20 × 106 CFU g−1 B. subtilis to the mixture increased total gas production (TGP) and methane production, with the highest production observed after 48 h. However, it did not affect pH levels after 48 h.

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that S. cerevisiae had significantly increased microbial protein and NH3‐N concentrations after fermentation without altering pH. Additionally, the addition of S. cerevisiae enhanced TGP and reduced methane emissions. It is worth noting that TGP increased because B. subtilis was added at a concentration of 20 × 106 CFU g−1, with no significant differences between concentrations. Therefore, we recommend adding S. cerevisiae and B. subtilis to the diet at doses of 8 and 20 × 106 CFU g−1, as it resulted in higher TGP and reduced methane emissions. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Simultaneously predicting SPAD and water content in rice leaves using hyperspectral imaging with deep multi‐task regression and transfer component analysis
Authors: Zhai Yuanning , Wang Jun , Zhou Lei , Zhang Xincheng , Ren Yun , Qi Hengnian , Zhang Chu
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND

Water content and chlorophyll content are important indicators for monitoring rice growth status. Simultaneous detection of water content and chlorophyll content is of significance. Different varieties of rice show differences in phenotype, resulting in the difficulties of establishing a universal model. In this study, hyperspectral imaging was used to detect the Soil and Plant Analyzer Development (SPAD) values and water content of fresh rice leaves of three rice varieties (Jiahua 1, Xiushui 121 and Xiushui 134).

RESULTS

Both partial least squares regression and convolutional neural networks were used to establish single‐task and multi‐task models. Transfer component analysis (TCA) was used as transfer learning to learn the common features to achieve an approximate identical distribution between any two varieties. Single‐task and multi‐task models were also built using the features of the source domain, and these models were applied to the target domain. These results indicated that for models of each rice variety the prediction accuracy of most multi‐task models was close to that of single‐task models. As for TCA, the results showed that the single‐task model achieved good performance for all transfer learning tasks.

CONCLUSION

Compared with the original model, good and differentiated results were obtained for the models using features learned by TCA for both the source domain and target domain. The multi‐task models could be constructed to predict SPAD values and water content simultaneously and then transferred to another rice variety, which could improve the efficiency of model construction and realize rapid detection of rice growth indicators. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Monotonicities of quasi‐normed Calderón–Lozanovskiĭ spaces with applications to approximation problems
Authors: Foralewski Paweł , Kolwicz Paweł
Published: September 2024

We consider the geometric structure of quasi‐normed Calderón–Lozanovskiĭ spaces. First, we study relations between the quasi‐norm and the quasi‐modular “near zero” and “near one,” which are fundamental for the theory. With their help, we provide a precise description of the basic monotonicity properties. In comparison with the well‐known normed case, we develop a number of new techniques and methods, among which the conditions and play a crucial role. From our general results, we conclude the criteria for monotonicity properties in quasi‐normed Orlicz spaces, which are new even in this particular context. We consider both the function and the sequence case as well as we admit degenerated Orlicz functions, which provides us with a maximal class of spaces under consideration. We also discuss the applications of suitable properties to the best dominated approximation problems in quasi‐Banach lattices.
Imported inputs and productivity: Unraveling the dynamics in India's manufacturing sector
Authors: Khanna Rupika , Sharma Chandan
Published: September 2024

This study investigates effects of imported intermediate inputs on firms' productivity in the Indian manufacturing. We use a panel data of manufacturing firms from 2001 to 2021 and adopt the production function approach for analysis. Our results confirm the crucial role of all three imported input types at aggregated and disaggregated levels. However, the productivity effect of imported raw materials is the largest, followed by finished goods and capital inputs. Results show the role of imports is marginally higher for high innovation, specialist‐suppliers and science‐based industries. We also show that spillover effects of foreign technology embodied in imported capital goods.
Nonexistence of solutions to quasilinear Schrödinger equations with a parameter
Authors: Yu Hongwang , Wei Yunfeng , Chen Caisheng , Chen Qiang
Published: September 2024

This paper is concerned with the class of quasilinear Schrödinger equations:

which models the self‐channeling of a high‐power ultra short laser in matter provided
, where
is a parameter, and
. Under some appropriate assumptions on
, we establish the nonexistence of solutions for the above problem.
Improving standardization and accuracy of in vivo omega plot exchange parameter determination using rotating‐frame model‐based fitting of quasi‐steady‐state Z‐spectra
Authors: Chung Julius Juhyun , Kim Hahnsung , Ji Yang , Lu Dongshuang , Zhou Iris Y. , Sun Phillip Zhe
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Although Ω‐plot‐driven quantification of in vivo amide exchange properties has been demonstrated, differences in scan parameters may complicate the fidelity of determination. This work systematically evaluated the use of quasi‐steady‐state (QUASS) Z‐spectra reconstruction to standardize in vivo amide exchange quantification across acquisition conditions and further determined it in vivo.

Methods

Simulation and in vivo rodent brain chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) data at 4.7 T were fit with and without QUASS reconstruction using both multi‐Lorentzian and model‐based fitting approaches. pH modulation was accomplished both in simulation and in vivo by inducing global ischemia via cardiac arrest. Amide parameters were determined via Ω‐plots and compared across methods.

Results

Simulation showed that Ω‐plots using multi‐Lorentzian fitting could underestimate the exchange rate, with error increasing as conditions diverged from the steady state. In comparison, model‐based fitting using QUASS estimated the same exchange rate within 2%. These results aligned with in vivo findings where multi‐Lorentzian fitting of native Z‐spectra resulted in an exchange rate of 64 ± 13 s−1 (38 ± 16 s−1 after cardiac arrest), whereas model‐based fitting of QUASS Z‐spectra yielded an exchange rate of 126 ± 25 s−1 (49 ± 13 s−1).

Conclusion

The model‐based fitting of QUASS CEST Z‐spectra enables consistent and accurate quantification of exchange parameters through Ω‐plot construction by reducing error due to signal overlap and nonequilibrium CEST effects.
What Makes Peer Fundraisers Successful? Examining Peer‐to‐Peer Fundraising Success in the Context of Peer‐to‐Peer Nonprofit–Business Collaboration
Authors: Hesse Laura , Boenigk Silke
Published: September 2024

To advance the conceptual understanding of what drives peer‐to‐peer fundraising success, this study takes a first step toward conceptualizing antecedents of peer fundraiser success based on a real‐world nonprofit–business collaboration. Drawing on social network and signaling theories, combined with knowledge from peer‐to‐peer fundraising literature, the authors developed and tested a mid‐range theory‐driven framework of peer fundraising success. The study collected observable data from a peer‐to‐peer collaboration between UNICEF and Les Mills, labeled “Workout for Water” campaign, and analyzed a unique dataset of 1899 fitness instructors who were engaged in the campaign as peer fundraisers. By contrasting characteristics and actions of successful and unsuccessful peer fundraisers, the empirical evidence from the two‐part model affirms several antecedents distinguishing between those peer fundraisers who achieve fundraising success and those who do not. The personal efforts to initiate additional actions and peer fundraiser's professional reputation within the peer community are particularly important. Furthermore, personalizing the individual's online fundraising page is important for overcoming the barrier of receiving no donations. As a key implication for practice, we present how to better realize peer‐to‐peer fundraising campaigns within a nonprofit–business collaboration setting.
An Upper Paleolithic horse mandible with an embedded lithic projectile: Insights into 16,500 cal BP hunting strategies through a unique case of bone injury from Cantabrian Spain
Authors: Cueto Marián , Camarós Edgard , Chauvin Adriana , Ontañón Roberto , Arias Pablo
Published: September 2024

Embedded artifacts in osteoarchaeological remains may be key to approaching hunting strategies and other behavioral‐related issues such as technological development. However, that kind of evidence is not common within the archaeological record and often not well‐characterized, especially for faunal remains from prehistoric sites. Here, we present and discuss a unique case of a horse (Equus caballus) mandible with an embedded lithic remains from the Upper Paleolithic (ca. 17,300–16,200 cal BP) from La Garma cave in Cantabria, Spain. Our macro‐ and microscopic faunal and lithic integrated analysis suggests that the case presented here is a potential perimortem hunting lesion, representing an uncommon hunting strategy during the Magdalenian period. Furthermore, this study, representing the first case of its kind in the Iberian Peninsula, emphasizes the importance of the taphonomic analysis of bone surfaces to approach the understanding of past human behaviors.