bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulating Peripheral Nitrogen Dopants in Single‐Atom Catalysts to Enhance Propane Dehydrogenation
Authors: Wei Fenfei , Cao Liru , Ge Bingqing , Chen Yang , Pan Xiaoli , Chai Yicong , Jing Rizheng , Hu Xixi , Wang Xiaodong , Lin Jian , Lin Sen
Published: October 2024

For single‐atom catalysts (SACs), the dopants situated near the metal site have demonstrated a significant impact on the catalytic properties. However, the effect of dopants situated further away from the metal centers and their working mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Herein, we conduct density functional theory‐driven studies on regulating the peripheral nitrogen dopants in graphene‐based SACs, with a particular focus on Ir1 SAC, for propane dehydrogenation (PDH). It is found that increasing the distance between the N dopant and the Ir1 site results in a different energy change for the reaction process compared to the dense doping models with only first and second‐shell N species. The proposed stochastic doping models demonstrate statistically that increasing the N dopant in farther shells not only enhances the activity of Ir1 but also maintains a high selectivity for propene, which is verified by experimental tests. The modulation of the d‐band center of Ir1 by stochastic N dopants effectively modifies the binding strength of reaction intermediates, thereby enabling the optimization of the potential energy surface of PDH. These results deepen the understanding of dopant states around metal sites and provide an important implication for the doping engineering in heterogeneous catalysis.
Characterization of Iminobismuthanes and Catalytic Reduction of Organic Azides via Bi(I)/Bi(III) Redox Cycling
Authors: Won Moon Hye , Nöthling Nils , Leutzsch Markus , Kuziola Jennifer , Cornella Josep
Published: October 2024

We report the stoichiometric and catalytic reactivity of organobismuth(I) complexes with organic azides. Treatment of N,C,N‐pincer bismuthinidenes with organic azides (acyl, sulfonyl, and bulky aryl) results in monomeric iminobismuthanes which can be structurally characterized —including the formal Bi=N double bond— by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Building upon the stoichiometric reactivity of the monomeric iminobismuthanes, catalytic reduction of a broad range of organic azides is developed. DFT calculations of the catalytic reaction pathway support the redox nature of the overall process.
Customizing Bonding Affinity with Multi‐Intermediates via Interfacial Electron Capture to Boost Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Water Electrolysis
Authors: Yang Liu , Liu Huibing , Li Ying , Zhong Lisong , Jin Zhaohui , Xu Xiaopei , Cao Dapeng , Chen Zhongwei
Published: October 2024

Developing efficient and earth‐abundant alkaline HER electrocatalysts is pivotal for sustainable energy, but co‐regulating its intricate multi‐step process, encompassing water dissociation, OH− desorption, and hydrogen generation, is still a great challenge. Herein, we tackle these obstacles by fabricating a vertically integrated electrode featuring a nanosheet array with prominent dual‐nitride metallic heterostructures characterized by impeccable lattice matching and excellent conductivity, functioning as a multi‐purpose catalyst to fine‐tune the bonding affinity with alkaline HER intermediates. Detailed structural characterization and theoretical calculation elucidate that charge redistribution at the heterointerface reduces the O p‐W d and H s‐W d interactions vs. single nitride, thereby enhancing OH− transfer and H2 release. As anticipated, the resulting WN‐NiN/CFP catalyst demonstrates a gratifying low overpotential of 36.8 mV at 10 mA/cm2 for alkaline HER, while concurrently maintaining operational stability for 1300 h at 100 mA/cm2 for overall water splitting. This work presents an effective approach to meticulously optimize multiple site‐intermediate interactions in alkaline HER, laying the foundation for efficient energy conversion.
Controlled Helical Organization in Supramolecular Polymers of Pseudo‐Macrocyclic Tetrakisporphyrins
Authors: Fujii Naoka , Hisano Naoyuki , Hirao Takehiro , Kihara Shin‐ichi , Tanabe Kouta , Yoshida Masaya , Tate Shin‐ichi , Haino Takeharu
Published: October 2024

Tetrakisporphyrin monomers with amino acid side chains at each end form intramolecular antiparallel hydrogen‐bonds to adopt chirally twisted pseudo‐macrocyclic structures that result in right‐handed and left‐handed (P)‐ and (M)‐conformations. The pseudo‐macrocyclic tetrakisporphyrin monomers self‐assembled to form supramolecular helical pseudo‐polycatenane polymers via head‐to‐head complementary dimerization of the bisporphyrin cleft units in an isodesmic manner. The formation of one‐handed supramolecular helical pseudo‐polycatenane polymers was confirmed by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The methyl and iso‐propyl groups at the stereogenic center greatly enhanced the induced circular dichroism in the Soret bands of the supramolecular helical pseudo‐polycatenane polymers. The induced CDs were reduced upon the introduction of large iso‐butyl and tert‐butyl groups. Atomic force microscopy revealed well‐grown and long supramolecular helical pseudo‐polycatenane polymer chains with chain lengths in the range of 361 to 13.6 nm. The right‐handed helical chains were established by the self‐assembly of the right‐handed (P)‐conformation of the pseudo‐macrocyclic monomer.
Unveiling the influence of oxygen on drug release dynamics in semipermeable polymersomes
Authors: Tollemeto Matteo , Welzen Pascal L. W. , Thamdrup Lasse H E. , Li Yudong , Patiño Padial Tania , Boisen Anja , van Hest Jan
Published: October 2024

Semipermeable polymersomes, a class of polymeric vesicles that allow molecular passage across their membranes, offer significant potential for controlled drug delivery. These vesicles can be designed for inherent or selective permeability through the choice of suitable copolymers or the incorporation of protein nanopores, respectively. In this study, we explore a novel approach using oxygen‐producing enzymatic reactions within biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol)‐poly(caprolactone‐gradient‐trimethylene carbonate) (PEG‐p(CL‐g‐TMC)) polymersomes to modulate drug release. These polymersomes were found to enhance the release of hydrophobic drugs while retaining hydrophilic drugs. The enzymatic generation of oxygen within the polymersomes increased membrane hydrophobicity, influencing drug release kinetics. The findings highlight the importance of understanding drug release kinetics in designing effective drug delivery systems, as the release rate and mechanism critically impact therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes.
Neuroprotective Role of AQP4 Knockdown in Astrocytes After Oxygen–Glucose Deprivation
Authors: Xing Xin , Zhang Shuyan
Published: October 2024

Background

Aquaporin‐4 (AQP4), predominantly expressed in astrocytes, has been implicated in the development of brain edema following ischemic events. However, its role in post‐stroke neuroinflammation is not fully understood.

Methods

Using a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mouse model, we assessed AQP4's role in post‐stroke inflammation. Brain tissue slices from male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to immunohistochemistry and western blot post‐MCAO. Additionally, primary astrocytes were isolated for quantitative real‐time PCR and immunofluorescence assays to evaluate the expression of inflammatory markers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and AQP4. AQP4 modulation was achieved using viral knockdown and overexpression methods. Neuronal damage was assessed using flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) tests in co‐culture studies.

Results

MCAO mice exhibited a significant upregulation in GFAP. This reactive astrogliosis corresponded with an elevation in inflammatory markers. AQP4 expression responded to this inflammatory trend, peaking at 6 h after OGD and returning to baseline levels at 24 and 48 h. Co‐culture experiments revealed that AQP4(+) astrocytes exacerbated injury in OGD‐treated neurons, as evidenced by increased TUNEL positivity and apoptotic events. Conversely, AQP4(−) astrocytes appeared to have a protective effect. Knockdown of AQP4 resulted in reduced post‐OGD inflammatory response, whereas AQP4 overexpression intensified the injury to neurons post‐OGD. In vivo experiments also confirmed that AQP4 inhibitor TGN‐020 reduced and overexpression of AQP4 increased behavioral abnormalities and brain infarcts.

Conclusion

Our findings underscore AQP4's pivotal role in modulating post‐stroke neuroinflammation. Targeting AQP4 may present a novel therapeutic avenue for mitigating ischemia‐induced neuronal damage.
Altered Patterns of Maternal Behavior Transitions in Rats Exposed to Limited Bedding and Nesting Material Paradigm
Authors: Pardo Grace E. , Cuevas Lucero B. , Pacheco‐Otalora Luis F. , Oruro Enver M.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Maternal care plays a fundamental role in early life, and the alteration of its patterns can negatively affect the developmental course of the offspring in a myriad of domains in both rats and humans. The limited bedding and nesting (LBN) protocol is an extensively used paradigm in rodents to address the impact of altered maternal behavior patterns on infants' neurodevelopment. Here, we explore the altered patterns of maternal care in rats in LBN conditions by describing sequences of transition between maternal behavior components using network analysis. Using this technique, we capture how often maternal behavior transitions take place during the LBN period and which behaviors play central roles in those transitions over time.

Materials and Methods

Female rats and their pups were placed in standard and LBN housing conditions from Postpartum Days 2 to 9, during which maternal behavior was observed during the light and dark phases. We used inferential statistical analysis to compare the maternal behavior profiles of control and LBN dams, and network analysis was used to capture the altered sequence of maternal behavior transitions during the period of LBN.

Results

Compared to control dams, LBN dams significantly increased their high crouch nursing posture during light/dark phases (p = 0.018), and the number of behavioral transitions increased only during the dark phase (p = 0.0004). Network analysis revealed specific altered patterns of behavioral transitions in LBN dams, characterized by the predominance of switches between active nursing postures during the first five days of the LBN protocol.

Conclusion

Nursing behavior was the most disrupted component of maternal behavior under the LBN protocol, mainly during the dark phase. Network analysis can complement and extend traditional methods to gain a more thorough understanding of maternal care strategies and behavioral patterns in LBN conditions and potential consequences for the offspring.
How the social dimension of ESG influences CEO compensation: Role of CEO and board characteristics
Authors: Rath Chetna , Tripathy Asit , Mangla Sachin Kumar
Published: October 2024

This paper examines whether social disclosures impact CEO compensation considering various CEO and board controls. By categorizing CEO‐specific attributes into CEO duality, CEO academic diversity, and insider CEO, as well as including board size and board independence as board‐specific controls, the study tests their effects on CEO compensation. This research further explores whether board gender diversity moderates the association between social disclosures and CEO compensation. The paper uses a balanced panel dataset of 67 firms extracted from the NSE Nifty 100 ESG index and applies the panel‐corrected standard error (PCSE) model as a baseline methodology. The findings revealed that the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure score significantly impacted the CEO compensation, whereas social disclosure scores assessed independently failed to create a significant association with the same. Subsequent investigation also showed a significant positive relationship between the number of female directors on the board and CEO compensation. However, female directors on the board could not amplify the firm's social disclosure practices, leading to an insignificant impact on CEO compensation. While board independence, board size, ownership structure, and CEO duality significantly affected the above relationship, insider CEO status could not. Furthermore, robustness checks using the propensity score matching (PSM) and generalized method of moments (GMM) models were also conducted to test the validity of the above results. The findings of the work offer insights to help managers, organizations, and policy planners make decisions concerning women directors, social disclosures, and CEO compensation.
Probabilities of transitions among endogenous regimes in asset returns and Environmental, Social and Governance scores
Authors: Cerqueti Roy , Da Fermo Carmine , Nicolosi Marco
Published: October 2024

Assets' returns can be efficiently clustered in regimes, that are suitably defined non‐overlapping intervals creating a partition of the real numbers. This paper explores the relationship between the transition probabilities from one regime to another in assets' returns and the assets' MSCI Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) scores. We apply the proposed methodology to the relevant empirical instance of the assets in the STOXX® Global 1800 Index. We consider three regimes—low, medium and high, on the basis of the variation range of the considered returns. Regimes are endogenous, in that their identification comes out from an entropy‐based optimization problem over the possible ranges of variation of the returns. We specifically investigate the possible linear relationship between transition probabilities among regimes and the ESG scores for different geographic regions, namely, America, Europe and Asia Pacific. The reference empirical period is the quadrennium 2018–2021. Results suggest that assets that are low ranked in ESG tend to remain in the low state of returns, if they are in the low state, while they tend to switch from higher to lower return states when the initial state is higher. On the other hand, assets that are highly ranked in the ESG dimensions, are likely to switch from a lower to a higher return state, when they are in a lower state or to remain in the same state when they are in a higher state. Results are more evident for America and Asia Pacific regions rather than Europe where regulation on ESG integration is at a more developed stage with respect to the other regions.
Critical factors for the success of Sustainable Development Goal 12 in the digital transformation era: The effect of ISO 14001
Authors: Oliveira Joana Morgado , Gomes Carlos F.
Published: October 2024

Competing in the global market requires organizations to change rapidly, addressing both digital transformation and sustainable development challenges. This study uncovers new relationships and critical factors, enriching current knowledge and guiding future research on how digital transformation enhances sustainable consumption and production (Sustainable Development Goal 12 [SDG12]) success. It identifies key factors that enhance or inhibit these relationships by combining structural model and necessary conditions analysis. The findings reveal that organizations must excel in digital capabilities directly and through excellence practices to achieve SDG12 success. ISO 14001 further strengthens the impact of digital transformation and excellence practices on SDG12. The results empirically demonstrate what European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) and American Society for Quality (ASQ) advocate: excellence practices are a tool for sustainable development. This study adds both to the literature and practice on the relationships between digital transformation, excellence models, and sustainable development and how these relationships are influenced by ISO standards.
HLX07 alone or combined with serplulimab, cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A phase 2 study
Authors: Liu Yun , Wang Yanfeng , Zhu Yanrong , Wu Tao , Liu Zhenyang , Zhou Jin , Yuan Yuan , Yang Mudan , Liu Bo , Tan Zhenbo , Zhuang Wu , Chen Jiayan , Li Ning , Wang Ying , Hu Xuhui , Wang Lin , Yu Haoyu , Wang Qingyu , Zhu Jun , Huang Jing
Published: October 2024

Background

The combination of anti‐PD‐1 antibody serplulimab and chemotherapy is considered standard first‐line therapy for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but few later‐line treatments are available. Here we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of the recombinant, humanized anti‐EGFR antibody HLX07 when used alone or together with serplulimab and chemotherapy against advanced ESCC.

Methods

This open‐label, non‐randomized, two‐cohort, phase 2 trial involved patients 18‐75 years old with histologically or cytologically confirmed locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic ESCC, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0‐1. Patients who had failed first‐line immuno‐chemotherapy or at least two lines of other systemic therapy received HLX07 monotherapy intravenously at a dose of 1,000 mg once every 2 weeks (Q2W). Patients with no prior systemic therapy received HLX07 (1,000 mg, day 1) and serplulimab (200 mg, day 1) intravenously Q2W for up to 2 years, concurrently with cisplatin (50 mg/m2, day 1) for up to 8 cycles and 5‐fluorouracil (1,200 mg/m2, days 1‐2) for up to 12 cycles intravenously Q2W. The primary endpoints were progression‐free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR).

Results

Overall, 50 patients were enrolled. In the HLX07 monotherapy group, ORR was 15.0% (3/20), and the median PFS was 1.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3 to 3.7). The median duration of response was not reached, and the rate of patients showing an objective response lasting at least 6 months was 66.7% (95% CI, 5.4 to 94.5). Two (10.0%, 2/20) patients experienced grade 3‐4 treatment‐related adverse events (TRAEs), including hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, and fatigue. No patient experienced grade 5 TRAEs. In the HLX07 combination group, the ORR was 60.0% (18/30), and the median PFS was 7.8 months (95% CI, 3.3 to 9.1). Fourteen (46.7%, 14/30) patients experienced grade 3‐4 TRAEs, and one (3.3%, 1/30) patient died due to serplulimab‐related pneumonitis.

Conclusions

HLX07 monotherapy and its combination with serplulimab and chemotherapy showed manageable toxicity and promising antitumor activity in patients with recurrent or metastatic ESCC. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to further establish the safety and efficacy of HLX07 against ESCC.

Trial registration

This trial was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05221658).
Analytical Figures of Merit in Univariate, Multivariate, and Multiway Calibration: What Have We Learned? What Do We Still Need to Learn?
Authors: Olivieri Alejandro C.
Published: October 2024

An overview of the status of the research in analytical figures of merit is provided, including all calibration scenarios from univariate to multivariate and multiway analytical protocols. Both linear and nonlinear multivariate models are considered. Starting with the simplest multivariate model, inverse least‐squares regression, the basic concepts of sensitivity, sample leverage, and limit of detection are introduced. The extension to other multivariate models is discussed, as well as to nonlinear models based on radial basis functions, kernel partial least‐squares, and multilayer feed‐forward artificial neural networks. Finally, multiway calibration models are discussed, including multilinear decomposition models such as parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) and multivariate curve resolution–alternating least‐squares (MCR‐ALS). In the latter case, recent developments concerning the pervasive phenomenon of rotational ambiguity are discussed. Unfinished works and areas where further research efforts are needed to develop closed‐form expressions and to fully understand their meaning are included.
Pacemaker Implantation for Low‐Grade Conduction Abnormalities After Balloon‐Expandable Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Wolfes Julian , Alba Fernando de Torres , Kaleschke Gerrit , Vormbrock Julia , Reinke Florian , Ellermann Christian , Baumgartner Helmut , Eckardt Lars , Frommeyer Gerrit
Published: October 2024

Introduction

A frequent complication after TAVI are postinterventional conduction abnormalities requiring permanent pacemaker implantation. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of borderline conduction abnormalities leading to pacemaker implantation and the resulting ventricular pacing amounts.

Methods and Results

All patients who underwent balloon‐expandable TAVI between 2014 and 2019 in our tertiary center were analyzed in a retrospective manner. One hundred and sixty‐five patients of 1083 TAVI‐patients developed postinterventional conduction abnormalities leading to pacemaker implantation. Of these 19 (11.5%) did not represent a clear indication for cardiac pacing according to current European guidelines. Patient characteristics, underlying conduction abnormalities, and the temporal change of ventricular pacing percentages at 24 h and 6 weeks after pacemaker implantation were analyzed.

The dominating borderline conduction abnormalities leading to pacemaker implantation were new‐onset persisting bundle‐branch‐blocks and new first‐degree AV‐blocks with progression of AV‐delay.

While pacemaker implantation was safe and without severe complications in all cases, only 6 of 19 patients had high pacing amounts (95%−100%) after 24 h while 11 patients had low to no pacing amounts (0%−5%). After 6 weeks, 8 patients showed decreasing pacing amounts, no patient had an increasing amount of ventricular pacing and all patients had an intrinsic ventricular rhythm > 30/min.

Conclusion

In our cohort of 1038 TAVI patients, 19 patients underwent PMI for borderline CAs (11.5% of all PMI). Of these, only 2 patients had high pacing amounts after 6 weeks. The risk of complete persisting heart block in these patients is very low. Furthermore, algorithms to reduce ventricular pacing are highly effective to avoid ventricular pacing whenever reasonable.
Advanced Hydrogels: Enhancing Tissue Bioengineering with RGD Peptides and Carbon Nanomaterials
Authors: Galindo Josué M. , Merino Sonia , Herrero M. Antonia
Published: October 2024

The advancement of tissue engineering (TE) is driven by the development of scaffolds that mimic the mechanical, spatial, and biological environment of the extracellular matrix (ECM), crucial for regulating cell behavior and tissue repair. Hydrogels, 3D networks of polymer chains, are particularly suited for TE due to their high biocompatibility, ability to mimic tissue water content, facilitate cell migration, sustain growth factor release, and offer controllable physical properties. However, hydrogels mimicking the ECM often face challenges related to cell adhesion due to the absence of specific receptors. This issue can be addressed by incorporating ECM components into the polymer matrix, such as the peptide sequence arginine‐glycine‐aspartic acid (RGD), known for its role in cell adhesion. Additionally, carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) offer unique physicochemical properties that can improve scaffold‐cell interactions. Despite the potential benefits, there are limited reports on their combination. RGD‐CNM hydrogels enable a more accurate emulation of the natural cellular environment, enhancing tissue engineering applications. This hybrid approach may promote robust cell adhesion along with exceptional mechanical and electrical properties. This review outlines the potential benefits of these hybrid scaffolds and their synergistic potential, aiming to inspire new research directions in this innovative field.
Advanced Research on Graphene‐Based Nano‐Materials: Synthesis, Structure, Dispersibility and Tribological Applications
Authors: Yang Kang , Chen Hongliang , Li Zhenjie , Wang Yaqiong , Li Boliang , Wang Chengyu , Qiu Shuaichao , Chen Fan
Published: October 2024

In recent years, graphene‐based nanomaterials have attracted extensive attention because of their excellent physical and chemical properties, such as high strength, high conductivity, high thermal conductivity and excellent lubrication performance. Here, the latest research progress of graphene‐based nanomaterials is reviewed in this paper, and their synthesis method, unique structure, dispersion improvement strategy and wide application in tribology are emphatically discussed. Graphene‐based materials are synthesized by typical chemical vapor deposition and reduced graphene oxide, showing nanoporous structure characteristics and excellent layered structure. Furthermore, through adjusting the chemical structure for the material, the graphene‐based materials with specific lubricating properties can be designed to meet the use requirements under different working conditions. In view of the easy agglomeration of graphene, physical and chemical dispersion methods, such as in‐situ polymerization and functionalization treatment, were introduced, which significantly improved its dispersibility in the matrix. In tribology, graphene‐based nanocomposites present the excellent anti‐friction and anti‐wear properties, which effectively reduce the coefficient of friction and prolong the service life of materials with forming the stable lubricating films. The summary for graphene‐based materials provides theoretical basis and technical support for applications in high‐end manufacturing, energy storage, and protective coatings.
Radiomics Signatures Based on Computed Tomography for Noninvasive Prediction of CXCL10 Expression and Prognosis in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Wang Xiaohua , Xing Yuanyuan , Zhou Xuan , Wang Chunhui , Han Shuyu , Zhao Sufen
Published: October 2024

Background

Ovarian cancer (OC) is an aggressive gynecological tumor usually diagnosed with malignant ascites and even observed widespread metastasis or distant spread.

Aims

We aimed to develop and identify radiomics models according to computed tomography (CT) for preoperative prediction of CXCL10 expression and prognosis in patients with OC.

Methods

Genomic data with CT images and corresponding clinicopathological parameters were extracted from The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). To analyze the prognosis, we carried out the univariate Cox regression analysis (UCRA), multivariate Cox regression analysis (MCRA), and Kaplan–Meier (KM) analysis. For the data reduction, logistic regression, operator regression, least absolute shrinkage selection, radiomic feature construction, and feature selection were utilized. The predictive performance of the radiomic signatures was assessed using the analyses of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, decision curve (DCA), and precision‐recall (PR) curve. To evaluate the correlation between the radiomic score (Rad‐score) and CXCL10 expression, the Wilcoxon rank‐sum test was applied.

Results

Three radiomics models effectively predicted CXCL10 expression levels (AUC = 0.791, 0.748, and 0.718 for the set of training; AUC = 0.761, 0.746, and 0.701 for the set of validation). A higher Rad‐score significantly correlated with upregulated CXCL10 expression.

Conclusion

CXCL10 expression can be predicted noninvasively and preoperatively via radiomic signatures based on contrast‐enhanced CT images.
Nickel‐Nitrogen Doped MnO2 as Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalyst for Aluminum Air Batteries
Authors: He Lizi , Han Ning , Lang Zirui , Wang Meiyang , Wang Yuqin , Li Lishuang
Published: October 2024

Aluminum‐air battery has the advantages of high energy density, low cost and environmental protection, and is considered as an ideal next‐generation energy storage conversion system. However, the slow oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in air cathode leads to its unsatisfactory performance. Here, we report an electrode made of N and Ni co‐doped MnO2 nanotubes. In alkaline solution, Ni/N‐MnO2 has higher oxygen reduction activity than undoped MnO2, with an initial potential of 1.00 V and a half‐wave potential of 0.75 V. This is because it has abundant defects, high specific surface area and sufficient Mn3+ active sites, which promote the transfer of electrons and oxygen‐containing intermediates. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that MnO2 doped with N and Ni atoms reduces the reaction overpotential and improves the ORR kinetics. The peak power density and energy density of the Ni/N‐MnO2 air electrode increased by 34.03 mW cm−2 and 316.41 mWh g−1, respectively. The results show that N and Ni co‐doped MnO2 nanotubes are a promising air electrode, which can provide some ideas for the research of aluminum‐air batteries.
Potential and challenges of clinical high‐dimensional flow cytometry: A call to action
Authors: Liechti Thomas , Lelios Iva , Schroeder Aaron , Decman Vilma , Gonneau Christele , Groves Christopher , Green Cherie , Alcaide Enrique Gomez
Published: October 2024

Clinical biomarker strategies increasingly integrate translational research to gain new insights into disease mechanisms or to define better biomarkers in clinical trials. High‐dimensional flow cytometry (HDFCM) holds the promise to enhance the exploratory potential beyond traditional, targeted biomarker strategies. However, the increased complexity of HDFCM poses several challenges, which need to be addressed in order to fully leverage its potential and to align with current regulatory requirements in clinical flow cytometry. These challenges include among others extended timelines for assay development and validation, the necessity for extensive knowledge in HDFCM, and sophisticated data analysis strategies. However, no guidelines exist on how to manage such challenges in adopting clinical HDFCM. Our CYTO 2024 workshop “Potential and challenges of clinical high‐dimensional flow cytometry” aimed to find consensus across the pharmaceutical industry and broader scientific community on the overall benefits and most urgent challenges of HDFCM in clinical trials. Here, we summarize the insights we gained from our workshop. While this report does not provide a blueprint, it is a first step in defining and summarizing the most pressing challenges in implementing HDFCM in clinical trials. Furthermore, we compile current efforts with the goal to overcome some of these challenges. As such we bring the scientific community and health authorities together to build solutions, which will accelerate and simplify the full adoption of HDFCM in clinical trials.
Individual variation in breeding phenology and postnatal development in northern bats (Eptesicus nilssonii)
Authors: Fjelldal Mari Aas , van der Kooij Jeroen
Published: October 2024

Bats inhabiting northern latitudes are faced with short reproductive seasons during which they must produce and rear pups before fattening up in time to survive the winter hibernation. Therefore, the timing of parturition has considerable impacts on future fitness prospects for the mother and pup. However, little is known about individual variation in breeding phenology and its consequences for postnatal development within bat populations. Here, we studied the phenology of breeding in Eptesicus nilssonii across 7 years using data collected by day‐to‐day monitoring of a breeding colony in Norway (60.1° N) for which the identity and age of each mother (N = 8) and pup (N = 28) were known. Using mixed‐effect models, we found that arrival at the colony was influenced by temperature conditions from mid‐April to mid‐May across all females, but that there were strong and consistent individual differences in arrival‐ and parturition time across years. Females generally arrived ~32.1 days before giving birth, but the gestation duration was reduced if females arrived late and prolonged if females left the colony when faced with cold weather conditions. Pups born later in the season were born smaller but had higher growth rates during the most rapid growth period (<10 days old). The within‐individual effects suggest that the higher growth rates could be due to mothers compensating (e.g. through increased food intake) for late parturition rather than by improved food availability. Date of parturition did not influence adult body size in pups. Pups became volant at the earliest only 13.1 days after birth and approached adult flight patterns during their first flight week. Our results suggest that E. nilssonii is highly adapted to a short breeding season by producing large, fast developing and early volant pups, despite the environmental pressures bats face at northern latitudes.
Elevational and Seasonal Patterns of Plant–Hummingbird Interactions in a High Tropical Mountain
Authors: Sentíes‐Aguilar Eugenia M. , Martén‐Rodríguez Silvana , Huerta‐Ramos Guillermo , Díaz‐Infante Sergio , López‐Segoviano Gabriel , Aguirre‐Jaimes Armando , Quesada‐Avendaño Mauricio , Cortés‐Flores Jorge , Arizmendi María del Coro
Published: October 2024

Tropical mountain ecosystems harbor diverse biological communities, making them valuable models for exploring the factors that shape ecological interactions along environmental gradients. We investigated the spatial and temporal drivers of plant–hummingbird interaction networks across three forest types (pine‐oak, fir, and subalpine) along a tropical high mountain gradient in western Mexico (2400 to 3700 m.a.s.l.). We measured species abundance, diversity, morphology, and interaction frequencies. Plant diversity metrics significantly declined in the highest elevation subalpine forest, whereas hummingbird diversity remained consistent across elevations. Interaction networks were similarly nested across elevations, but they were more specialized in the subalpine forest, where lower plant species richness and higher floral abundance led to greater resource partitioning among hummingbirds. Plant–hummingbird networks were larger and less specialized during the dry season, driven by greater species diversity and abundance. Species turnover explained network variation along the elevational gradient, while interaction rewiring and the arrival of migratory hummingbirds explained changes between seasons. Phenological overlap was the most important driver of the observed variation in interaction frequencies across elevations and seasons. Flower abundance had a minor influence on interaction frequencies at low‐ and mid‐elevation networks, and hummingbird abundance was significant for dry‐ and rainy‐season networks. Morphological matching was significant in the low‐elevation forest and in the dry season. Plant phylogenetic relatedness had negligible effects on interaction patterns, but hummingbird phylogeny influenced feeding preferences in high‐elevation and rainy‐season networks. Our findings highlight the role of species turnover, interaction rewiring, and phenological overlap in structuring plant–hummingbird networks, with specific effects of abundance, morphology, and phylogeny varying with elevation and season. High‐elevation ecosystems play a crucial role as reservoirs of floral resources for both resident and migratory hummingbirds during resource‐scarce periods, emphasizing their importance in maintaining biodiversity in tropical mountain gradients.
Effect of limb position change on capsaicin‐evoked pain: Evidence of interplays between the vascular and nociceptive systems?
Authors: Courtin Arthur S. , Knaepen Clara , Mouraux André , van Neerven Sabien Geraldine Antonia
Published: October 2024

Background

This experiment aimed at confirming our incidental observation that, when capsaicin is applied on the volar forearm, raising the arm to a vertical position leads to a dramatic increase in capsaicin‐evoked pain and to explore possible underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Twenty healthy volunteers received a 2% capsaicin patch on one forearm and a vehicle patch on the other. Patches were kept in place for 60 min. The perception caused by the patch was assessed repeatedly before, during and after patch application, both with the arm in horizontal resting position and raised vertically. In addition, capsaicin‐induced secondary hyperalgesia was assessed using mechanical pinprick stimuli. Half of the participants were seated upright while the other half were lying supine, to assess whether the effect of limb position on capsaicin‐evoked pain was due to gravity.

Results

After a few minutes of patch application, raising the capsaicin‐treated arm (but not the vehicle‐treated arm) led to a strong increase of the pain experienced at the patch. This effect of raising the arm did not differ between participants in the supine and seated groups and is therefore likely related to the position of the arm relative to the ground rather than to the body. Mechanical secondary hyperalgesia and the arm raising effect were strongly decorrelated at the last time point after patch removal, indicating different underlying mechanisms.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that capsaicin‐evoked pain can be strongly modulated by limb posture and that this effect may be caused by an interplay between vascular and nociceptive systems.

Significance Statement

Capsaicin‐evoked pain can be strongly modulated by limb posture and this effect may be caused by an interplay between vascular and nociceptive systems.
Attitudes towards air quality during outdoor exercise amongst habitual exercisers
Authors: Moloney Scarlett , Black Jane M , Gladwell Valerie , Bury Nic , Devereux Gavin
Published: October 2024

The effects of air pollution on health outcomes are well‐established. However, little is known about perceptions of air pollution and how it may influence exercise behaviours. The aim of this study was to understand the perceived importance of air pollution during planned exercise, and where relevant, explore how those perceptions may differ between those living in different locations. A questionnaire was disseminated to several running and cycling clubs in the United Kingdom, covering population characteristics to determine urban, rural or coastal residents and exercisers, self‐reported asthma, perceptions of air quality during active travel, planned exercise and attitudes towards learning more about the topic. Anonymised responses were gained from 381 adult participants (≥18 years and 60% female), 119 of whom answered questions related to active travel. More than half (54%) of all respondents think about the air quality they are exposed to during exercise and how it may affect their health. More urban than rural respondents (59% vs. 47% and p = 0.03) think about air quality and the impact it may have on their health when exercising. There were insufficient coastal respondents for direct comparison. Most survey respondents (57%) state that they would take the most severe course of action regarding exercise behaviour by avoiding it altogether during periods of heavy road traffic. Individuals with self‐reported asthma (n = 60), irrespective of place of residence, are the most likely to be conscious of the potential effects of air pollution on their health and exercise performance compared to counterparts without self‐reported asthma.
Eating disorder debut cases during COVID‐19 lockdown in adults. Exploring differences in treatment outcome contrasting with pre‐pandemic onset cases
Authors: Munguía Lucero , Baenas Isabel , Granero Roser , Ohsako Noriaki , Gaspar‐Pérez Anahí , Perales Iván , Rosinska Magda , Sánchez‐Díaz Isabel , Toro Jessica Jiménez‐Del , Sánchez‐González Jessica , Arcelus Jon , Paslakis Georgios , Jiménez‐Murcia Susana , Fernández‐Aranda Fernando
Published: October 2024

Objective

Despite an increase in eating disorder (ED) cases during the COVID‐19 pandemic, there are limited longitudinal studies exploring treatment outcomes. The aims of the present study were: (1) to compare the clinical features of patients with EDs whose onset was during the COVID‐19 lockdown (pandemic cohort) against patients with EDs whose onset was prior to the pandemic (pre‐pandemic cohort) and, (2) to compare therapy responses between the cohorts.

Method

The sample consisted of 115 adult women with an ED. N = 37 new ED cases (pandemic cohort) were diagnosed and included in the study during the pandemic (May 2020–May 2021); these patients did not have any previous history of an ED. We also included N = 78 ED cases (pre‐pandemic cohort) diagnosed prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic breakout (prior to March 2020). All ED subtypes were considered in both groups and several clinical variables were assessed.

Results

At baseline, pandemic cohort reported lower levels of impulsivity and higher emotional regulation capacities than the pre‐pandemic cohort; however, no differences were found in aspects of general psychopathology and ED related severity. Following treatment, the pandemic cohort showed higher rates of good outcome and lower rates of dropouts than the pre‐pandemic cohort.

Conclusions

Although both cohorts showed similar ED‐related symptoms and general psychopathology scores, treatment outcomes were more favourable in the pandemic cohort.
Similar simulation test of the mechanical properties of layered composite rock mass
Authors: Kang Jichun , Guo Jiayi , Wang Meng , Wei Sijiang , Xin Yajun
Published: October 2024

Most of the mine roadways in China are located in layered rock mass. To study the mechanical properties of a layered rock mass, the uniaxial compression test was carried out on the layered composite rock mass composed of sand and paraffin. The results showed that the locations of the high‐ and low‐strength rocks were independent of the strength of the layered composite rock. The main failure site was not affected by the combination mode. Failure was mainly concentrated in the low‐strength rock. The strengths of low‐ and high‐strength rocks determined the lower and upper limits of the strength of the layered rock, respectively. When the thickness of the layered high‐strength composite rock was >60%, the layered composite rock strength tended to be high; conversely, layered composite rock strength lowered the rock strength, and with increasing thickness, the layered composite rock strength was significantly enhanced. From the perspective of energy conversion, the effect of the thickness of the high‐strength rock mass on the strength of the layered composite rock mass was analyzed.
A novel approach to classify lithology of reservoir formations using GrowNet and Deep‐Insight with physic‐based feature augmentation
Authors: Mousavi Seyed Hamid Reza , Hosseini‐Nasab Seyed Mojtaba
Published: October 2024

Manual interpretation of geophysical logging data can be a tedious and time‐consuming task in the case of the nonlinear behavior of well‐logging signals. This study aims to enhance lithology classification of reservoir formations through advanced machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques, introducing and comparing three novel algorithms, GrowNet, Deep‐Insight, and blender, against traditional models like random forest (RF) and support vector machine (SVM). Data from the South and North Viking Graben regions, encompassing 12 lithological facies, was preprocessed through cleaning, normalization, transformation, and imputation of missing values using regression models. The data set was enhanced with physic‐based features and balanced using SMOTE and NearMiss algorithms. Deep‐Insight converted tabular data into images for a convolutional neural network (CNN), significantly improving classification accuracy compared to conventional models such as decision trees (DTs). GrowNet and blender models leveraged hybrid approaches for enhanced performance. These hybrid approaches successfully addressed data imbalance and enhanced model learning, outperforming classic methods. The GrowNet and blender models for lithology classification successfully increased the penalty score and accuracy compared to the FORCE 2020 competition. Additionally, introducing the class prediction error plot visualizes multiclass classification performance more effectively than using a confusion matrix. These novel models in multiclass classification contribute to the petroleum industry by providing more accurate and reliable lithology classification, thereby improving reservoir characterization and exploration efficiency.
An Exploratory Approach to Predicting Performance in an Online Electronics Collaborative Problem‐Solving Task
Authors: Steinberg Jonathan , Forsyth Carol , Andrews‐Todd Jessica
Published: October 2024

In a study of 370 postsecondary students in electronics, engineering, and other science classes, we investigated collaborative problem‐solving (CPS) skills that best predict performance at individual levels in an online electronics environment. The results showed that while monitoring was a consistent predictor across levels, other skills such as executing, sharing information, planning, and maintaining communication each predicted individual performance at one or more levels of the task. The availability of background data on students' content classes and associated content knowledge to analyze the model results can help identify possible cues for instructors across domains to help students improve specific CPS skills to achieve high performance in activities conducted in collaborative learning environments.
An extensive multivocal literature review of blockchain technology: Evolution, challenges, platforms, security, and interoperability
Authors: Monika  , Bhatia Rajesh , Kumar Manish
Published: October 2024

Blockchain technology has gained enormous interest from industry and academia recently. Technology enthusiasts are exploring its use case beyond cryptocurrencies and claim that blockchain technology can overcome the inefficiencies of centralized systems. In this study, we continue the work of previous authors, aiming to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the technical aspects of blockchain. This study is the first of its kind to review and analyze the current status of different technical aspects of blockchain technology influencing its adoption. We performed an extensive multivocal review to (i) demonstrate the progress of blockchain, (ii) discuss the challenges related to the wide‐scale adoption of the technology, (iii) present a detailed analysis of blockchain platforms, (iv) highlight security and interoperability issues followed by the solutions proposed in the literature. We have considered 259 peer‐reviewed research papers and the gray literature related to 40 blockchain platforms to provide an in‐depth analysis of blockchain technology. In conclusion, this comprehensive survey provides a holistic view of blockchain technology's progress. It identifies challenges, trends, and future research directions, serving as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners seeking to navigate the dynamic blockchain landscape.
The performance of a high‐resolution satellite‐derived precipitation product over the topographically complex landscape of Eswatini
Authors: Dlamini Wisdom M. D. , Tfwala Samkele S.
Published: October 2024

The study evaluated the use of Climate Hazard Group InfraRed Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) data for monitoring rainfall data in Eswatini. Various statistical metrics such as Bias, correlation coefficient (r), mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) were used to evaluate the CHIRPS 2.0 data against 14 rain gauge observations acquired during 1981–2020. CHIRPS 2.0 rainfall agrees well with rain gauge precipitation at monthly (r = 0.73, Bias = 1.02, RMSE = 50.44 and MAD = 31.44), seasonal (r = 0.77, Bias = 1.01, RMSE = 36.99 and MAD = 24.15) and annual scales (r = 0.65, Bias = 2.46, RMSE = 500.78 and MAD = 468.06). Moreover, areas characterized by complex topography and land use, and areas in transition zones (to a different agroecological zone) had generally poor correlations. Nonetheless, CHIRPS 2.0 captures well the spatial distribution of rainfall in the different agroecological zones of Eswatini, even in areas with no rain gauge data. In conclusion, CHIRPS 2.0 can be a very valuable tool in filling gaps created by poor spatial coverage of ground‐based rain gauges, especially in the developing world where this is often the case.