bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Buccal Fat Pad Removal for Thinner Cheeks: A Case Report
Authors: Roman-Torres Caio Vinicius G. , Araújo Marcello Torres M. de , Pasquinelli Fernanda , Pereira Angela Cristina de Jesus , Gracia-Neto Edson , Sendyk Wilson Roberto
Published: February 2023

Aims: In recent years there has been an increasing number of procedures for removing the buccal fat pad, also known as cheek reduction or face thinning surgery. Bichat buccal fat can be used as part of the therapeutic procedure in several cases of oroantral communication and in other oral surgery procedures. The objective of this case report was to demonstrate the procedure for removing the buccal fat pad for aesthetic purposes.

Study Design:  Case report.

Place and Duration of Study: Case carried out in 2021 in a private dental office in the city of Santos-SP- Brazil.

Presentation of Case: After completing the anamnesis and oral clinical assessment, the patient underwent laboratory tests for preoperative evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging of the malar region. Buccal fat pad removal is a minor procedure, and the surgical technique is considered simple and safe if performed by trained and experienced professionals. The postoperative period requires rest in the first days and limited mouth opening is a common symptom, and the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatories adequately controls any painful symptoms.

Results: The procedure can be performed by a dentist if the practitioner has a local anatomical knowledge, follows the indication for each case, and take all pre and postoperative care that is necessary to avoid complications.

Conlusions: When we have the correct indication, preoperative exams that indicate that everything is correct in relation to the presence of buccal fat pad and their relationship with adjacent structures and the execution of the technique with postoperative control, there is no way that professionals and patients cannot be happy with the buccal fat pad removal results.
Research on the Learning of University Students Majoring in Mathematics in China
Authors: Li Linmei , Yang Zezhong
Published: February 2023

Recently, the China government has increasingly attached importance to the development of basic science. As the reserve talents to promote the development of mathematics, university students majoring in mathematics have received the attention of researchers for their mathematics learning. At present, there are many studies on students majoring in mathematics, however, few complete reviews and sorting in this aspect. In this paper, the literature analysis method and statistical method are adopted to review the relevant research literature from 2003 to 2022. The following conclusions are drawn: (1) There are three main research aspects about mathematics learning of college students majoring in mathematics: the current situation, the influencing factors, and strategies to help them. (2) Regarding the situation, there is more research on the problems of students majoring in mathematics and a lack of analysis and research on the causes. (3) About the influencing factors, scholars have explored ample influencing factors, and have a certain research basis and depth. But the complete influencing factors and the mechanism of the factors influencing them are still a blank spot. (4) The strategies are mainly aimed at universities and teachers, and the research has put forward some commonly recognized strategies. However, these strategies are broad and general, lacking pertinence for students majoring in mathematics. It is necessary to analyze the causes of problems existing and put forward more targeted suggestions for the students majoring in mathematics to make research more comprehensive and in-depth.
Capital Flight and Exchange Rate Policy in Covid-19 Context: What are the Explanatory Factors in the Franc Zone and Non-Franc Zone Countries?
Authors: Tameko Gautier Tchoffo
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study is to make a comparative analysis of the macroeconomic and institutional determinants of capital flight between franc zone and non-franc zone countries over the 1984-2018 period. The pooled mean groups (PMG) regression results show that the exchange rate negatively and significantly determines capital flight in the franc zone countries, while in the non-franc zone countries, the exchange rate positively but insignificantly determines capital flight. We are more interested in this subject because of the persistence of capital flight in these areas after the Covid-19 crisis. Our main recommendation is to put in place policies to control exchange rate fluctuations, especially in the non-franc zone countries. This could help limit expectations of capital flight when for cyclical reasons, exchange rates depreciate.
Violin Plot
Authors: Aberasturi Dillon T.
Published: February 2023

Although less well known than boxplots and histograms, violin plots present one commonly used method for illustrating probability density functions of random variables from sample data. As an important graphical tool, the violin plot provides one with the ability to combine nonparametric estimates of probability density functions with other summary information, such as boxplots, and then compare distributions across multiple random variables. In this article, we introduce violin plots, explain their strengths and weaknesses, and provide some example code within the software R.
European Network for Business and Industrial Statistics (ENBIS): A Journey
Authors: Kenett Ron S. , Coleman Shirley , Zempléni András , De Frenne Anne
Published: February 2023

This article describes the journey of the European Network for Business and Industrial Statistics (ENBIS) founded 20 years ago. It describes its various activities including conferences, special topic meetings, webinars, awards, and publications. ENBIS is a proven model where academics and practitioners meet to exchange ideas and information on statistics and analytics.
Effect of Zn Addition on the Microstructural Heterogeneity and Mechanical Properties of Vacuum‐Assisted High‐Pressure Die Casting Al–Si–Mg–Cu alloys
Authors: Jiang Yuanhang , Zheng Huiting , Liu Fei , Zhao Haidong
Published: February 2023

Herein, Al–8Si–0.5Mn–0.5 Mg–0.2Cu–xZn alloys (x = 0, 1, 2, and 3 wt%) are produced by a vacuum‐assisted high‐pressure die casting process. The effects of Zn addition on the surface layer thickness and segregation band, the number density of externally solidified crystals (ESCs), and mechanical properties of the alloys are systemically investigated. As the Zn content increases, the size and number density of the ESCs increase. The morphology and size of the eutectic Si phase could be modified by the addition of Zn. In addition, the microstructural heterogeneity indicates that the thickness of the surface layer and segregation band zone increase with increasing Zn content. Proper Zn addition can effectively promote the improvement of strength and elongation in the as‐cast state. When the Zn content is 2 wt%, the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation of the alloy are 167, 311 MPa, and 10.8%, respectively.
Self‐Repairing Coating with Excellent Mechanical Properties by Compatibility Epoxy Resin‐Loaded Polyurea Formaldehyde Microcapsule
Authors: Hu Songqing , Wang Mengjia , Wang Pei , Jiang Hao , Cheng Meng , Sun Shuangqing , Li Chunling
Published: February 2023

Polymer coating is one of the most widely used methods to inhibit metal corrosion. However, the continuous generation and aggregation of microcracks inside the coating eventually lead to cracking or damage at the macro level, which greatly damage the mechanical and protective properties of the coating. Therefore, the polyurea‐formaldehyde microcapsules loaded with epoxy resin repair agent in the resin matrix are mixed and dispersed. When microcracks are generated inside the coating, the extension and expansion of microcracks would cause the microcapsules to rupture, thereby releasing the repair agent. The repair agent fills the microcracks under the siphon effect and then repair the microcracks, thereby restoring its mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and appearance. The weight fraction of microcapsules on the internal bonding strength and anticorrosive performance of the scratched samples are studied under tensile test and salt spray condition, which reveal the coatings with microcapsules in the range of 15–20 wt%, demonstrate the best performance. It is worth noting that the research provides some theoretical support and practical guidance for the study of metal anticorrosive coatings with self‐healing function.
Enhanced Magnetization in CoFe2O4 Through Hydrogen Doping
Authors: Li Zhuolu , Lyu Yingjie , Ran Zhao , Wang Yujia , Zhang Yang , Lu Nianpeng , Wang Meng , Sassi Michel , Ha Thai Duy , T. N'Diaye Alpha , Shafer Padraic , Pearce Carolyn , Rosso Kevin , Arenholz Elke , Juang Jenh‐Yih , He Qing , Chu Ying‐Hao , Luo Weidong , Yu Pu
Published: February 2023

Magnetic spinel oxides have attracted extensive research interest due to their rich physics and wide range of applications. However, these materials invariably suffer suppressed magnetization, due to structural imperfections (e.g., disorder, anti‐site defects, etc.). Herein, a dramatic enhanced magnetization is obtained with an increasement of 5 µB/u.c in CoFe2O4 (CFO) through ionic liquid gating induced hydrogen doping. The intercalated hydrogen ions lead to both distinct lattice expansion of ≈0.7% and notable Fe valence state reduction through electron doping, in which ≈17% Fe3+ is reduced into Fe2+. These facts collectively trigger a site‐specific spin‐flip on tetrahedrally coordinated Co2+ sites that enhances the net ferrimagnetic moment nearly to its theoretical maximum for perfect CFO.
Advances in Printing and Electronics: From Engagement to Commitment
Authors: Martins P. , Pereira N. , Lima A. C. , Garcia A. , Mendes‐Filipe C. , Policia R. , Correia V. , Lanceros‐Mendez S.
Published: February 2023

In recent years, printed electronics reached enormous popularity as a result of their huge potential to offer unique features that are not attainable through traditional fabrication, namely low‐cost production, multifunctionality, stretchability, sustainability, and flexibility. Being expected a galloping increase in the use of printed technologies in the near future, due to the digitalization efforts associated with the Internet of Things and the 4.0 revolution, it is timely and desirable to discuss the joint features, the interrelations, the complementarities, the interdependency, and the most demanding challenges linked to the relation between printed technologies and electronic materials. In this context, this study offers a broad review of the numerous printing technologies used in the processing of electronics, commonly used substrates, the most effective printed electronic materials, and the key post‐printing treatments such as sintering. Disruptive challenges in various printing techniques, (un)expected future research directions of printed electronics, and imminent application trends are also highlighted, following a critical and subjective perspective.
Undoped Hole Transport Layer Toward Efficient and Stable Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Li Zhuowei , Wang Junlin , Deng Yanyu , Xi Jianing , Zhang Yi , Liu Chunyu , Guo Wenbin
Published: February 2023

Numerous strategies have been practiced to improve the power conversion efficiency of CsPbI2Br‐based perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which definitely makes efficiency gradually approach the theoretical efficiency limit. However, sufficient device stability is still in urgent demand for commercialization, pushing to overcome some instability sources induced by hygroscopicity of spiro‐OMeTAD and residual strain of perovskite layer. To address these issues, p‐type semiconductor of PCPDTBT is used to replace spiro‐OMeTAD, enabling dual functions of hole transport and strain regulation. On the one hand, undoped PCPDTBT performs excellent hole extraction and transport, while avoiding the perovskite degradation caused by the hygroscopicity of common additives. On the other hand, PCPDTBT assisted by a thermally spin‐coating method compensates for the thermally‐induced residual strain in perovskite layer owing to its high thermal expansion coefficient. Consequently, CsPbI2Br‐based PSCs with PCPDTBT layer achieve improved efficiency of 16.5% as well as enhanced stability. This study provides a simple and facile strategy to achieve efficient and stable CsPbI2Br‐based PSCs.
Anti‐Dissociation Passivation via Bidentate Anchoring for Efficient Carbon‐Based CsPbI2.6Br0.4 Solar Cells
Authors: Liao Yongyu , Zhang Jianxin , Wang Wenran , Yang Zechao , Huang Rong , Lin Jiage , Che Lei , Yang Guoying , Pan Zhenxiao , Rao Huashang , Zhong Xinhua
Published: February 2023

Molecular passivation on perovskite surface is an effective strategy to inhibit surface defect‐assisted recombination and reduce nonradiative recombination loss in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the majority of passivating molecules bind to perovskite surface through weak interactions, resulting in weak passivation effects and susceptible to interference from various factors. Especially in carbon‐based perovskite solar cells (C‐PSCs), the molecular passivation effect is more susceptible to disturbance in subsequent harsh preparation of carbon electrodes via blade‐coating route. Herein, bidentate ligand 2,2′‐Bipyridine (2Bipy) is explored to passivate surface defects of CsPbI2.6Br0.4 perovskite films. The results indicate that compared with monodentate pyridine (Py), bidentate 2Bipy shows a stronger chelation with uncoordinated Pb(II) defects and exhibits a greater passivation effect on perovskite surface. As a result, 2Bipy‐modified perovskite films display a significantly boosted photoluminescence lifetime, accompanied by excellent anchoring stability and anti‐dissociation of passivating molecules. Meanwhile, the moisture resistance of the 2Bipy‐modified perovskite films is also significantly enhanced. Consequently, the efficiency of C‐PSCs is improved to 16.57% (Jsc = 17.16 mA cm−2, Voc = 1.198 V, FF = 80.63%). As far as it is known, this value represents a new record efficiency for hole transport material‐free inorganic C‐PSCs.
Hybrid Extracellular Vesicles‐Liposomes Camouflaged Magnetic Vesicles Cooperating with Bioorthogonal Click Chemistry for High‐Efficient Melanoma Circulating Tumor Cells Enrichment
Authors: Kang Ke , Zhang Yujia , Zhou Xiaoxi , Yu Yue , Zhu Nanhang , Cheng Jia , Yi Qiangying , Wu Yao
Published: February 2023

The capture of melanoma circulating tumor cells (melanoma CTCs, MelCTCs) is of great significance for the early diagnosis and personalized treatment of melanoma. The rarity and heterogeneity of MelCTCs have greatly limited the development of MelCTCs capture methods, especially those based on immune/aptamer‐affinity. Herein, an extracellular vesicles‐camouflaged strategy is designed to functionalize the magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) and to generate magnetic vesicles (Fe3O4@lip/ev) with excellent antifouling and active tumor cell targeting properties. Combined with the bioorthogonal click chemistry, the engineered magnetic vesicles with dibenzocyclooctyne can be widely used to target and separate all the metabolically labeled CTCs with varied phenotypes, organ origin, and even the biological species. The capture efficiency exceeded 80% with an extremely low detection limitation of ten cells. Most importantly, the strategy proposed can be directly applied to enrich MelCTCs from 0.5 mL blood samples of melanoma‐bearing mice, with a greatly minimized residue of white blood cells (only 21–568) while ignoring the fluctuations of MelCTC phenotype.
Ratio Fluorescent Detecting of Tryptophan and Its Metabolite 5‐Hydroxyindole‐3‐acetic Acid Relevant with Depression via Tb(III) Modified HOFs Hybrids: Further Designing Recyclable Molecular Logic Gate Connected by Back Propagation Neural Network
Authors: Zhu Kai , Xu Xin , Yan Bing
Published: February 2023

Exploring intelligent fluorescent materials with high reliability and precision to diagnose diseases is significant but remains a great challenge. Herein, based on coordination post‐synthetic modification, a Tb3+ functionalized ME‐PA (Tb@1) is prepared, which can emit brilliant green fluorescence through ligand‐to‐mental charge transfer‐assisted energy transfer (LMCT‐ET) process from ME‐PA to Tb3+ ions. Tb@1 can simultaneously distinguish Tryptophan (Try) and its metabolite 5‐hydroxyindole‐3‐acetic acid (5‐HIAA), two effective indicators for depression, in ratio and colorimetric mode. And this sensor behaves the advantages of high efficiency and sensitivity, as well as excellent reusability and anti‐interference. The PET process from ME to Try and 5‐HIAA, and the competitive absorption between analytes and Tb@1 may be relevant to sensing mechanism. In realistic serum or urine environment, the detection limits of Tb@1 for Try and 5‐HIAA are 0.0183 and 0.0149 mg L−1 respectively. Moreover, in conjunction with back propagation neural network (BPNN), two dual‐output molecular logic gates that can be calculated circularly are further designed, which realizes intelligent control of the electronic component to identify the existence of two biomarkers and judge their concentrations from fluorescence images. This work offers a novel approach to modulate logic circuits based on ML‐assisted HOF fluorescent sensor, with promising application for a precise and pictorial depression diagnosis.
Pore Perforation of Graphene Coupled with In Situ Growth of Co3Se4 for High‐Performance Na‐Ion Battery
Authors: Liu Tao , Yang Yu , Cao Shaowen , Xiang Ronghua , Zhang Liuyang , Yu Jiaguo
Published: February 2023

Graphene‐based nanomaterials have sprung up as promising anode materials for sodium‐ion batteries due to the intriguing properties of graphene itself and the synergic effect between graphene and active materials. However, the 2D graphene sheet only allows the rapid diffusion of sodium ions along the parallel direction while that of the vertical direction is difficult, limiting the rate capability of graphene‐based electrode materials. To tackle this problem, pore‐forming engineering has been employed to perforate graphene and concurrently achieve the in situ growth of Co3Se4 nanoparticles. The generation of in‐plane nanohole breaks through the physical barriers of the graphene nanosheets, enabling the fast diffusion of electrolyte ions in the longitudinal direction. In addition, this design limits the aggregation of Co3Se4 nanoparticles because of the high affinity of Co3Se4 on graphene. Benefiting from the high conductivity and fast ion transport bestowed by the ingenious architecture, the Co3Se4/holey graphene exhibits a remarkable rate performance of 519.5 mAh g−1 at 5.0 A g−1 and desirable cycle stability. Conclusions drawn from this investigation are that the transport of sodium inside the graphene‐based composites is crucial for rate performance enhancement and this method is effective in modifying graphene‐based nanomaterials as potential anode materials.
Current Advances on the Single‐Atom Nanozyme and Its Bioapplications
Authors: Peng Chao , Pang Ruoyu , Li Jing , Wang Erkang
Published: February 2023

Nanozymes, a class of nanomaterials mimicking the function of enzymes, have aroused much attention as the candidate in diverse fields with the arbitrarily tunable features owing to the diversity of crystalline nanostructures, composition, and surface configurations. However, the uncertainty of their active sites and the lower intrinsic deficiencies of nanomaterial‐initiated catalysis compared with the natural enzymes promote the pursuing of alternatives by imitating the biological active centers. Single‐atom nanozymes (SAzymes) maximize the atom utilization with the well‐defined structure, providing an important bridge to investigate mechanism and the relationship between structure and catalytic activity. They have risen as the new burgeoning alternative to the natural enzyme from in vitro bioanalytical tool to in vivo therapy owing to the flexible atomic engineering structure. Here, focus is mainly on the three parts. First, a detailed overview of single‐atom catalyst synthesis strategies including bottom‐up and top‐down approaches is given. Then, according to the structural feature of single‐atom nanocatalysts, the influence factors such as central metal atom, coordination number, heteroatom doping, and the metal–support interaction are discussed and the representative biological applications (including antibacterial/antiviral performance, cancer therapy, and biosensing) are highlighted. In the end, the future perspective and challenge facing are demonstrated.
Copper(II)‐Catalyzed Cascade Reactions of N‐Aryl Nitrones and Disubstituted Allenoates to Prepare [1,3]Oxazino[3,2‐a]indolines and Dihydropyrido[1,2‐a]indolines
Authors: Xu Pei‐Pei , Xin Su‐Ge , Li Xue , Liang Cui , Mo Dong‐Liang
Published: February 2023

We described a copper(II)‐catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of N‐aryl‐α,β‐unsaturated nitrones with disubstituted allenoates bifurcated to prepare various [1,3]oxazino[3,2‐a]indolines and dihydropyrido[1,2‐a]indolines in moderate to excellent yields. Mechanistic studies revealed that [1,3]oxazino[3,2‐a]indoline was a kinetically favored product and dihydropyrido[1,2‐a]indoline was thermodynamically favored product. Moreover, the reaction was easily performed at gram scales and chiral dihydropyrido[1,2‐a]indoline could be obtained by using chiral auxiliary. The present method highlights broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, and diversity of indoline scaffolds with high diastereoselectivity.

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Hydrogel‐Based Multifunctional Soft Electronics with Distributed Sensing Units: A Review
Authors: Zhang Chuan Wei , Hao Xing Peng , Zheng Qiang , Wu Zi Liang
Published: February 2023

Soft electronics have attracted great interest owing to their potential applications in electronic skins, implanted devices, soft robotics, etc. Among the various soft materials, hydrogels are recognized as an ideal building block of soft electronics due to their tissue‐like physicochemical properties, abundant stimuli‐responses, and excellent mechanical compliances. Compared to elastomers, hydrogels containing large amounts of water exhibit better mechanical match to soft tissues and permeability to hydrophilic molecules. To date, most hydrogel‐based soft electronics (HSE) are facilely developed using a bulk conductive gel as the sensing unit, different from the elastomer‐based soft electronics with sophisticated integration of electronic elements. To advance their applications in engineering and biomedical fields, it is significant to devise hydrogel electronics with distributed sensing units. This Review summarizes the fabrication and applications of HSE, focusing on the multifunctional HSE with patterned conductive circuits and distributed sensing units. First, the fabrication of single‐functional soft electronics is briefly introduced with a bulk gel as the building block, including strain, temperature, chemical, and proximity sensors. Then, the approaches to integrating multiple sensing units into one hydrogel are summarized with examples of applications. Finally, perspectives are given on future directions and potential challenges in this field.
Biopolymeric Coatings for Local Release of Therapeutics from Biomedical Implants
Authors: Talebian Sepehr , Mendes Bárbara , Conniot João , Farajikhah Syamak , Dehghani Fariba , Li Zhongyan , Bitoque Diogo , Silva Gabriela , Naficy Sina , Conde João , Wallace Gordon G.
Published: February 2023

The deployment of structures that enable localized release of bioactive molecules can result in more efficacious treatment of disease and better integration of implantable bionic devices. The strategic design of a biopolymeric coating can be used to engineer the optimal release profile depending on the task at hand. As illustrative examples, here advances in delivery of drugs from bone, brain, ocular, and cardiovascular implants are reviewed. These areas are focused to highlight that both hard and soft tissue implants can benefit from controlled localized delivery. The composition of biopolymers used to achieve appropriate delivery to the selected tissue types, and their corresponding outcomes are brought to the fore. To conclude, key factors in designing drug‐loaded biopolymeric coatings for biomedical implants are highlighted.
Rock around DYRK1A: Ethnic diversity, clinical challenges
Authors: Moroni Alice , Pezzani Lidia , Alfei Enrico , Scatigno Agnese , Cereda Anna , Marzaroli Michela , Guuva Claudia , Gabbiadini Sara , Pezzoli Laura , Marchetti Daniela , Spaccini Luigina , Iascone Maria
Published: February 2023

DYRK1A‐related intellectual disability is a recently described syndrome characterized by microcephaly, global developmental delay, impaired speech development, and distinctive facial features, which let to define it as a recognizable syndrome. Here we report four new patients of different ethnicity, broadening the clinical phenotype of the condition and highlighting how ethnic influences in the facial appearance could make it less recognizable.
Akaike's Information Criterion for Stoichiometry Inference of Supramolecular Complexes
Authors: Ikemoto Koki , Takahashi Kanato , Ozawa Takeaki , Isobe Hiroyuki
Published: February 2023

“How do we decide the stoichiometry of host–guest complexes?” This question has long been answered by the Job plot since its first report in 1928. However, as the Job plot was claimed to be misleading in 2016, the question became an open question again and called for renewed investigations. An information‐theoretic approach, called Akaike's information criterion, is introduced in this study to select the best model of host–guest complexes, which can rank the models with weight of evidence. A few test cases with unique cylindrical hosts were examined to demonstrate the applicability of the information‐theoretic method. Consequently, reasonable views over the thermodynamic behaviors of dumbbell‐and‐cylinder complexes were obtained. Akaike's information criterion can be a useful and superior alternative to statistical null hypothesis testing, which was proposed as a remedy in place of the Job plot.
Peptide‐mediated Aqueous Synthesis of NIR‐II Emitting Ag2S Quantum Dots for Rapid Photocatalytic Bacteria Disinfection
Authors: Sun Peiqing , Li Kunlun , Liu Xiao , Wang Jing , Qiu Xusheng , Wei Wei , Zhao Jing
Published: February 2023

Pathogenic microorganisms in the environment are a great threat to global human health. The development of disinfection method with rapid and effective antibacterial properties is urgently needed. In this study, a biomimetic silver binding peptide AgBP2 was introduced to develop a facile synthesis of biocompatible Ag2S quantum dots (QDs). The AgBP2 capped Ag2S QDs exhibited excellent fluorescent emission in the second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) window, with physical stability and photostability in the aqueous phase. Under 808 nm NIR laser irradiation, AgBP2‐Ag2S QDs can serve not only as a photothermal agent to realize NIR photothermal conversion but also as a photocatalyst to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). The obtained AgBP2‐Ag2S QDs achieved a highly effective disinfection efficacy of 99.06 % against Escherichia coli within 25 min of NIR irradiation, which was ascribed to the synergistic effects of photogenerated ROS during photocatalysis and hyperthermia. Our work demonstrated a promising strategy for efficient bacterial disinfection.
Engineering Photosynthetic Microbial Consortia for Carbon‐Negative Biosynthesis
Authors: Wang Bo , Dai Zhuojun
Published: February 2023

Microbial consortia consisting of phototrophs and heterotrophs have raised extensive attention due to their potential in sustainable biotechnology. The challenge remains in the selection of appropriate partners since most heterotrophic microorganisms cannot naturally use the intermediate carbohydrates secreted by autotrophic partners. In a recent study, the Ni Lab has developed a highly compatible autotrophic‐heterotrophic symbiotic system comprising Synechococcus elongatus and Vibrio natriegens. V. natriegens (the sucrose utilization module) shows a high degree of nutritional complementarity and culturing compatibility with the engineered S. elongatus (the CO2 sequestration module). The combination of both species channels CO2 into various valuable chemicals, enabling carbon‐negative biosynthesis.
Cerium immobilized carbon nitride: A proficient and recyclable catalyst to construct carbon–carbon double bonds in water
Authors: Saravanan Vadivel , Lakshmanan Pandian , Ramalingan Chennan
Published: February 2023

Cerium immobilized graphitic carbon nitride (Ce‐GCN) was prepared to construct carbon–carbon double bonds from heteroaromatic/homoaromatic/aliphatic carbonyl compounds and melononitriles. The catalyst was prepared using the method of co‐precipitation and characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Upon utilization of the catalyst thus prepared, the reaction proceeded well in water, a green solvent at ambient temperature. The catalytic efficiency revealed good performance toward reusability.
Synthesis and characterization of a novel active polymer for enhanced oil recovery
Authors: Chen Qingyuan , Zhang Shusong , Wang Zhouxin , Ye Zhongbin , Lai Nanjun
Published: February 2023

A new type of quaternary ammonium surface‐active polymer for enhanced oil‐recovery application was synthesized through the free‐radical polymerization of a functional monomer (DMCA) with acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AM) and denoted as AM/AMPS/DMCA. The optimum polymerization conditions of AM/AMPS/DMCA were explored, and its chemical structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance, and environmental scanning electron microscopy. The molecular weight of AM/AMPS/DMCA was determined by gel‐permeation chromatography. Its thickening ability, oil–water interfacial tension, and emulsifying property were investigated. Results showed that AM/AMPS/DMCA had superior thickening ability and lower interfacial tension than the binary polymer AM/AMPS, as well as good emulsifying properties. AM/AMPS/DMCA also yielded 26.00% oil recovery, higher than the 20.57% of AM/AMPS, as determined using polymer‐flooding tests. The oil‐displacement mechanisms of this surface‐active polymer at pore level were also explored. Analysis of microscopic displacement characteristics through a visual micromodel revealed that AM/AMPS/DMCA solution improved sweep efficiency and reduced residual‐oil saturation due to its bulk viscosity and surface activation. All these findings indicated the excellent potential of AM/AMPS/DMCA in oil displacement.
Effects of dolomite and intumescent flame retardant additions on thermal and combustion behaviors of rigid polyurethane foams
Authors: Aydoğan Bilal , Usta Nazim
Published: February 2023

Weak thermal stability and low‐burning resistance of the rigid polyurethane foams are the classic problems in the usage of them. Therefore, it is required to improve these problems of the foams while reducing the cost of production. This study investigated the effects of dolomite (DOL) and intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system on thermal and combustion behaviors of rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs). For this purpose, DOL (5, 10, and 15 wt%) and DOL/IFR (5/5, 10/5, and 5/10 wt%) combinations were added into RPUFs. Thermogravimetric analyses were performed to investigate the thermal decompositions of the foams and the thermal conductivity measurements were performed to examine the effects of DOL and DOL/IFR additions on the thermal insulation properties of the foams. Cone calorimeter and UL 94 tests were performed to investigate the fire resistances of the foams. The test results showed that up to 15 wt% DOL could be incorporated into the rigid polyurethane foams as filler without any problems in the foam productions, and the thermal and the combustion behaviors of the foams were slightly enhanced. In addition, it was determined that IFR should be used to improve the thermal stability and the fire resistance of the DOL added foams. Among DOL/IFR combinations, 5 wt% DOL and 10 wt% IFR addition satisfied the best performance in terms of the thermal stability and the fire resistance with reducing the smoke, CO, CO2 and NO emissions. In general, the additions of DOL and IFR slightly increased the thermal conductivity coefficients of the foams.
SC‐560 and mofezolac isosteres as new potent COX‐1 selective inhibitors with antiplatelet effect
Authors: Sisa Miroslav , Konečný Lukáš , Temml Veronika , Carazo Alejandro , Mladěnka Přemysl , Landa Přemysl
Published: February 2023

Selective cyclooxygenase (COX)‐1 inhibitors can be employed as potential cardioprotective drugs. Moreover, COX‐1 plays a key role in inflammatory processes and its activity is associated with some types of cancer. In this work, we designed and synthesized a set of compounds that structurally mimic the selective COX‐1 inhibitors, SC‐560 and mofezolac, the central cores of which were replaced either with triazole or benzene rings. The advantage of this approach is a relatively simple synthesis in comparison with the syntheses of parent compounds. The newly synthesized compounds exhibited remarkable activity and selectivity toward COX‐1 in the enzymatic in vitro assay. The most potent compound, 10a (IC50 = 3 nM for COX‐1 and 850 nM for COX‐2), was as active as SC‐560 (IC50 = 2.4 nM for COX‐1 and 470 nM for COX‐2) toward COX‐1 and it was even more selective. The in vitro COX‐1 enzymatic activity was further confirmed in the cell‐based whole‐blood antiplatelet assay, where three out of four selected compounds (10a,c,d, and 3b) exerted outstanding IC50 values in the nanomolar range (9–252 nM). Moreover, docking simulations were performed to reveal key interactions within the COX‐1 binding pocket. Furthermore, the toxicity of the selected compounds was tested using the normal human kidney HK‐2 cell line.
Effects of the geometry of reinforcement on physical properties of sodium caseinate/TiO2 nanocomposite films for applications in food packaging
Authors: Hoyos Merlano Nurys Tatiana , Guz Lucas , Borroni Virginia , Candal Roberto Jorge , Herrera María Lidia
Published: February 2023

Plastic materials for food packaging are being replaced by biodegradable films based on biopolymers due to the adverse effects they have had on animal life and the environment. In this study, nanocomposite films containing 2.5 wt% sodium caseinate and 2 wt% glycerol were reinforced with 0.1 or 0.2 wt% nano TiO2 prepared in two forms: spheres (P25) and tubes. The effects of nanoreinforcement geometry on mechanical, tensile, barrier, thermogravimetric, and optical properties, and distribution of nanoparticles were described. The interactions among film components were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Addition of nanotubes significantly increased E' (341 wt%) and E" (395 wt%) moduli, the Young modulus E (660 wt%), the residual mass at 500°C (38 wt%), and color change (6.78) compared to control film. The compositional mapping studies showed that P25 nanoparticles were homogeneously distributed between the surfaces of the film while nanotubes were found on the bottom surface. The changes in position of the FTIR spectra signals as compared to pure protein signals indicated strong matrix/reinforcement interactions. In addition, the changes in intensity in 1100, 1033, and 1638 cm−1 FTIR signals suggested formation of a protein/Tween 20 ester. The geometry of reinforcement was highly relevant regarding physical properties, showing nanotubes as being very successful for enhancing tensile properties.
ITGB3 promotes cisplatin resistance in osteosarcoma tumors
Authors: Li Qian , Chen Guangyou , Jiang Huachai , Dai Haoping , Li Dongdong , Zhu Kai , Zhang Kaiquan , Shen Huarui , Xu Houping , Li Sen
Published: February 2023

Objective

Osteosarcoma is the most malignant and common primary bone tumor with a high rate of recurrence that mainly occurs in children and young adults. Therefore, it is vital to facilitate the development of novel effective therapeutic means and improve the overall prognosis of osteosarcoma patients via a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of chemoresistance in osteosarcoma progression.

Methods

In this research, the relationship between ITGB3 and the clinical characteristics of patients was detected through analysis of publicly available clinical datasets. The expression of ITGB3 was analysis in collected human osteosarcoma tissues. In addition, the potential functions of ITGB3 in the cisplatin resistance of osteosarcoma cells were investigated in vitro and in tumor xenotransplantation. Finally, the molecular mechanism of ITGB3 in the progression and recurrence of osteosarcoma were explored via transcriptome analysis.

Results

ITGB3 was identified as a potential regulator of tumorigenicity and cisplatin resistance in relapsed osteosarcoma. Furthermore, the decreased osteosarcoma cell proliferation and migration ability in ITGB3 knockout osteosarcoma cells were related to increased apoptosis and slowing cell cycle progression. In addition, ITGB3 had a positive correlation with cisplatin resistance in cells and tumor xenografts in mice. Accordingly, ITGB3 performed the functions of proliferation and cisplatin resistance in osteosarcoma through the MAPK and VEGF signaling pathways.

Conclusion

Our results will contribute to a better understanding of the function and mechanism of ITGB3 in osteosarcoma cisplatin resistance and provide a novel therapeutic target to decrease cisplatin resistance and tumor recurrence in osteosarcoma patients.
“In my own comfort zone”: Clients' experiences of relational aspects of online therapy for alcohol problems
Authors: Atkinson Louise
Published: February 2023

Background

Therapists and counsellors increasingly use online video applications to offer treatment in place of face‐to‐face delivery. In the alcohol treatment sector, this offers a range of potential benefits for treatment providers. However, the impact of working remotely via video on the therapeutic relationship remains unclear and under‐researched.

Aims

This study aimed to explore how alcohol treatment clients make sense of the relational aspects of therapy delivered remotely, and to examine how the use of remote therapy might disrupt existing ideas around the therapeutic relationship.

Methodology

This study utilised a qualitative design using thematic analysis, with 15 participant interviews with adult service users from a single treatment provider. All participants had previously undertaken at least four 1‐h online therapy sessions.

Findings

The themes that were identified highlighted the significance of the participants' own homes as the site of therapy, with emphasis on the comfort of the home, and the presence of family members and pets. Participants stressed the importance of viewing the face of the therapist, the establishment of a therapeutic bond and specific therapist qualities. Participants also reflected on issues around denial and avoidance associated with self‐image and identity.

Discussion

There are nuanced and potentially unforeseen consequences of undertaking therapy for alcohol problems via video, relating to the significance of the therapy environment and relationship between client and therapist. This may include issues of shame, denial and avoidance, which are of particular significance for clients experiencing difficulties associated with alcohol.
Personality traits, money attitudes and consumer decision‐making styles as predictors of investment products choice in South Africa
Authors: Ngcamu Lesego Jenny , Quaye Emmanuel Silva , Horvey Sylvester Senyo , Jaravaza Divaries Cosmas
Published: February 2023

This study examines how personality traits and money attitudes influence consumers' decision‐making styles when purchasing investment products in South Africa. A sample of 269 South Africans completed the research questionnaire, which assessed their extraversion, conscientiousness, openness, money power/prestige, money retention/time, money quality, info‐mising, extending, and tax‐free investment purchase decision. Also, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling approaches were used to analyze the survey data.The results suggest that personality traits and money attitudes significantly impact consumer decision‐making regarding tax‐free investment products. However, the relationships between extraversion and money power/prestige and between info‐mising decision styles and tax‐tree investment purchase decisions were found to be negative. Cluster analysis revealed three distinct segments based on the characteristics of respondents and their drive for investment: strong conscientiousness investors, status‐driven investors, and introverted investors. Marketing professionals and investment firms can use the study findings on consumer traits and money attitudes to improve marketing effectiveness in an organisation. Practically, extensive information processing has a fundamental bearing on investment decision‐making in emerging markets. Extraversion and conscientiousness personality traits and money attitudes must be taken into consideration by investment products marketers and practitioners in marketing practice.
Research on the Performance of Cobalt Oxide Decorated Graphite Felt as Electrode of Iron‐Chromium Flow Battery
Authors: Ren Hai‐lin , Su Yang , Zhao Shuai , Li Cheng‐wei , Wang Xiao‐min , Li Bo‐han , Li Zhen
Published: February 2023

In this paper, cobalt oxide‐modified graphite felt electrodes were prepared by electrodepositing cobalt nitrate on graphite felt and calcined. The surface morphology of graphite felt modified by cobalt oxide was characterized in detail by scanning electron microscope X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Shape, microstructure, etc. And using the three‐electrode system to conduct cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and single‐cell constant current charge and discharge detection on the graphite felt electrodes modified with different concentrations of cobalt oxide, and study its use as an electrode for iron‐chromium redox flow battery performance. The results show that the method of calcination after electrodeposition successfully attaches cobalt oxide to the graphite felt fiber uniformly in granular form, increases a large number of oxygen‐containing functional groups, and has the highest coulombic efficiency for the first charge‐discharge cycle at a current density of 142mAcm−2 It can reach 82 %, and the charging capacity is also increased by 1.59 times compared with the original graphite felt.
Tests of linear hypotheses using indirect information
Authors: McCormack Andrew , Hoff Peter D.
Published: February 2023

In multigroup data settings with small within‐group sample sizes, standard ‐tests of group‐specific linear hypotheses can have low power, particularly if the within‐group sample sizes are not large relative to the number of explanatory variables. To remedy this situation, in this article we derive alternative test statistics based on information sharing across groups. Each group‐specific test has potentially much larger power than the standard ‐test, while still exactly maintaining a target type I error rate if the null hypothesis for the group is true. The proposed test for a given group uses a statistic that has optimal marginal power under a prior distribution derived from the data of the other groups. This statistic approaches the usual ‐statistic as the prior distribution becomes more diffuse, but approaches a limiting “cone” test statistic as the prior distribution becomes extremely concentrated. We compare the power and ‐values of the cone test to that of the ‐test in some high‐dimensional asymptotic scenarios. An analysis of educational outcome data is provided, demonstrating empirically that the proposed test is more powerful than the ‐test.
Distributed sequential estimation procedures
Authors: Chen Zhuojian , Wang Zhanfeng , Chang Yuan‐chin Ivan
Published: February 2023

Data collected from distributed sources or sites commonly have different distributions or contaminated observations. Active learning procedures allow us to assess data when recruiting new data into model building. Thus, combining several active learning procedures together is a promising idea, even when the collected data set is contaminated. Here, we study how to conduct and integrate several adaptive sequential procedures at a time to produce a valid result via several machines or a parallel‐computing framework. To avoid distraction by complicated modelling processes, we use confidence set estimation for linear models to illustrate the proposed method and discuss the approach's statistical properties. We then evaluate its performance using both synthetic and real data. We have implemented our method using Python and made it available through Github at https://github.com/zhuojianc/dsep.
Fabrication of Nanoparticle‐Doped Polyvinyl Alcohol‐Cellulose Acetate Membrane and Characterization of the Surface Enhancement
Authors: Ravichandran Sathish Raam , Venkatachalam Chitra Devi , Sengottian Mothil , Sekar Sarath , Subramaniam Ramasamy Bhavya Shri , Elangovan Sakthivel , Thorali Sivakumar Siddharth , Subramanian Shanmuga Sundaram
Published: February 2023

In the present study, nanocomposite polymeric membranes are fabricated using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), cellulose acetate (CA) as polymers, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the solvent. To enhance the performance of the membrane, nanoparticles like TiO2, CaO, CdO, and ZrO are added to the polymeric solution and the doped polymeric solution is cast on a glass plate. Nine combinations of membranes are fabricated with two different concentrations (0.1% and 0.2%) of nanoparticles. The basic properties of the membranes such as density, porosity, viscosity, permeability, pure water flux, and water content are studied for the samples. Membrane pore structure and surface properties are identified and it is found that doping nanoparticles on the surface of membranes improve mechanical strength, stability, pore size, etc., allowing the membranes to perform better in extreme industrial‐level effluent treatment applications. High‐resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows the homogeneous dispersion of ZrO, TiO2, CaO, and CdO nanoparticles on the surface of the PVA‐CA membrane. The doping of nanoparticles on the PVA‐CA membrane results in improved mechanical strength and good chemical oxidation stability. In comparison, the PCD‐TiO2 sample shows high thermal stability and oxidation stability at high temperatures until 200°C, which has a high potential for treating industrial effluents.