bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐performance, coplanar amorphous InGaZnO thin‐film transistors by spray pyrolysis on polyimide substrate for low‐cost manufacturing of foldable active‐matrix organic light emitting diode display
Authors: Bae Jinbaek , Ali Arqum , Park Chanju , Jang Jin
Published: April 2023

We report a method for low‐cost deposition of bubble‐free, high‐quality amorphous InGaZnO (a‐IGZO) on polyimide (PI) substrate for foldable active‐matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) display by spray pyrolysis. The coplanar thin‐film transistor (TFT) with spray‐pyrolyzed (SP) a‐IGZO on PI substrate exhibits threshold voltage (VTH) of −0.8 V, saturation mobility of 40.95 cm2 V−1 s−1, and subthreshold swing of 0.18 V per decade with on/off drain current ratio of ~108. The high mobility TFT could be achieved using high substrate temperature (350°C) and low contact resistance by NF3 plasma on the SP a‐IGZO. The TFT shows a ΔVTH of −0.4 V when it is bent on a cylinder of 1‐mm radius. The TFT shows the ΔVTH of +0.05 V for positive bias temperature stress at +20 V at 60°C for 1 h. The ring oscillator made of a‐IGZO TFTs exhibits an oscillation frequency of 2.38 MHz at VDD of 10 V with a propagation delay of 9.13 ns per stage. Therefore, the a‐IGZO TFT by spray pyrolysis could be used for low‐cost, high‐performance, and flexible display TFT backplane.
Analysis of oasis land ecological security and influencing factors in arid areas
Authors: Wang Lu , Chang Jianxia , He Bing , Guo Aijun , Wang Yimin
Published: April 2023

Arid oasis areas are typical ecologically fragile areas, and Land ecological security (LES) reflects the relationship between oasis land use and socio‐economics. At present, the evaluation of oasis LES is still in the exploration stage, and there is a lack of dynamic evaluation of LES from a spatial and temporal perspective, and the interaction between influencing factors is not considered, which often affects the reliability of LES evaluation results and the optimization of land scenarios. This study analyzes the dynamic changes in land use in the Tarim River Basin (TRB) oasis from 1990 to 2020 and constructs a pressure‐state‐response (PSR) model to assess the spatial and temporal patterns of the LES. Then, the spatial correlation and spatial divergence of the LES were explored using the Moran index. Finally, the geographical detector analysis was used to reveal the drivers of the spatiotemporal divergence of LES patterns in the TRB oasis and the interaction effects of the influencing factors. The results reveal that there is significant spatial and temporal variability in the LES level of TRB oases, with the eastern region continuing to deteriorate while the western region continues to improve. Between 1990 and 2020, the largest increase in TRB oases was 24,089.52 km2 of cultivated land and the largest decrease was 47,117.03 km2 of grassland. Also, there are interactions between the variables. The greatest associations between the three variables‐the forest coverage raste, the proportion of the tertiary industry, and rural per capita net income‐all reached over 0.88. This study evaluates the LES and analyzes the affecting factors, which contribute to the development of refined land optimization countermeasures and offers a foundation for the realization of sustainable land use in oases and the establishment of oasis ecological civilization.
The efficacy of two commercially available devices for airway foreign body relief: A cadaver study
Authors: Ramaswamy Apoorva , Done Aaron , Solis Roberto , Srikanth Mayuri , Olinde Lindsay , Belafsky Peter
Published: April 2023

Objective

Foreign body aspiration events are frequent in young children and in the geriatric population. They may result in several complications such as hypoxia, edema, cardiac arrest, and death. Recently, two commercially available devices, the LifeVac and DeChoker, have entered the market with the claim of relieving foreign body aspiration. Both devices are portable, nonpowered, suction devices that are being considered for use in large public spaces such as schools, airports, and malls despite previous studies detailing variable efficacy. In this study, we aim to contribute further data on the safety and efficacy of these devices through a fresh cadaver model.

Methods

Commonly aspirated foods of three different sizes (saltines, grapes, and cashews) were placed at the level of the true vocal folds in a fresh cadaver. Three participants performed two trials with each food and device. Device use was performed to manufacturer specifications.

Results

The DeChoker resulted in gross injury to the tongue and failed to remove the obstruction in all trials. LifeVac was successful in removing the barium‐moistened saltines but failed to remove all other foreign bodies. Both devices applied significant pressure to the tongue.

Conclusion

With the exception of the LifeVac removing saltine crackers, all trials were entirely unsuccessful in relieving foreign body aspiration. Additionally, both devices may cause significant pressure and injury to the oral cavity in a clinical setting. We conclude bystanders should continue to follow International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation's guidelines on resuscitation to aid with relieving foreign body aspiration.

Level of Evidence

4
Dural sinus narrowing in patients with spontaneous anterior skull base cerebrospinal fluid leak
Authors: Asi Karim W. , Cameron Brian H. , Friedman Elliot R. , Radabaugh Jeffrey P. , Citardi Martin J. , Luong Amber U. , Yao William C.
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Current evidence suggests a link between idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (sCSF) leak, as well as between IIH and dural venous sinus (DVS) narrowing. However, there are limited data linking DVS narrowing and sCSF leak. This study aims to determine the prevalence of DVS narrowing in patients with sCSF leak.

Methods

A retrospective review of all patients with sCSF leak that presented to a tertiary academic center from 2008 to 2019. Preoperative imaging was independently reviewed by two neuroradiologists to evaluate for DVS narrowing. Available literature was used to estimate the prevalence of DVS narrowing in the general population to allow for comparison. Data were analyzed using Exact binomial test.

Results

Analysis of 25 patients with appropriate imaging revealed the majority were women (21/25, 84%) with a mean age of 51.89 years (SD 13.96). The majority of these patients were found to have narrowing of the DVS (20/25, 80%). In patient with sCSF leaks, there was a significantly higher proportion of patients with DVS narrowing compared with published literature examining this condition in the general population (80% vs. 40%, CI 0.59–0.93, p < .001).

Conclusion

The prevalence of DVS narrowing in patients with sCSF leaks is substantial and likely greater than the general population. Moreover, there appears to be narrowing in most patients with sCSF leak. Preoperative radiological evaluation of the DVS using MR venography may be useful in patients with sCSF leaks as DVS stenosis may be an underdiagnosed etiology. Further study is needed to evaluate this.

Level of Evidence

IV.
Preparation and Enhancing Properties of pH‐Sensitive Hydrogel in Light of Gum Ghatti‐cl‐poly(acrylic acid)/ – o‐MWCNT for Sodium Diclofenac Drug Release
Authors: Dave Pragnesh N. , Macwan Pradip M. , Kamaliya Bhagvan
Published: April 2023

Gum ghatti (GG) is used as a biopolymer, acrylic acid (AA) is used as a synthetic monomer, ammonium persulphate (APS) is used as an initiator, and methylene bis‐acrylamide (MBA) is used as a cross‐linker in the current study to create gum ghatti‐cl‐poly(acrylic acid)‐o‐MWCNT hydrogels. The –o‐MWCNT (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg) is added to the hydrogel as a filler. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses are used to characterize the crosslinked hydrogels. The successful polymerization of the graft is confirmed by these spectroscopic studies. Sodium diclofenac (SD) as a model drug is utilized. Swelling tests are also conducted at pH 6.8 on all prepared hydrogels. In a similar manner, all hydrogel preparations are subjected to an in vitro study at neutral (pH 7.4), acidic (pH 1.2), and basic (pH 9.2) mediums, and a higher drug release is observed at pH 7.4. The Higuchi model, the Korsmeyer–Peppas model, and various zero‐order and first‐order kinetics are utilized in the investigation of the drug release order mechanism from the hydrogels. The drug release data favor the Korsmeyer–Peppas model, which describes the “n” diffusion exponent that controls the drug release mechanism from synthesized hydrogels. The “n” values control the Fickian diffusion (Case‐I diffusional) like coupled diffusion (0.45 ≤ n). According to the results presented here, GGAACNT‐based hydrogels can be used in biomedical fields, especially for controlled drug release.
Far‐field potential of the compound muscle action potential as a reliable marker in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Higashihara Mana , Yamazaki Hiroki , Izumi Yuishin , Kobayashi Masahito , Nodera Hiroyuki , Oishi Chizuko , Iwata Atsushi , Murayama Shigeo , Kaji Ryuji , Sonoo Masahiro
Published: April 2023

Introduction/Aims

Reliable neurophysiological markers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are of great interest. The compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude has been a conventional marker, although it is greatly influenced by the electrode position. We propose the far‐field potential of the CMAP (FFP‐CMAP) as a new neurophysiological marker in ALS.

Methods

Patients with ALS and age‐matched healthy controls were enrolled. We used a proximal reference (pref) in addition to the conventional distal reference (dref). Routine CMAP was recorded from the belly‐dref lead and FFP‐CMAP from the dref‐pref lead for the ulnar and tibial nerves. Multiple point stimulation motor unit number estimation (MUNE) was also examined in the ulnar nerve. Inter‐rater reproducibility was evaluated by two examiners, and some patients were followed up every 3 mo for 1 y.

Results

We tested 17 patients with ALS and 10 controls. The amplitudes of routine CMAP and FFP‐CMAP in the ulnar and tibial nerves, and hypothenar MUNE value in the ulnar nerve were significantly decreased in ALS compared to controls. Ulnar FFP‐CMAP achieved the highest inter‐rater intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value (0.942) when compared with routine CMAP (0.880) and MUNE (0.839). The tibial FFP‐CMAP had a higher ICC value (0.986) than the routine CMAP (0.697). In this way, the FFP‐CMAP showed high inter‐rater reproducibility because its shape was not much influenced by the electrode position. During 1‐y follow‐up, decline of CMAP, FFP, and MUNE showed significant correlations with the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale ‐ Revised (ALSFRS‐R).

Discussion

The FFP‐CMAP shows promise as a reliable marker for ALS.
Translating fatigability in spinal muscular atrophy to clinical trials and management
Authors: Yeo Crystal J. J. , Darras Basil T.
Published: April 2023

See article on pages 81–84 in this issue.
Cross‐cultural adaptation, translation, and validation of the Arabic version of the short form of Neurogenic Bladder Symptoms Score
Authors: Khadour Younes A. , Ebrahem Bashar M. , Khadour Fater A.
Published: April 2023

Background

The Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score—Short Form (NBSS‐SF) evaluates the impact of disease‐specific symptoms on the quality of life (QoL) in individuals with neurogenic bladder (NB). There is no data on the validity and reliability of the NBSS‐SF questionnaire in the Arabic language, so this study aimed at providing the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the Arabic NBSS‐SF in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods

The original English language version of the NBSS‐SF was translated into Arabic according to the cultural and linguistic adaptation algorithm. People with SCI and MS completed the NBSS‐SF, demographic and clinical information, and Qualiveen QoL questionnaire. Responses were recorded twice within a 14‐day period. Psychometric properties such as content validity, construct validity, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability were tested. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. Construct validity was assessed by comparing the NBSS‐SF with the Qualiveen questionnaire.

Results

Thirty‐nine patients with MS and 97 with SCI participated in the study. The internal consistency for the overall NBSS‐SF score (Cronbach's α of 0.82) and for each subdomain was variable (urinary incontinence 0.82; storage/voiding 0.73; consequences 0.53). ICC was 0.93 for the overall score and 0.96 for the urinary incontinence subdomain, 0.74 for storage/voiding, and 0.91 for consequences. The correlation analysis showed a significantly strong correlation between the QoL item of NBSS‐SF and the Qualiveen total score (r = 0.72, p < 0.000). There was a significant moderate positive correlation between the total scores on the Arabic version of the NBSS‐SF and the subdomains of the Qualiveen, including limitations (r = 0.51, p = 0.04), fears (r = 0.57, p = 0.04), feelings (r = 0.46, p = 0.01), and constraints (r = 0.59, p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Our results showed that the Arabic version of NBSS‐SF is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction symptoms in the Arabic population suffering from SCI and MS.
The impact of postinjection urinary tract infection on efficacy of intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA—A secondary analysis
Authors: Guirguis Hanna Marina , Bradley Megan , Zyczynski Halina , Wang Li , Giugale Lauren
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To compare treatment response in women who did and did not develop a urinary tract infection (UTI) within 14 days after intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA injections for treatment of refractory urgency urinary incontinence (UUI).

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of women who received Onabotulinumtoxin A in the Refractory Overactive Bladder: Sacral Neuromodulation vs Botulinum Toxin Assessment (ROSETTA) Trial. Participants were grouped by presence or absence of UTI within 14 days of injection. UTI was defined as symptomatic with positive urine culture per the primary ROSETTA protocol. Our primary outcome was change from baseline in mean number of UUI episodes based on monthly 3‐day bladder diaries averaged over 6 months. We performed t tests and chi‐square/Fisher's exact for continuous and categorical variables. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Of 187 participants in the onabotulinumtoxinA arm, 10 (5.3%) experienced UTI within 14 days of injection, and 177 (94.7%) did not. At baseline, groups did not differ in demographics, mean UUI episodes per day (no UTI [5.37 ± 2.65] vs. UTI [6.40 ± 3.02], p = 0.24), or other diary parameters. For our primary outcome, groups did not differ in the change in mean daily UUI episodes at 1 month (no UTI [−4.29 ± 2.75] vs. UTI [−3.74 ± 2.01]; mean difference [95% confidence interval, CI] −0.55 [−2.39 to 1.28], p: 0.55) or 6 months (no UTI [−3.63 ± 2.89] vs. UTI [−2.15 ± 3.18]; mean difference [95% CI] −1.48 [−3.44 to 0.48], p: 0.14).

Conclusions

UTI within 14 days after intravesical injection of onabotulinumtoxinA for refractory UUI was not significantly associated with inferior treatment response at 1 or 6 months.
Service center location problems with decision dependent utilities and a pandemic case study
Authors: Luo Fengqiao , Mehrotra Sanjay
Published: April 2023

We study a service center location problem with ambiguous utility gains upon receiving service. The model is motivated by the problem of deciding medical clinic/service centers, possibly in rural communities, where residents need to visit the clinics to receive health services. A resident gains his utility based on travel distance, waiting time, and service features of the facility that depend on the clinic location. The elicited location‐dependent utilities are assumed to be ambiguously described by an expected value and variance constraint. We show that despite a non‐convex nonlinearity, given by a constraint specified by a maximum of two second‐order conic functions, the model admits a mixed 0‐1 second‐order cone (MISOCP) formulation. We study the non‐convex substructure of the problem, and present methods for developing its strengthened formulations by using valid tangent inequalities. Computational study shows the effectiveness of solving the strengthened formulations. Examples are used to illustrate the importance of including decision dependent ambiguity. An illustrative example to identify locations for Covid‐19 testing and vaccination is used to further illustrate the model and its properties.
The psychometric properties of nursing image measurement instruments: A systematic review
Authors: Zhou Lu , Sukpasjaroen Khunanan , Cai EnLi , Moonsri Kristiya , Imsiri Prakobkiat , Chankoson Thitinan
Published: April 2023

Aim

To identify the measures assessing the nursing image, and to analyse, evaluate and synthesize the psychometric properties of these available instruments.

Design

A systematic review of the psychometric properties of instruments assessing the nursing image. The system review has been registered in the PROSPERO database with the registration number CRD42020221511.

Methods

The systematic review was conducted according to COSMIN guidelines. Search strategies were run in CINAHL, MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, COSMIN systematic review database, Cochrane Library and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Two reviewers independently screened the studies, extracting the psychometric properties of the included study characteristics and instruments. The methodological quality of the studies, instrument measurement performance, risk of bias and grade of evidence were evaluated and disagreements were resolved via discussion.

Results

The search strategy yielded a total of 24 studies and 11 instruments assessing nursing image. None of the measures fulfilled all criteria in the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist. The Nurses Self‐Concept Instrument (NSCI) and the Nurses Self‐Concept Questionnaire (NSCQ) were recommended for measuring the professional image of nursing, and the Nursing Brand Image Scale (NBIS) have the potential to be recommended for measuring a more comprehensive image of nursing. Every instrument evaluated in this review had different characteristics in the nursing image (e.g. the traditional image, the professional image, and the brand image). Therefore, the selection of the most appropriate instrument depends on the psychometrics, the context and the aim of the assessment.
Nurses' second victim experience, job insecurity, and turnover intention: A latent profile analysis
Authors: Shao Yanru , Li Shanshan , Wei Lili , Shan Xinzhi , Zhou Dan , Zhang Yan , Wei Holly
Published: April 2023

Nurses are greatly affected by patient safety incidents, but little is known about the classifications of nurses' second victim experiences and their effects on job insecurity and turnover intention. This study aimed to identify the profiles of nurses' second victim experiences, including perceived support and distress, and explore the effects of the different experiences on nurses' job insecurity and turnover intention. A convenience sample of 2000 nurses, who were directly involved in patient safety incidents within a year at 25 hospitals in 13 provinces in China, was invited to participate. The online surveys included the Second Victim Experience and Support Tool‐Chinese version, job insecurity scale, and turnover intention scale. Data were analyzed using regression and latent profile analysis to identify second‐victim nurses' different experience predictors and examine the relationships among the factors. A total of 1298 valid questionnaires were obtained. Three profiles of second victim experiences were identified. Univariate analysis demonstrated that nurses' experience, education level, hospital type, specialty, working hours, credentials, clinical ladder, type of employment, income, training on adverse events, and the type of adverse event were statistically significant (p < 0.05) variables differentiating the three profiles. After controlling these significant variables, the multiple regression analysis showed that the higher the support and the lower the distress level of the second victim, the lower the job insecurity and turnover intention. This study highlights the significance of nurse' leader and organizational support. Nursing leaders should recognize nurses' second‐victim experiences, provide the support nurses need, and help them reduce job insecurity and turnover intention.
Insights into atomic‐electronegativity‐controlled excited state intramolecular proton transfer behavior for the novel oxazolonapthoimidazo[1,2‐a]‐pyridine (ONIP) compound: A time‐dependent density functional theory study
Authors: Liu Rivaille , Zhao Jinfeng , Li Xiaoxiao , Jin Bing , Tang Zhe
Published: April 2023

In this work, we mainly focus on probing into the effects of atomic electronegativity on photo‐induced hydrogen bond (i.e., O–H···N) effects and excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) processes for a novel fluorescent chemical probe ONIP derivatives (i.e., ONIP‐O, ONIP‐S, and ONIP‐Se). First, insights into optimized structural geometries and related infrared vibrational spectra, we clarify that the hydrogen bond O–H···N interaction could be strengthened via photoexcitation. Further, via predicting hydrogen bonding energy EHB, we quantificationally present that the S1‐state hydrogen bonding strengthening behavior should be more distinct with lower atomic electronegativity. When it comes to vertical photo‐induced excitation, the intramolecular charge transfer process happens and the charge redistribution plays roles in promoting ESIPT behavior. It is worth mentioning the energy gap between highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital show that low atomic electronegativity should be more favorable to ESIPT process. Finally, based on the restricted optimization method, we construct the potential energy curves along with hydrogen bond wire for ONIP‐O, ONIP‐S, and ONIP‐Se. By exploring the conformation of potential energy curves and potential energy barriers, we disclose the detailed atomic‐electronegativity‐controlled ESIPT dynamical behaviors for ONIP system.
Carbon nanotube films embedded with Cu@C nanocubes for electromagnetic interference shielding
Authors: Ye Jinhong , Wang Yanqin , Luo Liqiang , Qian Kunpeng , Zhou Jianyu , Miao Miao , Feng Xin
Published: April 2023

Flexible carbon tube films for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding are assembled by mixing the well‐aligned Cu@C core‐shell nanocubes with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The Cu@C core‐shell nanocubes are achieved by the thermal pyrolysis of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coating on Cu2O nanocubes. With the optimal PVP concentration of 1.5 mg/mL, the Cu@C/MWCNTs composite film with ultra‐thin thickness (52.2 μm) displays good conductivity of 12.5 S cm−1 and excellent specific EMI shielding value of 510.73 dB mm−1, which is higher than the pure MWCNTs film (439.50 dB mm−1) under the same weight condition. Moreover, the 1.5 mg/mL‐Cu@C/MWCNTs composite film exhibits highly mechanical repeatability after being bended for 10,000 cycles. The carbon layers protecting metal nanoparticles can partly replace precious carbon nanotubes to construction highly flexible composite film with anticipated electrical conductivity, which have a good application prospect for thin, lightweight and flexible EMI shielding fields.
How to reconcile renewable energy and agricultural production in a drying world
Authors: Schweiger Andreas H. , Pataczek Lisa
Published: April 2023

Societal Impact Statement

Renewable energies such as photovoltaics can mitigate climate change by replacing fossil fuels, but they will compete with other forms of land use when implemented in open space. Agrivoltaics provide a promising approach to reconciling food and energy needs by allowing for agricultural and electrical power production on the same area of land. Agrivoltaics have a high potential to attenuate negative effects of drought on crop growth and, thus, can help to increase resilience of agricultural production under increasingly variable environmental conditions. This drought attenuation potential will be especially relevant for regions where drought and population growth co‐occur.

Water scarcity is threatening food security and other, plant‐related ecosystem services. Renewable energy production provides a sustainable strategy to replace fossil fuel and, by this, mitigate climate change. However, common forms of renewable energy production such as photovoltaics in open space directly compete with agriculture. Agrivoltaics are proposed as a promising technology to reconcile food and energy needs by allowing for agricultural and electrical power production on the same area of land. However, general understanding of the potential of agrivoltaics to facilitate crop yield under changing climatic conditions is lacking. In this study we provide an overview on the effects of agrivoltaics on microclimate and crop growth and yields. We furthermore quantify the global potential of agrivoltaics to attenuate drought effects on crops and develop a conceptual framework for evaluating interactions between solar power and agricultural production under changing climatic conditions. Generally, shading by agrivoltaics will reduce yield in comparison to maximum possible yield under unshaded, well‐watered conditions but can reduce interannual variation in yields caused by drought, thus, increase resilience of agricultural production. This drought attenuation potential of agrivoltaics seems to be especially promising in the drought prone regions of the world. Land use efficiency of agrivoltaic systems is directly linked the degree of crop shading which covaries with the drought attenuation potential but will ultimately be guided by political decisions on how to weight energy production vs. food security. The latter depends on economic, societal and ecological aspects related to the implementation of agrivoltaics.
Effect of maleylation and denaturation of human serum albumin on its interaction with scavenger receptors
Authors: Li Xiao‐Lei , Yan Zeng‐Shuai , Ma Yu‐Qiang , Ding Hong‐Ming
Published: April 2023

The specific recognition of serum proteins by scavenger receptors is critical and fundamental in many biological processes. However, the underlying mechanism of scavenger receptor‐serum protein interaction remains elusive. In this work, taking scavenger receptors class A1 (SR‐A1) as an example, we systematically investigate its interaction with human serum albumin (HSA) at different states through a combination of molecular docking and all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations. It is found that native HSA can moderately bind to collagen‐like (CL) region or scavenger receptor cysteine‐rich (SRCR) region, with both electrostatic (ELE) and van der Waals (VDW) interactions, playing important roles. After maleylation, the binding energy, particularly the ELE energy, between HSA and CL region is significantly enhanced, while the binding energy between HSA and SRCR region remains nearly unchanged. Additionally, we also observe that unfolding of the secondary structures in HSA leads to a larger contact surface area between denatured HSA and CL region, but has little impact on the HSA‐SRCR region interaction. Therefore, similar to maleylated HSA, denatured HSA is also more likely to bind to the CL region of SR‐A1.
Structural modification of (3E)‐4,8‐dimethyl‐1,3,7‐nontriene enhances its ability to kill Plutella xylostella insect pests
Authors: Zhao Mengjie , Tao Zhen , Wang Ling , Wang Tengyue , Wang Chuanhong , Li Shuai , Huang Shijie , Wei Yuming , Jiang Taoshan , Li Peijin
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

Plant secondary metabolites and their modified derivatives play an important role in the discovery and development of novel insecticides. The natural plant product (3E)‐4,8‐dimethyl‐1,3,7‐nontriene (DMNT) has been proven to be able to effectively repel and kill the lepidopteran insect pest Plutella xylostella.

RESULTS

In this study, four oxygenated derivatives of DMNT were synthesized by allylic hydroxylation and subsequent etherification or esterification. Bioassays on P. xylostella larvae showed that the compounds DMNT‐OCH3 (2), DMNT‐OCy (3) and DMNT‐OAc (4) were more toxic to the larvae than DMNT alone. The most pronounced effect was observed for compound 2, which showed a 22.23% increase in lethality at a concentration of 0.25 μm. Moreover, the peritrophic matrix (PM) barrier in the insect midgut was more severely damaged by compounds 2, 3 and 4 than by DMNT. The median lethal concentration (LC50, 48 h) of compounds 2, 3 and 4 on P. xylostella was determined to be 0.98, 1.13 and 1.11 mg mL−1, respectively, which is much lower than the commercial insecticides eucalyptol (2.89 mg mL−1) and thymol (2.45 mg mL−1).

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that oxygenated DMNT derivatives offer a significantly improved killing effect over DMNT on P. xylostella. This work has provided a basis for further design, structural modification and development of DMNT as botanical insecticides. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Population performance and detoxifying and protective enzyme activities of four thrips species feeding on flowers ofMagnolia grandiflora(Ranunculales: Magnolia)
Authors: Cao Yu , Qi Guiling , Jiang Feiyu , Meng Yonglu , Wang Chun , Gu Zhaoyang , Gao Yulin , Reitz Stuart R , Li Can
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

Different thrips species can co‐occur on the same flowers with different dominance degrees. To accurately evaluate the population performance on different thrips species onMagnolia grandifloraflowers, we investigated the diversity of thrips species and their population dynamics both in the field and laboratory. In addition, the activities of detoxifying and protective enzymes in thrips were also measured.

RESULTS

Field investigations revealed that four thrips species (Thrips hawaiiensis,Thrips flavidulus,Frankliniella occidentalis, andThrips coloratus) coexisted onM. grandifloraflowers. They were ranked, from highest population density to lowest, as follows:T. hawaiiensis > T. flavidulus > F. occidentalis > T. coloratus. In laboratory investigations, the species were ranked, from fastest developmental rates to slowest, as follows:F. occidentalis > T. hawaiiensis > T. flavidulus > T. coloratus; and from largest population size to smallest, as follows:T. hawaiiensis > F. occidentalis > T. flavidulus > T. coloratus. Biochemistry assays showed that the four species differed in their activities of detoxifying enzymes (carboxylesterase, glutathione‐S‐transferase, and cytochrome P450) and protective enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase) in both laboratory and field strains.

CONCLUSION

Differences in population performance among these four thrips onM. grandifloramay be related to their activity levels of physiological enzymes. The variations in thrips population performance between the field and the laboratory could be due to differences in environmental conditions.T. hawaiiensisshowed a strong host preference forM. grandiflora, and thus it has the potential to be a dangerous pest in horticultural plants. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Exploiting exotic pathogens as mycoherbicides against invasive alien weeds: Japanese knotweed as a case study
Authors: Kurose Daisuke , Seier Marion K , Evans Harry C
Published: April 2023

Plant species have been introduced increasingly into non‐native ranges, where many have become exotic weeds with adverse impacts on native ecosystems, as well as on farming and other livelihoods. In biological control, the classical or inoculative approach is the one most commonly used for the management of invasive alien weeds and is based on the use of co‐evolved natural enemies from the native range to control the invasive weed. Typically, the inundative or mycoherbicide approach targets problematic weeds using local plant pathogens that, in the case of introduced species, have ‘jumped’ onto the exotic host. The leaf‐spot fungus, Mycosphaerella polygoni‐cuspidati, co‐evolved with its host, Reynoutria (Fallopia) japonica (Japanese knotweed), in Japan and has a unique history of being investigated both as a classical biological control agent and a mycoherbicide against this highly invasive weed in the United Kingdom and North America. Here, we highlight our research on M. polygoni‐cuspidati as part of a biological control programme for Japanese knotweed and review the potential of mycoherbicides using exotic pathogens for the management of invasive alien weeds. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
A comprehensive review of antitumor properties of Angelica species and their antitumor‐responsible constituents and the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in tumor inhibition
Authors: Sabeel Zufa , Liang Youfeng , Hao Mingxuan , Ying Lu , Guo Rui , Chen Ruolan , Li Xiaoning , Yu Changyuan , Yang Zhao
Published: April 2023

Angelica species have been traditionally used for their medicinal properties. Recent studies have suggested their potential use as anticancer agents, making them an area of interest for further research. The review aims to summarize the current understanding of the potential anticancer effects of Angelica species and to provide insights for further research in this area. We searched for “Angelica” related information on Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley, Science Citation Index Finder, and Springer link by searching keywords such as “Angelica,” “Angelica phytochemical,” “Angelica antitumor effect,” “Angelica molecular mechanisms,” and “Angelica clinical application.” Included articles focused on the Angelica plant's anticancer properties and clinical studies, while non‐cancer‐related biological or phytochemical investigations were excluded. We conducted a comprehensive search of books, journals, and databases published between 2001 and 2023, identifying 186 articles for this narrative review. The articles were analyzed for their potential anticancer properties and therapeutic applications. Active compounds in the Angelica genus, such as coumarins, furanocoumarins, phthalides, and polysaccharides, exhibit anticancer properties through various mechanisms. Specific species, like A. archangelica, Angelica sinensis, A. gigas, and A. ksiekie, have the potential as anticancer agents by targeting cellular pathways, generating reactive oxygen species, and inducing apoptotic cell death. Further research into the properties of the Angelica genus is needed for developing new treatments for cancer. Phytochemicals from Angelica species possess potential as anticancer agents, requiring further research for the development of effective, low‐cost, and low‐toxicity cancer treatments compared to synthetic antitumor drugs.
A novel technique in transoral robotic surgery: A case report of rotating and switching technique
Authors: Nishikawa Daisuke , Beppu Shintaro , Suzuki Hidenori , Terada Hoshino , Sawabe Michi , Hanai Nobuhiro
Published: April 2023

Background

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for tongue base lesions located above the operative field is predominantly an upward procedure, which makes surgery difficult.

Methods

To illustrate our technique for this procedure, we report the case of an 82‐year‐old male with a p16‐negative oropharyngeal carcinoma of the tongue base who underwent TORS. The field of view was turned upside down, and the operation switched the typical left‐ and right‐arm functions. The daVinci Xi was docked, the 0° endoscope was rotated 180°, and the first arm was switched to the right hand and the third arm to the left hand.

Results

Although the lesion extended from the tongue base to the soft palate and mobile tongue, the planned resection line was followed.

Conclusions

This technique improves operability by allowing downward manipulation and preventing the left and right arms from crossing. Further validation of the technique's effectiveness and safety is needed.
Independence number of hypergraphs under degree conditions
Authors: Rödl Vojtěch , Sales Marcelo , Zhao Yi
Published: April 2023

A well‐known result of Ajtai Komlós, Pintz, Spencer, and Szemerédi (J. Combin. Theory Ser. A 32 (1982), 321–335) states that every ‐graph on vertices, with girth at least five, and average degree contains an independent set of size for some . In this paper we show that an independent set of the same size can be found under weaker conditions allowing certain cycles of length 2, 3, and 4. Our work is motivated by a problem of Lo and Zhao, who asked for , how large of an independent set a ‐graph on vertices necessarily has when its maximum ‐degree . (The corresponding problem with respect to ‐degrees was solved by Kostochka, Mubayi, and Verstraëte (Random Struct. & Algorithms 44 (2014), 224–239).) In this paper we show that every ‐graph on vertices with contains an independent set of size , and under additional conditions, an independent set of size . The former assertion gives a new upper bound for the ‐degree Turán density of complete ‐graphs.
The spatio‐temporal interactive effects between ecological urbanization and industrial ecologization in the Yangtze River Delta region
Authors: Li Zaijun , Zhang Wenjing , Sarwar Suleman , Hu Meijuan
Published: April 2023

In this study, we investigated the spatio‐temporal synergistic relationship between ecological urbanization (EU) and industrial eco‐efficiency (IEE) in the context of the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region. The main findings are as follows: (1) EU and IEE generally exhibited similar spatial distribution patterns, with high values concentrated in the southern part of the delta and low values in the northern part and Anhui Province; there was also a high degree of coupling between the two systems. (2) IEE and EU's relationship presented a U‐shaped positive correlation trend from 2001 to 2019, and a positive correlation was observed in most cities, with highly correlated cities clustered in southern Zhejiang and Anhui province, while negative correlation cities scattered in a few cities in northern Zhejiang, northern Anhui, and southern Jiangsu. (3) Significantly spatial association characteristics were found between EU and IEE, with HEUHIEE type clustering mainly in southeastern delta cities, while the LEULIEE type slowly encroached upon northwest delta cities. (4). Synergistic promoting effects were identified between IEE and EU, whereby, the improvement of IEE in both local and neighboring cities contributed to promoting EU, and the progress of EU in both local and neighboring cities helped to promote IEE.
Causal inference in survival analysis using longitudinal observational data: Sequential trials and marginal structural models
Authors: Keogh Ruth H. , Gran Jon Michael , Seaman Shaun R. , Davies Gwyneth , Vansteelandt Stijn
Published: April 2023

Longitudinal observational data on patients can be used to investigate causal effects of time‐varying treatments on time‐to‐event outcomes. Several methods have been developed for estimating such effects by controlling for the time‐dependent confounding that typically occurs. The most commonly used is marginal structural models (MSM) estimated using inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTW) (MSM‐IPTW). An alternative, the sequential trials approach, is increasingly popular, and involves creating a sequence of “trials” from new time origins and comparing treatment initiators and non‐initiators. Individuals are censored when they deviate from their treatment assignment at the start of each “trial” (initiator or noninitiator), which is accounted for using inverse probability of censoring weights. The analysis uses data combined across trials. We show that the sequential trials approach can estimate the parameters of a particular MSM. The causal estimand that we focus on is the marginal risk difference between the sustained treatment strategies of “always treat” vs “never treat.” We compare how the sequential trials approach and MSM‐IPTW estimate this estimand, and discuss their assumptions and how data are used differently. The performance of the two approaches is compared in a simulation study. The sequential trials approach, which tends to involve less extreme weights than MSM‐IPTW, results in greater efficiency for estimating the marginal risk difference at most follow‐up times, but this can, in certain scenarios, be reversed at later time points and relies on modelling assumptions. We apply the methods to longitudinal observational data from the UK Cystic Fibrosis Registry to estimate the effect of dornase alfa on survival.
Permutation‐based true discovery proportions for functional magnetic resonance imaging cluster analysis
Authors: Andreella Angela , Hemerik Jesse , Finos Livio , Weeda Wouter , Goeman Jelle
Published: April 2023

We propose a permutation‐based method for testing a large collection of hypotheses simultaneously. Our method provides lower bounds for the number of true discoveries in any selected subset of hypotheses. These bounds are simultaneously valid with high confidence. The methodology is particularly useful in functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging cluster analysis, where it provides a confidence statement on the percentage of truly activated voxels within clusters of voxels, avoiding the well‐known spatial specificity paradox. We offer a user‐friendly tool to estimate the percentage of true discoveries for each cluster while controlling the family‐wise error rate for multiple testing and taking into account that the cluster was chosen in a data‐driven way. The method adapts to the spatial correlation structure that characterizes functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging data, gaining power over parametric approaches.
Pt‐functionalized Amorphous RuOx as Excellent Stability and High‐activity Catalysts for Low Temperature MEMS Sensors
Authors: Luo Na , Cai HaiJie , Lu Bo , Xue Zhenggang , Xu Jiaqiang
Published: April 2023

The unsaturated coordination and abundant active sites endow amorphous metals with tremendous potential in improving metal oxide semiconductors’ gas‐sensing properties. However, the amorphous materials maintain the metastable status and easily transfer into the lower‐active crystals during the gas‐sensing process at high working temperatures, significantly limiting their further applications. Here, a bimetal amorphous PtRu catalyst is developed by accurately regulating the introduction of Pt species into amorphous RuOx supports to realize the highly active and stable H2S gas‐sensing detection. It is found that incorporation of low‐concentration Pt species can effectively maintain the amorphous state of initial RuOx and delay the crystallization temperature as high as 100 °C. Further, ex situ XPS and in situ Raman spectroscopy analysis confirm that active Pt species can facilitate H2S adsorption by strong Pt‐S coordination and dissociate the sulfur species to the surrounding support, which contribute to the chemisorption and sensitization of H2S. Meanwhile, electron transport at the interface between Pt, RuOx and ZnO further activates the reaction process at the surface of the gas‐sensitive material. The final PtRu‐modified ZnO (PtRu/ZnO) sensor enables the detection of H2S in the ultra‐low concentration range of 15–2000 ppb with remarkable stability.
Disentangling the Role of the SnO Layer on the Pyro‐Phototronic Effect in ZnO‐Based Self‐Powered Photodetectors
Authors: Vieira Eliana M. F. , Silva José P. B. , Gwozdz Katarzyna , Kaim Adrian , Gomes Nuno M. , Chahboun Adil , Gomes Maria J. M. , Correia José H.
Published: April 2023

Self‐powered photodetectors (PDs) have been recognized as one of the developing trends of next‐generation optoelectronic devices. Herein, it is shown that by introducing a thin layer of SnO film between the Si substrate and the ZnO film, the self‐powered photodetector Al/Si/SnO/ZnO/ITO exhibits a stable and uniform violet sensing ability with high photoresponsivity and fast response. The SnO layer introduces a built‐in electrostatic field to highly enhance the photocurrent by over 1000%. By analyzing energy diagrams of the p‐n junction, the underlying physical mechanism of the self‐powered violet PDs is carefully illustrated. A high photo‐responsivity (R) of 93 mA W−1 accompanied by a detectivity (D*) of 3.1 × 1010 Jones are observed under self‐driven conditions, when the device is exposed to 405 nm excitation laser wavelength, with a laser power density of 36 mW cm−2 and at a chopper frequency of 400 Hz. The Si/SnO/ZnO/ITO device shows an enhancement of 3067% in responsivity when compared to the Al/Si/ZnO/ITO. The photodetector holds an ultra‐fast response of ≈ 2 µs, which is among the best self‐powered photodetectors reported in the literature based on ZnO.
Structural Electromagnetic Absorber Based on MoS2/PyC‐Al2O3 Ceramic Metamaterials
Authors: Liu Xingmin , Liu Heqiang , Wu Hongjing , Zhou Qian , Liang Hongsheng , Liu Guoqiang , Duan Wenyan , Gu Yue , Xu Chengying , Travitzky Nahum , Colombo Paolo , Riedel Ralf
Published: April 2023

Limited by the types of suitable absorbents as well as the challenges in engineering the nanostructures (e.g., defects, dipoles, and hetero‐interface) using state‐of‐the‐art additive manufacturing (AM) techniques, the electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption performance of the current ceramic‐based materials is still not satisfying. Moreover, because of the high residual porosity and the possible formation of cracks during sintering or pyrolysis, AM‐formed ceramic components may in many cases exhibit low mechanical strength. In this work, semiconductive MoS2 and conductive PyC modified Al2O3 (MoS2/PyC‐Al2O3) ceramic‐based structural EM metamaterials are developed by innovatively harnessing AM, precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP), and hydrothermal methods. Three different meta‐structures are successfully created, and the ceramic‐based nanocomposite benefit from its optimization of EM parameters. Ultra‐broad effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 35 GHz is achieved by establishment of multi‐loss mechanism via nanostructure engineering and fabrication of meta‐structures via AM. Due to the strengthening by the PyC phase, the bending strength of the resulting ceramics can reach ≈327 MPa, which is the highest value measured on 3D‐printed ceramics of this type that has been reported so far. For the first time, the positive effect deriving from the engineering of the microscopic nano/microstructure and of the macroscopic meta‐structure of the absorber on the permittivity and EM absorption performance is proposed. Integration of outstanding mechanical strength and ultra‐broad EAB is innovatively realized through a multi‐scale design route. This work provides new insights for the design of advanced ceramic‐based metamaterials with outstanding performance under extreme environment.