bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aspergillus
,
Talaromyces
, and
Penicillium
Authors: Chen Sharon C.‐A. , Meyer Wieland , Sorrell Tania C. , Halliday Catriona L.
Published: December 2024

The genus
Aspergillus
is classified in the family Trichocomaceae of the Ascomycota. The majority of human infections due to known
Aspergillus
species are caused by
A. fumigatus
, followed by
A. flavus
,
A. terreus
, and
A. niger
, with recognition that these designations represent complexes of closely related species.
Aspergillus
species are environmental saprophytes that thrive in decaying vegetation and are readily cultured from soil, water, certain foods, and air.
Aspergillus
DNA can be detected in clinical specimens either by nucleic acid amplification methods specifically targeting
Aspergillus
or by panfungal PCR assays followed by DNA sequencing for species identification.
Penicillium sensu lato
is associated with two teleomorphic genera:
Eupenicillium
and
Talaromyces
. Assays have been developed to detect antibodies to
Talaromyces marneffei
,
Talaromyces marneffei
antigen, or both in serum and other body fluids in various test formats, including immunodiffusion, indirect immunofluorescence, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.
General Approaches for Detection and Identification of Parasites
Authors: Garcia Lynne S. , Paltridge Graeme P. , Shimizu Robyn Y.
Published: December 2024

This chapter discusses various approaches and diagnostic methods currently used for the diagnosis of parasitic infections. The purpose of a direct wet mount is to confirm the possibility of infection with certain protozoa and helminths, to assess the worm burden of the patient, and to look for organism motility. Immunoassay reagents are available commercially for several of the protozoan parasites, including,
Cryptosporidium
spp., the
Entamoeba histolytica
‐
Entamoeba dispar
group, and
E. histolytica
. Fecal culture methods are especially helpful for the detection of light infections with hookworm,
Strongyloides stercoralis
, and
Trichostrongylus
spp. and for the specific identification of parasites. The agar plate culture is recommended for the recovery of
S. stercoralis
larvae; it tends to be more sensitive than some of the other diagnostic methods and, with the exception of molecular methods, is currently the method of choice. The most widely used procedure for the diagnosis of pinworm infection is the cellulose tape.
Intestinal and Urogenital Amebae, Flagellates, and Ciliates
Authors: Mathison Blaine A. , Couturier Marc R.
Published: December 2024

Entamoeba histolytica
and
Giardia duodenalis
infections are two of the most common protozoal infections seen worldwide and are of serious concern on a global scale due to their prevalence and the pathogenicity of these causative agents. Microscopic examination of stool specimens continues to be one of the main tools used in the laboratory diagnosis of intestinal amebic, flagellate, and ciliate infections. Antigen detection methods such as enzyme immunoassays, immunochromatographic assays, and direct fluorescent‐antibody assays are available for the detection of pathogens such as the
E. histolytica
/
Entamoeba dispar
group,
E. histolytica
,
Cryptosporidium
spp. and
G. duodenalis
. One of the most important developments related to the molecular detection of parasites is the advent of panels for detection of multiple agents of gastrointestinal disease, including combinations of bacterial, viral, and parasitic agents.
25 Years of Biologics for the Treatment of Pediatric Rheumatic Disease: Advances in Prognosis and Ongoing Challenges
Authors: Shishov Michael , Weiss Pamela F. , Levy Deborah M. , Chang Joyce C. , Angeles‐Han Sheila T. , Ogbu Ekemini A. , Nanda Kabita , Sherrard Tina M. , Goldmuntz Ellen , Lovell Daniel J. , Rider Lisa G. , Brunner Hermine I. ,   for the Pediatric Rheumatology Collaborative Study Group Advisory Council
Published: December 2024

There are over 100 rheumatic diseases and approximately 300,000 children with a pediatric rheumatic disease (PRD) in the United States. The most common PRDs are juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), childhood‐onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE), and juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). Effective and safe medications are essential because there are generally no cures for these conditions. Etanercept was the first biologic therapy for the treatment of JIA, approved in 1999. Since then, other biologic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and targeted synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (tsDMARDs) blocking relevant immunologic pathways have been approved for the treatment of JIA, resulting in a marked improvement of disease prognosis. Conversely, there is only one bDMARD that has been approved for cSLE, but none are approved for the treatment of JDM. Lack of approved therapeutic options, with established dosing regimens and known efficacy and safety, remains a central challenge in the treatment of all PRDs, including autoinflammatory diseases, and for complications of PRDs. This review provides an overview of bDMARD and tsDMARD treatments studied for the treatment of various subtypes of JIA, summarizes information from bDMARD studies in other PRDs, with a focus on pivotal trials that led to regulatory approvals, and highlights improved outcomes in patients with JIA with the reception of these newer medications. Further, we outline barriers and challenges in the treatment of other PRDs. Last, we summarize the current regulatory landscape for bDMARD studies and medication approvals for patients with PRDs.
Preparation of Ti6Al4V Slurry for Digital Light Processing 3D Printing
Authors: Zhang Jinshuai , Guo Nana , Li Ling , Zhao Junhui , Chu Wei , Zhao Jie
Published: December 2024

Ti6Al4V powders have higher light absorption and density, which pose significant challenges for metal light curing. It is necessary to investigate the performance of Ti6Al4V slurries to achieve high‐quality green bodies. To optimize Ti6Al4V slurry for light‐curing printing, the influence of slurry components on the rheological and curing properties of slurry is studied. The viscosity values of slurries are measured under different solid loading, and it is found that the viscosity values of the slurry are proportional to the solids loading. It is found that the curing performance of the slurry with photoinitiators 819 is superior to that of the slurry with diphenyl (2,4,6‐trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide as the photoinitiator 819. The effect of the concentration of dispersant KOS110 on the viscosity of slurry is measured, and the results show that the viscosity of the slurry is increased due to the bridging flocculation of the dispersant KOS110 in the slurry. It is found that green bodies can be printed successfully when the solid loading of Ti6Al4V slurry is 40 vol%, the concentrations of photoinitiator 819 and dispersant KOS110 are 1 and 3 wt%, respectively. The printing parameters are energy density of 336 mJ cm−2 and a model thickness of 20 μm.
Revisiting Mo‐Doped SrFeO3‐δ Perovskite: The Origination of Cathodic Activity and Longevity for Intermediate‐Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Li Yihang , Mushtaq Naveed , Chen Yongjian , Ye Weimin , Zhuang Zechao , Singh Manish , Jing Yifu , Fan Liangdong
Published: December 2024

The development of cathode materials for rapid and durable oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of great importance for intermediate‐temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT‐SOFCs). Here, we reported a rationally designed minor acidic MoO3 incorporated SrFeO3‐δ‐based perovskite oxide, SrFe0.93Mo0.07O3‐δ instead of normally heavily doped one, with stable cubic phase, exceptional ORR activity, strong Sr segregation resistance and CO2 tolerance as a reliable cathode for IT‐SOFCs through a combined strategy of smith acidity and average metal‐oxygen bond energy regulations. Theoretical investigation on the origin of nonstoichiometric and associated electronic structure properties shows that significant hybridization of the Fe‐3d and O‐2p state, reduced oxygen vacancies formation energy and eased bulk oxide ion diffusivity through controllable amount of Mo‐doping contribute to remarkable ORR activity. The single cell with SrFe0.93Mo0.07O3‐δ cathode exhibits a peak power density of 0.24–1.12 W cm−2 at 600–800 °C, and excellent stability for 270 h at 700 °C. Furthermore, the single cell demonstrates excellent thermal cycling robustness and well‐integrated interfaces without any performance degradation after undergoing 20 rapid temperature fluctuations throughout 500 h. Therefore, this work embodies a combined strategy for designing active perovskite cathode and highlights the great potential for IT‐SOFCs as validated by multiple perspective considerations.
Charge Engineering of Star‐Shaped Organic Photosensitizers Enables Efficient Type‐I Radicals for Photodynamic Therapy of Multidrug‐Resistant Bacterial Infection
Authors: Yu Jie , Xu Wenchang , Chen Huan , Yuan Haitao , Wang Yu , Qian Xiandie , Zhang Jie , Ji Yu , Zhao Qi , Li Shengliang
Published: December 2024

Infection induced by multidrug‐resistant bacteria is now the second most common cause of accidental death worldwide. However, identifying a high‐performance strategy with good efficiency and low toxicity is still urgently needed. Antibacterial photodynamic therapy (PDT) is considered a non‐invasive and efficient approach with minimal drug resistance. Whereas, the precise molecular design for highly efficient oxygen‐independent type‐I photosensitizers is still undefined. In this work, the regulation of the positive charge of star‐shaped NIR‐emissive organic photosensitizers can boost radical generation for the efficient treatment of wounds infected with multidrug‐resistant bacteria. With positive charge engineering, TPAT‐DNN, which has six positive charges, mainly produces hydroxyl radicals via the type‐I pathway, while TPAT‐DN, which has three positive charges, tends to generate singlet oxygen and superoxide radicals. For multidrug‐resistant bacteria, TPAT‐DNN exhibited specific killing effects on multidrug‐resistant gram‐positive bacteria at low concentrations, while TPAT‐DN is similar antibacterial effects on both multidrug‐resistant gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria. Furthermore, the efficiency and safety of TPAT‐DNN for eradicating multidrug‐resistant bacteria methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infection and accelerating wound healing in an MRSA‐infected mouse model are demonstrated. This work offers a new approach toward manipulating efficient type‐I photosensitizers for MRSA treatment.
Monolayer Magnetic Metal with Scalable Conductivity
Authors: Parfenov Oleg E. , Averyanov Dmitry V. , Sokolov Ivan S. , Mihalyuk Alexey N. , Kondratev Oleg A. , Taldenkov Alexander N. , Tokmachev Andrey M. , Storchak Vyacheslav G.
Published: December 2024

2D magnets have emerged as a class of materials highly promising for studies of quantum phenomena and applications in ultra‐compact spintronics. Current research aims at design of 2D magnets with particular functional properties. A formidable challenge is to produce metallic monolayers: the material landscape of layered magnetic systems is strongly dominated by insulators; rare metallic magnets, such as Fe3GeTe2, become insulating as they approach the monolayer limit. Here, electron transport measurements demonstrate that the recently discovered 2D magnet GdAlSi – graphene‐like AlSi layers coupled to layers of Gd atoms – remains metallic down to a single monolayer. Band structure analysis indicates the material to be an electride, which may stabilize the metallic state. Remarkably, the sheet conductance of 2D GdAlSi is proportional to the number of monolayers – a manifestation of scalable conductivity. The GdAlSi layers are epitaxially integrated with silicon, facilitating applications in electronics.
The Significance and Usage Strategies of Macromolecules in 3D Printed Ceramic Composites
Authors: Wang An , Qiao Yuxuan , Chen Tianyi , Wu Wenya , Song Jiangxuan , Wang Tengjiao , Li Peng , Huang Wei
Published: December 2024

3D printing technology enables the creation of complex ceramic structures and enhances the efficiency of customized ceramic production. Polymers play a crucial role in 3D‐printed ceramic composites due to their unique processability, yet their significance and application strategies remain underexplored. These polymers not only enable rapid and precise 3D shaping but also offer additional advantages due to their unique and adjustable physicochemical properties. Therefore, the appropriate selection and utilization of polymers are expected to drive new breakthroughs in the field of 3D‐printed ceramic composites. This review provides an overview of relevant additive manufacturing technologies and processes, with a specific focus on the strategies for using polymers in 3D‐printed ceramic composites, including their roles as binders, templates, preceramics, and matrices. Highlighting the critical functionalities and potential value of these ceramic composites from a practical application perspective.
Piezoelectric‐Augmented Thermoelectric Ionogels for Self‐Powered Multimodal Medical Sensors
Authors: Pai Ya‐Hsin , Xu Chen , Zhu Renyang , Ding Xinyi , Bai Shengqiang , Liang Ziqi , Chen Lidong
Published: December 2024

A paradigm ionogel consisting of ionic liquid (IL) and PVDF−HFP composites is made, which inherently possesses dual‐function ionic thermoelectric (iTE) and piezoelectric (PE) attributes. This study investigates an innovative “PE‐enhanced iTEs” effect, wherein the ionic thermopower exhibits a 58% enhancement while the ionic conductivity arises more than 2× within a PE‐induced internal electric field. By harnessing these multifaceted features, fully self‐powered, multimodal sensors demonstrate their superior energy conversion capabilities, which possessed minimum sensitivities of 0.13 mV kPa−1 and 0.96 mV K−1 in pressure and temperature alterations, respectively. The PE augmentation of iTEs is maximized by ≈3× under rising water pressure. Their swift and sophisticated responses to various in vivo vital signs simultaneously in a hemorrhagic shock scenario, indicative of good prospects in the clinical medicine field are showcased.
Single‐Crystal and Polycrystal SiC Bonding for Cost‐effective Chip Fabrication
Authors: Huang Szuyu , Liu Fachen , Liu Jiaxin , Gao Xiaoyue , Wang Zhenzhong , Gao Peng
Published: December 2024

High‐quantity single‐crystal silicon carbide (SiC) is widely used in power electronics due to its excellent breakdown electric field strength and high thermal conductivity. However, back grinding during the chip fabrication generally results in ≈70% of single‐crystal SiC being wasted, leading to the high cost of SiC chips. In order to improve the utilization, single‐crystal SiC on polycrystal SiC (SoP‐SiC) is bonded. The challenge to achieve excellent bonding interfaces for such a system is the heterogeneous surface of polycrystals in which those grains with different orientations usually have different physical and chemical properties, making it difficult to achieve sufficiently smooth surfaces for bonding. Here, ion beam etching (IBE) is employed to activate the surface of polycrystal and single‐crystal SiC and achieve high bonding strength (up to ≈20 MPa) after annealing in the atmosphere. Sub‐nanometer‐scale electron microscopy and energy spectroscopy analysis showing the IBE method can effectively inhibit the formation of silicon oxide at the bonding interface, which is expected to reduce the interface thermal resistance according to the phonon spectrum analysis. This study provides a novel method to fabricate single‐polycrystal SiC junctions with high bonding strength and high thermal conductivity, which is valuable for the SiC industry.
Sustainable Synthesis of Palladium‐Immobilized Covalent Organic Frameworks: A One‐step Sonochemical Strategy
Authors: Harrod Chelsea , Alsudairy Ziad , Zheng Qi , Campbell Allea , Brown Normanda , Uddin Md Hanif , Cai Songliang , Li Xinle
Published: December 2024

The rapid and environmentally benign synthesis of metal‐immobilized covalent organic frameworks (metal/COFs) for heterogeneous catalysis is a pervasive challenge, as the mainstream synthesis is exceedingly time‐consuming (up to four days) and demands the use of hazardous solvents. Herein, we describe a sustainable and efficient one‐step sonochemical strategy for constructing diverse palladium (II)‐immobilized COFs (Pd(II)/COFs). By merging the sonochemistry‐assisted COF synthesis and in situ Pd (II) immobilization into a single step, this strategy enables the rapid formation of Pd(II)/COF hybrids within an hour under ambient conditions using water as the solvent. Notably, gram‐scale synthesis of Pd(II)/COFs is achievable. The resulting Pd(II)/COFs exhibit superb crystallinity and high surface area, leading to remarkable activity, excellent functionality tolerance, and high recyclability for the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction of aryl bromides and arylboronic acids at room temperature. This one‐step sonochemical strategy effectively addresses the long‐lasting limitations of traditional multistep synthesis, paving a fast and sustainable avenue to diversified metal/COF hybrids for heterogeneous catalysis and potentially other applications.
Bio‐Mass Radiative Cooling Materials: Progress and Prospects
Authors: Jia Han , Zhang Jingna , Hou Yangzhe , Pan Yamin , Liu Chuntai , Shen Changyu , Ma Jun , Liu Xianhu
Published: December 2024

Radiative cooling (RC) is a passive cooling technology that leverages infrared radiation to reduce temperatures without external energy input, presenting a crucial approach to mitigating global warming and lowering energy consumption. Biomass‐based RC materials, known for their environmental sustainability and abundance, offer a promising alternative for RC applications. This review outlines the fundamental principles of radiative cooling and examines recent advancements in biomass‐based RC materials, such as natural wood, cellulose, chitosan, silk, and bioplastics. Furthermore, it highlights key challenges and explores future development prospects in this field.
Utilization of Novel (KNbO3)1−x(Ba2FeNbO6)x (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) Solid Solutions for Efficient Photo‐Assisted Fenton Degradation of Methylene Blue Dye
Authors: Avcıoğlu Celal , Kraus Peter , Avcıoğlu Suna , Müller Julian T. , Gurlo Aleksander , Bekheet Maged F.
Published: December 2024

Novel (KNbO3)1−x(Ba2FeNbO6)x (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) solid solutions corresponding to K0.82Ba0.18Fe0.09Nb0.91O3, K0.64Ba0.36Fe0.18Nb0.82O3, and K0.46Ba0.54Fe0.27Nb0.73O3 compounds have been synthesized via molten salt method. X‐ray diffraction confirms the formation of solid solutions, while transmission electron microscopy combined with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy results demonstrates a homogeneous distribution of elements. The obtained solid solutions crystallized in a cubic crystal structure, whereas the parent KNbO3 possesses an orthorhombic structure. The wide bandgap semiconductor KNbO3 transformed into a visible‐light‐active material, with its bandgap energy reduced from 3.56 eV to ≈2.4 eV. The substitution of K in KNbO3 with Ba is responsible for structural modification from orthorhombic to cubic symmetry, whereas both structural modification and the substitution of Nb with Fe correlated with optical properties. The photocatalytic activities of all obtained solid solutions are improved compared with the parent KNbO3 and Ba2FeNbO6 compounds for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye. Among the series of solid solutions, K0.82Ba0.18Fe0.09Nb0.91O3 photocatalysts show the highest MB removal efficiency owing to its relatively higher surface area, suppressed charge carrier recombination, and more negative conduction band edge. Moreover, K0.82Ba0.18Fe0.09Nb0.91O3 photocatalyst (0.1 g) combined with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to form a novel photo‐Fenton system, achieving almost complete degradation of 100 mL of 10 mg L−1 MB dye in 30 min.
Enhanced resistance to poisoning of Pd in alkynes semi‐hydrogenation by metal–ligand electronic interactions
Authors: Wei Zhongzhe , Dong Guanglu , Zhao Long , Huang Songtao , Xia Molin , Huang Wei , Jiang Ming , Yang Zhixiang , Yao Zihao , Li Jianfeng , Wang Jianguo
Published: December 2024

Given that the retention of nitrogen readily renders active site poisoning, designing versatile catalysts characterized by notable selectivity and even resistance to poisoning for alkyne semi‐hydrogenation under nitrogen‐containing conditions is considerably challenging. In this article, oxanilide‐decorated Pd/C (Pd/C‐oxa) catalyst is facilely synthesized by leveraging impregnation‐coordination, which exhibit remarkable performance in the semi‐hydrogenation of nitrogen‐containing alkynes, with ultrahigh turnover frequency (TOF) of 15,831 h−1 and selectivity of 97.2%. Strikingly, it still sustains TOF of 12,137 h−1 in a sulfur‐containing system, demonstrating distinguished tolerance to sulfur. Comprehensive studies corroborate that oxanilide tunes the electron density of Pd by constructing metal–ligand electronic interactions, facilitating hydrogen activation. Simultaneously, the reaction microenvironment is optimized, which effectively promotes the desorption of nitrogen‐containing olefins and attenuates the aggregation of nitrogen on the Pd surface. This strategy is universal and holds promising industrial applications, making it appropriate for use in commercial Pd/C catalysts as well.
Recent Advances in Direct Amidation Via Organocatalysis
Authors: Hussein Mohanad A. , Hassoon Mageed Ahmed
Published: December 2024

The formation of amide bonds is essential for a wide range of applications in biological and organic systems, including proteins, pesticides, polymers, and pharmaceuticals. Moreover, it plays a critical role in the synthesis of numerous bioactive compounds with anticancer, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Due to the limitations of conventional coupling reagents for amide synthesis, there is a growing demand for environmentally sustainable methodologies, particularly the direct formation of amides from carboxylic acids and amines. Over recent years, we have developed several catalytic reactions based on organocatalysis, advancing sustainable synthetic methods in both organic and medicinal chemistry. This review comprehensively discusses catalytic amidation reactions published up to January 2024, focusing on both organocatalysis and boron‐based catalysis for the direct condensation of carboxylic acids and amines. Additionally, it highlights our recent contributions to sustainable amidation protocols, which are progressively replacing traditional catalytic approaches in modern synthetic chemistry.
The Influence of Age, Sex, and Season on Hematological Parameters in a Captive Population of Former Laboratory Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Ngoubangoye Barthélémy , Dibakou Serge‐Ely , Otsaghe Ekore Désiré , Tsoumbou Thierry Audrey Gaël , Moussadji Kinga Ivan Cyr , Yanagha Freddy , Okomo Nguema Linaa Yasmine , Boudenga Larson , Pontier Dominique
Published: December 2024

This study aimed to establish a baseline hematological profile and examine the influence of age, sex, and season on hematological parameters in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) living in a humid tropical climate. Hematological parameters are a useful tool for assessing health status and diagnosing diseases in animals. We analyzed 473 blood samples collected from 84 chimpanzees (43 females and 41 males) during annual health checks, conducted under anesthesia for a routine physical examination. The main findings revealed significant sex differences in some hematological parameters: males had higher hematocrit and red blood cell counts than females. Age‐related variations have also been noted, with adolescents and adults having lower lymphocyte counts but higher neutrophil and monocyte counts than infants. Adults, in particular, had significantly lower platelet counts compared to other age classes. Seasonal fluctuations were also observed: lymphocyte counts were higher in the rainy season, while neutrophil counts were higher in the dry season. In addition, the general trends in hematological parameters for this captive population of chimpanzees were similar to those reported in captive chimpanzees living in the United States. These results should provide animal health professionals, particularly those working with nonhuman primates, with data to compare and interpret. They will help improve practices for monitoring and managing the health of nonhuman primates in captivity.
Modeling nasal septal flap repair of an anterior skull base defect: A pilot simulation study
Authors: Cradeur Amber , Knackstedt Mark , Latour Mackenzie , Yim Michael
Published: December 2024

Key points

Simulation models have utility in rehearsal of endoscopic skull base repair with a nasoseptal flap.

Trainee confidence, technical skill, and repair quality saw significant improvement in this study.
Neodymium‐Mediated Coordinative Chain Transfer Homopolymerization of Bio‐Based Myrcene and Copolymerization With Butadiene and Isoprene
Authors: Li Xin , Zhang Xiuhui , Wang Feng , Liu Wei , Zhang Xuequan , Liu Heng
Published: December 2024

Coordinative chain transfer polymerization (CCTP) has emerged as a powerful strategy in controlling the polymerization behavior of petroleum‐based diene monomers of butadiene (BD) and isoprene (Ip) and has been extensively studied in the past few years. Nevertheless, for the bio‐based terpene monomer of myrcene (My), its polymerization performance is rarely disclosed. Herein, by using a neodymium‐based Ziegler–Natta catalytic system of Nd(vers)3/Al(i‐Bu)2H/AlEt3/EASC, the CCTP of My was systematically evaluated. In order to concrete the CCTP characteristic, more evidence was provided, including its comprehensive comparison with the Ip system, kinetic studies, and seeding polymerization. All these results have led to the conclusion that, despite the long alkenyl substitute in the My monomer, CCTP properties were still demonstrated, albeit with relative lower chain transfer efficiency. Coordinative chain transfer copolymerization (CCTcoP) of My with BD or Ip was also studied, in which, similar to My homopolymerization, well‐controlled polymerization behaviors were also revealed that gave narrow polydispersities, high atom economies, as well as controlled copolymer compositions. Monomer reactivity ratio studies by Fineman‐Ross plot revealed that, for CCTcoP of My and BD, r
My and r
BD were determined as 0.62 and 0.27, whereas for My/Ip system, r
My and r
Ip values were 0.74 and 0.24, respectively, implying both two systems preferred to undergo cross‐polymerization to give copolymers rather than homopolymer sequences.
Empirische Untersuchung zum politischen Verständnis über graue Emissionen im Bauwesen
Authors: Glock Christian , Dernbach Aaron , Kaufmann Fabian , Johann Yannik
Published: December 2024

Neben der angestrebten Minderung des Primärenergieverbrauchs von Gebäuden sind auch die grauen Emissionen Gegenstand von Forschung, normativen Vorhaben und Gesetzesinitiativen. Zugleich finden existierende Lösungsansätze zur Reduktion der grauen Emissionen bei gleichzeitiger Verbesserung der Effizienz selten Anwendung. Ziel dieser Untersuchung ist es daher, objektive Ursachen und wissenschaftliche Befunde für diesen Status quo zu identifizieren. Konkret: Warum werden gute Lösungsansätze nicht umgesetzt und welchen spezifischen wissenschaftlichen Input braucht die Politik? In einer Studie wurden Mitglieder des Ausschusses für Wohnen, Stadtentwicklung, Bauwesen und Kommunen des Deutschen Bundestags in strukturierten Interviews befragt, um qualifiziert Ursachen und Lösungsansätze herauszuarbeiten. Die Ursachen für die hohen grauen Emissionen können seitens der Politik vergleichsweise präzise benannt werden. Im Hinblick auf die technische Komplexität möglicher Lösungen und die bestehenden regulatorischen Rahmenbedingungen zeigt sich ein erhebliches Defizit. Aktuelle Zahlen legen nahe, dass lediglich vier von 33 Abgeordneten des Ausschusses technische Vorkenntnisse aus einer Berufs‐ oder Hochschulausbildung im Bauwesen aufweisen können. Zur Umsetzung geeigneter Maßnahmen ist die Politik daher auf den zielorientierten Austausch mit der Wissenschaft und der Bauwirtschaft angewiesen. Dieser Beitrag soll einen Impuls hierzu geben und technische Lösungsansätze aufzeigen.
Photoproduction of Aviation Fuel β‐Caryophyllene From the Eukaryotic Green Microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Dou Xiaotan , Li Mengjie , Ge Yunlong , Yin Gerui , Wang Xinyu , Xue Song , Jia Baolin , Zi Lihan , Wan Huihui , Xi Yimei , Chi Zhanyou , Kong Fantao
Published: December 2024

β‐caryophyllene is a plant‐derived sesquiterpene and is regarded as a promising ingredient for aviation fuels. Microalgae can convert CO2 into energy‐rich bioproducts through photosynthesis, making them potential platforms for the sustainable production of sesquiterpenes. However, heterologous sesquiterpene engineering in microalgae is still in its infancy, and β‐caryophyllene production in eukaryotic photosynthetic microorganisms has not been reported. In this study, we succeeded in producing β‐caryophyllene in the model eukaryotic microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by heterologously expressing a β‐caryophyllene synthase (QHS). Furthermore, overexpressing the key enzyme of the 2‐C‐methyl‐D‐erythritol 4‐phosphate pathway in the QHS‐expressing strain (QHS‐DXS‐HDR−18) resulted in a 17‐fold higher β‐caryophyllene production compared to the single expression of QHS (QHS−28). Additionally, when isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (CrIDI) was overexpressed, the β‐caryophyllene production was up to 480.6 μg/L in QHS‐DXS‐HDR‐CrIDI−16 and increased by 1.8‐fold compared to the parental strain QHS‐DXS‐HDR−18. Under photoautotrophic and photomixotrophic conditions in photobioreactors, the β‐caryophyllene production in QHS‐DXS‐HDR‐CrIDI−16 reached 854.7 and 1016.8 μg/L, respectively. Noticeably, all the β‐caryophyllene‐producing strains generated in this study did not exhibit adverse effects on cell growth and photosynthesis activity compared to the untransformed strain. This study demonstrates the first successful attempt to produce β‐caryophyllene in the eukaryotic microalga C. reinhardtii and develops a novel strategy for increasing sesquiterpene production in eukaryotic photosynthetic microorganisms.
ESG Tendencies From News Investigated by AI Trained by Human Intelligence
Authors: Li Chao , Keeley Alexander Ryota , Takeda Shutaro , Seki Daikichi , Managi Shunsuke
Published: December 2024

We create a large language model with high accuracy to investigate the relatedness between 12 environmental, social, and governance (ESG) topics and more than 2 million news reports. The text match pre‐trained transformer (TMPT) with 138,843,049 parameters is built to probe whether and how much a news record is connected to a specific topic of interest. The TMPT, based on the transformer structure and a pre‐trained model, is an artificial intelligence model trained by more than 200,000 academic papers. The cross‐validation result reveals that the TMPT's accuracy is 85.73%, which is excellent in zero‐shot learning tasks. In addition, combined with sentiment analysis, our research monitors news attitudes and tones toward specific ESG topics daily from September 2021 to September 2023. The results indicate that the media is increasing discussion on social topics, while the news regarding environmental issues is reduced. Moreover, toward almost all topics, the attitudes are gradually becoming positive. Our research highlights the temporal shifts in public perception regarding 12 key ESG issues:ESG has been incrementally accepted by the public. These insights are invaluable for policymakers, corporate leaders, and communities as they navigate sustainable decision‐making.
The accessory renal arteries: A systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Triantafyllou George , Paschopoulos Ioannis , Węgiel Andrzej , Olewnik Łukasz , Tsakotos George , Zielinska Nicol , Piagkou Maria
Published: December 2024

The accessory renal arteries (ARAs) are a well‐described variant of the renal vasculature with clinical implications for radiologists, surgeons, and clinicians. The aim of the present systematic review with meta‐analysis was to estimate the pooled prevalence of ARAs, including their variant number, origin, and termination, and to highlight symmetrical and asymmetrical morphological patterns. The systematic review used four online databases in accordance with PRISMA 2020 and Evidence‐based Anatomy Workgroup guidelines. R programming software was used for the statistical meta‐analysis. A total of 111 studies were considered eligible for our initial aim. The typical renal artery (RA) anatomy (a single bilateral vessel) was identified in 78.92%; the overall ARA prevalence was estimated at a pooled prevalence of 21.10%. The estimated pooled prevalence of one, two, three, and four ARAs were 18.67%, 1.80%, 0.01%, and <0.01%. The ARAs have been the subject of extensive research owing to their clinical importance, including in kidney transplantation surgery and resistant hypertension therapy. Knowledge of the typical and variant anatomy of RAs is essential for anatomists, radiologists, surgeons, and clinicians in order to avoid misunderstanding, complications, and iatrogenic injury.
Emotional Reactivity and Regulation Relate to Surgical Treatment Decision Making Among Newly Diagnosed Women With Breast Cancer
Authors: Benedict Catherine , Nouriani Bita , Neri Eric , Miller Kate , Kurian Allison W. , Gross James J. , Spiegel David
Published: December 2024

Background

Despite bilateral mastectomy (BLM) for early‐stage breast cancer (BC) showing no survival benefit and increased risk compared to breast conserving surgery, some patients still choose this treatment. This study examined whether emotion reactivity and regulation influence treatment decision making among newly diagnosed women with breast cancer.

Methods

Cross‐sectional survey data were analyzed as part of a larger study. Measures included the Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy (CPM) survey, PROMIS Anxiety scale, and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) Cognitive Reappraisal and Emotional Suppression subscales. Primary analysis included a logistic regression model predicting treatment choice (BLM vs. non‐BLM).

Results

Participants (N = 137) with unilateral BC (Stages 0–III) were divided between BLM (n = 66) versus breast conserving surgery (i.e., non‐BLM, n = 71) treatment groups. Compared to the non‐BLM group, the BLM group was younger, more likely to be partnered, and had a higher household income. Women with high levels of BC‐specific worry were 3.6 times more likely to choose BLM compared to women with low levels of worry (OR = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.07–0.8.93). Those who used cognitive reappraisal were 10% less likely to choose BLM compared to women who did not use cognitive reappraisal (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.82–0.99). There were no group differences in levels of generalized anxiety (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.87–0.99) or emotional suppression (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.90–1.16).

Conclusions

Findings suggest the choice of BLM may be due, in part, to negative emotional experiences after a BC diagnosis and lesser use of reappraisal to reframe cancer‐related fears. These may be important targets of intervention to support women making BC treatment decisions.
Novel Systemic Anticancer Therapy and Healthcare Utilization at the End of Life: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Garg Vikas , Ruiz Buenrostro Alejandra , Heuniken Katrina , Bagnarol Rebecca , Yousef Mohamed , Sajewicz Katrina , Dhanju Suman , Wentlandt Kirsten , Kuruvilla John , Lheureux Stephanie , Zimmermann Camilla , Hannon Breffni
Published: December 2024

Background

Novel systemic anticancer therapies (SACT) in the form of targeted and immunotherapies are increasingly replacing traditional chemotherapy. Little is known about the impact of novel SACT on healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) at the end of life.

Methodology

A retrospective review of patients attending a tertiary cancer center in Toronto, Canada, with advanced solid or hematological malignancies who died in 2019. Demographic and cancer data, SACT use, HCRU (emergency room [ER] visits, acute/intensive care unit [ICU] admission, and place of death) were retrieved and compared between those who received SACT in their last 30 days of life and those who did not. Chi‐squared tests or Quasi‐Poisson regression calculated HCRU expressed as percentages or rate ratios (RR). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression identified factors independently associated with SACT use.

Results

Of 443 patients included, 88 (20%) received SACT in the last 30 days of life, with 42 (48%) receiving targeted therapies and 10 (11%) immunotherapy. Factors associated with SACT use included younger age (p = 0.016), breast (p < 0.001), lung (p = 0.047), hematological malignancies (p = 0.002), fewer comorbidities (p = 0.039), and novel SACT (p = 0.006). Receipt of SACT was associated with a higher frequency of ER visits (55% vs. 36% who did not receive SACT, p = 0.001), acute hospitalizations (68% vs. 47%, p < 0.001), ICU admissions (18% vs. 7%, p = 0.003), and death in hospital (45% vs. 30%, p = 0.008).

Conclusion

Novel SACT use at the end of life is high and is strongly associated with HCRU. Future studies should explore the impact of advance care planning and palliative care referrals on SACT use.
Prevalence of HER3 Expression in Pancreatic Cancer Patients Treated With Systemic Chemotherapy
Authors: Satake Tomoyuki , Morizane Chigusa , Okada Mao , Nishioka Mariko , Hiraoka Nobuyoshi , Nara Satoshi , Kakegawa Tomoya , Kobayashi Maki , Koyama Kumiko , Esaki Minoru , Okusaka Takuji
Published: December 2024

Background

Although activation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) is linked to resistance to targeted therapies in several cancer types, the HER3 expression profile during pancreatic cancer treatment remains unknown.

Aims

We evaluated the HER3 expression status after chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer and its association with clinicopathological features and clinical outcomes.

Materials & Methods

We included patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent chemotherapy and whose post‐treatment archival tissue specimens were collected. HER3 expression was retrospectively assessed by immunohistochemistry scoring (0, 1+, 2+, and 3+) of the membranous staining intensity.

Results

HER3 expression after chemotherapy was evaluated in 41 patients, with matched‐pair analysis in five patients before and after chemotherapy. HER3 expression was observed in most of the patients after chemotherapy, demonstrating IHC scores of ≥ 1+ and ≥ 2+ in 40 (98%) and 26 (63%) of 41 patients, respectively. Of the 38 patients with adenocarcinoma, the median overall survival in the HER3 (2+/3+) and HER3 (0/1+) groups was 21.0 and 17.1 months, respectively. The comparison of HER3 expression before and after chemotherapy performed in five cases revealed that scores changed from 2+/3+ to 0/1+ in one case, 0/1+ to 2+/3+ in another case, and remained at 2+/3+ in three cases. Cancer genome profiling tests in eight cases found no HER3 amplification or mutation, and seven of these cases had adenocarcinomas with KRAS and TP53 mutations.

Conclusion

A high prevalence of HER3 expression was observed in pancreatic cancer patients after chemotherapy. Our findings indicate that HER3 is a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer, deserving further clinical investigation.
Screening Study on Serine Protease Inhibitory Activity of 10 Plant Species
Authors: Günbatan Tuğba , Dilmaç Elif , Gökbulut Alper , Sucu Melike , Gürbüz İlhan
Published: December 2024

In this research, in vitro serine protease inhibitory activity of 10 plant species was evaluated, and extracts that showed strong activity were analyzed through high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Rhododendron caucasicum Pall. (leaf) and Potentilla reptans L. were found to have the highest chymotrypsin inhibitory activities (83.77% and 82.01% inhibition). The highest trypsin inhibitory activity was observed in R. caucasicum (flower) (82.86% inhibition), followed by Cruciata laevipes Opiz (82.22% inhibition). Extracts showing potent enzyme inhibition were fractioned and subjected to activity tests. The highest chymotrypsin inhibitory activity was observed in the n‐hexane fraction of P. reptans (92.90% inhibition). In comparison, the highest trypsin inhibitory activity was found in the ethyl acetate fraction of Lythrum salicaria L. (89.81% inhibition). HPLC studies determined that the 80% ethanol extract of P. reptans contained chlorogenic acid. The screened plants were generally rich in phenol and flavonoid content and showed strong antioxidant activity.
A Comparative Study of the Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Pt and Ag in Alkaline Media
Authors: Rampf Alexander , Braig Michael , Passerini Stefano , Zeis Roswitha
Published: December 2024

Investigating the ORR under practical conditions is vital for optimizing metal–air batteries and alkaline fuel cells. Herein, we characterized Pt and Ag gas diffusion electrodes (GDE) in a GDE half‐cell in high alkaline concentrations at elevated temperatures by polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) combined with the distribution of relaxation times (DRT) analysis. The Pt catalyst's polarization curve displays substantial losses below 0.82 V vs. RHE. The DRT analysis reveals significantly increased charge transfer resistance and a decelerated ORR at that potential. RRDE measurements attributed the polarization loss observed for Pt catalysts to increased peroxide formation in this potential region triggered by the desorption of oxygenated species. Therefore, the ORR activity of Ag exceeds some of the here‐used Pt catalysts at high current densities. This work combines the benefits of the RRDE and the GDE half‐cell to study catalysts and identify the reaction mechanisms under conditions relevant to practical fuel cells and batteries. Moreover, the DRT analysis is introduced as an analytical tool to determine the charge transfer resistance contribution and the corresponding frequency of the ORR.
A review on pharmaceutical pollutants removal in water solution by catalytic ozonation using zeolite
Authors: Bavianne Wamegne Kenang Joelle , Jing Liming , Auriol Ngouana Moffo Ivane , Thomas Obwoya Rubangakene , Shuang Ai , Jiating Shi
Published: December 2024

The presence of pharmaceutical pollutants in water sources constitute a serious risk to human health and the environment. Catalytic ozonation has emerged as a promising strategy for reducing these pollutants. This procedure uses ozone with the help of catalysts to improve the oxidation of organic molecules. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in using zeolite as an ozonation catalyst in the elimination of pharmaceutical contaminants from water solutions. Zeolites have unique properties such as their high surface area, porosity, and ion‐exchange capabilities, that make them effective catalysts for the decomposition of ozone and the oxidation of organic pollutants into harmless byproducts. This study aims to investigate the efficiency of zeolite catalytic ozonation in the elimination of pharmaceutical pollutants from aqueous solutions encompassing the working mechanisms, the determinants affecting the process's efficiency, potential obstacles, and perspective avenues for advancement within this field.
Incidence rates of soft tissue sarcoma among U.S. military servicemen: Comparison with the rates in the general U.S. population
Authors: Bytnar Julie A. , Anderson Ashley B. , Potter Benjamin K. , Shriver Craig D. , Zhu Kangmin
Published: December 2024

Background

Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers among men younger than age 30 years and a leading cause of cancer death in men younger than age 40 years. The military may be more exposed to STS risk factors and have generally better health and health care access than the general population, which may relate to lower cancer risk and/or early detection. This study compared STS incidence between servicemen and men in the general U.S. population.

Methods

Data were from the Department of Defense’s Automated Central Tumor Registry (ACTUR) and the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. Subjects were active‐duty servicemen in ACTUR and men in SEER aged 18–59 years diagnosed with STS from 1990 to 2013. Age‐adjusted rates, incidence rate ratios (IRR), and 95% CIs were calculated.

Results

STS incidence rates were lower in ACTUR than SEER overall (IRR = 0.86 [0.78‐0.93]), for 18‐ to 39‐year‐old men (IRR = 0.78 [0.70‐0.86]), by race (White: IRR = 0.85 [0.77‐0.95]; Black: IRR = 0.77 [0.63‐0.94]), for sites other than skin/connective/soft tissue (IRR = 0.49 [0.37‐0.63]), other specified histologies (IRR = 0.84 [0.71‐0.98]), and unspecified histology (IRR = 0.57 [0.38‐0.82]). Rates were lower in ACTUR for regional (IRR = 0.37 [0.28‐0.47]) and distant metastases (IRR = 0.58 [0.43‐0.76]), even when race and age stratified. However, rates were higher in ACTUR for 40‐ to 59‐year‐old men (IRR = 1.25 [1.04‐1.48]) and localized tumors (IRR = 1.16 [1.04‐1.29]).

Conclusion

Lower STS rates among servicemen may relate to better health and early detection and treatment of STS‐associated conditions within the military health system, which provides universal care. Higher rates among 40‐ to 59‐year‐old servicemen may result from greater cumulative military‐related exposures.
Graphitic Carbon Nitride Supported Boron Quantum Dots: A Transition Metal Free Alternative for Di‐Nitrogen to Ammonia Reaction
Authors: Samudre Nikhil S. , Krishnamurty Sailaja
Published: December 2024

Presently, a sustainable electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction Reaction (NRR) has been essentially found to be viable on transition metal‐based catalysts. However, being cost‐effective and non‐corrosive, metal‐free catalysts present an ideal solution for a sustainable world. Herein, through a DFT‐based study, we demonstrate metal‐free NRR catalysts, boron quantum dots with 13 atoms as a case study and their chemically modified counterparts when anchored on graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) surface. The best catalyst among the studied, a silicon‐doped boron quantum dot with a cagelike structure, is found to favour the dinitrogen to ammonia reaction pathway with a low liming potential and potential rate‐determining step (PDS) of −0.11 V and 0.27 eV, respectively. The present work demonstrates as to how boron quantum dots, which are reported to be experimentally synthesised, can be exploited for ammonia synthesis when supported on the surface. These catalysts effectively suppress the HER, thus establishing its suitability as an ideal catalyst. The work also represents a futuristic pathway towards a metal‐free catalyst for NRR.