bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Treatment Outcome in EGFR Positive and Negative Patients with Non Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Khanum Farzana , Khan Nafees Ahmad , Firdaus Huma , Bhargava Rakesh , Ahmad Zuber , Shameem Mohammad , Akhtar Kafil
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Lung cancer is one of the most common malignancies to occur worldwide. Two main subtypes of lung cancer include small cell lung cancer and Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Patients with advanced stage NSCLC who achieve good response with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKI) have been found to have Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutation. The first biomarker identified for targeted treatment in lung cancer was EGFR and patients of NSCLC with EGFR mutation have superior survival outcome when treated with targeted therapy as compared to conventional chemotherapy. Aim: To compare the outcome of targeted therapy to mutation to EGFR and conventional therapy in non mutant lung cancer patient of NSCLC. Materials and Methods: The present longitudinal study was conducted in the Department of TB and Respiratory Diseases, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India from July 2017 to November 2019 on a sample size of 80. Patients diagnosed with NSCLC and EGFR mutation status were included in the study. They were started on TKI if tumour was EGFR positive and on conventional chemotherapy (cisplatin plus paclitaxel) if no mutation was detected on histopathology. Among the study group, 35 patients were EGFR positive and started on geftinib (group I), 45 were EGFR negative and received platinum-based chemotherapy (group II). Outcomes were measured in terms of progression-free survival, Overall Survival (OS), and toxicities. Statistical analysis of data was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Results: Among the study group, 35 patients were EGFR positive and started on geftinib (Group I), 45 were EGFR negative and received platinum-based chemotherapy (group II). The mean age of EGFR positive patients was 58.91 years and for EGFR negative patients was 60.11 years. In group I, there was no complete response while 28.5% had partial response, 45.5% had stable disease and 25.7% had progressive disease. In group II, 15.5% patients had complete response, 33.3% had partial response,17.7% had stable disease and 33.3% had progressive disease. Mean progression-free survival in group I (5.65 months) was significantly higher than group II (4.26 months). The mean OS in group I (7.85 months) was slightly higher than group II (6.72 months). Both haematological and non haemaotlogical toxicities were significantly higher in group II. Conclusion: Patients with EGFR positive expression subjected to Gefitinib had significant mean progression-free survival with an acceptable range of non haematological toxicities and no haematological toxicities, as compared to the EGFR negative patients on conventional chemotherapy.
Massive Pulmonary Embolism Dominating Section Initial Presentation of Nephrotic Syndrome- A Case Report
Authors: Choorisaz Umer Sharief , Dar Basharat Quyoom
Published: January 2023

Hypercoagulability is a well-recognised feature of Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) and may manifest clinically in the form of Renal Vein Thrombosis (RVT), Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE); these may uncommonly be among the presenting features of the syndrome. Prompt recognition and management requires that patients with NS should be followed with a high index of suspicion for thromboembolism. Here, the authors report a case of 35-year-old male patient who, while under evaluation for proteinuria, presented with massive PE. He was eventually diagnosed with primary Membranous Nephropathy (MN); a cause of NS with the highest associated risk of thromboembolism. The patient was managed with mechanical ventilation, anticoagulation and supportive care. He also received Rituximab during hospital stay. He was discharged in stable condition on apixaban and advised close follow-up.
Managing Environmental Degradation Using Traditional, Cultural and Spiritual Strategies the Tale of Dagaaba and Birifor People
Authors: Felix Dongballe , Edmond Dakora
Published: January 2023

The environmental laws seem not to be effective in protecting the environment. The article looked at alternative ways of protecting the environment from stressors and disturbances. It utilized personal observation, narration, and primary data from the role traditional/cultural strategies play in environmental conservation in the Dagaaba and Birifor communities. Findings revealed individuals with Dagaaba and Birifor background have rich indigenous cultural systems which facilitate environmental conservation of different ecosystems. This paper concludes that environmental taboos (i.e., cultural norms, values and traditions) and the fear of the wrath of the gods (i.e., beliefs and spiritualism) have enhanced the conservation of some portions of the land for the people of Dagaaba and Birifor. However, this approach is not effective in minimizing bushfires, considering the fire’s propensity to escalate and extend from one community to the other. The traditional/cultural/spiritual strategies can be adopted to minimize illegal mining which is currently destroying the forest reserves, land, air and water bodies, among other ecosystems in Ghana. These strategies are effective in managing environmental degradation.
Morphological Characterization and Recognition of New Traits of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]
Authors: Barela Akash , Shrivastava M. K. , Mohare Salikram , Rahangdale Shivangi , Jawarkar Shivani , Amrate Pawan K. , Singh Yogendra
Published: January 2023

Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) characterization of ninety recently evolved soybean genotypes including three national checks were carried out at JNKVV, Jabalpur, during Kharif 2021. Sixteen DUS traits were evaluated as described by National DUS test guidelines. Observations were made on Hypocotyl Pigmentation, Growth type, Growth habitat, Leaf shape, Leaf size, Leaf colour, Flower colour, Flower colour, Pod hairiness, Pod pub colour, Pod intensity of brown colour, Seed size, Seed shape, Seed coat colour, Hilum colour, Seed coat Lustre and Colour of funicle at various phases. It revealed that there was a lot of variation in the soybean genotypes for DUS characters. Frequency distribution of data exhibited that presence of Hypocotyl: anthocyanin pigmentation (65.55 %), Semi-Determinate Growth type (75.55 %), Semi-erect Growth habitat (90.0 %), Pointed Ovate Leaf shape (83.33 %), Pod hairiness pubescent (84.44%), Seed size medium (64.44%), Seed coat colour yellow (84.44%), Seed coat Lustre intermediate (77.77%) and Colour of funicle brown (100%) were dominating traits in present set of genotypes. This soybean germplasm has a wide range of features and morphological variation, which may assist a breeder in further improvement of soybean. This will be extremely helpful in identifying, conserving and developing ideal plant type on the basis of distinguishing morphological characters.
Evaluation of IPM Modules against Fall Armyworm in Maize through Frontline Demonstration and Its Economic Impact
Authors: Reddy Banka Kanda Kishore , Jyothi V. Siva , Sadhineni Malleswari , Johnson M. , Swamy G. Narayana
Published: January 2023

Aim: The present study was undertaken to assess IPM modules against Fall Armyworm in Maize through Frontline Demonstration and its economic impact.

Place and Duration of Study: The present study was carried out in Ananthapuramu district of Andhra Pradesh during the period 2020-2023.

Methodology: The main objective of frontline demos is to demonstrate recently available crop production and protection technology, as well as their management practices, in a farmer's field in a micro farming setting. The KVK, Reddipalle conducted front line demonstrations on maize throughout rabi seasons of 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022–2023, as part of annual technical programme of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Reddipalle, Ananthapuramu district organised 30 FLD locations in KVK operational area of adopted villages. Following a group discussion, a list of farmers was created, and those who were chosen received specialised training in various parts of suggested protection technologies.

Results: According to the current results and subsequent analysis of the results, maize reported a higher total (91120 Rs ha-1) when compared to farmers practice (74309 Rs ha-1). The benefit cost ratio was significantly higher in the recommended approach (2.51) when compared to farmers practice (2.12). The higher grain output and better market pricing of the produce may be the causes of the maize demonstration's higher net returns and B: C ratio.

Conclusion: The FLD intervention is highly effective among maize farmers with increased net returns of 13618 rupees per hectare. Hence, FLD plays a vital role in dissemination of technology on a community basis when compared to other approaches.
Lake Guidimouni: Diversity of Vertebrate Fauna and its Threats
Authors: Siradji Hamidan Moussa , Youssoufa Issiaka , Soulé Moussa
Published: January 2023

Lakes provide many services to humanity. However human activities affect negatively the function of the lakes to deliver their values to society. It is in this sense, this study tried to assess the effects of human activities on the dryland lake (Lake Guidimouni) mostly, the effects of the human activities on the vertebrate fauna. This study will close the paucity of data about the diversity of vertebrate fauna in the West African Sahel Lake. Therefore, this study assessed the diversity of vertebrate fauna and its menaces in Lake Guidimouni, Niger. We used Field investigations and questionnaires for the data collection. While we used descriptive statistics and the number of species, the number of families of the different classes of vertebrates recorded in the lake. The study recorded 21 vertebrate fauna species across the four vertebrate classes (Fish species = 7; Bird species = 7; Amphibian species = 2 and reptile species = 5) in the lake Guidimouni based on the field observation and questionnaire. More specifically the study recorded six fish species belonging to the six families in the lake with as Cichlidae dominant family. While we recorded seven bird species with Ardeidae having the high species richness (3 species) belonging to three families. Furthermore, five species of reptile were recorded belonging five families in the lake Guidimouni. Lastly, two amphibian species were identified belonging to two families. Secondly, the study documented the many threats to Lake Guidimouni biodiversity mainly illegal poaching, salinity, the use of the chemicals, overexploitation such as overfishing, invasion by species such as Typha australis and Prosopis juliflora, destruction of the lake by unsustainable farming practices such as cutting down of trees and drying up of the lake. This study constitutes the baseline reference about the impacts of human activities on the dryland lake (lake Guidimouni) in Zinder region, in Niger. The study recommends some ecological restoration activities of lake Guidimouni such as the removal of the invasive species, enforcement of law and regulation about the use of chemicals in the lake. It also recommends further study which look at socio-economic and ecological benefits of the lake Guidimouni in the context of changing climate.
Salve Lucrum: The Existential Threat of Greed in US Health Care
Authors: Berwick Donald M.
Published: January 2023

In this Viewpoint, Donald Berwick explores the pursuit of profit in US health care across sectors—such as pharmaceutical companies, insurers, hospitals, and physician practices—and its harms to patients, and then offers potential solutions.
Roe v Wade’s 50th Anniversary
Authors: Reingold Rebecca B. , Gostin Lawrence O.
Published: January 2023

This Viewpoint summarizes several federal strategies to ensure pregnant persons’ access to abortion services after the recent Supreme Court ruling inDobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization: expanding access to medication abortion, ensuring provision of emergency abortion services, proposing new conscience protections for clinicians, and protecting reproductive rights at the state level.
Effect of Moderate and Vigorous Aerobic Exercise on Incident Diabetes in Adults With Obesity
Authors: Chen Ying , Chen Zheng , Pan Lingling , Ma Zhi-Min , Zhang Huijie , Li Xue-Jun , Li Xiaoying
Published: January 2023

This randomized clinical trial assesses the long-term effect of vigorous and moderate exercise on incident diabetes over a 10-year follow-up after a 12-month exercise intervention.
Changes in Prescribed Opioid Dosages Among Patients Receiving Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain, New York State, 2017-2019
Authors: Nguyen Trang , Li Yunshu , Greene Danielle , Stancliff Sharon , Quackenbush Nicole
Published: January 2023

Importance

Patients with chronic pain often receive long-term opioid therapy (LOT), which places them at risk of opioid use disorder and overdose. This presents the need for alternative or companion treatments; however, few studies on the association of medical cannabis (MC) with reducing opioid dosages exist.

Objective

To assess changes in opioid dosages among patients receiving MC for longer duration compared with shorter duration.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study of New York State Prescription Monitoring Program data from 2017 to 2019 included patients receiving MC for chronic pain while also receiving opioid treatment. Of these, patients receiving LOT prior to receiving MC were selected. Individuals were studied for 8 months after starting MC. Data were analyzed from November 2021 to February 2022.

Exposures

Selected patients were divided into 2 groups based on the duration of receiving MC: the nonexposure group received MC for 30 days or fewer, and the exposure group received MC for more than 30 days.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was opioid dosage, measured by mean daily morphine milligram equivalent (MME). Analyses were conducted for 3 strata by opioid dosage prior to receiving MC: MME less than 50, MME of 50 to less than 90, and MME of 90 or greater.

Results

A total of 8165 patients were included, with 4041 (median [IQR] age, 57 [47-65] years; 2376 [58.8%] female) in the exposure group and 4124 (median [IQR] age, 54 (44-62) years; 2370 [57.5%] female) in the nonexposure group. Median (IQR) baseline MMEs for the exposure vs nonexposure groups were 30.0 (20.0-40.0) vs 30.0 (20.0-40.0) in the lowest stratum, 60.0 (60.0-70.0) vs 60.0 (60.0-90.0) in the middle stratum, and 150.0 (100.0-216.2) vs 135.0 (100.0-218.0) in the highest stratum. During follow-up, significantly greater reductions in opioid dosage were observed among the exposure group. A dose-response association of patients’ opioid dosage at baseline was observed with the differences in the monthly MME reductions between exposure and nonexposure groups, with a difference of −1.52 (95% CI, −1.67 to −1.37) MME for the lowest stratum, −3.24 (95% CI, −3.61 to −2.87) MME for the middle stratum, and −9.33 (95% CI, −9.89 to −8.77) MME for the highest stratum. The daily MME for the last month of the follow-up period among patients receiving longer MC was reduced by 48% in the lowest stratum, 47% in the middle stratum, and 51% in the highest stratum compared with the baseline dosages. Among individuals in the nonexposure group, daily MME was reduced by only 4% in the lowest stratum, 9% in the middle stratum, and 14% in the highest stratum.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of patients receiving LOT, receiving MC for a longer duration was associated with reductions in opioid dosages, which may lower their risk of opioid-related morbidity and mortality.
Association Between Autism Spectrum Disorders and Cardiometabolic Diseases
Authors: Dhanasekara Chathurika S. , Ancona Dominic , Cortes Leticia , Hu Amy , Rimu Afrina H. , Robohm-Leavitt Christina , Payne Drew , Wakefield Sarah M. , Mastergeorge Ann M. , Kahathuduwa Chanaka N.
Published: January 2023

Importance

Although the increased risk of obesity among individuals with autism has been well established, evidence on the association between autism, cardiometabolic disorders, and obesity remains inconclusive.

Objective

To examine the association between autism spectrum disorders and cardiometabolic diseases in a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources

PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, Embase, and Ovid databases were searched from inception through July 31, 2022, without restrictions on date of publication or language.

Study Selection

Observational or baseline data of interventional studies reporting the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors (ie, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerotic macrovascular disease) among children and/or adults with autism and matched with participants without autism were included.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed independently by at least 2 researchers. DerSimonian-Laird random-effects meta-analyses were performed using the meta package in R.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Relative risks (RRs) of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerotic macrovascular disease among individuals with autism were the primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included the RR of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

Results

A total of 34 studies were evaluated and included 276 173 participants with autism and 7 733 306 participants without autism (mean [range] age, 31.2 [3.8-72.8] years; pooled proportion [range] of female individuals, 47% [0-66%]). Autism was associated with greater risks of developing diabetes overall (RR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.23-2.01; 20 studies), type 1 diabetes (RR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.06-2.54; 6 studies), and type 2 diabetes (RR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.30-4.70; 3 studies). Autism was also associated with increased risks of dyslipidemia (RR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.20-2.40; 7 studies) and heart disease (RR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.42-1.50; 3 studies). Yet, there was no significantly associated increased risk of hypertension and stroke with autism (RR, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.98-1.52; 12 studies; and RR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.63-2.24; 4 studies, respectively). Meta-regression analyses revealed that children with autism were at a greater associated risk of developing diabetes and hypertension compared with adults. High between-study heterogeneity was a concern for several meta-analyses.

Conclusions and Relevance

Results suggest that the associated increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases should prompt clinicians to vigilantly monitor individuals with autism for potential contributors, signs of cardiometabolic disease, and their complications.
Andocides
Authors: Harris Edward M.
Published: January 2023

Andocides came from a prominent Athenian family. He is numbered among the so‐called canon of Attic orators. Four speeches are attributed to him, although only two are believed to be genuine. These provide much of the information for his often controversial life.
Silius Italicus, Tiberius Catius Asconius
Authors: Cowan Robert
Published: January 2023

Silius Italicus was a successful politician under many Roman emperors but is best known as the author of the
Punica
, a seventeen‐book epic poem on the Second Punic War, against Hannibal. Although it is a historical epic, the gods are major characters and take part in the action. The poem marks Rome's ascent to world domination but also its shift from Republican freedom to the rule of emperors, and its tone is accordingly ambivalent.
Nisa
Authors: Lippolis Carlo
Published: January 2023

Nisa is one of the first royal foundations of the Arsacids, a Parthian dynasty that built a long‐lasting empire between Mesopotamia, Iran, and Central Asia. The art and architecture of Nisa (first century
bce
–first century
ce
) offer the most evident example of the taste of the Arsacid court. They constitute a fundamental reference for the knowledge of the religious, political, and ideological beliefs of the Parthians, as well as of the intercultural relations between East and West after the conquest of Alexander the Great.
Gebel el‐Silsila
Authors: Harrell James A.
Published: January 2023

Gebel el‐Silsila is the largest and most important of ancient Egypt's sandstone quarries. Located on the Nile River in Upper Egypt, it supplied the building materials used for most of the temples in the Theban region from the Middle Kingdom until the Roman period. The quarry is celebrated for its numerous archaeological remains of mostly New Kingdom age, including a free‐standing temple to Sobek, numerous rock‐cut funerary shrines with the largest of these the speos of Horemheb, stelae left by kings and high‐court officials, and a necropolis. Also notable are the thousands of graffiti left by the quarrymen and others.
Epikleros
Authors: Ellart Carlos Sánchez‐Moreno
Published: January 2023

When an Athenian citizen died leaving no male offspring, and he had not adopted a son who could marry the daughter, the daughter became
epikleros
and her hand was given to her nearest surviving male relative.
Familial Risk of Gout and Interaction With Obesity and Alcohol Consumption: A Population‐Based Cohort Study in Korea
Authors: Kim Kyoung‐Hoon , Choi In Ah , Kim Hyun Jung , Swan Heather , Kazmi Sayada Zartasha , Hong Gahwi , Kim Young Shin , Choi Seeun , Kang Taeuk , Cha Jaewoo , Eom Jungmin , Kim Kyeong Uoon , Hann Hoo Jae , Ahn Hyeong Sik
Published: January 2023

Objective

Population‐based studies of the familial aggregation of gout are scarce, and gene/environment interactions are not well studied. This study was undertaken to evaluate the familial aggregation of gout as well as assess interactions between family history and obesity or alcohol consumption on the development of gout.

Methods

Using the Korean National Health Insurance database, which includes information regarding familial relationships and risk factor data, we identified 5,524,403 individuals from 2002 to 2018. Familial risk was calculated using hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to compare the risk in individuals with and those without affected first‐degree relatives. Interactions between family history and obesity/alcohol consumption were assessed on an additive scale using the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI).

Results

Individuals with a gout‐affected first‐degree relative had a 2.42‐fold (95% CI 2.39, 2.46) increased risk of disease compared to those with unaffected first‐degree relatives. Having both a family history of gout and being either overweight or having moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a markedly increased risk of disease, with HRs of 4.39 (95% CI 4.29, 4.49) and 2.28 (95% CI 2.22, 2.35), respectively, which exceeded the sum of their individual risks but was only statistically significant in overweight individuals (RERI 0.96 [95% CI 0.85, 1.06]). Obese individuals (RERI 1.88 [95% CI 1.61, 2.16]) and heavy drinkers (RERI 0.36 [95% CI 0.20, 0.52]) had a more prominent interaction compared to overweight individuals and moderate drinkers, suggesting a dose‐response interaction pattern.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate the possibility of an interaction between gout‐associated genetic factors and obesity/alcohol consumption.
3D Printing of Small‐Scale Soft Robots with Programmable Magnetization
Authors: Ansari Mohammad Hasan Dad , Iacovacci Veronica , Pane Stefano , Ourak Mouloud , Borghesan Gianni , Tamadon Izadyar , Vander Poorten Emmanuel , Menciassi Arianna
Published: January 2023

Soft magnetic structures having a non‐uniform magnetization profile can achieve multimodal locomotion that is helpful to operate in confined spaces. However, incorporating such magnetic anisotropy into their body is not straightforward. Existing methods are either limited in the anisotropic profiles they can achieve or too cumbersome and time‐consuming to produce. Herein, a 3D printing method allowing to incorporate magnetic anisotropy directly into the printed soft structure is demonstrated. This offers at the same time a simple and time‐efficient magnetic soft robot prototyping strategy. The proposed process involves orienting the magnetized particles in the magnetic ink used in the 3D printer by a custom electromagnetic coil system acting onto the particles while printing. The resulting structures are extensively characterized to confirm the validity of the process. The extent of orientation is determined to be between 92% and 99%. A few examples of remotely actuated small‐scale soft robots that are printed through this method are also demonstrated. Just like 3D printing gives the freedom to print a large number of variations in shapes, the proposed method also gives the freedom to incorporate an extensive range of magnetic anisotropies.
Multiple Function Synchronous Optimization by PbS Quantum Dots for Highly Stable Planar Perovskite Solar Cells with Efficiency Exceeding 23%
Authors: He Li , Su Hongzhen , Li Zhengping , Liu Hong , Shen Wenzhong
Published: January 2023

Colloidal lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots (QDs), which possess quantum confinement effect and processing compatibility with perovskite, are regarded as an excellent material for optimizing perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the existing PSCs optimized by PbS QDs are still facing the challenges of poor performance of the charge transport layers, low utilization in the near‐infrared (NIR) region, and unsuitable energy level alignment, which limit the improvement of power conversion efficiency (PCE). Herein, a synchronous optimization strategy is realized via simultaneously introducing PbS QDs into SnO2 electron transport layer and employing rare‐earth‐doped PbS QDs (Eu:PbS QDs) film with hydrophobic chain ligands as the NIR light‐absorping layer and hole transport layer (HTL) of devices. PbS QDs effectively decrease the density of trap states by passivating defects. Eu:PbS QDs film with adjustable bandgap is employed as an absorption layer to broaden the NIR spectral absorption. The well‐matched energy level between Eu:PbS QDs layer and perovskite layer implies efficient hole transfer at the interface. The successful synchronous optimization greatly elevates all photovoltaic parameters, reaching a maximum PCE of 23.27%. This PCE is the highest for PSCs utilizing PbS QDs material in recent years. The optimized PSCs retain long‐term moisture and light stability.
Surface Oxygen Coordination of Hydrogen Bond Chemistry for Aqueous Ammonium Ion Hybrid Supercapacitor
Authors: Chen Qiang , Li Hang , Lou Xuan , Zhang Jianli , Hou Guangya , Lu Jun , Tang Yiping
Published: January 2023

Aqueous ammonium ion hybrid supercapacitor (A‐HSC) combines the charge storage mechanisms of surface adsorption and bulk intercalation, making it a low‐cost, safe, and sustainable energy storage candidate. However, its development is hindered by the low capacity and unclear charge storage fundamentals. Here, the strategy of phosphate ion‐assisted surface functionalization is used to increase the ammonium ion storage capacity of an α‐MoO3 electrode. Moreover, the understanding of charge storage mechanisms via structural characterization, electrochemical analysis, and theoretical calculation is advanced. It is shown that NH4+ intercalation into layered α‐MoO3 is not dominant in the A‐HSC system; rather, the charge storage mainly depends on the adsorption energy of surface “O” to NH4+. It is further revealed that the hydrogen bond chemistry of the coordination between “O” of surface phosphate ion and NH4+ is the reason for the capacity increase of MoO3. This study not only advances the basic understanding of rechargeable aqueous A‐HSC but also demonstrates the promising future of surface engineering strategies for energy storage devices.
Nanoscale Hafnium Metal–Organic Frameworks Enhance Radiotherapeutic Effects by Upregulation of Type I Interferon and TLR7 Expression
Authors: Choi Eunseo , Landry Madeleine , Pennock Nathan , Neufeld Megan , Weinfurter Katherine , Goforth Andrea , Walker Joshua , Sun Conroy
Published: January 2023

Recent preclinical and clinical studies have highlighted the improved outcomes of combination radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Concurrently, the development of high‐Z metallic nanoparticles as radiation dose enhancers has been explored to widen the therapeutic window of radiotherapy and potentially enhance immune activation. In this study, folate‐modified hafnium‐based metal–organic frameworks (HfMOF‐PEG‐FA) are evaluated in combination with imiquimod, a TLR7 agonist, as a well‐defined interferon regulatory factor (IRF) stimulator for local antitumor immunotherapy. The enhancement of radiation dose deposition by HfMOF‐PEG‐FA and subsequent generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) deregulates cell proliferation and increases apoptosis. HfMOF‐PEG‐FA loaded with imiquimod (HfMOF‐PEG‐FA@IMQ) increases DNA double‐strand breaks and cell death, including apoptosis, necrosis, and calreticulin exposure, in response to X‐ray irradiation. Treatment with this multipronged therapy promotes IRF stimulation for subsequent interferon production within tumor cells themselves. The novel observation is reported that HfMOF itself increases TLR7 expression, unexpectedly pairing immune agonist and receptor upregulation in a tumor intrinsic manner, and supporting the synergistic effect observed with the γH2AX assay. T‐cell analysis of CT26 tumors following intratumoral administration of HfMOF‐PEG‐FA@IMQ with radiotherapy reveals a promising antitumor response, characterized by an increase in CD8+ and proliferative T cells.
A Ti‐Doped Chemical Vapor Deposition Diamond Device as Artificial Synapse for Neuromorphic Applications
Authors: Battistoni Silvia , Carcione Rocco , Tamburri Emanuela , Erokhin Victor , Terranova Maria Letizia , Iannotta Salvatore
Published: January 2023

The great demand of multifunctional portable electronic products in daily life and the need of a large integration of memories with logic devices and sensors, have increased the interest in the identification of suitable materials for neuromorphic computing applications. Major innovations in this direction have been achieved by exploring materials belonging to different fields of applications and taking advantage of already consolidated deposition methods. Despite the great interest in the field and the large use in complementary applications such as sensing electrodes, neural and cellular interfaces, the use of diamond‐like materials in neuromorphic applications is still limited to a few examples. Herein, the development of a synaptic element based on high‐quality polycrystalline diamond layers containing Ti inclusions showing a marked and reproducible resistance switching behavior is reported. Realized by means of a hybrid chemical vapor deposition‐powder flowing technique, this titanium doped diamond shows a 3D polycrystalline organization that is characterized by globular grains of a few microns. The coupling of Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction analyses confirms the good quality of diamond phase and convincingly points out the inclusion of the titanium species within the diamond lattice.
Self‐Driven Ni‐Based Electrochromic Devices for Energy‐Efficient Smart Windows
Authors: Zhang He , Feng Jiayun , Sun Fangyuan , Zhou Dongyan , Cao Ge , Wang Shang , Hu Xuanyi , Ma Jingxuan , Su Fengyu , Tian Yanqing , Tian Yanhong
Published: January 2023

Electrochromic devices (ECDs) with adjustable transmittance have opened new opportunities to the development of smart windows for energy‐efficiency building. However, the switching between colored and bleached state of conventional ECD will bring extra energy consumption, the design of high‐performance ECD with low consumption is still an elusive goal. To address this issue, a self‐driven and energy‐saving Ni anode‐based ECD using Prussian blue as electrochromic material is developed. During the day, it can be colored by solar energy. By contrast, it can spontaneously bleach when the ECD's anode and cathode are short‐circuiting using the internal redox potential during the night. It is worth noting that no extra energy is inputted in the coloring‐bleaching cycle. In comparison with the ECD using electrolyte with high Ni2+ (K+:Ni2+ = 1:9) or high K+ (K+:Ni2+ = 9:1) concentration with poor optical contrast and cyclic stability (failed <100 cycles), the Ni‐based ECD with the electrolyte containing equal amount of K+ and Ni2+ exhibits a high optical contrast (39.45%), good coloration response time (6 s), and excellent stability (1000 cycles). These properties suggest that the Ni‐based electrochromic configuration is expected to be a catalyst for the development of energy‐storage EC smart window in the future.
Freeform Membranes with Tunable Permeability in Microfluidics
Authors: Hirschwald Lukas T. , Brosch Sebastian , Linz Georg , Linkhorst John , Wessling Matthias
Published: January 2023

Microfluidic systems offer a multitude of advantages over classical techniques in the fields of biomedical and chemical research. Unit operations such as sample pre‐treatment, mixing, reactions, and especially separation and purification operations can be realized on microfluidic platforms enabling rapid prototyping and facile parallelization on the laboratory scale. However, the fabrication and integration of porous membranes in microfluidics poses several problems. Material development, membrane geometry, and membrane integration are three main questions to be addressed in this context. Herein, a durable and versatile method to anchor free‐form membranes with tunable microgeometry to surfaces, enabling the fabrication of stable, multi‐material microfluidic systems for different potential applications is shown. In addition, the influence of the macro‐ and microgeometry that is the shape and porosity of a membrane on key performance indicators such as diffusivity and permeation of tracer molecules is investigated. The presented characterization methods will enable a better understanding of microfluidic modules with incorporated membranes.
Harnessing Soft Elasticity of Liquid Crystal Elastomers to Achieve Low Voltage Driven Actuation
Authors: Annapooranan Raja , Wang Yang , Cai Shengqiang
Published: January 2023

Dielectric elastomers (DE) are soft electromechanical transducers that can generate large, rapid, and reversible deformation under an electric field. Despite being one of the leading candidates for soft actuators, the widespread applications of dielectric elastomers are restricted by the high voltage requirement (1–10 kV) for thin film DEs, which increases the system complexity and pose a potential safety threat for humans. In this work, a new class of dielectric elastomer actuators using liquid crystal elastomers (DLCEs) is reported. Soft elasticity of DLCEs and the high dielectric constant are utilized to reduce the actuation voltage. Freestanding DLCE thin film actuators (≈20 µm) are fabricated, which can generate large actuation strains (≈88%) at 400 V, an input voltage almost one order of magnitude lower compared to typical dielectric elastomers actuators. This allows to develop a soft tunable bilayer DE lens, which can achieve a 21% focal length variation at 500 V.
Visible‐Light‐Activated Molecular Machines Kill Fungi by Necrosis Following Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Calcium Overload
Authors: Santos Ana L. , Beckham Jacob L. , Liu Dongdong , Li Gang , van Venrooy Alexis , Oliver Antonio , Tegos George P. , Tour James M.
Published: January 2023

Invasive fungal infections are a growing public health threat. As fungi become increasingly resistant to existing drugs, new antifungals are urgently needed. Here, it is reported that 405‐nm‐visible‐light‐activated synthetic molecular machines (MMs) eliminate planktonic and biofilm fungal populations more effectively than conventional antifungals without resistance development. Mechanism‐of‐action studies show that MMs bind to fungal mitochondrial phospholipids. Upon visible light activation, rapid unidirectional drilling of MMs at ≈3 million cycles per second (MHz) results in mitochondrial dysfunction, calcium overload, and ultimately necrosis. Besides their direct antifungal effect, MMs synergize with conventional antifungals by impairing the activity of energy‐dependent efflux pumps. Finally, MMs potentiate standard antifungals both in vivo and in an ex vivo porcine model of onychomycosis, reducing the fungal burden associated with infection.
Elongated Riboflavin‐Producing Shewanellaoneidensis in a Hybrid Biofilm Boosts Extracellular Electron Transfer
Authors: Zhao Juntao , Li Feng , Kong Shutian , Chen Tao , Song Hao , Wang Zhiwen
Published: January 2023

Shewanella oneidensis is able to carry out extracellular electron transfer (EET), although its EET efficiency is largely limited by low flavin concentrations, poor biofilm forming‐ability, and weak biofilm conductivity. After identifying an important role for riboflavin (RF) in EET via in vitro experiments, the synthesis of RF is directed to 837.74 ± 11.42 µm in S. oneidensis. Molecular dynamics simulation reveals RF as a cofactor that binds strongly to the outer membrane cytochrome MtrC, which is correspondingly further overexpressed to enhance EET. Then the cell division inhibitor sulA, which dramatically enhanced the thickness and biomass of biofilm increased by 155% and 77%, respectively, is overexpressed. To reduce reaction overpotential due to biofilm thickness, a spider‐web‐like hybrid biofilm comprising RF, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and graphene oxide (GO) with adsorption‐optimized elongated S. oneidensis, achieve a 77.83‐fold increase in power (3736 mW m−2) relative to MR‐1 and dramatically reduce the charge‐transfer resistance and boosted biofilm electroactivity. This work provides an elegant paradigm to boost EET based on a synthetic biology strategy and materials science strategy, opens up further opportunities for other electrogenic bacteria.
Chemical Crossover Accelerates Degradation of Lithium Electrode in High Energy Density Rechargeable Lithium–Oxygen Batteries
Authors: Matsuda Shoichi , Ono Manai , Asahina Hitoshi , Kimura Shin , Mizuki Emiko , Yasukawa Eiki , Yamaguchi Shoji , Kubo Yoshimi , Uosaki Kohei
Published: January 2023

Lithium‐oxygen batteries (LOBs) are promising next‐generation rechargeable battery candidates due to theoretical energy densities that exceed those of conventional lithium‐ion batteries. Although LOB with high cell level energy density has been demonstrated under lean electrolyte and high areal capacity conditions, their cycle life is still poor, and the cell degradation mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, by use of a three‐electrode electrochemical setup and in situ MS analytical techniques, it is revealed that the reaction efficiency of the negative lithium electrode largely decreases due to chemical crossover from the positive oxygen electrode side, such as H2O and CO2. Based on this mechanistic understanding, a LOB with an ultra‐lightweight flexible ceramic‐based solid‐state separator with 6 µm thickness that effectively protects the lithium electrode against chemical crossover without diminishing the energy density of LOBs is fabricated. Notably, a 400 Wh kg−1class LOB exhibits a stable discharge/charged process for >20 cycles. The strategy demonstrated in this study sheds light on the direction for the practical implementation of LOBs with high energy densities and long cycle lives.
Genetic testing in the evaluation of individuals with clinical diagnosis of atypicalSturge–Webersyndrome
Authors: Yeom SangEun , Cohen Bernard , Weiss Clifford R. , Montano Carolina , Wohler Elizabeth , Sobreira Nara , Hammill Adrienne M. , Comi Anne
Published: January 2023

Sturge–Weber Syndrome (SWS) is a rare vascular malformation disorder characterized by abnormal blood vessels in the brain, skin, and eye. SWS is most commonly caused by a somatic mosaicGNAQ‐p.Arg183Gln variant. In this series, 12 patients presented for clinical evaluation of SWS but were noted to have atypical features, and therefore germline and/or somatic genetic testing was performed. Atypical features included extensive capillary malformation on the body as well as the face, frontal bossing, macrocephaly, telangiectasia, overgrowth of extremities, absence of neurologic signs and symptoms, and family history of vascular malformations. Five patients had a somaticGNAQorGNA11pathogenic variant, one patient had a somatic mosaic likely‐pathogenic variant inPIK3CA,and another one had a somatic mosaic deletion that disruptedPTPRD. The other five patients had germline variants inRASA1,EPHB4, orKIT. Our findings suggest that patients presenting for SWS evaluation who have atypical clinical characteristics may have pathogenic germline or somatic variants in genes other thanGNAQorGNA11. Broad germline and somatic genetic testing in these patients with atypical findings may have implications for medical care, prognosis, and trial eligibility.
An automatic facial landmarking for children with rare diseases
Authors: Hennocq Quentin , Bongibault Thomas , Bizière Matthieu , Delassus Ombline , Douillet Maxime , Cormier‐Daire Valérie , Amiel Jeanne , Lyonnet Stanislas , Marlin Sandrine , Rio Marlène , Picard Arnaud , Khonsari Roman Hossein , Garcelon Nicolas
Published: January 2023

Two to three thousand syndromes modify facial features: their screening requires the eye of an expert in dysmorphology. A widely used tool in shape characterization is geometric morphometrics based on landmarks, which are precise and reproducible anatomical points. Landmark positioning is user dependent and time consuming. Many automatic landmarking tools are currently available but do not work for children, because they have mainly been trained using photographic databases of healthy adults. Here, we developed a method for building an automatic landmarking pipeline for frontal and lateral facial photographs as well as photographs of external ears. We evaluated the algorithm on patients diagnosed with Treacher Collins (TC) syndrome as it is the most frequent mandibulofacial dysostosis in humans and is clinically recognizable although highly variable in severity. We extracted photographs from the photographic database of the maxillofacial surgery and plastic surgery department of Hôpital Necker–Enfants Malades in Paris, France with the diagnosis of TC syndrome. The control group was built from children admitted for craniofacial trauma or skin lesions. After testing two methods of object detection by bounding boxes, a Haar Cascade‐based tool and a Faster Region‐based Convolutional Neural Network (Faster R‐CNN)‐based tool, we evaluated three different automatic annotation algorithms: the patch‐based active appearance model (AAM), the holistic AAM, and the constrained local model (CLM). The final error corresponding to the distance between the points placed by automatic annotation and those placed by manual annotation was reported. We included, respectively, 1664, 2044, and 1375 manually annotated frontal, profile, and ear photographs. Object recognition was optimized with the Faster R‐CNN‐based detector. The best annotation model was the patch‐based AAM (p < 0.001 for frontal faces, p = 0.082 for profile faces and p < 0.001 for ears). This automatic annotation model resulted in the same classification performance as manually annotated data. Pretraining on public photographs did not improve the performance of the model. We defined a pipeline to create automatic annotation models adapted to faces with congenital anomalies, an essential prerequisite for research in dysmorphology.
Radical‐Bridged Heterometallic Single‐Molecule Magnets Incorporating Four Lanthanoceniums
Authors: Zhang Peng , Luo Qian‐Cheng , Zhu Zhenhua , He Wanrong , Song Nan , Lv Junting , Wang Xuning , Zhai Quan‐Guo , Zheng Yan‐Zhen , Tang Jinkui
Published: January 2023

The syntheses and magnetic properties of organometallic heterometallic compounds [K(THF)6]{CoI[(μ3‐HAN)RE2Cp*4]2} (1‐RE) and [K(Crypt)]2{CoI[(μ3‐HAN)RE2Cp*4]2} (2‐RE) containing hexaazatrinaphthylene radicals (HAN⋅3−) and four rare earth (RE) ions are reported. 1‐RE shows isolable species with ligand‐based mixed valency as revealed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) thus leading to the isolation of 2‐RE via one‐electron chemical reduction. Strong electronic communication in mixed‐valency supports stronger overall ferromagnetic behaviors in 2‐RE than 1‐RE containing Gd and Dy ions. Ac magnetic susceptibility data reveal 1‐Dy and 2‐Dy both exhibit slow magnetic relaxation. Importantly, larger coercive field was observed in the hysteresis of 2‐Dy at 2.0 K, indicating the enhanced SMM behavior compared with 1‐Dy. Ligand‐based mixed‐valency strategy has been used for the first time to improve the magnetic coupling in lanthanide (Ln) SMMs, thus opening up new ways to construct strongly coupled Ln‐SMMs.
Biodegradability of bio‐based and synthetic hydrogels as sustainable soil amendments: A review
Authors: Adjuik Toby A. , Nokes Sue E. , Montross Michael D.
Published: January 2023

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), sometimes known as hydrogels, have been proposed as soil amendments to enhance soil water management. But the performance of SAPs as soil amendments depends on their stability in soil. Bio‐based SAPs have been praised as environmentally sustainable due to their apparent fast biodegradation relative to synthetic SAPs. But the fast biodegradation of bio‐based SAPs may come at a cost to their long‐term performance for repeated absorption and release of water in the soil. The purpose of this review is to (i) concisely summarize the methods and mechanisms involved in the biodegradation of different bio‐based and synthetic SAPs, (ii) critically review studies conducted on the biodegradability of bio‐based and synthetic SAPs when used as soil amendments, and (iii) discuss the implications of the biodegradability of bio‐based and synthetic SAPs on their physical properties and stability in soil and (iv) identify potential research directions. Understanding the biodegradability of synthetic compared to bio‐based SAPs and their advantages and disadvantages as soil amendments is important to researchers and farmers when choosing a specific type of SAPs as an agricultural soil amendment.
Boat and Chair Shaped Hexahalogen Synthons
Authors: Swathi Krishna P. E. , Babu Hruidya C. , Nair Nanditha G. , Hariharan Mahesh
Published: January 2023

Non‐covalent halogen bonding interactions are quintessential in crystal engineering for the construction of distinctive supramolecular synthons. Here, we report the first crystalline evidences of unique boat and chair shaped cyclic hexahalogen synthons in the crystal structures of α,α,α′,α′,4‐pentabromo‐o‐xylene (PBX) and α,α,α′,α′,4,5‐hexabromo‐o‐xylene (HBX) respectively. Nature and stability of constituent interactions in the supramolecular synthons are scrutinized with the help of quantum‐chemical calculations. Pendás’ interacting quantum atoms approach confirmed the stability of Br⋅⋅⋅Br interactions leading to boat and chair shaped synthons with major contribution from exchange‐correlation. Although both the molecules are achiral in nature, the packing forces guide PBX to crystallize in the chiral space group P21 with a helix‐like orientation while HBX packs in a centrosymmetric P21/n space group. The extended furcations in the pentabromo derivative construct a molecular framework consisting of macrocycles realized through halogen bonding.