bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The RRAS2 pathogenic variant (c.67G>T; p. Gly23Cys) produces Noonan syndrome with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Zeng Lan , Wang Jin , Zhu Hui , Huang Yu , Deng Yi , Wei Ping , Nie Jing , Tang Bei , Chen Ai , Zhu Shuyao
Published: November 2023

Background

Noonan syndrome (NS) due to the RRAS2 gene, the pathogenic variant is an extremely rare RASopathies. Our objective was to identify the potential site of RRAS2, combined with the literature review, to find the correlation between clinical phenotype and genotype. De novo missense mutations affect different aspects of the RRAS2 function, leading to hyperactivation of the RAS‐MAPK signaling cascade.

Methods

Conventional G‐banding was used to analyze the chromosome karyotype of the patient. Copy number variation sequencing (CNV‐seq) was used to detect the chromosomal gene microstructure of the patient and her parents. The exomes of the patient and her parents were sequenced using trio‐based whole exome sequencing (trio‐WES) technology. The candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. The pathogenicity of the variant was predicted with a variety of bioinformatics tools.

Results

Chromosome analysis of the proband revealed 46, XX, and no abnormality was found by CNV‐seq. After sequencing and bioinformatics filtering, the variant of RRAS2(c.67G>T; p. Gly23Cys) was found in the proband, while the mutation was absent in her parents. To the best of our knowledge, our patient was with the typical Noonan syndrome, such as short stature, facial dysmorphism, and developmental delay. Furthermore, our study is the first case of NS with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) caused by the RRAS2 gene mutation reported in China.

Conclusions

Our investigations suggested that the heterozygous missense of RRAS2 may be a potential causal variant in a rare cause of Noonan syndrome, expanding our understanding of the causally relevant mutations for this disorder.
Global boundedness of the curl for a p‐curl system in convex domains
Authors: Wu Hongjin , Xiang Xingfei
Published: November 2023

In this note, we study a nonlinear system involving the curl operator in a bounded convex domain in
, which is derived from the steady‐state approximation for Bean critical‐state model for type‐
superconductors. We show the existence and establish the
estimate of the curl of solutions to this system.
Mixed formulation of physics‐informed neural networks for thermo‐mechanically coupled systems and heterogeneous domains
Authors: Harandi Ali , Moeineddin Ahmad , Kaliske Michael , Reese Stefanie , Rezaei Shahed
Published: November 2023

Physics‐informed neural networks (PINNs) are a new tool for solving boundary value problems by defining loss functions of neural networks based on governing equations, boundary conditions, and initial conditions. Recent investigations have shown that when designing loss functions for many engineering problems, using first‐order derivatives and combining equations from both strong and weak forms can lead to much better accuracy, especially when there are heterogeneity and variable jumps in the domain. This new approach is called the mixed formulation for PINNs, which takes ideas from the mixed finite element method. In this method, the PDE is reformulated as a system of equations where the primary unknowns are the fluxes or gradients of the solution, and the secondary unknowns are the solution itself. In this work, we propose applying the mixed formulation to solve multi‐physical problems, specifically a stationary thermo‐mechanically coupled system of equations. Additionally, we discuss both sequential and fully coupled unsupervised training and compare their accuracy and computational cost. To improve the accuracy of the network, we incorporate hard boundary constraints to ensure valid predictions. We then investigate how different optimizers and architectures affect accuracy and efficiency. Finally, we introduce a simple approach for parametric learning that is similar to transfer learning. This approach combines data and physics to address the limitations of PINNs regarding computational cost and improves the network's ability to predict the response of the system for unseen cases. The outcomes of this work will be useful for many other engineering applications where deep learning is employed on multiple coupled systems of equations for fast and reliable computations.
A BMO‐based MRPID controller with optimal control of speed in hybrid stepper motor
Authors: Deepa S. M. , Venkatesh C. , Nandalal V.
Published: November 2023

This paper proposes a Barnacles mating optimizer‐based multi‐resolution proportional‐integral derivative (MRPID) controller for precise speed control of the hybrid stepper motor (HSM). The proposed approach is a barnacle mating optimizer (BMO) control scheme. The main objective of this approach is to use the MRPID controller to improve speed control in particular and uncertain conditions. The BMO is utilized to create the proposed MRPID controller. The proposed converter has a low switching voltage and uses a low input current. The proposed converter supplies a large amount of power to the voltage source inverter (VSI), which converts DC to AC and then supplies it to the HSM. The HSM can be utilized in various settings, including robots and factory applications. Then, the performance of the proposed system has been evaluated in the MATLAB platform and compared with various existing systems. The existing adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and the moth flame optimization algorithm (MFO) methods are used to validate the efficiency of the proposed controller. The proposed system rise time is 0.0007, the settling time is 0.1, the recovery time is 0.221, the AMU is 1.205, the IAE is 0.1034, and the SSE is 0.234. According to the simulation findings, the suggested system is statistically significant.
Experimental investigation on mechanical performance of PVC foam‐based E‐glass isophthalic polyester composites
Authors: Ojha Somanath , Bisaria Himanshu , Mohanty Smita , Kanny Krishnan
Published: November 2023

The present research paper investigates the chemical, thermal, mechanical, thermo‐mechanical properties, and fractography of sandwich composites made from E‐glass‐reinforced isophthalic polyester with Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) foam as a core by hand. These composites are commonly used in marine applications and manufactured by hand lay‐up method. A comparison is made between the properties of the PVC foam polyester sandwich composite with E‐glass layers on both sides (SC1) and the PVC foam isophthalic polyester sandwich composite with double layers of E‐glass on both sides (SC2) in relation to single‐layer E‐glass. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is employed to analyze the chemical composition of the composites. Various mechanical properties, including impact strength, flexural strength (FS), fracture toughness, and tensile strength (TS), are evaluated for the fabricated composites. Thermo‐mechanical and thermal properties are examined using dynamic mechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. The chemical analysis identifies the unsaturation sites of (CH2)n, carbonyl group CO of the ester group, and the stretching of CH and CH3. The mechanical properties of SC2 composites are observed to be superior to those of SC1 composites. TGA revealed that both SC1 and SC2 composites showcased comparable temperature‐dependent weight loss patterns. Nonetheless, the SC2 composite displayed elevated glass transition temperature values and superior damping properties, as indicated by its higher Tanδ values. Examination of the fractured surfaces using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrograph reveals a honeycomb structure, matrix cracking, and fiber pullout.

Highlights

Examination of the chemical, thermal, mechanical, and thermo‐mechanical attributes of sandwich composites made from E‐glass‐reinforced isophthalic polyester with PVC foam as the core.

Evaluation of the impact of E‐glass layering on the thickness of the composite skin.

Analysis of interfacial properties through FTIR techniques.

Assessment of mechanical properties like impact strength, FS, fracture toughness, and TS.

Investigation of fracture surfaces using SEM.
Effects of 7‐minute practices of breathing and meditation on stress reduction
Authors: Sun Chunxia , Tong Jiajin , Qi Xin , He Zhonghui , Qian Junwei
Published: November 2023

We compared the effects of 7‐min practices of breathing and meditation on perceived stress reduction and related affective outcomes (active emotion, serenity, anxiety, and fatigue) during micro‐breaks. Undergraduates from two classes (N = 59) completed the 7‐point online surveys. Results supported the effects of both practices.
Emotional dampening in hypertension: Impaired recognition of implicit emotional content in auditory and cross‐modal stimuli
Authors: Shukla Meenakshi , Pandey Rakesh
Published: November 2023

Research shows a reduced responsivity to implicit as well as explicit facial emotion recognition (emotional dampening) in prehypertensives and hypertensives. This study explored auditory and audiovisual emotion recognition in prehypertensives and hypertensives. Participants (N = 175) who were normotensives, prehypertensives, and hypertensives (n = 57, 58, and 60, respectively) completed an auditory implicit task (matching auditory target with auditory distractors) and two cross‐modal implicit tasks (matching visual target with auditory distractors, and vice‐versa), and an auditory explicit task (labelling emotions in audio‐clips). Findings showed an aberrant speed–accuracy trade‐off, where prehypertensives focused more on accuracy at the cost of speed while hypertensives showed the opposite. Discriminant function analysis revealed that blood pressure (BP)‐associated emotional dampening is a highly specific but moderately sensitive correlate of hypertension. Our study highlights that prehypertensives and hypertensives demonstrate emotional dampening in implicit (but not explicit) auditory emotion recognition and a greater deficit for auditory than visual recognition of implicit emotions. Findings show emotional dampening as an observable correlate of elevated BP and hypertension.
Effectiveness of compassion‐focused therapy for self‐criticism in patients with personality disorders: a multiple baseline case series study
Authors: Pol Silvia M. , de Jong Audrey , Trompetter Hester , Bohlmeijer Ernst T. , Chakhssi Farid
Published: November 2023

Objective

Targeting self‐criticism, the tendency to negatively evaluate and judge aspects of oneself, may improve treatment efficacy for personality disorders (PDs). This study aimed to test whether adding 12‐week group compassion‐focused therapy (CFT) that explicitly targets self‐criticism to treatment as usual (TAU) would reduce self‐criticism in patients with PDs.

Method

Twelve patients with PDs participated in a multiple baseline study, randomly allocated to different baseline lengths. The primary outcome was twice‐weekly assessed self‐critical beliefs during baseline, treatment, and follow‐up phases. Secondary outcomes were self‐criticism, self‐compassion, and PD severity at the end of CFT and follow‐up (trial registered: NL8131).

Nine participants completed the intervention. No significant changes were observed during CFT, but at follow‐up significant decrease in self‐critical beliefs (Cohen's d = −0.43; 95% CI = −0.73 to −0.12) was reported compared to baseline. On secondary outcomes, most participants showed reliable improvement on self‐reported criticism (66.7%) and self‐compassion (55.6%), and a minority of patients showed reliable improvement in PD severity (33.3%).

Conclusions

This study seems to provide preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of 12‐week CFT for self‐critical beliefs in patients with PDs compared to TAU. CFT for self‐criticism in PDs may complement treatment offerings and warrant further research.
Preparation of high‐efficient flame retardant PA6 via DOPO‐ITA initiated ring‐opening polymerization of caprolactam
Authors: Zhang Yueji , zheng Wei , Xiao Yijing , Yi Chunwang
Published: November 2023

It has been a long‐term challenge to synthesize intrinsically flame retardant polyamide 6 (FRPA6) with high‐molecular weight. In this work, through the ring‐opening polymerization of caprolactam initiated by 9,10‐dihydro‐10‐[2,3‐di(hydroxycarbonyl)propyl]‐10 phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO‐ITA), intrinsically flame retardant PA6 with high‐molecular weight was successfully prepared. Its chemical structure, thermal stability, mechanical and combustion properties, as well as the retarding mechanism were thoroughly characterized in detail. The FRPA6 containing 3.0% retardant could achieve a V‐0 rating with an LOI value of 31.2%. An interesting phenomenon was observed during V‐0 tests. The melt drip slowly extended downward to form a long strip after moving fire, which was in favor of its heat release in a short time, thereby effectively prevented it from igniting the cotton. That is, a facile method to prepare intrinsically high‐efficiency fire retardant polymer via ring opening and polycondensation was proposed.
Polymers with double‐decker and side‐opened cage silsesquioxanes: Effects of cage structures on materials properties
Authors: Hirosawa Yuta , Imoto Hiroaki , Naka Kensuke
Published: November 2023

Cage silsesquioxanes, also known as polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS), serve as crucial building blocks in crafting precisely designed organic–inorganic hybrid materials, given that their well‐defined silsesquioxane clusters can be adorned with organic substituents. While polymers with POSS in their main chains have been thoroughly examined, analyzing the correlation between cage structure and material properties in main‐chain‐type polymers remains challenging. This difficulty stems from the limited range of organic substituents on traditional POSS monomers, thereby precluding comparisons between polymers with unified substituents and different cage structures. In this study, we synthesized double‐decker silsesquioxane (DDSQ) and side‐opened POSS (SO‐POSS) monomers, both featuring phenyl groups. Subsequent platinum‐catalyzed hydrosilylation polymerization yielded main‐chain‐polymers. Both the cage and linker structures influence thermal stability and the glass transition temperature, while the hardness was primarily determined by the linker structure. This research is the first to elucidate the impact of cage structure on the material properties of main‐chain‐type POSS polymers.
Weaning from noninvasive respiratory support in children in acute settings: Expert consensus statement using modified Delphi methodology
Authors: Mortamet Guillaume , Milési Christophe , Baudin Florent , Yalindag Nilufer , Kneyber Martin , Pons‐Odena Marti
Published: November 2023

Objective

To reach a consensus on the definition and modalities of weaning from noninvasive ventilation in acute settings.

Design

A modified Delphi survey using closed and open‐ended questions.

Setting

Three rounds of consensus determination were sent via electronic mail survey to 33 experts. The survey questionnaire had four sections: definition of weaning, definition of weaning failure, criteria to initiate weaning, and modalities of weaning. Questions where agreement had been reached on round 1 were no longer part of the survey in rounds 2 and 3.

Subjects

Twenty‐five international experts from 10 countries.

Measurement and Main Results

Overall, this survey generated positive consensus from experts for 19/35 statements (9 with strong agreement and 10 with weak agreement) about weaning from noninvasive respiratory support. No negative consensus could be identified.

Conclusion

The clinical practice statements issued address important aspects of definition of weaning, definition of weaning failure, criteria to initiate weaning, and modalities of weaning in acute settings.
Association of plasma NRP2 and VEGF‐C levels with prostate cancer disease severity
Authors: Mullen Sarah A. , Das Dipanwita , Ziamiavaghi Negin , High Robin , Datta Kaustubh , Teply Benjamin A.
Published: November 2023

Background

Neuropilin 2 (NRP2) expression in tissue is an independent prognostic factor for aggressive prostate cancer. Since the NRP2 pathway activation is thought to occur in part through secondary resistance, quantification of NRP2 in initial tissue biopsy specimens collected at diagnosis may have limited utility in identifying patients at highest risk for morbidity and mortality. Given that metastatic tissue is only occasionally obtained for analysis, there is a need for development of a plasma biomarker indicative of NRP2 pathway activation to potentially inform prostate cancer prognosis. Therefore, we investigated if plasma levels of NRP2 or vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF‐C), a known soluble ligand of NRP2, are prognostic for prostate cancer. We hypothesized that plasma NRP2 and VEGF‐C would be associated with more advanced disease or relapsed disease.

Methods

NRP2 and VEGF‐C levels were quantified by enzyme‐linked immunoassay in plasma samples obtained from 145 prostate cancer patients in an opportunistic biobank. These patients were either (1) newly diagnosed (N = 28), (2) in remission (N = 56), or (3) relapsed disease (N = 61). Plasma samples from 15 adult males without known malignancy served as a comparator cohort. Statistical analysis was performed to investigate the association of plasma NRP2/VEGF‐C with patient outcomes, adjusting for age, race, prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), Gleason score, and tumor stage at diagnosis.

Results

Neither NRP2 nor VEGF‐C levels were significantly different in cancer patients compared to noncancer controls. We observed no clear association between plasma NRP2 and disease severity. Increased plasma VEGF‐C was significantly associated with disease remission and correlated with Stage I/II and intermediate‐risk Gleason score. Neither NRP2 nor VEGF‐C correlated with PSA level.

Conclusions

Although tissue NRP2 expression correlates with severe disease, this was not observed for plasma NRP2. Plasma NRP2 levels did not correlate with disease severity or relapse. VEGF‐C was highest in patients in remission and with less severe disease. Future investigation is needed to identify noninvasive methods to assess tumor NRP2 status.
How do hedgerow characteristics alter the dispersal of Pseudocercospora fijiensis propagules?
Authors: Delatouche Lucile , Tixier Philippe , Sainte‐Rose Jérôme , Daribo Marie‐Odette , de Lapeyre de Bellaire Luc
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Hedgerows represent an agroecological lever for pest management. To date, few studies have shown that they can be used as a lever for the control of aerial fungal diseases, especially as a barrier to dispersal. On banana production, the main disease is black leaf streak disease (BLSD), which is a fungal disease caused by Pseudocercospora fijiensis. This pathogen disperses through two types of spores: ascospore and conidia. The aim of this study was to observe and to quantify the effect of hedgerows on BLSD dispersal. Trap plants were placed at the same distance to an artificial source of inoculum with a hedgerow on one side. Lesions were counted to establish the daily lesion density of each trap plant. The combination of hedgerow characteristics such as height, width, and optical porosity were used to evaluate its potential capacity to intercept spores.

RESULTS

When ascospores were used as a source of inoculum, the lesion density on traps plant decreased up to 50% between the hedgerow with the lowest interception capacities and the one with the highest interception capacities. For conidia, hedgerow height and side of the trap plants (with or without hedgerow between them and the source) were not significant, but low porosity of the hedgerow reduced the lesion density. On the contrary, for ascospore, the hedgerow effect was anisotropic; the trap plants on hedgerow side had less lesions.

CONCLUSION

Our study is the first experimental proof of the effect of hedgerows on P. fijiensis dispersion, both on conidia and ascospore. We showed that hedgerow characteristics impact the capacity of interception of the hedgerow. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Sustainable agricultural management: How to achieve carbon neutrality in agriculture – evidence from China agricultural sustainable development plan
Authors: Chen Pengyu , Li Jinglong
Published: November 2023

Agricultural sustainable development is of significant importance for achieving food security, environmental protection, climate change adaptation, natural resource conservation, and economic development. We conducted a study using the 2015 China Agricultural Sustainable Development Plan (ASDP) as a natural experiment and employed the Difference‐in‐Differences (DID) model to estimate the impact of ASDP on agricultural carbon neutrality. Path analysis and heterogeneity analysis were also performed. The results of this study are as follows: First, ASDP promotes agricultural carbon neutrality. Second, increasing per capita agricultural machinery usage, agricultural labor efficiency, livestock manure management, wastewater and waste treatment capacity, toilet coverage rate, greening efforts, and reducing pesticide usage are potential pathways of ASDP. Third, the analysis of carbon emission types indicates that current ASDP mainly focuses on carbon emissions from traditional agricultural practices, with limited impact on carbon emissions associated with modern agricultural activities, such as diesel fuel and pesticides. Lastly, the heterogeneity analysis of agricultural regions demonstrates that ASDP has a more positive impact on grain, oil, fruit and vegetable low‐producing areas, cotton high‐producing areas, and poultry, meat, eggs and milk aquaculture high‐producing areas. This study estimates the carbon reduction effect of ASDP and provides new policy recommendations and reform directions for agricultural sustainable development in China and other developing countries.
A Keratotic Nodule on a Cobblestone Plaque: A Rare Case Presentation
Authors: Tootoonchi Nasim , Ansari Mahshid Sadat , Kamyab Kambiz
Published: November 2023

The manuscript describes a case of a 68-year-old woman with a pruritic nodule and yellow cobblestone plaque on her abdomen. Biopsy results showed trans epidermal illumination of basophilic elastic fibres in the reticular dermis with calcium deposits. The diagnosis was perforating calcific elastosis, an acquired rare condition mostly seen in obese, multiparous, middle-aged women.
Efficient Synthesis of N‐Pyridinylamides Using a Bimetallic Co/Fe‐Metal‐Organic Framework Heterogeneous Catalyst
Authors: Nguyen Oanh Kim Thi , Nong Linh Xuan , Nguyen Vinh Huu , Nguyen Trinh Duy
Published: November 2023

The synthesis of N‐pyridinylamides has been realized by particularly efficient technologies via bimetallic organic (Co/Fe‐MOF) catalyzed oxidative amidation between 2‐aminopyridine and benzaldehyde. The C−N bond was formed with the presence of a catalyst (Co/Fe‐MOF) as a Lewis acid and the oxidant as DTBP. The oxidative amidation reaction was conducted in 1,4‐dioxane at 120 °C with a wide range of substrates producing the corresponding amide products in good to 94 % yields. Experimental results illustrated that This accessibly offers a significant improvement over the earlier successful attempts in forming N‐pyridinyl amides. The Co/Fe‐MOF material was synthesized by solvothermal methods with the salt mixture of Fe(NO3)3.9H2O and Co(NO3)2.6H2O. The material was determined by modern analytic methods like X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier‐transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms.
On‐Demand 3D Spatial Distribution of Magnetic Permeability Based on Fe3O4 Nanoparticle Liquid Toward Micro‐Cavity Detectors
Authors: Zhang Shanfei , Xu Yizhuo , Li Zhuofan , Wang Qi , Li Yike , Chen Xiaojun , Chen Peng , Lu Zhongjiu , Su Bin
Published: November 2023

The change of 3D spatial distribution of magnetic permeability can lead to the generation of introduced electrical signals. However, present studies can only achieve rough regulation by simple shape deformation of magnetic elastomers such as compression, bending, or stretching. Accurate control of the 3D spatial distribution of magnetic permeability is still an open question. In this study, an on‐demand 3D spatial distribution of magnetic permeability by controlled flowing of Fe3O4 nanoparticle liquid (FNL) is demonstrated. The flowing routes of FNL are tuned by a 3D‐printed cage with pre‐designed hollow structure, thus changing the 3D spatial distribution of magnetic permeability. Then, eight symmetrically distributed coils under cage are used to receive characteristic induction voltage signals. Maxwell numerical simulation reveals the working mechanism of signal generation. Notably, those eight coils can detect FNL flowing status in eight directions, allowing recognition of up to 255 different FNL flowing combinations. By introducing machine learning, the micro‐cavity detector based on FNL can distinguish nine kinds of micro‐cavity structures with an accuracy of 98.77%. This work provides a new strategy for the adjustment of the 3D spatial distribution of the magnetic permeability and expands the application of FNL in the field of space exploration.
2D Nano‐Channeled Molybdenum Compounds for Accelerating Interfacial Polysulfides Catalysis in Li–S Battery
Authors: Wu Min , Xing Zhenyu , Zhu Ran , Liu Xu , Feng Yifan , Shao Wenjie , Yan Rui , Yin Bo , Li Shuang
Published: November 2023

The shuttle effect, which causes the loss of active sulfur, passivation of lithium anode, and leads to severe capacity attenuation, is currently the main bottleneck for lithium‐sulfur batteries. Recent studies have disclosed that molybdenum compounds possess exceptional advantages as a polar substrate to immobilize and catalyze lithium polysulfide such as high conductivity and strong sulfiphilicity. However, these materials show incomplete contact with sulfur/polysulfides, which causes uneven redox conversion of sulfur and results in poor rate performance. Herein, a new type of 2D nano‐channeled molybdenum compounds (2D‐MoNx) via the 2D organic‐polyoxometalate superstructure for accelerating interfacial polysulfide catalysis toward high‐performance lithium‐sulfur batteries is reported. The 2D‐MoNx shows well‐interlinked nano‐channels, which increase the reactive interface and contact surface with polysulfides. Therefore, the battery equipped with 2D‐MoNx displays a high discharge capacity of 912.7 mAh g−1 at 1 C and the highest capacity retention of 523.7 mAh g−1 after 300 cycles. Even at the rate of 2 C, the capacity retention can be maintained at 526.6 mAh g−1 after 300 cycles. This innovative nano‐channel and interfacial design of 2D‐MoNx provides new nanostructures to optimize the sulfur redox chemistry and eliminate the shuttle effect of polysulfides.
Engineered Extracellular Vesicles Expressing Siglec‐10 Camouflaged AIE Photosensitizer to Reprogram Macrophages to Active M1 Phenotype and Present Tumor‐Associated Antigens for Photodynamic Immunotherapy
Authors: Sun Zhihong , Sun Zhuokai , Liu Jie , Gao Xiaohan , Jiao Liping , Zhao Qi , Chu Yongli , Wang Xiaozhong , Deng Guanjun , Cai Lintao
Published: November 2023

Cancer immunotherapy has attracted considerable attention due to its advantages of persistence, targeting, and ability to kill tumor cells. However, the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy in practical applications is limited by tumor heterogeneity and complex tumor immunosuppressive microenvironments in which abundant of M2 macrophages and immune checkpoints (ICs) are present. Herein, two type‐I aggregation‐induced emission (AIE)‐active photosensitizers with various reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐generating efficiencies are designed and synthesized. Engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) that express ICs Siglec‐10 are first obtained from 4T1 tumor cells. The engineered EVs are then fused with the AIE photosensitizer‐loaded lipidic nanosystem to form SEx@Fc‐NPs. The ROS generated by the inner type‐I AIE photosensitizer of the SEx@Fc‐NPs through photodynamic therapy (PDT) can convert M2 macrophages into M1 macrophages to improve tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. The outer EV‐antigens that carry 4T1 tumor‐associated antigens directly stimulate dendritic cells maturation to activate different types of tumor‐specific T cells in overcoming tumor heterogeneity. In addition, blocking Siglec‐10 reversed macrophage exhaustion for enhanced antitumor ability. This study presents that a combination of PDT, immune checkpoints, and EV‐antigens can greatly improve the efficiency of tumor immunotherapy and is expected to serve as an emerging strategy to improve tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment and overcome immune escape.
Ferrocene‐Terminated Perylene Diimide‐Based Small Molecular Electrolyte as Electron‐Transport Layer for Efficient Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Chen Xiang , Xia Dongdong , Li Caifang , Luo Cheng , Jiang Xudong , Hu Zhiyun , Wan Liying , Jiang Lang , Zhao Chaowei , Li Weiwei
Published: November 2023

The electron‐transport layer (ETL) is essential for achieving high performance and stability of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, most organic ETLs suffer from low conductivity, low electron mobility, and difficult modification, resulting in mitigation of charge collection and transport. Metal–organic complex, such as ferrocene, is a promising candidate to improve organic ETL due to their excellent film‐forming property, easy preparation, and high electrical properties. Herein, a small molecule, PDIN‐Fc, based on PDIN modified by ferrocene is designed, which can be synthesized by environmentally friendly esterification and quaternization reactions. PDIN‐Fc displays outstanding alcohol solubility and tunable work function. Interestingly, introducing the ferrocene group can lead to increased self‐doping of PDIN‐Fc. As a result, PDIN‐Fc shows significantly improved charge transport performance and conductivity compared to PDIN. When using PM6:L8‐BO as the photoactive layer, the OSCs with PDIN‐Fc as ETL achieve a remarkable power conversion efficiency of 18.45% and exhibit notable high light stability. This study demonstrates an effective strategy to design efficient ETLs by incorporating metal complexes, which enable thickness insensitivity, good stability, and high‐performance photovoltaic devices.
A medium‐density genotyping platform for cultivated strawberry using DArTag technology
Authors: Hardigan Michael A. , Feldmann Mitchell J. , Carling Jason , Zhu Anyu , Kilian Andrzej , Famula Randi A. , Cole Glenn S. , Knapp Steven J.
Published: November 2023

Genomic prediction in breeding populations containing hundreds to thousands of parents and seedlings is prohibitively expensive with current high‐density genetic marker platforms designed for strawberry. We developed mid‐density panels of molecular inversion probes (MIPs) to be deployed with the “DArTag” marker platform to provide a low‐cost, high‐throughput genotyping solution for strawberry genomic prediction. In total, 7742 target single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) regions were used to generate MIP assays that were tested with a screening panel of 376 octoploid Fragaria accessions. We evaluated the performance of DArTag assays based on genotype segregation, amplicon coverage, and their ability to produce subgenome‐specific amplicon alignments to the FaRR1 assembly and subsequent alignment‐based variant calls with strong concordance to DArT's alignment‐free, count‐based genotype reports. We used a combination of marker performance metrics and physical distribution in the FaRR1 assembly to select 3K and 5K production panels for genotyping of large strawberry populations. We show that the 3K and 5K DArTag panels are able to target and amplify homologous alleles within subgenomic sequences with low‐amplification bias between reference and alternate alleles, supporting accurate genotype calling while producing marker genotypes that can be treated as functionally diploid for quantitative genetic analysis. The 3K and 5K target SNPs show high levels of polymorphism in diverse F. × ananassa germplasm and UC Davis cultivars, with mean pairwise diversity (π) estimates of 0.40 and 0.32 and mean heterozygous genotype frequencies of 0.35 and 0.33, respectively.
Environmental assessment of heavy metal contamination at Chekfa aggregate quarry (Jijel, North‐East Algeria)
Authors: Foughalia Amal , Kessasra Fares , Benabbes Dounyazad , Bollot Nicolas , Khemissa Zeyneb , Kebabi Brahim , Aliliche Linda , Guerdouh Samah , Berthe Julien
Published: November 2023

It is fascinating to observe the potential hazards associated with mining and quarrying activities, despite the limited number of comprehensive studies conducted in Algeria to evaluate their environmental impact. This particular investigation focuses on El M'cif quarry in Chekfa, located within the Nil watershed in Jijel, a region situated in the North‐East of Algeria. The primary objective is to assess the concentrations of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and cadmium (Cd) in surface water, groundwater, stream sediments, and soil. Consequently, a suite of petrographic and geochemical analyses is undertaken to discern the origins of these heavy metals. Employing statistical methodologies, notably the Geo‐accumulation Index (Igeo), Pollution Index (PI+PI), and Ecological Risk Assessment (ER), this study is further fortified to quantify the levels of hazardous contaminants. The findings reveal that the concentrations of Cd and Pb in surface water are recorded at 22 and 654.3 μg/L, respectively, surpassing both Algerian and WHO standards. Meanwhile, the heavy metal concentrations in stream sediments are ranked in the order of Zn > Cu > Cd, with respectively mean concentrations of 1085.30, 14.60, and 1.49 (mg/kg). The mean concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cd, and Cu in soil are measured respectively at 219.78, 128.86, 20.76, and 2.42 (mg/kg). Based on the statistical methods such as I‐geo, PI, IPI, and RI, the research reveals that the sediments of the Aftis River are uncontaminated by Cu, moderately to heavily contaminated with Zn and heavily contaminated by Cd. Besides the soil samples which are found to be extremely contaminated with Cd, moderately contaminated with Pb, and uncontaminated with Cu and Zn. Additionally, the X‐ray fluorescence analysis reveals that the limestone extracted from the quarry contains 0.7% cadmium, suggesting that the quarry could potentially contribute to cadmium contamination. The surrounding rocks exhibit significant concentrations of iron, lead, and zinc. Therefore, the elevated levels of these heavy metals can primarily be attributed to geological factors rather than human activities, highlighting the combined influence of the extractive industry and the geological environment.
Central composite design approach for concurrent desulfurization and denitrogenation of model liquid fuel over Mo‐AAC
Authors: Sikarwar Prerana , Gosu Vijayalakshmi , Palla Venkata Chandra Sekhar , Subbaramaiah Verraboina
Published: November 2023

The primary objective of this work was to investigate the simultaneous removal of refractory sulfur (dibenzothiophene, DBT) and nitrogen compounds (indole, IND) from model gasoline. This research aimed to develop an efficient adsorption process to mitigate the emission of sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxides, which pose direct threats to human health and the environment. Additionally, the study focused on addressing technical challenges encountered in the refinery process, particularly the poisoning of catalysts due to the presence of these compounds. To achieve the study's goals, granular activated carbon (GAC) was subjected to acid treatment for modification. Molybdenum species were then incorporated into the acid‐treated GAC using the wet impregnation technique. The composition and distribution of elements on the surface of the modified GAC (Mo‐AAC) were analyzed via X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Various characterization techniques were employed to confirm the uniform dispersion of molybdenum species on the GAC surface. The specific surface area of the adsorbent was increased from 257 m2/g to 316 m2/g following the acid treatment and molybdenum modification. The study explored the impact of several key parameters on the removal of DBT and IND using central composite design (CCD). A regression model was derived using CCD through hybrid central composite design, and its adequacy was verified with the means of tests such as analysis of variance (ANOVA), a lack of fit test, and residuals distribution consideration. Experimental results match well with the results obtained by CCD model, justifying the accuracy of models. The results showed that all four parameters have a significant impact on removal of DBT and IND. Increasing temperature and the adsorbent dose positively affected the removal of both DBT and IND, indicating that higher temperatures and greater adsorbent dosages improved removal efficiency. On the other hand, the concentration of DBT and IND had a negative impact, signifying that higher initial contaminant concentrations hindered removal efficiency. The study determined the optimum initial contaminant concentrations for DBT and IND, temperature, and adsorbent dose to be 186 mg/L, 50 mg/L, 25.5°C, and 32 g/L, respectively. These conditions yielded the highest removal efficiency. The research demonstrated that Mo‐AAC has the capability to effectively reduce the sulfur and nitrogen content of model gasoline, making it a promising solution for addressing environmental and refinery challenges associated with these compounds.
Ambivalence and Resistance in Contemporary Imaginations of US Capitalist Hinterlands
Authors: Valdés Olmos Tjalling
Published: November 2023

Although conventionally imagined through the registers of the frontier, this chapter asks how the notion of the hinterland facilitates a different political understanding of the rural US West as affected by capitalism. While Phil Neel’s 2018 Hinterland makes the rural visible as an essential node in the infrastructure of global capitalism, this chapter explores how it also marks the rural US West as ruined and vacated of meaningful political resistance. Chloé Zhao’s film Nomadland, through an interlocution of the hinterland with the western and the road movie, imagines resistance in more ambivalent ways that emphasize capitalism’s interwovenness with heteronormativity and settler colonialism. Nevertheless, the affective economies at play in both representations reaffirm a settler colonial logic that erases Indigenous Americans as active political subjects.
The Hinterland at Sea
Authors: Peeren Esther
Published: November 2023

The hinterlands of contemporary global capital are as contested as those of the heydays of colonialism, but instead of as yet-to-be-developed, they manifest as overdeveloped, laid waste to. I explore what it means to live in a hinterland of abandonment by turning to Ben Smith’s Doggerland (2019), set on a windfarm in the North Sea in a dystopian future. This novel, I argue, not only literally places the hinterland at sea, but conceptualizes it as a realm of the at sea, of people, materials, and elements as constantly shifting and sifting in a struggle for survival unfolding at the scale of the protagonists’ lives and at that of the deep time narrative of water, which includes the prehistory of the North Sea as a landmass.
Hinterland, Underground
Authors: Wenzel Jennifer
Published: November 2023

This chapter adds a vertical dimension to the horizontal relations at work in hinterlands. From a metropolitan perspective, hinterlands are “back there,” “over yonder”: beyond the horizon. As Raymond Williams observed, such distinctions are complicated by the uneven economic and ecological metabolisms between country and city. But how are these metabolisms constituted by the subsoil: dynamic subterranean flows and stocks of matter and energy whose effects shape what might seem like stable ground? How are fossil fuel deposits lying beneath rural landscapes incorporated into geographic imaginaries of settler-colonial frontiers and agricultural heartlands? How does soil itself yoke surface to subsurface, hinterland to national and planetary politics? What social and political forces are at work in the hinterland underground?
The Coast Bouleverses at Kolkata
Authors: Mukherjee Rila
Published: November 2023

This chapter argues that “hinterland” is not only a designation related to the economic field, but also a perspective. As the sea is increasingly turned into land for developmental purposes, and as legal strategies transform coastal waters into land-like, developable components of state territory, hinterlands are transforming in nature. This process is markedly visible in Kolkata’s environs, where seemingly passive spaces have changed into active places where people create their own identities and histories.
Reclaiming the (Hinter)land: Lake Texcoco and the Airport That Never Was
Authors: Concheiro San Vicente Luciano , Nueno Guitart Xavier
Published: November 2023

The colonial history of the term “hinterland” speaks of a practice of territorial control allowing colonial powers to claim sovereignty of the region behind a port. In this chapter, we consider the violent history of a construction of a new airport for Mexico City in Texcoco’s Lake as the active production of a hinterland through land reclamation. Although mostly drained in 1900 by what was then the most important engineering works worldwide, Lake Texcoco continues to manifest itself as a key actor that shapes the forms of territorialization and different uses of space, whether as agricultural land, as international airport, or as ecological park. The soil—saline, unstable, and shifting—gives meaning to the multiple conflicts surrounding the failed attempts to construct the new airport.
Displacing a Right to Act Communally Within Community Relocation
Authors: Jerolleman Alessandra , Marino Elizabeth , Jessee Nathan , Koslov Liz , Comardelle Chantel , Villarreal Melissa , de Vries Daniel , Manda Simon
Published: November 2023

Despite the widely proclaimed principle of “community-led” processes within climate adaptation discourse, individuals’ assertion of a right to act communally is often undercut by the law, the application of the law, and planning conventions. The previous chapter emphasized some of the profound challenges associated with individual choice and community action during the administration of buyout programs.
Improving the Accuracy
Authors: Sundnes Joakim
Published: November 2023

As mentioned previously, the FE method derived in Chapter 1 is not the most sophisticated ODE solver. Although it provides sufficient accuracy for most of the applications covered in this book, there are alternative methods available that offer improved accuracy and stability, making them better suited for solving challenging ODE systems. In this chapter, we will focus on enhancing accuracy, and thus we will primarily explore explicit methods. Implicit methods, which exhibit superior stability properties and are better suited for solving stiff ODEs, will be discussed in Chapter 3.
Modeling Infectious Diseases
Authors: Sundnes Joakim
Published: November 2023

Throughout this book we have focused entirely on solving ODEs, without delving deeply into their origins or applications. In the present chapter we shift our attention to modeling with ODEs, by exploring a widely studied class of ODE models that describe the spread of infectious diseases. This group of models serves as a good example of how a complex phenomenon can be modeled using relatively simple systems of ODEs. We will derive these models based on a set of fundamental assumptions and discuss the limitations that arise from these assumptions. Although we consider a single application and a single class of models, the fundamental steps of the modeling process are applicable to a wide range of real-world phenomena.
A hamstring autograft diameter ≤ 8 mm is a safe option for smaller, lighter and female athletes who want to return to pivoting sports after ACL reconstruction
Authors: Boots Nicole , van Melick Nicky , Bogie Rob
Published: November 2023

Purpose

To investigate the association between hamstring autograft diameter and ACL graft failure rate in athletes who successfully returned to pivoting sports after ACL reconstruction.

Methods

Retrospective evaluation of ACL graft failure rates in athletes who underwent ACL reconstruction with all‐inside hamstring autograft and successfully returned to pivoting sports following postoperative rehabilitation. Athletes were divided into a ≤ 8 mm group and a > 8 mm group. Data about return to pivoting sports and ACL graft failures after ACL reconstruction were collected via a digital questionnaire. ACL graft failures were in all cases confirmed by an orthopaedic surgeon and/or MRI. The association between hamstring autograft diameter and ACL graft failure rate was investigated using a Fisher’s exact test in the subgroup of athletes who completed the digital questionnaire and returned to pivoting sports.

Results

Two‐hundred and twenty‐nine of the 422 athletes who completed the digital questionnaire (54.2%) returned to a pivoting sport and were included for final analyses. Ninety‐seven (42.4%) of the athletes who returned to sport were in the ≤ 8 mm group (8 graft failures) and 132 (57.6%) in the > 8 mm group (10 graft failures). There were significantly more women (49.5 and 13.6% respectively; p < 0.001) and significantly smaller (1.75 and 1.81 m respectively; p < 0.001), lighter (72.2 and 79.6 kg respectively; p < 0.001) and younger (23.6 and 26.1 years old respectively; p = 0.015) athletes in the ≤ 8 mm group compared to the > 8 mm group. There was no significant association between hamstring autograft diameter and ACL graft failure rate.

Conclusion

A hamstring autograft diameter of ≤ 8 mm is a legitimate option for smaller, lighter and female athletes without increasing the risk for ACL graft failure.

Level of evidence

III.
Cellulomonas endometrii sp. nov.: a novel bacterium isolated from the endometrial microbiota
Authors: Abou Chacra Linda , Bonnet Marion , Heredia Mégane , Haddad Gabriel , Armstrong Nicholas , Alibar Stéphane , Bretelle Florence , Fenollar Florence
Published: November 2023

An isolate of a bacterium recovered from an endometrial biopsy failed to be identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and was subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing. The obtained sequence was compared by BLASTn against the NCBI database, which revealed that the most closely related species was Cellulomonas hominis and Cellulomonas pakistanensis, with 98.85% and 98.45% identity, respectively. Phenotypic characterisation and genome sequencing were performed. The isolate was facultative anaerobic, gram-positive, motile, non-spore forming, and rod-shaped. Cell wall fatty acid profiling revealed that 12-methyl-tetradecanoic acid was the most abundant fatty acid (36%). The genome size was 4.25 Mbp with a G + C content of 74.8 mol%. Genomic comparison of species closely related to this strain showed that all digital DNA–DNA hybridisation (dDDH) and mean orthologous nucleotide identity (OrthoANI) values were below published species thresholds (70% and 95–96%, respectively). Based on these data, we conclude that this isolate represents a new bacterial species belonging to the family Cellulomonadaceae and the phylum Actinomycetota. We propose the name Cellulomonas endometrii sp. nov. The type strain is Marseille-Q7820T (= CSUR Q7820 = CECT 30716).