bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current Trends and Challenges of Microbiome Research in Bladder Cancer
Authors: Isali Ilaha , Helstrom Emma K. , Uzzo Nicole , Lakshmanan Ankita , Nandwana Devika , Valentine Henkel , Sindhani Mohit , Abbosh Philip , Bukavina Laura
Published: February 2024

Purpose of the Review

Microbiome research has provided valuable insights into the associations between microbial communities and bladder cancer. However, this field faces significant challenges that hinder the interpretation, generalization, and translation of findings into clinical practice. This review aims to elucidate these challenges and highlight the importance of addressing them for the advancement of microbiome research in bladder cancer.

Recent Findings

Recent findings underscore the complexities involved in microbiome research, particularly in the context of bladder cancer. Challenges include low microbial biomass in urine samples, potential contamination issues during collection and processing, variability in sequencing methods and primer selection, and the difficulty of establishing causality between microbiota and bladder cancer. Studies have shown the impact of sample storage conditions and DNA isolation kits on microbiome analysis, emphasizing the need for standardization. Additionally, variations in urine collection methods can introduce contamination and affect results. The choice of 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing or shotgun metagenomic sequencing introduces technical challenges, including primer selection and sequencing read length. Establishing causality between the microbiota and bladder cancer requires experimental methods like fecal microbiota transplantation and human microbiota-associated murine models, which face their own set of challenges. Translating microbiome research into therapeutic applications is hindered by methodological variability, incomplete understanding of bioactive molecules, imperfect animal models, and the inherent heterogeneity of microbiome communities among individuals.

Microbiome research in bladder cancer presents significant challenges stemming from technical and conceptual complexities. Addressing these challenges through standardization, improved experimental models, and advanced analytical approaches is essential for advancing our understanding of the microbiome’s role in bladder cancer and its potential clinical applications. Achieving this goal can lead to improved patient outcomes and novel therapeutic strategies in the future.
Concomitant double-fusion of PLEKHA7-ALK and INPP5D-ALK reveals favorable alectinib sensitivity in lung adenocarcinoma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Li Pei , Ju Xiao , Yang Guangjian
Published: February 2024

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene fusion is a classic driver mutation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, ALK double-fusion variants in NSCLC have rarely been reported. In this study, we reported a case with extremely uncommon ALK double-fusion variants. A 32-year-old female diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, who had developed multiple intrapulmonary and brain metastases, experienced worsening of her condition despite undergoing prior chemotherapy. Subsequent testing using next-generation sequencing (NGS) detected the presence of PLEKHA7-ALK and INPP5D-ALK double-fusion. The prescription of alectinib revealed potent efficacy and resulted in an increase in the survival rate. This case presented two uncommon and concomitant ALK fusion partners in NSCLC; more importantly, the INPP5D-ALK subtype has not been reported, therefore this study broadens the spectrum of ALK double-fusion variants and provides insight into the use of ALK inhibitors for the treatment of NSCLC in patients with double ALK fusions.
Transition from pediatric to adult care in patients with Turner syndrome in Italy: a consensus statement by the TRAMITI project
Authors: Aversa T. , De Sanctis L. , Faienza M. F. , Gambineri A. , Balducci A. , D’Aprile R. , Di Somma C. , Giavoli C. , Grossi A. , Meriggiola M. C. , Profka E. , Salerno M. , Stagi S. , Scarano E. , Zatelli M. C. , Wasniewska M.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Transition from pediatric to adult care is associated with significant challenges in patients with Turner syndrome (TS). The objective of the TRansition Age Management In Turner syndrome in Italy (TRAMITI) project was to improve the care provided to patients with TS by harnessing the knowledge and expertise of various Italian centers through a Delphi-like consensus process.

Methods

A panel of 15 physicians and 1 psychologist discussed 4 key domains: transition and referral, sexual and bone health and oncological risks, social and psychological aspects and systemic and metabolic disorders.

Results

A total of 41 consensus statements were drafted. The transition from pediatric to adult care is a critical period for patients with TS, necessitating tailored approaches and early disclosure of the diagnosis to promote self-reliance and healthcare autonomy. Fertility preservation and bone health strategies are recommended to mitigate long-term complications, and psychiatric evaluations are recommended to address the increased prevalence of anxiety and depression. The consensus also addresses the heightened risk of metabolic, cardiovascular and autoimmune disorders in patients with TS; regular screenings and interventions are advised to manage these conditions effectively. In addition, cardiac abnormalities, including aortic dissections, require regular monitoring and early surgical intervention if certain criteria are met.

Conclusions

The TRAMITI consensus statement provides valuable insights and evidence-based recommendations to guide healthcare practitioners in delivering comprehensive and patient-centered care for patients with TS. By addressing the complex medical and psychosocial aspects of the condition, this consensus aims to enhance TS management and improve the overall well-being and long-term outcomes of these individuals.
A Fully Nonlinear Degenerate Free Transmission Problem
Authors: Huaroto Gerardo , Pimentel Edgard A. , Rampasso Giane C. , Święch Andrzej
Published: February 2024

We study a free transmission problem driven by degenerate fully nonlinear operators. Our first result concerns the existence of a viscosity solution to the associated Dirichlet problem. By framing the equation in the context of viscosity inequalities, we prove regularity results for the constructed viscosity solution to the problem. Our findings include regularity in $$ C^{1,\alpha }$$

C

1
,
α

spaces, and an explicit characterization of $$\alpha $$
α
in terms of the degeneracy rates. We argue by perturbation methods, relating our problem to a homogeneous, fully nonlinear uniformly elliptic equation.
Characterizing photopolymer resins for high-temperature vat photopolymerization
Authors: Meenakshisundaram Viswanath , Feller Keyton , Chartrain Nicholas , Long Timothy , Williams Christopher
Published: February 2024

The availability of engineering polymers for vat photopolymerization (VP) additive manufacturing is limited. This limitation primarily stems from the inability of standard VP systems to recoat high-viscosity resins (> 3 Pa s). High-temperature vat photopolymerization is a new process-based VP platform that enables processing of viscous photopolymer resins (viscosity > 3 Pa s). Research in this area has been focused on demonstrating expanded access to new polymer families, and studying the effect of printing temperature on mechanical and esthetic performance of printed parts. However, methods to determine the printing temperature that prevents the occurrence of thermally induced polymerization (i.e., thermal stability) in the resin have not been established. In this work, the authors have applied characterization techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis, Rheology and differential scanning calorimetry to determine the printing temperature for processing viscous photopolymer resins. As a case study, the developed characterization techniques are applied to: (1) photopolymer that is solid at room temperature, (2) polymer with viscosity of 21 Pa s at room temperature, and the temperature at which the resins can be printed without triggering thermally induced polymerization is successfully determined. The results of this work will act as a materials’ characterization and process parameter development guide for high-temperature VP systems, thus enabling expansion of VP materials catalogue to engineering materials that were previously unprocessable.
Men's Sexual Health in Early Modern England
Authors: Evans Jennifer
Published: February 2024

How did men cope with sexual health issues in early modern England? This vivid history investigates how sexual, reproductive, and genitourinary conditions were understood between 1580 and 1740. Drawing on medical sources and personal testimonies, it reveals how men responded to bouts of ill health and their relationships with the medical practitioners tasked with curing them. In doing so, this study restores men's health to medical histories of reproduction, demonstrating how men's sexual self-identity was tied to their health. Charting genitourinary conditions across the life cycle, the book illustrates how fertility and potency were key to medical understandings of men's health. Men utilized networks of care to help them with ostensibly embarrassing and shameful conditions like hernias, venereal disease, bladder stones, and testicular injuries. The book thus offers a historical voice to modern calls for men to be alert to, and open about, their own bodily health.
Navigating Reformed Identity in the Rural Dutch Republic
Authors: Dieleman Kyle
Published: February 2024

Through an examination of Dutch Reformed church records and theological texts, Kyle Dieleman explores the local dynamics of religious life in the early modern Dutch Republic. The book argues that within the religiously plural setting of the Dutch Republic church officials used a variety of means to establish a Reformed identity in their communities. As such, the book explores the topics of church orders, elders and deacons, intra-confessional and inter-confessional conflicts, and Sabbath observance as local means by which small, rural communities negotiated and experienced their religious lives. In exploring rural Dutch Reformed congregations, the book examines the complicated relationships between theology and practice and 'lay' and 'elite' religion and highlights challenges rural churches faced. As they faced these issues, Dieleman demonstrates that local congregations exercised agency within their lived religious experiences as they sought unique ways to navigate their own Reformed identity within their small, rural communities.
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and non-CAUTI hospital-onset urinary tract infections: Relative burden, cost, outcomes and related hospital-onset bacteremia and fungemia infections
Authors: Kelly Timothy , Ai ChinEn , Jung Molly , Yu Kalvin
Published: February 2024

Objective:

To describe the relative burden of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and non-CAUTI hospital-onset urinary tract infections (HOUTIs).

Methods:

A retrospective observational study of patients from 43 acute-care hospitals was conducted. CAUTI cases were defined as those reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network. Non-CAUTI HOUTI was defined as a positive, non-contaminated, non-commensal culture collected on day 3 or later. All HOUTIs were required to have a new antimicrobial prescribed within 2 days of the first positive urine culture. Outcomes included secondary hospital-onset bacteremia and fungemia (HOB), total hospital costs, length of stay (LOS), readmission risk, and mortality.

Results:

Of 549,433 admissions, 434 CAUTIs and 3,177 non-CAUTI HOUTIs were observed. The overall rate of HOB likely secondary to HOUTI was 3.7%. Total numbers of secondary HOB were higher in non-CAUTI HOUTIs compared to CAUTI (101 vs 34). HOB secondary to non-CAUTI HOUTI was more likely to originate outside the ICU compared to CAUTI (69.3% vs 44.1%). CAUTI was associated with adjusted incremental total hospital cost and LOS of $9,807 (P < .0001) and 3.01 days (P < .0001) while non-CAUTI HOUTI was associated with adjusted incremental total hospital cost and LOS of $6,874 (P < .0001) and 2.97 days (P < .0001).

Conclusion:

CAUTI and non-CAUTI HOUTI were associated with deleterious outcomes. Non-CAUTI HOUTI occurred more often and was associated with a higher facility aggregate volume of HOB than CAUTI. Patients at risk for UTIs in the hospital represent a vulnerable population who may benefit from surveillance and prevention efforts, particularly in the non-ICU setting.
The thermophilic sea anemone Telmatactis cricoides (Cnidaria, Hexacorallia) in the western Mediterranean: filling gaps in the knowledge of the distribution
Authors: Martín-Arjona Alejandro , Muñoz-Caballero Anabel , Serrano Alberto , Díaz-Viñolas David , Urra Javier
Published: February 2024

Several individuals of the sea anemone Telmatactis cricoides (Duchassaing, 1850) (order Actiniaria) were observed in the Mediterranean continental Spanish coast (Almeria) and the Balearic Islands (Mallorca) showing an expansion of the species, possibly related to rising sea water temperatures. This finding contributes to increase the knowledge on the geographical distribution range of this actiniarian in the Mediterranean basin.
A data-driven kinetic model for opinion dynamics with social network contacts
Authors: Albi Giacomo , Calzola Elisa , Dimarco Giacomo
Published: February 2024

Opinion dynamics is an important and very active area of research that delves into the complex processes through which individuals form and modify their opinions within a social context. The ability to comprehend and unravel the mechanisms that drive opinion formation is of great significance for predicting a wide range of social phenomena such as political polarisation, the diffusion of misinformation, the formation of public consensus and the emergence of collective behaviours. In this paper, we aim to contribute to that field by introducing a novel mathematical model that specifically accounts for the influence of social media networks on opinion dynamics. With the rise of platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and many others, social networks have become significant arenas where opinions are shared, discussed and potentially altered. To this aim after an analytical construction of our new model and through incorporation of real-life data from Twitter, we calibrate the model parameters to accurately reflect the dynamics that unfold in social media, showing in particular the role played by the so-called influencers in driving individual opinions towards predetermined directions.
THE HISTORY OF ECONOMIC THOUGHT FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF HES PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES
Authors: Marcuzzo Maria Cristina , Zacchia Giulia
Published: February 2024

The History of Economics Society (HES) has traveled a long way throughout its fifty conferences, from the first one organized by Warren Samuels and Vincent Tarascio on May 30 and 31, 1973, in Chicago, to the fiftieth annual meetings that took place on June 23 to 25, 2023, in Vancouver, Canada. This journey can be analyzed in different ways, and here we focus on the presidential addresses delivered as a guide to our analysis. From the conference programs we identified a total of forty-four presidential addresses: the first to appear on the conference program was Vincent Tarascio’s speech on Vilfredo Pareto, on the second day of the Boston conference in 1975. Since 1975, presidential addresses have become a regular feature of the conference, with rare exceptions such as the 1977 Irvine, CA, conference or in the recent years when Marcel Boumans’s presidential address was postponed from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the forty-four presidential addresses in the history of HES, we analyzed the forty-one that were published in scholarly journals (see Table 1). However, we could not find whether two presidential addresses—specifically Joseph Spengler, HES conference 1976, Chicago; and Carl Uhr, HES conference 1978, Toronto—have been published. Moreover, Robert Leonard has not published the address he delivered at the 2015 HES conference but two related papers.
Individualism, universalism and climate change
Authors: Douarin Elodie , Hinks Tim
Published: February 2024

Is ‘individualism’ pure selfishness? The climate change literature often assumes so. However, individualism can be seen as capturing values aligned with self-determination and self-achievement but also universalism. Indeed, cultural psychology recognises individualism as reflecting both personal agency and one's embeddedness, not in narrowly defined in-groups, but in society broadly. Through this lens, individualism can be consistent with adopting pro-social behaviours, including climate-friendly behaviours. But the under-exploration of the concept means empirical evidence is limited. Using cross-country, cross-sectional data we find that individualistic values are associated with an increased willingness to take individual-level actions against climate change. Individualism is also not associated with less support for additional taxes levied to fight climate change, and those willing to take more individual level actions against climate change are also more supportive of additional climate change taxes. Overall, our results confirm that individualism can be associated with taking actions for the greater good.
Atmospheric deposition of dicamba herbicide can cause injury to sensitive soybean
Authors: Oseland Eric , Bish Mandy , Lerch Robert , Bradley Kevin W.
Published: February 2024

The herbicide dicamba has injured millions of hectares of sensitive plant species in the United States since 2017. This injury has coincided with the commercialization of dicamba-resistant soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). We quantified atmospheric deposition and mass flux of dicamba in 12 soybean production regions of Missouri. Dicamba was routinely detected in weekly deposition samples collected during agriculturally intensive spray periods. Observed concentrations were indicative of both local (<1 km) and long-distance transport (>1 km) of airborne dicamba. High-deposition events (>100 µg m−2) occurred annually in southeast Missouri, and peak dicamba deposited at these sites (12.5 to 84.0 µg m−2) was sufficient to injure non–dicamba resistant soybean. Adoption rate of dicamba-resistant crops and atmospheric stability explained much of the variance, and it is difficult for a herbicide product label to address these variables. Overall, these results demonstrated that dicamba was commonly deposited from the atmosphere during the growing season, and observed concentrations and fluxes were strongly related to the timing and magnitude of rainfall events and the amount of dicamba usage near collection sites.
Coupling of Long‐Term Trends of Zonal Winds Between the Mesopause and Stratosphere in Southern Winter
Authors: Song Byeong‐Gwon , Song In‐Sun
Published: February 2024

We examine the relationships between the observed long‐term trends of the zonal wind in the mesopause regions at King Sejong Station (KSS), Antarctica, and wind trends in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) middle atmosphere using the 15‐year data set from KSS meteor radar, Aura MLS and MERRA‐2. During July, significant positive trends of zonal winds appear above z = 90 km and near the stratopause over the KSS, while negative trends exist between the two layers. In the SH winter, the observed mesopause winds correlate positively (negatively) with stratospheric (mesospheric) winds in the polar region, while they exhibit opposite correlations with the low‐latitude winds. The positive mesopause trends of zonal winds near KSS are connected, through the thermal wind relationship, to cooling (warming) trends induced by the upward (downward) trends of residual circulation over the high‐latitude mesosphere and low‐latitude stratosphere (high‐latitude stratosphere), which shows vertical coupling throughout the SH winter middle atmosphere.
THEMIS Observations of Magnetosheath‐Origin Foreshock Ions
Authors: Liu Terry Z. , Angelopoulos Vassilis , Vu Andrew , Zhang Hui , Otto Antonius , Zhang Kun
Published: February 2024

The ion foreshock, filled with backstreaming foreshock ions, is very dynamic with many transient structures that disturb the bow shock and the magnetosphere‐ionosphere system. It has been shown that foreshock ions can be generated through either solar wind reflection at the bow shock or leakage from the magnetosheath. While solar wind reflection is widely believed to be the dominant generation process, our investigation using Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms mission observations reveals that the relative importance of magnetosheath leakage has been underestimated. We show from case studies that when the magnetosheath ions exhibit field‐aligned anisotropy, a large fraction of them attains sufficient field‐aligned speed to escape upstream, resulting in very high foreshock ion density. The observed foreshock ion density, velocity, phase space density, and distribution function shape are consistent with such an escape or leakage process. Our results suggest that magnetosheath leakage could be a significant contributor to the formation of the ion foreshock. Further characterization of the magnetosheath leakage process is a critical step toward building predictive models of the ion foreshock, a necessary step to better forecast foreshock‐driven space weather effects.
Localized Plasma Density Peak at Middle Latitudes During the April 2023 Geomagnetic Storm
Authors: Yang Yuyan , Liu Libo , Li Wenbo , Chen Yiding , Le Huijun , Zhang Ruilong , Zhao Xiukuan
Published: February 2024

This paper conducts a multi‐instrument analysis of a latitudinal plasma density peak at the middle latitudes during the early recovery phase of the April 2023 geomagnetic storm. The total electron content (TEC), peak density of the F layer, and the in situ plasma density from Swarm and Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites all capture this peak feature. This narrow latitudinal peak structure appeared around 50°N and extended from 40°E to 150°E in longitude with a prolonged duration of about 8 hr from sunset to midnight. This mid‐latitude peak reveals a noticeable equatorward motion and a slight westward shift. According to the plasma composition observations from DMSP satellites, this peak structure shows an O+ ions dominance, which means that this peak is more likely to be formed by an internal rather than an external source from the plasmasphere. Meanwhile, the middle latitude Fabry–Perot interferometer (FPI) observed strong equatorward thermospheric winds, and the peak height of the F layer presented a visible elevation, which suggests that the equatorward wind lifting caused the plasma density enhancement. Besides, the O/N2 ratio significantly decreased at lower and middle latitudes, and ion drift observations showed a distinct subauroral westward channel. Based on these simultaneous measurements, this structure's sharp equatorward and poleward boundaries might be related to the O/N2 ratio change and the subauroral polarization stream (SAPS) flow separately.
Estimation of Seismic Attenuation and Gas Hydrate Concentration From Surface Seismic Data at Hydrate Ridge, Cascadia Margin
Authors: Liu Tao , Bao Xueyang , Geng Jianhua , Zhu Xiangyu , Li Anyu , Tian Dongmei
Published: February 2024

An improved understanding of the effects of gas hydrate presence on seismic attenuation is important for accurate hydrate characterization and quantification. Based on a rock‐physics model recently presented for gas hydrate‐bearing fine‐grained clay‐dominated sediments, here we establish an integrated workflow for surface seismic data from extracting seismic attenuation to estimating gas hydrate concentration (Ch) in the sediment. We apply this workflow to the high‐resolution seismic data acquired at southern Hydrate Ridge, offshore Oregon, to reveal the hydrate distribution and clarify the controlling factor of hydrate formation. We first present an adaptive‐bandwidth spectral ratio method to robustly measure attenuation. The attenuation measurements show that the presence of hydrate suppresses the attenuation of the host sediment. We then calculate Ch by applying the rock‐physics model to the attenuation measurements. The estimated Ch are mostly low (<5%) in Hydrate Ridge and agrees well with the in‐situ Ch measured from core‐ or well log‐based data. Our result also suggests that the lithology and stratigraphic structures together control the distribution of gas hydrate at Hydrate Ridge, where relatively high Ch is found in the region where a gas‐charged conduit exists and in an anticlinal structure overlying a strong bottom simulating reflection. Adjacent to the anticline, however, a low amount of gas hydrate appears present, possibly due to the gas migration blocked by the anticlinal structure or the lack of gas conduits. Our study offers an effective strategy for detecting and quantifying gas hydrate in fine‐grained clayey sediments through surface seismic data.
Galectin-3 is involved in inflammation and fibrosis in arteriogenic erectile dysfunction via the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway
Authors: Wang Guanbo , Li Ruiyu , Feng Chen , Li Kefan , Liu Shuai , Fu Qiang
Published: February 2024

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a multifunctional protein that has been linked to fibrosis and inflammation in the cardiovascular system. In this study, we examined the impact of Gal-3 on inflammation and fibrosis in patients with arteriogenic erectile dysfunction (A-ED) and the underlying mechanisms involved. To induce arterial injury, we utilized cuffs on the periaqueductal common iliac arteries of Sprague‒Dawley (SD) rats and administered a high-fat diet to co-induce local atherosclerosis. Our results showed that we successfully developed a novel A-ED model that was validated based on histological evidence. In vivo, the vascular lumen of rats subjected to a high-fat diet and cuff placement exhibited significant narrowing, accompanied by the upregulation of Gal-3, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88) expression in the penile cavernosa. This led to the activation of nuclear factor kappa B 65 (NF-κB-p65), resulting in reduced intracavernosal pressure, endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression, and smooth muscle content, promoting inflammation and fibrosis. However, treatment with Gal-3 inhibitor-modified citrus pectin (MCP) significantly normalized those effects. In vitro, knocking down Gal-3 led to a significant reduction in TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB-p65 expression in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs), decreasing inflammation levels. In conclusion, inhibiting Gal-3 may improve A-ED by reducing inflammation, endothelial injury, and fibrosis in the penile corpus cavernosum through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. These findings highlight the potential therapeutic target of Gal-3 in A-ED.
Adaptive tail-length evolution in deer mice is associated with differential Hoxd13 expression in early development
Authors: Kingsley Evan P. , Hager Emily R. , Lassance Jean-Marc , Turner Kyle M. , Harringmeyer Olivia S. , Kirby Christopher , Neugeboren Beverly I. , Hoekstra Hopi E.
Published: February 2024

Variation in the size and number of axial segments underlies much of the diversity in animal body plans. Here we investigate the evolutionary, genetic and developmental mechanisms driving tail-length differences between forest and prairie ecotypes of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). We first show that long-tailed forest mice perform better in an arboreal locomotion assay, consistent with tails being important for balance during climbing. We then identify six genomic regions that contribute to differences in tail length, three of which associate with caudal vertebra length and the other three with vertebra number. For all six loci, the forest allele increases tail length, indicative of the cumulative effect of natural selection. Two of the genomic regions associated with variation in vertebra number contain Hox gene clusters. Of those, we find an allele-specific decrease in Hoxd13 expression in the embryonic tail bud of long-tailed forest mice, consistent with its role in axial elongation. Additionally, we find that forest embryos have more presomitic mesoderm than prairie embryos and that this correlates with an increase in the number of neuromesodermal progenitors, which are modulated by Hox13 paralogues. Together, these results suggest a role for Hoxd13 in the development of natural variation in adaptive morphology on a microevolutionary timescale.
Impact of some amendments on kinetics of leaching dissolved organic carbon and ammonium in calcareous sandy soil under vinasse addition
Authors: Amin Abu El-Eyuoon Abu Zied
Published: February 2024

The access of vinasse leachates to water bodies and groundwater exacerbates environmental problems, especially eutrophication. Therefore, a column experiment was performed to examine the effect of adding zeolite (ZL), bone char (BC), and wood chips biochar (WCB) in the presence of vinasse on carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, leaching dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and ammonium (NH4+) in calcareous sandy soil, as well as studying the kinetics of leaching dissolved organic carbon and ammonium. This column experiment contains four treatments: soil alone (CK), soil + zeolite (SZL), soil + bone char (SBC), and soil + wood chips biochar (SWCB). These amendments were applied to the soil at a level of 4%. Vinasse was added to all treatments at a level of 13 mL per column. The leached total cumulative DOC and total cumulative soluble ammonium amounts decreased significantly with applying ZL, BC, and WCB compared with the soil alone. The effectiveness of these amendments in lowering the total cumulative DOC leaching is in the order of SBC > SWCB > SZL > CK. However, the effectiveness of these amendments in decreasing the total cumulative NH4+ leaching is in the order of SZL > SWCB > SBC > CK. The rate constant (k) of DOC leaching decreased significantly with the application of bone char compared to soil alone treatment. In the presence of vinasse, the apparent half-life of leached DOC from the soil was 8.1, 12.9, 36.7, and 15.5 days for soil CK, SZL, SBC, and SWCB treatments, respectively. Half-life values of leached soluble ammonium from the soil in the presence of vinasse addition were 10.1, 39.5, 28.5, and 37.9 days for CK, SZL, SBC, and SWCB treatments, respectively. Amending soil with BC increased significantly the phosphorus availability, however, applying ZL and BC caused a significant increase in the available potassium in calcareous sandy soil compared to the control treatment. According to these results, it is recommended not to add vinasse alone to sandy soils, but it is preferred to be co-applied with BC amendment at the level of 4% better than ZL and WCB. This would decrease leaching DOC and ammonium to the water table and groundwater as well as enhance nutrient retention in the soil, which in turn, plays a vital role in reducing the harmful effect of vinasse and improving soil fertility.
A novel technique to study the solutions of time fractional nonlinear smoking epidemic model
Authors: Pavani K. , Raghavendar K.
Published: February 2024

The primary goal of the current work is to use a novel technique known as the natural transform decomposition method to approximate an analytical solution for the fractional smoking epidemic model. In the proposed method, fractional derivatives are considered in the Caputo, Caputo–Fabrizio, and Atangana–Baleanu–Caputo senses. An epidemic model is proposed to explain the dynamics of drug use among adults. Smoking is a serious issue everywhere in the world. Notwithstanding the overwhelming evidence against smoking, it is nonetheless a harmful habit that is widespread and accepted in society. The considered nonlinear mathematical model has been successfully used to explain how smoking has changed among people and its effects on public health in a community. The two states of being endemic and disease-free, which are when the disease dies out or persists in a population, have been compared using sensitivity analysis. The proposed technique has been used to solve the model, which consists of five compartmental agents representing various smokers identified, such as potential smokers V, occasional smokers G, smokers T, temporarily quitters O, and permanently quitters W. The results of the suggested method are contrasted with those of existing numerical methods. Finally, some numerical findings that illustrate the tables and figures are shown. The outcomes show that the proposed method is efficient and effective.
Less than one in four mothers get quality intrapartum health care services in Ethiopia
Authors: Negash Wubshet Debebe , Asmamaw Desale Bihonegn , Wassie Gizachew Tadesse , Azene Abebaw Gedef , Eshetu Habitu Birhan , Terefe Bewuketu , Muchie Kindie Fentahun , Bantie Getasew Mulat , Bogale Kassawmar Angaw , Belachew Tadele Biresaw
Published: February 2024

Intrapartum care is a platform of comprehensive healthcare for pregnant women that is designed to improve birth outcomes for mother and child. However, complications during the intrapartum period continued to be the leading cause of death for women of reproductive age and newborns. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of quality of intrapartum care and its associated factors among mothers in Ethiopia. A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 4469 mothers who gave birth in the last 2 years. Quality of intrapartum care was analyzed based on the assessment of health facility delivery, skilled birth attendants and early initiations of breast-feeding. Stata version 14 software was used for data cleaning and analysis. A mixed effect multilevel logistic regression was conducted to determine factors associated with quality of intrapartum care. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and a P value of less than or equal to 0.05 was used for the identification of both individual and community level factors. Overall, the prevalence of quality intrapartum care in Ethiopia was 23.8% (95% CI 22.6, 25.13). Primary education (AOR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.14, 1.88), rich household class (AOR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.10, 1.98), history of ANC (AOR = 2.91, 95% CI = 2.18, 3.86), perceived distance to the health facility as not a big issue (AOR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.30, 2.05), urban residence (AOR = 2.97, 95% CI = 1.93, 5.09), Tigray region (AOR = 5.01, 95% CI = 1.25, 20.59), community level poverty (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.41, 0.97), and having 2–4 children (AOR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.56, 0.97) were significantly associated with quality of intrapartum care. The finding conclude that less than one in four mothers received good quality intrapartum care. In order to optimize the quality of intrapartum care, the government should empower women through extensive education. It is also recommended for the Ministry of Health to evaluate the health facilities and community health workers to increase coverage of ANC and provide financial assistance to rural residents and the poor household class.
Impact of (nano ZnO/multi-wall CNTs) prepared by arc discharge method on the removal efficiency of stable iodine 127I and radioactive iodine 131I from water
Authors: El-Khatib Ahmed M. , Bondouk I. I. , Omar Kh. M. , Hamdy Ahmed , Abbas Mahmoud I. , El-Khatib M. , Hammoury Sabbah I. , Gouda Mona M.
Published: February 2024

Radioactive iodine isotopes especially 131I are used for diagnosis and treatment of different types of cancer diseases. Due to the leak of radioactive iodine into the patient’s urine in turn, the wastewater would be contaminated, so it is worth preparing a novel adsorption green material to remove the radioactive iodine from wastewater efficiently. The removal of 127I and 131I contaminants from aqueous solution is a problem of interest. Therefore, this work presents a new study for removing the stable iodine 127I− and radioactive iodine 131I from aqueous solutions by using the novel nano adsorbent (Nano ZnO/MWCNTs) which is synthesized by the arc discharge method. It is an economic method for treating contaminated water from undesired dissolved iodine isotopes. The optimal conditions for maximum removal are (5 mg/100 ml) as optimum dose with shacking (200 rpm) for contact time of (60 min), at (25 °C) in an acidic medium of (pH = 5). After the adsorption process, the solution is filtrated and the residual iodide (127I−) is measured at a maximum UV wavelength absorbance of 225 nm. The maximum adsorption capacity is (15.25 mg/g); therefore the prepared nano adsorbent (Nano ZnO/MWCNTs) is suitable for treating polluted water from low iodide concentrations. The adsorption mechanism of 127I− on to the surface of (Nano ZnO/MWCNTs) is multilayer physical adsorption according to Freundlich isotherm model and obeys the Pseudo-first order kinetic model. According to Temkin isotherm model the adsorption is exothermic. The removal efficiency of Nano ZnO/MWCNTs for stable iodine (127I−) from aqueous solutions has reached 97.23%, 89.75%, and 64.78% in case of initial concentrations; 0.1843 ppm, 0.5014 ppm and 1.0331 ppm, respectively. For the prepared radio iodine (131I−) solution of radioactivity (20 µCi), the dose of nano adsorbent was (10 mg/100 ml) and the contact time was (60 min) at (pH = 5) with shacking (200 rpm) at (25 °C). The filtration process was done by using a syringe filter of a pore size (450 nm) after 2 days to equilibrate. The removal efficiency reached (34.16%) after the first cycle of treatment and the percentage of residual radio iodine was (65.86%). The removal efficiency reached (94.76%) after five cycles of treatment and the percentage of residual radio iodine was (5.24%). This last percentage was less than (42.15%) which produces due to the natural decay during 10 days.
Creep failure of hierarchical materials
Authors: Pournajar Mahshid , Moretti Paolo , Hosseini Seyyed Ahmad , Zaiser Michael
Published: February 2024

Creep failure of hierarchical materials is investigated by simulation of beam network models. Such models are idealizations of hierarchical fibrous materials where bundles of load-carrying fibers are held together by multi-level (hierarchical) cross-links. Failure of individual beams is assumed to be governed by stress-assisted thermal activation over local barriers, and beam stresses are computed by solving the global balance equations of linear and angular momentum across the network. Disorder is mimicked by a statistical distribution of barrier heights. Both initially intact samples and samples containing side notches of various length are considered. Samples with hierarchical cross-link patterns are simulated alongside reference samples where cross-links are placed randomly without hierarchical organization. The results demonstrate that hierarchical patterning may strongly increase creep strain and creep lifetime while reducing the lifetime variation. This is due to the fact that hierarchical patterning induces a failure mode that differs significantly from the standard scenario of failure by nucleation and growth of a critical crack. Characterization of this failure mode demonstrates good agreement between the present simulations and experimental findings on hierarchically patterned paper sheets.
Monolayer indium selenide: an indirect bandgap material exhibits efficient brightening of dark excitons
Authors: Paylaga Naomi Tabudlong , Chou Chang-Ti , Lin Chia-Chun , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , Sankar Raman , Chan Yang-hao , Chen Shao-Yu , Wang Wei-Hua
Published: February 2024

Atomically thin indium selenide (InSe) exhibits a sombrero-like valence band, leading to distinctive excitonic behaviors. It is known that the indirect band gap of atomically thin InSe leads to a weak emission from the lowest-energy excitonic state (A peak). However, the A peak emission of monolayer (ML) InSe was observed to be either absent or very weak, rendering the nature of its excitonic states largely unknown. Intriguingly, we demonstrate that ML InSe exhibits pronounced PL emission because of the efficient brightening of the momentum-indirect dark excitons. The mechanism is attributed to acoustic phonon-assisted radiative recombination facilitated by strong exciton-acoustic phonon coupling and extended wavefunction in momentum space. Systematic analysis of layer-, power-, and temperature-dependent PL demonstrates that a carrier localization model can account for the asymmetric line shape of the lowest-energy excitonic emission for atomically thin InSe. Our work reveals that atomically thin InSe is a promising platform for manipulating the tightly bound dark excitons in two-dimensional semiconductor-based optoelectronic devices.
S100A8/A9 predicts response to PIM kinase and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition in triple-negative breast cancer mouse models
Authors: Begg Lauren R. , Orriols Adrienne M. , Zannikou Markella , Yeh Chen , Vadlamani Pranathi , Kanojia Deepak , Bolin Rosemary , Dunne Sara F. , Balakrishnan Sanjeev , Camarda Roman , Roth Diane , Zielinski-Mozny Nicolette A. , Yau Christina , Vassilopoulos Athanassios , Huang Tzu-Hsuan , Kim Kwang-Youn A. , Horiuchi Dai
Published: February 2024

Background

Understanding why some triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients respond poorly to existing therapies while others respond well remains a challenge. This study aims to understand the potential underlying mechanisms distinguishing early-stage TNBC tumors that respond to clinical intervention from non-responders, as well as to identify clinically viable therapeutic strategies, specifically for TNBC patients who may not benefit from existing therapies.

Methods

We conducted retrospective bioinformatics analysis of historical gene expression datasets to identify a group of genes whose expression levels in early-stage tumors predict poor clinical outcomes in TNBC. In vitro small-molecule screening, genetic manipulation, and drug treatment in syngeneic mouse models of TNBC were utilized to investigate potential therapeutic strategies and elucidate mechanisms of drug action.

Results

Our bioinformatics analysis reveals a robust association between increased expression of immunosuppressive cytokine S100A8/A9 in early-stage tumors and subsequent disease progression in TNBC. A targeted small-molecule screen identifies PIM kinase inhibitors as capable of decreasing S100A8/A9 expression in multiple cell types, including TNBC and immunosuppressive myeloid cells. Combining PIM inhibition and immune checkpoint blockade induces significant antitumor responses, especially in otherwise resistant S100A8/A9-high PD-1/PD-L1-positive tumors. Notably, serum S100A8/A9 levels mirror those of tumor S100A8/A9 in a syngeneic mouse model of TNBC.

Conclusions

Our data propose S100A8/A9 as a potential predictive and pharmacodynamic biomarker in clinical trials evaluating combination therapy targeting PIM and immune checkpoints in TNBC. This work encourages the development of S100A8/A9-based liquid biopsy tests for treatment guidance.
Increases in cyclin A/Cdk activity and in PP2A-B55 inhibition by FAM122A are key mitosis-inducing events
Authors: Lacroix Benjamin , Vigneron Suzanne , Labbé Jean Claude , Pintard Lionel , Lionne Corinne , Labesse Gilles , Castro Anna , Lorca Thierry
Published: February 2024

Entry into mitosis has been classically attributed to the activation of a cyclin B/Cdk1 amplification loop via a partial pool of this kinase becoming active at the end of G2 phase. However, how this initial pool is activated is still unknown. Here we discovered a new role of the recently identified PP2A-B55 inhibitor FAM122A in triggering mitotic entry. Accordingly, depletion of the orthologue of FAM122A in C. elegans prevents entry into mitosis in germline stem cells. Moreover, data from Xenopus egg extracts strongly suggest that FAM122A-dependent inhibition of PP2A-B55 could be the initial event promoting mitotic entry. Inhibition of this phosphatase allows subsequent phosphorylation of early mitotic substrates by cyclin A/Cdk, resulting in full cyclin B/Cdk1 and Greatwall (Gwl) kinase activation. Subsequent to Greatwall activation, Arpp19/ENSA become phosphorylated and now compete with FAM122A, promoting its dissociation from PP2A-B55 and taking over its phosphatase inhibition role until the end of mitosis.
Amphoteric reactivity of a putative Cu(ii)-mCPBA intermediate
Authors: Kumar Rakesh , Maji Anweshika , Biswas Bhargab , Draksharapu Apparao
Published: February 2024

A CuII-mCPBA adduct without any intricate ligand framework was characterized spectroscopically at room temperature, with remarkable electron transfer and amphoteric reactivity. This adduct decays to form a CuII paddle wheel complex.
Chiral Au(iii) chelates exhibit unique NCI-60 cytotoxicity profiles and interactions with human serum albumin
Authors: Sookai Sheldon , Akerman Matthew P. , Munro Orde Q.
Published: February 2024

The cytotoxicity profiles of two Au(iii) chelate enantiomers were established in NCI-60 screens. Together with their differential binding to HSA, the 1S,2S enantiomer exhibits a more active molecular biology profile than the 1R,2R enantiomer.
SiW9Co3 @rGO composite–doping improved the crystallization and stability of a perovskite film for efficient photodetection
Authors: Duan Sijie , Peng Yue , Guan Hongyu , Chen Weilin
Published: February 2024

Doping of the SiW9Co3@rGO composite into the perovskite layer of photodetectors improves perovskite crystallinity and stability.
3D printed modular piezoionic sensors using dynamic covalent bonds
Authors: Smith-Jones Julian , Ballinger Nathan , Sadaba Naroa , Lopez de Pariza Xabier , Yao Yunxin , Craig Stephen L. , Sardon Haritz , Nelson Alshakim
Published: February 2024

Flexible and lightweight sensors can assess their environment for applications that include wearables for health monitoring and soft robotics.
A new synthetic route towards multifunctionalized cyclic amidrazones for feeding chemical space
Authors: Leblanc Johann , Boutin Margaux , Vega Clara , Mathé-Allainmat Monique , Grosse Sandrine , Guillemont Jérôme , Lebreton Jacques , Tessier Arnaud
Published: February 2024

Our molecular landscape can now take into account new 3D-building blocks: multifunctionalized cyclic amidrazones.
Stereoselective skeletal modification of tryptanthrins to install chiral piperidine-2-ones enabled by Brønsted acid catalysis
Authors: Zeng Rong , Zhang Xiang , Lei Yuan-Yuan , Zhang Zhuo-Zhuo , Jiang Min , Li Qing-Zhu , Li Jun-Long , Han Bo
Published: February 2024

An asymmetric formal [4 + 2] cyclisation between azlactones and aza-dienes derived from simple tryptanthrins has been developed. With this established protocol, yielding a series of novel piperidine-2-one-fused tryptanthrins with up to >99 : 1 er under mild conditions.
Visible-light induced FeCl3-catalyzed reductive transamidation of N-acyl benzotriazoles with nitro compounds
Authors: Zhu Riqian , Li Yang , Shen Yue , Pan Mengni , Dong Wuheng , Li Wanfang
Published: February 2024

A mild and efficient visible-light promoted FeCl3-catalyzed reductive transamidation of N-acyl benzotriazoles with nitro compounds by PhSiH3 was developed.
Mononuclear organogermanium(iv) catalysts for a [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction
Authors: Basu Debayan , Ghosh Barshali , Srivastava Diship , Patra Niladri , Nayek Hari Pada
Published: February 2024

Organogermanium(iv) catalysts: three organogermanium(iv) compounds catalyze the [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction between sodium azide and various nitriles with yield of products up to 96%.
Time's dance with gold: tracking the isomeric fluctuations of Au clusters
Authors: Du Jingshan S.
Published: February 2024

This article highlights the recent work of Slater, Palmer, et al. (Nanoscale Horiz., 2024, 9, 143–147, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NH00291H) on using electron microscopy to observe the structural fluctuations of individual Au nanoclusters directly.