bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The EMITT Study: Development and Evaluation of a Medication Information Transfer Tool
Authors: Cesta Annemarie , Bajcar Jana M , Ong Stephanie W , Fernandes Olavo A
Published: May 2006

Background:

Continuity of care is required as patients move from the care of one pharmacist to another. The appropriate transfer of medication information between pharmacists as well as to patients at these times is essential in order to prevent drug-related problems (DRPs).

Objective:

To develop a tool to transfer medication information between various pharmacists caring for the same patients. Secondary objectives were to evaluate the tool based on utility in practice and satisfaction of pharmacists.

Methods:

The project consisted of a needs assessment involving in-depth interviews with patients and pharmacists and a literature review. These data were used to develop an optimal tool for medication information transfer between pharmacists in different practice settings. The tool was evaluated in a feasibility pilot for potential utility and pharmacist satisfaction.

Results:

The tool created called EMITT (electronic medication information transfer tool) facilitates the communication of information to outpatient pharmacists including a letter and an up-to-date list of the patient's drugs. A total of 187 medication issues were communicated within 40 transferred letters, 61 of which required active follow-up, which potentially prevented 348 DRPs if the receiver of the information acted on the information that was provided. The 3 most common issues that required follow-up were restarting a held medication (n = 13), adjustment of doses based on laboratory results (n = 11), and starting a new indicated medication in the future (n = 7).

Conclusions:

A tool can be created to help address the gap in communication between pharmacists when patients move between interfaces of care by evaluating the needs of healthcare professionals involved in the information transfer process. It is envisioned that the elements of our tool can be easily adapted to other institutions to improve medication information transfer.
Self‐enhancement, self‐regulation and self‐improvement following failures
Authors: Kurman Jenny
Published: May 2006

Two studies tested the relations between self‐enhancement and self‐improvement. Within these studies, two self‐improvement stages were distinguished: the recognition stage and the action stage. The first study (N = 132), conducted in a laboratory setting, investigated self‐improvement processes that took place following bogus negative feedback as a function of self‐enhancement. The second study (N = 72) was conducted in a natural setting that investigated self‐improvement processes among students following receipt of unsatisfactory grades in mathematics. Both studies showed that relevant self‐enhancement measures were not related to the recognition stage (i.e. the perceived need to change), but were positively related to the action stage, which referred to relevant improvement behaviours. In both studies the improved behaviour was related to improved performance, suggesting that overall self‐enhancement is positively related to improved performance. Study 2 also investigated the strength of negative emotional reaction to failures, which was (negatively) related only to the perceived need to change.
Localization of Fibroblast Growth Factor-1 in Cholinergic Neurons Innervating the Rat Larynx
Authors: Okano Hiroyuki , Toyoda Ken-ichiro , Bamba Hitoshi , Hisa Yasuo , Oomura Yutaka , Imamura Toru , Furukawa Shoei , Kimura Hiroshi , Tooyama Ikuo
Published: May 2006

Cholinergic neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMNV) are particularly vulnerable to laryngeal nerve damage, possibly because they lack fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF1). To test this hypothesis, we investigated the localization of FGF1 in cholinergic neurons innervating the rat larynx by immunohistochemistry using central-type antibodies to choline acetyltransferase (cChAT) and peripheral type (pChAT) antibodies, as well as tracer experiments. In the DMNV, only 9% of cChAT-positive neurons contained FGF1, and 71% of FGF1-positive neurons colocalized with cChAT. In the nucleus ambiguus, 100% of cChAT-positive neurons were FGF1 positive. In the intralaryngeal ganglia, all ganglionic neurons contained both pChAT and FGF1. In the nodose ganglia, 66% of pChAT-positive neurons were also positive for FGF1, and 90% of FGF1-positive ganglionic cells displayed pChAT immunoreactivity. Neuronal tracing using cholera toxin B subunit (CTb) demonstrated that cholinergic neurons sending their axons from the DMNV and nucleus ambiguus to the superior laryngeal nerve were FGF1 negative and FGF1 positive, respectively. In the nodose ganglia, some FGF1-positive cells were labeled with CTb. The results indicate that for innervation of the rat larynx, FGF1 is localized to motor neurons, postganglionic parasympathetic neurons, and sensory neurons, but expression is very low in preganglionic parasympathetic cholinergic neurons.
The Influence of Alzheimer Disease Family History and Apolipoprotein E ε4 on Mesial Temporal Lobe Activation
Authors: Johnson Sterling C. , Schmitz Taylor W. , Trivedi Mehul A. , Ries Michele L. , Torgerson Britta M. , Carlsson Cynthia M. , Asthana Sanjay , Hermann Bruce P. , Sager Mark A.
Published: May 2006

First-degree family history of sporadic Alzheimer disease (AD) and the apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE4) are risk factors for developing AD. Although the role of APOE4 in AD pathogenesis has been well studied, family history remains a rarely studied and poorly understood risk factor. Both putatively cause early brain changes before symptomatic disease, but the relative contribution of each to brain function is unknown. We examined 68 middle-aged participants with a parent diagnosed with AD [family history (+FH)] and 64 age- and education-matched controls without a first-degree family history of any dementia [no family history (−FH)]. All underwent cognitive testing, APOE genotyping, and a functional magnetic resonance imaging encoding task that required discrimination of novel items from previously learned items. A 2 × 2 factorial ANOVA (presence/absence of parental family history and presence/absence of the APOE4) was used to detect group effects. A greater response to novel items was detected in the mesial temporal lobe and fusiform gyrus bilaterally among persons without a first-degree family history of AD. In hippocampal areas, the −FH +ε4 group exhibited the greatest signal change, and the +FH +ε4 group exhibited the least. These findings indicate that FH of AD is an important predictor of hippocampal activation during encoding and that FH may modulate the effect of APOE4 in these middle-aged adults, suggesting that an as yet unspecified factor embodied in first-degree family history of AD is influencing the expression of APOE4 on brain function.
Regulation of Intracellular Trafficking of Huntingtin-Associated Protein-1 Is Critical for TrkA Protein Levels and Neurite Outgrowth
Authors: Rong Juan , McGuire John R. , Fang Zhi-Hui , Sheng Guoqing , Shin Ji-Yeon , Li Shi-Hua , Li Xiao-Jiang
Published: May 2006

Mutant huntingtin can affect vesicular and receptor trafficking via its abnormal protein interactions, suggesting that impairment of intracellular trafficking may contribute to Huntington's disease. There is growing evidence that huntingtin-associated protein-1 (HAP1) also interacts with microtubule-dependent transporters and is involved in intracellular trafficking. However, it remains unclear how the trafficking of HAP1 is regulated and contributes to neuronal function. Here we report that phosphorylation of HAP1 decreases its association with microtubule-dependent transport proteins dynactin p150 and kinesin light chain and reduces its localization in neurite tips. Suppressing HAP1 expression by RNA interference reduces neurite outgrowth and the level of tropomyosin-related kinase A receptor tyrosine kinase (TrkA), a nerve growth factor receptor whose internalization and trafficking are required for neurite outgrowth. HAP1 maintains the normal level of membrane TrkA by preventing the degradation of internalized TrkA. Mutant huntingtin also reduces the association of HAP1 with dynactin p150 and kinesin light chain and thereby decreases the intracellular level of TrkA. These findings suggest that HAP1 trafficking is critical for the stability of TrkA and neurite function, both of which can be attenuated by mutant huntingtin.
The Role of Multiple Contralesional Motor Areas for Complex Hand Movements after Internal Capsular Lesion
Authors: Lotze Martin , Markert Jochen , Sauseng Paul , Hoppe Julia , Plewnia Christian , Gerloff Christian
Published: May 2006

Imaging techniques document enhanced activity in multiple motor areas of the damaged and contralesional (intact) hemisphere (CON-H) after stroke. In the subacute stage, increased activity within motor areas in the CON-H during simple movements of the affected hand has been shown to correlate with poorer motor outcome. For those patients in the chronic stage who recovered well, the functional relevance of an increased activation within the CON-H is unclear. Using trains of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) during performance of complex finger movements, we tested the behavioral relevance of regional functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activation within the CON-H for sequential finger movement performance of the recovered hand in seven patients who had experienced a subcortical stroke. TMS was navigated over fMRI activation maxima within anatomically preselected regions of the CON-H, and effects were compared with those of healthy controls. Stimulation over the dorsal premotor cortex (dPMC), the primary motor cortex (M1), and the superior parietal lobe (SPL) resulted in significant interference with recovered performance in patients. Interference with the dPMC and M1 induced timing errors only, SPL stimulation caused both timing and accuracy deficits. The present results argue for a persistent beneficial role of the dPMC, M1, and SPL of the CON-H on some aspects of effectively recovered complex motor behavior after subcortical stroke.
Threatening Revisited
Authors: Fraser Bruce
Published: May 2006

This paper considers the act of verbal threatening. I first examine what constitutes a verbal threat, concluding that it involves conveying both the intention to perform an act that the addressee will view unfavourably and the intention to intimidate the addressee. I then compare threatening to promising and warning, and I examine the ways in which a speaker may issue a threat, given that one can never guarantee success in threatening. Finally, I look at the multitude of factors that must be considered if one is to conclude that a serious threat was made.
Language as sole incriminating evidence: the Augustynek case
Authors: Kredens Krysztof , Goralewska-Lach Grazyna
Published: May 2006

This paper addresses the issue of evidence based upon speech analysis as used in criminal courts. By way of illustration, a case heard in a Polish court is described, in which the accused was found guilty of extortion effectively on the basis of linguistic evidence. References are made in the report to forensic phonetic casework and points raised regarding the methodology of forensic speaker identification.
Interpreters’ treatment of discourse markers in courtroom questions
Authors: Hale Sandra
Published: May 2006

Discourse markers such as ‘well’, ‘now’ and ‘see’ are common in everyday oral communication, yet very few speakers are ever aware of their presence in their own speech. Nevertheless, even when these markers carry no propositional content, they are important in portraying a speaker's intentions and adding tone and force to their utterances. This paper describes the different uses of these discourse markers as found in lawyers’ questions during examination-in-chief and cross-examination. It was found that such markers are used as devices of argumentation and confrontation, mostly initiating disagreements or challenges during cross-examination, and during examination-in-chief, as devices used to maintain control of the flow of information, and to mark progression in the story-line. Having established this, the paper goes on to describe the treatment of such markers by the court interpreter. Interpreters are required to understand the source message fully and to convert it accurately into the other language with the same illocutionary force, portraying the speaker's original intentions. It was found that interpreters predominantly omitted or mistranslated these markers. Possible reasons for such a tendency and solutions are also presented.
Questioning in interpreted testimony
Authors: Rigney Azucena C.
Published: May 2006

Courtroom talk does not represent a real exchange of information between an addresser and an addressee, but a display of information for a non-speaking participant, the jury, that has to solve a dispute based on the facts as presented during testimony. The question/answer sequence and, more specifically, the linguistic manipulation of questions is a strategic instrument of domination in the legal context, where interrogation performs different communicative functions such as apologizing, complaining, challenging, signalling surprise and disbelief, ascribing blame, etc. When questioning is done through an interpreter, attorneys lose control over witness testimony, not only because the constant switch between languages slows down the interrogation process, but also because interpreters inadvertently alter the pragmatics of questions as tools of manipulation. Using examples from the Rosa López testimony during the O.J. Simpson murder trial (Los Angeles, 1995), this paper will address the dynamics of courtroom questioning through an interpreter.
Some observations on the use of probability scales in forensic identification
Authors: Broeders A. P.A.
Published: May 2006

The increasing prominence of DNA technology as an evidential tool, coupled with the growing interest in the application of Bayesian statistics that has followed in its wake, is making itself increasingly felt in many fields of forensic expertise. It has given fresh impetus to the ongoing discussion about the expression of conclusions in those areas where interpretation of the findings plays an important role, as in handwriting analysis and speaker identification. Recent casework is used to illustrate the inadequacy of some of the present scales and for areas such as writer and speaker identification a modified probability scale is advocated to replace them. The implications of the continued use of ‘logically incorrect’ conclusions – those which address the probability of a hypothesis given the evidence rather than the probability of the evidence given a hypothesis – are examined with particular reference to handwriting and speaker identification.
On decision making in forensic casework
Authors: Kookwaaij Johan , Boves Lou
Published: May 2006

In forensic applications of speaker recognition it is necessary to be able to specify a confidence level for a decision that two sets of recordings have been produced by the same speaker (or by different speakers). Forensic phoneticians are sometimes criticized because they find it impossible to provide ‘hard’ estimates of the confidence level of their expert opinions. This paper investigates to what extent the problem can be solved by deploying automatic speaker verification algorithms, to work alone or to support the work of forensic phoneticians. It is shown that, although heavily dependent on operating conditions, one of the advantages of automatic systems is that their performance is in fact measurable. We construct a confidence measure which takes into account the past performance of the automatic system, the operating conditions and the probative value of the speech evidence, as well as the non-speech evidence. It is very important to note that such a confidence measure will never lead to a fully automatic procedure, since it still requires human input to weigh the non-speech evidence as well as human explanation of the procedure followed, and, finally, human interpretation. However, when all conditions are met, this procedure is able to (1) provide an interpretative measure in the individual forensic case and (2) join together the strengths of the human interpretation of the non-speech evidence and the automatic interpretation of the speech evidence, so that finally the joint performance of human and machine is better than the performance of one of them in isolation.
Estimation of speaker height from formant frequencies
Authors: Greisbach Reinhold
Published: May 2006

This investigation aims at establishing a regression function which predicts the
height of a speaker from the formant frequencies measured in the speech signal produced by that speaker. Isolated vowels from a male and a female sample population and data on their body height were collected. The formant frequencies of the vowels were measured and regression analysis to speaker height was performed. It turned out that not all formants and vowels are equally suited for this regression. The major requirement for establishing a (significant) regression function seems to be the accurate measurement of formants. The results of the regression analysis are presented for the vowel [ø:], where best results were obtained. Possible explanations are suggested for the failure of earlier studies to find a correlation between speaker height and the acoustic parameters of the speech signal.
US pattern jury instructions: problems and proposals
Authors: Dumas Bethany K.
Published: May 2006

The syntactic and semantic difficulties faced by jurors in courtroom trials, particularly with respect to jury instructions, are well documented (see, e.g., Charrow and Charrow 1979; Steele and Thornburg 1988; Tiersma 1993). Given the clear consensus about the difficulties of dealing with long, complex sentences and specialized terms of art (e.g. reasonable doubt), it has been difficult to understand why the legal system has been so slow to modify the pattern instructions used in most US jurisdictions. This paper will recognize the advance in instructions represented by the introduction of pattern instructions, suggest reasons for the current inertia, identify chinks in the wall of resistance (notably in Arizona), and suggest a model for reform that draws upon the recognition that the role of the jury as finder of fact has to compete with the judicial perception that the jury must be highly constrained and controlled.
Histomorphometric Analysis of Bone Density in the Maxillary Tuberosity of Cadavers: A Pilot Study
Authors: Gapski Ricardo , Satheesh Keerthana , Cobb Charles M.
Published: May 2006

Background: Maxillary tuberosities have been widely used as a source of autogenous bone for a variety of oral surgical procedures. However, no previous studies have actually demonstrated the histologic and histomorphometric characteristics of this anatomical region in detail. The aim of this study was to evaluate maxillary tuberosities in cadavers histologically and histomorphometrically.

Methods: A block section, including the overlying alveolar mucosa, was obtained from a randomly assigned maxillary tuberosity of 20 cadavers (nine females and 11 males). All cadavers were edentulous distal to the second bicuspid teeth, and 14 out of 20 were edentulous distal to the cuspids. A minimum of 35 serial sections were obtained from each cadaver. Description analysis was performed for the presence of either a fibrotic or fatty infiltration of the marrow spaces and thickness and continuity of alveolar bone. Computer‐based histomorphometric image analysis of the percentage surface area of bone was also carried out in three sections of each cadaver. Statistical analysis was performed to establish possible differences between genders. The analysis did not control for nutritional status and/or possible systemic or skeletal diseases.

Results: Little variation existed between specimens, regardless of gender, with respect to thickness of oral mucosa overlying the tuberosity. Descriptive bone analysis revealed thin cortical bone and sparse cancellous bone patterns. In addition, the block specimens exhibited no evidence of osteoid or active bone formation, but large marrow spaces infiltrated with loosely organized fibrous connective tissue and/or lipid cells. Histomorphometric analysis demonstrated a mean percentage of vital bone of 24.23% ± 5.2%. Stratification of the data revealed statistically significant differences in mean percentage of vital bone between genders (27.15% ± 4.7% for males versus 20.66% ± 3.4% for females; P = 0.003).

Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, maxillary tuberosities seem to mainly consist of marrow spaces, adipose tissue, and a low vital bone profile. Females demonstrated a statistically significant lower amount of vital bone than males. The results suggest that this specific area may not be an ideal source of autogenous bone for grafting purposes in older individuals. However, it is imperative to note that this investigation did not control for nutritional imbalances and skeletal disorders. Further studies are necessary to control all confounding factors.
C‐Reactive Protein Levels in Patients With Aggressive Periodontitis
Authors: Salzberg Trang N. , Overstreet Benjamin T. , Rogers Jeffrey D. , Califano Joseph V. , Best Al M. , Schenkein Harvey A.
Published: May 2006

Background: Sera from patients with periodontal infections contain elevated levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP) compared to periodontally healthy individuals. Most studies to date have included patients with chronic periodontitis, and few investigators have studied CRP levels in subjects with aggressive periodontitis (AgP). The purpose of this study was to determine the relative levels of serum CRP in AgP patients and periodontally healthy subjects and to examine patients' characteristics that might account for intergroup differences.

Methods: Serum samples were collected from 93 patients with generalized AgP (GAgP), from 97 patients with localized AgP (LAgP), and from 91 healthy controls (non‐periodontitis [NP]). Periodontal examination consisted of plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, bleeding index, and attachment loss measurements. Current smoking was assessed by determination of serum cotinine levels by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and serum CRP levels were determined using a high‐sensitivity ELISA assay.

Results: The three groups were significantly different from one another (P <0.0001). The 95% confidence interval for serum CRP concentrations were as follows: NP, 0.65919 (0.4901 to 0.8869); LAgP, 1.10138 (0.8265 to 1.468); and GAgP, 2.05318 (1.5313 to 2.7538) mg/l. CRP levels in both LAgP and GAgP subjects were significantly greater than those in NP subjects, and levels in GAgP were significantly greater than those in LAgP. Following adjustment of the data for periodontal and demographic variables and current smoking, both mean probing depth and periodontal diagnosis remained correlated with CRP levels.

Conclusions: Patients with AgP have statistically significant elevations in serum CRP levels compared to subjects without periodontitis. Elevated CRP in these subjects might represent a contribution of periodontal infections to systemic inflammation in relatively young individuals.
Driving Status and Risk of Entry Into Long-Term Care in Older Adults
Authors: Freeman Ellen E. , Gange Stephen J. , Muñoz Beatriz , West Sheila K.
Published: May 2006

Objectives. Given the importance of driving in American society, older non-drivers may be unable to meet basic needs while living independently. We assessed whether not driving is an independent risk factor for entering long-term care (LTC) institutions.

Methods. Data were used from 1593 older adults who participated in the Salisbury Eye Evaluation cohort study and completed an additional telephone survey. Questions on driving status and LTC entry were obtained by self/proxy report. Cox time-dependent regression procedures were used to adjust for demographic and health factors.

Results. Former and never drivers had higher hazards of LTC entry after adjustment for demographic and health variables (hazard ratio [HR]=4.85; 95% confidence interval [CI]=3.26, 7.21; and HR=3.53; 95% CI=1.89, 6.58, respectively). Also, having no other drivers in the house was an independent risk factor for LTC entry (HR=1.72; 95% CI=1.15, 2.57).

Discussion. Older adults are expected to make good decisions about when to stop driving, but the hardships imposed on older adults by not driving are not widely recognized. Innovative strategies to improve transportation options for older adults should be considered.
Five-Year Follow-Up of Surgery vs Functional Bracing for Closed Displaced Humeral Shaft Fractures
Authors: Rämö Lasse , Ibounig Thomas , Sumrein Bakir O. , Lepola Vesa , Paavola Mika , Taimela Simo , Järvinen Teppo L. N. ,   FISH Investigators
Published: March 2024

This study compares outcomes of surgery and functional bracing for closed humeral shaft fractures after 5 years of follow-up.
I Am Worried About Memory Loss—What Should I Know?
Authors: Fong Tamara G. , Buss Stephanie S.
Published: March 2024

This JAMA Internal Medicine Patient Page describes memory loss and dementia and how they may be treated.
Primary Care Physician Network Overlap Between Medicaid and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Marketplace
Authors: Crook Hannah L. , Graves John A. , Fry Carrie E.
Published: March 2024

This cross-sectional study quantifies Medicaid and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace overlap among primary care physicians.
Firearm Access and Gun Violence Exposure Among American Indian or Alaska Native and Black Adults
Authors: Anestis Michael D. , Moceri-Brooks Jayna , Ziminski Devon , Barnes R. Thurman , Semenza Daniel
Published: March 2024

Importance

American Indian or Alaska Native and Black adults experience elevated rates of firearm injury and death, but both groups are severely underrepresented in research on firearm exposure and behaviors.

Objective

To explore geodemographic differences in firearm behaviors and violence exposure among American Indian or Alaska Native and Black adults in the US.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this survey study, nationally representative samples of American Indian or Alaska Native and/or Black adults recruited from KnowledgePanel were surveyed cross-sectionally. Surveys were administered online between April 12 and May 4, 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Firearm access, storage, and carrying behaviors and lifetime firearm violence exposure were the primary outcomes. Demographic factors such as age, geographic location, and political affiliation were considered. Data were weighted to geodemographic distributions from the US Census Bureau’s 2022 Current Population Survey.

Results

Of 3542 participants, 527 (14.9%) were American Indian or Alaska Native (280 [53.1%] female) and 3015 (85.1%) were Black (1646 [54.6%] female). Both groups exhibited high firearm access rates (American Indian or Alaska Native adults: 238 [45.4%; 95% CI, 39.4%-51.7%]; Black adults: 909 [30.4%; 95% CI, 28.0%-32.9%]), predominantly owning handguns for home protection. The groups demonstrated similar firearm storage patterns, and a substantial proportion endorsed always or almost always carrying firearms outside the home (American Indian or Alaska Native adults: 18.9%; Black adults: 15.2%). Self-protection was a common reason for carrying a firearm (American Indian or Alaska Native adults: 104 [84.9%; 95% CI, 74.1%-91.7%]; Black adults: 350 [88.3%; 95% CI, 82.3%-92.4%]), and a minority of participants cited lack of faith in the police (American Indian or Alaska Native adults: 19 [15.2%; 95% CI, 8.2%-26.7%]; Black adults: 61 [15.4%; 95% CI, 10.3%-21.2%]), indicating potential shifts in public safety dynamics.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this survey study of American Indian or Alaska Native and Black US adults, a substantial percentage of both groups reported living in homes with firearms, storing firearms loaded and unlocked, frequently carrying firearms outside the home, and having been exposed directly and indirectly to gun violence. These findings underscore the need for nuanced public health campaigns and policies and highlight challenges for law enforcement in contexts of racial disparities and changing legal frameworks.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) predicts survival in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Parol‐Kulczyk Martyna , Durślewicz Justyna , Blonkowska Laura , Wujec Radosław , Gzil Arkadiusz , Piątkowska Daria , Ligmanowska Joanna , Grzanka Dariusz
Published: March 2024

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is one of the most common subtypes of renal cancer, with 30% of patients presenting with systemic disease at diagnosis. This aggressiveness is a consequence of the activation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) caused by many different inducers or regulators, signaling cascades, epigenetic regulation, and the tumor environment. Alterations in EMT‐related genes and transcription factors are associated with poor prognosis in ccRCC. EMT‐related factors suppress E‐cadherin expression and are associated with tumor progression, local invasion, and metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression levels and prognostic significance of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), β‐catenin, and E‐cadherin in ccRCC patients. We examined these proteins immunohistochemically in tumor areas and adjacent normal tissues resected from patients with ccRCC. Analysis of the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) cohort was performed to verify our results. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that median overall survival (OS) was significantly shorter in patients with tumors exhibiting high MIFn and MIFm‐c levels compared to those with low MIFn and MIFm‐c levels (p = 0.03 and p = 0.007, respectively). In the TCGA cohort, there was a significant correlation between MIF expression and OS (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, this study provides further evidence for the biological and prognostic value of MIF in the context of EMT as a potential early prognostic marker for advanced‐stage ccRCC.
Construction of Cu─Ni Atomic Pair with Bimetallic Atom‐Cluster Sites for Enhanced CO2 Electroreduction
Authors: Chang Fangfang , Zhu Kai , Liu Chenhong , Wei Juncai , Yang Shuwen , Zhang Qing , Yang Lin , Wang Xiaolei , Bai Zhengyu
Published: March 2024

Developing atomically dispersed metal on nitrogen‐doped carbon (M─N─C) catalyst provides a promising strategy to convert CO2 into high‐valued chemicals and achieve artificially closed carbon cycles. However, it is challenging to tune the structure and coordination of N─M bond that further improve the intrinsic activity and selectivity of CO2RR. Herein, CuNi atomic clusters embedded in Ni/Cu dual atomic sites catalysts (CuNiAC@Ni/Cu─N─C) are designed and successfully manipulated to regulate the coordination environment for M─N─C catalysts to enhance the CO2 electroreduction reaction (CO2RR). The most active configuration in CuNiAC@Ni/Cu─N─C catalyst is CuNi atomic cluster connected with 2N‐bridged (Ni‐Cu)N5, in which two N atoms are shared with NiN4 and CuN3 moieties verified by both systematic advanced characterizations and density function theory (DFT) calculations. The results have revealed the integration between CuNi atomic cluster and N4Ni/CuN3 dual‐metal atomic sites that optimize the electronic redistribution and narrow the bandgap, thereby decreasing the energy barrier of the potential determination step and promoting CO production.
Supramolecular Lipid Nanoparticles Based on Host–Guest Recognition: A New Generation Delivery System of mRNA Vaccines For Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Qi Shaolong , Zhang Xueyan , Yu Xinyang , Jin Lulu , Yang Kai , Wang Yangfan , Feng Yunxuan , Lei Jiaqi , Mao Zhengwei , Yu Guocan
Published: March 2024

Dendritic cell (DC) maturation is a crucial process for antigen presentation and the initiation of T cell‐mediated immune responses. Toll‐like receptors play pivotal roles in stimulating DC maturation and promoting antigen presentation. Here, a novel message RNA (mRNA) cancer vaccine is reported that boosts antitumor efficacy by codelivering an mRNA encoding tumor antigen and a TLR7/8 agonist (R848) to DC using supramolecular lipid nanoparticles (SMLNP) as a delivery platform, in which a new ionizable lipid (N2‐3L) remarkably enhances the translation efficiency of mRNA and a β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD)‐modified ionizable lipid (Lip‐CD) encapsulates R848. The incorporation of R848 adjuvant into the mRNA vaccine through noncovalent host–guest complexation significantly promotes DC maturation and antigen presentation after vaccination, thus resulting in superior antitumor efficacy in vivo. Moreover, the antitumor efficacy is further boosted synergized with immune checkpoint blockade by potentiating the anticancer capability of cytotoxic T lymphocytes infiltrated in tumor sites. This work indicates that SMLNP shows brilliant potential as next‐generation delivery system in the development of mRNA vaccines with high efficacy.
Autonomous Light Intensity Adaptation in an Energy‐Efficient Retinomorphic Organic Ferroelectric Neuristor
Authors: Li Longfei , Dai Qinyong , Li Yating , Pei Mengjiao , Osada Minoru , Li Yun
Published: March 2024

In biological visual systems, retina with bidirectional photoresponse can adapt to variable environments and modulate their photosensitivity dependent on illumination conditions in an energy‐efficient way. However, to emulate the visual functionality, current systems still require a sustained power supply and manipulate the electrical stimulation manually according to light intensity, thus incurring high energy consumption and the lack of autonomous adaptive function. Herein, an organic ferroelectric neuristor emulating the visual self‐adaptation function of retina is introduced. Such autonomous adaptive behavior of device originates from the trap‐assisted ferroelectric polarization reversal under light illumination. It allows to realize bidirectional photoresponse in a single device according to light intensity, thus breaking through the limitation of commonly adaptive devices with single photoresponse mechanisms. In particular, only a single gate voltage pulse with an ultralow energy consumption of ≈34 pJ is required to accomplish the adaptation behavior, endowing the visual perception with high autonomy and power efficiency. Finally, the application potential of the neuristor in image pre‐processing and recognition under bright and dim light conditions is demonstrated. Therefore, this work opens up a path for the development of retina‐like visual systems with highly energy efficient.
Unlocking enhanced selectivity of Pd/Al2O3 in semihydrogenation of alkynes by in situ ligand‐reduction strategy
Authors: Wang Mingxuan , Chen Yi , Liu Xu , Zhao Zijiang , Ren Linhan , Huang Songtao , Dong Guanglu , Xia Molin , Li Xiaonian , Wei Zhongzhe , Wang Jianguo
Published: March 2024

The partial hydrogenation of alkynes into alkenes constitutes a pivotal chemical transformation in the synthesis of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and polymers. Nevertheless, the extant industrial catalyst falls short of achieving a felicitous equilibrium between its catalytic potency and selectivity. Herein, triphenylphosphine (PPh3) modified Pd/Al2O3 catalysts are fabricated through a “one‐pot” process, which achieve highly selective hydrogenation of alkynes at room temperature. PPh3 plays a dual role—as a reducing agent and a ligand. Kinetic and characterization studies reveal PPh3 alters H2 activation from homolytic to heterolytic cleavage, which facilitate the formation of alkene. Moreover, PPh3 can also optimize the reaction microenvironment, achieving the reduced self‐poisoning of alkyne and promoted desorption of alkene. In the realm of alkyne hydrogenation, our philosophy encompasses a global optimization of active sites, ligand systems, and reaction microenvironmental. This method steers the course of catalyst development for other reactions beyond the field of alkyne hydrogenation.
Deep eutectic solvent‐assisted selective extraction of valuable metals from waste lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: Chen Biaohua , Guo Yu , Zhang Xinhe , Yu Gangqiang
Published: March 2024

A novel synergistic extractant consisting of a deep eutectic solvent (DES) and tri‐n‐butyl phosphate (TBP) is proposed for selective extraction of valuable metals from waste lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). The extraction efficiencies of Ni2+, Co2+, and Mn2+ were 99.8%, 99.1%, and 95.9%, respectively, and high‐purity Li+ was enriched in the raffinate after the single‐stage extraction. Valuable metal salts, lithium carbonate (92.3 wt%) and cobalt oxalate (94.9 wt%), were obtained. The DES + TBP extractant retained its high extraction performance even after multiple regeneration cycles. The extraction process followed the so‐called “cation exchange mechanism” with thermodynamic properties of ΔH < 0, ΔG < 0, and ΔS < 0. The molecular‐level extraction mechanism demonstrated that the extraction process was dominated by both electrostatic and coordination interactions between the metal ions and DES/TBP, based on quantum chemical calculations. This study aims to provide a new strategy for recycling valuable metals from waste LIBs.
Insights of rising bubble dynamics of air‐blown biomass gasification in bubbling fluidized bed gasifier
Authors: Sun Haoran , Yang Shiliang , Bao Guirong , Wang Hua
Published: March 2024

Understanding the complex dynamics and spatial distribution of rising bubbles in fluidized bed gasifiers is crucial for designing, optimizing, and scaling up of the reactor. However, existing studies on bubble dynamics mainly focused on cold flow investigations, failing to capture the behavior of bubbles under the influence of chemical reactions and intricate coupling of heat transfer. Therefore, a reactive Lagrangian model is established to explore intricate bubble behaviors during biomass air gasification. The model is well validated with experiment, and the impact of operating parameters including bed temperature and equivalence ratio (ER) on the bubble behaviors is studied. The growth, coalescence, break, and eruption of rising bubbles are studied. A lower ER is recommended for better gasification performance. With an increase in the ER from 0.12 to 0.3, both the lower heating value and combustible gas concentration experienced a decrease of approximately 38.5% and 38.3%, respectively. The lateral feeding of biomass leads to asymmetrical distribution of bed temperature and bubble properties. Near the biomass inlet, a larger bubble aspect ratio is observed, possibly attributed to the hindrance in the lateral bubble growth due to the lateral biomass feeding. The bubble coordinate number is introduced to characterize the degree of bubble distribution density in a specific region. It is found that increasing the operating temperature results in a reduction in the density and an increase in the volume of bubbles at the bottom, resulting in a denser distribution of bubbles in this region. Although this concentrated bubble distribution may impact local heat and mass transfer, the differences in bubble distribution under temperature dominance gradually decrease along the reactor height. The impact of the operating conditions on the thermal properties and spatial distribution of bubbles obtained in this work can provide valuable guidance for practical gasification operations.
Insights into hydrophobicity‐tuned catalyst microenvironment in gas diffusion electrode for boosting CO2 electrolysis
Authors: Dong Lei , Yu Tingting , Sheng Xuedi , Ge Wangxin , Lian Cheng , Liu Honglai , Jiang Hongliang , Li Chunzhong
Published: March 2024

CO2 electrolysis to value‐added chemicals and fuels shows tremendous potential to store renewable electricity. It features with H2O as the hydrogen source of CO2 electroreduction. Here, we aim at the effect of the hydrophobicity‐tuned catalyst microenvironment in gas diffusion electrode (GDE) on boosting CO2 electrolysis. The hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nanoparticles are introduced in the Sn catalyst layer of GDE. The PTFE‐modified GDE compared to the non‐PTFE electrode delivers a higher HCOOH Faraday efficiency and lower overpotential at current densities of 50–250 mA cm−2. A two‐dimensional axisymmetric model jointly with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is developed to provide mechanistic insights into the hydrophobicity regulation. The simulated polarization current densities are in keeping with experimental results. The boosted CO2 electrolysis is attributed to the decrease of the distance from the gas–liquid phase boundary to the electrocatalyst. The understanding of the catalyst microenvironment established here can be generalized to other gas‐involved electrocatalytic reactions.
Leveraging data‐driven strategy for accelerating the discovery of polyesters with targeted glass transition temperatures
Authors: He Xiaoying , Yu Mengxian , Han Jian‐Peng , Jiang Jie , Jia Qingzhu , Wang Qiang , Luo Zheng‐Hong , Yan Fangyou , Zhou Yin‐Ning
Published: March 2024

To overcome the limitations of empirical synthesis and expedite the discovery of new polymers, this work aims to develop a data‐driven strategy for profoundly aiding in the design and screening of novel polyester materials. Initially, we collected 695 polyesters with their associated glass transition temperatures (Tgs) to develop a quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR) model. The model underwent rigorous validation (i.e., external validation, internal validation, Y‐random, and application domain analysis) to demonstrate its robust predictive capabilities and high stability. Subsequently, by employing an in‐silico retrosynthesis strategy, over 95,000 virtual polyesters were designed, largely expanding the available space for polyester material family. External assessments were performed, highlighting good extrapolation ability of the QSPR model. Furthermore, we experimentally synthesized 10 designed polyesters with predicted Tgs covering a large temperature range from −42.52 to 103.61°C, and characterization results gave an average absolute error of 17.40°C relative to the predicted ones. It is believed that such data‐driven approach can drive future product development of polymer industry.
TECPR2‐related hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy in two siblings from Palestine
Authors: Khalaf‐Nazzal Reham , Dweikat Imad , Ubeyratna Nishanka , Fasham James , Alawneh Maysa , Leslie Joseph , Maree Mosab , Gunning Adam , Zayed Deyala Z. , Voutsina Nikol , McGavin Lucy , Sawafta Reem , Owens Martina , Baker Wisam , Turnpenny Peter , Al‐Hijawi Fida’ , Baple Emma L. , Crosby Andrew H. , Rawlins Lettie E.
Published: March 2024

Due to the majority of currently available genome data deriving from individuals of European ancestry, the clinical interpretation of genomic variants in individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds remains a major diagnostic challenge. Here, we investigated the genetic cause of a complex neurodevelopmental phenotype in two Palestinian siblings. Whole exome sequencing identified a homozygous missense TECPR2 variant (Chr14(GRCh38):g.102425085G>A; NM_014844.5:c.745G>A, p.(Gly249Arg)) absent in gnomAD, segregating appropriately with the inheritance pattern in the family. Variant assessment with in silico pathogenicity prediction and protein modeling tools alongside population database frequencies led to classification as a variant of uncertain significance. As pathogenic TECPR2 variants are associated with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy with intellectual disability, we reviewed previously published candidate TECPR2 missense variants to clarify clinical outcomes and variant classification using current approved guidelines, classifying a number of published variants as of uncertain significance. This work highlights genomic healthcare inequalities and the challenges in interpreting rare genetic variants in populations underrepresented in genomic databases. It also improves understanding of the clinical and genetic spectrum of TECPR2‐related neuropathy and contributes to addressing genomic data disparity and inequalities of the genomic architecture in Palestinian populations.
Behavioral thermoregulation in primates: A review of literature and future avenues
Authors: Thompson Cynthia L. , Hermann Emily A.
Published: March 2024

Primates face severe challenges from climate change, with warming expected to increase animals' thermoregulatory demands. Primates have limited long‐term options to cope with climate change, but possess a remarkable capacity for behavioral plasticity. This creates an urgency to better understand the behavioral mechanisms primates use to thermoregulate. While considerable information exists on primate behavioral thermoregulation, it is often scattered in the literature in a manner that is difficult to integrate. This review evaluates the status of the available literature on primate behavioral thermoregulation to facilitate future research. We surveyed peer‐reviewed publications on primate thermoregulation for N = 17 behaviors across four thermoregulatory categories: activity budgeting, microhabitat use, body positioning, and evaporative cooling. We recorded data on the primate taxa evaluated, support for a thermoregulatory function, thermal variable assessed, and naturalistic/manipulative study conditions. Behavioral thermoregulation was pervasive across primates, with N = 721 cases of thermoregulatory behaviors identified across N = 284 published studies. Most genera were known to utilize multiple behaviors ( = 4.5 ± 3.1 behaviors/genera). Activity budgeting behaviors were the most commonly encountered category in the literature (54.5% of cases), while evaporative cooling behaviors were the least represented (6.9% of cases). Behavioral thermoregulation studies were underrepresented for certain taxonomic groups, including lemurs, lorises, galagos, and Central/South American primates, and there were large within‐taxa disparities in representation of genera. Support for a thermoregulatory function was consistently high across all behaviors, spanning both hot‐ and cold‐avoidance strategies. This review reveals asymmetries in the current literature and avenues for future research. Increased knowledge of the impact thermoregulatory behaviors have on biologically relevant outcomes is needed to better assess primate responses to warming environments and develop early indicators of thermal stress.
Attenuating N‐Oxyl Decomposition for Improved Hydrogen Atom Transfer Catalysts
Authors: Yang Cheng , Farmer Luke A. , McFee Elvis C. , Jha Rahul Kant , Maldonado Stephen , Pratt Derek A. , Stephenson Corey R. J.
Published: March 2024

The design of N‐oxyl hydrogen atom transfer catalysts has proven challenging to date. Previous efforts have focused on the functionalization of the archetype, phthalimide‐N‐oxyl. Driven in part by the limited options for modification of this structure, this strategy has provided only modest improvements in reactivity and/or solubility. Our previous mechanistic efforts suggested that while the electron‐withdrawing carbonyls of the phthalimide are necessary to maximize the O−H bond dissociation enthalpy of the HAT product hydroxylamine and overall reaction thermodynamics, they undergo nucleophilic substitution leading to catalyst decomposition. In an attempt to minimize this vulnerability, we report the characterization of N‐oxyl catalysts wherein the aryl ring in PINO is replaced with the combination of a substituted heteroatom and quaternary carbon. By rendering one carbonyl carbon less electrophilic and the other less sterically accessible, the corresponding N1‐aryl‐hydantoin‐N3‐oxyl radical showed significantly higher stability than PINO as well as a modest improvement in reactivity. This proof‐of‐principle in new scaffold design may accelerate future HAT catalyst discovery and development.