bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amicus Curiae presentada por la Clínica DDHH Universidad Santa Clara
Authors: Rivera Francisco
Published: October 2022

El presente caso se centra en la discriminación por orientación sexual de una maestra de religión en una escuela pública en Chile. Al otorgar poder absoluto a las autoridades religiosas para evaluar la idoneidad que tiene una empleada pública para cumplir con sus responsabilidades como maestra, el Estado no protegió a la Sra. Pavez ni respetó sus derechos a no ser discriminada por su orientación sexual, a su vida privada, y a su trabajo. En este escrito nos enfocamos únicamente en las violaciones por parte del Estado de los derechos a la igual protección ante la ley, a la vida privada, y al trabajo, pero apoyamos todas los alegatos presentados por la Comisión y la presunta víctima en este caso, a saber, que el Estado es responsable de la violación del los artículos 8, 11, 23.1.c, 24, 25.1 y 26 de la Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos, en relación con las obligaciones establecidas en los artículos 1.1 y 2 del mismo instrumento. Apoyamos, además, lo señalado por la Comisión Interamericana en su informe de fondo del presente caso, en el cual concluyó que la discriminación sufrida por la señora Pavez resulta atribuible al Estado chileno, en tanto se trató de una diferencia de trato injustificada no solo en el ejercicio de una función pública, como es la educativa, sino en su condición de trabajadora mediante una relación laboral directa con el Estado, la cual, además, tuvo lugar como consecuencia de una regulación que otorgaba facultades absolutas en la materia a las autoridades religiosas sin salvaguarda alguna para evitar violaciones a derechos fundamentales, incluido el principio de igualdad y no discriminación4. Finalmente, solicitamos respetuosamente a la Corte que ordene medidas de reparación diseñadas para brindar garantías de no repetición, y que exija al Estado de Chile que implemente protecciones para prevenir la discriminación basada en la orientación sexual y adopte pautas claras sobre la obligación de respetar la vida privada de empleados públicos, particularmente con relación a su orientación sexual.
Cultural, Molecular and Genetic Variability of Ustilaginoidea virens Causing Rice False Smut Disease
Authors: Sekhar Y. Chandra , Kamalakannan A. , Gopalakrishnan C. , Panneerselvam S. , Rajesh S. , Ganapati P. Santhosh
Published: October 2022

Rice false smut disease is caused by Ustilaginoidea virens, an ascomycetous fungi. Thirty isolates of U. virens showed well defined colonies on potato sucrose medium (PSA). The maximum colony diameter was found to be 85.68 mm with a growth rate of 2.85 mm in the UV23 isolate and the minimum colony diameter was found to be 10.14 mm with a growth rate of 0.33 mm, which was observed in the UV15 isolate. However, thirty isolates exhibit various cultural and morphological characteristics like colony color, growth pattern, elevation, and chlamydospore formation. In cluster analysis, two major groups (I) and (II) were formed. The first major group (I) contains UV15 isolates and the second major group (II) contains 29UV isolates. Furthermore, the division of group II includes subgroup IIa, which contains 22 isolates, and subgroup IIb, with 7 isolates. The PCR amplification was done with a species-specific primer which yielded products of 380 bp and 230 bp, respectively. The results of the phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that cluster I contained 5 isolates and cluster II contained 28 isoates from China and Japan. The MAT1-1-1 primer yielded a product of 250 bp that contains 18 isolates. Whereas the MAT1-2-1 primer yielded a product of 220 bp with 12 isolates. The nucleotide divergence analysis results revealed 7 polymorphic sites (s), 10 mutations (Eta), 0.76515 nucleotide diversity (k) and -2.13885 for the tajimas test value. Likewise, haplotype analysis revealed 10 haplotype(h)groups, with a haplotype diversity (hd) of 0.4773. With 24 isolates, hap-1 was the most common. Similarly, clear nucleotide variation was observed between Indian and Chinese isolates as well as Japanese ones. The genetic similarity coefficient matrix revealed that thirty Indian isolates showed maximum similarity (0.9). whereas the UV32 isolate showed 0.6, the UV31 isolate exhibited 0.5, and the UVA33 isolate had 0.4,.These results indicate a genetic variability between the Indian UV isolates and the isolates from China.
Techno-Economic Analysis of a Hybrid Campus Microgrid
Authors: Yusuf Samson Dauda , Abdulhamid Aminu Alhaji , Loko Abdulmumini Zubairu
Published: October 2022

Aims: To design and develop a campus micro-grid model for Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK), main campus, Nigeria.

Study Design: Econometric and financial feasibility analysis.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Physics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, main campus, Nigeria, between October 2019 and September 2020.

Methodology: Assessment of the campus load profile, energy consumption history, grid availability and present constraints to the existing system was carried out using the Fluke Power Analyzer and Fluke Industrial Multimeter. The parameters were used as the defining inputs to HOMER Pro micro-grid design and optimization software to calculate the net present cost, levelized cost of energy, total annual cost, capital recovery factor, and the real discount rate for NSUK, main campus, Nigeria.

Results: For a total daily demand of 11,162.13kWh, the optimization results indicated a net present cost of $2,499,296.31, cost of energy $0.05, total annual electrical energy output 15,619,101.08kWh, and renewable penetration 293%, as compared to net present cost of $9,680,196.57, cost of energy $0.096, total annual electrical energy output 369,729.73kWh, and a renewable penetration 0.0% for the existing NSUK grid-only dependent system.

Conclusion: Optimization results were considerably better than those obtained for the NSUK existing grid-only dependent system. Therefore, the micro-grid technology is a sustainable solution to the increasing energy demand for Nasarawa State University.
Sarcoidosis of the Skin
Authors: Imadojemu Sotonye , Rosenbach Misha
Published: October 2022

This Patient Page describes the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of sarcoidosis of the skin.
A Vision of Medicare Coverage for New and Emerging Technologies—A Consistent Process to Foster Innovation and Promote Value
Authors: Fleisher Lee A. , Blum Jonathan D.
Published: October 2022

This Viewpoint details the commitment of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to ensure access for Medicare beneficiaries to new and emerging health care technologies.
Overlapping Surgery—In DeBakey’s Shadow
Authors: Adashi Eli Y. , Brown Emma C. , Elberg Jacob T.
Published: October 2022

This Viewpoint discusses the future of the practice of overlapping surgeries.
From Electric Doping Control to Thermal Defect Nucleation in Perovskites
Authors: Marinković Stefan , Fernández‐Rodríguez Alejandro , Fourneau Emile , Cabero Mariona , Wang Hailin , Nguyen Ngoc Duy , Gazquez Jaume , Mestres Narcís , Palau Anna , Silhanek Alejandro V.
Published: October 2022

Simultaneous optical microscopy and electric transport measurements on La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 nanobridges, grown on SrTiO3 (STO), show direct evidence of directional oxygen vacancy migration under large voltage bias. Comparative study on discontinuous structures, with voltages applied across a micron‐scale gap, demonstrates that high electric fields induce electrolytic modifications confined to the anode. Extensive electromigration is shown to induce the formation of linear surface scars on the STO substrate, following well defined crystallographic directions. The reproducible triggering of these surface dislocations is demonstrated, unveiling their thermal rather than electrical origin and it is shown that they do not represent electroformed conduction channels. High‐resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging reveals that the scars correspond to nanometer scale steps caused by (101) gliding planes in the STO caused by the proliferation of edge dislocations and local lattice expansion. These findings shed light on selective electrically‐controlled atom migration and its role in structural modification of functional oxides, opening a unique avenue for ionotronic device design.
Tunable Composition of Mixed Self‐Assembled Shell‐by‐Shell Structures on Nanoparticle Surfaces
Authors: Eigen Andreas , Stiegler Lisa M. S. , Gradl Susanne , Schneider Vanessa , Wedler Vincent , Gaß Henrik , Müller Lukas , Sarcletti Marco , Heinrich Markus R. , Hirsch Andreas , Halik Marcus
Published: October 2022

The formation of mixed shell‐by‐shell (SbS) systems with tunable shell compositions is demonstrated by using molecular self‐assembly driven by chemical recognition motifs. Aluminum oxide nanoparticles (AlOx‐NPs) act as template surface for a self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) of either partially fluorinated fluoroalkyl or alkyl chained phosphonic acid derivatives or defined stoichiometric mixtures of those. By providing an equimolar mixture of corresponding fluoroalkyl and alkyl‐chained amphiphiles in water, the stoichiometry of underlaying mixed SAM on the NP‐surface preferentially directs the composition of the secondary self‐assembly. The composition of the shell‐by‐shell assemblies is studied by high performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence spectroscopy. The concept allows the formation of NP‐templated vesicle‐like bilayer structures, even consisting of orthogonal chain structures in tunable composition driven by chemical recognition and hydrophobic segregation.
In Situ Lignin Sulfonation for Highly Conductive Wood/Polypyrrole Porous Composites
Authors: Mastantuoni Gabriella G. , Tran Van Chinh , Engquist Isak , Berglund Lars A. , Zhou Qi
Published: October 2022

To address the rising need of sustainable solutions in electronic devices, the development of electronically conductive composites based on lightweight but mechanically strong wood structures is highly desirable. Here, a facile approach for the fabrication of highly conductive wood/polypyrrole composites through top‐down modification of native lignin followed by polymerization of pyrrole in wood cell wall. By sodium sulfite treatment under neutral condition, sulfonated wood veneers with increased porosity but well‐preserved cell wall structure containing native lignin and lignosulfonates are obtained. The wood structure has a content of sulfonic groups up to 343 µmol g−1 owing to in situ sulfonated lignin which facilitates subsequent oxidative polymerization of pyrrole, achieving a weight gain of polypyrrole as high as 35 wt%. The lignosulfonates in the wood structure act as dopant and stabilizer for the synthesized polypyrrole. The composite reaches a high conductivity of 186 S m−1 and a specific pseudocapacitance of 1.71 F cm−2 at the current density of 8.0 mA cm−2. These results indicate that tailoring the wood/polymer interface in the cell wall and activating the redox activity of native lignin by sulfonation are important strategies for the fabrication of porous and lightweight wood/conductive polymer composites with potential for sustainable energy applications.
Rising Like a Phoenix from the Ashes: Fire‐Proof Magnetically Retrievable Supraparticles with an Optical Fingerprint for Postmortem Identification of Products
Authors: Miller Franziska , Wenderoth Sarah , Wintzheimer Susanne , Mandel Karl
Published: October 2022

Counterfeit electronic products not only cause financial losses but also come with safety risks. The worst‐case failure scenario certainly is a fire event. Since manufacturers are liable for damages and suffer image loss, fire‐proof postmortem taggants are needed, enabling differentiation between originals and counterfeits even after a fire incident. This work presents such taggants: optomagnetic supraparticles (SPs), i.e., complex microscale particles composed of luminescent and magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) are generated. Their hybrid nature is pivotal, as magnetic separation can effectively remove the tags from light‐absorbing fire debris, and a fire‐proof identification (ID) fingerprint is based on ratiometric luminescence signals. To achieve thermally stable magnets, iron oxide (IO) NPs are wet‐chemically coated with a SiO2‐3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) shell. Subsequently, these magnetic NPs are assembled with luminescent nanophosphors (lanthanide‐doped calcium phosphate NPs with a SiO2‐core) and SiO2‐APTES spacer NPs by spray‐drying to form hybrid SPs. The careful choice of type and ratios of the NPs and process parameters make it possible to achieve and precisely tune the desired functionality of the resulting fire‐proof taggants. A proof‐of‐concept is demonstrated, in which the taggants are incorporated as additives into coatings and subjected to real fire simulations.
Poly(thioctic acid): From Bottom‐Up Self‐Assembly to 3D‐Fused Deposition Modeling Printing
Authors: Cai Changyong , Wu Shuanggen , Zhang Yunfei , Li Fenfang , Tan Zhijian , Dong Shengyi
Published: October 2022

Inspired by the bottom‐up assembly in nature, an artificial self‐assembly pattern is introduced into 3D‐fused deposition modeling (FDM) printing to achieve additive manufacturing on the macroscopic scale. Thermally activated polymerization of thioctic acid (TA) enabled the bulk construction of poly(TA), and yielded unique time‐dependent self‐assembly. Freshly prepared poly(TA) can spontaneously and continuously transfer into higher‐molecular‐weight species and low‐molecular‐weightTAmonomers. Poly(TA) and the newly formedTAfurther assembled into self‐reinforcing materials via microscopic‐phase separation. Bottom‐up self‐assembly patterns on different scales are fully realized by 3D FDM printing of poly(TA): thermally induced polymerization ofTA(microscopic‐scale assembly) to poly(TA) and 3D printing (macroscopic‐scale assembly) of poly(TA) are simultaneously achieved in the 3D‐printing process; after 3D printing, the poly(TA) modes show mechanically enhanced features over time, arising from the microscopic self‐assembly of poly(TA) andTA. This study clearly demonstrates that micro‐ and macroscopic bottom‐up self‐assembly can be applied in 3D additive manufacturing.
Oat companion seeding rate, herbicide, and irrigation effects on alfalfa stand establishment
Authors: Roberts Carson D. , Yost Matt A. , Robins Joseph G. , Ransom Corey V. , Creech J. Earl
Published: October 2022

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is often grown in water‐limited climates where available soil moisture is a key factor in determining the success or failure of new stand establishment. This study was conducted to determine optimal oat (Avena sativa L.) companion seeding rates for alfalfa establishment across a range of soil moisture levels. The effects of five oat seeding rates (0 [with and without herbicide], 11, 22, 45, and 89 kg ha−1) under five water levels on alfalfa stand establishment, forage yield, and nutritive value were evaluated at North Logan, UT, on a Millville silt loam soil (coarse‐silty, carbonatic, mesic Typic Haploxeroll) in 2019 and 2020. When soil moisture was adequate, first cut alfalfa stem density increased twofold as oat seeding rates decreased from 89 to 11 kg ha−1, but at low soil moisture levels stem density increased fivefold to sevenfold. At second cut, the only stem density differences that remained were at low irrigation. First cut forage yields were lowest in 0 kg ha−1 treatments and increased with increasing oat seeding rates. The opposite was true at second cutting, where yields were greatest where no oat had been planted. Yield differences were more extreme as soil moisture was reduced. The highest oat seeding rate had comparable weed control effects to the herbicide. Generally, the presence of either oat or weeds reduced forage nutritive value when compared to alfalfa alone. Reducing oat seeding rates or eliminating the companion crop altogether appears to improve alfalfa stand establishment when soil moisture is limited.
Direct Synthesis of α‐Amino Acid Derivatives by Hydrative Amination of Alkynes
Authors: Feng Minghao , Tinelli Roberto , Meyrelles Ricardo , González Leticia , Maryasin Boris , Maulide Nuno
Published: October 2022

α‐Amino acid derivatives are key components of the molecules of life. The synthesis of α‐amino carbonyl/carboxyl compounds is a contemporary challenge in organic synthesis. Herein, we report a practical method for the preparation of α‐amino acid derivatives via direct hydrative amination of activated alkynes under mild conditions, relying on sulfinamides as the nitrogen source. Computational studies suggest that the reaction is enabled by a new type of sulfonium [2,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement.
Cu‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Alkylaminotroponyl Sulfones as Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Quorum Sensing Inhibitors Targeting lasI/R QS Circuitry
Authors: Meher Sagarika , Kumari Supriya , Dixit Manjusha , Sharma Nagendra K.
Published: October 2022

The scarcity of novel bioactive molecules against multidrug‐resistant (MDR) bacterial strains like Pseudomonas aeruginosa is alarming. This bacterial virulence is regulated via Quorum sensing (QS), a cell‐cell communication process. Disabling QS circuits (las, pqs, rhl) with small molecules has been proposed as a potential strategy to prevent bacterial pathogenicity. This strategy focuses on interruption of bacterial virulence, rather than killing them to tackle the drug resistance problem. Herein, we describe the synthesis of rationally designed Alklyamionotroponyl Sulfone (ATS) derivatives by Cu‐catalyzed C(sp2)−H functionalization at tropone ring and the screening of their anti‐QS activity against P. aeruginosa. Importantly, two sulfones (∼20 μM) remarkably exhibit the down regulation of the lasI/R QS genes. These molecules also inhibit swarming motility, biofilm formation and pyocyanin production, which reduce P. aeruginosa virulence in cells. Hence, ATS derivatives could be considered as potential therapeutic candidates for the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.
Nanoparticle dose and antigen loading attenuate antigen‐specific T‐cell responses
Authors: Casey Liam M. , Decker Joseph T. , Podojil Joseph R. , Rad Laila , Hughes Kevin R. , Rose Justin A. , Pearson Ryan M. , Miller Stephen D. , Shea Lonnie D.
Published: October 2022

Immune‐mediated hypersensitivities such as autoimmunity, allergy, and allogeneic graft rejection are treated with therapeutics that suppress the immune system, and the lack of specificity is associated with significant side effects. The delivery of disease‐relevant antigens (Ags) by carrier systems such as poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) nanoparticles (PLG‐Ag) and carbodiimide (ECDI)‐fixed splenocytes (SP‐Ag) has demonstrated Ag‐specific tolerance induction in model systems of these diseases. Despite therapeutic outcomes by both platforms, tolerance is conferred with different efficacy. This investigation evaluated Ag loading and total particle dose of PLG‐Ag on Ag presentation in a coculture system of dendritic cells (DCs) and Ag‐restricted T cells, with SP‐Ag employed as a control. CD25 expression was observed in nearly all T cells even at low concentrations of PLG‐Ag, indicating efficient presentation of Ag by dendritic cells. However, the secretion of IL‐2, Th1, and Th2 cytokines (IFNγ and IL‐4, respectively) varied depending on PLG‐Ag concentration and Ag loading. Concentration escalation of soluble Ag resulted in an increase in IL‐2 and IFNγ and a decrease in IL‐4. Treatment with PLG‐Ag followed a similar trend but with lower levels of IL‐2 and IFNγ secreted. Transcriptional Activity CEll ARrays (TRACER) were employed to measure the real‐time transcription factor (TF) activity in Ag‐presenting DCs. The kinetics and magnitude of TF activity was dependent on the Ag delivery method, concentration, and Ag loading. Ag positively regulated IRF1 activity and, as carriers, NPs and ECDI‐treated SP negatively regulated this signaling. The effect of Ag loading and dose on tolerance induction were corroborated in vivo using the delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse models where a threshold of 8 μg/mg Ag loading and 0.5 mg PLG‐Ag dose were required for tolerance. Together, the effect of Ag loading and dosing on in vitro and in vivo immune regulation provide useful insights for translating Ag‐carrier systems for the clinical treatment of immune disorders.
Prognostic value of lactate transporter SLC16A1 and SLC16A3 as oncoimmunological biomarkers associating tumor metabolism and immune evasion in glioma
Authors: Zhu Ting , Ge Xiaoqin , Gong Shengping , Guo Shenchao , Tao Qingsong , Guo Jianxin , Ma Ruishuang
Published: October 2022

Background

Hypoxic microenvironment is immunosuppressive and protumorigenic, and elevated lactate is an intermediary in the modulation of immune responses. However, as critical lactate transporters, the role of SLC16A1 and SLC16A3 in immune infiltration and evasion of glioma is not fully elucidated.

Methods

Gene expression in low‐ and high‐grade glioma (LGG and GBM) was evaluated with TCGA database. The TISIDB, TIMER and CIBERSORT databases were utilized for the analysis of the correlation between SLC16A1 or SLC16A3 and immunocyte infiltration as well as immune checkpoints.

Results

Compared with normal tissues, a significant increase of both SLC16A1 and SLC16A3 was found in LGG and GBM, and closely related to the poor prognosis only in LGG. Cancer SEA indicated that SLC16A1 was involved in hypoxia while SLC16A3 contributed to metastasis and inflammation in glioma. The SLC16A3 expression was significantly correlated with neutrophil activation by GO analysis. TISCH showed the distribution of SLC16A1 on glioma cells and SLC16A3 on immune cells, which was correlated to tumor‐associated macrophages and neutrophils that are immunosuppressive. SLC16A1 and SLC16A3 were identified to tightly interacted with diverse immune checkpoints (especially PD1, PD‐L1, PD‐L2, Tim‐3) and immunosuppressive factors (TGF‐β and IL‐10) in glioma. Furthermore, SLC16A3 had a positive correlation to activation markers of tumor‐associated neutrophils and chemokines such as CCL2, CCL22, CXCR2, CXCR4 in LGG and CCL7, CCL20 CXCL8 in GBM, which could enhance infiltration of immunosuppressive cells to the tumor microenvironment.

Conclusion

In general, our results suggest that SLC16A1 and SLC16A3 act as a bridge between tumor metabolism and immunity by promoting immunosuppressive cell infiltration, which contributes to immune evasion and a worse prognosis in glioma. Targeting SLC16A1 and SLC16A3 may provide novel therapeutic strategy for immunotherapy in glioma.
New trend to hire NIL general managers brings benefits, risks to athletics departments
Authors: Forer Max , Mayne Nic
Published: October 2022

After only a little more than a year into the name, image, and likeness era of college sports, student‐athletes have gone from not being permitted to receive any compensation for their NIL to giant brands, like Meta and adidas, writing checks and providing NIL education services to student‐athletes at colleges across the country. Furthermore, according to early estimates, spending in the first year of the NIL era approached $1 billion and may far surpass that figure in the coming years. The industry, which hasn't been around that long, is rapidly growing and more companies and interested parties are starting to engage in this space, despite a lack of guardrails.
Meet online accessibility standards
Authors: Talarico Donna
Published: October 2022

When you're creating social media graphics, downloadable lead magnets, new academic program pages for your website, and email newsletters, are you keeping accessibility in mind? I certainly hope so. It's not only required by federal law for many colleges and universities, but it's simply the right thing to do — and will most likely lead to a better experience for all, not just for students with disabilities.
Probing Interfacial Co‐Crystallisation using Simultaneous Potential and Current Measurements at Liquid‐Liquid Interfaces Polarised by Common Ion Approach
Authors: Kaliszczak Magdalena , Bamou Imane , Garcia‐Atance Marina , Jones Franca , Arrigan Damien W. M. , Herzog Grégoire
Published: October 2022

The simultaneous measurement of potential and current variations at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions, which was polarised using tetraalkylammonium cations as a common ion, is reported here. Various concentration ratios of tetramethyl‐, tetraethyl‐, or tetrapropylammonium were dissolved in each phase. Such biphasic systems were then used to verify that the measured interfacial potential difference agreed with theory. This experimental set‐up was then used to probe the interfacial cocrystallisation process of hydrophilic, cationic caffeine with lipophilic 1‐hydroxy‐2‐naphtoic acid (1H2N). The presence of caffeine in the aqueous phase led to higher current values, caused by interfacial charge transfer. Electrochemical noise analysis suggested that a two‐step process was occurring at the ITIES (i) a potential‐driven nucleation with the transfer of caffeine from the aqueous to the organic phase; (ii) a growth stage where the interfacial potential no longer plays a role.
Chiral chromatography and surface chirality of carbon nanoparticles
Authors: Hubbard Misché A. , Luyet Chloe , Kumar Prashant , Elvati Paolo , VanEpps J. Scott , Violi Angela , Kotov Nicholas A.
Published: October 2022

Chiral carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) represent a rapidly evolving area of research for optical and biomedical technologies. Similar to small molecules, applications of CNPs as well as fundamental relationships between their optical activity and structural asymmetry would greatly benefit from their enantioselective separations by chromatography. However, this technique remains in its infancy for chiral carbon and other nanoparticles. The possibility of effective separations using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with chiral stationary phases remains an open question whose answer can also shed light on the components of multiscale chirality of the nanoparticles. Herein, we report a detailed methodology of HPLC for successful separation of chiral CNPs and establish a path for its future optimization. A mobile phase of water/acetonitrile was able to achieve chiral separation of CNPs derived from L‐ and D‐cysteine denoted as L‐CNPs and D‐CNPs. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the teicoplanin‐based stationary phase has a higher affinity for L‐CNPs than for D‐CNPs, in agreement with experiments. The experimental and computational findings jointly indicate that chiral centers of chiral CNPs are present at their surface, which is essential for the multiple applications of these chiral nanostructures and equally essential for interactions with biomolecules and circularly polarized photons.
Surgical treatment confers prognostic significance in pediatric malignant mediastinal germ cell tumors
Authors: Huang Ting‐Huan , Hung Giun‐Yi , Weng Te‐Fu , Wang Fu‐Mien , Lee Chih‐Ying , Lin Dong‐Tsamn , Chen Bow‐Wen , Lin Kai‐Hsin , Wu Kang‐Hsi , Liu Hsi‐Che , Chen Jiann‐Shiuh , Jou Shiann‐Tarng , Hou Jen‐Yin , Yang Yung‐Li , Chen Shih‐Hsiang , Chang Hsiu‐Hao , Chiou Shyh‐Shin , Lin Pei‐Chin , Chen Rong‐Long , Hsiao Chih‐Cheng , Yen Hsiu‐Ju , Yang Chao‐Ping , Chang Te‐Kau , Lu Meng‐Yao , Cheng Chao‐Neng , Sheen Jiunn‐Ming , Liao Yu‐Mei , Su Min‐Yu , Yeh Ting‐Chi ,   Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group
Published: October 2022

Background

Primary malignant mediastinal germ cell tumors (GCTs) are rare pediatric tumors that have a poorer prognosis compared to GCTs occurring elsewhere in the body. The current study aimed to assess the prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of children with primary malignant mediastinal GCT in Taiwan.

Methods

The authors retrospectively reviewed children 0–18 years old who were newly diagnosed with primary malignant mediastinal GCT between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2019 and were registered in the Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group patient registry. The impact of presenting characteristics, including sex, age, tumor stage, histology subtype, surgical treatment, and chemotherapy regimens of the patients were analyzed.

Results

This study enrolled 52 children with malignant mediastinal GCT who had a median age of 16.0 (range, 6.0–17.9) years at diagnosis. The most common histological subtypes were mixed GCTs (n = 20) and yolk sac tumors (n = 15). Advanced disease stage and choriocarcinoma histology subtype were associated inferior outcomes. Children who received surgical treatment exhibited better outcomes compared to those who did not (5‐year overall survival, 78% vs. 7%, p < .001). After comparing patients who received first‐line cisplatin‐ and carboplatin‐based chemotherapy, no difference in treatment outcomes was observed. Multivariate analysis showed that surgical management was the only independent predictor for superior OS.

Conclusions

Surgical treatment is recommended for mediastinal GCT. Cisplatin‐based chemotherapy was not superior to carboplatin‐based chemotherapy as first‐line treatment and may be avoided due to toxicity concerns.
Recent Advances in the Study of Negative‐Ion Resonances Using Multiconfigurational Propagator and a Complex Absorbing Potential
Authors: Das Subhasish , Samanta Kousik
Published: October 2022

The transient resonances are a challenge to bound state quantum mechanics. These states lie in the continuum part of the spectrum of the Hamiltonian. For this, one has to treat a continuum problem due to electron‐molecule scattering and the many‐electron correlation problem simultaneously. Moreover, the description of a resonance requires a wavefunction that bridges the part that resembles a bound state with another that resembles a continuum state such that the continuity of the wavefunction and its first derivative with respect to the distance between the incoming projectile and the target is maintained. A review of the recent advances in the theoretical investigation of the negative‐ion resonances (NIR) is presented. The NIRs are ubiquitous in nature. They result from the scattering of electrons off of an atomic or molecular target. They are important for numerous chemical processes in upper atmosphere, space and even biological systems. A contextual background of the existing theoretical methods as well as the newly‐developed multiconfigurational propagator tools based on a complex absorbing potential are discussed.
Children's sleep needs improvement: Here's how
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: October 2022

An editorial in JAMA Pediatrics published Sept. 12 focused on the need to improve children's sleep, a problem that parents are well aware of. If children don't get enough sleep, they suffer. So do their parents, watching their bleary‐eyed teens head off to school every morning, knowing that there will be a long night ahead in which the healing nature of sleep does not have an opportunity to exist. Yet, it is in the power of parents and professionals to change this.
Germination and field establishment of Indiangrass populations selected for greater laboratory seed germination in a simulated dry condition
Authors: Springer Tim , Moffet Corey
Published: October 2022

Rapid seed germination followed by rapid seedling establishment are important traits for field establishment of grasses under variable climatic conditions. This research was designed to improve the seed germination of three Indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash] populations through two cycles of recurrent selection and to field test the nine populations. Two cycles of recurrent selection were used to develop C1 and C2 populations from three previously unselected populations of Indiangrass. Cycle 1 consisted of germinating 3,500 open‐pollinated seeds of each C0 population in water of −0.8 MPa potential for 7 d. All germinated seeds within 7 d were selected to create three C1 populations. Cycle 2 selection was like Cycle 1, except that C1 populations were used to develop three C2 populations. To test the effects of selection, four 50‐spikelet samples of the nine Indiangrass populations were germinated in water of −0.8 and 0 MPa potentials for 7 d for two seed harvests. Both water potentials produced a population × selection generation interaction (P ≤ .05). Different rates of gain among the Indiangrass populations for water potential treatments (−0.8 and 0 MPa) described the interactions. On average, C1 and C2 populations emerged and survived better than C0 populations in the field. Thus, the data suggest that recurrent selection for increased laboratory seed germination of Indiangrass in a low water potential not only improved the 7‐d laboratory seed germination, but seed mass and stand establishment as well.
Toward the sustainability state? Conceptualizing national sustainability institutions and their impact on policy‐making
Authors: Mathis Okka Lou , Rose Michael , Newig Jens , Bauer Steffen
Published: October 2022

The achievement of global sustainability and climate objectives rests on their incorporation into policy‐making at the level of nation‐states. Against this background, governments around the world have created various specialized sustainability institutions—councils, committees, ombudspersons, among others—in order to promote these agendas and their implementation. However, sustainability institutions have remained undertheorized and their impact on policy‐making is empirically unclear. In this paper, we develop a conceptual framework for sustainability institutions and systematically explore their potential impact on more sustainable policy‐making. We define sustainability institutions as public, trans‐departmental and permanent national bodies with an integrated understanding of sustainability that considers socio‐ecological well‐being, global contexts and a future‐orientation. Drawing on literature on sustainability and long‐term governance as well as on illustrative case examples, we propose conducive conditions and pathways through which sustainability institutions may influence policy‐making. As conducive, we assume sustainability institutions' embodiment of sustainability governance principles as well as their authority, a strong legal basis, resources, and autonomy. Further, we outline how sustainability institutions can influence policy‐making based on their roles in the public policy process. We conclude that the increasing prevalence of national sustainability institutions indicates an ongoing shift from the environmental state toward a more comprehensive sustainability state. However, sustainability institutions can only be one building block of the sustainability state out of many, and their potential to reorient political decision‐making effectively toward the socio‐ecological transformation hinges upon individual design features such as their mandate, resources and authority, as well as on the specific governance context.
Targeting efficacy of spironolactone in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: the TOPCAT study
Authors: Zhou Hui‐min , Zhan Rong‐jian , Chen Xuanyu , Lin Yi‐fen , Zhang Shao‐zhao , Zheng Huigan , Wang Xueqin , Huang Meng‐ting , Xu Chao‐guang , Liao Xin‐xue , Tian Ting , Zhuang Xiao‐dong
Published: October 2022

Aims

We aimed to explore the heterogeneous treatment effects (HTEs) for spironolactone treatment in patients with Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and examine the efficacy and safety of spironolactone medication, ensuring a better individualized therapy.

Methods and results

We used the causal forest algorithm to discover the heterogeneous treatment effects (HTEs) from patients in the Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist (TOPCAT) trial. Cox regressions were performed to assess the hazard ratios (HRs) of spironolactone medication for cardiovascular death and drug discontinuation in each group. The causal forest model revealed three representative covariates and participants were partitioned into four subgroups which were Group 1 (baseline BMI ≤ 31.71 kg/m2 and baseline ALP ≤ 80 U/L, n = 759); Group 2 (BMI ≤ 31.71 kg/m2 and ALP > 80 U/L, n = 1088); Group 3 (BMI > 31.71 kg/m2, and WBC ≤ 6.6 cells/μL, n = 633); Group 4 (BMI > 31.71 kg/m2 and WBC > 6.6 cells/μL, n = 832), respectively. In the four subgroups, spironolactone therapy reduced the risk of cardiovascular death in high‐risk group (Group 4) with both high BMI and WBC count (HR: 0.76; 95% CI 0.58 to 0.99; P = 0.045) but increased the risk in low‐risk group (Group 1) with both low BMI and ALP (HR: 1.45; 95% CI 1.02 to 2.07; P = 0.041; P for interaction = 0.020) but showed similar risk of drug discontinuation (P for interaction = 0.498).

Conclusion

Our study manifested the HTEs of spironolactone in patients with HFpEF. Spironolactone treatment in HFpEF patients is feasible and effective in patients with high BMI and WBC while harmful in patients with low BMI and ALP. Machine learning model could be meaningful for improved categorization of patients with HFpEF, ensuring a better individualized therapy in the clinical setting.
Clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential: associations with heart failure incidence, clinical parameters and biomarkers
Authors: Shi Canxia , Aboumsallem Joseph Pierre , Suthahar Navin , de Graaf Aniek O. , Jansen Joop H. , van Zeventer Isabelle A. , Bracun Valentina , de Wit Sanne , Screever Elles M. , van den Berg Pieter F. , Meijers Wouter C. , Gansevoort Ron T. , Bakker Stephan J.L. , van der Harst Pim , Silljé Herman H.W. , Huls Gerwin , de Boer Rudolf A.
Published: October 2022

Aim

We aimed to analyse the association of clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) with incident heart failure (HF) in a European population cohort.

Methods and results

From the prospective Prevention of Renal and Vascular End‐stage Disease (PREVEND) cohort, we included all 374 participants with incident HF and selected 1:1 age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects. Peripheral blood samples of 705 individuals were successfully analysed by error‐corrected next generation sequencing for acquired mutations at a variant allele frequency ≥2% in 27 CHIP driver genes. The median age of the study population was 65 years (interquartile range 58–70) and 35.6% were female. CHIP mutations positively correlated with age, smoking, hypertension and cardiovascular biomarkers including N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide and mid‐regional pro‐A‐type natriuretic peptide, but the frequency of CHIP was comparable in individuals with incident HF and in control participants (18.4% vs. 17.3%; p = 0.69). In multivariable Cox regression models, CHIP was not significantly associated with incident HF (hazard ratio [HR] 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93–1.65; p = 0.144). This association, however, was modified by age (p for CHIP–age interaction = 0.002). Among people younger than 65 years, CHIP mutations were more frequently detected in the case cohort compared to the control cohort (14.2% vs. 5.8%; p = 0.009), and were significantly associated with new‐onset HF (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.30–3.29; p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential correlates with HF risk factors and biomarkers, and is associated with incident HF in subjects <65 years of age.
Ir‐Catalyzed Cascade Reaction Promotes the Formation of Geometrically Selective Enones from Bis‐allyl Alcohols
Authors: Kamishima Takaaki , Koseki Yoshitaka , Nakatsuji Hirotaka , Kumar Sanjay , Tanita Keita , Kasai Hitoshi
Published: October 2022

Enone compounds are well‐known as useful building blocks that can be converted into a variety of valuable compounds. This study describes a synthetic method to synthesize E‐selective or multi‐substituted enones by an Ir‐catalyzed cascade reaction under reducing conditions. We found that the cascade reaction, including reduction/isomerization/dehydration, proceeds by treating bis‐allyl alcohol with Crabtree's catalyst in a hydrogen atmosphere, which forms the desired product with high diastereoselectivity. We investigated acceptable catalysts to the reaction and the synthesis of enone using di‐, tri‐ and tetrasubstituted olefin substrates. Additionally, the given results suggested a hypothesis of reaction mechanism.
Mild Photocatalytic Synthesis of Azimines
Authors: Gamby Emma , Liger François , Joucla Lionel , Lacôte Emmanuel
Published: October 2022

We report the photocatalytic formation of azimines upon visible light irradiation of mixtures of sulfonyl azides and electron‐rich azo reagents in the presence of IrIII complexes. The method was applied to a series of alkyl‐ and arylsulfonyl azides and azo reagents. The azimines were previously prepared using toxic reagents such as lead‐tetraacetate, or harsher UV photons. The reactions can be carried out either in batch or flow conditions. The observation that the azo reagent equilibrates under the reaction conditions and the high energy of the azide triplet state suggests that the reaction may proceed through a photocatalytic cycloaddition, rather than via a nitrene.
Emerging chemical driving force in electrocatalytic water splitting
Authors: Chen Gao , Wei Chao , Zhu Yanping , Huang Haitao
Published: October 2022

Electrocatalytic water splitting involves the breaking/formation of chemical bonds and the concomitant dynamic reconstruction of catalyst structure, both of which, in a conventional view, are directly driven by the applied bias. However, some latest reports have demonstrated that the chemical driving force can also govern electrocatalytic water splitting. This finding provides a transformative approach to designing advanced energy materials, which calls for a thorough understanding of the underlying correlation between the chemical driving force and the corresponding water splitting performance. This review timely summarizes chemical driving force in three different scenarios. Effects of chemical driving forces on surface reconstruction, reaction rate/mechanism, and interfacial redox reactions are discussed. Finally, an outlook on the chemical driving force is provided. We aim to raise the energy community's awareness of this new vision and hope it could contribute to material design for energy storage and conversion applications.

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Holocene marine terraces as recorders of earthquake uplift: Insights from a rocky coast in southern Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Authors: Litchfield Nicola , Morgenstern Regine , Clark Kate , Howell Andy , Grant Georgia , Turnbull Jocelyn
Published: October 2022

On rocky tectonic coasts, data from Holocene marine terraces may constrain the timing of coseismic uplift and help identify the causative faults. Challenges in marine terrace investigations include: (1) identifying the uplift datums; (2) obtaining ages that tightly constrain the timing of uplift; (3) distinguishing tsunami deposits from beach deposits on terraces; and (4) identifying missing terraces and hence earthquakes. We address some of these challenges through comparing modern beach sediments and radiocarbon ages with those from a trench excavated across three terraces at Aramoana, central Hikurangi Subduction Margin, New Zealand. Sedimentary analyses identified beach and dune deposits on terraces but could not differentiate specific environments within them. Modern beach shells yielded modern radiocarbon ages, regardless of position or species, showing age inheritance and habitat is likely not an issue when dating shells on these terraces. By integrating terrace mapping, stratigraphy, morphology, and radiocarbon ages we develop a conceptual model of coastal uplift and terrace formation following at least two, possibly three, earthquakes at 5490–5070, 2620–2180, and 950–650 cal. yr bp. A high step and time gap between the upper two terraces raises the possibility that at least one intervening terrace is completely eroded. The trench exposure also showed that terrace stratigraphy may differ from that inferred from surface geomorphology, with apparent beach ridges being of composite origin and draping of younger beach deposits on the outer edge of a previous terrace. Dislocation modelling and comparison of marine terrace and earthquake ages from ~4 km south and ≤ 73 km north confirms that the most likely earthquake source is the nearshore, landward‐dipping, Kairakau Fault. Alternative sources, such as multi‐fault ruptures of the Kairakau‐Waimārama faults or Hikurangi subduction earthquakes, and/or a combination of the two are also possible and should be examined in future studies.
Dynamic assessment of slope stability based on multi‐source monitoring data and ensemble learning approaches: A case study of Jiuxianping landslide
Authors: Xu Wenhan , Kang Yanfei , Chen Lichuan , Wang Luqi , Qin Changbing , Zhang Liting , Liang Dan , Wu Chongzhi , Zhang Wengang
Published: October 2022

Accurate assessment of slope stability is the most important task in geological disaster prevention and control. This study developed an ensemble learning approach based on stacking strategy and eight commonly used machine learning (ML) models, for exploring the feasibility of the factor of safety (FS) prediction using dynamic multi‐source monitoring data of slopes and landslides. Based on long‐term and dynamic field monitoring and numerical calculation, a dataset for constructing the FS prediction model for the Jiuxianping landslide was established. The dataset includes five types of monitoring data namely rainfall, reservoir water level, groundwater level, surface displacement and deep displacement for a total of nine features, and one label FS. Four regularized regression models, kernel ridge regression (KRR), lasso, elastic net and support vector regression (SVR), as well as four ensemble learning models, random forest (RF), gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) and light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM), were adopted to obtain the nonlinear association between the nine features and the label FS, respectively. Based on five repeated 5‐fold cross‐validation (CV) and successive halving (SH) hyperparameter searching method, the hyperparameters of each model were determined, and the prediction effects of each optimal model were compared. The results show that the ensemble learning models outperform the common regression models. Furthermore, with the help of the stacking ensemble learning thinking, four excellent ensemble models were combined, and the final stacking ensemble learning model was used to predict the FS of the Jiuxianping landslide. The results indicate that the stacking model has better robustness and generalization performance. Besides, the feature relative importance of four ensemble learning models was analysed, for enhancing the interpretability of ML models and pointing out the research direction of feature engineering in the future.
Implementation science: A critical but undervalued part of the healthcare innovation ecosystem
Authors: Chan Sze Ling , Lum Elaine , Ong Marcus E. H. , Graves Nicholas
Published: October 2022

Healthcare systems face many competing demands and insufficient resources. Service innovations to improve efficiency are important to address this challenge. Innovations can range from new pharmaceuticals, alternate models of care, novel devices, and the use other technologies. Suboptimal implementation can mean lost benefits. This review article aims to highlight the role of implementation science, summarize how settings have leveraged this methodology to promote translation of innovation into practice, and describe our own experience of embedding implementation science into an academic medical center in Singapore. Implementation science offers a range of methods to promote systematic uptake of research findings about innovations and is gaining recognition worldwide as an important discipline for health services researchers. Health systems around the world have tried to promote implementation research in their settings by establishing (1) dedicated centers/programs, (2) offering funding, and (3) building knowledge and capacity among staff. Implementation science is a critical piece in the translational pathway of “evidence to innovation.” The three efforts we describe should be strengthened to integrate implementation science into the innovation ecosystem around the world.