bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Update on safety and feasibility of the combination of pembrolizumab and pelvic chemoradiation in locally advanced cervical cancer
Authors: Duska Linda R. , Petroni Gina R. , Thaker Premal H. , Crane Erin K. , Holman Laura L. , Armstrong Debrorah K. , Romano Kara , Scalici Jennifer
Published: February 2025

Background

The addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors to standard‐of‐care chemoradiation (CRT) is established as the new standard of care in high‐risk, locally advanced cervical cancer. However, the optimal sequencing of therapies is unknown. Defining safety and feasibility of the combination was a primary objective of this study examining concurrent versus sequential schedules.

Methods

Pembrolizumab was given after or during CRT in a randomized phase 2 design. Patients aged 18 years and older with locally advanced cervical cancer, stages IB–IVA (according to 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging) were randomized 1:1 to treatment regimens. CRT was identical for both arms. Pembrolizumab was administered every 3 weeks for three doses; no maintenance was allowed. Safety assessments included the incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs), and feasibility was measured by the completion of treatment in a predefined timeframe. Translational specimens (blood and tissue) were collected.

Results

In total, 94 evaluable patients completed treatment. Treatment‐related grade ≥2 toxicity was experienced by 85 of 94 patients (90%); 40 patients (43%) had at least one grade 3 AE, and 22 (23%) had at least one grade 4 AE. There were no grade 5 AEs. Eighty percent of patients completed radiotherapy within 56 days, and 85% completed five or six doses of cisplatin and three doses of pembrolizumab (74 of 94 patients; 79%).

Conclusions

The final results of this study support the safety and feasibility of adding pembrolizumab to pelvic CRT, concurrently and sequentially. Progression‐free and overall survival were not affected or different between treatment arms. An analysis of the translational end points is ongoing and will inform future study designs.
Enhanced the Long‐Cycle Performance of SiOx/C Anode Materials Via Ti and Sn Bimetallic Doping Strategy
Authors: Yang Baoguo , Bai Zhe , Luo Qian , Tang Zhenyuan , Li Jun
Published: February 2025

Silicon oxide (SiOx), due to its significant reversible capacity and significantly reduced volume expansion compared to pure silicon, holds promise as a candidate for high‐performance lithium‐ion battery anode materials. Unfortunately, SiOx still faces challenges for commercialization due to its volume expansion exceeding 160 %, low initial coulombic efficiency, and low electrical conductivity. In this study, we employed metal oxides containing Ti and Sn to dope SiOx/C materials, utilizing a sol‐gel method to prepare SiOx/TiO2/SnO2/C composite anode materials. Furthermore, we adjusted the doping ratios of Sn and Ti to explore the optimal amount for improving the electrochemical performance of the material. Ultimately, it was found that the SiOx/TiO2/SnO2/C composite material prepared with a molar ratio of silicon, titanium, and tin at 10 : 0.7 : 0.3 exhibited the best performance, achieving an initial discharge capacity of 1845.33 mAh ⋅ g−1 at a current density of 100 mA ⋅ g−1 and maintaining a reversible capacity of 843.41 mAh ⋅ g−1 after 100 cycles, with a capacity retention rate of 75.9 %. This work provides a relatively simple method to composite Ti and Sn metal oxides with SiOx, introducing additional conductive pathways to enhance the material‘s conductivity.
Cancer Awareness and Screening Practices of Ghanaian Adults: A Cross‐Sectional Survey
Authors: Akakpo Patrick Kafui , Akakpo Martin Gameli
Published: February 2025

Background

Cancer screening has been identified as an important contributor to cancer prevention and the control of both morbidity and mortality from cancer. Despite its importance, screening rates have remained low in Ghana. This study investigated some key predictors of screening habits and the rates of awareness for selected cancers that are amenable to screening and early detection. The health belief model provided theoretical support for the investigation.

Methods

Data was collected from 503 adults in an online survey with a questionnaire, between June and August 2021. Univariate statistical analysis was used to determine the frequencies and percentages of variables. The multivariate analysis used a correlation and a logistic regression to measure association and test a model.

Results

Participants were aged between 18 and 74 with a mean age of 32.74. Females made up 61.4% of the sample while males accounted for 38.6%. Only 37.6% of participants had previously screened for cancer while 62.4% had never screened. The study hypothesized that age, gender, and Cancer Awareness predict the Cancer Screening habits of respondents. The logistic regression showed that, Age (B = 0.10, SE = 0.01, p = 0.00) and Gender (B = −0.2.71, SE = 0.30, p = 0.00) predicted cancer screening habit.

Conclusion

Age and gender can predict screening habits. Awareness did not predict screening in this study. The reason and meaning of the findings are discussed and suggestions for improvement of screening uptake and for future research are provided.
A Distributed Information Granulation Method for Time Series Clustering
Authors: Mu Yashuang , Liu Tian , Zhang Wenqiang , Guo Hongyue , Wang Lidong , Liu Xiaodong
Published: February 2025

Time series clustering is an important research problem in machine learning and data mining. With the rapid increase in the amount of time series data, many traditional clustering algorithms cannot directly deal with large‐scale time series due to some limitations in the memory capacity and the execution time. In this study, we suggest a distributed information granulation method for large‐scale time clustering problem. First, a distributed time series partitioning method is designed to randomly divide the original time series dataset into some data blocks. Then, the distributed time series granulation method is developed in the map‐reduce framework by the principle of reasonable granularity, where each time series can be described by some representative data points to show the trend state information. Finally, we introduce the large‐scale time series clustering method in terms of the fuzzy C‐means clustering algorithm. The experimental studies demonstrate the feasibility and the effectiveness on several UCR publicly benchmark time series datasets. Compared with the classical clustering methods, the proposed method can achieve a 4.86–9.65% improvement in average clustering accuracy. Meanwhile, the proposed method exhibits more advantages in both unequal length time series clustering and execution time.
Immune Regulatory Crosstalk in Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis
Authors: Yildiz Ramazan , Ganbold Khatanzul , Sparman Njeri Z. R. , Rajbhandari Prashant
Published: February 2025

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) and thermogenic beige fat within white adipose tissue (WAT), collectively known as adaptive thermogenic fat, dissipate energy as heat, offering promising therapeutic potential to combat obesity and metabolic disorders. The specific biological functions of these fat depots are determined by their unique interaction with the microenvironments, composed of immune cells, endothelial cells, pericytes, and nerve fibers. Immune cells residing in these depots play a key role in regulating energy expenditure and systemic energy homeostasis. The dynamic microenvironment of thermogenic fat depots is essential for maintaining tissue health and function. Immune cells infiltrate both BAT and beige WAT, contributing to their homeostasis and activation through intricate cellular communications. Emerging evidence underscores the importance of various immune cell populations in regulating thermogenic adipose tissue, though many remain undercharacterized. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the immune cells that regulate adaptive thermogenesis and their complex interactions within the adipose niche, highlighting their potential to influence metabolic health and contribute to therapeutic interventions for obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Formation of a Hemispherical Droplet in a Temperature Responsive Ionic Liquid by Optical Tweezers
Authors: Kobayashi Rai , Tsuboi Yasuyuki , Yuyama Ken‐ichi
Published: February 2025

Phase separation is related to a variety of chemical and biological processes. It proceeds stochastically in solutions, such that controlling it is a challenging issue. Here, we demonstrate local liquid‐liquid phase separation of a temperature‐responsive ionic liquid (IL) solution by utilizing a near‐infrared laser beam. Upon focusing the laser beam onto the glass/solution interface, a single liquid droplet is formed due to optical trapping and a photothermal effect. The resultant droplet deposits on to the glass substrate, exhibiting a hemispherical shape. Under further laser irradiation, the droplet grows to a large size and increases in ionic liquid concentration, which is confirmed by Raman and fluorescence spectroscopic analysis. We observe that the droplet formation strongly depends on the surface properties of a glass substrate. We discuss the formation dynamics by considering optical and thermal potentials in addition to the interaction between the Ionic liquid and the substrate.
Parents and clinicians disagree on extent of developmental problems in their preterm babies
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: February 2025

Do parents know what it means when their babies are born preterm? Not always, according to a recent study. Unfortunately, this can have life‐or‐death consequences if the risk of neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) is overestimated by clinicians, according to the multicenter study, led by clinicians and researchers in Canada. The study showed that parents' views should be incorporated into definitions of NDI, according to the authors. The main problem is that definitions of NDI were developed without the perspectives of parents, the researchers note. So there is little agreement between parental and medical classification of NDI in preterm children. The study involved parents of 1098 children, and the children, born at under 29 weeks gestation.
Porphyria Diagnostics Part 2: Essential Biochemical Testing for Diagnosis of the Porphyrias
Authors: Ramanujam Vaithamanithi‐Mudumbai Sadagopa , Moghe Akshata , Huda Ruksana , Turner Shalonda B. , Anderson Karl E.
Published: February 2025

Porphyrins and porphyrin precursors are normally detected in small amounts in healthy individuals but are found in large quantities in the urine, feces, blood, plasma, bone marrow, and liver in patients with various types of porphyrias. These are intermediates, or are derived from intermediates, in the pathway for heme biosynthesis. Heme is synthesized in all body tissues but in the largest amounts in the bone marrow and liver. Accurately measuring these compounds is important for diagnosis and monitoring of porphyrias. In addition, measurement of enzyme activities and mutation analyses by DNA sequencing enables confirmation of a porphyria diagnosis and genetic counseling. Biochemical approaches described here include measurements of porphyrin precursors and porphyrins in the urine, feces, plasma, erythrocytes, and liver, and determination of specific enzyme activities in erythrocytes and other cells. © 2025 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Zebrafish Model for Thrombosis and Brain‐Behavior Studies
Authors: Mary Jabila , Jagadeeswaran Pudur
Published: February 2025

Hemostasis is a defense mechanism for preventing fluid loss in an injured organism with a circulatory system. In mammals, it begins at the site of the injury, with platelet adhesion to components of the subendothelial matrix activating a series of platelet signaling events that ultimately form a primary hemostatic plug. This process is followed by coagulation cascade activation, leading to fibrin formation and reinforcement of the plug. Thrombosis, an intravascular form of fibrin formation, is unpredictable and often associated with severe pain. Despite decades of research, many hemostatic and thrombotic factors remain unknown. To address this, we introduced zebrafish as a genetic model for studying thrombosis and pain. The piggyback knockdown method is used to knock down genes related to hemostasis and other biochemical or physiological pathways. Blood collection in zebrafish is important in characterizing hemostasis mutants such as hemophilia, in assaying blood coagulation, and in counting thrombocytes in diseases such as thrombocytopenia. FACS analysis is used to study thrombocyte development. Thrombocyte aggregation by flow cytometry and a plate tilt method is used in the functional evaluation of thrombocytes in hemostasis. Defects in coagulation can be studied by kinetic blood coagulation assays and bleeding assays. Laser thrombosis is a global assay that measures blood clotting, thrombocyte function, and endothelial function, including stasis. This technique is useful when screening for genes affecting hemostasis in a genome‐wide manner. As pain is sensed by the PAR2 receptor, the trypsin aversion assay detects this pathway and can be used to identify genes related to pain pathways. © 2025 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Gene silencing by piggyback knockdown

Basic Protocol 2: Blood collection from adult zebrafish

Basic Protocol 3: Quantification of thrombocytes by FACS analysis

Basic Protocol 4: Thrombocyte aggregation assay by flow cytometry

Alternate Protocol 1: Whole‐blood aggregation assay by the plate tilt method

Basic Protocol 5: Kinetic blood coagulation assays

Support Protocol: Preparation of zebrafish thromboplastin

Basic Protocol 6: Laser thrombosis assay

Basic Protocol 7: Chemically induced gill bleeding assay

Alternate Protocol 2: Mechanically induced bleeding assay

Basic Protocol 8: Trypsin aversion assay in zebrafish larvae
Minimal Component, Protein‐Free, and Cost‐effective Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Cardiomyocyte Differentiation
Authors: Iwanski Jessika B. , Lawal Odunayo S. , Kwon William T. , Vazquez Isabella , Churko Jared M.
Published: February 2025

Human pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC‐CMs) have become a powerful source for the in vitro modeling of cardiac diseases and various other essential applications, including cardiotoxicity screening and regenerative cell replacement therapies. Although many differentiation protocols have been developed to generate cardiomyocytes from human pluripotent stem cells, these protocols are costly and complex, requiring expensive and often unnecessary components (e.g., B27 medium supplement). In addition, the use of animal‐derived growth factors limits their use for regenerative medicine purposes. To address these issues, herein, we have developed an efficient, cost‐effective, and protein‐free hPSC‐CM protocol using only two components: DMEM/F12 basal medium and l‐ascorbic acid 2‐phosphate. By eliminating xenobiotic and complex components, the efficiency of directed differentiations is increased, the variability between cardiac differentiations is decreased, and the scalability of cell production is enhanced. Adaptation of this efficient, low‐cost, and user‐friendly cardiac differentiation protocol will enrich the utility and applicability of hPSC‐CMs in drug discovery, cell therapies, tissue engineering, disease modeling, precision medicine, and cardiac regenerative medicine. © 2025 The Author(s). Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: hPSC cell culture

Basic Protocol 2: hPSC‐CM differentiation

Basic Protocol 3: Characterization of hPSC‐CMs by immunofluorescence (IF) imaging
Microstructural Analysis and Optical Linearity and Nonlinearity of Nanostructured Al─Doped ZnO/SnO2 Thin Films
Authors: Muiva Cosmas , Muchuweni Edigar , Sebuso Dineo Pono , Matabana Thabang Kealeboga , Thobega Mosimanegape , Vasco Henry
Published: February 2025

Al─doped ZnO/SnO2 (Al─ZnO/SnO2) thin films are prepared using spray pyrolysis followed by an investigation of their microstructural and optical properties. Unlike ZnO, Al─doped ZnO (Al─ZnO), SnO2 and Al─doped SnO2 (Al─SnO2) films, which exhibited polycrystalline structures with distinct peaks, Al─ZnO/SnO2 films displayed a single sharp peak, indicating strong preferential orientation along the ZnO (100) plane. Scanning electron microscopy revealed spherical aggregates of random polycrystals in ZnO and SnO2 samples, while Al─ZnO/SnO2 films have more pores/voids and various nanostructures, including nanorods growing parallel to the substrate. These nanorods provided 1D conductive pathways that closed the open‐circuits created by the pores/voids, thereby improving electron transport. The refractive index (n) and extinction coefficient (k) are evaluated using the Cauchy normal dispersion model, and the obtained values are used to determine other linear and nonlinear optical parameters. Al─ZnO/SnO2 films exhibited low n (≈1.45) and k (≈0) in the visible region, an enhanced band gap (≈3.8 eV), and low Urbach energy (≈84 meV), which minimized light scattering losses, resulting in high visible region transmittance (≈90%). The synergy between high transparency and improved electrical conductivity inferred from the enhanced microstructural and optoelectronic properties makes these films promising candidates for use as transparent conducting electrodes in optoelectronic devices.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Business Excellence: Examining the Serial Mediation of Green Entrepreneurial Orientation and Differentiation Strategy
Authors: Aftab Junaid , Veneziani Monica , Wei Feng , Abid Nabila , Aftab Fahad
Published: February 2025

Due to increasing pressure to implement sustainable practices, firms often exhibit reluctance and indecision, mainly driven by concerns about profit reduction. This study examines and clarifies how firms can utilize corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices by integrating additional strategies to enhance performance. Specifically, we examine how CSR can improve firm performance through the serial mediation of green entrepreneurial orientation (GEO) and differentiation strategy. Additionally, the role of green innovation as a moderator is investigated. Data from 442 small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises were analyzed using the “structural equation modeling” technique. Grounded in a resource‐based view, the results confirm a serial mediation effect of GEO and differentiation strategy between CSR and firm performance. Furthermore, green innovation positively affects both the differentiation strategy and firm performance. Surprisingly, the results show that green innovation does not moderate either (a) the influence of GEO on differentiation strategy or (b) the relationship between differentiation strategy and firm performance. The results contribute to the literature by demonstrating how the interplay between CSR, GEO, green innovation, and differentiation strategies enhances firm performance. These findings also challenge the prevailing assumption that green innovation universally moderates performance indicators, highlighting instead that its moderating effect is context‐specific and not universally applicable. A key takeaway for managers is that implementing GEO and differentiation strategies enables CSR to generate substantial benefits for firms.
A New Targeted Transgenic Mouse Line for the Study of Protocadherin γC4
Authors: McLeod Cathy M. , Hanes Camille M. , Fuller Leah C. , Bhandari Samjhana , Lanthier Hannah G. , Burgess Robert W. , Weiner Joshua A. , Garrett Andrew M.
Published: February 2025

The γ‐protocadherins (γ‐Pcdhs) comprise 22 homophilic cell adhesion molecule isoforms, expressed from the Pcdhg gene cluster via promoter choice mechanisms that serve many crucial functions during neural development. Emerging evidence supports the hypothesis that distinct isoforms have unique functions. The γC4 isoform, which is expressed from the Pcdhgc4 promoter and includes its unique variable exon, is the sole γ‐Pcdh isoform essential for the postnatal survival in mice. Here we describe a new mouse line (C4‐GFP) in which Pcdhgc4 with a C‐terminal GFP tag is expressed from the Rosa26 locus following excision of a lox‐Stop‐lox cassette by Cre recombinase. We report that restricted expression of this transgene in the nervous system using Nestin‐Cre is sufficient to rescue the neonatal lethality of mice mutant for Pcdhgc4. This new line will be a vital tool for dissecting mechanisms underlying the functions of this essential cell adhesion molecule gene, mutations in which have been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in humans.
Study on the Genetic Diversity Characteristics of the Endemic Plant Rhododendron bailiense in Guizhou, China Based on SNP Molecular Markers
Authors: Luo Jun , Yuan Congjun , Wang Haodong , Zhang Jianhua , Chen Jin , He Shuang , Chen Meng , Dai Xiaoyong , Luo Dali
Published: February 2025

Rhododendron bailiense was identified as a new species in 2013, with approximately 150 individuals existing globally, found only in Dafang County and Panzhou City, Guizhou Province, China. Despite its discovery, the genetic diversity and population structure of this species remain poorly understood, hindering efforts to collect and conserve wild germplasm resources. In this study, double digest restriction‐site associated DNA sequencing was conducted on 26 samples from two populations of R. bailiense to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci. Using these data, the research explores the genetic diversity and structure of R. bailiense populations and infers their population dynamics and evolutionary history. The results indicate that R. bailiense has a moderate level of genetic diversity (π = 0.2489, Ho = 0.2039, He = 0.2331). Genetic differentiation between populations is relatively high (55.94%), with a genetic differentiation coefficient (FST) of 0.1907. This suggests that R. bailiense historically might have been a large population, which, due to geological historical events, became fragmented into the two existing populations. The Panzhou population demonstrates a heterozygote selection advantage. Conversely, the Dafang population faces the risk of inbreeding depression, further exacerbated by its limited gene flow. Consequently, in situ conservation is recommended for the Panzhou population, while ex‐situ conservation is suggested for the Dafang population. Additionally, research on breeding techniques is necessary to expand the population size while maintaining high genetic diversity.
One‐Step Formation of a Decasubstituted Phenanthrene by Coupling and Fragmentation of a Smaller Precursor
Authors: Finch Ki F. , McSkimming Alex , Zhang Xiaodong , Zhao Qi , Xie Mingshu , Pascal Robert A.
Published: February 2025

When 8‐bromo‐1,2,3,4,5,6,7‐heptaphenyl‐1,4‐dihydro‐1,4‐epoxynaphthalene (5) is heated with copper powder and no solvent at 340 °C under argon, the chief product is 1,8‐dibenzoyl‐2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10‐octaphenylphenanthrene (6) in yields as high as 68 %. The reaction appears to involve Ullmann coupling of 5 and expulsion of two molecules of diphenylacetylene to give a decaphenyl bis(isobenzofuran) which then undergoes intramolecular cyclization and fragmentation to yield phenanthrene 6.
A Novel Electrochemical Platform Based on Cadmium (II) (fluorophenyl)Porphyrin and Gold Nanoparticles Modified Screen‐Printed Electrode Electrode for the Sensitive Detection of Bisphenol A
Authors: Rejab Fatma , Dardouri Nour Elhouda , Rouis Ahlem , Echabaane Mosaab , Nasri Habib , Halima Hamdi Ben , Jaffrezic‐Renault Nicole
Published: February 2025

Bisphenol A (BPA) is categorized as an endocrine‐disrupting substance; it is a risky substance to both environmental and human health, necessitating monitoring. In this present study, a novel electrochemical sensing platform based on Cd metalloporphyrin ([(5,10,15,20‐ tetrakis(p‐flurophenyl) porphyrinato] cadmium (II) [CdTFPP]) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for a rapid and sensitive determination of BPA was designed. To confirm the successful synthesis of CdTFPP, UV/vis, IR, and 1H NMR were employed. The detection platform CdTFPP/AuNPs/SPCE was prepared using a screen‐printed electrode (SPCE), through the deposition of AuNPs and CdTFPP by drop‐casting. Under optimized measuring conditions, the developed sensor exhibited two linear ranges from 10−10 to 10−7 M and 10−7 to 10−2 M with a limit of detection of 133 pM. Additionally, the CdTFPP/AuNPs/SPCE/ electrode demonstrated to present an excellent selectivity and reproducibility and to be a promising tool for the development of simple low‐cost water quality monitoring system for BPA detection.
Selective Electrochemical Sensing of Sunset Yellow in Beverages Based on Synergistic Signal Amplification of HKUST1 and MWCNTs
Authors: Mthiyane Khethiwe , Uwaya Gloria Ebube , Bisetty Krishna
Published: February 2025

In this study, a highly selective electrooxidation method for sunset yellow (SY) detection in real food samples is presented on the basis of the integration of HKUST1 with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) doped on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Cyclic voltammetry measurements of the HKUST‐1‐MWCNT‐composite electrode revealed enhanced sensitivity for SY with a distinct redox peak potential of approximately 0.6 V, which was attributed to the highly active surface of the electrode. This response was notably more pronounced than those of tartrazine, allura red and amaranth. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis revealed a low charge transfer resistance (Rct) for the GCE‐HKUST‐1‐MWCNT electrode, indicating that the integration of HKUST−1 and MWCNTs significantly enhanced the electrical conductivity. In addition, Monte Carlo simulations revealed that a single copper paddle wheel (the secondary building unit of HKUST−1) greatly enhanced the dispersion of the MWCNTs within the matrix. Notably, revealing that the preferred adsorption site of SY was within the inner surface of the MWCNTs, leading to signal amplification. Overall, the sensor achieved limits of detection and limits of quantification of 1.03 and 3.44 μM, respectively, within a defined linear dynamic range. Furthermore, the sensor demonstrated strong practical applicability in real sample analysis, with an excellent recovery rate ranging from 83.11 to 114%. This sensing technique shows great promise for the selective monitoring and detection of synthetic colourants in the food sector.
Synergetic Integration of Energy Recovery across Multiple Joint in Human Lower Limb Motion: A Biomechanical Exploration
Authors: Ren Limin , Jiang En , Li Shixun , Zhou Yang , Sun Xuewen , Kou Enhe , Zhang Ruijie , Tan Yisong
Published: February 2025

Current energy harvesting devices in the field of human lower limb energy recovery have the problems of low energy recovery efficiency and large mass and volume. To solve these problems, this article proposes a multijoint synergistic energy recovery device based on the concept of synergistic energy recovery, with the aim of allowing one energy harvester to collect negative work from multiple joints simultaneously. The recovery efficiency of the harvester is improved by increasing the energy recovery source. The mechanism achieves synergistic recovery of negative work in multiple joints of the human lower limb. The mechanical structure consists of a four‐bar mechanism, limit switches, a planetary gear system, and a differential mechanism to complete the energy capture and coupling. Multiple energy streams are superimposed in an orderly manner without loss. The experimental results demonstrate the efficient output of this harvester in collecting and coupling energy in the negative work zone of the knee and hip joints. This integrated multijoint energy harvester achieves an output voltage of 118 V under normal human walking conditions. The device achieves a power output of 3.21 W and a power density of 7.32 W kg−1 at 2 Hz.
Using bi‐reforming of methane in natural gas burners: A novel environmentally friendly method for enhancement of thermal properties of flame
Authors: Pourhoseini S. H.
Published: February 2025

A novel interesting method based on bi‐reforming of methane was proposed for improvement of flame thermal characteristics and radiation heat flux (RHF) in natural gas (NG) furnaces. In the proposed plan, bi‐reforming was done by recirculation of the flue gas. The recirculated flue gas which dominantly including CO2 and H2O and inert gas N2 mixed with a certain part of NG flow and the mixture passed through an array of nickel based catalysts placed inside a helical tube mounted in the furnace wall to bi‐reforming process is done. Gasses mixture temperature of 800°C, p = 1 atm and the ratio of CH4/(CO2 + H2O) = 0.8 were the proposed bi‐reforming condition. The results indicated that in the proposed bi‐reforming condition, significant portion of CH4 and CO2 converted to H2 and CO. The CH4 and CO2 conversion were 98.47% and 81.18% while the yield of H2 and CO as the target reaction products were 94.40% and 93.38%, respectively. Bi‐reforming changed the NG flame from blue to a yellow luminous. Furthermore, since the methane adiabatic flame temperature at p = 1 atm is greater than that of for hydrogen, H2 generated by bi‐reforming combusted inside the combustion reaction zone and raises the flame temperature. Both enhance the flame temperature and luminosity raises RHF as much as 30%. Finally, although the bi‐reforming slightly increases the NOx emission, it decreases the total amount of flue gas emission to environment, which makes the method environmentally friendly.
Seismic Design of Hybrid Coupled CLT Shear Walls with Steel Link Beams
Authors: Moerman Ben , Li Minghao , Smith Tobias
Published: February 2025

This study proposes a seismic design method for hybrid coupled cross‐laminated timber (CLT) shear walls with steel link beams as the lateral load‐resisting system for mass timber buildings. A force‐based seismic design method was proposed as a preliminary design process to determine the primary structural components. To inform the selection of several factors in the design method, a series of pushover analyses were conducted on 23 prototype configurations with CLT wall piers and steel link beams of varying size. Based on the results, it is recommended to use a minimum ratio of wall pier length to link beam length of 3 and a degree of coupling factor (β, which defines the portion of overturning resisted by link beams) between 0.5 and 0.6. Coupled CLT walls were then designed for sample buildings of 6, 8 and 10 storeys using the proposed design method, and their expected seismic performance was evaluated using pushover and non‐linear time‐history analyses (NLTHA). For ultimate limit state (ULS) seismic events, only the six‐storey building experienced collapse for one of twelve ground motions, which may indicate unacceptable performance depending on the acceptance criteria set by the design engineer. The mean peak drift predicted by the non‐linear analyses for the set of buildings was 1.6% which is below the common 2.5% limit for ULS events set by building codes. The NLTHAs predicted greater deformation demands than the pushover analyses for all three sample buildings, in part because they explicitly consider stiffness degradation and the system's pinched hysteretic behaviour. In general, the proposed design parameters were appropriate for the proposed hybrid coupled CLT shear wall system but non‐linear verification is still essential to verify the force‐based design.
Seismic Mitigation of Freestanding Artifacts With Mass Filling
Authors: Huang Baofeng , Tian Yang , Liu Jiahan , Liu Jianhong
Published: February 2025

Freestanding artifacts are carriers of cultural heritage, and earthquake damage should be avoided as much as possible. Seismic mitigation measures for lowering the center of gravity (CG) by filling a mass have not been well investigated. Using a ceramic vase as a typical artifact object, the correlations between the location of the CG and the filling material were analyzed, and lead beads were determined to be the candidate material for the experimental and analytical investigations. Rectangular rigid block models of the vase with and without mass filling were constructed for rocking analysis. Comparative free‐rocking and shaking‐table tests were performed on vases with and without mass filling. Mass filling can reduce the coefficient of restitution, free‐rocking time duration, and quarter period while increasing the damping ratio. Instrumented earthquake records from a seven‐story building were employed in the comparative shake table tests of the vases. The filling mass considerably reduced the rotation and displacement amplitudes compared with those of the empty vase, whereas the reduction in the acceleration amplitude was not as apparent. The experimental and computational results for each test series were identical. Fragility curves were constructed using the shaking‐table testing results. Analytical results were obtained utilizing additional instrumented earthquake records experienced by the building. Given the peak floor acceleration, the probability of failure of the filled vase was reduced compared with that of the empty vase. The effect of the story level on the probability of failure was not prominent. This study is advantageous for the seismic mitigation of various freestanding artifacts in buildings and other nonstructural components.
Minimizing Carbon Capture Costs in Power Plants: A Novel Dimensional Analysis Framework for Techno‐Economic Evaluation of Oxyfuel Combustion, Pre‐combustion, and Post‐combustion Capture Systems
Authors: Obi Donald , Onyekuru Samuel , Orga Anslem
Published: February 2025

The imperative to mitigate anthropogenic CO2 emissions from power generation plants, which account for approximately 40% of global emissions, necessitates developing and deploying carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. This study undertakes a comprehensive techno‐economic evaluation of three primary CO2 capture technologies—pre‐combustion, post‐combustion, and oxy‐fuel combustion—integrated with natural gas power plants. Utilizing Aspen HYSYS design simulation and economic assessments, the technical and economic viability of each technology were investigated, considering key metrics such as levelized cost of energy (LCOE), carbon emission intensity (CEI), cost of carbon avoidance (COA), investment costs, production costs, net present value, and rate of return. A multi‐criteria evaluation framework incorporating dimensional analysis was employed to compare the technologies, and the results revealed post‐combustion capture as the most viable option with a cost factor (CF) value of 0.85, striking an optimal balance between efficiency, costs, and environmental impact. With minimized TIC and TPC, well below the conventional processes, this study produced a unique framework for reducing costs in CCS technology deployment. Conversely, oxy‐fuel combustion has huge drawbacks regarding low profitability as it was found to have the highest total investment cost (TIC) of $8,258,483.99 and annual production cost (APC) of $9,234,870. In contrast, a higher CEI of 0.05 tCO2/MWh and COA of $150.33/tCO2 make pre‐combustion less environmentally friendly than the three technologies. The findings of this study provide critical insights to inform decision‐making in CCUS development, supporting a low‐carbon energy transition. Future research directions should focus on evaluating feasible configurations and optimizing post‐combustion capture technology for commercial‐scale deployment.
Biogeomorphological inheritance: The legacy of past landforms constrains future tropical coastal landscapes
Authors: Woodroffe Colin D.
Published: February 2025

Coasts are some of the most dynamic environments on Earth. Coastal systems comprise physical environments together with a biological component, and, for much of the world, a human element, which in many cases imposes anthropogenic stresses. The biological component is especially prominent in the tropics, and the biogeomorphology of these coasts is dominated by the role played by key organisms: corals, which form impressive coral reefs, and mangroves, which fringe low‐energy shorelines. Whereas the present is the key to the past, the past also sets the stage on which future changes play out. Coral reefs have played a prominent role in deciphering the trajectory of past sea‐level change, and modern reefs are often founded on older Pleistocene reefs. Inheritance is apparent both at the scale of interglacial highstands and in terms of the Holocene landforms that characterise reef‐top habitats. The stratigraphy of mangrove environments reveals their more passive response to sea‐level rise, constrained by accommodation space provided by the prior topography. The suite of landforms that have developed during the past few millennia have resulted in a variable coastal landscape. Tidal incursion into low‐lying terrain enables mangrove establishment, re‐occupying former channel courses. The trajectory of past landform change has been contingent on biogeomorphological history, and the future response of these tropical systems will also reflect in part the legacy of their geomorphological evolution. The role of inheritance is investigated with respect to reef and wetland environments, illustrating how past coastal landforms predispose future response.
Drilling and DUCs in the Permian Basin
Authors: Dossani Asad , Elder John
Published: February 2025

We use data on US onshore oil exploration to investigate the responsiveness of domestic production to oil price shocks; and the response of firm investment to uncertainty. Onshore oil exploration can be segmented into drilling wells and completing wells for production. Firms may delay their most substantial investment by drilling wells but leaving them uncompleted, creating wells which are Drilled but Uncompleted (DUCs). We analyze monthly data on well completions and DUCs to explore how firms adjust well completions in response to changes in oil prices and uncertainty about oil prices. We find that positive oil price shocks cause completed wells to increase and DUCs to decrease. We also find that uncertainty shocks induce drillers to delay their largest investment by increasing the ratio of DUCs to completions. Our results suggest that domestic producers use inventories of DUCs as a buffer to accelerate or delay well completions.
Among Land Snail Shells and Ashes: Geoarchaeological Analysis of the Maximiano Rockshelter, Southeast Brazil
Authors: Batalla Nicolás , Okumura Mercedes , Munita Casimiro S. , French Charles , Araujo Astolfo G. M.
Published: February 2025

Geoarchaeological studies, particularly those incorporating micromorphology and associated techniques, have revealed the complex depositional and post‐depositional history of mollusk shell‐matrix archaeological sites, mostly in coastal areas where these sites are more widespread. But geoarchaeology can also be crucial to disentangle human and natural agencies in inland shell‐rich settings, including caves and rock‐shelters. In this paper, the site formation processes of the land snail‐rich Maximiano Rockshelter, located in the karstic upper Ribeira de Iguape River valley of southern São Paulo state, Southeast of Brazil, are tackled. Embedded in the neotropical Atlantic Forest, the site contains lithics, bone artifacts, and faunal and human remains dating between ~11,165 and 1282 cal year B.P. Facies and microfacies were characterized in exposed stratigraphic profiles through micromorphology, particle size analysis, major, minor, and trace elements, and FTIR spectroscopy. Despite the strong humification affecting most of the site, results indicate deposits resulting from anthropic activities such as the dumping of land snail shells and other remains, the tossing of entire and fragmented shells in sub‐horizontally distributed layers, primary combustion features, and dumping/sweeping of combustion‐derived materials. Shell‐bearing facies exhibit similarities with chronologically contemporaneous Ribeira de Iguape basin's riverine sambaquis.
The Roles of Renewable Energy and Natural Resources in Shaping a Greener Switzerland: A Consumption‐Side Perspective
Authors: Anser Muhammad Khalid , Radulescu Magdalena , Khan Zulfiqar , Nassani Abdelmohsen A.
Published: February 2025

This research intends to examine how renewable energy (REN) consumption and natural resource (RES) rents affect the environmental impact of consumption in Switzerland. Along with REN and RES, the study considers Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and participatory democracy as other independent variables of interest. The study measures the environmental impact of consumption by considering consumption‐based CO2 emissions. The study covers the period from 1990 to 2021. For econometric analysis, the study employs a dynamic version of the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model along with other pre‐ and post‐diagnostic tests. The study findings confirm that there are negative and significant effects of REN use on the environmental impact of consumption during the long run and short run period, which is further confirmed by causality results from frequency domain causality analysis. However, RES rents do not significantly affect the environment given the scarcity of RES in this country. The short‐run analysis from the dynamic ARDL model confirms the negative impact of ICT and participatory democracy on the environmental impact of consumption, but long‐run coefficients remain insignificant. However, the frequency domain result only confirms the causality from democracy to environmental impacts. The study findings are further validated by a machine learning algorithm. Finally, several policy implications are suggested to reduce the environmental impact of consumption in this economy.
The Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 Regulates the Morphology and Maturation of Human and Rat Oligodendrocytes
Authors: Ramesh Vidya , Tsoukala Eleni , Kougianou Ioanna , Kozic Zrinko , Burr Karen , Viswanath Biju , Hampton David , Story David , Reddy Bharath Kumar , Pal Rakhi , Dando Owen , Kind Peter C. , Chattarji Sumantra , Selvaraj Bhuvaneish T. , Chandran Siddharthan , Zoupi Lida
Published: February 2025

The Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein (FMRP) is an RNA binding protein that regulates the translation of multiple mRNAs and is expressed by neurons and glia in the mammalian brain. Loss of FMRP leads to fragile X syndrome (FXS), a common inherited form of intellectual disability and autism. While most research has been focusing on the neuronal contribution to FXS pathophysiology, the role of glia, particularly oligodendrocytes, is largely unknown. FXS individuals are characterized by white matter changes, which imply impairments in oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination. We hypothesized that FMRP regulates oligodendrocyte maturation and myelination during postnatal development. Using a combination of human pluripotent stem cell—derived oligodendrocytes and an Fmr1 knockout rat model, we studied the role of FMRP on mammalian oligodendrocyte development. We found that the loss of FMRP leads to shared defects in oligodendrocyte morphology in both rat and human systems in vitro, which persist in the presence of FMRP‐expressing axons in chimeric engraftment models. Our findings point to species‐conserved, cell‐autonomous defects during oligodendrocyte maturation in FXS.
Myelination Trajectory and Microglial Dynamics Following Repeated Sevoflurane Exposure in Developing Brain
Authors: Che Ji , Wu Yuanyuan , Dong Jing , Jiang Xuliang , Yang Li , Chen Yali , Zhang Jun
Published: February 2025

The myelination is a critical process during brain development. This study aimed to explore the impact of volatile anesthetic sevoflurane on developing myelination and the role of microglial activation in this process. Neonatal C57BL/6J mice were exposed to sevoflurane at their postnatal 6–8 days. Neurobehavioral tests were used to assess fine motor and cognitive functions. Myelination of hippocampus (HC) and corpus callosum (CC), as well as microglial activation, were determined by western blotting and immunostaining. Lipid droplets were assessed by Oil‐Red‐O and Bodipy staining. Further, primary microglia were co‐cultured with oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) to determine the role of microglia in the proliferation and differentiation of OPC. And microglial inhibitor minocycline and CSF1R inhibitor PLX5622 were administered to assess the effects of microglial activation on developing myelination. The results showed that repeated sevoflurane exposure impaired both fine motor and cognitive functions and induced abnormal expressions of myelin‐related proteins myelin basic protein (MBP) and platelet‐derived growth factor α receptor (PDGFR‐α). And accumulations of lipid droplets were found in the microglia of HC and CC after sevoflurane exposure. Further, the spatiotemporal response to repeated sevoflurane exposure in glial cells exhibited an aberrant myelination process and microglial polarization. The conditioned medium from sevoflurane‐treated microglia inhibited the OPC proliferation and differentiation, while minocycline or PLX5622 alleviated sevoflurane‐induced neuroinflammation and hypomyelination. Therefore, repeated sevoflurane exposure negatively affected OPC differentiation and myelination trajectory through hyperactivating microglia in developing brain, leading to motor and cognitive impairments, while microglial inhibition/depletion could protect against sevoflurane‐induced damage on developing myelination.
AA147 Alleviates Symptoms in a Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis by Reducing Oligodendrocyte Loss
Authors: Aksu Metin , Kaschke Kevin , Podojil Joseph R. , Chiang MingYi , Steckler Ian , Bruce Kody , Cogswell Andrew C. , Schulz Gwen , Kelly Jeffery W. , Wiseman R. Luke , Miller Stephen D. , Popko Brian , Chen Yanan
Published: February 2025

Inflammation‐induced oligodendrocyte death and CNS demyelination are key features of multiple sclerosis (MS). Inflammation‐triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and oxidative stress promote tissue damage in MS and in its preclinical animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE). Compound AA147 is a potent activator of the ATF6 signaling arm of the unfolded protein response (UPR) that can also induce antioxidant signaling through activation of the NRF2 pathway in neuronal cells. Previous work showed that AA147 protects multiple tissues against ischemia/reperfusion damage through ATF6 and/or NRF2 activation; however, its therapeutic potential in neuroinflammatory disorders remains unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that AA147 ameliorated the clinical symptoms of EAE and reduced ER stress, oligodendrocyte loss, and demyelination. Additionally, AA147 suppressed T cells in the CNS without altering the peripheral immune response. Importantly, AA147 significantly increased the expressions of Grp78, an ATF6 target gene, in oligodendrocytes, while enhancing levels of Grp78 as well as Ho‐1, an NRF2 target gene, in microglia. In cultured oligodendrocytes, AA147 promoted nuclear translocation of ATF6, but not NRF2. Intriguingly, AA147 altered the microglia activation profile, possibly by triggering the NRF2 pathway. AA147 was not therapeutically beneficial during the acute EAE stage in mice lacking ATF6 in oligodendrocytes, indicating that protection primarily involves ATF6 activation in these cells. Overall, our results suggest AA147 as a potential therapeutic opportunity for MS by promoting oligodendrocyte survival and regulating microglia status through distinct mechanisms.