bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Fifteen Years Audit of Endometrial Cancer Referred for Adjuvant Treatment to a Tertiary Care Hospital in Northern India
Authors: Gupta Pramod Kumar , Singh Shalini , Gupta Rupali , Lal Punita , Rastogi Neeraj
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Endometrial cancer is the seventh most common cancer in women worldwide with Age Standardised Incidence Rate (ASIR) of 8.4 per lac. In Indian subcontinent, the incidence is lesser and the ASIR is 2.1/100,000 women. However, its incidence is on the steady rise in developing part of the world including India. Surgery is the primary treatment and adjuvant radiotherapy is given in patients with high-risk of recurrence and significant change has happened in the management in the last 20 years. From India limited literature is available for management practices for endometrial cancer. Aim: To assess the referral patterns, demography, staging, surgical practices, adjuvant treatment and follow-up policies for endometrial cancer in a tertiary care hospital in northern India. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was done for patients having endometrial cancer treated between January 2000- December 2015 in a tertiary care hospital in northern India in January 2022. A total of 93 patients having endometrial cancer were referred for radiotherapy. For these patients, their referral patterns, demography, staging, surgical practices, adjuvant treatment and follow-up policies were analysed, retrospectively. Disease Free Survival (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS) were computed by Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The median age at presentation was 55 years. Postmenopausal vaginal bleeding was the commonest symptom 78 (83.87%). Ultrasonography 23 (24.73%) was the preferred first imaging modality. Type 1 endometroid carcinoma was 75 (80.64%) and total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophrectomy was done in 82 (88.17%). Adjuvant External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) with Brachytherapy (BT) was given in 61 (65.59%), EBRT alone in 7(7.52%) and BT alone given in 11 (11.83%). Median EBRT dose was 50.4 Gy. Vaginal cylinder applicator was used in 69 (95.83%) out of 72 patients receiving BT. A 6.0 Gy/# to a total of 2 fractions were given in 57 (79.16%). Median treated length of vagina was 3 cm (range 2-8 cm). Five year DFS and OS was 25% and 25% and 64% and 62% respectively in worst and best case scenario. Ten (10.75%) patients, all having high-risk had multiple visceral and local recurrence. Conclusion: In patients with endometrial cancer, total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophrectomy is commonest surgical practice with adjuvant radiotherapy in high-risk patients. In a developing country like India, assuring uniformity of treatment protocols is a challenging task.
Perceived Organizational Support and Pedagogical Content Knowledge of TLE Teachers; the Mediating Role of Program Resources
Authors: Blanco Honey Jean M. , Tingzon Leilanie L.
Published: June 2023

This study determined the mediating effect of program resources on perceived organizational support and pedagogical content knowledge of TLE teachers. Quantitative descriptive correlational design was employed. The study was conducted through online survey in a public school of Division of Davao del Sur during the school year 2021-2022. The TLE public junior high school teachers who are the respondents were chosen using purposive sampling. Data utilized in this study were gathered through adopted questionnaires. Mean, Pearson product-moment correlation and path analysis were among the statistical tools used. Results revealed that TLE teachers had a very high level of perceived organizational support, a very high level of pedagogical content knowledge, and a high level of program resources. Moreover, there is a significant relationship among perceived organization support of TLE teachers and their pedagogical content knowledge, perceived organization support and program resources, and program resources and pedagogical content knowledge. It was also revealed that the program resources partially mediated the relationship between perceived organizational support and pedagogical content knowledge. With considerations on the findings of the study, the perceived organization support of TLE teachers was evident at all times. Second, the pedagogical content knowledge as perceived by TLE teachers was important all the time. Lastly, the program resources were evident most of the time. It was recommended that the school administrators should support the improvement of program resources in schools.
Herbicide Sales in Groundnut Farming: an Analysis of Farmer and Dealer Buying Behavior in Rajkot District, India
Authors: Kiyada R. G. , Prajapati M. R.
Published: June 2023

The world population is increasing and to meet the demands of population, a major increase in food production, trade, and agricultural activities will be required. Weeds cause more crop losses than pests and diseases together. It is responsible for more than 45% of all agricultural output losses. To tackle this problem herbicides are substances used to eradicate undesirable plants that could hinder crop growth and productivity. Weed competition reduced groundnut pod yield. So, for this reason, it is required to study buying pattern of farmers for herbicides used, factors affecting farmers during purchase of herbicides and factors affecting dealers with respect to herbicides.

The research design was a descriptive type. Non-probability sampling method and purposive sampling technique were used. To accomplish the objectives of the study primary data were collected from 120 farmers and 80 dealers from Rajkot, Gondal, Jetpur and Jasdan talukas of the Rajkot district. Study reveal that the majority of farmers belong to the thirty-five to fifty years age group, having below SSC level education and one to five lakh annual income. Most of the farmers live in a joint family having three to five members in their family. The majority of farmers belong to the semi-medium size of land holding and four to eight acres of land under groundnut cultivation with more than fifteen years of farming experience used herbicides ten to twenty years and used only post-emergence herbicides. Most farmers used Targa super, Shaked and Patela herbicides. Based on dealer recommendations majorly farmers purchase herbicides and applied two sprays with less than ₹1000 cost per acre. Major factors affecting to the farmers during the purchase of herbicides were a performance of product, brand name and dealer suggestions while major factors affecting to the dealers with respect to herbicides are past experience, brand image and margin.
Impact of Mulch and Irrigation Schedules on Yield and Quality of Spring Sunflower in Tarai Region of Northern India
Authors: Dawar Rakesh , Pal Mahendra Singh , Yogi Akshay Kumar , Meena Deepak Kumar , Kumar Sunil
Published: June 2023

The field experiment was carried out at Forage Block, Instructional Dairy Farm, Nagla, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand) in spring 2019 to, study the effect of mulches and irrigation schedules on productivity and water use efficiency of spring sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in Mollisols of Uttarakhand (India). The experiment consisted of 03 levels of mulches i.e., control (no mulch), straw mulch @ 6t/ha and polythene mulch (black) in the main plot and 04 levels of irrigation schedules i.e., critical stages (button, flowering, and seed filling stage), 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 IW/CPE ratios in subplots, was laid out in split-plot design with three replications. Under the application of polythene mulch, significant seed output was observed that was statistically comparable to straw mulch. Under polythene mulch, seed yield was found to be 4.6% and 18.5% greater than under straw mulch and control, respectively. The polythene mulch produced significantly higher stover yield that was non-significant with straw mulch Polythene mulch produced 8.10% and 10.4 % higher stover than straw mulch and control, respectively. Sunflower seed yield differed significantly among irrigation schedules. Irrigation applied at 1.2 IW/CPE produced significantly the highest seed yield that was 5.4, 11.1, and 14.8% greater than irrigation scheduled at 1.0, 0.8 IW/CPE, and critical stages, respectively. Among the irrigation schedules, stover yield was recorded 5.8, 8.0, and 10.8% higher under the 1.2 IW/CPE ratio than 1.0, 0.8 IW/CPE ratio, and critical stages, respectively. Overall, it is highlighted that polythene mulch gives significantly higher productivity and quality parameters. 1.2 IW/CPE ratios give significantly the highest seed yield, higher protein content and oil content.
Association Study and Direct - Indirect Effects of Characters for Yield in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Banjare Ashish Kumar , Verma Ravindra Kumar , Shrivastava Rajeev , Gupta Vishal Kumar , Meshram Prakriti , John Shalakha , Khute Ishu Kumar , Tiwari Ajay , Rohit
Published: June 2023

The results indicated that the seed yield per plant showed a significant positive correlation with most of the traits like days to 50% flowering, plant height, filled grains per panicle, number of grains per panicle, spikelet fertility, flag leaf width, numbers of tillers per plant, number of effective tillers per plant, panicle length and 100 seed weight, representing the importance of these traits for development of great yielding varieties in contrast the trait spikelet sterility has been reported negative and significant association with yield trait and unfilled grains per panicle and flag leaf length reported a negative non-significant correlation with yield. Path coefficient analysis results showed that the direct positive effect on yield was recorded by the traits, effective tillers per plant, 100 seed weight, Number of grains per panicle, and most of the traits.
Laser Resection of a Peripheral Giant Cell Granuloma in a 12 Year Old Boy: A Case Report
Authors: Aboujaoude Samia , Khalaf Roula Dib , Moukarzel Carla , Aoun Georges
Published: June 2023

Peripheral giant cell granuloma is the most common non-neoplastic lesion that arises from the gingiva or alveolar mucosa. Although its etiology remains unclear, it is believed to be a reactive gingival overgrowth in response to local irritation, chronic trauma, or hormonal imbalance. In this report, we discuss the case of a 12-year-old male patient who presented with complaint of chewing difficulties due to gingival growth. The diagnosis of peripheral giant cell granuloma was made based on clinical and histopathological examinations. The lesion was removed with a diode laser in a chairside procedure.
Effect of Acalypha wilkesiana on Oxidative Stress and Histopathology of Liver and Kidney in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Albino Rats
Authors: Isirima Joshua Charles , Uahomo Precious Ojo
Published: June 2023

This study investigated the effect of Acalypha wilkesiana on oxidative stress biomarkers as well as liver and kidney histopathology. 54 Albino rats were divided into 6 groups of 9 animals each including group 1 animals received only feed and water ad libitum; group 2 received 160mg/kg alloxan by the intraperitoneal route; group 3 received 0.07mg/kg of glibenclamide follow alloxan induction, while animals in groups 4, 5 and six received the aqueous leaf extract of Acalypha wilkesiana at doses of 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg following the induction. Three animals from each group were anaesthetized with diethyl ether and blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture on days 5, 10 and 15 into sample bottles containing anticoagulant for evaluation of oxidative stress parameters. Liver and Kidney samples were also collected from these animals and transferred into 10% formalin solution for the histological studies. Results revealed a significant increase in oxidative stress marked by decrease in oxidative stress markers such as CAT, SOD, GSH, GPx and increase in MDA values and pathological changes of liver and kidney following alloxan administration when compared with normal control. These changes were reversed by the extract in a dose dependent manner.
Improvements in Physical Function and Pain Interference and Changes in Mental Health Among Patients Seeking Musculoskeletal Care
Authors: Zhang Wei , Singh Som P. , Clement Amdiel , Calfee Ryan P. , Bijsterbosch Janine D. , Cheng Abby L.
Published: June 2023

Importance

Among patients seeking care for musculoskeletal conditions, there is mixed evidence regarding whether traditional, structure-based care is associated with improvement in patients’ mental health.

Objective

To determine whether improvements in physical function and pain interference are associated with meaningful improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms among patients seeking musculoskeletal care.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study included adult patients treated by an orthopedic department of a tertiary care US academic medical center from June 22, 2015, to February 9, 2022. Eligible participants presented between 4 and 6 times during the study period for 1 or more musculoskeletal conditions and completed Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures as standard care at each visit.

Exposure

PROMIS Physical Function and Pain Interference scores.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Linear mixed effects models were used to determine whether improvements in PROMIS Anxiety and PROMIS Depression scores were associated with improved PROMIS Physical Function or Pain Interference scores after controlling for age, gender, race, and PROMIS Depression (for the anxiety model) or PROMIS Anxiety (for the depression model). Clinically meaningful improvement was defined as 3.0 points or more for PROMIS Anxiety and 3.2 points or more for PROMIS Depression.

Results

Among 11 236 patients (mean [SD] age, 57 [16] years), 7218 (64.2%) were women; 120 (1.1%) were Asian, 1288 (11.5%) were Black, and 9706 (86.4%) were White. Improvements in physical function (β = −0.14; 95% CI, −0.15 to −0.13; P < .001) and pain interference (β = 0.26; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.26; P < .001) were each associated with improved anxiety symptoms. To reach a clinically meaningful improvement in anxiety symptoms, an improvement of 21 PROMIS points or more (95% CI, 20-23 points) on Physical Function or 12 points or more (95% CI, 12-12 points) on Pain Interference would be required. Improvements in physical function (β = −0.05; 95% CI, −0.06 to −0.04; P < .001) and pain interference (β = 0.04; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.05; P < .001) were not associated with meaningfully improved depression symptoms.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, substantial improvements in physical function and pain interference were required for association with any clinically meaningful improvement in anxiety symptoms, and were not associated with any meaningful improvement in depression symptoms. Patients seeking musculoskeletal care clinicians providing treatment cannot assume that addressing physical health will result in improved symptoms of depression or potentially even sufficiently improved symptoms of anxiety.
Self‐Aggregated Nanoscale Metal–Organic Framework for Targeted Pulmonary Decorporation of Uranium
Authors: Chen Lei , Wang Xiaomei , Chen Mengping , Sun Qiwen , Chen Yemeng , Zhang Xiaojie , Hong Rui , Xu Yigong , Guan Jingwen , Hong Sheng , Cao Dehan , Sun Tingfeng , Li Ximeng , Chen Lanhua , Diwu Juan
Published: June 2023

The limited availability of effective agents for removing actinides from the lungs significantly restricts the effectiveness of medical treatments for nuclear emergencies. Inhalation is the primary route of internal contamination in 44.3% of actinide‐related accidents, leading to the accumulation of radionuclides in the lungs and resulting in infections and potential tumor formation (tumorigenesis). This study focuses on the synthesis of a nanometal−organic framework (nMOF) material called ZIF‐71‐COOH, which is achieved by post‐synthetic carboxyl functionalization of ZIF‐71. The material demonstrates high and selective adsorption of uranyl, while also exhibiting increased particle size (≈2100 nm) when it aggregates in the blood, enabling passive targeting of the lungs through mechanical filtration. This unique property facilitates the rapid enrichment and selective recognition of uranyl, making nano ZIF‐71‐COOH highly effective in removing uranyl from the lungs. The findings of this study highlight the potential of self‐aggregated nMOFs as a promising drug delivery system for targeted uranium decorporation in the lungs.
Doxorubicin‐Loaded Microrobots for Targeted Drug Delivery and Anticancer Therapy
Authors: Mallick Sudipta , Abouomar Ramadan , Rivas David , Sokolich Max , Kirmizitas Fatma Ceren , Dutta Aditya , Das Sambeeta
Published: June 2023

Micro‐sized magnetic particles (also known as microrobots [MRs]) have recently been shown to have potential applications for numerous biomedical applications like drug delivery, microengineering, and single cell manipulation. Interdisciplinary studies have demonstrated the ability of these tiny particles to actuate under the action of a controlled magnetic field that not only drive MRs in a desired trajectory but also precisely deliver therapeutic payload to the target site. Additionally, optimal concentrations of therapeutic molecules can also be delivered to the desired site which is cost‐effective and safe especially in scenarios where drug dose‐related side effects are a concern. In this study, MRs are used to deliver anticancer drugs (doxorubicin) to cancer cells and subsequent cell death is evaluated in different cell lines (liver, prostate, and ovarian cancer cells). Cytocompatibility studies show that MRs are well‐tolerated and internalized by cancer cells. Doxorubicin (DOX) is chemically conjugated with MRs (DOX‐MRs) and magnetically steered toward cancer cells using the magnetic controller. Time‐lapsed video shows that cells shrink and eventually die when MRs are internalized by cells. Taken together, this study confirms that microrobots are promising couriers for targeted delivery of therapeutic biomolecules for cancer therapy and other non‐invasive procedures that require precise control.
Dual‐Responsive Turn‐On T1 Imaging‐Guided Mild Photothermia for Precise Apoptotic Cancer Therapy
Authors: Song Sijie , Wang Qi , Xie Jiangao , Dai Junduan , Ouyang Dilan , Huang Guoming , Guo Yuheng , Chen Chen , Wu Mengnan , Huang Tingjing , Ruan Jingwen , Cheng Xiaofeng , Lin Xucong , He Yu , Rozhkova Elena A. , Chen Zhaowei , Yang Huanghao
Published: June 2023

Apoptosis has gained increasing attention in cancer therapy as an intrinsic signaling pathway, which leads to minimal leakage of waste products from a dying cell to neighboring normal cells. Among various stimuli to trigger apoptosis, mild hyperthermia is attractive but confronts limitations of non‐specific heating and acquired resistance from elevated expression of heat shock proteins. Here, a dual‐stimulation activated turn‐on T1 imaging‐based nanoparticulate system (DAS) is developed for mild photothermia (≈43 °C)‐mediated precise apoptotic cancer therapy. In the DAS, a superparamagnetic quencher (ferroferric oxide nanoparticles, Fe3O4 NPs) and a paramagnetic enhancer (Gd‐DOTA complexes) are connected via the N6‐methyladenine (m6A)‐caged, Zn2+‐dependent DNAzyme molecular device. The substrate strand of the DNAzyme contains one segment of Gd‐DOTA complex‐labeled sequence and another one of HSP70 antisense oligonucleotide. When the DAS is taken up by cancer cells, overexpressed fat mass and obesity‐associated protein (FTO) specifically demethylates the m6A group, thereby activating DNAzymes to cleave the substrate strand and simultaneously releasing Gd‐DOTA complex‐labeled oligonucleotides. The restored T1 signal from the liberated Gd‐DOTA complexes lights up the tumor to guide the location and time of deploying 808 nm laser irradiation. Afterward, locally generated mild photothermia works in concert with HSP70 antisense oligonucleotides to promote apoptosis of tumor cells. This highly integrated design provides an alternative strategy for mild hyperthermia‐mediated precise apoptotic cancer therapy.
Closed‐Loop Error‐Correction Learning Accelerates Experimental Discovery of Thermoelectric Materials
Authors: Choubisa Hitarth , Haque Md Azimul , Zhu Tong , Zeng Lewei , Vafaie Maral , Baran Derya , Sargent Edward H.
Published: June 2023

The exploration of thermoelectric materials is challenging considering the large materials space, combined with added exponential degrees of freedom coming from doping and the diversity of synthetic pathways. Here, historical data is incorporated, and is updated using experimental feedback by employing error‐correction learning (ECL). This is achieved by learning from prior datasets and then adapting the model to differences in synthesis and characterization that are otherwise difficult to parameterize. This strategy is thus applied to discovering thermoelectric materials, where synthesis is prioritized at temperatures <300 °C. A previously unexplored chemical family of thermoelectric materials, PbSe:SnSb, is documented, finding that the best candidate in this chemical family, 2 wt% SnSb doped PbSe, exhibits a power factor more than 2× that of PbSe. The investigations herein reveal that a closed‐loop experimentation strategy reduces the required number of experiments to find an optimized material by a factor as high as 3× compared to high‐throughput searches powered by state‐of‐the‐art machine‐learning (ML) models. It is also observed that this improvement is dependent on the accuracy of the ML model in a manner that exhibits diminishing returns: once a certain accuracy is reached, factors that are instead associated with experimental pathways begin to dominate trends.
Suppressing Structural Relaxation in Nanoscale Antimony to Enable Ultralow‐Drift Phase‐Change Memory Applications
Authors: Chen Bin , Wang Xue‐Peng , Jiao Fangying , Ning Long , Huang Jiaen , Xie Jiatao , Zhang Shengbai , Li Xian‐Bin , Rao Feng
Published: June 2023

Phase‐change random‐access memory (PCRAM) devices suffer from pronounced resistance drift originating from considerable structural relaxation of phase‐change materials (PCMs), which hinders current developments of high‐capacity memory and high‐parallelism computing that both need reliable multibit programming. This work realizes that compositional simplification and geometrical miniaturization of traditional GeSbTe‐like PCMs are feasible routes to suppress relaxation. While to date, the aging mechanisms of the simplest PCM, Sb, at nanoscale, have not yet been unveiled. Here, this work demonstrates that in an optimal thickness of only 4 nm, the thin Sb film can enable a precise multilevel programming with ultralow resistance drift coefficients, in a regime of ≈10−4–10−3. This advancement is mainly owed to the slightly changed Peierls distortion in Sb and the less‐distorted octahedral‐like atomic configurations across the Sb/SiO2 interfaces. This work highlights a new indispensable approach, interfacial regulation of nanoscale PCMs, for pursuing ultimately reliable resistance control in aggressively‐miniaturized PCRAM devices, to boost the storage and computing efficiencies substantially.
Bifunctional MXene‐Augmented Retinal Progenitor Cell Transplantation for Retinal Degeneration
Authors: Tang Zhimin , Liu Yan , Xiang Huijing , Dai Xinyue , Huang Xiaolin , Ju Yahan , Ni Ni , Huang Rui , Gao Huiqin , Zhang Jing , Fan Xianqun , Su Yun , Chen Yu , Gu Ping
Published: June 2023

Retinal degeneration, characterized by the progressive loss of retinal neurons, is the leading cause of incurable visual impairment. Retinal progenitor cells (RPCs)‐based transplantation can facilitate sight restoration, but the clinical efficacy of this process is compromised by the imprecise neurogenic differentiation of RPCs and undermining function of transplanted cells surrounded by severely oxidative retinal lesions. Here, it is shown that ultrathin niobium carbide (Nb2C) MXene enables performance enhancement of RPCs for retinal regeneration. Nb2C MXene with moderate photothermal effect markedly improves retinal neuronal differentiation of RPCs by activating intracellular signaling, in addition to the highly effective RPC protection by scavenging free radicals concurrently, which has been solidly evidenced by the comprehensive biomedical assessments and theoretical calculations. A dramatically increased neuronal differentiation is observed upon subretinal transplantation of MXene‐assisted RPCs into the typical retinal degeneration 10 (rd10) mice, thereby contributing to the efficient restoration of retinal architecture and visual function. The dual‐intrinsic function of MXene synergistically aids RPC transplantation, which represents an intriguing paradigm in vision‐restoration research filed, and will broaden the multifunctionality horizon of nanomedicine.
Janus Functionalized Boron‐Nitride Nanosystems as a Potential Application for Absorber Layer in Solar Cells
Authors: Roondhe Basant , Roondhe Vaishali , Shukla Alok , Shukla Shobha , Luo Wei , Ahuja Rajeev , Saxena Sumit
Published: June 2023

Janus nanosystems enable one to achieve complementary properties in a single entity. In the current study, the fundamental properties like structural, electronic, and dynamical of Janus hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) by selectively hydrogenating and fluorinating a h‐BN surface are systematically examined, using density functional theory. Functionalization of h‐BN introduces partial sp3 (buckled) character in the predicted materials as compared to planar sp2 h‐BNs. Fully fluorinated and hydrogenated h‐BN have a direct bandgap of 3.42 and 3.37 eV, respectively. All the investigated configurations are predicted to be dynamically stable. Furthermore, optical properties including dielectric function, absorption spectra, refractive index, and reflectivity are evaluated to realize the optical and photocatalytic behavior of considered systems. The dielectric function ɛ2(ω) shows fundamental absorption edge arising at 3.2, 3.9, 2.8, and 3.4 eV for hydrogen on boron and nitrogen, hydrogen on boron and fluorine on nitrogen, fluorine on boron and hydrogen on nitrogen (FBNH) and fluorine on boron and nitrogen which is comparable to the bandgap of respective monolayers. Solar cell parameters of all considered BN structures are calculated using the Shockley–Queisser (SQ) limit. The highest short‐circuit current density (Jsc
) for FBNH is found to be 2.1 mA cm−2 providing the efficiency of 8.27% making FBNH a potential candidate for absorber layer in solar cells.
Spin Hall Induced Magnetization Dynamics in Multiferroic Tunnel Junction
Authors: Pawlak Jakub , Skowroński Witold , Kuświk Piotr , Gajewska Marta , Casanova Fèlix , Przybylski Marek
Published: June 2023

The combination of spin‐orbit coupling driven effects and multiferroic tunneling properties is explored experimentally in thin Pt/Co/BaTiO3(BTO)/La2/3Sr1/3MnO3(LSMO) multilayers. The presence of a Pt heavy metal allows for the spin current‐induced magnetization precession of Co upon radio‐frequency charge current injection. The utilization of a BTO ferroelectric tunnel barrier separating the Co and LSMO ferromagnetic electrodes gives rise to both tunneling‐ magnetoresistance and electroresistance. Using the spin‐orbit torque ferromagnetic resonance, the magnetization dynamics of the Co/Pt bilayers is studied at room temperature. Unexpectedly, the magnetization dynamics study in the same geometry performed at low temperature reveals the existence of both Co and LSMO resonance peaks indicating efficient spin current generation both using the spin Hall effect in Pt and spin pumping in LSMO that tunnel via the BTO barrier.
Clinical and molecular characterization in a cohort of patients with progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia
Authors: El Dessouki Dina , Amr Khalda , Kholoussi Naglaa , Rady Hanaa M. , Temtamy Samia Ali , Abdou Manal M. S. , Aglan Mona
Published: June 2023

Progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia (PPRD), a rare autosomal recessive syndrome, is a type of skeletal dysplasia associated with pain, stiffness, swelling of multiple joints, and the absence of destructive changes. PPRD occurs due to loss of function pathogenic variants in WISP3 (CCN6) gene, located on chromosome 6q22. In this study, 23 unrelated Egyptian PPRD patients were clinically diagnosed based on medical history, physical and radiological examinations, and laboratory investigations. Sequencing of the whole WISP3 (CCN6) exons and introns boundaries was carried out for all patients. A total of 11 different sequence variations were identified in the WISP3 (CCN6) gene, five of them were new pathogenic variants: the NM_003880.3: c.80T>A (p.L27*), c.161delG (p.C54fs*12), c.737T>C (p.Leu246Pro), c.347‐1G>A (IVS3‐1G>A), and c.376C>T (p.Q126*). The results of this study expand the spectrum of WISP3 (CCN6) pathogenic variants associated with PPRD. Clinical and genetic analysis is important for proper genetic counseling to curb this rare disorder in the families.
Morphological integration and shape covariation between the trapezium and first metacarpal among extant hominids
Authors: Bardo Ameline , Dunmore Christopher J. , Cornette Raphaël , Kivell Tracy L.
Published: June 2023

Objectives

The shape of the trapezium and first metacarpal (Mc1) markedly influence thumb mobility, strength, and the manual abilities of extant hominids. Previous research has typically focused solely on trapezium‐Mc1 joint shape. Here we investigate how morphological integration and shape covariation between the entire trapezium (articular and non‐articular surfaces) and the entire Mc1 reflect known differences in thumb use in extant hominids.

Materials and Methods

We analyzed shape covariation in associated trapezia and Mc1s across a large, diverse sample of Homo sapiens (n = 40 individuals) and other extant hominids (Pan troglodytes, n = 16; Pan paniscus, n = 13; Gorilla gorilla gorilla, n = 27; Gorilla beringei, n = 6; Pongo pygmaeus, n = 14; Pongo abelii, n = 9) using a 3D geometric morphometric approach. We tested for interspecific significant differences in degree of morphological integration and patterns of shape covariation between the entire trapezium and Mc1, as well as within the trapezium‐Mc1 joint specifically.

Results

Significant morphological integration was only found in the trapezium‐Mc1 joint of H. sapiens and G. g. gorilla. Each genus showed a specific pattern of shape covariation between the entire trapezium and Mc1 that was consistent with different intercarpal and carpometacarpal joint postures.

Discussion

Our results are consistent with known differences in habitual thumb use, including a more abducted thumb during forceful precision grips in H. sapiens and a more adducted thumb in other hominids used for diverse grips. These results will help to infer thumb use in fossil hominins.
Anatomical landmarks for ultrasound‐guided rectus femoris diagnostic nerve block in post‐stroke spasticity
Authors: Facciorusso Salvatore , Spina Stefania , Gasperini Giulio , Picelli Alessandro , Filippetti Mirko , Molteni Franco , Santamato Andrea
Published: June 2023

Introduction/Purpose

To determine the location of the rectus femoris (RF) motor branch nerve, as well as its coordinates with reference to anatomical and ultrasound landmarks.

Methods

Thirty chronic stroke patients with stiff knee gait (SKG) and RF hyperactivity were included. The motor nerve branch to the RF muscle was identified medially to the vertical line from anterior superior iliac spine and the midpoint of the superior margin of the patella (line AP) and vertically to the horizontal line from the femoral pulse and its intersection point with the line AP (line F). The point of the motor branch (M) was located with ultrasound, and nerve depth and subcutaneous tissue thickness (ST) were calculated.

Results

The coordinates of the motor branch to the RF were 2.82 (0.47) cm medially to the line AP and 4.61 (0.83) cm vertically to the line F. Nerve depth and subcutaneous tissue thickness were 2.71 (0.62) cm and 1.12 (0.75) cm, respectively.

Conclusion

The use of specific coordinates may increase clinicians' confidence when performing RF motor nerve block. This could lead to better decision‐making when assessing SKG in chronic stroke patients.
Modeling Wormholes Generated by Dark Matter Galactic Halos in f(R)$f(R)$ Modified Gravity
Authors: Errehymy Abdelghani , Maurya Sunil Kumar , Hansraj Sudan , Daoud Mohammed , Alrebdi Haifa I. , Abdel‐Aty Abdel‐Haleem
Published: June 2023

Wormholes (WHs) are hypothetical topologically non‐trivial spacetime structures that can be freely traversed by observers and connect two asymptotic regions or infinities. From the current theoretical development, the prospect of their existence is challenging but cannot be excluded. In this paper, generalized Ellis–Bronikov (GEB) traversable WH geometries for static and spherically symmetric spacetime in the background of gravity is explored. First, the Tsujikawa‐like model and the shape function for the GEB model is considered, which depend on a sequence of simple Lorentzian WHs with two parameters: a free even integer exponent, n, besides the throat radius, r0. One also consider that these WHs are generated by dark matter galactic halos (DMGHs), based on the three most common phenomenological models, viz., Navarro–Frenk–White (NFW), Thomas–Fermi (TF), and pseudo‐isothermal (PI). In this concern, the satisfaction of the energy conditions (ECs) which are dependent on the dark matter (DM) models, viz., dominant energy condition (DEC) and strong energy condition (SEC) and those which are not dependent viz., null energy condition (NEC) and WEC at the WH throat and its neighborhood is investigated. Finally, the presence of exotic matter is confirmed by the violation of the NEC in all cases, revealing the supremacy and physical acceptability to support the existence of the WHs and making them compatible and traversable in Tsujikawa's‐like  model.
Novel promising benzoxazole/benzothiazole‐derived immunomodulatory agents: Design, synthesis, anticancer evaluation, and in silico ADMET analysis
Authors: Elkady Hazem , El‐Adl Khaled , Sakr Helmy , Abdelraheem Adel S. , Eissa Sally I. , El‐Zahabi Mohamed Ayman
Published: June 2023

Eleven novel benzoxazole/benzothiazole‐based thalidomide analogs were designed and synthesized to obtain new effective antitumor immunomodulatory agents. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against HepG‐2, HCT‐116, PC3, and MCF‐7 cells. Generally, the open analogs with semicarbazide and thiosemicarbazide moieties (10, 13a–c, 14, and 17a,b) exhibited higher cytotoxic activities than derivatives with closed glutarimide moiety (8a–d). In particular, compound 13a (IC50 = 6.14, 5.79, 10.26, and 4.71 µM against HepG‐2, HCT‐116, PC3, and MCF‐7, respectively) and 14 (IC50 = 7.93, 8.23, 12.37, and 5.43 µM, respectively) exhibited the highest anticancer activities against the four tested cell lines. The most active compounds 13a and 14 were further evaluated for their in vitro immunomodulatory activities on tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), caspase‐8 (CASP8), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and nuclear factor kappa‐B p65 (NF‐κB p65) in HCT‐116 cells. Compounds 13a and 14 showed a remarkable and significant reduction in TNF‐α. Furthermore, they showed significant elevation in CASP8 levels. Also, they significantly inhibited VEGF. In addition, compound 13a showed significant decreases in the level of NF‐κB p65 while compound 14 demonstrated an insignificant decrease with respect to thalidomide. Moreover, our derivatives exhibited good in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, toxicity (ADMET) profiles.
The prevalence and developmental course of auditory processing differences in autistic children
Authors: Lau Bonnie K. , Emmons Katherine A. , Lee Adrian K. C. , Munson Jeff , Dager Stephen R. , Estes Annette M.
Published: June 2023

Auditory processing differences, including hyper‐ or hyposensitivity to sound, aversions to sound, and difficulty listening under noisy, real‐world conditions, are commonly reported in autistic individuals. However, the developmental course and functional impact of these auditory processing differences are unclear. In this study, we investigate the prevalence, developmental trajectory, and functional impact of auditory processing differences in autistic children throughout childhood using a longitudinal study design. Auditory processing differences were measured using the Short Sensory Profile, a caregiver questionnaire, in addition to adaptive behaviors and disruptive/concerning behaviors at 3, 6, and 9 years of age. Our results showed that auditory processing differences were reported in greater than 70% of the autistic children in our sample at all three timepoints, maintained a high prevalence through 9 years of age, and were associated with increased disruptive/concerning behaviors and difficulty with adaptive behaviors. Furthermore, in our sample of children, auditory processing differences at age 3 years predicted disruptive/concerning behaviors and difficulty with adaptive behaviors at age 9 years. These findings warrant further investigations of the potential benefit of incorporating measures of auditory processing during routine clinical evaluations as well as interventions targeting auditory processing differences in autistic children.
Digitalization transformation and ESG performance: Evidence from China
Authors: Lu Yuzhong , Xu Cheng , Zhu Bingsheng , Sun Yanqi
Published: June 2023

The mechanisms underlying the relationship between firms' digitalization transformation and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) are underexplored. Using a sample of Chinese listed firms from 2011 to 2020, this research explores the mechanisms whereby digitalization affects firms' ESG performance. We found: (i) digitalization transformation can effectively promote firms' ESG performance; (ii) digital transformation promotes firms' ESG performance by enhancing internal control and green innovation; and (iii) the positive effects between digital transformation and ESG performance are more pronounced in non‐state‐owned‐enterprises (non‐SOEs) and firms of the manufacturing industry, and hi‐tech firms, as well as firms with a higher ratio of independent directors and higher analyst coverage. (iv) The government's supportive attitude towards industrial policy has a positive moderating effect on the impact of digital transformation on ESG performance, and the degree of marketization in the region where the firm is located has a negative moderating effect on the relationship between digital transformation and ESG performance. Our research deepens the understanding of the nuanced mechanism underlying the positive relationship between firms' digital transformation and their ESG performance.
Concordance in detection of microsatellite instability by PCR and NGS in routinely processed tumor specimens of several cancer types
Authors: Bartels Stephan , Grote Isabel , Wagner Madeleine , Boog Jannik , Schipper Elisa , Reineke‐Plaass Tanja , Kreipe Hans , Lehmann Ulrich
Published: June 2023

Background

Microsatellite instability (MSI) occurs in several cancer types and is commonly used for prognosis and as a predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint therapy.

Methods

We analyzed n = 263 formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tumor specimens (127 colorectal cancer (CRC), 55 endometrial cancer (EC), 33 stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD), and 48 solid tumor specimens of other tumor types) with a capillary electrophoresis based multiplex monomorphic marker MSI‐PCR panel and an amplicon‐based NGS assay for microsatellite instability (MSI+). In total, n = 103 (39.2%) cases with a known defect of the DNA mismatch repair system (dMMR), determined by a loss in protein expression of MSH2/MSH6 (n = 48, 46.6%) or MLH1/PMS2 (n = 55, 53.4%), were selected. Cases with an isolated loss of MSH6 or PMS2 were excluded.

Results

The overall sensitivity and specificity of the NGS assay in comparison with the MSI‐PCR were 92.2% and 98.8%. With CRC cases a nearly optimal concordance was reached (sensitivity 98.1% and specificity 100.0%). Whereas EC cases only show a sensitivity of 88.6% and a specificity of 95.2%, caused by several cases with instability in less than five monomorphic markers, which could be difficult to analyze by NGS (subtle MSI+ phenotype).

Conclusions

MSI analysis of FFPE DNA by NGS is feasible and the results show a high concordance in comparison with the monomorphic marker MSI‐PCR. However, cases with a subtle MSI+ phenotype, most frequently manifest in EC, have a risk of a false‐negative result by NGS and should be preferentially analyzed by capillary electrophoresis.
High‐Resolution Performance of Polycaprolactone Functionalized with Guanidinium Ionic Liquid for Gas Chromatography
Authors: Ba Mengyi , Chen Ruonan , Huang Qiuchen , Song Yanli , Li Wen , Zhang Yuanyuan , Liu Haixin , Xu Xiang , Zhang Weidong , Cai Zhiqiang , Sun Tao
Published: June 2023

This work firstly reported a new polycaprolactone based material functionalized with guanidinium ionic liquid (PCL‐GIL) as the stationary phase with high resolution performance for capillary gas chromatography (GC). It is composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and guanidinium ionic liquid (GIL) with amphiphilic conformation. The PCL‐GIL capillary column coated by static method exhibited high column efficiency of 3942 plates/m and moderate polarity. As a result, the PCL‐GIL column exhibited high‐resolution capability. For a mixture of 27 analytes with a wide ranging polarity and outperformed the PCL‐2OH and HP‐35 columns, showing its advantageous separation capability for analytes of diverse types. Moreover, the PCL‐GIL column showed high resolving capability for various positional isomers and cis‐/trans‐isomers, including alkylbenzenes, chlorobenzenes, naphthalenes, bromonitrobenzenes, chloronitrobenzenes, benzaldehydes, phenols, alcohols, respectively. In a word, PCL derivatized by GIL units as a new type of stationary phase has a promising future in GC separations.
Simultaneous Mesoporosity Generation and Lewis Acidity Enhancement in Zr‐Based Metallosilicalite for Promoting the Conversion of Ethanol‐Acetaldehyde to 1,3‐Butadiene
Authors: Jiang Haoxi , Wang Bingyu , Wang Lingtao , Yang Guochao
Published: June 2023

Zr based metallosilicalites, especially Zr‐ß, is promising catalyst for the conversion of ethanol to 1,3‐butadiene, which is considered to be a sustainable alternative to petroleum steam cracking. However it is suffering from deactivation derived from coking and unsatisfied catalytic activity derived from deficient Lewis acidity. For these issues, a dissolution‐recrystallization process through tetraethyl ammonium hydroxide treatment (TEAOH) for enhancing porosity and Lewis acidity of Zr‐ß zeolite was developed in this study. A balance of dissolution and recrystallization existed in this process, which was produced by OH− etching and templating of TEA+ ions, creating additional mesoporosity. Zirconium active sites maintained tetrahedral coordination, while the Lewis acidity was enhanced by creating higher proportion open sites in framework. The recrystallized Zr‐ß exhibited higher catalytic activity and stability in the conversion of ethanol‐acetaldehyde to butadiene due to the compromise of microporosity and mesoporosity, as well as the appropriate enhancement of Lewis acidity.
Degradation Behavior of Donor‐acceptor Cyanoarenes‐based Organic Photocatalysts
Authors: Ko Haye Min , Lee Chung Whan , Kwon Min Sang
Published: June 2023

Visible‐light photocatalysis has emerged as a powerful tool for organic transformations in recent years. The traditional reliance on transition metal‐based complexes as photocatalysts has raised concerns regarding their toxicity and the sustainability of precious metals, leading to the exploration of organic photocatalysts. Organic photocatalysts offer high structural diversity and eliminate the need for metal removal, addressing the aforementioned concerns. Notably, donor−acceptor cyanoarenes, originally developed as thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters, have gained significant attention due to their unique properties as photocatalysts with high efficiency. Consequently, understanding the stability of these catalysts has become essential for further enhancing their performance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent studies focusing on the stability of organic photocatalysts. Key issues such as photodegradation and interactions with active species are discussed, offering insights into the durability of photocatalysts. Furthermore, we aim to present the current status while also identifying important directions for future research.
Construction of Diversified Penta‐Spiro‐Heterocyclic and Fused‐Heterocyclic Frameworks with Potent Antitumor Activity
Authors: Liu Qi , Liu Xuyi , Li Yazhou , Zhou Yu , Zhao Linxiang , Liang Xuewu , Liu Hong
Published: June 2023

Multiple‐spiro/fused‐heterocyclic frameworks containing indazolone are structurally unique and represent a class of potentially dominant skeletons. In this work, we successfully fulfilled Rh(III)‐catalyst mediated substrate‐ and pH‐ controlled strategies to construct four novel types of complicated penta‐spiro/fused‐heterocyclic frameworks via C−H activation/[4+1] and [4+2] annulation cascades. This method had mild reaction conditions, a broad scope of substrates, moderate to good yields, and valuable applications, which could realize for the first time the generation of the novel di‐spiro‐heterocyclic and multiple fused‐heterocyclic products with unique structures. More importantly, novel spiro[cyclohexane‐indazolo[1,2‐a]indazole] scaffold constructed by this method exhibited potent antitumor activity against a variety of refractory solid tumors and hematological malignancies in vitro. Overall, our work provided new insights into the construction of complex and diverse multiple spiro/fused‐heterocyclic systems and offered novel valuable lead compounds for the discovery of antitumor drugs.
Naphthalimide‐Dyes Bearing Phosphine and Phosphorylamide Moieties: Synthesis and Optical Properties
Authors: Tosolini Massimo , Alberoni Chiara , Outis Mani , Parola António Jorge , Milani Barbara , Tecilla Paolo , Avó João
Published: June 2023

1,8‐Naphthalimides (NIs) represent a class of organic dyes with interesting optical properties that has been extensively explored in the last decades in lighting devices, chemosensors, optical probes or medicinal chemistry. However, despite their remarkable potential, reports on organometallic dyes bearing NIs are scarce and virtually inexistent regarding palladium(II) complexes. Herein, we report the synthesis of NIs bearing phosphine and amine chelating moieties and the characterization of their optical properties both as single molecules and when complexed on Pd(II) ions. It is shown that the introduction of phosphine moieties in the naphthalimide core results in a marked increase in non‐radiative processes, leading to a significant reduction of the emission efficiency and lifetime of these dyes, compared to amine‐bearing counterparts. The complexation to Pd(II) sequesters the electronic contribution of chelating moieties, with complexes assuming an optical behavior similar to that of unsubstituted 1,8‐naphthalimide. The complexation significantly increases the acidity of chelating secondary amines, giving rise to an unexpected intramolecular reaction that results in the formation of a novel 1,8‐naphthalimide dye bearing a cyclic phosphorylamide moiety. The new dye exhibits good emission quantum yield, long fluorescence lifetime and sensitivity to basic media, evidencing potential for application in optical imaging and sensing scenarios.