bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and evaluation of a simple and easy high‐performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet system simultaneously suitable for determination of 24 anti‐epileptic drugs in plasma
Authors: Zhao Yan‐lin , Zhao Lin‐lin , you Yu‐xin , Zheng Xiao‐xiao , Du Yan , Tang Dao‐quan
Published: April 2022

We aim to establish a simple and easy high‐performance liquid chromatography system coupled with an ultraviolet detector suitable for simultaneous determination of 24 antiepileptic drugs in human plasma. Optimized chromatographic separation was performed on a ZORBAX Eclipse Plus‐C18 (4.6 × 150 mm2, 3.5 μm) column with acetonitrile and 5 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate water solution as mobile phase. Note that, 24 antiepileptic drugs were divided into three groups and eluted with different gradient procedures, respectively. The column temperature was maintained at 35°C and the detection wavelength was set at 210 nm. Plasma was processed with ethyl acetate or acetonitrile. The calibration curves of 24 antiepileptic drugs demonstrated good linearity within the test range (r > 0.996). The intra‐ and inter‐batch precision and accuracy were all less than 15%, while extraction recoveries were in the range of 74.57–90.89% with the relative standard deviation values less than 15%. The validated methods have been successfully applied to determination of some antiepileptic drugs in rat or patient plasma. Those results indicated that the developed methods were simple and easy, and could be suitable for the determination of 24 antiepileptic drugs in plasma just by changing the gradient elution procedures of mobile phase.
Data‐driven inference of interactions among multiple tourist attractions for hourly demand forecasting
Authors: Zhao Rong , Wang Feilong , Zheng Weimin
Published: April 2022

Existing tourism demand forecasting models mainly focus on forecasting demands of relatively long time spans at a single destination. These studies lack considering the evolution of demand patterns or presume fixed interaction structures among multiple destinations, limiting their applications during uncertain times when demands and their interactions could evolve fast. This study simultaneously infers interactions among multiple tourist attractions from tourist arrival data and learns temporal patterns for forecasting short‐term tourist arrivals at these attractions. We achieve this goal by working on data of high spatiotemporal resolution and developing a variational autoencoder framework, where a data‐driven encoder infers the interactions and a decoder learns the short‐term dynamics of tourism demand.
Clinical anatomy of superior laryngeal artery via transoral approach
Authors: Jia Junxiao , Zhang Junbo , Zeng Zhengang , Shen Hong , Wang Chengyuan , Chen Jian , Xiao Shuifang
Published: April 2022

Objective

Hemorrhage is the most common complication caused by transoral laryngopharyngeal surgery. It is believed that proper management of the superior laryngeal artery (SLA), the main feeding artery for the larynx and pharynx, may reduce intra‐ and postoperative hemorrhage incidence. The aim of this study was to illustrate the anatomy of the SLA via transoral endoscopic approach.

Methods

Fourteen sides of SLA from heads of seven fresh‐frozen and silicone‐injected cadavers were dissected. Transoral dissections were performed for the intra‐laryngeal segment of SLA, and transcervical dissections were performed to confirm the anatomical measurements.

Results

SLA had a slightly descending course from the origin to the larynx, and there was a major branch supplying the epiglottis, named pharyngo‐epiglottic artery (PEA). Parallel with the internal superior laryngeal nerve (ISLN), SLA passed through the thyrohyoid membrane and ended into the hypopharynx. The distance from SLA to the superior horn of thyroid cartilage (SHTC) was (9.11 ± 0.58)mm on the left and (9.01 ± 0.37)mm on the right; the distance from SLA to the inferior margin of the hyoid bone (IMHB) was (2.00 ± 0.11)mm on the left and (1.95 ± 0.08)mm on the right; the distance from SLA to ISLN was (5.98 ± 0.48)mm on the left and (5.78 ± 0.36)mm on the right. No significant difference was found between bilateral sides (p > 0.05). Moreover, the distance from SLA to superior margin of thyroid cartilage (SMTC) was (5.52 ± 0.24)mm on the left and (5.80 ± 0.15)mm on the right. A significant difference was also found between bilateral sides (p = 0.03), which might suggest the SLA is located further from the SMTC on the right side.

Conclusion

SHTC, SMTC, and IMHB could be regarded as anatomical landmarks to locate SLA when applying a transoral approach. Moreover, a complete understanding of the detailed anatomy of the superior laryngeal artery may improve the detection of hemostasis in transoral laryngeal or hypo‐pharyngeal surgery.
Skin and soft tissue infections in adolescent chronic myeloid leukemia under dasatinib treatment
Authors: Uchida Eriko , Saito Shoji , Morita Daisuke , Okura Eri , Hirabayashi Koichi , Tanaka Miyuki , Nakazawa Hideyuki , Minagawa Akane , Nakazawa Yozo
Published: April 2022

Although skin complications are common adverse events from tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), no reports have focused on skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) associated with TKI use. We herein present five episodes of SSTIs in three CML patients under dasatinib treatment. All patients were adolescents and had been receiving dasatinib for more than 4 years. In contrast, none of 41 adult CML patients experienced SSTIs in a retrospective analysis. Our findings suggest that long‐term dasatinib treatment in adolescent patients may be associated with the increased risk of SSTIs.
Clinical utility of vinblastine therapeutic drug monitoring for the treatment of infantile myofibroma patients: A case series
Authors: Carruthers Vickyanne , Barnett Shelby , Rees Rebecca , Arif Tasnim , Slater Olga , Ramanujachar Ramya , Johnson Katie , Brown Sarah , Graham Catherine , Burke G.A. Amos , Veal Gareth J.
Published: April 2022

Infantile myofibroma is a rare, benign tumour of infancy typically managed surgically. In a minority of cases, more aggressive disease is seen and chemotherapy with vinblastine and methotrexate may be used, although evidence for this is limited. Chemotherapy dosing in infants is challenging, and vinblastine disposition in infants is unknown. We describe the use of vinblastine therapeutic drug monitoring in four cases of infantile myofibroma. Marked inter‐ and intrapatient variability was observed, highlighting the poorly understood pharmacokinetics of vinblastine in children, the challenges inherent in treating neonates, and the role of adaptive dosing in optimising drug exposure in challenging situations.
Experimental investigations and optimization of tensile and impact strength of a novel composite reinforced with carbon jute and porcine bone powder
Authors: Dikshit Iti , Bhushan Gian
Published: April 2022

Mechanical properties like tensile strength and impact strength play a significant role in the development of composites and composites with lightweight and improved mechanical properties are desirable. In the current research work, a novel composite consisting of carbon, jute, and porcine bone powder is fabricated using compression molding techniques. The experimentation was carried out as per the central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM). Before experimentation, the jute fibers were treated with sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) to achieve better adhesion with the polymer matrix. The composite was fabricated at different input parameters viz.: NaOH concentration, PBP size, and PBP wt%, whereas tensile strength and impact strength are considered as performance characteristics. Moreover, a statistical approach (i.e., ANOVA) was applied to determine the significant parameters and their influence on the performance characteristics. All the experiments were conducted as per ASTM standards. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was performed to analyze the effect of NaOH treatment on jute fiber, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were used to perform the fractographic analysis. The study revealed that among the various parameters, NaOH % has the most significant influence on tensile strength (39.7%) and impact strength (37.8%). Further, optimization was performed using genetic programming, and an improvement of tensile strength by 10% and impact strength by 15% was observed.
Georeferencing of photovoltaic modules from aerial infrared videos using structure‐from‐motion
Authors: Bommes Lukas , Buerhop‐Lutz Claudia , Pickel Tobias , Hauch Jens , Brabec Christoph , Marius Peters Ian
Published: April 2022

To identify abnormal photovoltaic (PV) modules in large‐scale PV plants economically, drone‐mounted infrared (IR) cameras and automated video processing algorithms are frequently used. While most related works focus on the detection of abnormal modules, little has been done to automatically localize those modules within the plant. In this work, we use incremental structure‐from‐motion to automatically obtain geocoordinates of all PV modules in a plant based on visual cues and the measured GPS trajectory of the drone. In addition, we extract multiple IR images of each PV module. Using our method, we successfully map 99.3% of the 35,084 modules in four large‐scale and one rooftop plant and extract over 2.2 million module images. As compared to our previous work, extraction misses 18 times less modules (one in 140 modules as compared to one in eight). Furthermore, two or three plant rows can be processed simultaneously, increasing module throughput and reducing flight duration by a factor of 2.1 and 3.7, respectively. Comparison with an accurate orthophoto of one of the large‐scale plants yields a root mean square error of the estimated module geocoordinates of 5.87 m and a relative error within each plant row of 0.22 m to 0.82 m. Finally, we use the module geocoordinates and extracted IR images to visualize distributions of module temperatures and anomaly predictions of a deep learning classifier on a map. While the temperature distribution helps to identify disconnected strings, we also find that its detection accuracy for module anomalies reaches, or even exceeds, that of a deep learning classifier for seven out of ten common anomaly types. The software is published at https://github.com/LukasBommes/PV-Hawk.
Thermal Decomposition Mechanism of Molecular Perovskite Energetic Material (C6NH14)(NH4)(ClO4)3(DAP‐4)
Authors: Feng Xiao‐Jun , Zhang Kun , Xue Le‐Xing , Pan Wen
Published: April 2022

The recently developed ammonium perchlorate‐based molecular perovskite has been demonstrated to exhibit excellent comprehensive performance as an energetic material. This ABX3‐type molecular perovskite energetic material consists of a high symmetry ternary structure framework stabilized through ionic bonds. In this work, the thermal decomposition mechanism of (C6NH14)(NH4)(ClO4)3 (DAP‐4) was extrapolated by analyzing its thermal decomposition characteristics, gas products, kinetic parameters, and condensed phase change results along with temperature‐varying, with the help of DSC‐TG‐MS‐FTIR and in‐situ FTIR experiment. The results show that a rapid reaction occurs once the decomposition of DAP‐4 starts at 383.7 °C, with the maximum thermal weight loss rate reaches 97.4 %. By using Kissinger's and Ozawa's method, the calculated activation energy of thermal decomposition of DAP‐4 was estimated to be 124.3 kJ/mol and 128.6 kJ/mol, respectively, demonstrating good reliability of our results. The gas products during the thermal decomposition were found mainly include NH3, H2O, HNCO, HCN, CO, HCl, and CO2. The decomposition process of DAP‐4 contains three stages. The first stage involves crystal form changes and H+ transfer of DPA‐4, followed by the collapse of the cage skeleton in the second stage. The third stage mainly involves a rapid redox reaction at high temperatures to generate great heat.
Silencing β‐1,3‐glucan binding protein enhances the susceptibility of Plutella xylostella to entomopathogenic fungus Isaria cicadae
Authors: Li Shuangshuang , Hao Zhongping , Xu Huihui , Gao Yan , Zhang Mingyu , Liang Jian , Dang Xiangli
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella is a notorious pest of brassicaceae crops globally and has developed serious resistance to insecticide. Insects primarily rely on their innate immunity to defense against various pathogens. In this study, we investigated the immunological functions of a β‐1,3‐glucan binding protein from P. xylostella (PxβGBP) and evaluated its potential for biocontrolling P. xylostella.

RESULTS

The open reading frame of PxβGBP is 1422 bp encoding 473 amino acids residues. PxβGBP contained a CBM39 domain, a PAC domain and a GH16 domain and shared evolutionary conservation with other lepidoptera βGRPs. PxβGBP was strongly expressed in the third instar larvae and fat body. PxβGBP transcript levels increased significantly after the challenge with microbes, including Isaria cicadae, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. PxβGBP was identified in P. xylostella larvae challenged by I cicadae, but not in the naïve insects. Recombinant PxβGBP can directly bind fungal and bacterial cells, and also agglutinate the cells of I cicadae, S. aureus and E coli in a zinc‐dependent manner. Knockdown of PxβGBP via RNA interference significantly down‐regulated the expression of antimicrobial peptide gene gloverin, and enhanced the susceptibility of P. xylostella to I. cicadae infection, leading to high mortality.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that PxβGBP plays an important role in the immune response of P. xylostella against I. cicadae infection, and could serve as a potential novel target for pest control. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Analysis of Surface Microstructures Formed on Ir Substrate under Different Bias Conditions by Microwave Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Wang Weihua , Yang Shilin , Shu Guoyang , Liu Benjian , Han Jiecai , Dai Bing , Zhu Jiaqi
Published: April 2022

To understand the process window of bias‐enhanced nucleation of diamond, it is important to study surface modifications of Ir substrates that occur under different conditions. Herein, various microstructures formed on Ir substrates are reported. The first microstructure contains rectangular particles with a size of several hundred nanometers obtained at a relatively high pressure of 12.5 kPa and a high temperature of 880 °C; these particles consist of epitaxially grown Ir3Si species. The second microstructure includes particles oriented along the [110] direction; these particles, however, consist of etched Ir pillars with a height of 400 nm when the substrate temperature increases to 1110 °C. Both microstructures form because of Ir sputtering due to the bombardment of energetic charged ions and the transport of Ir surface atoms. This study demonstrates two types of surface modifications under different bias‐enhanced nucleation conditions and provides a method for preparing an epitaxial Ir–Si compound that can be applied in various silicon‐based electronic devices.
Resina Draconis extract exerts anti‐HCC effects through METTL3‐m6A‐Survivin axis
Authors: Zhang Linlin , Ke Weiwei , Zhao Xiangxuan , Lu Zaiming
Published: April 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Herbal medicines have become an important treasure reservoir for anti‐HCC drugs because of their high efficiency and low toxicity. Herein, we investigated whether a 75% ethanol extract from Resina Draconis (ERD) exhibited comprehensive anti‐HCC effects both in vivo and in vitro. We revealed that ERD effectively inhibited proliferation and triggered apoptosis of HCC cells in a dose‐ and time‐dependent maner, posing no apparent apoptotic toxicity to normal liver cells. Moreover, ERD significantly inhibited the migration, invasion and metastasis of HCC cells. Importantly, ERD treatment effectively inhibited the growth of xenograft HCC in nude mice with low toxicity and low side effects. Molecular mechanism analysis showed that ERD strongly reduced the expression of anti‐apoptotic protein Survivin, ultimately leading to the cleavage activation of apoptosis executive proteins such as Caspase 3 and Poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP). Survivin gene silencing apparently sensitized the apoptotic effect induced by ERD. Further experiments revealed that ERD inhibited N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) modification in Survivin mRNA by downregulating Methyltransferase‐like 3 (METTL3) expression and reducing the binding rate of METTL3 and Survivin mRNA. Together, our findings suggest that ERD can be severed as a novel anti‐HCC natural product by targeting METTL3‐m6A‐Survivin axis.
An Efficient and Green Synthesis of Tetrahydrobenzo[b]Pyran Derivatives Using [(EMIM)Ac] at Room Temperature
Authors: Katariya Ashishkumar P. , Yadav Ashok R. , Pawar Omprakash B. , Pisal Parshuram M. , Sangshetti Jaiprakash N. , Katariya Maya V. , Deshmukh Satish U.
Published: April 2022

An efficient, expedient, clean and environmental being synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran's twenty derivatives (4 a–t) has been reported via one‐pot three component condensation reaction of various benzaldehydes, dimedone and malononitrile in presence of ionic liquid [(EMIM)Ac] as a catalyst at ambient temperature in ethanol. Advantages of these reaction follow the principle of green chemistry, which are operational simplicity, shorter reaction time, and mild reaction conditions with high yield (78–98 %) products.
Imidazopyrazines as New Anti‐inflammatory Agents: Discovery and Biological Activity Research in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Lai Qingfu , Li Tong , Zhang Fuli , Li Ming , Mei Qinghua , Ye Lianbao
Published: April 2022

A series of imidazopyrazine derivatives were synthesized, and evaluated for their anti‐inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo using RAW264.7 cells model and Zebrafish Traumatic Infection Inflammation model. The results in vitro showed that the compounds had significant inhibitory effect on inflammatory factor interleukin 6 (IL6), and N‐ (3 ‐( 4‐ ((1,1‐dioxidothiomorpholino) methyl)phenyl) imidazo [1,5‐a] pyrazin‐6‐yl) cyclopropanecarboxamide A1 the best activity, which was significantly different from that of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) control group (P<0.03). The experiment of anti‐inflammatory activity in vivo indicated that compound A1 showed obvious aggregation inhibitory activity on inflammatory effector cells which was significantly different from that in the tail‐cutting control group (P<0.03). When the concentration of the compound was 160 μg/mL, the inhibitory activity of compound A1 was better than that of dexamethasone positive control group (P<0.05). This study could supply some anti‐inflammatory leading structure and possible mechanism for studying and developing new anti‐inflammatory agents.
Synthesis, Neutron Diffraction, and DFT Studies of NaLa(WO4)2: Yb3+/Er3+; NIR Induced Green Fluorescent Bifunctional Probes for In Vitro Cell Imaging and Solid State Lighting
Authors: Munirathnappa Archana K , Aranthady Chethana , Kulal Ananda , Kumar Maurya Sachin , Kumar Kaushal , Nayak Sanjay , Cheol Lee Seung , Sundaram Nalini G
Published: April 2022

We report the synthesis, systematic crystal structure, and upconversion (UC) emission in bulk and nanomaterials of NaLa(WO4)2: Yb3+/Er3+. The disordered NaLa(WO4)2 matrix has been considered as the UC host and host lattice dynamics were investigated using DFT, and neutron diffraction studies. The presence of phonons at the cut‐off frequency of ∼912 cm−1 is revealed by DFT analysis which is further confirmed by room temperature Raman studies. The optimized concentration of NaLa0.865Er0.035Yb0.1(WO4)2 is referred to as UCB and UCN with respect to particle size derived from a facile solvothermal method. Interestingly, high‐resolution microscopy studies uncovered the existence of high‐density edge dislocations in UCN nanomaterials leading to enhanced phonon scattering. Both UCB and UCN materials have shown pump power‐dependent intense UC green emission upon 980 nm laser irradiation. In addition, we have also demonstrated an excellent non‐toxicity of UCB and UCN towards Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and mammalian HeLa cell lines followed by the potential use of nanomaterials for in vitro cell imaging. Thus, the combined neutron diffraction, DFT, microscopy, and spectroscopic analysis collectively resulted in the right structure‐property relationship in these biocompatible UC green fluorescent bifunctional NaLa(WO4)2 materials.
Emerging Trends in N‐Tosylhydrazone Mediated Transition‐Metal‐Free Reactions
Authors: Singhal Rakshanda , Choudhary Satya Prakash , Malik Babita , Pilania Meenakshi
Published: April 2022

This review is based on the recent synthetic advancements of N‐tosylhydrazone under metal‐free conditions for the construction of nitrogen‐containing heterocycles. N‐Tosylhydrazones, an emerging building block in current organic chemistry offer moderate and flexible procedures through the carbene intermediates for the formation of C−C and carbon‐heteroatom bonds. N‐Tosylhydrazones are the derivatives of the aldehyde/keto group which act as carbene source, diazo precursors, and alternative of the respective carbonyl group. The key features of the N‐tosylhydrazone chemistry involve selective, controllable, one‐pot synthesis, good functional group tolerance, and metal‐free reactions with a wide scope of substrates. The current study includes mechanistic features, synthetic applications, substrate scope, limitation, and some additional reactions like electrosynthesis, regioselective, chemoselective, annulation, 1,3‐dipolar, and intermolecular cycloaddition.
Spontaneous Biphasic System with Lithium Chloride Hydrate for Efficient Esterification of Levulinic Acid
Authors: Wang Jinghua , Wang Jiangang , Cui Hongyou , Li Zhihe , Wang Ming , Yi Weiming
Published: April 2022

An efficient approach for synthesis of levulinate from biomass‐derived levulinic acid (LA) and n‐butyl alcohol (BuOH) in molten salt hydrates (MSH) with microwave irridiation was reported. A series of molten salt hydrates were evaluated in terms of their catalytic activity and pH value without any additional catalyst. Introduction of AlCl3 greatly increased the yield of butyl levulinate(BL). As high as 95.5 % BL yield was obtained in LiCl ⋅ 3H2O+AlCl3 system. Reaction mechanism study shows that LiCl ⋅ 3H2O can promote the esterification of LA with BuOH by enhancing the protonation of LA. LiCl is able to expel the formed BL into organic‐phase, and then boost up esterification efficiency. Both separation of BL and strong hygroscopicity of LiCl ⋅ 3H2O promoted the esterification reaction equilibrium. High‐efficient esterification of LA with BuOH realized separation of LA from MSH. Activation energies of BL formation are 70.9 kJ/mol in LiCl ⋅ 3H2O and 31.8 kJ/mol in AlCl3+LiCl ⋅ 3H2O.
A Turn‐On Sensor for Highly Sensitive and Selective Detect Heparin in Human Serum Albumin
Authors: Huang Cuiping , Cao Jian , Liu Mingming , Tu Yajing , Zhang Meijuan , Zheng Junying
Published: April 2022

A novel positively charged sensor, NAP‐MBT+, was designed and constructed by introducing a 2‐methylbenzothiazole cation (MBT+) into naphthalimide derivative (NAP‐phCHO) via a double carbon bond. NAP‐MBT+ can realize the detection sensitively and selectively for heparin (Hep) by “turn‐on” fluorescence emission in several seconds. NAP‐MBT+ displayed the very significant fluorescence emission enhancement only to Hep among various interference from counter ions and biomolecules. The fluorescence emission of NAP‐MBT+ to Hep depended on the electrostatic attraction between the positive and negative charges. NAP‐MBT+‐Hep assembly can be dissociated by protamine (PRTM) appearing an “off‐on‐off” signal because of the stronger affinity of Hep to PRTM. NAP‐MBT+ was successfully applied to detect Hep in 0.2 % human serum.
A Thiophene Derivative, 2‐Bromo‐5‐(2‐(methylthio)phenyl)thiophene, Has Effective Anticancer Potential with Other Biological Properties
Authors: Yılmaz Can , Othman Pirdawid Ahmed , Fidan Babat Ceylan , Konuş Metin , Çetin Doğan , Kıvrak Arif , Algso Muheb A. S. , Arslan Şevki , Mutlu Doğukan , Otur Çiğdem , Kurt Kızıldoğan Aslıhan
Published: April 2022

Thiophene derivatives are studied intensively due to their anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant and some other clinically important properties. In this study, the biological properties of a new thiophene derivative, so called BMPT, with a moderate drug score of 0.29 were tested. BMPT showed selective cytotoxicity for LnCap, HepG2 and Caco‐2 cancer cell lines with EC50 values of 138.573 μM, 185.931 μM, and 108.657 μM, respectively, but not on the control cell line HEK293. The increased expressions were detected for caspase3, caspase8, caspase9 and Bax; but Bcl‐2 expressions were decreased at cancer cell lines. BMPT decreased the total thiol content and total GST activities at HepG2 47 % and 40 %, respectively, and, molecular docking supported inhibitory models for GSTP1‐1, GSTA1‐1 and GSTM2‐2 were mixed, uncompetitive and uncompetitive, respectively. BMPT also showed potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Related with its selective inhibition on GST activities, BMPT is proposed to have significant apoptotic effect leaded by changes, especially, in caspase 3, Bcl‐2 and Bax expressions.
Ten Years of Sb2Se3 Thin Film Solar Cells
Authors: Chen Chao , Li Kanghua , Tang Jiang
Published: April 2022

Antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) has emerged as a promising absorber material for photovoltaic application. Since the first pure‐phase Sb2Se3 solar cell reported ten years ago, increasing research has been carried out on this system with the device efficiency now reaching 9.2%. This work aims to present the major milestones of Sb2Se3 thin film solar cells from its birth to the present, including the selection of Sb2Se3 for thin film photovoltaics, the choice of planar device configuration instead of sensitized device, switching from solution processing to vacuum processing, new concept of orientation control and benign grain boundaries, discovery of unusual and complex defects, and post selenization for defect passivation. In the end, the authors discuss the competitive applications of Sb2Se3 solar cells in flexible devices and outlook their future development.
Enhancement of Hole Extraction Efficiency of Dibenzothiophenes by Substitution Engineering: Toward Additive‐Free Perovskite Solar Cells with Power Conversion Efficiency Exceeding 20%
Authors: Durgaryan Ranush , Simokaitiene Jurate , Volyniuk Dmytro , Bezvikonnyi Oleksandr , Danyliv Yan , Kim Byeong Jo , Woon Kai Lin , Sini Gjergji , Boschloo Gerrit , Grazulevicius Juozas Vidas
Published: April 2022

Replacement of hole‐transporting materials (HTM) for additive‐free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is an urgent issue. In this work, three new derivatives of dibenzothiophene with methoxyphenyl, trimethoxyphenyl, carbazole moieties are synthesized as hole‐transporting materials for PSCs. The hole density dynamics and hole transporting properties of synthesized dibenzothiophene derivatives are investigated by combination of the charge extraction by linearly increasing voltage (CELIV) and time‐of‐flight (TOF) techniques. The TOF hole mobility (μh) of one compound reaches the highest value of 4.2 × 10−3 cm2 V−1s−1 at an electric field of 2.5 × 105 V cm−1, however additive‐free layers in PSCs did not show the best performance. Instead, the PSC efficiency is determined by a trade‐off between the hole‐mobility properties and the “effective” hole recombination rate kB ranging 0.5–40.3 ms−1 as determined by means of the CELIV method. The best hole extraction properties are observed for a compound with μh of 9.45 × 10−4 cm2 V−1s−1 and kB of 11.8 ms−1 which is coherent with its lowest energetic disorder σ of 78.2 meV. Having both appropriate hole density dynamics and hole‐transporting properties, hole‐transporting layer of that compound allows to reach PCE of 20.9% for additive‐free PSC, which is among the state‐of‐art values for devices with undoped HTM.
CRABP2 accelerates epithelial mesenchymal transition in serous ovarian cancer cells by promoting TRIM16 methylation via upregulating EZH2 expression
Authors: Xie Tingting , Tan Minghua , Gao Yang , Yang Hong
Published: April 2022

Recently, it was covered that cellular retinoic acid‐binding protein 2 (CRABP2) is upregulated in ovarian cancer and participates in tumor progression, however, the specific mechanism remains to be explored. The pcDNA‐CRABP2 or si‐CRABP2 was transfected into SKOV3 and OVCAR3 ovarian cancer cells, respectively, and we observed that overexpression of CRABP2 inhibited cell apoptosis, promoted cell invasion and expression of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker proteins, and transfection of si‐CRABP2 had the opposite effect. Furthermore, we predicted that EZH2 interacted with CRABP2, and overexpression of CRABP2 promoted EZH2 expression, knockdown of CRABP2 inhibited EZH2 expression, and co‐immunoprecipitation assay confirmed their binding relationship. The SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells were then incubated with pcDNA‐CRABP2 alone together with si‐EZH2, and we found that si‐EZH2 reversed the effect of pcDNA‐CRABP2 on promotion of EZH2 expression, cell invasion and EMT maker protein levels. Next, we found that EZH2 could bind to DNMT1, and overexpression of EZH2 inhibited TRIM16 expression and knockdown of EZH2 promoted TRIM16 expression. Moreover, the promoter of TRIM16 contains the CpG island, and ChIP assay observed enriched DNMT1 on the promoter of TRIM16, and overexpression of EZH2 increased the promoter methylation level of TRIM16 and knockdown of EZH2 suppressed the methylation. The SKOV3 cells were incubated with si‐EZH2 alone or combined with si‐TRIM16, and we found that si‐TRIM16 reversed the effect of si‐EZH2. In vivo studies showed that knockdown of CRABP2 inhibited tumor volume and weight, suppressed the expression of EZH2 and EMT related proteins vimentin and snail, and increased the expression of TRIM16 and E‐cadherin.
Estimation of the proteome affecting changes in tenderness of yak meat during storage by label‐free mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Shengsheng , Liu Shujie
Published: April 2022

Background

Tenderness is the main quality of meat products. However, the meat tenderness formation is a complex biological process, and pathways and proteins that affect the tenderness of yak meat are unknown.

Methods

Label‐free proteomics method was used to explore the effects of differentially expressed proteins on the tenderness of yak skeletal muscle (tenderloin) during post‐mortem storage (0, 3, and 7 days) at 3 ± 1°C.

Results

The tenderness of yak skeletal muscle improved significantly during storage. A total of 91 differentially expressed proteins of yak skeletal muscle during post‐mortem storage were identified by the following comparisons: day 3 versus 0, day 7 versus 0, and day 7 versus 3. NDUFS6, CYCS, COX6A2, LDB3, HSPB7, TPM4, TAGLN, COL1A1, LUM, MYH11, ACTC1, and MYOZ1 proteins showed a significant difference during yak skeletal muscle post‐mortem storage. Furthermore, bioinformatics analyses revealed that the identified proteins were related to carbon metabolism, citrate cycle, glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, and RNA degradation.

Conclusion

The results of the present study could provide proteomic insights into changes in yak skeletal muscle tenderness during storage and may be a valuable resource for future investigations.
Cardiovascular diseases preventive policy‐making process in Iran: A framework‐based policy analysis
Authors: Khodayari‐Zarnaq Rahim , Alizadeh Gisoo
Published: April 2022

Strengthening countries' policies to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) relies on their policymaking processes. This study aimed to create a deep understanding of these processes through evaluating preventive and control policies of CVD in Iran, using Walt and Gilson's policy analysis triangle framework to analyze the policymaking process qualitatively. Data were collected using various methods such as reviewing international and national documents and interviewing experts; the framework analysis method was used to analyze the data. Findings were reported in four dimensions of the policy analysis triangle, including content, context, process, and actors. Various social, economic, environmental, and political factors affect the policy's development. Prevention plans emphasize inter‐ and intrasectorial collaborations and require community‐based interventions. Achieving universal health coverage and global attention to the prevention of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) has put CVD prevention on the agenda in Iran. In addition, the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of NCDs has been compiled with the participation of all ministries. An Iranian Non‐Communicable Diseases Committee has also been established, reflecting the national effort to control CVD. Although Iran has taken important steps to control and prevent CVD, the incidence of CVD is still increasing. Comprehensive action plans should be implemented with extensive intrasectorial cooperation and a clear framework to achieve the desired goals.
Bounding 3d CFT correlators
Authors: Paulos Miguel F. , Zheng Zechuan
Published: April 2022

Abstract

We consider the problem of bounding CFT correlators on the Euclidean section. By reformulating the question as an optimization problem, we construct functionals numerically which determine upper and lower bounds on correlators under several circumstances. A useful outcome of our analysis is that the gap maximization bootstrap problem can be reproduced by a numerically easier optimization problem. We find that the 3d Ising spin correlator takes the minimal possible allowed values on the Euclidean section. Turning to the maximization problem we find that for d > 2 there are gap-independent maximal bounds on CFT correlators. Under certain conditions we show that the maximizing correlator is given by the generalized free boson for general Euclidean kinematics. In our explorations we also uncover an intriguing 3d CFT which saturates gap, OPE maximization and correlator value bounds. Finally we comment on the relation between our functionals and the Polyakov bootstrap.
Topology induced first-order phase transitions in lattice quantum gravity
Authors: Ambjorn J. , Gizbert-Studnicki J. , Görlich A. , Németh D.
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Causal Dynamical Triangulations (CDT) is a lattice formulation of quantum gravity, suitable for Monte-Carlo simulations which have been used to study the phase diagram of the model. It has four phases characterized by different dominant geometries, denoted phase A, B, C and Cb. In this article we analyse the A − B and the B − C phase transitions in the case where the topology of space is that of the three-torus. This completes the phase diagram of CDT for such a spatial topology. We observe that the order of a phase transition of spacetime geometries can depend on the topology of spacetime.
Associations between perceived quantitative work demands at different organisational levels and pain and sickness absence in eldercare workers: a multi-level longitudinal analysis
Authors: Stevens Matthew L. , Karstad Kristina , Mathiassen Svend Erik , Januario Leticia Bergamin , Rugulies Reiner , Hallman David M. , Holtermann Andreas
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Eldercare work is characterised by high quantitative work demands and high occurrence of musculoskeletal pain and sickness absence. Our aim was to investigate the association between quantitative demands aggregated at the different organizational levels of eldercare and low back pain (LBP) and sickness absence due to pain among workers.

Methods

This study was conducted in 527 eldercare workers from 105 wards across 20 nursing homes in Denmark. We collected workers’ perceived quantitative demands at baseline and workers’ LBP and sickness absence repeatedly over the following year. We aggregated worker-level quantitative demands to the ward and nursing home-levels, and used mixed-effects regression models to investigate the associations between quantitative demands at different organizational levels and LBP and sickness absence over 1 year.

Results

Across all models, increased quantitative demands (0–100 scale) at the worker-level was associated with an increased likelihood (OR 1.02) and intensity of LBP (β = 0.01). We did not identify any associations between quantitative demands at the ward-level and either of our outcomes. Across all models, increased quantitative demands at the nursing home-level was associated with increased days with sickness absence due to pain (β = 0.03 to 0.06).

Conclusion

In eldercare, workers’ perceived quantitative demands are associated with the presence and intensity of LBP. Further, quantitative demands across the overall nursing home-level are associated with sickness absence due to pain among eldercare workers. These results are of relevance to developing organisational interventions targeting quantitative demands to reduce sickness absence in eldercare.
Cannabidiol induces autophagy and improves neuronal health associated with SIRT1 mediated longevity
Authors: Wang Zhizhen , Zheng Peng , Chen Xi , Xie Yuanyi , Weston-Green Katrina , Solowij Nadia , Chew Yee Lian , Huang Xu-Feng
Published: April 2022

Autophagy
is a catabolic process to eliminate defective cellular molecules via lysosome-mediated degradation. Dysfunctional autophagy is associated with accelerated aging, whereas stimulation of autophagy could have potent anti-aging effects. We report that cannabidiol (CBD), a natural compound from Cannabis sativa, extends lifespan and rescues age-associated physiological declines in C. elegans. CBD promoted autophagic flux in nerve-ring neurons visualized by a tandem-tagged LGG-1 reporter during aging in C. elegans. Similarly, CBD activated autophagic flux in hippocampal and SH-SY5Y neurons. Furthermore, CBD-mediated lifespan extension was dependent on autophagy genes (bec-1, vps-34, and sqst-1) confirmed by RNAi knockdown experiments. C. elegans neurons have previously been shown to accumulate aberrant morphologies, such as beading and blebbing, with increasing age. Interestingly, CBD treatment slowed the development of these features in anterior and posterior touch receptor neurons (TRN) during aging. RNAi knockdown experiments indicated that CBD-mediated age-associated morphological changes in TRNs require bec-1 and sqst-1, not vps-34. Further investigation demonstrated that CBD-induced lifespan extension and increased neuronal health require sir-2.1/SIRT1. These findings collectively indicate the anti-aging benefits of CBD treatment, in both in vitro and in vivo models, and its potential to improve neuronal health and longevity.
Once they’ve been there, they like to share: capitalizing on ephemerality and need for uniqueness to drive word of mouth for brands with pop-up stores
Authors: Henkel Laura , Toporowski Waldemar
Published: April 2022

Retail has responded to the continuing shift in consumer preferences toward ephemerality and immediacy with the development of temporary experiential stores known as pop-ups. In the realm of experiential stores, research has identified retail and brand experience as affecting positive word of mouth (WoM). Surprisingly, however, studies have yet to consider pop-ups’ distinguishing feature of ephemerality or their main type of visitor, consumers with a high need for uniqueness (NFU). Building on five studies (two field studies, three experiments) and contributing to scarcity research, our results demonstrate the positive effect of an experiential store’s temporal scarcity for consumers and brands–namely, an enhanced brand experience. Moreover, our research corroborates our prediction of self-enhancement: For high-NFU consumers, brand experience translates into increased positive WoM when communicating with distant others. In contrast, when communicating with close others, the instinct of high-NFU customers to preserve their uniqueness does not affect positive WoM.
Impact of the microalga Dunaliella salina (Dunal) Teodoresco culture and its β-carotene extract on the development of salt-stressed squash (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Mabrouka)
Authors: El-Adl Magda F. , Deyab Mohamed A. , Ghazal Mai A. , Elsadany Abdelgawad Y.
Published: April 2022

Salinity is a major threat to crop production and global food security. Algae and their extracts containing bioactive compounds can enhance the salt tolerance of plants, including the salt-sensitive plants. The current study evaluated the efficacy of Dunaliella salina (Dunal) Teodoresco culture and/or its β-carotene extract in improving the salt tolerance of squash (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Mabrouka). Amendment of C. pepo with D. salina culture and/or its β-carotene extract was more effective in alleviating the impact of moderate salinity imposed by seawater dilution of 2.5 dS m−1 than either low (0.55 dS m−1) or high (3.5 dS m−1) salinity, with a comparable effect to that of salicylic acid (SA). Plants that received a combination of D. salina culture and its β-carotene extract showed significantly higher growth (total biomass, fruit productivity) and physiological attributes (photosynthetic pigments, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K+) contents) than those receiving either amendment alone, reaching up to 80–90% of the SA-treated plants at moderate salinity (2.5 dS m−1). The combination could enhance the antioxidant activity of moderately salt-stressed C. pepo via increasing carotenoids and phenolics contents, suggesting that this combination could enhance the adaptation of C. pepo to the moderate salinity. The present study recommends using the blooms of D. salina and its β-carotene that is naturally secreted in situ in natural or synthetic open systems in improving the salt tolerance of C. pepo instead of using the expensive synthetic hormones.
Technology, life histories and circulation of gold objects during the Middle Period (AD 400–1000): A perspective from the Atacama Desert, Chile
Authors: Plaza Calonge María Teresa , Figueroa Larre Valentina , Martinón-Torres Marcos
Published: April 2022

Studies of archaeological goldwork in the Americas are increasingly revealing a rich variety of context-specific ways in which gold items were produced and valued, but research attention has largely focused on visually striking artefacts. However, in the south-central Andes, goldwork is described essentially as a ‘sheet technology’—a definition that tends to downplay the potential complexity and cultural significance of this technology in such an extensive and varied region. Here, we employ a life-history approach to explore the existence of particular traditions within this large area. We present chemical and microscopic analyses, using pXRF, SEM–EDS, PIXE and digital microscopy, of 142 gold and silver objects from San Pedro de Atacama (northern Chile), recovered in seven cemeteries dated to the Middle Period (AD 400–1000). Our results reveal a heterogeneous assemblage where compositions, techniques, designs and skill levels vary, suggesting that gold artefacts circulated and were imported from different areas of the south-central Andes, such as Tiwanaku, Cochabamba and northwest Argentina. We also identify for the first time two distinct technological traditions used in San Pedro: small-scale goldwork production, and a tradition of modifying and reusing imported objects by cutting, perforating and separating object parts. Considering the depositional contexts, we propose that the funerary ritual at San Pedro was a key factor in the development of this local goldwork. Our research demonstrates that even small and unimpressive artefacts can be successfully interrogated from archaeological perspectives with integrative approaches that go beyond overly generalising perspectives of gold as an exotic status marker.
Can we do real inquiry online? Influence of real-time data collection on students’ views of inquiry in an online, multi-site masters’ degree on environmental education
Authors: Castillo-Hernández Francisco-José , Jiménez-Liso María-Rut , Couso Digna
Published: April 2022

In a previous study we detected that a number of inquiry stages (data collection, analysis and conclusions) went unnoticed by the students of an in situ joint online/onsite master’s degree via online teaching. In this paper we analyse the effect of improved instruction, in which students fully experienced and became aware of all the stages that comprise the inquiry-based teaching approach. In the article we show the differences between the initial and improved instruction. The comparison of student comments as exhibited in the online class diary forum between the initial and improved instruction has allowed us to analyse the influence of this improvement in the level of depth of the students’ discourse. Two codings have been employed to analyse the forums: the first (deductive) detected which stages of inquiry appeared in the comments. The second (inductive) involved the recoding of each of the previously classified comments based on five levels of communicative quality that emerged. Our main finding was that as well as being more aware of the different stages of inquiry, the students of the improved investigation were able to explain and identify them with specific examples. In other words, the investment of time in developing each of the stages in question helped them to define, afford reality to, and increase the explicative quality of their comments.
G4-quadruplex-binding proteins: review and insights into selectivity
Authors: Meier-Stephenson Vanessa
Published: April 2022

There are over 700,000 putative G4-quadruplexes (G4Qs) in the human genome, found largely in promoter regions, telomeres, and other regions of high regulation. Growing evidence links their presence to functionality in various cellular processes, where cellular proteins interact with them, either stabilizing and/or anchoring upon them, or unwinding them to allow a process to proceed. Interest in understanding and manipulating the plethora of processes regulated by these G4Qs has spawned a new area of small-molecule binder development, with attempts to mimic and block the associated G4-binding protein (G4BP). Despite the growing interest and focus on these G4Qs, there is limited data (in particular, high-resolution structural information), on the nature of these G4Q-G4BP interactions and what makes a G4BP selective to certain G4Qs, if in fact they are at all. This review summarizes the current literature on G4BPs with regards to their interactions with G4Qs, providing groupings for binding mode, drawing conclusions around commonalities and highlighting information on specific interactions where available.
Concept Formation and Quantum-like Probability from Nonlocality in Cognition
Authors: Gunji Yukio-Pegio , Haruna Taichi
Published: April 2022

Human decision-making is relevant for concept formation and cognitive illusions. Cognitive illusions can be explained by quantum probability, while the reason for introducing quantum mechanics is based on ad hoc bounded rationality (BR). Concept formation can be explained in a set-theoretic way, although such explanations have not been extended to cognitive illusions. We naturally expand the idea of BR to incomplete BR and introduce the key notion of nonlocality in cognition without any attempts on quantum theory. We define incomplete bounded rationality and nonlocality as a binary relation, construct a lattice from the relation by using a rough-set technique, and define probability in concept formation. By using probability defined in concept formation, we describe various cognitive illusions, such as the guppy effect, conjunction fallacy, order effect, and so on. It implies that cognitive illusions can be explained by changes in the probability space relevant to concept formation.