bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Die Lücke als Fund: Über eine Fehlstelle zur Familiengeschichte im Nachlass von Walther Gerlach (1889–1979)**
Authors: Hagmann Johannes‐Geert
Published: November 2023

The career of the German physicist Walther Gerlach (1889–1979) spanned two world wars and the changing political systems in Germany in the twentieth century. As a physicist involved in the rapid development of atomic physics and the management of scientific research in Germany during World War II as well as in post‐war West Germany, several attempts have been made in the past by historians of science to write his full biography. These projects have, among other foci, asked about Gerlach's role and his position with respect to National Socialism. However, based on his extensive papers preserved in the Deutsches Museum Archive in Munich, none of these projects has so far been conclusive. In this article, we identify evidence for the selective deletion of personal files relating to his first wife and daughter. We argue that reconstructing this lacuna sheds new light on the influence of National Socialist ideology on Gerlach's personal life, making him both a profiteer and a victim of eugenics jurisdiction.
The crystal structure of CIS‐CIS‐4, 6‐dimethyl‐trymethylene sulfite
Authors: Petit G. , Lenstra A. T. H. , Geise H. J.
Published: November 2023

The title compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2/b with Z=4. At‐65°C, the cell constants are: a=6.97 Å, b=8.88 Å, c=11.69 Å, γ=85.2°. The structure was solved using the Patterson function and the (difference) Fourier method and refined by conventional block‐diagonal least squares to a final R‐value of 6.9%. All hydrogen atoms were found. As predicted by its I.R. stretching frequency, the double bonded oxygen is found in an equatorial position.
Clear, precise language in coaching contracts plays key role in protecting institutions
Authors: O’Brien Timothy
Published: November 2023

The recent high‐profile cases at Northwestern University and Michigan State University, in which the institutions fired the head coaches of their respective football teams, have elevated the language of employment contracts into the national spotlight. Because one of the coaches has already filed a lawsuit challenging his termination, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of structuring employment contracts so that they convey as much certainty as possible. Indeed, when athletics administrators are equipped with clear contractual language, reasoned and appropriate decisions can be made in light of the varied circumstances that may compel action.
Water‐Driven Malleable, Weldable and Eco‐Friendly Recyclable Carbon Fiber Reinforced Dynamic Composites†
Authors: Yu Ping , Huang Qirui , Wang Yi , Peng Wan , Jia Zichen , Wang Haiyue , Ma Juanjuan , Wang Chunyu , Yan Xuzhou
Published: November 2023

Comprehensive Summary

Traditional carbon fiber‐reinforced polymers based on thermoset matrix have been extensively used in the fields of wind turbine blades, automotive sector, and aerospace, among many others. However, there is still a major challenge of recycling those polymers due to the high cost and adverse impacts on the environment. In this work, we apply a polyimine network as matrix, which possess considerable tensile and thermal properties, to prepare the carbon fiber reinforced polyimine materials with trifluoromethyl diphenoxybenzene units (CFRFP) using a prepreg‐based compression molding method. The CFRFP can be reshaped or reprocessed by heat or with water rapidly, and exhibited multifunction, including welding, chemical recycling, etc. These unique findings gained from our study will facilitate the manufacturing capability and enrich the types of fiber‐reinforced composites.
Global solutions of the compressible Euler‐Poisson equations with large initial data of spherical symmetry
Authors: Chen Gui‐Qiang G. , He Lin , Wang Yong , Yuan Difan
Published: November 2023

We are concerned with a global existence theory for finite‐energy solutions of the multidimensional Euler‐Poisson equations for both compressible gaseous stars and plasmas with large initial data of spherical symmetry. One of the main challenges is the strengthening of waves as they move radially inward towards the origin, especially under the self‐consistent gravitational field for gaseous stars. A fundamental unsolved problem is whether the density of the global solution forms a delta measure (i.e., concentration) at the origin. To solve this problem, we develop a new approach for the construction of approximate solutions as the solutions of an appropriately formulated free boundary problem for the compressible Navier‐Stokes‐Poisson equations with a carefully adapted class of degenerate density‐dependent viscosity terms, so that a rigorous convergence proof of the approximate solutions to the corresponding global solution of the compressible Euler‐Poisson equations with large initial data of spherical symmetry can be obtained. Even though the density may blow up near the origin at a certain time, it is proved that no delta measure (i.e., concentration) in space‐time is formed in the vanishing viscosity limit for the finite‐energy solutions of the compressible Euler‐Poisson equations for both gaseous stars and plasmas in the physical regimes under consideration.
The development and psychometric evaluation of the Questionnaire Epistemic Trust (QET): A self‐report assessment of epistemic trust
Authors: Knapen Saskia , Swildens Wilma E. , Mensink Wendy , Hoogendoorn Adriaan , Hutsebaut Joost , Beekman Aartjan T. F.
Published: November 2023

Epistemic trust (ET) refers to the predisposition to trust information as authentic, trustworthy and relevant to the self. Epistemic distrust – resulting from early adversity – may interfere with openness to social learning within the therapeutic encounter, reducing the ability to benefit from treatment. The self‐report Questionnaire Epistemic Trust (QET) is a newly developed instrument that aims to assess ET. This study presents the first results on the psychometric properties of the QET in both a community and a clinical sample. Our findings indicate that the QET is composed of four meaningful subscales with good to excellent internal consistency. The QET shows relevant associations with related constructs like personality functioning, symptom distress and quality of life. QET scores clearly distinguish between a clinical and community sample and are associated with the quality of the therapeutic alliance. The QET provides a promising, brief and user‐friendly instrument that could be used for a range of clinical and research purposes. Future studies with larger samples are needed to strengthen construct validity and to investigate the value of the QET to predict differential treatment responses or to study mechanisms of change.
Recent Trends in Supercapacitor Research: Sustainability in Energy and Materials
Authors: Chernysheva Daria V. , Smirnova Nina V. , Ananikov Valentine P.
Published: November 2023

Supercapacitors (SCs) have emerged as critical components in applications ranging from transport to wearable electronics due to their rapid charge‐discharge cycles, high power density, and reliability. This review offers an analysis of recent strides in supercapacitor research, emphasizing pivotal developments in sustainability, electrode materials, electrolytes, and ′smart SCs′ designed for modern microelectronics with attributes such as flexibility, stretchability, and biocompatibility. Central to this discourse are two dominant electrode materials: carbon materials (CMs), primarily in electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs), and pseudocapacitive materials, involving oxides/hydroxides, chalcogenides, metal‐organic frameworks, conductive polymers and metal nitrides such as MXene. Despite EDLCs′ historical use, challenges such as low energy density persist, with heteroatom introduction into the carbon lattice seen as a solution. Concurrently, pseudocapacitive materials dominate recent studies, with efficiency enhancement strategies, such as the creation of hybrids based on different types of materials, surface structural engineering and doping, under exploration. Electrolyte innovation, especially the shift towards gel polymer electrolytes for flexible SCs, and the harmonization of electrode materials with SC designs are highlighted. Emphasis is given to smart SCs with novel attributes such as self‐charging, self‐healing, biocompatibility, and environmentally conscious designs. In summary, the article underscores the drive in sustainable supercapacitor research to achieve high energy and power density, steering towards SCs that are efficient and versatile and involving bioderived/biocompatible SC materials. This brief review is based on selected recent references, offering depth combined with an accessible overview of the SC landscape.
Forest restoration and fuels reduction work: Different pathways for achieving success in theSierraNevada
Authors: Stephens Scott L. , Foster Daniel E. , Battles John J. , Bernal Alexis A. , Collins Brandon M. , Hedges Rachelle , Moghaddas Jason J. , Roughton Ariel T. , York Robert A.
Published: November 2023

Fire suppression and past selective logging of large trees have fundamentally changed frequent‐fire‐adapted forests in California. The culmination of these changes produced forests that are vulnerable to catastrophic change by wildfire, drought, and bark beetles, with climate change exacerbating this vulnerability. Management options available to address this problem include mechanical treatments (Mech), prescribed fire (Fire), or combinations of these treatments (Mech + Fire). We quantify changes in forest structure and composition, fuel accumulation, modeled fire behavior, intertree competition, and economics from a 20‐year forest restoration study in the northern Sierra Nevada. All three active treatments (Fire, Mech, Mech + Fire) produced forest conditions that were much more resistant to wildfire than the untreated control. The treatments that included prescribed fire (Fire, Mech + Fire) produced the lowest surface and duff fuel loads and the lowest modeled wildfire hazards. Mech produced low fire hazards beginning 7 years after the initial treatment and Mech + Fire had lower tree growth than controls. The only treatment that produced intertree competition somewhat similar to historical California mixed‐conifer forests was Mech + Fire, indicating that stands under this treatment would likely be more resilient to enhanced forest stressors. While Fire reduced modeled wildfire hazard and reintroduced a fundamental ecosystem process, it was done at a net cost to the landowner. Using Mech that included mastication and restoration thinning resulted in positive revenues and was also relatively strong as an investment in reducing modeled wildfire hazard. The Mech + Fire treatment represents a compromise between the desire to sustain financial feasibility and the desire to reintroduce fire. One key component to long‐term forest conservation will be continued treatments to maintain or improve the conditions from forest restoration. Many Indigenous people speak of “active stewardship” as one of the key principles in land management and this aligns well with the need for increased restoration in western US forests. If we do not use the knowledge from 20+ years of forest research and the much longer tradition of Indigenous cultural practices and knowledge, frequent‐fire forests will continue to be degraded and lost.
Simulation and numerical modeling of high‐efficiency CZTS solar cells with a BSF layer
Authors: Dakua Pratap Kumar , Panda Deepak Kumar , Kashyap Savita , Laidouci Abdelmoumene , Sadanand
Published: November 2023

The present paper deals with the photovoltaic performance‐based numerical evaluation of copper–zinc–tin–sulfur (CZTS) solar cells embedded with CZTSe as a back surface field (BSF) layer. CZTS has been considered a leading candidate for the fabrication of solar devices owing to its availability and absence of toxicity. Adding a BSF layer to a solar device is a novel way to boost efficiency. It reduces the recombination of the carriers at the back surface, thus increasing the overall current output of the solar cells. SCAPS 1D simulator is used to study the impact of several parameters on electrical properties like temperature, the thickness of the CZTS layer, acceptor doping concentration, and the impact of series and shunt resistances. Considering the optimized parameters in each layer of the solar cells, this work delivers 24.7% efficiency with the BSF layer, which is 8% more than that without the BSF layer. The results of this modeling will facilitate researchers to fabricate a highly efficient CZTS solar cell.
Silica Nanofibers with Enhanced Wettability and Mechanical Strength for Bone Tissue Engineering: Electrospinning without Polymer Carrier and Subsequent Heat Treatment
Authors: Jalali Sara , Kruppke Iris , Enghardt Stefan , Wiesmann Hans‐Peter , Kruppke Benjamin
Published: November 2023

The unique properties of silica, such as biocompatibility and the ability to promote cell growth, demonstrate favorable results in different applications such as drug delivery, biomedical applications, and tissue engineering (TE). Electrospinning has emerged as a method for creating a substrate with a high surface area and structural resemblance to natural extracellular matrices. A common method of fabricating silica nanofibers (SNFs) for TE involves hybrid silica/ polymer nanofibers, which require calcination to remove the polymer and obtain pure silica. This study aimed to use the sol‐gel precursor tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) to fabricate pure SNFs through electrospinning and investigate calcination's effect on their morphology, thermal behavior, mechanical properties, wettability, and porosity. The findings indicated that the calcination process reduced Young's modulus, wettability, and porosity, which may influence the applications of SNFs in TE. Nanofibrous mats with high Young's modulus can play a crucial role in providing mechanical support for tissue repair. Additionally, high porosity and wettability can facilitate cell attachment and growth by improving nutrient and oxygen transport to the cells. This study provides valuable insights into the potential use of pure SNFs and highlighted the effects of heat treatment on their properties.
New estimates of Rychkov's universal extension operator for Lipschitz domains and some applications
Authors: Shi Ziming , Yao Liding
Published: November 2023

Given a bounded Lipschitz domain , Rychkov showed that there is a linear extension operator for , which is bounded in Besov and Triebel‐Lizorkin spaces. In this paper, we introduce some new estimates for the extension operator and give some applications. We prove the equivalent norms for general Besov and Triebel‐Lizorkin spaces. We also derive some quantitative smoothing estimates of the extended function and all its derivatives on up to the boundary.
Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation Disorders and Retinal Neurovascular Structure
Authors: Amini Elahe , Rohani Mohammad , Fasano Alfonso , Azad Zahra , Miri Shahnaz , Habibi Seyed Amir Hassan , Emamikhah Maziar , Mirshahi Reza , Joghataei Mohammad Taghi , Gholibeigian Zeinab , Ghasemi Falavarjani Khalil
Published: November 2023

Background

The unique neurovascular structure of the retina has provided an opportunity to observe brain pathology in many neurological disorders. However, such studies on neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) disorders are lacking.

Objectives

To investigate NBIA's neurological and ophthalmological manifestations.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted on genetically confirmed NBIA patients and an age‐gender‐matched control group. The thickness of retinal layers, central choroidal thickness (CCT), and capillary plexus densities were measured by spectral domain‐optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) and OCT angiography, respectively. The patients also underwent funduscopy, electroretinography (ERG), visual evoked potential (VEP), and neurological examination (Pantothenate‐Kinase Associated Neurodegeneration‐Disease Rating Scale [PKAN‐DRS]). The generalized estimating equation model was used to consider inter‐eye correlations.

Results

Seventy‐four patients' and 80 controls' eyes were analyzed. Patients had significantly decreased visual acuity, reduced inner or outer sectors of almost all evaluated layers, increased CCT, and decreased vessel densities, with abnormal VEP and ERG in 32.4% and 45.9%, respectively. There were correlations between visual acuity and temporal peripapillary nerve fiber layer (positive) and between PKAN‐DRS score and disease duration (negative), and scotopic b‐wave amplitudes (positive). When considering only the PKAN eyes, ONL was among the significantly decreased retinal layers, with no differences in retinal vessel densities. Evidence of pachychoroid was only seen in patients with Kufor Rakeb syndrome.

Conclusion

Observing pathologic structural and functional neurovascular changes in NBIA patients may provide an opportunity to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and differential retinal biomarkers in NBIA subtypes in further investigations. © 2023 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Study of Cytotoxic and Antibacterial Activity of Ag‐ and Mg‐Dual‐Doped ZnO Nanoparticles
Authors: Azizi Aytan , Ghasemirad Mohammad , Mortezagholi Bardia , Movahed Emad , Aryanezhad Seyed Sasan , Makiya Ali , Ghodrati Hoda , Nasiri Kamyar
Published: November 2023

A non‐laborious process for the fabrication of silver and magnesium dual doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (Ag/Mg−ZnO NP) is described. The wurtzite ZnO nano‐structures and the dual doped NP were analyzed by PXRD. SEM data showed the hexagonal morphology of our product, while the gathered anti‐bacterial outcomes towards Streptococcus mutans bacteria through micro‐dilution technic affirmed the enhanced performance of doped NP compared to the native ones. Furthermore, we gauged the toxic impacts of synthesized pure and Ag/Mg−ZnO NP against a breast cancer (MDA‐MB‐231) cell line through an MTT trial, which highlighted the superiority of the doped when compared to the native nanoparticles. In light of these comparisons, the applicability of Ag/Mg−ZnO NP in dental and medical science is proposed.
Pyrazolones and amides from β‐alkoxy‐ and β‐alkylthio‐β‐chloroacryloyl chlorides
Authors: van Den Bosch G. , Bos H.J.T. , Arens J.F.
Published: November 2023

Conversion of β‐alkoxy‐ and β‐alkylthio‐β‐chloroacryloyl chlorides R′Y‐CCICR‐COCl (1. RH or alkyl, R′ = alkyl and YO or S) with amines yields the expected carboxamides R′Y‐CClCR‐CO‐NHR″. Phenylhydrazine reacts with β‐alkoxy‐β‐chloroacryloyl chlorides to give a mixture of 3‐alkoxy‐ 1‐phenyl‐2‐pyrazolin‐5‐ones (V) and 5‐alkoxy‐1‐phenyl‐4‐pyrazolin‐3‐ones(VI).
Interaction of benzenediazocyanides with fungal spores and its relation to their stability in light
Authors: Haverkate F. , Tempel A. , Pluijgers C.W.
Published: November 2023

Benzenediazocyanides, a class of highly fungicidal compounds, were investigated with special reference to their interaction with fungal cell thiols.

Spores of Fusarium culmorum took up readily diazocyanides with fungicidal properties. The 4‐hydroxy derivative was not taken up in neutral medium. Both uptake and in vitro activity of this compound were strongly enhanced by lowering of the pH, indicating that mainly the non‐ionised form (OH) was taken up. Rate of uptake of uncharged fungicidal diazocyanides was found roughly to parallel their rate of reaction with cysteine. Furthermore, a close similarity of the spectra of conversion products released by spores and of cysteine reaction products was observed. Benzenediazocyanides with electron‐donating substituents are supposed to undergo mainly addition of thiols to the nitrile group, whereas compounds with electron‐withdrawing substituents seem to undergo both addition to the nitrile group and reduction of the azo group. Consequently, it is concluded that benzenediazocyanides, like many other classes of fungicidal compounds, react with sulfhydryl groups within the fungal cell in a non‐specific way.

In solution benzenediazocyanides, like other classes of azo compounds, are known to be decomposed by light. The photodecomposition products, identified as the corresponding benzenediazonium ions and phenols, turned out to be considerably less fungitoxic in vitro than the parent compounds. Benzenediazocyanides with strongly electron‐donating phenyl substituents were found to be relatively stable to light.
Robust dynamic event‐triggered control of saturated nonlinear systems using reinforcement learning
Authors: Zheng Wenqian , Yang Xiong
Published: November 2023

We develop a robust dynamic event‐triggered control (ETC) law for asymmetrically input‐saturated nonlinear systems having matched disturbances. Initially, by constructing a novel cost function for the associated nominal system, we transform the constrained robust stabilization problem into an unconstrained optimal control problem. Then, we propose a dynamic event‐triggering rule for improving the performance in reducing the computational burden. Based on such a dynamic triggering rule, we present the event‐triggered Hamilton‐Jacobi‐Bellman equation (ET‐HJBE). To solve the ET‐HJBE, we employ a critic approximator with its parameters being updated in the reinforcement learning framework. After that, we apply Lyapunov's direct method to prove uniform ultimate boundedness of the closed‐loop system and the critic approximator's parameter estimation error. Finally, we provide two nonlinear plants to validate the present dynamic ETC law.
Strengthening a weak link: transparency of causal loop diagrams — current state and recommendations
Authors: Jalali Mohammad S. , Beaulieu Elizabeth
Published: November 2023

Transparency is a critical aspect of systems science. While transparency of quantitative models has been assessed, transparency of their qualitative structures has been less scrutinized. We assess the transparency of causal loop diagrams (CLDs), a key qualitative visualization tool in system dynamics. We evaluate System Dynamics Review (SDR) publications and a sample of most‐cited comparable articles in other journals. We assess the inclusion of a plain‐language methods statement, overall discernibility of the methods, and identification of causal link sources. Reviewing 72 articles (SDR: 36; other journals: 36), only 44%, 38%, and 25% fully satisfy each criterion, respectively. SDR articles are characterized by higher transparency in the clarity of CLD development method and communication of causal link sources, yet the potential for enhancement is evident. We provide specific recommendations to increase the transparency of CLDs. Transparent reporting benefits original research authors, future expansion of CLDs, and the systems science community. © 2023 The Authors. System Dynamics Review published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of System Dynamics Society.
Binder‐Free MOF‐Based and MOF‐Derived Nanoarrays for Flexible Electrochemical Energy Storage: Progress and Perspectives
Authors: Cai Dongming , Yang Zhuxian , Tong Rui , Huang Haiming , Zhang Chuankun , Xia Yongde
Published: November 2023

The fast development of Internet of Things and the rapid advent of next‐generation versatile wearable electronics require cost‐effective and highly‐efficient electroactive materials for flexible electrochemical energy storage devices. Among various electroactive materials, binder‐free nanostructured arrays have attracted widespread attention. Featured with growing on a conductive and flexible substrate without using inactive and insulating binders, binder‐free 3D nanoarray electrodes facilitate fast electron/ion transportation and rapid reaction kinetics with more exposed active sites, maintain structure integrity of electrodes even under bending or twisted conditions, readily release generated joule heat during charge/discharge cycles and achieve enhanced gravimetric capacity of the whole device. Binder‐free metal‐organic framework (MOF) nanoarrays and/or MOF‐derived nanoarrays with high surface area and unique porous structure have emerged with great potential in energy storage field and been extensively exploited in recent years. In this review, common substrates used for binder‐free nanoarrays are compared and discussed. Various MOF‐based and MOF‐derived nanoarrays, including metal oxides, sulfides, selenides, nitrides, phosphides and nitrogen‐doped carbons, are surveyed and their electrochemical performance along with their applications in flexible energy storage are analyzed and overviewed. In addition, key technical issues and outlooks on future development of MOF‐based and MOF‐derived nanoarrays toward flexible energy storage are also offered.
Dual Circularly Polarized Luminescence (CPL) and Piezoelectric Responses in Self‐Assembled Chiral Nanostructures Derived from a Dipeptide Based Piezorganogel
Authors: Umesh  , Bera Sayan , Bhattacharya Santanu
Published: November 2023

Next‐generation medical and consumer electrical devices require soft, flexible materials. Piezoelectric materials, capable of converting mechanical stress into electrical energy, are of interest across various fields. Chiral nanostructures, with inherent chirality, have emerged as potential piezoelectric materials. Peptide‐based materials, known for self‐assembly and stimuli responsiveness, hold promise for the utilization of chiral nanostructures. When combined with luminescent chromophores, peptides can generate aggregation‐induced chiroptical effects like Circularly Polarized Luminescence (CPL) and Circular Dichroism (CD). In this study, a chiral organogel, L,L‐1 is synthesized, and its self‐assembly, mechanical properties, and chiroptical features are examined. The organogel exhibits thermo‐reversible and thixotropic behavior, forming fibrillar networks and 2D‐sheets upon cooling. CD spectroscopy reveals aggregation‐induced chirality on pyrene chromophore, resulting in CPL with glum values of 3.0 (± 0.2) × 10−3 and 3.1 (± 0.2) × 10−3 for L,L‐1 and D,D‐1, respectively. Notably, the 2D‐sheets exhibit an enhanced piezoelectric response (d33 ≈76.0 pm V−1) compared to the fibrillar network (d33 ≈64.1 pm V−1). Introducing an electron‐deficient molecule into the solution forms a Charge‐transfer (CT) complex, modulating the piezoelectric response to d33 ≈52.44 pm V−1. This study offers a promising approach to optoelectronics design, presenting a chiral system with both CPL and piezoelectric responses, opening new possibilities for innovative applications.
Edge Conductivity in PtSe2Nanostructures
Authors: Kempt Roman , Kuc Agnieszka , Brumme Thomas , Heine Thomas
Published: November 2023

PtSe2is a promising 2D material for nanoelectromechanical sensing and photodetection in the infrared regime. One of its most compelling features is the facile synthesis at temperatures below 500 °C, which is compatible with current back‐end‐of‐line semiconductor processing. However, this process generates polycrystalline thin films with nanoflake‐like domains of 5–100 nm size. To investigate the lateral quantum confinement effect in this size regime, a deep neural network is trained to obtain an interatomic potential at density functional theory accuracy and it is used to model ribbons, surfaces, nanoflakes, and nanoplatelets of PtSe2with lateral widths between 5 and 15 nm. Which edge terminations are the most stable are determined and evidence is found that the electrical conductivity is localized on the edges for lateral sizes below 10 nm. This suggests that the transport channels in thin films of PtSe2might be dominated by networks of edges, instead of transport through the layers themselves.
Inhibition of miR‐578 through SOCS2‐dependent manner reverses gefitinib resistance in NSCLC cells
Authors: Yang Bo , Yao Lei , Yang Liankai , Zhao Fang , Zhou Wenyan
Published: November 2023

Background

Nonsmall‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has emerged as one of the dreadful lung cancers globally due to its increased mortality rates. Concerning chemotherapy, gefitinib has been employed as an effective first‐line treatment drug for NSCLC. Nonetheless, the acquired resistance to gefitinib has remained one of the treatment obstacles of NSCLC, requiring improvement in the therapeutic effect of gefitinib.

Methods

Initially, reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR), and Western blotting (WB) analyses were conducted to measure micro‐ribose nucleic acid (miRNA, specifically miR‐578) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2) levels in the clinical samples. Further, NSCLC cell lines resistance to gefitinib, established in vitro, were transfected by miR‐578 inhibitor, miR‐578 mimic, and si‐SOCS2. Similarly, the xenograft mouse model in vivo was constructed to validate the reversing effect of miR‐578.

Results

Our findings indicated the increased miR‐578 expression levels in the gefitinib resistance group. Further, inhibiting the miR‐578 expression substantially reversed the gefitinib resistance. In addition, the miR‐578 effect was modulated via the SOCS2 expression level. The decreased gefitinib resistance effect of miR‐578 was weakened by inhibiting the SOCS2 expression.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrated that miR‐578 effectively abolished gefitinib resistance by regulating the SOCS2 expression within NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo. Together, these results will undoubtedly support a reference to provide potential molecular therapeutic targets and clinical treatments for treating NSCLC patients.
Pb(NO3)2 induces cell apoptosis through triggering of reactive oxygen species accumulation and disruption of mitochondrial function via SIRT3/SOD2 pathways
Authors: Lin Hui‐Wen , Lee Hsiang‐Lin , Shen Ting‐Jing , Ho Meng‐Ting , Lee Yi‐Ju , Wang Inga , Lin Ching‐Pin , Chang Yuan‐Yen
Published: November 2023

Lead (Pb) is nonbiodegradable and toxic to the lungs. To investigate the potential mechanisms of Pb‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and cell death in the lungs, human non‐small lung carcinoma H460 cells were stimulated with Pb(NO3)2 in this study. The results showed that Pb(NO3)2 stimulation increased cell death by inducing cell apoptosis which showed a reduced Bcl‐2 expression and an enhanced caspase 3 activation. Pb(NO3)2 also caused the production of H2O2 in H460 cells that triggering the buildup of ROS and mitochondrial membrane potential loss. We found that Pb(NO3)2 modulates oxidoreductive activity through reduced the glutathione‐disulfide reductase and glutathione levels in Pb(NO3)2‐exposed H460 cells. Furthermore, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) upstream molecule sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) was increased with Pb(NO3)2 dose. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Pb(NO3)2 promotes lung cell death through SIRT3/SOD‐mediated ROS accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives
Authors: Bocking Stephen
Published: November 2023

Indigenous knowledge, once dismissed as mere folklore, is now widely recognized as an essential dimension of global environmental knowledge. Indigenous people, once excluded, now participate across a range of environmental affairs. Understanding how and why this has occurred requires attention to a complex history of scientists and others constructing ideas about Indigenous knowledge. A variety of scholars, including historians of science, environmental historians, and political ecologists have examined this history, identifying the factors that have influenced expert, public, and institutional perceptions of Indigenous knowledge. These include various colonial and postcolonial contexts, ideas about development, changes in the natural environment, disciplinary perspectives (such as those of anthropology), and shifting views of human-environment relations. Indigenous peoples – as knowledge producers, brokers, and intermediaries – have been crucial to these evolving perceptions, by asserting that their knowledge can be a means of achieving change in both knowledge and politics. The Arctic provides a distinctive setting in which the historical construction of Indigenous knowledge can be examined in more detail.
Holistic Analysis of Organised Misinformation Activity in Social Networks
Authors: Peñas Anselmo , Deriu Jan , Sharma Rajesh , Valentin Guilhem , Reyes-Montesinos Julio
Published: November 2023

To tackle the problem of disinformation, society must be aware not only of the existence of intentional misinformation campaigns, but also of the agents that introduce the misleading information, their supporting media, the nodes they use in social networks, the propaganda techniques they employ and their overall narratives and intentions. Disinformation is a challenge that must be addressed holistically: identifying and describing a disinformation campaign requires studying misinformation locally, at the message level, as well as globally, by modelling its propagation process to identify its sources and main players. In this paper, we argue that the integration of these two levels of analysis hinges on studying underlying features such as disinformation’s intentionality, and benefited and injured agents. Taking these features into account could make automated decisions more explainable for end users and analysts. Moreover, simultaneously identifying misleading messages, knowing their narratives and hidden intentions, modelling their diffusion in social networks, and monitoring the sources of disinformation will also allow a faster reaction, even anticipation, against the spreading of disinformation.
Structural and mechanical evaluation of a new Ti-Nb-Mo alloy produced by high-energy ball milling with variable milling time for biomedical applications
Authors: Dahmani Marwa , Fellah Mamoun , Hezil Naouel , Benoudia Mohamed-Cherif , Abdul Samad Mohammed , Alburaikan Alhanouf , Abd El-Wahed khalifa Hamiden , Obrosov Aleksei
Published: November 2023

The main focus of this work is to investigate the impact of varying milling times (2 to 18 h) on the structural and mechanical properties of the developed Ti-Nb-Mo alloy. The morphology, phase composition, microstructure, and mechanical behavior of milled and sintered Ti-25Nb-25Mo alloy samples were characterized systematically using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, optical microscope, and Vicker microhardness. It was noted that the quantity of the β-Ti phase increased as the milling time increased. After 12 h of milling, the synthesized alloys exhibited a spherical morphology and texture with homogeneous distribution. The milled alloys' structural evolution and morphological changes were found to be dependent on their milling duration. Morphological analysis revealed that the crystallite size and mean pore size decreased when the milling duration increased, reaching minimum values of 51 nm and < 1 μm, after 12 and 18 h respectively. As the milling time increased, the grain size decreased, resulting in an increase in density, microhardness, and elastic modulus. Ti-25Nb-25Mo will presents good anti-wear ability and higher resistance to plastic deformation due to enhanced mechanical characteristics (H/E, and H3/E2). Hence, the developed Ti-25Nb-25Mo alloys with reduced elastic modulus and desirable mechanical properties were found to be a promising option for biomedical applications.
Biomarker array for prediction of acute kidney injury after percutaneous coronary intervention for patients who had acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Alkassas Amr , Elbarbary Yasser , Sherif Mohammed H. , El-Saied Shaimaa B. , Hagag Rasha Y. , Elbarbary Mohammed
Published: November 2023

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and is associated with poor outcomes. AKI is diagnosed by the dynamic change of serum Cr, but it could not predict AKI. This study aimed to evaluate a biomarker array that may fulfill this shortage. Setting: Cardiology Department, Tanta University Hospital. Design: Prospective interventional study included 280 acute STEMI patients who underwent emergency PCI. Serial samples of blood and urine were obtained at the time of admission to the hospital (T0) and PCI unit (T1) and at 12 h and 72 h (T12 and T72) after coronary revascularization to estimate levels of serum Cr, creatine phosphokinase, and heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) and calculation of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and urinary liver-type FABP (L-FABP). AKI was diagnosed according to the recommendations of the European Renal Best Practice as the times of increased serum Cr concerning baseline level. 85 patients developed AKI. Regression analyses defined a high NLR ratio in the T0 sample as the most significant predictor for early AKI diagnosed at T1 time, while high NLR and serum H-FABP levels in T1 samples as the significant predictors for AKI defined at T12 time. However, high urinary L-FABP levels in T12 samples and high NLR are significant predictors for AKI at T72 time. Combined estimations of serum H-FABP and urinary L-FABP with the calculation of NLR could predict the oncoming AKI and discriminate its pathogenesis. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethical Committee at Tanta Faculty of Medicine by approval number: 35327/3/22. For blindness purposes, the authors will be blinded about the laboratory results till the end of 72 h after revascularization and the clinical pathologist will be blinded about the indication for the requested investigations.
Virtual coach and telerehabilitation for Parkinson´s disease patients: vCare system
Authors: Del Pino Rocio , de Echevarría Amaia Ortiz , Díez-Cirarda Maria , Ustarroz-Aguirre Iker , Caprino Massimo , Liu Jin , Gand Kai , Schlieter Hannes , Gabilondo Iñigo , Gómez-Esteban Juan Carlos
Published: November 2023

Aim

The vCare system is a virtual coach that involves physical and cognitive telerehabilitation and a daily life monitoring system. This pilot study aims to evaluate the vCare pilot test for Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and to analyze the usability and the satisfaction level of patients and their quality of life (QoL).

Subject and methods

Twenty PD patients were randomized, 10 patients into the vCare group focused on personalized home telerehabilitation [motor and cognitive rehabilitation (4 days/week for 4 months)], while the control group (10 patients) continued the clinical standard at the clinic. A pre-post clinical evaluation and a cost-utility study were performed.

Results

Repeated measures ANOVA showed significant improvement in the PD vCare group compared to the control group (p<.05). Specifically, the PD vCare group showed significant improvement in cognition (p=.016), and QoL dimensions of mobility (p=.008), self-care (p=.008), daily activities (p=.010) and pain/discomfort (p=.004) at post-treatment. vCare PD patients showed high adherence to the vCare system (90.5-100%). Costs per patient in the control group were higher (€5,108.26) than in the vCare group (€2,243.07).

Conclusion

The PD vCare group significantly increase their QoL, cognition, motor symptoms, and daily life activities compared to the control group. Patients showed high adherence to the vCare coach, the care plan, rehabilitation, and devices. The vCare system seems to be an optimal and cost-effective tool for telerehabilitation in PD.
Photosensitive cellulosic materials based on a covalently grafted phenosafranin-modified silsesquioxane analog for bactericidal applications
Authors: Rozga-Wijas Krystyna , Ganicz Tomasz , Miksa Beata , Makowski Tomasz , Knopik Lucja , Turecka Katarzyna , Waleron Krzysztof
Published: November 2023

Light-triggered antimicrobial cellulose surfaces were obtained by the immobilization of a photosensitive phenosafranin dye (PSF) in a hybrid organic–inorganic silsesquioxane polymer applied on handsheets prepared from a standard bleached softwood pulp. These coatings were deposited by polycondensation of methyltriethoxysilane and an alkoxysilyl derivative of phenosafranin (TESPSF) obtained by the thiolene addition reaction and coupling of the succinic anhydride derivative with a primary amine group of PSF. TESPSF and coatings were characterized by advanced techniques in terms of chemical structure (1H, 13C, 29Si NMR, MS, ATR-IR), surface properties (SEM, EDX, water contact angles), and optical properties (UV, reflection light intensity, ISO brightness). The light-induced antimicrobial activity of sheets of paper coated with new materials showed the inhibition of the growth of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Escherichia coli ATCC 8739. The cytotoxicity studies of modified cellulose surfaces were performed using erythrocyte lysis assays under both dark and light conditions exhibited no toxicity on erythrocytes. Thus, the new material did not reveal harmful effects on erythrocytes, regardless of the presence and absence of light.
Being a Program Director in a Mental Health Training Program - A Candid Reflection
Authors: Williams Lee
Published: November 2023

Despite the important impact that program directors can have upon a mental health training program, there is surprisingly little literature on program directors. This article builds on the existing literature by providing a candid insider’s perspective on what it is like to be a program director of a mental health training program. The article describes twelve areas where program directors may experience challenges, such as developing a leadership style, the potential impact on relationships (e.g., power), managing triangulation, addressing the impact of the role on teaching and scholarship, dealing with burnout, managing accreditation, and working with university administrators. In each of these areas, recommendations for how a program director might navigate these challenges are offered. The article concludes with a call for more research on this topic given the limited literature.
Anomaly detection in sleep: detecting mouth breathing in children
Authors: Biedebach Luka , Óskarsdóttir María , Arnardóttir Erna Sif , Sigurdardóttir Sigridur , Clausen Michael Valur , Sigurdardóttir Sigurveig Þ. , Serwatko Marta , Islind Anna Sigridur
Published: November 2023

Identifying mouth breathing during sleep in a reliable, non-invasive way is challenging and currently not included in sleep studies. However, it has a high clinical relevance in pediatrics, as it can negatively impact the physical and mental health of children. Since mouth breathing is an anomalous condition in the general population with only 2% prevalence in our data set, we are facing an anomaly detection problem. This type of human medical data is commonly approached with deep learning methods. However, applying multiple supervised and unsupervised machine learning methods to this anomaly detection problem showed that classic machine learning methods should also be taken into account. This paper compared deep learning and classic machine learning methods on respiratory data during sleep using a leave-one-out cross validation. This way we observed the uncertainty of the models and their performance across participants with varying signal quality and prevalence of mouth breathing. The main contribution is identifying the model with the highest clinical relevance to facilitate the diagnosis of chronic mouth breathing, which may allow more affected children to receive appropriate treatment.
An exploration of online technoliteracy capability teaching and learning in early years classrooms
Authors: Falloon Garry
Published: November 2023

The increasing use of digital devices by young children, has led to calls for earlier teaching for information literacy. However, some research indicates reluctance to do this, due to perceived limitations of young children and notions about what is and is not ‘appropriate’ for them learn. This study examines this proposition, through analysis of 6 and 7 year olds’ application of ‘Technoliteracy’ capabilities during a unit of learning about Matariki (the Maori new year). It used an updated and expanded revision of Durrant and Green’s (2000) l(IT)eracy capability model, to understand how the students applied ‘Technoliteracy’ capabilities to online research and production of an information artefact for an identified audience. Although results were mixed, data was found of students’ productive engagement of ‘Technoliteracy’ capabilities aligned with Durrant and Green’s dimensions, suggesting that with developmentally-appropriate curriculum and pedagogy they were capable of integrating these for meaning making, judging meaning quality, and meaning sharing and communication. Given increasingly ubiquitous access to devices from a young age, results indicate that serious consideration should be given to teaching basic ‘Technoliteracy’ capabilities in early years classrooms.
Inequality of opportunity in educational achievement in Western Europe: contributors and channels
Authors: Marrero Gustavo A. , Palomino Juan C. , Sicilia Gabriela
Published: November 2023

We study the contribution of students’ circumstances to inequality of opportunity in educational achievement (IOpE) in Western Europe and explore the role of intermediate channelling variables in translating differences in circumstances into educational inequalities. Using the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) database, we find that differences in households’ cultural environment and in parental occupation are the most important contributing circumstances, with school’s circumstances being relevant mostly in Central Europe. Our results show that the relevant channels of IOpE in most countries are students’ educational and occupational expectations, their reading habits and skills, and grade repetition in previous years. These findings can provide policymakers with key insights to aid in designing educational interventions that effectively increase educational opportunities across European countries.
Novel Bio-based Branched Unsaturated Polyester Resins for High-Temperature Applications
Authors: Akbari Samira , Root Andrew , Skrifvars Mikael , Ramamoorthy Sunil Kumar , Åkesson Dan
Published: November 2023

Unsaturated polyester resins, one of the most important thermosets, are invariably produced from oil-based monomers. Their application is limited in areas where high thermal stability is required due to their low Tg. Besides, these resins contain 30–40% hazardous styrene as a reactive solvent. Therefore, developing bio-based solventless unsaturated polyester resin with medium to high thermomechanical properties compared to petrochemical-based counterparts is important. In order to achieve this, a series of branched bio-based unsaturated polyester resins were synthesized using bulk polymerization method in two steps. In the first step, four different intermediates were prepared by reacting glycerol (as a core molecule) with either isosorbide (diol), 1,3-propanediol (diol), 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (saturated diacid), or adipic acid (saturated diacid). In the second step, the branched intermediate was end capped with methacrylic anhydride to introduce reactive sites for cross-linking on the branch ends. The chemical structure of the resins was characterized by 13C-NMR. FT-IR confirmed the polycondensation reaction in the first step and the end functionalization of the resins with methacrylic anhydride in the second step. The effect of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and isosorbide on thermomechanical and thermal properties was investigated using dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermo-gravimetric analysis. Results indicated that 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid based resins had superior thermomechanical properties compared to a commercial reference unsaturated polyester resin, making them promising resins for high-temperature composite applications. For example, the resin based on 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and isosorbide and the resin based on 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and 1,3-propanediol gave glass transition temperatures of 173 °C and 148 °C, respectively. Although the synthesized 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid based resins had higher viscosity (22.7 Pas) than conventional unsaturated polyester (0.4–0.5 Pas) at room temperature, preheated resins can be used for making high-temperature-tolerance fiber-reinforced composite.