bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular mechanism of VEGF and its role in pathological angiogenesis
Authors: Ahmad Ajmal , Nawaz Mohd Imtiaz
Published: October 2022

Over the last seven decades, a significant scientific contribution took place in the delineation of the implications of vascular endothelial‐derived growth factor (VEGF) in the processes of angiogenesis. Under pathological conditions, mainly in response to hypoxia or ischemia, elevated VEGF levels promote vascular damage and the growth of abnormal blood vessels. Indeed, the development of VEGF biology has revolutionized our understanding of its role in pathological conditions. Hence, targeting VEGF or VEGF‐mediated molecular pathways could be an excellent therapeutic strategy for managing cancers and intraocular neovascular disorders. Although anti‐VEGF therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies and small‐molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, have limited clinical efficacy, they can still significantly improve the overall survival rate. This thus demands further investigation through the development of alternative strategies in the management of VEGF‐mediated pathological angiogenesis. This review article focuses on the recent developments toward the delineation of the functional biology of VEGF and the role of anti‐VEGF strategies in the management of tumor and eye pathologies. Moreover, therapeutic angiogenesis, an exciting frontier for the treatment of ischemic disorders, is highlighted in this review, including wound healing.
The anticancer effect of EGFR‐targeting artificial microRNA controlled by SLPI promoter in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Dong Feilin , Su Lizhong , Tan Jun , Luo Hui
Published: October 2022

Background

This study intends to use artificial microRNA (recombinant adenovirus vector) targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to inhibit the overexpressed EGFR in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, thereby inhibiting the proliferation and metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Method

The research group verified the expression of EGFR in nasopharyngeal carcinoma through databases, clinical tissues, and cellular pathways. The team first tested the transfection of the recombinant adenovirus by fluorescence microscopy. After adenovirus treatment with different multiplicity of infection (MOI), EGFR level and cell viability in cells were examined by Western blot and MTT assay. Next, the effects of adenovirus (Ad)‐SLPI‐EGFR on cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and related proteins were sequentially examined by EdU, scratch, Transwell, and Western blot. In vivo experiments were performed to evaluate the biological function of EGFR in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Result

All three validation pathways showed the increase in EGFR expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Transfection tests showed that the SLPI promoter was specific in CNE2 cells. With the increase in MOI, the inhibition of EGFR expression and cancer cell viability by Ad‐SLPI‐EGFR was enhanced. Meanwhile, Ad‐SLPI‐EGFR effectively reduced the proliferation and metastasis of CNE2 cells and affected the expression of related proteins. Furthermore, Ad‐SLPI‐EGFR inhibited the invasion and metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in vivo.

Conclusion

Ad‐SLPI‐EGFR inhibits the expression of EGFR in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, and finally achieves the purpose of inhibiting the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells, which may provide novel targeted intervention for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Validation study of the JSHBPS nomogram for patients with colorectal liver metastases who underwent hepatic resection in the recent era ‐ a nationwide survey in Japan
Authors: Beppu Toru , Yamamura Kensuke , Sakamoto Katsunori , Honda Goro , Kobayashi Shin , Endo Itaru , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Kotake Kenjiro , Itabashi Michio , Hashiguchi Yojiro , Kotera Yoshihito , Yamaguchi Tatsuro , Natsume Soichiro , Tabuchi Ken , Kobayashi Hirotoshi , Yamaguchi Kensei , Morita Satoshi , Kikuchi Ken , Miyazaki Masaru , Sugihara Kenichi , Yamamoto Masakazu , Takahashi Keiichi ,   Joint Committee for Nationwide Survey on Colorectal Liver Metastasis
Published: October 2022

Background

The Japanese Society of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery (JSHBPS) nomogram was developed to predict disease‐free survival in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) undergoing upfront hepatectomy. However, the utility of the nomogram in patients with resected CRLM remains unknown in the current situation in which treatment strategies are changing with advances in drugs.

Methods

Patients in the initial nomogram cohort (n = 727) and validation cohort (n = 2225) were divided into the upfront hepatectomy and preoperative chemotherapy groups. The nomogram was validated by measuring calibration and discrimination in the two cohorts. Calibration curves were plotted, and survival probabilities were compared. Finally, to quantify the discrimination power, we estimated the concordance index (C‐index).

Results

In the upfront hepatectomy group, the C‐index was 0.63, the suitable cutoff value of the Beppu score was 7, and adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly effective limited to high‐risk patients (Beppu score ≥7). The C‐index was 0.56 in the preoperative chemotherapy group.

Conclusions

The JSHBPS nomogram remains beneficial for patients undergoing upfront hepatectomy in the recent era but is less effective for patients undergoing hepatectomy after chemotherapy. Patients with a Beppu score ≥7 showed high‐risk recurrence, and adjuvant chemotherapy should be recommended for these patients.
Clinical evaluation of a surgical difficulty score for laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis proposed in the Tokyo Guidelines 2018
Authors: Egawa Noriyuki , Miyoshi Atsushi , Manabe Tatsuya , Sadashima Eiji , Koga Hiroki , Sato Hirofumi , Ikeda Osamu , Tanaka Toshiya , Kitahara Kenji , Noshiro Hirokazu
Published: October 2022

Background/Purpose

We evaluated the difficulty score of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for acute cholecystitis (AC) proposed in the Tokyo guidelines 2018 (TG18) and analyzed the most appropriate scoring method.

Methods

We reviewed 127 patients who underwent LC for AC from January 2018 to March 2022. According to TG18, surgical difficulty was scored for five categories consisting of 25 intraoperative findings. The median, highest, and mean score of the five categories were analyzed for their association with surgical outcomes.

Results

The difficulty score distribution (0/1/2/3/4/5/6) was as follows: median (8/34/43/30/12/0/0), highest (1/1/32/42/36/15/0) and mean (19/49/49/10/0/0/0). In all three scoring methods, higher difficulty scores were significantly correlated with longer operative time, more blood loss, and higher occurrence of subtotal cholecystectomy in trend tests. The areas under the curve (AUCs) for prediction of prolonged operative time minutes and increased blood loss were similar in all three scoring methods. For conversion to subtotal cholecystectomy, the AUC was significantly better for the highest than median and mean score (p = .015 and p = .002, respectively).

Conclusions

The difficulty score in TG18 appropriately reflects the surgical difficulty of LC for AC. The median, highest, and mean scores of the five categories are all available, and the highest scores are simple and versatile.
The effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability of HIV service delivery at private pharmacies in sub‐Saharan Africa: a scoping review
Authors: Kuo Alexandra P. , Roche Stephanie D. , Mugambi Melissa L. , Pintye Jillian , Baeten Jared M. , Bukusi Elizabeth , Ngure Kenneth , Stergachis Andy , Ortblad Katrina F.
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Private pharmacies are an understudied setting for differentiated delivery of HIV services that may address barriers to clinic‐delivered services, such as stigma and long wait times. To understand the potential for pharmacy‐delivered HIV services in sub‐Saharan Africa, we conducted a scoping review of the published and grey literature.

Methods

Using a modified Cochrane approach, we searched electronic databases through March 2022 and HIV conference abstracts in the past 5 years for studies that: (1) focused on the delivery of HIV testing, antiretroviral therapy (ART) and/or pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) at private pharmacies in sub‐Saharan Africa; (2) reported on effectiveness outcomes (e.g. HIV incidence) or implementation outcomes, specifically feasibility and/or acceptability; and (3) were published in English. Two authors identified studies and extracted data on study setting, population, design, outcomes and findings by HIV service type.

Results and discussion

Our search identified 1646 studies. After screening and review, we included 28 studies: seven on HIV testing, nine on ART delivery and 12 on PrEP delivery. Most studies (n= 16) were conducted in East Africa, primarily in Kenya. Only two studies evaluated effectiveness outcomes; the majority (n= 26) reported on feasibility and/or acceptability outcomes. The limited effectiveness data (n= 2 randomized trials) suggest that pharmacy‐delivered HIV services can increase demand and result in comparable clinical outcomes (e.g. viral load suppression) to standard‐of‐care clinic‐based models. Studies assessing implementation outcomes found actual and hypothetical models of pharmacy‐delivered HIV services to be largely feasible (e.g. high initiation and continuation) and acceptable (e.g. preferable to facility‐based models and high willingness to pay/provide) among stakeholders, providers and clients. Potential barriers to implementation included a lack of pharmacy provider training on HIV service delivery, costs to clients and providers, and perceived low quality of care.

Conclusions

The current evidence suggests that pharmacy‐delivered HIV services may be feasible to implement and acceptable to clients and providers in parts of sub‐Saharan Africa. However, limited evidence outside East Africa exists, as does limited evidence on the effectiveness of and costs associated with pharmacy‐delivered HIV services. More research of this nature is needed to inform the scale‐up of this new differentiated service delivery model throughout the region.
Engineering Escherichia coli for l‐homoserine production
Authors: Sun Bing‐Yao , Wang Feng‐Qing , Zhao Jian , Tao Xin‐Yi , Liu Min , Wei Dong‐Zhi
Published: October 2022

l‐homoserine, a nonprotein amino acid, is used to synthesize many active substances in the industry. Here, to develop a robust l‐homoserine‐producing strain, Escherichia coli W3110 was used as a chassis to be engineered. Based on a previous construct with blocked competing routes for l‐homoserine synthesis, five genes were overexpressed by promoter replacement strategy to increase the l‐homoserine production, including enhancement of precursors for l‐homoserine synthesis (ppc, thrA, and asd), reinforcement of the NADPH supply (pntAB) and efflux transporters (rhtA) to improve the l‐homoserine production. However, the plasmid losing was to blame for the wildly fluctuating fermentation performance of engineered strains, ranging between 2.1 and 6.2 g/L. Then, a hok/sok toxin/antitoxin system was introduced into the free plasmid expression cassette to maintain the genetic stability of the episomal plasmid; consequently, the plasmid‐losing rate sharply decreased, resulting in the engineered strain SHL17, which exhibited excellent stability in l‐homoserine production, with 6.3 g/L in shake flasks and 44.4 g/L in a 5‐L fermenter without antibiotic addition. This work verified the effective use of the hok/sok toxin/antitoxin system combined with promoter engineering to improve the genetic stability of E. coli episomal plasmids without antibiotics.
Correlation between copper speciation and transport pathway in Caco‐2 cells
Authors: Wu Min , Wang Cong , Ke Leqin , Chen Dewen , Qin Yumei , Han Jianzhong
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have demonstrated that, in contrast to the properties of food‐derived copper, water‐derived copper exerts neurotoxic effects and exhibits different speciation during digestion. The cellular uptake efficiencies of different speciation of copper are distinct. However, it is unclear whether these different speciation share the same transport pathway in intestinal epithelial cells. In the present study, the intracellular accumulation of copper derived from copper ion and copper complex solutions was investigated in Caco‐2 cells.

RESULTS

The cellular accumulation of copper derived from copper ions was higher than that of copper derived from the copper complex. Treatment with carboplatin and Ag+, which are copper transporter receptor 1 (Ctr1, LC31A1) inhibitors, did not inhibit copper accumulation in Caco‐2 cells, but inhibited copper accumulation in HepG2 cells. Zinc ion significantly decreased the intracellular copper content from 114 ± 7 μg g−1 protein to 88 ± 4 μg g−1 protein in the copper ion‐treated Caco‐2 cells, but not in the copper complex‐treated Caco‐2 cells (84.6 ± 14 μg g−1 protein versus 87.7 ± 20 μg g−1 protein, P > 0.05). Additionally, copper accumulation in Caco‐2 and HepG2 cells significantly differed depending on different solvents (Hanks' balanced salt solution and NaNO3, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that the intracellular accumulation of copper derived from copper ion and copper complex is mediated by distinct copper transport pathways. Copper speciation may be an important factor that affects copper absorption and toxicity. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Fluorescence guidance improves the accuracy of radiological imaging‐guided surgical navigation
Authors: Henderson Eric R. , Hebert Kendra A. , Werth Paul M. , Streeter Samuel S. , Rosenthal Eben L. , Paulsen Keith D. , Pogue Brian W. , Samkoe Kimberley S.
Published: October 2022

Background

Imaging‐based navigation technologies require static referencing between the target anatomy and the optical sensors. Imaging‐based navigation is therefore well suited to operations involving bony anatomy; however, these technologies have not translated to soft‐tissue surgery. We sought to determine if fluorescence imaging complement conventional, radiological imaging‐based navigation to guide the dissection of soft‐tissue phantom tumors.

Methods

Using a human tissue‐simulating model, we created tumor phantoms with physiologically accurate optical density and contrast concentrations. Phantoms were dissected using all possible combinations of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance, and fluorescence imaging; controls were included. The data were margin accuracy, margin status, tumor spatial alignment, and dissection duration.

Results

Margin accuracy was higher for combined navigation modalities compared to individual navigation modalities, and accuracy was highest with combined CT and fluorescence navigation (p = 0.045). Margin status improved with combined CT and fluorescence imaging.

Conclusions

At present, imaging‐based navigation has limited application in guiding soft‐tissue tumor operations due to its inability to compensate for positional changes during surgery. This study indicates that fluorescence guidance enhances the accuracy of imaging‐based navigation and may be best viewed as a synergistic technology, rather than a competing one.
A pre‐column derivatization high‐performance liquid chromatography method for simultaneous determination of short‐chain and medium‐chain fatty acids in a fecal sample
Authors: Fu Zhibo , Zhang Hongyang , Zeng Zhijun , Ning Fanghong , Xu Ziwei , Liu Chenyu , Zhang Min , Hu Ping
Published: October 2022

Short‐chain and medium‐chain fatty acids have plentiful biological functions, which play a crucial role in the diagnosis and therapy of many diseases. Herein, a new method for simultaneous quantifying 17 short‐chain and medium‐chain fatty acids with high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with an ultraviolet detector was developed and the pre‐column derivatization by indole‐3‐acetic acid hydrazide was performed to improve the separation and detection. The conditions of the derivatization reaction were systematically investigated. Subsequently, the method was validated and the results showed a satisfactory linearity (linear regression coefficients > 0.9969), the limit of detection (4.0×10−3–1.9×10−2 μmol/L), precision (0.9%–7.3% for intra‐day and 2.0%–9.8% for inter‐day), recovery (90.0%–109.1% with relative standard deviation <7.7%) and stability (0.1%–3.3% for standard solution and 0.2%–3.9% for fecal sample). Finally, the established method was successfully applied to quantify short‐chain and medium‐chain fatty acids in the feces of healthy control and diabetic rats. Eleven kinds of short‐chain and medium‐chain fatty acids were detected and six of them showed a significant difference between the control group and the model group.
Microbial nutrient limitation in rhizosphere soils of different food crop families: Evidence from ecoenzymatic stoichiometry
Authors: Wang Xuelian , Gong Xiangwei , Li Xiangyu , Sun Sitong , Dang Ke , Feng Baili
Published: October 2022

Microbial metabolism directly participates in soil nutrient recycling and ecosystem stability. Although the rhizosphere soil is one of the most active habitats, information on how microorganisms acquire nutrients based on ecoenzymatic stoichiometry is lacking, especially for major food crops under field conditions. Thus, this study aimed to explore the soil nutrient properties and microbial biomass concentrations as well as extracellular enzymatic activities and focused on carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) cycling of different crop types, including potato (Solanaceae), maize (cereal), soybean (Leguminosae), and buckwheat (Polygonaceae) in the arid area of northern Shaanxi, China. Microorganisms in the rhizosphere soil of four crops were subjected to relative C and N limitation tests based on ecoenzymatic activities. Among the crops, potato and soybean exhibited the maximum limitations. Linear regression analysis of soil nutrients, microorganisms (stoichiometric homeostasis), and threshold elemental ratio synthetically supported microbial metabolic limitations. This finding coincided with the highest and lowest microbial carbon use efficiencies in soybean (0.58) and potato (0.51), illustrating the distinguishing physiological responses of microbes. Partial least squares path modeling further confirmed that the soil microbial nutrient limitations were significantly regulated by soil nutrient properties and extracellular enzyme activities. Taken together, soil microbial metabolism in agricultural ecosystems was co‐limited by relative C and N regardless of the main food crop families in this region in China (northern Loess Plateau). These observations clarified the nutrient cycling driven by soil elemental stoichiometry at the root–soil interface in arid and oligotrophic ecosystems.
Optical Isolation with Optical Parametric Amplification in an Atomic System
Authors: Li Changbiao , Yu Qingsong , Zhang Yanpeng , Xiao Min , Zhang Zhaoyang
Published: October 2022

Magnet‐free active optical nonreciprocal (AON) devices free from insertion loss help to establish optical information processing networks involving weak signals without introducing external magnetic fields. However, considering the necessary resonant condition for amplification or the presence of optical resonators for most demonstrated magnet‐free AON schemes, it remains a challenge to broaden the AON bandwidth. Here the optical isolation based on optical parametric amplification is demonstrated experimentally in a coherent three‐level atomic configuration. With the phase‐matching condition satisfied or not by oppositely launching the probe beams, they can pass through the medium experiencing parametric amplification or strong resonant absorption. Such magnet‐ and cavity‐free optical isolation exhibits a maximum isolation ratio of 46.5 dB and a broad bandwidth of over 0.85 GHz for the isolation ratio ≥30 dB. The demonstrated results arising from atomic‐coherence‐based optical parametric process with quantum nature pave the way to achieve high‐performance nonreciprocal quantum information processing.
Band Alignment Engineering in ns2 Electrons Doped Metal Halide Perovskites
Authors: Han Kai , Qiao Jianwei , Zhang Shuai , Su Binbin , Lou Bibo , Ma Chong‐Geng , Xia Zhiguo
Published: October 2022

Luminescent metal halide perovskites (MHPs) open new avenues for highly efficient radiation detection. To challenge the state‐of‐art technology, fundamental understanding of factors controlling radiation light yield of MHP scintillators is urgent. Herein, a design method is established by simultaneously considering charge‐transfer and recombination efficiencies via band alignment engineering in doped MHPs materials, and this strategy is corroborated experimentally and computationally by applying it to the luminescence of ns2 electron (Sb3+, Bi3+, and Te4+) doped vacancy‐ordered double perovskite Cs2ZrCl6. Alloying Te4+ into Cs2ZrCl6 is optimized and significantly improves the scintillation performance, including a twofold increase in light yield and a threefold increase in detection limit over pristine Cs2ZrCl6, and high‐resolution X‐ray imaging with 20 μm for 2D and 0.2 mm for 3D imaging. It is believed that doping engineering in MHPs enabling band alignment method holds great potential for the development of next‐generation MHP scintillators.
Analytical Solutions to Fundamental Questions for Lossy Mode Resonance
Authors: Zhao Wan‐Ming , Wang Qi
Published: October 2022

Lossy mode resonance (LMR) is an optical resonance phenomenon developed in the past decade, which has been researched for sensors and filters due to its high sensitivity, low loss, and broad tunable range. As a novel technology, if an analytical mathematical model for some fundamental questions like how to design the resonance wavelength, surrounding sensitivity, resonance width, and resonance depth, it will be guiding significance to its development. Herein, this paper develops a generalized Fabry–Perot resonance theory for LMR, where the oblique incidence, cavity loss, and dispersion of substrate and cavity are comprehensively considered, and the consistency of this model and a more rigorous guided wave optics model have been verified. Then, analytical mathematical models are established and analyzed, and the designing criterion for LMR‐based optical devices is proposed. After intensive reviewing the work of predecessors, the previous experimental results are consistent with the prediction of this model, and this model can also provide some new ideas that have not been researched yet. As an assistant to wave optics theory, this paper provides a second perspective to understand LMR phenomenon, and it is hoped the analytical solutions for LMR can be a guide for designing optical devices.
Corrosion behavior of novel Fe–Cr–B alloys containing high Cr content in molten aluminum
Authors: Yang Xin , Chen Weiping , Fu Zhiqiang , Li Shanqing , Ling Zicheng
Published: October 2022

Materials applied in the aluminum processing industry commonly suffer harsh corrosion on account of the high aggressivity of molten aluminum. Fe–Cr–B alloys have shown outstanding corrosion resistance to molten aluminum due to the presence of Cr‐rich borides displaying high stability. Accordingly, three Fe–Cr–B alloys with high Cr contents (20.6, 28.7, and 36.6 wt%) were fabricated in this study. As the Cr content increased from 20.6 to 36.6 wt%, the (Cr,Fe)2B borides ultimately transformed into Cr2B borides. A corrosion test was carried out in molten aluminum at three temperatures (700°C, 750°C, and 800°C) for 4 h and the volume losses of the studied alloys were measured to estimate their corrosion resistance. The Fe–Cr–B alloy with 28.73 wt% Cr exhibited the finest corrosion resistance among the three studied Fe–Cr–B alloys on account of enhancing the corrosion resistance of the Fe matrix by solution mechanism as well as maintaining the generation of periodical layered structures in its corrosion interface. In addition, as the test temperature expanded, the volume loss of Fe–Cr–B alloys stepped up slowly, whereas that of H13 tended to increase drastically.
Influence of processing method of CoCrMo dental alloy on the corrosion behavior in artificial saliva
Authors: Pontes Joana R. , Toptan Fatih , Pinto Ana M. P. , Ariza Edith , Alves Alexandra C.
Published: October 2022

Removable or fixed dental frameworks are usually made of CoCr alloys. The CoCr dental alloys are produced traditionally by lost‐wax casting. However, alternative processing routes, such as hot‐pressing, are being studied for dental applications. The purpose of the present work was to assess the corrosion resistance of CoCrMo dental alloy produced by conventional lost‐wax casting and hot‐pressing. The corrosion behavior was studied in artificial saliva at 37°C by potentiodynamic polarisation tests. Immersion tests were performed to evaluate the growth of the passive film where electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used at different immersion periods. Results showed slightly better corrosion resistance in terms of ipass for CoCrMo samples obtained by hot‐pressing. On the other hand, the immersion tests showed a more stable and thicker passive film formed on hot‐pressed CoCrMo dental alloy, pointing out that hot‐pressing may be considered a promising technique to produce CoCrMo dental structures.
Analysis of Permeation of Low‐Molecular‐Weight Hydrocarbons through Polyolefins for Testing of a New Developed Method
Authors: Berger Katrin , Riess Gisbert
Published: October 2022

In onshore oil and gas industries polymers are considered as a potential pipe material. One special aspect in this field of application is the resistance of the material against the permeation of low‐molecular‐weight hydrocarbons. These small molecules may permeate through the material and cause environmental problems. In this contribution, the main influencing parameters on the permeation process of low‐molecular‐weight hydrocarbons through hig‐density polyethylene (HDPE a) re investigated by gravimetric analysis. To bypass the limitations of this well‐established method a new measuring method based on gas chromatography‐mass spectroscopy (GC‐MS) techniques is developed. The main advantages of the newly developed system are demonstrated by test measurements of filled polyethylene (PE) pipes. The comparison of the calculated permeation rates of the tested hydrocarbons using both measuring methods showed a good accordance of the results.
Ionic Liquid Facilitated Solvent‐Phase Polymerization of Ultrasmooth Coatings of Polycatecholamines
Authors: Singh Abhishek , Mason Thomas G. , Lu Zhenzhen , Teo Boon Mia , Freeman Benny D. , Izgorodina Ekaterina I.
Published: October 2022

Mussel‐inspired polycatecholamine coatings and films have proven to be versatile materials for surface modification. However, the progress of chemically modified coatings with tailored properties has been slow due to the lack of definitive evidence of their polymeric structure. Polycatecholamines form aggregates during polymerization, and their formation mechanism has been a subject of debate owing to their insolubility in traditional molecular solvents. Exploiting the capability of ionic liquids (ILs) to exhibit strong electrostatic interactions, herein, the first solution‐phase polymerization approach is reported to achieve polymerization of four catecholamines – dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), L‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (L‐DOPA), and adrenaline (AD). Kinetic control over the polymerization process in the solution phase enabled it to follow the process with 1H NMR spectroscopy, revealing the formation of structural features of resulting complex heterogeneous and soluble polymers. The polymers are both covalent and associative in nature. Solution phase polymerization prevented the formation of large aggregates in the solution, thus facilitating the formation of coatings that are ultra‐smooth and have root mean square roughness of the order of sub‐nm to nm scale.
High‐Performance Vitrimeric Benzoxazines for Sustainable Advanced Materials: Design, Synthesis, and Applications
Authors: Anagwu Festus Ifeanyi , Thakur Vijay Kumar , Skordos Alex A.
Published: October 2022

Polybenzoxazines are high‐performance materials capable of replacing conventional thermosets such as phenolics, epoxies, and bismaleimides in composites manufacturing due to their excellent thermomechanical and chemical behavior. Their versatility and compatibility with biobased precursors make them an attractive option as composite matrices. Like other thermosets, polybenzoxazines are not recyclable and cannot be reprocessed. Incorporating dynamic bonds in benzoxazine monomers can produce vitrimeric polybenzoxazines, which can potentially overcome this limitation and can be tuned to exhibit smart functionalities such as self‐healing and shape memory. Dynamic bond exchange mechanisms for vitrimer development such as transesterification, imine bond, disulfide exchange, transamination, transcarbamoylation, transalkylation, olefin metathesis, transcarbonation, siloxane‐silanol exchange, boronic ester, silyl ether exchange, and dioxaborolane metathesis are potentially applicable to benzoxazine chemistry, with disulfide bond and transesterification having successfully vitrimerized benzoxazines with topological transitions at −8.5 and 88 °C, respectively. Benzoxazine vitrimers featuring glass transitions of 193, 224, and 222–236 °C are now known. These place polybenzoxazines at the forefront of the development of reprocessable and recyclable thermosetting polymers and composite matrices.
Solvent‐Free Synthesis of C=N Linked Two‐Dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks
Authors: Zhang Yushu , Mao Tianhui , Hao Liqin , Sun Tiankai , Wang Tonghai , Cheng Peng , Chen Yao , Wang Zhifang , Zhang Zhenjie
Published: October 2022

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are an emerging class of porous crystalline polymers with well‐defined structures and tunable functionalities, which have fascinating applications in a wide range of fields. However, the synthetic procedures of COFs are mainly confined to the solvothermal synthesis method which usually requires harsh experimental conditions. In this work, an effective solvent‐free synthesis method to construct a series of two‐dimensional (2D) COFs including imine‐linked, azine‐linked, β‐ketoenamine‐linked, which avoids the complicated solvent screening process and most of the disadvantages of solvothermal methods is developed. The crystallinity and porosity of these COFs are comparable to those prepared by traditional solvothermal routes. What's more, the advantages of the solvent‐free method enable the production of gram‐scale of those 2D COFs through a one‐pot reaction, demonstrating high industrial application potentials.
Predicting older‐donor kidneys' post‐transplant renal function using pre‐transplant data
Authors: Martin Paola , Gupta Diwakar , Pruett Timothy
Published: October 2022

This paper provides a methodology for predicting post‐transplant kidney function, that is, the 1‐year post‐transplant estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR‐1) for each donor‐candidate pair. We apply customized machine‐learning algorithms to pre‐transplant donor and recipient data to determine the probability of achieving an eGFR‐1 of at least 30 ml/min. This threshold was chosen because there is insufficient survival benefit if the kidney fails to generate an eGFR‐1 ≥ 30 ml/min. For some donor‐candidate pairs, the developed algorithm provides highly accurate predictions. For others, limitations of previous transplants' data results in noisier predictions. However, because the same kidney is offered to many candidates, we identify those pairs for whom the predictions are highly accurate. Out of 6977 discarded older‐donor kidneys that were a match with at least one transplanted kidney, 5282 had one or more identified candidate, who were offered that kidney, did not accept any other offer, and would have had ≥80% chance of achieving eGFR‐1 ≥ 30 ml/min, had the kidney been transplanted. We also show that transplants with ≥80% chance of achieving eGFR‐1 ≥ 30 ml/min and that survive 1 year have higher 10‐year death‐censored graft survival probabilities than all older‐donor transplants that survive 1 year (73.61% vs. 70.48%, respectively).
The roles of newborn anthropometrics in the association between maternal weight gain and childhood cardiovascular risks
Authors: He Yuanying , Yuen Lai Yuk , Ma Ronald Ching Wan , Catalano Patrick M. , Tam Wing Hung
Published: October 2022

Objective

The aim was to study the association between newborn anthropometrics and childhood cardiovascular risks and whether newborn anthropometrics mediate the effect of maternal gestational weight gain (GWG) on childhood risks.

Methods

Data of 926 mother–child dyads from the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes study were analyzed. Newborn anthropometrics were treated as predictors and mediators by using a regression model and causal mediation model, respectively.

Results

Newborn sum of skinfolds (SSF) was associated with childhood diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and pulse wave velocity (coefficients [95% CI]: 0.13 [0.06 to 0.20]; 0.08 [0.004 to 0.15]), whereas newborn ponderal index (PI) was inversely associated with childhood systolic blood pressure (SBP), DBP, and pulse wave velocity (−0.08 [−0.15 to −0.01]; −0.08 [−0.14 to −0.008]; −0.09 [−0.16 to −0.03]). Newborn SSF mediated the effects of maternal excessive GWG on childhood SSF and DBP (proportion of total effect 9% and 8%, respectively). In contrast, a significant negative mediation through newborn PI was found for the effect of maternal excessive GWG on childhood DBP (−8%) and its effect on childhood SBP through birth weight (−27%).

Conclusions

Childhood cardiovascular risks are positively associated with newborn SSF but inversely associated with newborn PI. Newborn SSF mediates the impact of excessive maternal GWG on childhood BP, but birth weight and newborn PI negatively mediate it.
Reputational impact of Covid‐19 pandemic management on World Health Organization among Indian public health professionals
Authors: Gupta Suneel , Pande Neerja , Arumugam Thangaraja , Sanjeev M. A.
Published: October 2022

Organizational reputation is critical for successful stakeholder engagement. A crisis can affect the organizational reputation and alter stakeholder perception about organizations. The current study investigates the impact of the Covid‐19 pandemic and its management on the World Health Organization's (WHO's) reputation among Indian public health professionals (PHPs). The study applies the situational crisis communication theory (SCCT) model to investigate the reputational impact of the pandemic on WHO among the study subjects. The study results indicate that most Indian PHPs attribute the current Pandemic to WHO. Their current reputation has dropped compared to their earlier reputation among Indian PHPs. The same is reflected in their behavioral intent, with the PHP's willingness to follow WHO guidelines on public health issues significantly reduced. The study also finds empirical support for the SCCT Model.
Compressive behavior of Habesha eggshell particulate reinforced epoxy composites
Authors: Gossaye Kalkidan , Shahapurkar Kiran , Chenrayan Venkatesh , Alarifi Ibrahim M. , Tirth Vineet , Soudagar Manzoore Elahi M. , Algahtani Ali , Alghtani Abdulaziz H.
Published: October 2022

Environmental pollution has become one of the major challenges to overcome in recent decades. Disposing waste materials has caused great concern by creating a landfill burden and increased environmental pollution. Utilizing or recycling wastes is one of the approaches considered that could bring positive environmental and economic benefits. Eggshells are among the understated waste materials that have great potential to impact the material world. In the present work, Habesha eggshells native to Ethiopia are utilized to prepare epoxy based composites. Five types of composites by varying the Habesha eggshell content (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 vol%) are investigated. Physical characterization in terms of density and void content estimations, and eggshell particle size analysis are carried out. Mechanical characterization in terms of normal and quasi‐static compression tests are performed. Results infer the density of eggshell particles to increase with increasing eggshell content, while quasi‐static compression tests infer that modulus and strength of eggshell/epoxy composites are sensitive to variations in the strain rate. However, irrespective of the strain rates, all the eggshell/epoxy composites depict higher modulus as compared with neat epoxy specimens. At 1.43, 0.1, and 0.001 strain rates, increase in modulus of composites are in the range of 17%–57%, 3%–107%, 30%–114%, respectively. Further, compressive yield strength of all the Habesha eggshell/epoxy composites is low compared with epoxy specimens for all the strain rates investigated. Scanning electron micrographs of test specimens for different loading conditions reveal reinforcing egg shell particles assists in absorbing the loading effectively.
Quality marker prediction in Trillium tschonoskii based on UHPLC–MS chemical characterisation and network pharmacology
Authors: Wang Zhixin , Fu Rao , Zhu Na , Wang Junqi , Zhang Xiaorui , Huang Xiulan , Li Zhiyong
Published: October 2022

Introduction

As a folk herbal medicine, Trillium tschonoskii has been used for thousands of years. However, due to the complexity of the chemical constituents of this herb, few investigations have acquired a comprehensive understanding of its quality markers.

Objective

This study was conducted to characterise the chemical composition of T. tschonoskii and identify its potential quality markers.

Material and methods

A systematic analytical method based on ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS) was used to characterise the constituents of T. tschonoskii. Multivariate statistical analysis was performed to investigate the chemical differences between different tissues, as well as the relationship between chemical compositions and habitats. The potential quality markers were predicted via network pharmacology and molecular docking, then confirmed by cellular assays.

Results

A total of 77 compounds were co‐isolated and identified, and among them, 26 were discovered from the genus Trillium for the first time. Ten batches of roots/rhizomes were explicitly clustered into five groups according to the climate types of the habitats, and the clusters of the fruits and roots/rhizomes from the same plants were independent due to the significant difference in chemical composition. Diosgenin had a good docking affinity with the relevant targets within the IL‐17 pathway and cytokine pathway and could significantly inhibit TNF‐α expression in hypoxic brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs).

Conclusion

This is the first study to establish the chemical composition profile of T. tschonoskii by UHPLC–MS systematically, and diosgenin was confirmed to be a potential quality marker of T. tschonoskii for the treatment of headaches.
Achieving 23.83% conversion efficiency in silicon heterojunction solar cell with ultra‐thin MoOx hole collector layer via tailoring (i)a‐Si:H/MoOx interface
Authors: Cao Liqi , Procel Paul , Alcañiz Alba , Yan Jin , Tichelaar Frans , Özkol Engin , Zhao Yifeng , Han Can , Yang Guangtao , Yao Zhirong , Zeman Miro , Santbergen Rudi , Mazzarella Luana , Isabella Olindo
Published: October 2022

Thin films of transition metal oxides such as molybdenum oxide (MoOx) are attractive for application in silicon heterojunction solar cells for their potential to yield large short‐circuit current density. However, full control of electrical properties of thin MoOx layers must be mastered to obtain an efficient hole collector. Here, we show that the key to control the MoOx layer quality is the interface between the MoOx and the hydrogenated intrinsic amorphous silicon passivation layer underneath. By means of ab initio modelling, we demonstrate a dipole at such interface and study its minimization in terms of work function variation to enable high performance hole transport. We apply this knowledge to experimentally tailor the oxygen content in MoOx by plasma treatments (PTs). PTs act as a barrier to oxygen diffusion/reaction and result in optimal electrical properties of the MoOx hole collector. With this approach, we can thin down the MoOx thickness to 1.7 nm and demonstrate short‐circuit current density well above 40 mA/cm2 and a champion device exhibiting 23.83% conversion efficiency.
Data sharing in plant phenotyping research: Perceptions, practices, enablers, barriers and implications for science policy on data management
Authors: Ugochukwu Albert I. , Phillips Peter W. B.
Published: October 2022

The application of new technologies in scientific research, particularly automated sensing of plant phenotypic performance, has resulted in a deluge of data and raised the question of how these data can be efficiently managed and shared. Many studies have examined the benefits and constraints of data sharing in different disciplines. We focus on plant phenotyping due to the increasing volume of digital data generated in multi‐disciplinary plant phenotyping research. Data sharing and reuse practices in plant phenotyping research have not been widely explored. Study results show that data sharing in plant phenotyping research occurs mostly through direct personal requests based on trust relationships and technical supplements (appendices) to publications, and researchers are willing to share data if incentives and policies are aligned to overcome the barriers. This paper provides empirical evidence to guide the establishment of incentive systems and policy frameworks that support FAIR (findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability) data, promote behavioral change, and enhance data sharing for the advancement of science and innovation by research communities, institutions, policymakers, and funders.
Sliding mode control‐based distributed fault tolerant tracking control for multiple unmanned aerial vehicles with input constraints and actuator faults
Authors: Qian Moshu , Zhang Zhen , Zheng Zhong , Bo Cuimei
Published: October 2022

In this article, the distributed tracking control problem is studied for the formation flight systems of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in presence of input constraints and actuator faults. Different from the traditional approximation technique, such as radial basis function neural networks and fuzzy logic systems, the novel broad learning system approximation technique is introduced in this study to identify the unknown lumped disturbances including external disturbances, input constraints and additive actuator faults. Combining dynamic surface control technique with the fractional order sliding mode control, a distributed fault tolerant tracking control strategy is developed for the formation flight systems of UAVs. Besides, the adverse effect of multiplicative actuator faults is compensated by the Nussbaum function, such that the satisfactory cooperative tracking control performance of the formation flight systems is obtained. Finally, a simulation experiment is given to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed control scheme compared with other existing results.
Design and implementation of variable coding and modulation for LEO high‐resolution Earth observation satellite
Authors: Li Li , Zheng Xiaosong , He Mingyi , Jin Fan , Xie Tianjiao , Cao Haiyi
Published: October 2022

As LEO (Low Earth Orbit) high‐resolution Earth observation satellite needs to transmit a large amount of remote sensing data from the satellite to the ground station, higher downlink capacity still poses a severe challenge to LEO. Therefore, variable coding and modulation (VCM) has become an important scheme to optimize the performance of satellite downlink. In this paper, the downlink VCM system of China Earth observation satellite is studied for the first time. By evaluating the free space loss of the satellite downlink path, a VCM‐based satellite downlink system is designed, and a DVB‐S2 BCH‐LDPC encoded variable bit rate high‐order MAPSK modulator is implemented. The maximum channel bit rate can reach 3.5 Gbps. Then, the experimental results of Gaofen‐7 satellite, which was launched in November 2019, are carried out which showed that our design method effectively meets the design requirements, and the performance is verified.
Thermally Programmable Dynamic Capillarity in Nanofluidic Channels Grafted with Smart Elastomeric Layers
Authors: Banuprasad Theneyur Narayanaswamy , DasGupta Sunando , Chakraborty Suman
Published: October 2022

This work demonstrates thermally programmable dynamic capillarity in exclusively engineered nanochannels functionalized by grafted smart elastomeric layers onto their inner surfaces. Tunable control of the capillarity is observed over the temperature window of 25–31 °C, deciphering the possibility of a sevenfold alteration in the rate of capillary flow. A simple theory explains the confluence of viscous and capillary interactions as mediated by the non‐trivial interplay of the substrate wettability, confinement‐induced surface layering of molecules, and thermally activated modulation of surface tension, to bring out this intriguing effect. The technology is demonstrated to be completely reconfigurable over the intended spatial and temporal regimes, via selective grafting of the channel surface and preferential choice of the activation temperature. Such favorable features as opposed to more complex yet non‐reconfigurable flow manipulation strategies previously reported are likely to open up new possibilities of highly precise controlled nanofluidic manipulation of temperature‐sensitive biological samples and chemical species on‐demand, for applications ranging from biomedical technologies to energy harvesting and water purification.
Chiral DNA Nanotubes Self‐Assembled from Building Blocks with Tailorable Curvature and Twist
Authors: Dong Niuniu , Sun Yishan , Sun Geng , Zhang Lei , Sun Sha
Published: October 2022

DNA nanotubes with prescribed geometry could allow for nanomaterial organization with designed optical or electrical function. As one of the dominating driving forces for DNA nanotube assembly, intrinsic curvature and twist of building blocks can be induced by bending deformation and twisting deformation. However, it is still unknown that how bending and twisting design on nanoscale building blocks affects the geometry of DNA tubes with micrometer length. Here, through targeted base pair deletion or insertion, the amount of bending deformation in building blocks is modulated by length gradient and the amount of twisting deformation is modulated by average twist density. This work systematically explores the independent effect and synergistic effect of two types of deformation on tube geometry, including diameter, chirality, and helical angles, via a streptavidin‐labeling technique. The design rules enable the construction of DNA nanotubes with prescribed chirality and tailored diameters.