bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unleashing the Power of Domino Reactions on Carbohydrates: State of the Art
Authors: Antonini Giulia , Petrosilli Laura , Giussani Ilaria , Ciulla Maria Gessica , Mazzotta Sarah , D'Orazio Giuseppe
Published: August 2024

The intricate nature of carbohydrate structures has prompted the scientific community to seek efficient protocols for their manipulation. Lengthy synthetic pathways, often necessary to achieve complex sugar structures, pose challenges not only in terms of time and cost but also regarding environmental sustainability. Consequently, domino transformations serve as valuable tools in streamlining drug discovery processes. Sequential procedures involving fewer steps and minimal isolation/purification steps are particularly appealing to organic chemists in the field of carbohydrate chemistry. This review highlights several examples of domino transformations applied to carbohydrates, aiming to summarize their chemical potential in delivering sugar‐based compounds with significant applications in the generation of new chemical scaffolds for drug discovery and chemical biology.
Green manuring improves soil quality, grain yield, and grain anthocyanin content in colored rice cultivated in tropical regions
Authors: Song Shaokun , Yin Qi , Khan Mohammad Nauman , Zhao Tingcheng , Liu Ke , Harrison Matthew Tom , Tao Ye , Nie Lixiao
Published: August 2024

Green manuring is the process by which vegetative crops are incorporated into the soil, and it plays a good substitutable role in reducing chemical fertilizer applications while enhancing soil fertility. Field experiments were conducted at Lingao City of Hainan Province in 2020 and 2021, to evaluate the effects of in situ incorporation of different green manures (fallow (as control), rice, sesbania, and stylosanthes) on soil physical and chemical properties, nitrogen (N) uptake, grain yield, and the grain anthocyanin content in colored rice. Treatments included colored rice cultivated with previous fallow (T0), with previous rice straw manure (T1), with previous sesbania manure (T2), and with previous stylosanthes manure (T3). The seedlings of the colored rice variety Suixiangheinuo were transplanted 23 days after the incorporation of green manure. Our results indicated that both the grain yield and grain anthocyanin content of colored rice were significantly increased when green manure was incorporated into the soil compared to that of the control. Therein, grain yields of T1, T2, and T3 were increased by an average of 12.7%, 29.0%, and 24.5%, respectively, across 2 years in comparison with those of T0. And grain anthocyanin content in colored rice under T1, T2, and T3 was increased by 7.2%–7.5%, 13.9%–24.2%, and 9.8%–20.6%, respectively. In addition, in situ incorporation of leguminous green manure in the soil significantly increased soil fertility and partial factor productivity for N fertilizer. The above results suggested that colored rice crops should be followed in rotation with leguminous green manure, which was beneficial to increasing both grain yield and grain anthocyanin content of colored rice. This research elucidated that the incorporation of leguminous green manure sustained the production of colored rice in tropical regions, which was beneficial to reconcile the relationship between rice production and environmental protection.
The Effect of Temporal Persistence of Loneliness on Dementia: A Longitudinal Analysis From the Hunter Community Study
Authors: Khaing Kay , Dolja‐Gore Xenia , Nair Balakrishnan R. , Byles Julie , Attia John
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Loneliness is common and becoming a public health concern. Although there is the clear evidence of the variable effect of temporal differences in loneliness (transient/situational and persistent/chronic) on health, their effect on dementia risk is unclear. This study aims to assess the effect of transient/situational and persistent/chronic loneliness on dementia risk.

Method

Participants aged 55 years and older from the Hunter Community Study were recruited. Loneliness was measured using a single item measure. Dementia was defined as per International Classification of Disease—10 (ICD 10) codes. The Fine‐Gray subdistribution hazard model was performed to calculate dementia risk.

Results

Of 1968 total participants with mean age of 66 years, (3%) 57 developed dementia and (7%) 135 died over the mean follow up of 10 years. Both persistent/chronic and transient/situational loneliness significantly increased the risk of all cause dementia in adjusted models (HR 2.74, 95% CI 1.11–6.88, p 0.03 and HR 2.35, 95% CI 1.21–4.55, p 0.01 respectively) with mean time to event of 9.7 years. Feeling lonely below the age of 70 years elevated the risk of dementia in later life (HR 4.01, 95% CI 1.40–11.50, p 0.01).

Conclusions

Loneliness (both persistent/chronic and transient/situational) was associated with increased risk of all cause dementia, especially if loneliness was experienced before the age of 70 years. These results suggest that promoting coping strategies for loneliness especially in persons 70 years and younger may play a role in preventing dementia.
Clinical Outcomes of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) for Depression in Older Old People Relative to Other Age Groups Across the Adult Life Span: A CARE Network Study
Authors: Sarma Shanthi , Zeng Yucheng , Barreiros Ana Rita , Dong Vanessa , Massaneda‐Tuneu Clara , Cao Thanh Vinh , Waite Sue , McCosker Laura K. , Branjerdporn Grace , Loo Colleen K. , Martin Donel M.
Published: August 2024

Intervention

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a commonly used treatment for severe psychiatric illness in older adults, including in the ‘older old’ population aged 80 years and above. However, there can sometimes be a reluctance to treat the 80+ year old age group with ECT due to medical comorbidities, frailty, and concerns about cognition.

Objective, Design, Setting, and Participants

This multi‐site, longitudinal Australian study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of ECT in older old people compared with younger age groups. Data from 310 people receiving ECT for depression at three participating hospitals was collected in a naturalistic setting, between 2015 and 2022.

Measurements

Clinical ratings were conducted pre‐ECT and end‐acute ECT using the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Cognitive outcomes were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

Results

Older old adults demonstrated a significant reduction MADRS scores at post‐treatment. They were more likely to meet remission criteria compared with the younger age groups. Older old adults were also less likely to show clinically significant cognitive decline post‐ECT, and were more likely to show clinically significant cognitive improvement post‐ECT compared with younger age groups.

Conclusions

ECT is highly effective in treating severe psychiatric illness in older old adults. Relative to the younger age groups, the older old group were more likely to remit with ECT and a greater proportion showed cognitive improvement post‐ECT. These findings suggest that ECT should be considered as a valuable and safe treatment option for older old individuals with depression.
Is transparency in sustainability the fruit of business trust: Evidence from sustainability disclosure?
Authors: Sun Yanqi , Su Kun , Cai Wei , Bai Min
Published: August 2024

This research explores the relationship between sustainability disclosures and business trust within a dataset comprising 689 publicly listed companies in China spanning from 2006 to 2018. Our analysis delves into how business trust influences levels of sustainability disclosure, revealing a positive correlation between the two. To ensure the reliability of our findings, we conducted additional tests to address potential endogeneity concerns. Supplementary analyses indicate that this positive relationship between sustainability disclosure and business trust is particularly notable among non‐state‐owned enterprises (non‐SOEs) and companies operating in regions characterized by lower levels of marketization. Our study aligns with the principles of neo‐institutional theory, indicating that business trust, functioning as an informal institution, shapes firms' sustainability disclosure practices through normative pressures. Moreover, we observe that business trust holds more sway over sustainability disclosure practices in contexts where formal institutions are weaker. These findings contribute fresh perspectives on the determinants of sustainability disclosures and underscore the pivotal role of business trust in fostering such disclosures. Based on our findings, we suggest that policymakers should foster a business environment that enhances trust among stakeholders, encouraging firms, especially in regions with weak formal institutions, to engage more rigorously in sustainability disclosure. Such policy initiatives could include developing clearer guidelines for sustainability reporting and promoting transparency as a core business value. The implications of our research extend to managers, regulators, and investors alike, highlighting the need for integrated approaches to enhance transparency and trust in the business sector.
Construction of magnetic bimetallic oxide‐decorated attapulgite‐based adsorbents for arsenic ion adsorption
Authors: Yu Bo , Li Xiaoning , Ma Jiao , Yan Han , Lian Ke , Shen Pengfei
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

Arsenic contamination can exert severe detrimental effects on the ecological environment and human health. It can cause acute or chronic poisoning, resulting in cell distortion or cancer when humans come into contact with or consume arsenic‐containing water. Adsorption technology is one of the effective methods for arsenic removal. In this study, using attapulgite (ATP) as a support for bimetallic iron–manganese oxides, a series of adsorbents (Fe‐Mn/ATP) with different manganese‐to‐iron molar ratios were prepared via the coprecipitation method. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy mapping, X‐ray diffraction and zeta potential measurements were used to analyze the structure and properties of Fe‐Mn/ATP. In addition, the adsorption performance of the material for arsenic ions was investigated by static adsorption and dynamic adsorption experiments.

RESULTS

A novel Fe‐Mn/ATP adsorbent was prepared using ATP as the raw material and manganese‐to‐iron molar ratio was 1:3 by coprecipitation at 60 °C for 1 h. The adsorption efficiency of arsenic ions was optimal at an Fe‐Mn/ATP dosage of 2 g L−1, pH 4 and a contact time of 10 min, reaching a maximum adsorption capacity of 38.27 mg g−1 at room temperature. The adsorption process followed the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm adsorption model, indicating that arsenic ion adsorption by Fe‐Mn/ATP was mainly monolayer chemical adsorption. Furthermore, Fe‐Mn/ATP showed a removal rate for arsenic ions of over 80% after four cycles of regeneration, revealing a great potential for practical application.

CONCLUSION

This study offers a promising Fe‐Mn/ATP adsorbent for removal of arsenic ions from wastewater. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Breast histopathological imaging using ultra‐fast fluorescence confocal microscopy to identify cancer lesions at early stage
Authors: Mujahid Muhammad , Khan Amjad Rehman , Kolivand Mahyar , Alamri Faten S. , Saba Tanzila , Bahaj Saeed Ali Omer
Published: August 2024

Ultrafast fluorescent confocal microscopy is a hypothetical approach for breast cancer detection because of its potential to achieve instantaneous, high‐resolution images of cellular‐level tissue features. Traditional approaches such as mammography and biopsy are laborious, invasive, and inefficient; confocal microscopy offers many benefits over these approaches. However, confocal microscopy enables the exact differentiation of malignant cells, the expeditious examination of extensive tissue sections, and the optical sectioning of tissue samples into tiny slices. The primary goal should be to prevent cancer altogether, although detecting it early can help achieve that objective. This research presents a novel Breast Histopathology Convolutional Neural Network (BHCNN) for feature extraction and recursive feature elimination method for selecting the most significant features. The proposed approach utilizes full slide images to identify tissue in regions affected by invasive ductal carcinoma. In addition, a transfer learning approach is employed to enhance the performance and accuracy of the models in detecting breast cancer, while also reducing computation time by modifying the final layer of the proposed model. The results showed that the BHCNN model outperformed other models in terms of accuracy, achieving a testing accuracy of 98.42% and a training accuracy of 99.94%. The confusion matrix results show that the IDC positive (+) class achieved 97.44% accuracy and 2.56% inaccurate results, while the IDC negative (−) class achieved 98.73% accuracy and 1.27% inaccurate results. Furthermore, the model achieved less than 0.05 validation loss.

Research Highlights

The objective is to develop an innovative framework using ultra‐fast fluorescence confocal microscopy, particularly for the challenging problem of breast cancer diagnosis. This framework will extract essential features from microscopy and employ a gradient recurrent unit for detection.

The proposed research offers significant potential in enhancing medical imaging through the provision of a reliable and resilient system for precise diagnosis of breast cancer, thereby propelling the progression of state‐of‐the‐art medical technology.

The most suitable feature was determined using BHRFE optimization techniques after retrieving the features by proposed model. Finally, the features chosen are integrated into a proposed methodology, which is then classified using a GRU deep model.

The aforementioned research has significant potential to improve medical imaging by providing a complex and reliable system for precise evaluation of breast cancer, hence advancing the development of cutting‐edge medical technology.
Surface activity and wetting behavior of branched short‐chain anionic perfluorinated/cationic hydrocarbon surfactant blends in dilute solutions
Authors: Peng Mengyuan , Sha Min , Zhang Ding , Jiang Biao
Published: August 2024

Conventional perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluorosurfactants (PFOS) have caused great harm to human health and the environment, but the irreplaceable properties of fluorosurfactants offer great values. To this end, we have synthesized a highly surface active, environmentally friendly sulfonate surfactant (PBSA) with a perfluorinated branched short chain and systematically investigated its thermal stability, surface properties, wetting performance, and so forth. The minimal surface tension (γCMC) and critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the aqueous solution of PBSA were 22.70 mN/m and 0.067 mmol/L, respectively. In addition, the binary system of PBSA and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) exhibited excellent synergistic effects: γCMC and CMC values were reduced to 18.94 mN/m and 0.008 mmol/L. Moreover, the PBSA/CTAB mixed solution exhibited superb wetting ability: it could achieve complete wetting of PTFE plates at low concentrations (1.82 × 10−3 mol/L), with a minimum wetting concentration of only 2.84 × 10−5 mol/L.
New non‐contrast MRI of endolymphatic hydrops in Ménière's disease considering inversion time
Authors: Ishii Masanori , Tanaka Hiroshi , Asai Ryuichi , Kanai Yasuhisa , Kato Yujin , Ito Yusuke , Mochizuki Fumihiro , Yoneyama Masami , Ishiyama Gail , Ishiyama Akira
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Three‐tesla MRI with gadolinium‐based contrast agents is important in diagnosing Ménière's disease. However, contrast agents cannot be used in some patients. By using the compositional difference between the inner ear endolymph and perilymph, we performed basic and clinical research focused on potassium ions and protein to find the optimal parameters for visualizing endolymphatic hydrops on MRI without contrast. We then examined the relationship between severity stage and visualization rate of endolymphatic hydrops.

Methods

In phantom experiments simulating the endolymph and perilymph, we explored MRI parameters that could be used to separate endolymph from perilymph by gradually changing the inversion time. We then used these parameters to perform both new non‐contrast MRI and contrast MRI on the same day in Ménière's disease patients, and we compared the visualization rates of endolymphatic hydrops under the two modalities. Fifty patients were selected from 478 patients with Ménière's disease of different severity stages; 12 patients had asthma and allergy to contrast agents.

Results

The higher the disease stage, the higher the endolymphatic hydrops visualization rate. The new non‐contrast MRI gave significantly higher (p < .01) visualization rates of endolymphatic hydrops on the affected side in patients at Stage 3 or above than in Stages 1 and 2 combined.

Conclusion

New non‐contrast MRI with parameters focusing on the endolymph–perilymph difference in the density of protons surrounding the potassium ions and protein can produce images consistent with endolymphatic hydrops. We believe that this groundbreaking method will be useful for diagnosing Ménière's disease in patients.

Evidence Level

Clinical studies are at evidence level 3 in non‐randomized controlled trials.
High Speed Photodetector Based on 2D Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Van Der Waals Heterostructure Devices
Authors: Zhao Huijuan , Guo Xiaohan , Wang Yufan , Wang Wenhui , Li Shuhan , Zhou Qiyuan , Zhou Tianyi , Xie Yannan , Yu Yuanfang , Xuan Fengyuan , Ni Zhenhua , Gao Li
Published: August 2024

2D van der Waals (vdWs) heterostructure photodetectors have captured significant interest for their ability to achieve substantial optical conductivity gain and device tunability. However, the light absorption in ultrathin 2D inorganic vdWs devices is generally weak that leads to low detectivity. In addition, the intrinsic defects in 2D semiconductors cause significant carrier trapping and scattering by defect states during the transport process, which seriously restricts the response speed of the device. In this paper, a molybdenum tungsten disulfide (Mo0.1W0.9S2) is used to replace the conventional 2D semiconductor, while the light absorption efficiency of the device is significantly enhanced by the adoption of N’‐ Dimethyl‐3,4,9,10‐perylenedicarboximide (Me‐PTCDI), thus achieving both fast response and high detectivity. A series of type‐II organic/inorganic hybrid vdWs heterostructure photodetectors is systematically investigated based on Me‐PTCDI and Mo0.1W0.9S2. In particular, the device incorporating monolayer (ML) Me‐PTCDI and few‐layer (FL) Mo0.1W0.9S2 demonstrates a detectivity of up to 4.4 × 1011 Jones and a response time of 24.9 µs. By utilizing the device as a light sensing pixel, a single‐detecting pixel imaging system is demonstrated with high precision, showcasing promising prospects in fast imaging applications.
Efficient and Stable Perovskite LED Prepared by the Regulation of Vertical Spatial Crystallization Dynamics
Authors: Lu Feifei , Ji Huiyu , Dong Jianchao , Liu Lang , Wang Ning
Published: August 2024

Quasi‐2D perovskite‐based light‐emitting diodes (Q‐2D PeLEDs) have recently gained attention as promising technology for future lighting and displays, due to their remarkable advancements in device efficiency. In order to make Q‐2D PeLEDs technology practical in display and lighting applications, it is essential to ensure a long lifespan, particularly at large area and high brightness levels. In this work, the top‐down crystallization mechanism of the Q‐2D perovskite films is explored through introducing alkali metal Na+ to precisely control the phase distribution in the vertical space. Furthermore, the robust interactions between Na+ and PbBr64− octahedra increases the lifetime of the device by orders of magnitude via passivating the halogen vacancies on the perovskite surface as well as replacing insulating ligands, reducing Joule heat. Eventually, the operating half‐lifetime (T50) of small area device (0.04 cm2) exceeds 612 h and even when the effective area is expanded ≈56 times (2.25 cm2), the T50 remains impressively high at 115 h. Additionally, these devices exhibit excellent external quantum efficiency (EQE) reaches 26.5% and 19.2%, respectively.
Star‐Like Polypeptides as Simplified Analogues of Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) Metalloenzymes
Authors: Tronnet Antoine , Salas‐Ambrosio Pedro , Roman Rosa , Bravo‐Anaya Lourdes Monica , Ayala Marcela , Bonduelle Colin
Published: August 2024

Peroxidases, like horseradish peroxidase (HRP), are heme metalloenzymes that are powerful biocatalysts for various oxidation reactions. By using simple grafting‐from approach, ring‐opening polymerization (ROP), and manganese porphyrins, star‐shaped polypeptides analogues of HRP capable of catalyzing oxidation reactions with H2O2 is successfully prepared. Like their protein model, these simplified analogues show interesting Michaelis–Menten constant (KM) in the mM range for the oxidant. Interestingly, the polymer structures are more resistant to denaturation (heat, proteolysis and oxidant concentration) than HRP, opening up interesting prospects for their use in catalysis or in biosensing devices.
Combining Injection Molding and 3D Printing for Tailoring Polymer Material Properties
Authors: Vigogne Michelle , Zschech Carsten , Stommel Markus , Thiele Julian , Kühnert Ines
Published: August 2024

Modern polymer‐based technical components not only have to fulfill demanding mechanical‐structural properties but need to integrate different functions to yield hybrid systems for complex operations. Typically, neither materials nor processing technologies are fully compatible with each other. The aim of the work is to combine the advantages of seemingly incompatible manufacturing processes such as high‐volume injection molding (IM) and precision additive manufacturing to produce functional and customized hybrid materials. IM is widely used for polymer processing but stands against high investment costs for tailor‐made molds with high‐resolution features. They focus on overprinting of injection‐molded parts made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with microstructures via projection‐microstereolithography (PµSL) to generate hybrid polymer materials with spatially tailored stiffness, enabling selective reinforcement, resulting in an E modulus increase of 195% compared to mere IM‐processed TPU. With that, the hybridization of processing methods is showcased to extend the product properties of polymer materials obtained via either IM or PµSL printing that have, prospectively, a maximum degree of individualization as well as a multitude of structural and functional features at the same time. To achieve optimum interfacial adhesion, the influence of surface roughness is studied, and reinforcement effects of different overprinted microstructure types are evaluated.
Bayesian inference and consumer behavioral theory
Authors: Hofacker Charles F. , Nguyen Huong N. L. , Fina Matteo
Published: August 2024

With this article we hope to achieve two goals. The first is to encourage consumer behavioral researchers to consider Bayesian methods for analyzing experimental and survey data. As such, we provide what we hope will be a persuasive set of arguments for trying Bayes. The second goal is to survey the different uses to which the Bayesian posterior distribution can be put. We organize this survey in terms of loss functions and propose that such loss functions can be chosen so as to simply describe a consumer behavioral phenomenon, to highlight a managerial implication, or to emphasize a theoretical contribution.
Hereditary breast cancer next‐generation sequencing panel evaluation in the south region of Brazil: A novel BRCA2 candidate pathogenic variant is reported
Authors: Duarte Cesar Augusto B. , dos Santos Carlos Alberto , de Oliveira Cristine Domingues D. , Spautz Cleverton César , Sumita Laura Masami , Nakatani Sueli Massumi
Published: August 2024

Background

In this article, we delineate a loosely selected cohort comprising patients with a history of early‐onset breast cancer and/or a familial occurrence of cancer. The aim of this study was to gain insights into the presence of breast cancer‐related gene variants in a population from a micro‐region in southern Brazil, specifically the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba. This area exhibits a highly genetically mixed population, mirroring the general characteristics of the Brazilian people.

Methods

Comprehensive next‐generation sequencing (NGS) multigene panel testing was conducted on 12 patients from the region, utilizing three different library preparation methods.

Results

Two pathogenic variants and one candidate pathogenic variant were identified: BRCA2 c.8878C>T, p.Gln2960Ter; CHEK2 c.1100del, p.Thr367Metfs15, and BRCA2 c.3482dup, p.Asp1161Glufs3.

Conclusion

BRCA2 c.3482dup, a novel candidate pathogenic variant, previously unpublished, is reported. The prevalence of pathogenic variants in this small cohort is similar to that described in the literature. All different library preparation methods were equally proficient in enabling the detection of these variants.
Jails with for‐profit mental health care see less post‐release engagement
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: August 2024

Moves to turn over a variety of correctional services to for‐profit entities have often come under intense criticism, and results of a new study suggest that the use of for‐profit mental health treatment providers should be examined more closely.
Senate proposal seeks enhanced care for first responders
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: August 2024

Two members of the U.S. Senate aim to garner bipartisan support for proposed legislation that would enhance the mental health workforce addressing the needs of first responders.
Effect of Alcohol on Clock Synchrony and Tissue Circadian Homeostasis in Mice
Authors: Santovito Luca S. , Shaikh Maliha , Sharma Deepak , Forsyth Christopher B. , Voigt Robin M. , Keshavarzian Ali , Bishehsari Faraz
Published: August 2024

Alcohol use disorder accounts for a growing worldwide health system concern. Alcohol causes damages to various organs, including intestine and liver, primarily involved in its absorption and metabolism. However, alcohol‐related organ damage risk varies significantly among individuals, even when they report consuming comparable dosages of alcohol. Factor(s) that may modulate the risk of organ injuries from alcohol consumption could be responsible for inter‐individual variations in susceptibility to alcohol‐related organ damages. Accumulating evidence suggests disruptions in circadian rhythm can exacerbate alcohol‐related organ damages. Here we investigated the interplay between alcohol, circadian rhythm, and key tissue cellular processes at baseline, after a regular and a shift in the light/dark cycle (LCD) in mice. Central/peripheral clock expression of core clock genes (CoClGs) was analyzed. We also studied circadian homeostasis of tissue cellular processes that are involved in damages from alcohol. These experiments reveal that alcohol affects the expression of CoClGs causing a central‐peripheral dyssynchrony, amplified by shift in LCD. The observed circadian clock dyssynchrony was linked to circadian disorganization of key processes involved in the alcohol‐related damages, particularly when alcohol was combined with LCD. These results offer insights into the mechanisms by which alcohol interacts with circadian rhythm disruption to promote organ injury.
Does COVID‐19 Related Lockdown Restrictions Impact People With Musculoskeletal Disorders? A Systematic Review
Authors: Fatoye Francis , Fatoye Clara , Lawoe Joyceline , Mbada Chidozie , Gebrye Tadesse
Published: August 2024

Background

As a result of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) related lockdown restrictions, people with musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders could be at increased risk of physical and psychological disabilities. This review aimed to summarise the impact of COVID‐19 related lockdown restrictions on people with MSK disorders.

Methods

Six electronic databases were searched for studies in the English language published until June 10, 2024. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses to identify, select, and critically appraise relevant research. Two reviewers independently abstracted data from the included studies. Data were summarised using narrative synthesis, and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment.

Results

The search strategy identified 637 articles, 129 of which were removed as duplicates. Fifteen studies that met the inclusion criteria were analysed. The sample size the studies reviewed ranged from 40 to 1800. Having MSK disorders during COVID‐19 related lockdown restrictions led to increased risk of pain, stress, depression, anxiety, MSK related injuries, decreased quality of life and increased use of emergency department.

Conclusions

This is the first study to report that COVID‐19 related lockdown restrictions led to increased risk of pain, MSK injuries and healthcare resource utilisation as well as decreased quality of life among patients with MSK disorders. These results may help inform policy and management strategies in future for people with MSK disorders to mitigate the negative impact of pandemic.
A condition number‐based numerical stabilization method for geometrically nonlinear topology optimization
Authors: Scherz Lennart , Kriegesmann Benedikt , Pedersen Claus B. W.
Published: August 2024

The current paper introduces a new stabilization scheme for void and low‐density elements for geometrical nonlinear topology optimization. Frequently, certain localized regions in the geometrical nonlinear finite element analysis of the topology optimization have excessive artificial distortions due to the low stiffness of the void and low‐density elements. The present stabilization applies a hyperelastic constitutive material model for the numerical stabilization that is associated with the condition number of the deformation gradient and thereby, is associated with the numerical conditioning of the mapping between current configuration and reference configuration of the underlying continuum mechanics on a constitutive material model level. The stabilization method is independent upon the topology design variables during the optimization iterations. Numerical parametric studies show that the parameters for the constitutive hyperelasticity material of the new stabilization scheme are governed by the stiffness of the constitutive model of the initial physical system. The parametric studies also show that the stabilization scheme is independently upon the type of constitutive model of the physical system and the element types applied for the finite element modeling. The new stabilization scheme is numerical verified using both academic reference examples and industrial applications. The numerical examples show that the number of optimization iterations is significantly reduced compared to the stabilization approaches previously reported in the literature.
Campus agricultural projects: The missions that enhance institutions of higher education
Authors: Biang JoHannah H. , Berle David C. , Thompson Jennifer Jo
Published: August 2024

Campus farms and gardens, or campus agricultural projects (CAPs), are a growing phenomenon across the United States. While this phenomenon is not novel, the documentation of its contributions is. In response to this dearth of knowledge, this work analyzes the mission and purpose of CAPs to understand their contributions to institutions of higher education and their surrounding communities. Using the mission statements of CAPs online and drawing from content analysis, we use web‐based data to qualitatively analyze their missions and aims. We find that CAPs aim to enhance their institutions of higher education through the main themes of student development, community engagement, campus community engagement, and sustainability. Several under‐recognized themes such as sharing culture/tradition, increasing well‐being, and promoting inclusivity emerged from this work. These resulting themes show that CAPs are not only sites where students learn to grow food but where they connect to grow themselves and their communities.
Impact of Tracheostomy Status on Sternal Wound Infections in Children Following Median Sternotomy
Authors: Nallani Rohit , Miller Brevin J. , Noel‐MacDonnell Janelle R. , Tracy Meghan , Brown Jason R. , O'Brien James E. , Jensen Daniel R.
Published: August 2024

Objective

Sternal wound infection (SWI) is a rare but potentially life‐threatening complication in children following sternotomy. Risk factors include young age, extended preoperative hospitalization, and prolonged ventilatory support. Few studies have explored the impact of pre‐existing tracheostomy on SWI in pediatric patients. The purpose of this study is to measure the effect of tracheostomy and other factors on SWI in children undergoing sternotomy.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study of a 12 year period.

Setting

Tertiary children's hospital.

Methods

Children with a tracheostomy prior to sternotomy (TPS) were identified and matched by age, height, and weight to children who underwent sternotomy alone. Demographics, medical comorbidities, surgical details, SWI diagnosis and management information, and surgical outcomes were collected.

Results

We identified 60 unique individuals representing 80 sternotomies. The incidence of SWI was 22.5% (n = 9) in children with a tracheostomy and 2.5% (n = 1) in those without. The incidence of SWI was greater in children with a tracheostomy (90% vs 10% in those without, P = .007) and underlying pulmonary disease (90% vs 10% in those without, P = .020). Infections in the TPS group also demonstrated greater frequency of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 3) and polymicrobial growth (n = 2).

Conclusion

The risk of developing a SWI in children undergoing sternotomy is significantly greater in those with a tracheostomy and underlying pulmonary disease. Further study is needed to understand other contributing factors and ways to mitigate this risk.
TermineR: Extracting information on endogenous proteolytic processing from shotgun proteomics data
Authors: Cosenza‐Contreras Miguel , Seredynska Adrianna , Vogele Daniel , Pinter Niko , Brombacher Eva , Cueto Ruth Fiestas , Dinh Thien‐Ly Julia , Bernhard Patrick , Rogg Manuel , Liu Junwei , Willems Patrick , Stael Simon , Huesgen Pitter F. , Kuehn E. Wolfgang , Kreutz Clemens , Schell Christoph , Schilling Oliver
Published: August 2024

State‐of‐the‐art mass spectrometers combined with modern bioinformatics algorithms for peptide‐to‐spectrum matching (PSM) with robust statistical scoring allow for more variable features (i.e., post‐translational modifications) being reliably identified from (tandem‐) mass spectrometry data, often without the need for biochemical enrichment. Semi‐specific proteome searches, that enforce a theoretical enzymatic digestion to solely the N‐ or C‐terminal end, allow to identify of native protein termini or those arising from endogenous proteolytic activity (also referred to as “neo‐N‐termini” analysis or “N‐terminomics”). Nevertheless, deriving biological meaning from these search outputs can be challenging in terms of data mining and analysis. Thus, we introduce TermineR, a data analysis approach for the (1) annotation of peptides according to their enzymatic cleavage specificity and known protein processing features, (2) differential abundance and enrichment analysis of N‐terminal sequence patterns, and (3) visualization of neo‐N‐termini location. We illustrate the use of TermineR by applying it to tandem mass tag (TMT)‐based proteomics data of a mouse model of polycystic kidney disease, and assess the semi‐specific searches for biological interpretation of cleavage events and the variable contribution of proteolytic products to general protein abundance. The TermineR approach and example data are available as an R package at https://github.com/MiguelCos/TermineR.
Diabetic retinopathy from the vitreous proteome perspective: The INSC94Y transgenic pig model study
Authors: Degroote Roxane L. , Schmalen Adrian , Renner Simone , Wolf Eckhard , Hauck Stefanie M. , Deeg Cornelia A.
Published: August 2024

INSC94Y transgenic pigs represent a model for mutant insulin gene‐induced diabetes of youth, with impaired insulin secretion and beta cell loss, leading to elevated fasting blood glucose levels. A key complication of diabetes mellitus is diabetic retinopathy (DR), characterized by hyperglycemia‐induced abnormalities in the retina. Adjacent to the retina lies the vitreous, a gelatinous matrix vital for ocular function. It harbors proteins and signaling molecules, offering insights into vitreous biology and ocular health. Moreover, as a reservoir for secreted molecules, the vitreous illuminates molecular processes within intraocular structures, especially under pathological conditions. To uncover the proteomic profile of porcine vitreous and explore its relevance to DR, we employed discovery proteomics to compare vitreous samples from INSC94Y transgenic pigs and wild‐type controls. Our analysis identified 1404 proteins, with 266 showing differential abundance in INSC94Y vitreous. Notably, the abundances of ITGB1, COX2, and GRIFIN were significantly elevated in INSC94Y vitreous. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis unveiled heightened MYC and mTORC1 signaling in INSC94Y vitreous, shedding light on its biological significance in diabetes‐associated ocular pathophysiology. These findings deepen our understanding of vitreous involvement in DR and provide valuable insights into potential therapeutic targets. Raw data are accessible via ProteomeXchange (PXD038198).
Potential‐temperature variance budget in a saturated coastal‐fog environment
Authors: Barbano Francesco , Pardyjak Eric
Published: August 2024

In this work, we explore the intricacies of the potential‐temperature variance budget in coastal fog. We propose an improvement to the theoretical framework of the budget, whereby we include the heat exchange due to water‐phase changes. We then show this framework's consistency with a real‐world case study from the Coastal Fog (C‐FOG) Research Program. Results show that the presence of intermittent energy bursts is driven by the sudden turbulent injection of heat into the environment caused by the condensation of water vapour, and the improved theoretical framework proves satisfactory in detailing the observed process. The heat excess is transported vertically, creating a two‐term balance of high‐order moments. A bulk parametrization of this balance is also proposed to provide a simplified representation of the phase‐change process and suggest that it could be used for operational purposes. Finally, the length‐scales of the processes are evaluated from the parametrizations. The analysis indicates that the scales of the phase change of water vapour are consistent with the buoyancy production and Taylor scales.
A potential prospect: The novel treatment of intrapleural saline irrigation with intrapleural tyloxapol in treating thoracic empyema
Authors: Mohamad Jailaini Mas Fazlin , Saini Noor Amirah , Che Rahim Mohd Jazman , Abdul Hamid Mohamed Faisal
Published: August 2024

The treatment for empyema thoracis has been evolving over the years, including the usage of intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (IPFT), for example, alteplase with intrapleural deoxyribonuclease (DNase) to enhance the drainage of pleural effusion. Here, we report two cases of thoracic empyema that were successfully treated with intrapleural saline irrigation and intrapleural tyloxapol apart from parenteral antibiotics as the pillar of the treatment. Both patients averted surgical procedure (decortication) and were discharged well. Upon follow‐up, both cases showed clinical cure, biochemical recovery, and radiological improvement, indicating a good treatment outcome. This is the first reported cases on combination of saline irrigation with tyloxapol as alternative treatment for pleural infection.
The Growth and Shape Evolution of Indium Nanoplates Studied by In Situ Liquid Cell TEM
Authors: Tian Jiamin , Lin Dongying , Li Xuan , Wang Kewei , Yu Bocheng , Li Menglan , Hou Shimin , Li Zhihong , Chen Qing
Published: August 2024

Understanding the growth mechanisms of nanomaterials is crucial for effectively controlling their morphology which may affect their properties. Here, the growth process of indium nanoplates is studied using in situ liquid cell transmission electron microscopy. Quantitative analysis shows that the growth of indium nanoplate is limited by surface reaction. Besides, the growth process has two stages, which is different from that of other metal nanoplates reported previously. At the first stage, indium particles transform gradually from face‐centered cubic to body‐centered tetragonal (bct) structure as the seeds grow. At the second stage, the seeds grow faster than at the first stage and form indium triangular nanoplates. Indium triangular nanoplates have a bct structure with {011}‐twin, which is found to form through kinetic reactions. In addition, the shape evolution of truncated triangle nanoplate with multiple twin planes is studied. The growth rate of truncated edge changes with the varied number of re‐entrant grooves. The present work provides valuable insights into the growth mechanism of metal nanoplates with low‐symmetric structure and the role of twin planes in the shape evolution of plate‐like metal nanomaterials.
Near‐Infrared Mechanoluminescence from Cr3+‐Doped Spinel Nanoparticles for Potential Oral Diseases Detection
Authors: Shao Peishan , Chen Dongdan , Lun Zhenjie , Wu Yafen , Chen Zhicong , Xiao Yao , Xiong Puxian , Wang Shouping , Viana Bruno , Im Won Bin , Yang Zhongmin
Published: August 2024

Mechanoluminescence (ML) phosphors have found various promising utilizations such as in non‐destructive stress sensing, anti‐counterfeiting, and bio stress imaging. However, the reported NIR MLs have predominantly been limited to bulky particle size and weak ML intensity, hindering the further practical applications. For this regard, a nano‐sized ZnGa2O4: Cr3+ NIR ML phosphor is synthesized by hydrothermal method. By improving the synthesis method and regulating the chemical composition, the NIR ML (600–1000 nm) intensity of such nano‐materials has been further enhanced about four times. The reasons for the ML performance difference between micro‐/nano‐ sized phosphors also have been preliminarily analyzed. Additionally, this work probes into the ML mechanism deeply in traps’ aspect from band structure and defect formation energy, which can supply significant references for a new approach to develop efficient NIR ML nanoparticles. Finally, due to excellent tissue penetration capability, nano‐sized ZnGa2O4:Cr3+ NIR ML phosphor shows great potential applications in biomedical fields such as for the detection of clinical oral diseases.
Field‐Directed Motion, Cargo Capture, and Closed‐Loop Controlled Navigation of Microellipsoids
Authors: Gauri Hashir M. , Patel Ruchi , Lombardo Nicholas S. , Bevan Michael A. , Bharti Bhuvnesh
Published: August 2024

Microrobots have the potential for diverse applications, including targeted drug delivery and minimally invasive surgery. Despite advancements in microrobot design and actuation strategies, achieving precise control over their motion remains challenging due to the dominance of viscous drag, system disturbances, physicochemical heterogeneities, and stochastic Brownian forces. Here, a precise control over the interfacial motion of model microellipsoids is demonstrated using time‐varying rotating magnetic fields. The impacts of microellipsoid aspect ratio, field characteristics, and magnetic properties of the medium and the particle on the motion are investigated. The role of mobile micro‐vortices generated is highlighted by rotating microellipsoids in capturing, transporting, and releasing cargo objects. Furthermore, an approach is presented for controlled navigation through mazes based on real‐time particle and obstacle sensing, path planning, and magnetic field actuation without human intervention. The study introduces a mechanism of directing motion of microparticles using rotating magnetic fields, and a control scheme for precise navigation and delivery of micron‐sized cargo using simple microellipsoids as microbots.
Customized Ultrathin Oxygen Vacancy‐Rich Bi2W0.2Mo0.8O6 Nanosheets Enabling a Stepwise Charge Separation Relay and Exposure of Lewis Acid Sites toward Broad‐Spectrum Photothermal Catalysis
Authors: Yi Jiayu , Yang Xin , Shen Lijuan , Xue Hun , Yang Min‐Quan , Qian Qingrong
Published: August 2024

Designing robust photocatalysts with broad light absorption, effective charge separation, and sufficient reactive sites is critical for achieving efficient solar energy conversion. However, realizing these aims simultaneously through a single material modulation approach poses a challenge. Here, a 2D ultrathin oxygen vacancy (Ov)‐rich Bi2W0.2Mo0.8O6 solid solution photocatalyst is designed and fabricated to tackle the dilemma through component and structure optimization. Specifically, the construction of a solid solution with ultrathin structure initially facilitates the separation of photoinduced electron–hole pairs, while the introduction of Ov strengthens such separation. In the meantime, the presence of Ov extends light absorption to the NIR region, triggering a photothermal effect that further enhances the charge separation and accelerates the redox reaction. As such, photoinduced charge carriers in the Ov‐Bi2W0.2Mo0.8O6 are separated step by step via the synergistic action of 2D solid solution, OV, and solar heating. Furthermore, the introduction of OV exposes surface metal sites that serve as reactive Lewis acid sites, promoting the adsorption and activation of toluene. Consequently, the designed Ov‐Bi2W0.2Mo0.8O6 reveals an enhanced photothermal catalytic toluene oxidation rate of 2445 µmol g−1 h−1 under a wide spectrum without extra heat input. The performance is 9.0 and 3.9 times that of Bi2WO6 and Bi2MoO6 nanosheets, respectively.
Bi‐Directional Modification to Quench Detrimental Redox Reactions and Minimize Interfacial Energy Offset for NiOX/Perovskite‐Based Solar Cells
Authors: Das Adhikari Ramkrishna , Baishya Himangshu , Patel Mayur Jagdishbhai , Yadav Deepak , Iyer Parameswar Krishnan
Published: August 2024

The quality of the buried heterojunction of nickel oxide (NiOX)/perovskite is crucial for efficient charge carrier extraction and minimizing interfacial non‐radiative recombination in inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, NiOX has limitations as a hole transport layer (HTL) due to energy level mismatch, low conduction, and undesirable redox reactions with the perovskite layer, which impede power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long‐term stability. In this study, para‐amino 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluorobenzoic acid (PATFBA) is proposed as a bifacial defect passivator to tailor the NiOX/perovskite interface. The acid group and adjacent fluorine atoms of PATFBA effectively passivate NiOX surface defects, thereby improving its Ni3+/Ni2+ ratio, hole extraction capability, and energy band alignment with perovskite, while also providing active sites for homogenous nucleation. Meanwhile, the amine and adjacent fluorine atomsstabilize the buried perovskite interface by passivating interfacial defects, resulting in higher crystalline perovskite films with supressed non‐radaitive recombination. Furthermore, the PATFBA buffer layer prevents redox reactions between Ni3+ and perovskite.These synergistic bi‐directional interactions lead to optimized inverted PSCs with a PCE of 20.51% compared to 16.89% for pristine devices and the unencapsulated PATFBA‐modified devices exhibit outstanding thermal and long‐term stability. This work provides a new engineering approach to buried interfaces through the synergy of functional groups.