bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Essential fatty acid deficiency in parenteral nutrition: Historical perspective and modern solutions, a narrative review
Authors: Wolff Jodi , Cober Mary Petrea , Huff Katie A.
Published: February 2025

Essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) may occur in the setting of inadequate fat intake, malabsorption, malnutrition, and altered fat metabolism. Humans lack the enzymes to synthesize the essential acids linoleic acid and alpha‐linolenic acid, so they must be obtained from the diet. Patients dependent on parenteral nutrition need adequate amounts of these essential fatty acids supplied in lipid injectable emulsions (ILEs). With the increasing use of multicomponent ILEs that are lower in linoleic and alpha‐linolenic acid, it is imperative that clinicians understand appropriate dosing to prevent EFAD. An understanding of fatty acid composition and metabolic pathways is important, as the use of the Holman Index (triene:tetraene ratio) alone may lead to an inaccurate diagnosis of EFAD.
Use of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists and incretin mimetics for type 2 diabetes and obesity: A narrative review
Authors: Zupec Jason , Munger Rebecca , Scaletta Alice , Quinn Diane H.
Published: February 2025

Incretin mimetics, including glucagon‐like peptide‐1 and glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide agonists, have become first‐line treatment options for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Their therapeutic status is attributed to their high level of efficacy as well as positive impact on related comorbidities, such as sleep apnea and heart failure. Multiple incretin mimetics are currently available with different durations of drug action, dosing frequencies, and delivery devices. Patients may benefit from education on the proper drug administration, anticipated adverse effects, and nutrition considerations with treatment. Practitioners must monitor progress and support the patient to achieve maintenance doses for optimal weight reduction and diabetes‐related outcomes. This review aims to present the current literature supporting US Food and Drug Administration–approved indications of incretin mimetics, equip healthcare professionals to optimize care for patients who are prescribed these agents, and provide insights into potential future applications, which may include dual‐ or triple‐mechanism agents that are injected or administered orally. Additional studies are anticipated with existing and future incretin mimetics for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and related comorbidities in a rapidly developing therapeutic pipeline.
Hybrid Coping: The Impact of Covid‐19 on Social Enterprise Resilience
Authors: Hazenberg Richard , Paterson‐Young Claire
Published: February 2025

This article explores the impact of Covid‐19 on nonprofit resilience, utilizing the UK social enterprise ecosystem as the area of focus. The article engages the theoretical concepts of organizational resilience and community engagement; specifically, how these are impacted by exogenous shocks that change ecosystem dynamics. The article focuses in particular on financial resilience within the context of social enterprises in the United Kingdom both before and during the Covid‐19 pandemic, explored through a grant funding program delivered between 2021 and 2023. The research utilizes quantitative financial and organizational data gathered from 1507 social enterprise applicants to this grant fund, based upon the period 2019–2022. This is supplemented by qualitative data in the form of interviews and focus groups held with social entrepreneurs (N = 17) and key ecosystem support stakeholders (N = 16), as well as researcher observations of discussions of social enterprise applications from the grant fund panel meetings. The research demonstrates how Covid‐19 impacted organizations' resilience over time, illustrating financial and social resilience among the social enterprise sample engaged during the period 2019–2022. The paper posits that this financial and social resilience is grounded within social enterprises' focus on their communities and their hybrid missions. The findings are useful to policy‐makers and practitioners looking to understand and support third‐sector resilience in the post‐pandemic world.
A Longitudinal Study of the Association of Blood Unsaturated Fatty Acids With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Authors: Inoue Tomoko , Ogawa Shintaro , Narita Zui , Sekiguchi Masayuki , Asari Yasushi , Kataoka Yuichi , Hattori Jun , Hori Hiroaki , Kim Yoshiharu , Inada Ken
Published: February 2025

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the association between blood fatty acid fractions and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) judgment in individuals who have experienced physical trauma.

Methods

Patients admitted to the emergency department for trauma, excluding those with brain damage or serious psychiatric disorders, were enrolled. Blood samples were collected on admission, and PTSD symptoms were assessed using a questionnaire 1 and 3 months after the injury. Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between fatty acids and Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale severity scores, adjusting for age, sex, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and the use of psychotropic medications.

Results

A significant association was observed between certain fatty acids and PTSD judgment. Mann‐Whitney U test results revealed that arachidonic acid was associated with PTSD judgment at 1 month and palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, eicosenoic acid, and eicosadiene acid with PTSD judgment at 3 months. Multiple regression analysis revealed that stearic acid, linoleic acid, arachidic acid, docosatetraenoic acid, lignoceric acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and total omega‐6 fatty acids (ω6) were associated with PTSD judgment after 1 month after trauma. In contrast, only linoleic acid and total ω6 were associated with PTSD judgment 3 months after trauma.

Conclusions

This study is the first to enroll patients with general physical trauma and examine the relationship between fatty acids and PTSD. The findings suggest a potential relationship between blood fatty acid fractions and the development of PTSD symptoms in individuals who have experienced physical trauma. However, further research is needed to confirm and expand on these findings.
Trends in educational inequalities in obesity‐attributable mortality in England and Wales, Finland, and Italy
Authors: Janssen Fanny , Gonzales Martinez Rolando , Zengarini Nicolás , Martikainen Pekka , Kunst Anton
Published: February 2025

Objective

We assessed trends in educational inequalities in obesity‐attributable mortality (OAM) and their contribution to educational inequalities in all‐cause mortality for people aged 30 years and older, in England and Wales (1991–2017), Finland (1978–2017), and Italy (1990–2018).

Methods

In our population‐level study, we estimated the shares of all‐cause mortality due to OAM by educational level (i.e., low, middle, and high) by applying the population‐attributable fraction formula to harmonized obesity prevalence data by educational level, along with sex‐ and age‐specific relative risks of dying from obesity. We obtained OAM rates by multiplying the shares with individually linked all‐cause mortality data by educational level. We measured absolute inequalities in OAM and all‐cause mortality by the slope index of inequality.

Results

OAM largely increased for the different sex‐ and education‐specific populations and increased most strongly for those with low educational level up to 2010 to 2015. Educational inequalities in OAM initially increased but stabilized or declined from at least 2008 onward. Obesity contributed, on average, 15% to absolute educational inequalities in all‐cause mortality in 1991 through 2017.

Conclusions

The mortality impact of the obesity epidemic by educational level changed over time. Although the observed change from increasing to declining or stable educational inequalities is encouraging, reducing OAM in all socioeconomic groups remains a challenge.
Efficacy and Patient Satisfaction in Voice Feminization Procedures: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Lanham Kristopher , Melnick Bradley A. , O'Connor Madeline J. , Bartler Angelica , Fuentes Rolando J. Casas , Ho Kelly C. , Galiano Robert D.
Published: February 2025

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and quality of life impact of voice feminization interventions in transgender women.

Data Sources

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science for RCTs and retrospective studies published between 2008 and 2023 that quantitatively evaluated any voice feminization procedure.

Review Methods

Studies in English reporting quantitative measures of efficacy were included. Studies using qualitative methodology were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochran tools and a random‐effects model was applied using inverse‐variance pooling. Primary outcomes were fundamental frequency [F0]/speaking fundamental frequency [SF0] and patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) (PROSPERO: CRD42023476192).

Results

Twenty‐four studies involving 893 participants showed significant SF0 improvements for voice therapy (VT, g = 0.86, [0.46, 1.26], P < .0001), Wendler glottoplasty (WG, g = 1.21, [0.65, 1.77], P < .0001), feminization laryngoplasty (FL, g = 3.05, [2.24, 3.86], P < .0001), and laser reduction glottoplasty (LRG, g = 12.28, [8.19, 15.64], P < .0001). PROs indicated enhanced quality of life for VT (g = 1.32, [0.68, 1.96], P < .0001), WG (g = 1.82, [1.07, 2.57], P < .0001), and LRG (g = 1.90, [0.72, 3.07], P = .0015), with a strong correlation between pitch alteration and QoL (r² = 0.83, P = .0001).

Conclusion

Our results indicate that both VT and surgical procedures enhance vocal pitch and strongly correlate with improved QoL. Our findings validate the role of voice feminization in gender‐affirming care, though methodological limitations prevent evaluation of newer interventions.
Engaging Youth Through the Model Water Tower Competition
Authors: England Will
Published: February 2025

Workforce development and succession planning are important concerns for many water utilities, as the US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 30%–50% of water professionals will retire in the next 10 years. There is no silver bullet to fix the water industry's looming workforce shortage. Instead, multiple outreach initiatives are needed.
Operators Need to Know Water Main Repair and Installation
Authors: Burlingame Gary A. , Adams Hunter , Ash Steve , Southard Mark , Smith Gordon W. , Allgood Ty
Published: February 2025

Understanding how care must be taken when water mains are repaired and installed can help operators understand their role in providing high‐quality water to consumers.
Consider Best Practices to Enhance Asset Performance
Authors:   Awwa Asset Management Maintenance and Reliability Subcommittee
Published: February 2025

Proper maintenance of water assets is vital to guaranteeing their availability, minimizing the risk of malfunctions.
On the values of microbes: An ethical investigation of relational values associated with the microbial world
Authors: Bossert Leonie N. , Höll Davina
Published: February 2025

Current microbiome research has revealed that microbes support nearly all life on Earth, are essential for food production, affect human physical health and psychological well‐being and maintain ecological processes.

Consequently, there are many reasons to value them, especially in times of ecological crises and the pending end of the so‐called antibiotic era. However, a theoretical analysis of the existing values regarding microorganisms is still missing in environmental ethics and the environmental humanities.

In this paper, we provide such an ethical analysis. Therefore, we briefly introduce different value types (Section 2.1) and then discuss what values exist with respect to the microbial world, focusing on the various instrumental and especially relational values (Section 2.2).

The different values we examine are the direct use value, life support and ecological function value, scientific value, transformative and religious/spiritual value, existence value and aesthetic value. To introduce the latter, we use the example of visual and poetic art that humans co‐create with microorganisms to illustrate what this value encompasses.

Concluding, in Section 3, we argue why such values could be used as a cornerstone to establish distinct microbial ethics and human–microbe relations that do justice to the complexity of our human entanglement with microbes.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Achieving exceptional mechanical and thermal properties in ABS/MWCNTs nanocomposites with minimal CNT loading via electromechanical dispersion technique
Authors: KarimzadGhavidel Ayub , Opoz Tahsin Tecelli , Mahdavinia Mahsa , Kiani Gholamreza , Moradi Mahmoud
Published: February 2025

This research aims to decrease the concentration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) needed for enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)/CNTs nanocomposites using the recently introduced electromechanically dispersion technique (EMDT). EMDT efficiently disperses CNTs' agglomerations, preventing structural damage. Nanocomposites with various CNT concentrations were produced with EMDT, followed by injection molding to provide tensile strength, thermal conductivity, and impact resistance samples. Raman and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) assessed CNT dispersion, revealing successful dispersion up to 0.2 wt% without structural damage. At this concentration, the tensile strength improved to 47.08 MPa, showing an increase of approximately 17.5%, and the thermal conductivity significantly increased to 0.29 W/mK, reflecting a 46% improvement. These results surpass those achieved by traditional dispersion methods, where 10 times the CNT concentration was required to reach similar enhancements. Higher injection temperatures and holding pressures improved CNT alignment and reduced entanglement, enhancing properties. However, no additional improvements were observed beyond 0.2 wt%. These findings highlight EMDT's potential in creating high‐performance nanocomposites with significantly lower CNT concentrations.

Highlights

Utilization of the novel EMDT dispersion method in nanocomposite preparation.

Overcoming hindrances to commercializing CNT‐based polymeric nanocomposites.

Reducing the required CNT concentration to attain significant properties.

Improving tensile strength of ABS by ~17.5% with just 0.2 wt% of CNTs.

Remarkable 48.4% increase in ABS thermal conductivity with just 0.2 wt% of CNTs.
Phase field method of composite material incorporating anisotropic constitutive behavior and orientation of strain energy release rate
Authors: Zhang Zhichao , Dong Hongcheng , Wang Fangxin
Published: February 2025

The paper presents a phase field model for fracture analysis of fiber‐reinforced composite materials, considering the anisotropic critical strain energy release rate and constitutive relationship. Experimental results are used to verify the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed model, enabling a comprehensive analysis of the fracture behavior under various conditions. It is discovered that by incorporating anisotropic structure tensor into the evolution equation derived from isotropic crack density form, a phase field model with weakly anisotropic fracture strain energy can be obtained. Furthermore, an anisotropic constitutive relationship accounting for tension‐compression asymmetry after material fracture is derived based on spherical‐partial decomposition of strain energy. The fracture behavior of composites under various conditions is systematically investigated through a series of numerical examples, including the tensile test of the central opening plate, the single‐sided notched plate, and an analysis of the influence of fiber arrangement. Additionally, it is highlighted that this model accurately describes non‐orthogonal two‐dimensional crack propagation in composite materials. Therefore, this model holds great potential in areas including design optimization and performance evaluation of composite materials.

Highlights

Both the anisotropic fracture strain energy and constitutive relationship are consideration.

The stress and strain spherical‐partial decomposition for anisotropic constitutive relations are used.

The present model allows simulation of fracture for composites with multiple fiber directions.
Remarkable enhancement of physical‐mechanical properties in unsaturated polyester resin composites using SiO2@CTBN hybrid particles
Authors: Rouhi Elham , Bahrami Kiumars , Poorabdollah Mehdi
Published: February 2025

To improve the toughness of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR), core‐shell particles with a silica core and carboxyl‐terminated butadiene acrylonitrile (CTBN) rubber shell were synthesized and added to the UPR at 2, 5, and 10 wt%. Impact, tensile, bending, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were performed on the pure UPR and composites containing core‐shell particles (UPR/CSR). The impact analysis indicated that the addition of 2 wt% CSR particles increased the toughness by 34% compared to that of the pure UPR. However, due to the low modulus of the rubbery shell, the tensile, bending, and elastic moduli of the UPR/CSR composite decreased. To enhance the physical and mechanical properties of the UPR/CSR composite, a hybrid composite of UPR/CSR and gamma‐alumina (γ‐Al₂O₃) (as a regulator and reinforcer of the network) was manufactured, resulting in remarkable enhancements in the physical and mechanical properties. Additionally, variations in the curing kinetics of the pure UPR and UPR/CSR 2 composite at four heating rates were investigated for a more detailed examination of changes in the structure of the resin network.

Highlights

Synthesis of SiO2@CTBN particles and fabrication of UPR/CSR composite.

Significant increase in toughness of UPR/CSR composite compared to UPR resin.

Significant increase in physical and mechanical properties of hybrid composite.

Investigation of network structure and curing kinetic of UPR resin by DSC.
Scenting the Hedonic Connection: Exploring the Impact of Subjective Olfactory Dysfunction on Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Ni Zihan , Liu Ye , Zou Laiquan , Zhang Qidong , Fan Wu , Yan Chao
Published: February 2025

Olfaction, often regarded as a unique chemical sensation, plays a pivotal role in shaping our quality of life and mental well‐being. Numerous studies have highlighted the significant relationship between olfactory function and depressive symptoms. However, the complex mechanisms underlying how olfactory function affects the development of depressive symptoms remain largely unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of hedonic capacity in the link between olfactory function and depressive symptoms. We recruited 1661 young adults, along with an additional 381 participants who had experienced COVID‐19‐related olfactory dysfunction, to complete a series of self‐report questionnaires assessing depressive symptoms, olfactory dysfunction, and hedonic capacity. A subset of 327 participants completed a follow‐up survey 3 months later. Our sequential mediation analyses revealed that olfactory function indirectly influenced depressive symptoms through chemosensory pleasure. Moreover, it impacted pleasure derived from social activities by modulating chemosensory pleasure. Notably, this mediating effect persisted over the 3‐month period and was evident even in participants with hyposmia, highlighting the lasting importance of chemosensory hedonic capacity. These findings suggest that both chemosensory and social hedonic capacities are crucial in the complex relationship between olfactory function and depressive symptoms. This insight not only deepens our understanding of the developmental psychopathology of depression but also offers a new perspective for its prevention.
Analysis of the Factors Influencing Junior High School Teachers' Job Satisfaction and the Construction of a Prediction Model
Authors: Li Yuejia , Dong Min , Li Wenhui
Published: February 2025

Teacher job satisfaction is an important research element in teacher education and educational research. Based on data from the China Education Tracking Survey, this study analyzes the factors that influence the job satisfaction of 690 junior high school teachers and further constructs a prediction model. The study shows that gender, burnout, salary, management style, hardware facilities, and student quality are significantly related to teachers' job satisfaction. Among them, being female, having a satisfactory salary package, having a satisfactory school management style, and having high student quality are protective factors for enhancing teachers' job satisfaction. On the contrary, frequent burnout and average school hardware facilities are risk factors for decreasing teachers' job satisfaction. Thus, to improve teachers' job satisfaction, it is necessary to begin with the government, schools and teachers themselves to improve job satisfaction, enhance the quality of education and promote the long‐term development of basic education.
A Computational Prediction: Enhancing Visible Light Harvesting Through Minor Modification of Donor Moiety in Triphenylamine‐Based Dyes for DSSCs
Authors: El‐Hendawy Morad M. , Hassan Samar T. , El‐Katori Emad E. , Mohamed Mahmoud M. A.
Published: February 2025

Five triphenylamine‐based dyes were theoretically investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) due to their structural configuration of (D–π–A) which has potential applications as sensitizers for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). One dye was sourced from the literature, (E)‐2‐cyano‐3‐(5‐(6‐(diphenylamino)‐3,3‐dimethyl‐3H‐indol‐2‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl)acrylic acid, denoted as (I), and the remaining dyes (from II to V) are inspired by the former with minor structural change in the indole moiety of donor part. These molecular structures are composed of different diphenyl indole amine species (donor part), thiophene (π‐bridge), and cyanoacrylic acid (acceptor part). This study focused on the effect of small structural change in the five‐membered ring of the indole moiety on the geometric, electronic, and optical properties of the studied dyes as well as their potential applications as sensitizers for DSSCs. Due to this structural change, a twist in the molecular skeleton of the designed dyes was observed, resulting in a new band at a longer wavelength that spans the visible region. This band is attributed to the phenomenon of twisting intramolecular charge transfer (TICT). The findings reveal that the minor structural change in the indole moiety enhanced the harvesting character of designed dyes that makes them promising candidates for application in DSSCs.
The Position of ‘Proton Transfer’ Phenomena in Case of Fluoride Detection: A Minireview
Authors: Mahata Atanu , Mallick Arabinda
Published: February 2025

Fluoride ion possessing substantial biological importance demands widespread applications on the basis of physiological and detrimental effects on human body and environmental aspects. Therefore, attractive attention has been paid by the researchers to reach the utmost stage of development of versatile colorimetric and fluorometric fluoride ion sensors. For this purpose, proton transfer phenomenon is an excellent pathway to trigger the recognition of fluoride ion using various kinds of sensor molecules. A strong mode of binding interaction between the chemosensor and F− ion was streamlined in terms of colorimetry, fluorometry and NMR‐ and DFT‐based theoretical studies. This minireview article summarizes the recent development of various fluoride sensors based upon the proton transfer–mediated signalling mechanisms, namely, hydrogen bonding–promoted proton transfer, excited state intermolecular proton transfer (ESPT) and excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT).
The Synthesis of Acrylate‐Based Macromonomers and Structured Copolymers by High‐Temperature Semi‐Batch Radical Polymerization: The Impact of Acrylate vs. Methacrylate Monomer Choice
Authors: Bygott Elizabeth G. , Pahovnik David , Žagar Ema , Hutchinson Robin A.
Published: February 2025

High‐temperature starved‐feed semi‐batch radical polymerization is used to produce an isobornyl acrylate (iBoA) polymer solution with high macromonomer content without a mediating agent. The p(iBoA) macromonomer solution serves as an addition‐fragmentation agent to synthesize a blocky copolymer in a single‐pot sequential feeding process, as has been demonstrated using n‐butyl acrylate (BA) as the second monomer. The impact of monomer selection on the copolymer product is investigated by switching the second monomer to n‐butyl methacrylate (BMA) while keeping all other aspects of the operating strategy unchanged. Methodologies developed to verify macromonomer incorporation are used to compare the iBoA‐BA and iBoA‐BMA systems, with two‐dimensional liquid chromatography providing a clear contrast between the acrylate and methacrylate (co)polymer products. The comparison demonstrates the effect of monomer structure on the macromonomer addition‐fragmentation kinetics, with a blocky copolymer produced using the acrylate macromonomer only when an acrylate is used as the second monomer feed.
Cocrystallization Effect on the Detonation Performance of Fuel–Oxidizer Combination
Authors: Inoue Kazuki , Okada Ken , Tamba Takahiro , Kubota Shiro , Kumasaki Mieko
Published: February 2025

Cocrystals contain two components in their crystalline structures. This article describes the detonation experiments on cocrystals and mixtures of fuel and oxidizers. Five pairs of fuels and oxidizers were selected as the target cocrystals: 1,2,4‐triazole (TA)/sodium perchlorate (SP), 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole (3ATA)/SP, 4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole (4ATA)/SP, glycine (Gly)/ ammonium nitrate (AN), and 4ATA/AN. All the cocrystals showed higher propagation velocities (Vp) than those of the corresponding mixtures. Especially, 3ATA/SP and 4ATA/SP cocrystals exhibited steady‐state detonation with average detonation velocities of 4.62 and 4.76 km/s, respectively, whereas Vp of 3ATA+SP and 4ATA+SP mixtures gradually decreased. High‐speed photography supported the results of the detonation experiments for the 3ATA/SP and 3ATA+SP. The measured average detonation velocities of 3ATA/SP and 4ATA/SP accounted for 89.3% and 84.6%, respectively, of the calculated detonation velocities of the respective mixtures, indicating that the detonation of the two cocrystals was nonideal. The results led to the construction of a hypothesis about hot‐spot growth in cocrystals and mixtures due to the difference in the manner of particle contact. These results suggest that cocrystallization can improve the detonation performance of the combination of fuel and oxidizers.
Evaluation of GS‐omega/kappa‐Hxtx‐Hv1a and Bt toxins against Bt‐resistant and ‐susceptible strains of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)
Authors: Ross Simeon , Yang Fei , Santiago‐González José C. , Abdelgaffar Heba , Kerns Dawson D. , Jurat‐Fuentes Juan Luis , Sun Xiaocun , Collett Dayna , Kerns David L.
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND

Helicoverpa zea and Spodoptera frugiperda are destructive insect pests of cotton and corn. Both have evolved practical resistance to transgenic crops producing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins in the United States. GS‐omega/kappa‐Hxtx‐Hv1a (ω/κ‐Hv1a) is a novel biopesticide derived from spider venom with activity against lepidopteran pests. The efficacy of ω/κ‐Hv1a is dependent on combining it with a facilitator product such as a Bt‐based insecticide. However, it is unknown if ω/κ‐Hv1a can be an alternative for the management of Bt resistance. In this study, we tested the effect of ω/κ‐Hv1a alone or in the presence of Bt toxins against susceptible and resistant H. zea and S. frugiperda.

RESULTS

Diet overlays with 5 μg cm−2 of Vip3Aa39 significantly increased mortality in susceptible H. zea but did not enhance the activity of ω/κ‐Hv1a against Vip3A‐resistant H. zea. In contrast, the addition of 10 μg cm−2 of Cry1Ac to the surface of ω/κ‐Hv1a incorporated diet significantly increased the mortality of Cry‐resistant H. zea compared to diets without the Cry1Ac toxin.

CONCLUSION

The study confirms that ω/κ‐Hv1a activity against H. zea is significantly enhanced by a facilitator mechanism. Our results suggest Cry1Ac pore formation in the midgut membrane of Cry‐resistant H. zea, enables the activity of ω/κ‐Hv1a. Vip3Aa resistance in H. zea involves altered toxin‐binding, consequently preventing pore formation and activity of ω/κ‐Hv1a. Therefore, insecticides containing ω/κ‐Hv1a may be an alternative for managing Cry‐resistant H. zea in cotton and help delay the evolution of insect resistance. © 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Investigation and Reduction of Surface Damage of Etched Quasi‐Vertical Gallium Nitride Schottky Diodes
Authors: Shu Qi , Zhou Kexin , Kirchbrücher Arno , Kalisch Holger , Vescan Andrei , Debald Arne , Heuken Michael
Published: February 2025

GaN vertical devices often suffer from high leakage currents and premature breakdowns due to contamination and dry‐etch damage during device fabrication. Herein, the mitigation of etch damage through various post‐etch treatments is investigated using surface‐trenched quasi‐vertical n‐GaN Schottky diodes as a test vehicle. Contamination and etch damage promote high leakage current through the Schottky barrier. A combined treatment with CF4 plasma and rapid thermal annealing reduces leakage current at −8 V by a factor of 106 for planar Schottky diodes with unetched surfaces and 104 for Schottky diodes with trench‐etched surfaces. Furthermore, a lower Schottky barrier height (0.40–0.51 eV) is observed on the diode without post‐etch treatment. After the CF4 plasma and rapid thermal annealing, the Schottky barrier height is restored to the expected range (0.85–1.20 eV). An ideality factor of less than 1.10 further indicates reduced contamination and etch damage.
Microstructural and Electrochemical Properties of Gd0.3Ba0.7FeO3−δ–xCe0.90Gd0.10O1.95 Composite Cathode for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Hou Liyan , Zhang Min , Zhang Siyang , Hou Yunting , Lv Yixuan
Published: February 2025

The chemical compatibility, microstructure, and electrochemical performance of Gd0.3Ba0.7FeO3−δ–xCe0.90Gd0.10O1.95 (GBF0.3−xGDC, x = 30–50 wt%) composite cathodes are systematically investigated. Results reveal excellent chemical compatibility between GBF0.3 and GDC. The GBF0.3–30GDC composite cathode exhibits enhanced microstructural properties, including reduced particle size and increased porosity, which improve oxygen reduction reaction activity and decrease polarization resistance. A peak power density of 0.549 W cm−2 is achieved at 800 °C with hydrogen as the fuel gas. These findings underscore the critical role of compositional ratios in optimizing the electrochemical performance of composite cathodes for solid oxide fuel cells.
Multifaceted Therapeutic Impacts of Cucurbitacin B: Recent Evidences From Preclinical Studies
Authors: Sahu Meenal , Paliwal Tripti , Jain Smita , Verma Kanika , Chakraborty Dipjyoti , Jaiswal Shivangi , Dwivedi Jaya , Sharma Swapnil
Published: February 2025

The most prevalent and bioactive cucurbitacin is Cucurbitacin B (CuB, C32H46O8), which is a tetracyclic triterpene chiefly present in the Cucurbitaceae family. CuB has a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties namely antioxidant, anticancer, hepatoprotective, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, hypoglycaemic, insecticidal, and neuroprotective properties, owing to its ability to regulate several signaling pathways, including the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 (JAK/STAT3), AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), nuclear factor (NF)‐κB, nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor‐2/antioxidant responsive element (Nrf2/ARE), phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt, mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), Hippo‐Yes‐associated protein (YAP), focal adhesion kinase (FAK), cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase‐2A/protein phosphatase‐2A (CIP2A/PP2A), Wnt and Notch pathways. The present review highlights the medicinal attributes of Cucurbitacin B (CuB) with special emphasis on their signaling pathways to provide key evidence of its therapeutic utility in the near future.
Gastrodin Ameliorates Tau Pathology and BBB Dysfunction in 3xTg‐AD Transgenic Mice by Regulating the ADRA1/NF‐κB/NLRP3 Pathway to Reduce Neuroinflammation
Authors: Li Bo , Wang Li , Xiao Yan , Wang Yang , Wang Yuanshang , Peng Yaqian , Zhang Anni , Tang Zhi , Qi Xiaolan
Published: February 2025

Background and aim: Gastrodin, an active compound derived from the traditional Chinese herbal medicine Gastrodia, demonstrates a variety of pharmacological effects, particularly in the enhancement of neural functions. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore the therapeutic effects of gastrodin on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Experimental procedure: Cognitive function was assessed via Morris water maze and Y‐maze tests. Tau pathology, neuroinflammation, and BBB dysfunction were analyzed using various techniques, including Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA. ADRA1 overexpression was induced by lentiviral infection, and gastrodin's impact on NF‐κB p65, NLRP3, IL‐1β, and IL‐18 levels was evaluated. Key results: In the in vivo experiment, gastrodin enhanced learning and spatial memory in 3xTg‐AD mice, as well as reducing p‐Tau protein expression in the hippocampus and cortex. Gastrodin inhibited the ADRA1/NF‐κB/NLRP3 pathway, which decreased glial cell activation and inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β and IL‐18, improving neuron and BBB function. In the in vitro experiment, gastrodin inhibited the activation of the NF‐κB/NLRP3 pathway due to ADRA1 overexpression and prevented the Aβ42‐induced increase in ADRA1/NF‐κB/NLRP3 protein expression in SH‐SY5Y cells. It also reduced IL‐1β and IL‐18 cytokine release, restoring tight junction protein expression in bEnd.3 cells. Conclusions and implications: gastrodin ameliorates learning and memory abilities by alleviating neuroinflammation and tau pathology, restoring the structure and function of neurons and BBB, suggesting that gastrodin may serve as an effective drug for the treatment of AD.
Application of AI in engineering education: A bibliometric study
Authors: Liu Yidan , Jing Yuhui , Li Jing , Dai Jian , Hu Zhebing , Wang Chengliang
Published: February 2025

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into engineering education is essential for fostering innovation, strategic thinking and interdisciplinary skills in the intelligent era. On this basis, this study aims to track and visually represent the research outputs associated with AI applications in engineering education, providing insights into the current research landscape and identifying areas for further investigation. The analysis offers theoretical and methodological direction for leveraging AI in engineering education. Utilising bibliometric methods, we conducted a comprehensive visualisation analysis of 378 core publications from the Web of Science (WoS) database, spanning from the beginning of the twenty‐first century to the present. Our findings show a consistent rise in publication volume from 2000 to 2017, with a significant surge from 2018 to 2023. The study identifies the International Journal of Engineering Education and Computer Applications in Engineering Education as pivotal journals in the field. The research clusters around two central themes: essential supportive technologies and specific educational applications. Within engineering education, expert systems, data mining, prediction and machine learning are highlighted as key research areas. The field has evolved through distinct phases, starting with an early focus on technology support systems, moving to an emphasis on pedagogical applications, and currently striving for a balance between diverse technologies and practical applications.

Context and implications

Rationale for the study

Research on AI‐enabled engineering education is necessary because it is a vital measure for cultivating innovative, strategic and interdisciplinary talents in the era of intelligence. The article applies bibliometric techniques to visualise the developmental pulse of AI use in engineering education.

Why the new findings matter

The new findings firstly help researchers to grasp the development pulse and research priorities in the field and fill the research gaps, and secondly provide theoretical and methodological guidance for the application of artificial intelligence in engineering education through visualisation.

Implications for researchers and practitioners

The study summarises the current situation of AI in engineering education, breaks down the knowledge map of the field, provides practitioners, especially new researchers, with important references and guidance to understand the development of the field, and triggers the continuous attention of all sectors of society to the field. In addition, school administrators will be able to guide the development and practice of education and teaching based on the findings of the study, and frontline teachers will be able to practise the integration and application of AI and engineering education, which will effectively improve the learning efficiency of engineering education.
The impact of Shariah compliance on firm's performance and risk
Authors: Farhat Amel , Hili Amal
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the performance and risk of compliant stocks at the firm level, where compliance is determined by satisfying two screening stages outlined by Islamic law. Our empirical analysis employs quarterly cross‐sectional regressions, assessing how compliance influences both performance and risk using a combination of market‐based and accounting‐based metrics. Our results consistently reveal that compliant stocks exhibit significantly superior performance and lower risk compared to their conventional counterparts. These results remain robust across different business cycles and study periods. Our findings hold after accounting for different control variables known in finance literature to affect the cross‐section of stock returns.
Delayed Sampled Impulsive Observer Design for a Class of Non‐Affine Nonlinear Systems With Aperiodic Sampled and Delayed Measurements
Authors: Zhuang Xincheng , Wang Haoping , Tian Yang
Published: February 2025

In this article, a delayed sampled impulsive observer (DSIO) is designed for a class of nonlinear systems with a non‐affine structure subjected to aperiodic sampled and delayed measurement and external disturbance. The designed DSIO consists of two parts according to continuous and discrete time space: the first part predicts the state between samples by replicating the dynamics of the observed system in the continuous time space; The second part is to use the system's sampled delayed output for impulsive correction in the discrete time space. The proposed DSIO allows for delays larger than the sampling period. Combined with the delayed impulsive systems theory, the input‐to‐state stability of the designed DSIO under external disturbances is proved. The designed DSIO is illustrated via numerical simulation with a Chua's Circuit example and comparison with another Zero‐Order Holder‐based Observer (ZOHO) to highlight its effectiveness.
Dir‐GLM: A Bayesian GLM With Data‐Driven Reference Distribution
Authors: Alam Entejar , Müller Peter , Rathouz Paul J.
Published: February 2025

The recently developed semi‐parametric generalized linear model (SPGLM) offers more flexibility as compared to the classical GLM by including the baseline or reference distribution of the response as an additional parameter in the model. However, some inference summaries are not easily generated under existing maximum‐likelihood‐based inference (GLDRM). This includes uncertainty in estimation for model‐derived functionals such as exceedance probabilities. The latter are critical in a clinical diagnostic or decision‐making setting. In this article, by placing a Dirichlet prior on the baseline distribution, we propose a Bayesian model‐based approach for inference to address these important gaps. We establish consistency and asymptotic normality results for the implied canonical parameter. Simulation studies and an illustration with data from an aging research study confirm that the proposed method performs comparably or better in comparison with GLDRM. The proposed Bayesian framework is most attractive for inference with small sample training data or in sparse‐data scenarios.
Analysis of Cohort Stepped Wedge Cluster‐Randomized Trials With Nonignorable Dropout via Joint Modeling
Authors: Gasparini Alessandro , Crowther Michael J. , Hoogendijk Emiel O. , Li Fan , Harhay Michael O.
Published: February 2025

Stepped wedge cluster‐randomized trial (CRTs) designs randomize clusters of individuals to intervention sequences, ensuring that every cluster eventually transitions from a control period to receive the intervention under study by the end of the study period. The analysis of stepped wedge CRTs is usually more complex than parallel‐arm CRTs due to more complex intra‐cluster correlation structures. A further challenge in the analysis of closed‐cohort stepped wedge CRTs, which follow groups of individuals enrolled in each period longitudinally, is the occurrence of dropout. This is particularly problematic in studies of individuals at high risk for mortality, which causes nonignorable missing outcomes. If not appropriately addressed, missing outcomes from death will erode statistical power, at best, and bias treatment effect estimates, at worst. Joint longitudinal‐survival models can accommodate informative dropout and missingness patterns in longitudinal studies. Specifically, within the joint longitudinal‐survival modeling framework, one directly models the dropout process via a time‐to‐event submodel together with the longitudinal outcome of interest. The two submodels are then linked using a variety of possible association structures. This work extends linear mixed‐effects models by jointly modeling the dropout process to accommodate informative missing outcome data in closed‐cohort stepped wedge CRTs. We focus on constant intervention and general time‐on‐treatment effect parametrizations for the longitudinal submodel and study the performance of the proposed methodology using Monte Carlo simulation under several data‐generating scenarios. We illustrate the joint modeling methodology in practice by reanalyzing data from the “Frail Older Adults: Care in Transition” (ACT) trial, a stepped wedge CRT of a multifaceted geriatric care model versus usual care in 35 primary care practices in the Netherlands.
OH Radical‐Initiated Oxidation of 1‐Dimethylamino‐2‐Nitroethylene: A Theoretical Study
Authors: Thoshiba S. V. , Sandhiya L. , Senthilkumar K.
Published: February 2025

1‐Dimethylamino‐2‐nitroethylene (DMANE) is a nitroenamine, a building block of commonly used pesticides. In the present work, the OH‐initiated oxidation reaction of DMANE is investigated by performing electronic structure calculations using M06‐2X and ɷB97X‐D level of theories with 6‐311+G(d,p) basis set, and the single‐point energy calculations at the CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVDZ level of theory. The initial OH‐radical addition and H‐atom abstraction reactions of DMANE are studied. The results obtained from initial reactions show that the OH‐addition reaction is more favorable than the H‐abstraction reaction. The rate constant for the formation of DMANE‐OH‐adduct intermediates, I1 and I2, is 1.58 × 10−10 and 2.54 × 10−09 cm3molecule−1s−1, which are about seven orders of magnitude higher than the rate of ozonolysis of nitroalkenes and other nitroenamines, showing the significance of OH‐initiated reactions of nitroenamines. The secondary reactions from the initially formed radicals are studied in detail to identify the products of the reaction and assess their toxicity. The toxicity assessment results show that DMANE is not harmful to aquatic organisms. The absorption spectra calculated for DMANE and favorable products show that the degradation of these compounds through photolysis is unlikely. The calculated photochemical ozone creation potential shows the significant role of these compounds in the formation of ozone in the atmosphere.
Effect of Substitutional Doping and Cu Adsorption on MoS2Nanowire: A Comparative DFT Study
Authors: Bhandari Anurag , Dua Piyush , Puri Nitin K.
Published: February 2025

In this study, we have investigated the effect of substitutional doped (Cu‐doped MoS2NW) and surface‐adsorbed Cu atom (Cu‐MoS2NW) on the electronic properties of MoS2 nanowire (NW) using Density Functional Theory (DFT). Our adsorption study revealed that the adsorption of the Cu atom was a chemisorption. Electron Localization Function (ELF) analysis indicates that the Cu atom formed a covalent and ionic bond with MoS2NW upon adsorption and substitutional doping, respectively. These findings indicate that a charge transfer occurred between the Cu atom and MoS2NW during the interaction, confirmed by the Bader charge method. Further, the work function calculation indicates that Cu‐doped MoS2NW exhibits a large negative variation in the work function, indicating enhanced electron emission capability of the Cu‐doped MoS2NW systems. All of our systems are thermodynamically stable based on our cohesive energy calculations. Overall, the DFT results suggest that Cu‐doped MoS2NW systems exhibit superior electrical conductivity, enhanced charge transfer, and larger variation in the work function compared to pristine MoS2NW and Cu‐MoS2NW. These findings confirmed that substitutional doping is an effective way to modify the electronic properties of MoS2NW. Therefore, Cu‐doped MoS2NW systems hold potential for applications in field emission and nanoelectronics devices.
Highly Sensitive TbCrO3 Capacitive Humidity Nanosensor Prepared by Sol–Gel Combustion
Authors: Lone Irfan H. , Islam Tarikul , Ahmed Jahangeer , Ahmed Sirajuddin , Ramanujachary Kandalam V. , Ahmad Tokeer
Published: February 2025

Nanoporous TbCrO3, a new ferroelectric humidity sensor, was developed by modified sol–gel combustion method at 900 °C. The nanostructured TbCrO3 underwent characterization through multiple techniques, such as crystalline and phase study by powder X‐ray diffractometer, particle size, size distribution, and morphology by transmission electron microscopy, surface area analyzer, and scanning electron microscope and optical analysis were employed by UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. These tasks were employed to ascertain the phase purity, size distribution of particles, and the tunable energy photo bandgap of the prepared nanostructures. Diffraction investigations of TbCrO3 samples brought out exactly and clear in the previous literature peaks of highly crystalline orthorhombic structure. Room temperature ferroelectric loop and high surface area exhibit good dielectric relaxor properties of TbCrO3 nanoparticles. Not one but two bandgaps values were found at around ∼1.8 and 2.7 eV with the help of K‐M function through diffuse reflectance technique. For the first time, it was found to have ultra‐high humidity sensitivity. Sensors of TbCrO3 nanoparticle show excellent humidity sensing behavior in the range of 4%–7%, which promptly increased up to 80% and then reached a stable value.