bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis Strategies, Preparation Methods, and Applications of Chiral Metal‐Organic Frameworks
Authors: Zhang Hui , Cheng Qingsong , Pei Hebing , He Simin , Guo Ruibin , Liu Nijuan , Mo Zunli
Published: April 2024

Chiral Metal‐Organic Frameworks (CMOFs) is a kind of material with great application value in recent years. Formed by the coordination of metal ions or metal clusters with organic ligands. It has ordered and adjustable pores, multi‐dimensional network structure, large specific surface area and excellent adsorption properties. This material structure combines the properties of metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) with the chiral properties of chiral molecules. It has great advantages in catalysis, adsorption, separation and other fields. Therefore, it has a wide range of applications in chemistry, biology, medicine and materials science. In this paper, various synthesis strategies and preparation methods of chiral metal‐organic frameworks are reviewed from different perspectives, and the advantages of each method are analyzed. In addition, the applications of chiral metal‐organic framework materials in enantiomer recognition and separation, circular polarization luminescence and asymmetric catalysis are systematically summarized, and the corresponding mechanisms are discussed. Finally, the challenges and prospects of the development of chiral metal‐organic frame materials are analyzed in detail.
Coconut fibre for the synthesis of microfibrillated cellulose: Thermal analysis experimental characterization
Authors: Moraes Fábio Pinto , Cordeiro Nathalia G. Barroso , Bojorge Ninoska , Alhadeff Eliana Mossé
Published: April 2024

Fibrillated cellulose at nano‐ and microscales was obtained from green coconut fibre. The biomass was subjected to mechanical treatment (comminution and sieving of the fibres) and chemical treatment (washed with water, treated with sodium hydroxide, bleached with sodium chlorite, and subjected to acid hydrolysis). Finally, purification steps included centrifugation, dialysis, and ultrasound. The product obtained by acid hydrolysis, the crude fibre, and the intermediate‐treated samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and characterized by chemical analysis and thermogravimetry (TGA/DTG). The chemical characterization for crude coconut fibre demonstrated 27.99% ± 1.98% for cellulose, 14.11% ± 4.44% for hemicellulose, 25.15% ± 0.04% for lignin, and 19.34% ± 0.02% for ashes. The applied pretreatment used to remove hemicellulose and lignin from the crude coconut fibre permitted obtaining high levels of cellulose, such as 94.94% ± 5.46% for the hardest condition, with NaOH 11% (w/v)/NaClO2. Then, acid hydrolysis was used to obtain the micro‐scale cellulose structures with 50% H2SO4 at 45°C for 90 min in an agitated condition (100 rpm). Following pretreatment with 2% and 11% NaOH/NaClO2, respectively, microfibrillated cellulose was verified at levels of 0.9% and 0.75% by thermogravimetric analysis, while the commercial sample had a verification level of 1.89%. The produced micro cellulose was fibrillated with a diameter equal to 149.39 ± 40.63 nm and a length of 1764.07 ± 1109.18 nm, as determined by SEM.
Parallel executive pallio‐motor loops in the pigeon brain
Authors: Steinemer Alina , Simon Annika , Güntürkün Onur , Rook Noemi
Published: April 2024

A core component of the avian pallial cognitive network is the multimodal nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL) that is considered to be analogous to the mammalian prefrontal cortex (PFC). The NCL plays a key role in a multitude of executive tasks such as working memory, decision‐making during navigation, and extinction learning in complex learning environments. Like the PFC, the NCL is positioned at the transition from ascending sensory to descending motor systems. For the latter, it sends descending premotor projections to the intermediate arcopallium (AI) and the medial striatum (MSt). To gain detailed insight into the organization of these projections, we conducted several retrograde and anterograde tracing experiments. First, we tested whether NCL neurons projecting to AI (NCLarco neurons) and MSt (NCLMSt neurons) are constituted by a single neuronal population with bifurcating neurons, or whether they form two distinct populations. Here, we found two distinct projection patterns to both target areas that were associated with different morphologies. Second, we revealed a weak topographic projection toward the medial and lateral striatum and a strong topographic projection toward AI with clearly distinguishable sensory termination fields. Third, we investigated the relationship between the descending NCL pathways to the arcopallium with those from the hyperpallium apicale, which harbors a second major descending pathway of the avian pallium. We embed our findings within a system of parallel pallio‐motor loops that carry information from separate sensory modalities to different subpallial systems. Our results also provide insights into the evolution of the avian motor system from which, possibly, the song system has emerged.
Formation of Polyimide Membranes via Non‐Solvent Induced Phase Separation: Insight from Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Theodorakopoulos George V. , Karousos Dionysios S. , Favvas Evangelos P. , Gotzias Anastasios D.
Published: April 2024

Molecular dynamics simulations were applied to investigate the formation of P84 polyimide membranes through the non‐solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) process, considering two scenarios: one using a conventional organic solvent like n‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) and the other a greener alternative, γ‐butyrolactone (GBL), with water serving as the non‐solvent. Different compositions of polymer solutions were established along the binodal boundaries of the respective systems, derived from experimental cloud point data on the ternary phase diagram. The resulting polymer membranes were analyzed and compared in terms of their morphology. The wettability of their surfaces was notably affected by the polymer content in the initial casting solution and demonstrated a correlation with the Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) specific surface area of the associated polymer nanostructures. The GBL solvent systems produced porous polymers qualitatively similar to those obtained with NMP, albeit with slightly narrower pore size distributions.
Reversing the Trend: Deciphering Self‐Assembly of Unconventional Amphiphiles Having Both Alkyl‐Chain and PEG
Authors: Ghosh Rita , Singh Bharat , Basu Subhadip , Mondal Avijit , Maiti Prabal Kumar , De Mrinmoy
Published: April 2024

In the field of molecular self‐assembly, the core of an assembly is always made up of hydrophobic moiety like a long alkyl chain, whereas the outer part has always been a hydrophilic moiety such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), or charged species. Hence, reversing the trend to manifest self‐assembled structures with a PEG core and a surface consisting of alkyl chains in aqueous system is incredibly challenging. Herein, we architected a unique class of cationic bolaamphiphiles containing low molecular weight PEG and alkyl chains of different lengths. The bolaamphiphiles spontaneously form vesicles without external stimuli. These vesicles are unprecedented because PEG makes up the vesicle core, while the alkyl chains appear on the vesicles′ exterior. Hence, this particular design reverses the usual trend of self‐assembly formation. The vesicle size increases with the increase in alkyl chain‐length. To our great surprise, we obtained large micelles for longest alkyl‐chain amphiphile, which in turn act as a gemini amphiphile. The shift from a particular bolaamphiphile to gemini amphiphile with the variation of alkyl chain is also unexplored. Therefore, this specific class of self‐assembled structure would compound a new paradigm in molecular self‐assembly and supramolecular chemistry.
A Guide to Chemical Reactions Design in Carbon Nitride Photocatalysis
Authors: Savateev Oleksandr , Zhuang Jingru
Published: April 2024

The Front Cover artwork is provided by Oleksandr Savateev at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The image shows “blueprints” of the photocatalytic reaction design that is mediated by graphitic carbon nitride. Read the full text of the Review at 10.1002/cptc.202300306.
Corporate violations and bank debt cost: The insurance effect of corporate social responsibility
Authors: Li Zhen , Sun Yitong , Liu Jinhao , Li Yi , Zhou Zhifang
Published: April 2024

In enhancing oversight within China's capital markets, it has become imperative to investigate the economic ramifications of corporate transgressions in the banking sector. This study applied the tenets of the insurance effect theory to scrutinize the transmission mechanism delineating the impact of corporate violations on bank debt costs, with a specific focus on the ameliorative role played by corporate social responsibility (CSR). The findings underscored a positive correlation between corporate violations and bank debt costs, while CSR emerged as a mitigating factor in this relationship. Notably, organizations demonstrating proactive engagement in CSR activities exhibited a capacity to attenuate the adverse influence of violations on bank debt costs. However, it was discerned that the insurance effect of CSR diminished when companies recurrently breached regulatory norms. These outcomes contribute substantively to fortifying capital market supervision, urging enterprises to conscientiously fulfill their social responsibilities to engender a more cautious approach from financial institutions.
Towards the Use of Renewable Syngas for the Decarbonization of Industry
Authors: Detz Remko , Beerse Marit , Meulendijks Nicole , Buskens Pascal , van der Zwaan Bob
Published: April 2024

In this article we analyze how syngas produced in a renewable way can replace fossil‐fuel based syngas production and thereby play an essential role in the decarbonization of industry. We show that in essentially all industrial applications renewable H2 and/or CO can replace syngas from fossil fuel feedstocks, and quantify the flows of these chemical building blocks required for the transformation of industry towards a net‐zero emitting sector. We also undertake a techno‐economic analysis, in which we demonstrate that under specific assumptions for the learning rates of some of the key process components, renewable syngas can become cost‐competitive with that produced from fossil fuels. Cost competitiveness, however, only materializes for four of the five routes when natural gas prices are at least around 3 €/GJ and carbon taxes increase from 90 €/tCO2 today to 300 €/tCO2 in 2050.
A concise high‐efficiency broadband parallel‐circuit Class‐E power amplifier
Authors: Lu Heng , Jiang Jianliang , Zhang Hengli
Published: April 2024

An analysis of a single‐ended high‐efficiency broadband parallel‐circuit (PC) Class‐E power amplifier (PA) with a single reactance compensation technique (RCT) and low‐pass (LP) Chebyshev impedance transformer is first presented under low supply voltage. Analysis of the gate and drain voltage allows to determine the required optimum voltage values for the expected PA design objectives. Derivation and design procedure of the broadband matching network (MN) is provided, which can effectively filter out higher order harmonics and reduce circuit complexity. In addition, the load adaptability for this PA is studied, achieving higher than 67.87% drain efficiency (DE) in the case of load mismatch. A PC Class‐E PA based on NMOS transistor is designed and implemented to validate the analysis over a frequency band of 7–9.4 MHz. Experimental results show that the PA delivers 36.48–38.83 dBm output power with a DE of 84.91% to 86.91%, as well as achieves 83.98% to 86.28% power‐added efficiency (PAE), 19.48–21.83 dB gain with a low supply voltage of 12 V. It is also demonstrated that the experimental results exhibit good agreement with the simulation results, which prototype the radio frequency identification transmitter with broadband high‐efficiency and system compactness. To the author's knowledge, this study represents the first approach to design broadband PC Class‐E PA under low supply voltage for Internet of Things (IoT) applications at HF frequency band, such as electronic article surveillance (EAS) system.
A flow cytometry‐based assay to measure neutralizing antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 virus
Authors: Pscheidt Veridiane M. , de Souza Priscila Oliveira , Fazolo Tiago , Modena José Luiz Proença , Simeoni Camila , Teixeira Daniel , Silva Natália Brunetti , dos Santos Karina Bispo , Júnior Luiz Rodrigues , Bonorino Cristina
Published: April 2024

The COVID‐19 pandemic caused by the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus has highlighted the need for serological assays that can accurately evaluate the neutralizing efficiency of antibodies produced during infection or induced by vaccines. However, conventional assays often require the manipulation of live viruses on a level‐three biosafety (BSL3) facility, which presents practical and safety challenges. Here, we present a novel, alternative assay that measures neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against SARS‐CoV‐2 in plasma using flow cytometry. This assay is based on antibody binding to the S protein and has demonstrated precision in both intra‐ and inter‐assay measurements at a dilution of 1:50. The cut‐off was determined using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis and the value of 36.01% has shown high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing between pre‐pandemic sera, COVID‐19 patients, and vaccinated individuals. The efficiency significantly correlates with the gold standard test, PRNT. Our new assay offers a safe and efficient alternative to conventional assays for evaluating NAbs against SARS‐CoV‐2.
The effect of livestock grazing on plant diversity and productivity of mountainous grasslands in South America – A meta‐analysis
Authors: Sandoval‐Calderon Ana Patricia , Rubio Echazarra Nerea , van Kuijk Marijke , Verweij Pita A. , Soons Merel , Hautier Yann
Published: April 2024

Mountainous grasslands in South America, characterized by their high diversity, provide a wide range of contributions to people, including water regulation, soil erosion prevention, livestock feed provision, and preservation of cultural heritage. Prior research has highlighted the significant role of grazing in shaping the diversity and productivity of grassland ecosystems, especially in highly productive, eutrophic systems. In such environments, grazing has been demonstrated to restore grassland plant diversity by reducing primary productivity. However, it remains unclear whether these findings are applicable to South American mountainous grasslands, where plants are adapted to different environmental conditions. To address this uncertainty, we conducted a meta‐analysis of experiments excluding livestock grazing to assess its impact on plant diversity and productivity across mountainous grasslands in South America. In alignment with studies in temperate grasslands, our findings indicated that herbivore exclusion resulted in increased aboveground biomass but reduced species richness and Shannon diversity. The effects of grazing exclusion became more pronounced with longer durations of exclusion; nevertheless, they remained resilient to various climatic conditions, including mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperature, as well as the evolutionary history of grazing. In contrast to results observed in temperate grasslands, the reduction in species richness due to herbivore exclusion was not associated with increased aboveground biomass. This suggests that the processes governing (sub)tropical grassland plant diversity may differ from those in temperate grasslands. Consequently, further research is necessary to better understand the specific factors influencing plant diversity and productivity in South American montane grasslands and to elucidate the ecological implications of herbivore exclusion in these unique ecosystems.
Variations in inter‐specific and sex‐related niche partitioning in pelagic boobies during their annual cycle
Authors: Lerma Miriam , Dehnhard Nina , Castillo‐Guerrero José Alfredo , Hernández‐Vázquez Salvador , Voigt Christian C. , Garthe Stefan
Published: April 2024

Animals that co‐occur in a region (sympatry) may share the same environment (syntopy), and niche differentiation is expected among closely related species competing for resources. The masked booby (Sula dactylatra) and smaller congeneric red‐footed booby (Sula sula) share breeding grounds. In addition to the inter‐specific size difference, females of both species are also larger than the respective males (reversed sexual size dimorphism). Although both boobies consume similar prey, sometimes in mixed‐species flocks, each species and sex may specialize in terms of their diet or foraging habitats. We examined inter‐ and intra‐specific differences in isotopic values (δ13C and δ15N) in these pelagically feeding booby species during the incubation period at Clarion Island, Mexico, to quantify the degrees of inter‐ and intra‐specific niche partitioning throughout the annual cycle. During incubation, both species preyed mainly on flyingfish and squid, but masked boobies had heavier food loads than red‐footed boobies. There was no overlap in isotopic niches between masked and red‐footed boobies during breeding (determined from whole blood), but there was slight overlap during the non‐breeding period (determined from body feathers). Female masked boobies had a higher trophic position than conspecific males during breeding; however, no such pattern was detected in red‐footed boobies. These results provide evidence of inter‐ and intra‐specific niche partitioning in these tropical seabird species, particularly during the breeding period and in the more‐dimorphic species. Our results suggest that these closely related species use different strategies to cope with the same tropical marine environment.
Scale‐dependent influences of environmental, historical, and spatial processes on taxonomic and functional beta diversity of Japanese bat assemblages
Authors: Maki Takahiro , Sannomiya Nozomi , Hirao Toshihide , Fukui Dai
Published: April 2024

This study investigated the relative influences of environmental, spatial, and historical factors, including the island‐specific history of land connectivity, on bat assemblages in the Japanese Archipelago. We collected bat distribution data from 1408 studies and assigned them to Japan's First Standard Grid (approximately 6400 km2). Japanese bat assemblages were analyzed at two scales: the entire Japanese Archipelago comprised 16 islands and exclusively the four main islands. At first, we calculated taxonomic and functional total beta diversity (βtotal) by Jaccard pairwise dissimilarity and then divided this into turnover (βrepl) and richness‐difference (βrich) components. We conducted hierarchical clustering of taxonomic beta diversity to examine the influence of the two representative sea straits, Tsugaru and Tokara, which are considered biogeographical borders. Variation partitioning was conducted to evaluate the relative effects of the three factors on the beta diversity. Clustering revealed that the Tokara Strait bordered the two major clades; however, the Tsugaru Strait did not act as a biogeographical border for bats. In the variation partitioning, shared fraction between spatial and historical factors significantly explained taxonomic and functional βtotal and taxonomic βrepl at the entire archipelago scale, but not at the four main islands scale extending only Tsugaru Strait but not Tokara Strait. Pure environmental factors significantly explained functional βtotal at both scales and taxonomic βtotal only at the four main islands scale. These results suggest that spatial and historical factors are more pronounced in biogeographical borders, primarily structuring assemblage composition at the entire archipelago scale, especially in taxonomic dimension. However, current environmental factors primarily shape the assemblage composition of Japanese bats at the main island scale. The difference in results between the two scales highlights that the primary processes governing assemblages of both dimensions depend on the quality of the dispersal barriers between terrestrial and aquatic barriers for bats.
Genomic analysis reveals deep population divergence in the water snake Trimerodytes percarinatus (Serpentes, Natricidae)
Authors: Lyu Bing , Liu Qin , Wu Yayong , Nguyen Truong Q. , Che Jing , Nguyen Sang N. , Myers Edward A. , Burbrink Frank T. , Guo Peng , Wang Jichao
Published: April 2024

Although several phylogeographic studies of Asian snakes have been conducted, most have focused on pitvipers, with non‐venomous snakes, such as colubrids or natricids, remaining poorly studied. The Chinese keelback water snake (Trimerodytes percarinatus Boulenger) is a widespread, semiaquatic, non‐venomous species occurring in China and southeastern Asia. Based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data, we explored the population genetic structure, genetic diversity, and evolutionary history of this species. MtDNA‐based phylogenetic analysis showed that T. percarinatus was composed of five highly supported and geographically structured lineages. SNP‐based phylogenetic analysis, principal component analysis, and population structure analysis consistently revealed four distinct, geographically non‐overlapping lineages, which was different from the mtDNA‐based analysis in topology. Estimation of divergence dates and ancestral area of origin suggest that T. percarinatus originated ~12.68 million years ago (95% highest posterior density: 10.36–15.96 Mya) in a region covering southwestern China and Vietnam. Intraspecific divergence may have been triggered by the Qinghai‐Xizang Plateau uplift. Population demographics and ecological niche modeling indicated that the effective population size fluctuated during 0.5 Mya and 0.002 Mya. Based on the data collected here, we also comment on the intraspecific taxonomy of T. percarinatus and question the validity of the subspecies T. p. suriki.
Serum metabolomics improves risk stratification for incident heart failure
Authors: Oexner Rafael R. , Ahn Hyunchan , Theofilatos Konstantinos , Shah Ravi A. , Schmitt Robin , Chowienczyk Philip , Zoccarato Anna , Shah Ajay M.
Published: April 2024

Aims

Prediction and early detection of heart failure (HF) is crucial to mitigate its impact on quality of life, survival, and healthcare expenditure. Here, we explored the predictive value of serum metabolomics (168 metabolites detected by proton nuclear magnetic resonance [1H‐NMR] spectroscopy) for incident HF.

Methods and results

Leveraging data of 68 311 individuals and >0.8 million person‐years of follow‐up from the UK Biobank cohort, we (i) fitted per‐metabolite Cox proportional hazards models to assess individual metabolite associations, and (ii) trained and validated elastic net models to predict incident HF using the serum metabolome. We benchmarked discriminative performance against a comprehensive, well‐validated clinical risk score (Pooled Cohort Equations to Prevent HF [PCP‐HF]). During a median follow‐up of ≈12.3 years, several metabolites showed independent association with incident HF (90/168 adjusting for age and sex, 48/168 adjusting for PCP‐HF). Performance‐optimized risk models effectively retained key predictors representing highly correlated clusters (≈80% feature reduction). Adding metabolomics to PCP‐HF improved predictive performance (Harrel's C: 0.768 vs. 0.755, ΔC = 0.013, [95% confidence interval [CI] 0.004–0.022], continuous net reclassification improvement [NRI]: 0.287 [95% CI 0.200–0.367], relative integrated discrimination improvement [IDI]: 17.47% [95% CI 9.463–27.825]). Models including age, sex and metabolomics performed almost as well as PCP‐HF (Harrel's C: 0.745 vs. 0.755, ΔC = 0.010 [95% CI −0.004 to 0.027], continuous NRI: 0.097 [95% CI −0.025 to 0.217], relative IDI: 13.445% [95% CI −10.608 to 41.454]). Risk and survival stratification was improved by integrating metabolomics.

Conclusion

Serum metabolomics improves incident HF risk prediction over PCP‐HF. Scores based on age, sex and metabolomics exhibit similar predictive power to clinically‐based models, potentially offering a cost‐effective, standardizable, and scalable single‐domain alternative.
Decatungstate‐Photocatalyzed Diastereoselective Dearomative Hydroalkylation of Indoles
Authors: Montinho‐Inacio Emeric , Bouchet Damien , Ma Wei‐Yang , Retailleau Pascal , Neuville Luc , Masson Géraldine
Published: April 2024

In this study, we present an efficient and straightforward dearomative hydroalkylation of indoles. By utilizing alkanes or ethers as alkyl radical sources and employing TBADT as a cost‐effective photocatalyst for direct hydrogen atom transfers (HAT), we achieved successful conversion of these heterocyclic derivatives into 2‐alkylindolines with good to excellent yields and high diastereoselectivity under mild reaction conditions.
Pain perception during baroreceptor unloading by lower body negative pressure
Authors: Neumann S. , Hamilton M. C. K. , Hart E. C. , Brooks J. C. W.
Published: April 2024

Background

People with high blood pressure have reduced sensitivity to pain, known as blood pressure hypoalgesia. One proposed mechanism for this is altered baroreceptor sensitivity. In healthy volunteers, stimulating the carotid baroreceptors causes reduced sensitivity to acute pain; however, this effect may be confounded by a rise in blood pressure due to baroreflex stimulation. The present study tests whether baroreceptor unloading contributes to the physiological mechanism of blood pressure‐related hypoalgesia.

Methods

In the present study, pain perception to thermal stimulation of the forearm was studied in 20 healthy volunteers during baroreceptor unloading by lower body negative pressure (LBNP) at −5 and −20 mmHg. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured continuously throughout. To address issues relating to stimulation order, the sequence of LBNP stimulation was counterbalanced across participants.

Results

Increased heart rate was observed at a LBNP of −20 mmHg, but not −5 mmHg, but neither stimulus had an effect on blood pressure. There was no change in warm or cold sensory detection thresholds, heat or cold pain thresholds nor perceived pain from a 30s long thermal heat stimulus during LBNP.

Conclusion

Therefore, baroreceptor unloading with maintained systemic blood pressure did not alter pain perception. The current study does not support the hypothesis that an altered baroreflex may underlie the physiological mechanism of blood pressure‐related hypoalgesia.

Significance

This work provides evidence that, when measured in normotensive healthy young adults, the baroreflex response to simulated hypovolaemia did not lead to reduced pain sensitivity (known as blood pressure hypoalgesia).
Automatic deforestation detectors based on frequentist statistics and their extensions for other spatial objects
Authors: Muren Jesper , Niklasson Vilhelm , Otryakhin Dmitry , Romashin Maxim
Published: April 2024

This article is devoted to the problem of detection of forest and nonforest areas on Earth images. We propose two statistical methods to tackle this problem: one based on multiple hypothesis testing with parametric distribution families, another one—on nonparametric tests. The parametric approach is novel in the literature and relevant to a larger class of problems—detection of natural objects, as well as anomaly detection. We develop mathematical background for each of the two methods, build self‐sufficient detection algorithms using them and discuss practical aspects of their implementation. We also compare our algorithms with each other and with those from standard machine learning using satellite data.
Co‐encapsulation of Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora) essential oil and nisin using caffeic acid grafted chitosan nanogel and the effect of this nanogel as a bio‐preservative in Iranian white cheese
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Mohammad , Tavakolipour Hamid , Mokhtarian Mohsen , Armin Mohammad
Published: April 2024

The current study aims to co‐encapsulate Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora) essential oil (ZEO) and nisin into chitosan nanogel as an antimicrobial and antioxidant agent to enhance the shelf‐life of cheese. Chitosan‐caffeic acid (CS‐CA) nanogel was produced to co‐encapsulate Zataria multiflora essential oil and nisin. This nanogel was characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. The effect of free (TFZN) and encapsulated ZEO‐nisin in chitosan nanogel (TCZN) on the chemical and microbiological properties of Iranian white cheese was assessed. The particle size, polydispersity index value (PDI), zeta potential, antioxidant activity, and encapsulation efficiency of the optimal chitosan‐ZEO‐nisin nanogel were 421.6 nm, 0.343, 34.0 mV, 71.06%–82.69%, and 41.3 ± 0.5%, 0.79 ± 0.06 mg/mL. respectively. FTIR and XRD approved ZEO and nisin entrapment within chitosan nanogel. The chitosan nanogel showed a highly porous surface with an irregular shape. The bioactive compounds of ZEO and nisin decreased the pH changes in cheese. On the 60th day of storage, the acidity of treated samples was significantly lower than that of control. Although the lowest anisidine index value was observed in samples treated with sodium nitrate (NaNO3) (TS), there was no significant difference between this sample and TCZN. The lowest microbial population was observed in TCZN and TS. After 60 days of ripening, Coliforms were not detected in the culture medium of TCZN and TS. The results can contribute to the development of a natural preservative with the potential for application in the dairy industry.
Exploring the unpredictable nature of climate policy uncertainty: An empirical analysis of its impact on commodity futures returns in the United States
Authors: Tang Chia‐Hsien , Lee Yen‐Hsien , Liu Hung‐Chun , Zeng Guan‐Gzhe
Published: April 2024

This study offers a nuanced examination of the interplay between climate policy uncertainty (CPU) and three categories of the US commodity futures returns (metals, energy, and soft commodities). By integrating a regression framework with a Markov regime‐switching approach, our results uncover both linear and nonlinear effects of CPU in varying volatility contexts. This comprehensive methodological approach sheds light on CPU's diverse impacts across various types of commodity futures. The findings illustrate CPU's notable influence on metal and energy futures in low‐volatility regime, contrasted with its more pronounced effect on soft commodities during high‐volatility regime. These insights are pivotal for investors strategizing in light of CPU, and underscore the significance of renewable energy in alleviating climate policy uncertainties within commodity markets.
Heterogeneous characterization of neutrophilic cells in head and neck cancers
Authors: Fay Magdalena , Clavijo Paul E. , Allen Clint T.
Published: April 2024

Background

Neutrophilic cells are among the most abundant immune populations within the head and neck tumor microenvironment (TME) and harbor multiple mechanisms of immunosuppression. Despite these important features, neutrophilic cells may be underrepresented in contemporary studies that aim to comprehensively characterize the immune landscape of the TME due to discrepancies in tissue processing and analysis techniques. Here, we review the role of pathologically activated neutrophilic cells within the TME and pitfalls of various approaches used to study their frequency and function in clinical samples.

Methods

The literature was identified by searching PubMed for “immune landscape” and “tumor immune microenvironment” in combination with keywords describing solid tumor malignancies. Key publications that assessed the immune composition of solid tumors derived from human specimens were included. The tumor and blood processing methodologies in each study were reviewed in depth and correlated with the reported abundance of neutrophilic cells.

Results

Neutrophilic cells do not survive cryopreservation, and many studies fail to identify and study neutrophilic cell populations due to cryopreservation of clinical samples for practical reasons. Additional single‐cell transcriptomic studies filter out neutrophilic cells due to low transcriptional counts.

Conclusions

This report can help readers critically interpret studies aiming to comprehensively study the immune TME that fail to identify and characterize neutrophilic cells.
Beyond basics: Key mutation selection features for successful tumor‐informed ctDNA detection
Authors: Nesic Marijana , Rasmussen Mads H. , Henriksen Tenna V. , Demuth Christina , Frydendahl Amanda , Nordentoft Iver , Dyrskjøt Lars , Andersen Claus L.
Published: April 2024

Tumor‐informed mutation‐based approaches are frequently used for detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Not all mutations make equally effective ctDNA markers. The objective was to explore if prioritizing mutations using mutational features—such as cancer cell fraction (CCF), multiplicity, and error rate—would improve the success rate of tumor‐informed ctDNA analysis. Additionally, we aimed to develop a practical and easily implementable analysis pipeline for identifying and prioritizing candidate mutations from whole‐exome sequencing (WES) data. We analyzed WES and ctDNA data from three tumor‐informed ctDNA studies, one on bladder cancer (Cohort A) and two on colorectal cancer (Cohorts I and N). The studies included 390 patients. For each patient, a unique set of mutations (median mutations/patient: 6, interquartile 13, range: 1–46, total n = 4023) were used as markers of ctDNA. The tool PureCN was used to assess the CCF and multiplicity of each mutation. High‐CCF mutations were detected more frequently than low‐CCF mutations (Cohort A: odds ratio [OR] 20.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.72–173, p = 1.73e−12; Cohort I: OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.44–3.52, p = 1.66e−04; and Cohort N: OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.14–2.79, p = 7.86e−03). The detection‐likelihood was additionally improved by selecting mutations with multiplicity of two or above (Cohort A: OR 1.55, 95% CI 1. 14–2.11, p = 3.85e−03; Cohort I: OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.23–2.56, p = 1.34e−03; and Cohort N: OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.63–2.31, p = 2.83e−14). Furthermore, selecting the mutations for which the ctDNA detection method had the lowest error rates, additionally improved the detection‐likelihood, particularly evident when plasma cell‐free DNA tumor fractions were below 0.1% (p = 2.1e−07). Selecting mutational markers with high CCF, high multiplicity, and low error rate significantly improve ctDNA detection likelihood. We provide free access to the analysis pipeline enabling others to perform qualified prioritization of mutations for tumor‐informed ctDNA analysis.
Cumulative live birth rates following intrauterine insemination using donor and husband sperm in different age groups: A cohort study of 10 415 insemination cycles
Authors: Zhang Dian , Cai He , Xie Jinlin , Chen Lijuan , Zhang Zhou , Shi Juanzi
Published: April 2024

Objectives

To assess the age‐specific cumulative live birth rates (CLBRs) in intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles using either donor or husband sperm, and to investigate the impact of sperm sources on IUI success among women within the same age group.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study comprised women who underwent IUI with donor sperm (IUI‐D) or husband sperm (IUI‐H) from 2017 to 2021. The women were stratified based on their age at the initiation of insemination into four categories: <35, 35–37, 38–39 and ≥40 years.

Results

A total of 5253 women undergoing 10 415 insemination cycles (3354 with IUI‐D and 7061 with IUI‐H) were included. The CLBRs decreased significantly with increasing maternal age within donor and husband insemination groups (P < 0.001). In the IUI‐D group, the crude CLBRs were 61.50% in women aged <35, 48.91% in 35–37, 24.14% in 38–39 and 11.76% in the ≥40‐year age category, respectively. The corresponding rates in the IUI‐H group were 27.62%, 22.96%, 13.73% and 6.90%, respectively. Within the <35 and 35–37‐year age categories, the CLBRs were significantly higher following IUI‐D cycles compared to IUI‐H cycles, with hazard ratios (HR) of 1.85 (1.68–2.04) and 1.69 (1.16–2.47), respectively. However, within the 38–39 and ≥40‐year age categories, both IUI‐D and IUI‐H resulted in comparable low CLBRs, with HRs of 1.91 (0.77–4.76) and 1.80 (0.33–9.86), respectively.

Conclusion

Advanced maternal age affects the whole process of fertility. Therefore, it could be reasonable to limit the number of IUI performed in women aged 40 years and older, even in couple using donor sperm for reproduction.
Digital transformation of warungs in Indonesia: The interrelation of socio‐technical and indigenous factors
Authors: ER Mahendrawathi , Muhammad Ghifary , Ramadhany Emha Diambang , Nurkasanah Ika
Published: April 2024

We investigate the moderating effect of an indigenous Indonesian concept, kekeluargaan (kinship ties and obligations), on the digital transformation (DT) of the warung, a traditional family microbusiness in Indonesia. Our study is structured as a multi‐case study: we assessed how five warungs, to varying degrees, engaged in DT. Socio‐technical systems theory guides the data collection via semi‐structured interviews and observations. The data is analyzed through codification to look for themes and patterns from the multiple units of analysis. The findings show that the growth mindset of warung owners influences how they solve business problems, ensure operational efficiency, and increase profit. Some create an effective structure in operating their warung by working with their family members. Owners with a high technology mindset successfully learn and adapt the technology. We theorize that kekeluargaan plays a moderating role for the owner where technology‐related tasks are concerned. We found that when kekeluargaan is present, it positively moderates the owner's engagement in technology‐related tasks. However, when kekeluargaan is absent, the moderating effect is low. The findings extend the literature on DT for microbusinesses with indigenous cultural factors that should be considered to successfully transform a traditional business.
An explicit construction for large sets of infinite dimensional q $q$‐Steiner systems
Authors: Hawtin Daniel R.
Published: April 2024

Let be a vector space over the finite field . A ‐Steiner system, or an , is a collection of ‐dimensional subspaces of such that every ‐dimensional subspace of is contained in a unique element of . A large set of ‐Steiner systems, or an , is a partition of the ‐dimensional subspaces of into systems. In the case that has infinite dimension, the existence of an for all finite with was shown abstractly by Cameron in 1995. This paper provides an explicit construction of an for all prime powers , all positive integers , and where has countably infinite dimension.
Multimodal ultrasound diagnosis of epididymo‐orchitis with secondary testicular infarction: A case report
Authors: Liu Yuexia , Shu Shengchun , Shi Jiayao , Li Jinbing
Published: April 2024

We report a case of a 48‐year‐old man with testicular infarction caused by epididymo‐orchitis (EO). Multimodal ultrasound showed extensive necrosis of the testis, and the patient underwent right orchiectomy. Postoperative pathology confirmed extensive necrosis of the testis. After 3 months of follow‐up, the examination of scrotal ultrasound showed that the left testis and epididymis had no obvious abnormality.
Is waiting for rewards good for you? No association between impulsive choice, psychopathology, and functional outcomes in a large cohort sample
Authors: Bado Patricia P. , Salum Giovanni A. , Rohde Luis A. , Gadelha Ary , Pan Pedro M. , Miguel Eurípedes C. , Tripp Gail , Furukawa Emi
Published: April 2024

Background

A stronger preference for immediate rewards has been reported in individuals with ADHD and other disorders. However, the consistency of the associations between this preference and psychiatric conditions as well as functional outcomes have been questioned. Research on its association with longitudinal outcomes is scarce.

Methods

The current study used data on a choice delay task (CDT) from a school‐based cohort of Brazilian children with those at higher risk for psychiatric disorders over‐sampled (n = 1917). The sample included typically developing children (n = 1379), those with ADHD (n = 213), and other disorders. The frequency of the trials where children chose a larger later reward versus a smaller sooner reward was compared for those with ADHD and typically developing children. Cross‐sectionally and longitudinally, the study also evaluated whether children's preference for larger delayed rewards at baseline predicted the presence of psychiatric disorders and functional life outcomes (academic performance, alcohol use, early pregnancy, criminal conviction, BMI).

Results

Children with ADHD and their typically developing peers performed similarly on the CDT. Their baseline task performance was not related to psychiatric conditions or life outcomes.

Conclusions

The current results raise questions regarding the use of the CDT with diverse populations and whether a preference for larger delayed rewards is predictive of positive long‐term outcomes as widely assumed.
Value of quantitative microsurface structure analysis for evaluating the invasion depth of type 0–II early gastric cancer
Authors: Jiang Zhang‐Xiu , Liang Yun‐Xiao , Huang Peng‐Yu , Ning Jia‐Juan , Qi Jing‐Jing
Published: April 2024

Background and Aim

The microsurface structure reflects the degree of damage to the glands, which is related to the invasion depth of early gastric cancer. To evaluate the diagnostic value of quantitative microsurface structure analysis for estimating the invasion depth of early gastric cancer.

Methods

White‐light imaging and narrow‐band imaging (NBI) endoscopy were used to visualize the lesions of the included patients. The area ratio and depth‐predicting score (DPS) of each patient were calculated; meanwhile, each lesion was examined by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS).

Results

Ninety‐three patients were included between 2016 and 2019. Microsurface structure is related to the histological differentiation and progression of early gastric cancer. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that when an area ratio of 80.3% was used as a cut‐off value for distinguishing mucosal (M) and submucosal (SM) type 0–II gastric cancers, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 82.9%, 80.2%, and 91.6%, respectively. The accuracies for distinguishing M/SM differentiated and undifferentiated early gastric cancers were 87.4% and 84.8%, respectively. The accuracy of EUS for distinguishing M/SM early gastric cancer was 74.9%. DPS can only distinguish M‐SM1 (SM infiltration <500 μm)/SM (SM infiltration ≥500 μm) with an accuracy of 83.8%. The accuracy of using area ratio for distinguishing 0–II early gastric cancers was better than those of using DPS and EUS (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Quantitative analysis of microsurface structure can be performed to assess M/SM type 0–II gastric cancer and is expected to be effective for judging the invasion depth of gastric cancer.
Transitional care clinics for patients discharged from hospital without a primary care provider: A systematic review
Authors: Dmitriew Cait , Houle Del J. , Filipovic Michelle , Chochla Ella , Hemy Alexander , Woods Celeste , Farhat Nawal , Campbell Alanna , Liu Lisa J. W. , Cragg Jacquelyn J. , Crispo James A. G.
Published: April 2024

Background

The transition from hospital to home is a high‐risk period. Timely follow‐up care is essential to reducing avoidable harms such as adverse drug events, yet may be unattainable for patients who lack attachment to a primary care provider. Transitional care clinics (TCCs) have been proposed as a measure to improve health outcomes for patients discharged from hospital without an established provider. In this systematic review, we compared outcomes for unattached patients seen in TCCs after hospital discharge relative to care as usual.

Methods

We searched the following bibliographic databases for articles published on or before August 12, 2022: MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Five studies were identified that examined the effects of a dedicated postdischarge clinic on emergency department (ED) visits, readmissions, and/or mortality within 90 days of discharge for patients with no attachment to a primary care provider.

Results

Studies were heterogeneous in design and quality; all were from urban centers within the United States. Four of the five studies reported a reduction in either the number of ED visits or readmissions in patients seen in a TCC following hospitalization.

Conclusions

TCCs may be effective in reducing hospital contacts in the period following hospital discharge in patients with no established primary care provider. Further studies are required to evaluate the health benefits attributable to the implementation of TCCs across a broad range of practice contexts, as well as the cost implications of this model.
Early diagnosis and treatment by newborn screening (NBS) or family history is associated with improved visual outcomes for long‐chain 3‐hydroxyacylCoA dehydrogenase deficiency (LCHADD) chorioretinopathy
Authors: Gillingham Melanie B. , Choi Dongseok , Gregor Ashley , Wongchaisuwat Nida , Black Danielle , Scanga Hannah L. , Nischal Ken K. , Sahel Jose‐Alain , Arnold Georgianne , Vockley Jerry , Harding Cary O. , Pennesi Mark E.
Published: April 2024

Long chain 3‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (LCHADD) is the only fatty acid oxidation disorder to develop a progressive chorioretinopathy resulting in vision loss; newborn screening (NBS) for this disorder began in the United States around 2004. We compared visual outcomes among 40 participants with LCHADD or trifunctional protein deficiency diagnosed symptomatically to those who were diagnosed via NBS or a family history. Participants completed ophthalmologic testing including measures of visual acuity, electroretinograms (ERG), fundal imaging, contrast sensitivity, and visual fields. Records were reviewed to document medical and treatment history. Twelve participants presented symptomatically with hypoglycemia, failure to thrive, liver dysfunction, cardiac arrest, or rhabdomyolysis. Twenty eight were diagnosed by NBS or due to a family history of LCHADD. Participants diagnosed symptomatically were older but had similar percent males and genotypes as those diagnosed by NBS. Treatment consisted of fasting avoidance, dietary long‐chain fat restriction, MCT, C7, and/or carnitine supplementation. Visual acuity, rod‐ and cone‐driven amplitudes on ERG, contrast sensitivity scores, and visual fields were all significantly worse among participants diagnosed symptomatically compared to NBS. In mixed‐effects models, both age and presentation (symptomatic vs. NBS) were significant independent factors associated with visual outcomes. This suggests that visual outcomes were improved by NBS, but there was still lower visual function with advancing age in both groups. Early diagnosis and treatment by NBS is associated with improved visual outcomes and retinal function compared to participants who presented symptomatically. Despite the impact of early intervention, chorioretinopathy was greater with advancing age, highlighting the need for novel treatments.