bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic Analysis and Farmers Characterization for Fish Production in Dhangadhimai Municipality, Siraha District, Nepal
Authors: Magar Keshab Kumar Budha , Yadav Shubh Pravat Singh , Yadav Bishnu , Sah Sumit Kumar , Chaudhary Balmiki
Published: October 2022

A total sample of 60 respondents was examined, 30 from Santanagar and 30 from Fulkahakatti in the Dhangadhimai region, selected randomly and proportionately from March to June 2022.Utilizing a fundamental irregular examining approach essential information was assembled through a pre-tested semi-structured survey, while secondary data was obtained through a review of literature relevant to the research topic MS Excel and SPSS-25 were utilized to analyze information including simple descriptive statistical measurements and ordering techniques. The typical total cost of production was found to be Rs 8,98,085.7 with variable costs representing 87.2% and fixed costs representing simply 12.8%. The exploration region's typical fish yield (5340.24 kg/ha) is more prominent than the national average (4300.28 kg/ha) and district average (4800 kg/ha). Numerous production issues were accounted for by respondents, including late inputs supply, a deficiency of quality fingerlings, unreasonable input costs, irresistible diseases and pests, and an absence of proper adequate training. Notwithstanding these issues, fish production is an effective industry with a high gross edge with Benefit-cost ratio 1.51. This suggests that although fish farming is a profitable business in the Dhangadhimai municipality, several policy implications may encourage it even more. To address these difficulties, a variety of policies need to be implemented, including control of fish markets, the supply of governmental subsidies, the provision of extension services, encouraging the engagement of women, and the provision of essential high-quality inputs.
Detection of E. coli O157H7 Strains Potentially paThogenic to Humans in the urine of Domestic Mice in the City of Daloa (Côte d’Ivoire)
Authors: Sylla Idrissa , Abe Innocent Allepo , Kouadio Félix Yeboue , Yao Flora Gbacla , N’djetchi Martial Kassi , Traore Mélika Barkissa , Sokouri Edwige Abla , Ake Junior Henry Monnet , Koffi Mathurin Yao , Konan Thomas Konan , Koffi Mathurin , Tidou Abiba
Published: October 2022

House mice, Mus musculus, are classified as one of the most widespread mammals in the world. They harbor and spread many zoonotic pathogens, such as viruses (hantavirus), bacteria (Leptospira interrogans), protozoa (Toxoplasma gondii) and helminths (Hymenolepis spp.). In view of the real public health problems caused by mouse urine in the contamination of domestic foods, this study proposed to contribute to food safety by assessing the sanitary risk of the urinary microbiome of domestic mice. Bacteria were isolated and identified on CHROMAgarTM Orientation, Chromo E. coli O157H7 culture media and biochemical tests from urine samples collected from house mice in the city of Daloa. A total of 28 urine samples were tested and three bacterial genera Enterococcus, Stapphylococcus and Escherichia were identified with overall frequencies of occurrence of 60.7 %, 42.9 % and 35.7 % respectively. No significant differences were observed between these frequencies. Within the E. coli strain lineage, the potentially human pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 serotype was detected with an overall frequency of 50 %. The presence of E. coli O157:H7 in the urinary tract of house mice therefore represent a health risk for the surrounding population. This study therefore recommends through its results, the implementation of good hygiene practices for food safety, which can reduce the risks of transmission of microbial agents.
Will Certain Adjuvants Improve the Preemergence Activity of Pendimethalin or S-metolachlor?
Authors: Grichar W. James , McGinty Joshua A.
Published: October 2022

Aims: To determine weed efficacy when using adjuvants such as Grounded or Spectrum in combination with pendimethalin or S-metolachlor.

Study Design:  Randomized complete-block with 3 replications. 

Place and Duration of Study: Field studies were conducted during the 2021 growing season near Yoakum (29.2765o N, 97.1238o W) in south-central Texas and near Corpus Christi (27.7817o N, 97.5737o W) along the upper Texas Gulf Coast.

Methodology: Herbicides were applied preemergence either alone or in combination with Grounded at 2.3 L ha-1 or Spectrum at 0.6 L ha-1 after corn (Zea mays L.) or peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) were planted at Yoakum and under a non-crop situation at Corpus Christi.

Results: In corn when evaluated 7 weeks after treatment (WAT), the addition of Grounded to pendimethalin at 1.06 kg ha-1 reduced Palmer amaranth control when compared with pendimethalin alone at the same rate or with the addition of Spectrum.  Smellmelon control with pendimethalin at 0.53 kg ha-1 improved with the addition of Grounded over pendimethalin alone.  When evaluated 15 WAT, only Texas millet was present in consistent enough populations to evaluate and no differences in control were noted with/without an adjuvant with either pendimethalin or S-metolachlor.  In peanut when evaluated 26 and 54 days after treatment (DAT), Texas millet or smellmelon control was not influenced with the use of either Grounded or Spectrum.  In the non-cropland study, when evaluated 14 DAT, both Texas millet and Palmer amaranth control was > 97% with all combinations of pendimethalin or S-metolachlor with/without an adjuvant.  At the 42 DAT evaluation, again no differences in weed control were noted between the herbicides without an adjuvant and with the addition of Grounded or Spectrum.

Conclusion: In none of the trials did the addition of either Grounded or Spectrum to either pendimethalin or S-metolachlor consistently improve weed efficacy.  Also the length of herbicide persistence was not increased with these adjuvants.
Optimization Design of Tension Machine Frame Based on Solidworks and ANSYS Workbench
Authors: Dong Yanhao
Published: October 2022

The parameterized model of the tension machine frame is established through Solidworks software, and then the optimization function of ANSYS Workbench is used to optimize the design of the frame. Under the condition of meeting the strength, the weight reduction design of the frame is completed. Compared with the original design scheme, the maximum equivalent stress and maximum overall shape of the optimized scheme will be lower, the weight will be reduced by 7.11%, and the weight reduction effect will be significant, thus reducing the design cost and having great economic benefits.
Impact and quality of life on patients affected by cerebral vascular accident / Impacto e qualidade de vida no paciente acometido por Acidente Vascular Cerebral
Authors: Guedes Leite Igor , Birelo Lopes De Domenico Edvane , Mesquita de Oliveira Vanessa , Lopes Moreira Rita Simone , Cavalari Teraoka Eliana
Published: October 2022

Objetivo: avaliar o impacto e a qualidade de vida em pessoas acometidas por acidente vascular cerebral em seguimento ambulatorial. Método: estudo transversal e quantitativo, de janeiro a abril de 2019, utilizou-se um questionário com variáveis pessoais, sociodemográficos e clínicas; o Stroke Impact Scale 3.0  e a Escala de Qualidade de Vida Específica para Acidente Vascular Encefálico. Resultados: 34 participantes, idade média de 50,3 anos, maioria mulheres (55,8%), cor da pele branca (52,9%), ensino fundamental incompleto (38,2%), casados (47%), tipo isquêmico (73,5%) e no hemisfério esquerdo (44,1%). Em 79,4% foi o primeiro evento de AVC. As comorbidades mais prevalentes foram hipertensão arterial sistêmica (73,5%) e dislipidemia (61,7%). O instrumento Stroke Impact Scale obteve média de 57,75 e a escala de qualidade de vida de 156. Conclusão: o impacto da doença, a qualidade de vida e a percepção da recuperação foram classificados como moderados.
Association of Neighborhood Conditions and Resources for Children With Life Expectancy at Birth in the US
Authors: Shanahan Kristen H. , Subramanian S. V. , Burdick Kendall J. , Monuteaux Michael C. , Lee Lois K. , Fleegler Eric W.
Published: October 2022

Importance

To address inequities in life expectancy, we must understand the associations of modifiable socioeconomic and structural factors with life expectancy. However, the association of limited neighborhood resources and deleterious physical conditions with life expectancy is not well understood.

Objective

To evaluate the association of community social and economic conditions and resources for children with life expectancy at birth.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study examined neighborhood child opportunity and life expectancy using data from residents of 65 662 US Census tracts in 2015. The analysis was conducted from July 6 to October 1, 2021.

Exposures

Neighborhood conditions and resources for children in 2015.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was life expectancy at birth at the Census tract level based on data from the US Small-Area Life Expectancy Estimates Project (January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2015). Neighborhood conditions and resources for children were quantified by Census tract Child Opportunity Index (COI) 2.0 scores for 2015. This index captures community conditions associated with children’s health and long-term outcomes categorized into 5 levels, from very low to very high opportunity. It includes 29 indicators in 3 domains: education, health and environment, and social and economic factors. Mixed-effects and simple linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between standardized COI scores (composite and domain-specific) and life expectancy.

Results

The study included residents from 65 662 of 73 057 US Census tracts (89.9%). Life expectancy at birth across Census tracts ranged from 56.3 years to 93.6 years (mean [SD], 78.2 [4.0] years). Life expectancy in Census tracts with very low COI scores was lower than life expectancy in Census tracts with very high COI scores (−7.06 years [95% CI, −7.13 to −6.99 years]). Stepwise associations were observed between COI scores and life expectancy. For each domain, life expectancy was shortest in Census tracts with very low compared with very high COI scores (education: β = −2.02 years [95% CI, −2.12 to −1.92 years]); health and environment: β = −2.30 years [95% CI, −2.41 to −2.20 years]; social and economic: β = −4.16 years [95% CI, −4.26 to −4.06 years]). The models accounted for 41% to 54% of variability in life expectancy at birth (R2 = 0.41-0.54).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, neighborhood conditions and resources for children were significantly associated with life expectancy at birth, accounting for substantial variability in life expectancy at the Census tract level. These findings suggest that community resources and conditions are important targets for antipoverty interventions and policies to improve life expectancy and address health inequities.
Effect of Exercise Training or Complex Mental and Social Activities on Cognitive Function in Adults With Chronic Stroke
Authors: Liu-Ambrose Teresa , Falck Ryan S. , Dao Elizabeth , Best John R. , Davis Jennifer C. , Bennett Kim , Hall Peter A. , Hsiung Ging-Yuek Robin , Middleton Laura E. , Goldsmith Charles H. , Graf Peter , Eng Janice J.
Published: October 2022

Importance

A stroke doubles one’s risk for dementia. How to promote cognitive function among persons with chronic stroke is unclear.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of exercise (EX) or cognitive and social enrichment activities (ENRICH) on cognitive function in adults with chronic stroke.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a 3-group parallel, single-blinded, single-site, proof-of-concept randomized clinical trial at a research center in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Participants included community-dwelling adults with chronic stroke, aged 55 years and older, able to walk 6 meters, and without dementia. The trial included a 6-month intervention and a 6-month follow-up. Randomization occurred from June 6, 2014, to February 26, 2019. Measurement occurred at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Data were analyzed from January to November 2021.

Interventions

Participants were randomly allocated to twice-weekly supervised classes of: (1) EX, a multicomponent exercise program; (2) ENRICH, a program of cognitive and social enrichment activities; or (3) balance and tone (BAT), a control group that included stretches and light-intensity exercises.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive-Plus (ADAS-Cog-Plus), which included the 13-item ADAS-Cog, Trail Making Test Parts A and B, Digit Span Forward and Backward, Animal Fluency, and Vegetable Fluency.

Results

One-hundred and twenty participants, with a mean (range) of 1.2 (1-4) strokes, a mean (SD) of 66.5 (53.8) months since the most recent stroke, mean (SD) baseline age of 70 (8) years, mean (SD) baseline ADAS-Cog-Plus of 0.22 (0.81), and 74 (62%) male participants, were randomized to EX (34 participants), ENRICH (34 participants), or BAT (52 participants). Seventeen withdrew during the 6-month intervention and another 7 during the 6-month follow-up. Including all 120 participants, at the end of the 6-month intervention, EX significantly improved ADAS-Cog-Plus performance compared with BAT (estimated mean difference: −0.24; 95% CI, −0.43 to −0.04;P = .02). This difference did not persist at the 6-month follow-up (estimated mean difference: −0.08; 95% CI, −0.29 to 0.12;P = .43). For the 13-item ADAS-Cog, the EX group improved by 5.65 points over the 6-month intervention (95% CI, 2.74 to 8.57 points;P < .001), exceeding the minimally clinical difference of 3.0 points.

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that exercise can induce clinically important improvements in cognitive function in adults with chronic stroke. Future studies need to replicate current findings and to understand training parameters, moderators, and mediators to maximize benefits.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT01916486
Delayed-Onset Bilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Surgery
Authors: Goyal Sabrina S. , Bradley Joseph P. , Huston Molly N.
Published: October 2022

A 68-year-old man with heart disease and obesity who had undergone surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy presented with difficulty breathing. What is your diagnosis?
Pollinator efficiency of avocado (Persea americana) flower insect visitors
Authors: Sagwe Rose Nyakemiso , Peters Marcell K. , Dubois Thomas , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf , Lattorff H. Michael G.
Published: October 2022

Pollination services from insects are important for higher yield and better fruit quality in avocado (Persea americanaMill.). Measuring pollinator effectiveness is significant for capturing the relative contributions of different insect taxa to pollination services and for identification of the most important pollinators of this globally important crop.

In the present study, we tested pollinator efficiency of avocado in Kenya based on pollen deposition after single visits of flowers by different pollinator species and visitation frequency. We monitored the pollination frequency during the flowering period replicated across six farms. Three trees were selected per farm, each with five flower panicles.

Out of the 14 observed insect flower visitor species, pollen deposition efficiency was highest in the Western honey bee (Apis melliferaL.), followed by the hover fly species (Phytomia incisaW.). These two species had both the highest pollen deposition and pollen grain loads on their bodies.

Furthermore,A. melliferawas the most frequent avocado flower visitor followed by Diptera except hoverflies.

Our results imply thatA. melliferacan be managed to achieve adequate pollination services for avocado, particularly in areas lacking efficient wild pollinators.
Development of Carbon Nanotube‐Reinforced Nickel‐Based Nanocomposites Using Laser Powder Bed Fusion
Authors: Cao Li , Bradford-Vialva Robyn L. , Eckerle Rose M. , Herman Fred , Jones Chad , Klosterman Donald A.
Published: October 2022

Modern aerospace applications demand the development of high‐performance components with advanced materials. The development of nanomaterial‐reinforced metal matrix composites is a practical approach to improve properties. Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is one of the popular additive manufacturing approaches to fabricating metal parts with complex geometric structures. This research investigates multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT)‐reinforced nickel‐based alloy (Haynes 230) nanocomposite for property improvement. Three volumetric concentrations (0%, 2.5%, and 5%) of CNTs in the metal matrix are investigated with different printing parameters. Different characterizations are conducted on the test specimens. Results show that LPBF‐printed Haynes 230 with 2.5 vol% CNTs has higher relative density (99.36%) and less porosity compared to those printed with 5 vol% CNTs. Mechanical test results show that LPBF‐printed Haynes 230 with 2.5 vol% CNTs has the highest hardness, modulus of elasticity, yield strength, and ultimate strength than those printed with as‐received Haynes 230 powder (with 0 vol% CNTs), Haynes 230 with 5 vol% CNTs, and commercial Haynes 230 plates. The strengthening behavior of the CNTs in the metal matrix composites is discussed in this paper. The potential of CNT‐reinforced nickel‐based nanocomposites for applications requiring materials with outstanding mechanical properties, such as aerospace and defense, is demonstrated.
Effects of Co/Si Atomic Ratio on Hardness and Electrical Conductivity of Cu–Co–Si Alloys
Authors: Zhao Feng , Lei Chenhui , Yu Jian , Yang Huiya , Ling Guoping , Liu Jiabin , Huang Liuyi , Wang Hongtao
Published: October 2022

Cu–Co–Si alloys are being intensively studied as alternative candidates for Cu–Ni–Si alloys for integrated circuit lead frames. However, the effects of different precipitate types on the comprehensive properties of Cu–Co–Si alloys are not clear. Herein, several Cu–Co–Si alloys with various precipitates (CoSi, Co2Si, and Co) are designed based on phase diagrams calculation. The designed alloys are melted, cold‐rolled, and aged to test the corresponding hardness and electrical conductivity (EC). X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy are utilized to analyze the precipitates generated in those alloys. In the alloys with Co/Si ≤ 1, the excess Si atoms are not easy to precipitate from the copper lattice after CoSi precipitation, which seriously damages the EC. Co‐precipitation in alloys with Co/Si > 2 is beneficial to improve EC without sacrificing hardness. According to thermodynamic calculation, precipitates in Cu‐1.62Co‐0.35Si (wt%) alloy with total elements between 1.5 and 2.0 wt% are all Co2Si and have the highest mass fraction in the equilibrium state. The different precipitates are highly dependent on the Co/Si atomic ratio and essential to Cu–Co–Si alloys’ mechanical and electrical performances.
Chiral Seeded Growth of Gold Nanorods Into Fourfold Twisted Nanoparticles with Plasmonic Optical Activity
Authors: Ni Bing , Mychinko Mikhail , Gómez‐Graña Sergio , Morales‐Vidal Jordi , Obelleiro‐Liz Manuel , Heyvaert Wouter , Vila‐Liarte David , Zhuo Xiaolu , Albrecht Wiebke , Zheng Guangchao , González‐Rubio Guillermo , Taboada José M. , Obelleiro Fernando , López Núria , Pérez‐Juste Jorge , Pastoriza‐Santos Isabel , Cölfen Helmut , Bals Sara , Liz‐Marzán Luis M.
Published: October 2022

A robust and reproducible methodology to prepare stable inorganic nanoparticles with chiral morphology may hold the key to the practical utilization of these materials. An optimized chiral growth method to prepare fourfold twisted gold nanorods is described herein, where the amino acid cysteine is used as a dissymmetry inducer. Four tilted ridges are found to develop on the surface of single‐crystal nanorods upon repeated reduction of HAuCl4, in the presence of cysteine as the chiral inducer and ascorbic acid as a reducing agent. From detailed electron microscopy analysis of the crystallographic structures, it is proposed that the dissymmetry results from the development of chiral facets in the form of protrusions (tilted ridges) on the initial nanorods, eventually leading to a twisted shape. The role of cysteine is attributed to assisting enantioselective facet evolution, which is supported by density functional theory simulations of the surface energies, modified upon adsorption of the chiral molecule. The development ofR‐type andS‐type chiral structures (small facets, terraces, or kinks) would thus be non‐equal, removing the mirror symmetry of the Au NR and in turn resulting in a markedly chiral morphology with high plasmonic optical activity.
Emerging Magnetic Fabrication Technologies Provide Controllable Hierarchically‐Structured Biomaterials and Stimulus Response for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Wychowaniec Jacek K. , Brougham Dermot F.
Published: October 2022

Multifunctional nanocomposites which exhibit well‐defined physical properties and encode spatiotemporally‐controlled responses are emerging as components for advanced responsive systems. For biomedical applications magnetic nanocomposite materials have attracted significant attention due to their ability to respond to spatially and temporally varying magnetic fields. The current state‐of‐the‐art in development and fabrication of magnetic hydrogels toward biomedical applications is described. There is accelerating progress in the field due to advances in manufacturing capabilities. Three categories can be identified: i) Magnetic hydrogelation, DC magnetic fields are used during solidification/gelation for aligning particles; ii) additive manufacturing of magnetic materials, 3D printing technologies are used to develop spatially‐encoded magnetic properties, and more recently; iii) magnetic additive manufacturing, magnetic responses are applied during the printing process to develop increasingly complex structural arrangement that may recapitulate anisotropic tissue structure and function. The magnetic responsiveness of conventionally and additively manufactured magnetic hydrogels are described along with recent advances in soft magnetic robotics, and the categorization is related to final architecture and emergent properties. Future challenges and opportunities, including the anticipated role of combinatorial approaches in developing 4D‐responsive functional materials for tackling long‐standing problems in biomedicine including production of 3D‐specified responsive cell scaffolds are discussed.
Novel Co‐Catalytic Activities of Solid and Liquid Phase Catalysts in High‐Rate Li‐Air Batteries
Authors: Zhang Chengji , Jaradat Ahmad , Singh Sachin Kumar , Rojas Tomas , Ahmadiparidari Alireza , Rastegar Sina , Wang Shuxi , Majidi Leily , Redfern Paul , Subramanian Arunkumar , Ngo Anh T. , Curtiss Larry A. , Salehi‐khojin Amin
Published: October 2022

Li‐air batteries are considered strong candidates for the next‐generation energy storage systems designed for electrical transportation. However, low cyclability and current rates are two major drawbacks that hinder them from further realization. These issues necessitate the discovery of novel materials to significantly enhance the redox process of discharge products. In this study, a novel catalytic system comprised of tin sulfide (SnS) nanoflakes as a solid catalyst and tin iodide (SnI2) as a dual‐functional electrolyte additive is discovered. This system enables operating the battery at high current rates up to 10 000 mA g−1 (corresponding to 1 mA cm−2). The SnS catalyst shows outstanding catalytic activity for both oxygen reduction and evolution reactions compared to carbon, noble metals, and other transition metal dichalcogenides. It also exhibits good structural integrity at high rates. The computations indicate numerous possible oxygen reduction sites without oxygen dissociations on the SnS surface through solution mechanism that is likely responsible for the formation of Li2O2. The calculations also indicate that the role of the SnI2 is not only reacting with the lithium anode to provide protection but reducing the charge potential by promoting catalytic decomposition of the Li2O2. This work provides new novel additives for designing high‐rate Li‐air batteries.
Creation of a novel course for the advanced emergency medicine ultrasound focused practice designation examination
Authors: Gottlieb Michael , Duran‐Gehring Petra , Coneybeare Di , Lema Penelope
Published: October 2022

Introduction

The American Board of Emergency Medicine recently established a new certification pathway in advanced emergency medicine ultrasound (AEMUS). Eligible applicants come from a wide range of experience but must pass the same examination to become certified. This study sought to evaluate a novel review course targeting a wide range of learners for a new examination.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study evaluating the outcomes of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) AEMUS review course. The program evaluation survey was designed to collect outcomes across multiple Kirkpatrick levels, including overall satisfaction, topic‐specific satisfaction, topic‐specific coverage, topic‐specific confidence before and after the course, topic‐specific perceived knowledge before and after the course, and changes in practice.

Results

Seventy‐four of 79 participants (93.7%) completed the survey. Mean course satisfaction was 4.59/5.00 (95% CI 4.47–4.72). Confidence to pass examination components increased for the following topics: administration, advanced left ventricle (LV), education, head and neck, hepatobiliary, male genitourinary, musculoskeletal, nonobstetric gynecology, pediatrics, physics, procedures, research, right ventricle, and venous/arterial. Perceived knowledge increased for the following topics: administration, advanced LV, education, head and neck, male genitourinary, musculoskeletal, pediatrics, physics, procedures, renal/bladder, research, right ventricle, and venous/arterial. Fifty‐three of 74 participants (71.6%) stated they would change their practice based on the course. Examples of changes in practice include increased use of ultrasound for advanced abdominal, musculoskeletal, pediatric, and procedural applications. Future work will determine the impact on longer‐term outcomes and focused practice designation (FPD) examination pass rates.

Conclusion

The ACEP AEMUS FPD review course demonstrated high levels of satisfaction, increased participant confidence, increased perceived knowledge, and several self‐reported changes in participants' ultrasound practice.
Advancement and future challenges of metal–organic coordination polymers: A case study of optical sensor for the detection of the environmental contaminants
Authors: Dutta Basudeb , Debsharma Kingshuk , Dey Sunanda , Sinha Chittaranjan
Published: October 2022

Fast industrialization, increasing population, rapid urbanization, and the greediness of creamy layer in the society without the issues of caring the sustainability of ecosystem are the main out of many reasons behind the environmental catastrophe. The ecological balance is disturbed with the noxious materials generated from the uncontrolled use of modern science and technology and also unscientific and unsystematic societal growths. To save the modern civilization, a fast‐track task is the monitoring of the toxic materials for the maintenance of sustainable ecological health and their utilization in a circular economy. Accordingly, optical methods are employed for the detection and estimation of environmental contaminants for immediate monitoring. The stability and structural tunability of the coordination polymeric (CPs) materials make them promising optical sensors for easy, low cost, reliable, selective, and sensitive detection of toxic ions/molecules. The crystallinity, thermal, mechanical, magnetic, and optical stability and flexibility of the CPs play a beneficial role for the accurate and stress‐free recognition of the toxicants. In this review, the recent developments as well as the outlook on the sensing of pollutants at a very low concentration level using CPs as selective and specific sensors by spectro‐fluorometric method are summarized. The progresses and challenges in the fabrication of hybrid materials and understanding their structure property correlations are described with an aim to motivate and facilitate the future researchers to perform research in the area.
Site‐selective multi‐emitter gold‐silver metallopolymers: A novel class of self‐assembled materials
Authors: Soldevilla Inés , Santamaría‐Paganini Montserrat , Olmos M. Elena , Monge Miguel , López‐de‐Luzuriaga José M. , Rodríguez‐Castillo María
Published: October 2022

New luminescent heterometallopolymers [(Au‐C6F5)m(AgOSO2CF3)n (PVP)] with different Au:Ag molar ratios were synthesized. The luminescent emissions of these polymers are strongly dependent on the temperature, excitation wavelengths, and the Au(I):Ag(I) molar ratio. The incorporation of a precise amount of Ag(I) atoms in the backbone of [(Au‐C6F5)m(PVP)] metallopolymer allows a controlled tuning of the emission energy in the green‐blue range.
Biodegradable composite films based on Trigonella foenum‐graceum galactomannan—xanthan gum: Effect of grape seed oil on various aspects of emulsified films
Authors: Niknam Rasoul , Soudi Mohammad Reza , Mousavi Mohammad
Published: October 2022

Nowadays, preparing biodegradable films based on hydrocolloids has become thoroughly crucial in food packaging. Also, to enhance some of the aspects of these films, adding oil to the formulation of the films has been considered as a valid method. In this study, a variety of films based on two biopolymers (fenugreek galactomannan and xanthan gum) in the presence or absence of grape seed oil were produced and the various aspects of the obtained films were comprehensively investigated. The obtained data demonstrated that preparing composite films based on two hydrocolloids improved the aspects including film thickness, water vapor permeability (WVP), oxygen permeability (OP), mechanical and thermal properties more than films based on only one hydrocolloid. This improvement was mostly related to the good and acceptable interaction between two biopolymers. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicated that all films had an amorphous or non‐crystalline structure. Also, the scanning electron microscope images demonstrated that films based on fenugreek galactomannan and composite films based on two hydrocolloids. The value of film thickness and strain at break (SAB) increased by adding oil to the formulation. Contrarily, the moisture content and absorption, WVP, OP, opacity, and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) values of the films decreased by adding oil.
Comparison of isothermal and nonisothermal combustion methods when evaluating semicoke for pulverized coal injection of blast furnace
Authors: He Jiangyong , Zou Chong , Zhao Junxue , Yu Nan , Wang Yi , Shi Ruimeng
Published: October 2022

Using semicoke instead of anthracite for pulverized coal injection (PCI) in a blast furnace can greatly reduce the cost of iron making, but the combustion performance of semicoke first needs to be accurately predicted. In this study, the combustion performances of different fuels were compared and analyzed in a drop tube furnace (DTF) and under isothermal and nonisothermal conditions. The results showed that semicoke had a better combustion performance than coal in the DTF. Isothermal combustion provided a more consistent performance evaluation of the fuels because the effect of volatiles was eliminated. Nonisothermal combustion significantly differed from the DTF results because of the influence of volatiles; after the fuels received high‐temperature treatment for devolatilization, the combustion performance was consistent with the DTF results. The influencing factors for the fuel combustion performance differed according to the combustion conditions. For the DTF, the burnout rate was correlated with the pore structure and microcrystalline structure, especially the latter. For isothermal combustion, the combustion characteristic parameter and microcrystalline structure d002 and Lc after high‐temperature treatment were strongly correlated. For nonisothermal combustion, the combustion characteristic parameters were strongly correlated with the volatile content. The above results can serve as a reference for evaluating the combustion performance of different fuels in a blast furnace using PCI.
Turing's turtles all the way down: A conserved role of EDAR in the carapacial ridge suggests a deep homology of prepatterns across ectodermal appendages
Authors: Zimm Roland , Oberdick Danielle , Gnetneva Anna , Schneider Pascal , Cebra‐Thomas Judith , Moustakas‐Verho Jacqueline E.
Published: October 2022

The scutes of the turtle shell are epidermal shields that begin their formation during the early stages of shell development. Like other skin appendages, turtle scutes are hypothesized to be patterned by reaction–diffusion systems. We have previously established ex vivo and in silico systems to study these mechanisms experimentally and have further shown that mathematical models can explain the dynamics of the induction of turtle scute primordia and the generation of final scute architecture. Using these foundations, we expand our current knowledge and test the roles of ectodysplasin and activin signaling in the development of turtle scutes. We find that these molecules play important roles in the prepatterning of scute primordia along the carapacial ridge and show that blocking Edar signaling may lead to a complete loss of marginal scute primordia. We show that it is possible to reproduce these observations using simple mathematical modeling, thereby suggesting a stabilizing role for ectodysplasin within the reaction–diffusion mechanisms. Finally, we argue that our findings further entrench turtle scutes within a class of developmental systems composed of hierarchically nested reaction–diffusion mechanisms, which is conserved across ectodermal organs.
Tuning Intermolecular Interactions to Enhance the Cyclability of Non‐Aqueous, Organic Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: Zhang Luwei , Liu Yue , Chen Yuanyuan , Zhu Yingzhong , Wang Ru , Dai Gaole , Zhang Xiaohong , Zhao Yu
Published: October 2022

Enhancing the electrochemical stability and reversibility of redox‐active organic molecules is crucial to improve the performance of non‐aqueous redox flow batteries (RFBs). Compared with the widely adopted strategy of molecular engineering, we show in this study that tuning the intermolecular interaction between the active material with the supporting electrolyte is another feasible way to address the performance of non‐aqueous organic RFBs. Combined with theoretical and experimental investigations, the influence of Lewis acidity of the supporting electrolyte cations and anions on the electrochemical stability and reversibility of bipyridine‐based anode material is revealed. As a demonstration, a redox flow cell based on 4,4′‐bipyridine anolyte and ferrocene catholyte shows greatly enhanced performance by using supporting electrolyte composed of soft Lewis acid and soft Lewis base. This study provides an alternative, yet highly effective way to addressing the cyclability of an organic compound for non‐aqueous RFBs.
Differential newborn DNA methylation among individuals with complex congenital heart defects and childhood lymphoma
Authors: Richard Melissa A. , Yang Wei , Sok Pagna , Li Ming , Carmichael Suzan L. , von Behren Julie , Reynolds Peggy , Fisher Paul G. , Collins R. Thomas , Hobbs Charlotte A. , Luke Barbara , Shaw Gary M. , Lupo Philip J.
Published: October 2022

Background

There is emerging evidence that children with complex congenital heart defects (CHDs) are at increased risk for childhood lymphoma, but the mechanisms underlying this association are unclear. Thus, we sought to evaluate the role of DNA methylation patterns on “CHD‐lymphoma” associations.

Methods

From >3 million live births (1988–2004) in California registry linkages, we obtained newborn dried bloodspots from eight children with CHD‐lymphoma through the California BioBank. We performed case–control epigenome‐wide association analyses (EWAS) using two comparison groups with reciprocal discovery and validation to identify differential methylation associated with CHD‐lymphoma.

Results

After correction for multiple testing at the discovery and validation stages, individuals with CHD‐lymphoma had differential newborn methylation at six sites relative to two comparison groups. Our top finding was significant in both EWAS and indicates PPFIA1 cg25574765 was hypomethylated among individuals with CHD‐lymphoma (mean beta = 0.04) relative to both unaffected individuals (mean beta = 0.93, p = 1.5 × 10−12) and individuals with complex CHD (mean beta = 0.95, p = 3.8 × 10−8). PPFIA1 encodes a ubiquitously expressed liprin protein in one of the most commonly amplified regions in many cancers (11q13). Further, cg25574765 is a proposed marker of pre‐eclampsia, a maternal CHD risk factor that has not been fully evaluated for lymphoma risk in offspring, and the tumor microenvironment that may drive immune cell malignancies.

Conclusions

We identified associations between molecular changes present in the genome at birth and risk of childhood lymphoma among those with CHD. Our findings also highlight novel perinatal exposures that may underlie methylation changes in CHD predisposing to lymphoma.
Evaluating the efficacy of pictorial preference assessments with children who engage in food selectivity
Authors: Villafaña Veronica N. , Borrero Carrie S. W.
Published: October 2022

Preference assessments are used in practice with individuals who engage in food refusal and selectivity to identify foods that a child will readily consume before assessment and treatment. Traditional edible preference assessments may be challenging for children who engage in food refusal or selectivity as the child may not consume foods, but rather engage in inappropriate mealtime behavior simply due to the presence of food. Alternative modality preference assessments, such as pictorial, may offer benefits compared to traditional preference assessment formats (e.g., stimulus preference assessment and paired‐stimulus preference assessment). The use of pictures may reduce any evocative effects of the presence of food and result in choice‐making without inappropriate mealtime behavior. Experiment 1 assessed the correspondence between the hierarchies yielded from pictorial preference assessments (with and without access) to a standard edible preference assessment. Experiment 2 evaluated the accuracy of each preference assessment by presenting foods identified as preferred and non‐preferred to determine if the child would accept them. Results suggested that pictorial preference assessments with access corresponded the most with the traditional edible preference assessment. Also, for one individual, the traditional preference assessment did not accurately identify foods that the participant would consume, while the pictorial preference assessment without access yielded a hierarchy.
Treatment of vulvar basal cell carcinoma with Slow‐Mohs micrographic surgery A case report
Authors: Asilian Ali , Moeine Reza , Hafezi Hossein , Shahriarirad Reza
Published: October 2022

Vulvar Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) accounts for only 0.4% of all BCCs. We present a case of BCC that developed on the vulvar area with a pinkish lesion and pruritus for about 2 years and was successfully treated with Mohs micrographic surgery.
Enantiomeric Resolution and Enantiomer Isolation of H2TPPS4 J‐Aggregate from Aqueous Solution Is Enabled by Vortexes
Authors: Gaeta Massimiliano , Randazzo Rosalba , Costa Carlo , Purrello Roberto , D'Urso Alessandro
Published: October 2022

Protonated achiral H2TPPS4 spontaneously self‐arranges at acids pH and high ionic strength to build mesoscopic J‐aggregates that are intrinsically chiral. According to the symmetry rule aggregation leads to a racemate that, however, can be unbalanced by chemical (chiral pollutants) or physical stimuli (as vortexing the solution). Vortexing the title racemate, in principle, might either induce chiral separation or chiral enrichment. Indeed, herein it is shown that vortices enable the resolution of this racemic solution exploiting the tendency to deposit, onto the quartz cuvette walls, of the enantiomer favored by the stirring sense. Simultaneously, over time, it was found that the opposite chiral conformation becomes prevalent in solution realizing a significant enantiomeric resolution. Therefore, after removing all stirring‐favored chiral J‐aggregate from the solution, the recovering and isolating of the desired enantiomers from the cuvette walls was successfully obtained without complex procedures. In this sense, it has been demonstrated that the stirring forces are executively able to fulfil the chiral separation in H2TPPS4 J‐aggregates, employed as model of a self‐assembled system in aqueous solution.
Single‐use Technology for the Production of Cellular Agricultural Products: Where are We Today?
Authors: Schirmer Cedric , Eibl Regine , Maschke Rüdiger W. , Mozaffari Fruhar , Junne Stefan , Daumke Ralph , Ottinger Melanie , Göhmann Rüdiger , Ott Christian , Wenk Irina , Kubischik Jens , Eibl Dieter
Published: October 2022

A group of the DECHEMA working group “Single‐Use Technology in Biopharmaceutical Manufacture” is investigating the potential use of single‐use systems for cellular agricultural applications. The preliminary results are summarized in this article.
pTDP‐43 aggregates accumulate in non‐central nervous system tissues prior to symptom onset in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a case series linking archival surgical biopsies with clinical phenotypic data
Authors: Pattle Samuel B , O'Shaughnessy Judi , Kantelberg Owen , Rifai Olivia M , Pate Judith , Nellany Kristine , Hays Nadine , Arends Mark J , Horrocks Mathew H , Waldron Fergal M , Gregory Jenna M
Published: October 2022

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are traditionally considered strictly neurological disorders. However, clinical presentation is not restricted to neurological systems, and non‐central nervous system (CNS) manifestations, particularly gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, are common. Our objective was to understand the systemic distribution of pathology in archived non‐CNS tissues, taken as part of routine clinical practice during life from people with ALS. We examined tissue from 13 people who went on to develop ALS; including sporadic ALS (n = 12) and C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion (n = 1). The tissue cohort consisted of 68 formalin‐fixed paraffin embedded samples from 21 surgical cases (some patients having more than one case over their lifetimes), from 8 organ systems, which we examined for evidence of phosphorylated TDP‐43 (pTDP‐43) pathology. We identified pTDP‐43 aggregates in multiple cell types of the GI tract, including macrophages and dendritic cells within the lamina propria; as well as ganglion/neuronal and glial cells of the myenteric plexus. Aggregates were also noted within lymph node parenchyma, blood vessel endothelial cells, and chondrocytes. We note that in all cases with non‐CNS pTDP‐43 pathology, aggregates were present prior to ALS diagnosis and in some instances preceded neurological symptom onset by more than 10 years. These data imply that patients with microscopically unexplained non‐CNS symptoms could have occult protein aggregation that could be detected many years prior to neurological involvement.
Prioritizing Small Sets of Molecules for Synthesis throughin‐silicoTools: A Comparison of Common Ranking Methods
Authors: Breznik Marko , Ge Yunhui , Bluck Joseph P. , Briem Hans , Hahn David F. , Christ Clara D. , Mortier Jérémie , Mobley David L. , Meier Katharina
Published: October 2022

Prioritizing molecules for synthesis is a key role of computational methods within medicinal chemistry. Multiple tools exist for ranking molecules, from the cheap and popular molecular docking methods to more computationally expensive molecular‐dynamics (MD)‐based methods. It is often questioned whether the accuracy of the more rigorous methods justifies the higher computational cost and associated calculation time. Here, we compared the performance on ranking the binding of small molecules for seven scoring functions from five docking programs, one end‐point method (MM/GBSA), and two MD‐based free energy methods (PMX, FEP+). We investigated 16 pharmaceutically relevant targets with a total of 423 known binders. The performance of docking methods for ligand ranking was strongly system dependent. We observed that MD‐based methods predominantly outperformed docking algorithms and MM/GBSA calculations. Based on our results, we recommend the application of MD‐based free energy methods for prioritization of molecules for synthesis in lead optimization, whenever feasible.
Projections from the five divisions of the orbital cortex to the thalamus in the rat
Authors: Vertes Robert P. , Hoover Walter B. , Witter Menno P. , Yanik Mehmet Fatih , Rojas Amanda K. P. , Linley Stephanie B.
Published: October 2022

The orbital cortex (ORB) of the rat consists of five divisions: the medial (MO), ventral (VO), ventrolateral (VLO), lateral (LO), and dorsolateral (DLO) orbital cortices. No previous report has comprehensively examined and compared projections from each division of the ORB to the thalamus. Using the anterograde anatomical tracer, Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin, we describe the efferent projections from the five divisions of the ORB to the thalamus in the rat. We demonstrated that, with some overlap, each division of the ORB distributed in a distinct (and unique) manner to nuclei of the thalamus. Overall, ORB projected to a relatively restricted number of sites in the thalamus, and strikingly distributed entirely to structures of the medial/midline thalamus, while completely avoiding lateral regions or principal nuclei of the thalamus. The main termination sites in the thalamus were the paratenial nucleus (PT) and nucleus reuniens (RE) of the midline thalamus, the medial (MDm) and central (MDc) divisions of the mediodorsal nucleus, the intermediodorsal nucleus, the central lateral, paracentral, and central medial nuclei of the rostral intralaminar complex and the submedial nucleus (SM). With some exceptions, medial divisions of the ORB (MO, VO) mainly targeted “limbic‐associated” nuclei such as PT, RE, and MDm, whereas lateral division (VLO, LO, DLO) primarily distributed to “sensorimotor‐associated” nuclei including MDc, SM, and the rostral intralaminar complex. As discussed herein, the medial/midline thalamus may represent an important link (or bridge) between the orbital cortex and the hippocampus and between the ORB and medial prefrontal cortex. In summary, the present results demonstrate that each division of the orbital cortex projects in a distinct manner to nuclei of the thalamus which suggests unique functions for each division of the orbital cortex.