bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Extension of the Chen Distribution: Properties, Simulation Study and Applications to Data
Authors: Acquah Joseph , Odoi Benjamin , Anafo Abdulzeid Yen , Senyea Bosson-Amedenu
Published: August 2023

In this study, a new three parameter extension of the Chen distribution was proposed and called the New Extended Chen distribution. Some statistical properties of the proposed distribution are presented. The proposed distribution exhibits varied complex and hazard shapes. Parameters of the distribution are estimated using the maximum likelihood estimation method and a simulation study is conducted to evaluate the performance of the estimators. The New Extended Chen distribution is applied to two real data set and compared to other modifications of the Chen distribution to emphasise the applicability of the the distribution.
Random Forest Regression in Maize Yield Prediction
Authors: Sitienei Miriam , Anapapa Ayubu , Otieno Argwings
Published: August 2023

Artificial Intelligence is the discipline of making computers behave without explicit programming. Machine learning is a subset of artificial Intelligence that enables machines to learn autonomously from previous data without explicit programming. The purpose of machine learning in agriculture is to increase crop yield and quality in the agricultural sector. It is driven by the emergence of big data technologies and high-performance computation, which provide new opportunities to unravel, quantify, and comprehend data-intensive agricultural operational processes. Random Forest is an ensemble technique that reduces the result's overfitting. This algorithm is primarily utilized for forecasting. It generates a forest with numerous trees. The random forest classifier predicts that the model's accuracy will increase as the number of trees in the forest increases. All through the training phase, multiple decision trees are constructed. It generates subsets of data from randomly selected training samples with replacement. Each data subset is employed to train decision trees. It utilizes multiple trees to reduce the possibility of overfitting. Maize is a staple food in Kenya and having it in sufficient amounts in the country assures the farmers' food security and economic stability. This study predicted maize yield in the Kenyan county of Uasin Gishu using the machine learning algorithm Random Forest regression. The regression model employed a mixed-methods research design, and the survey employed well-structured questionnaires containing quantitative and qualitative variables, which were directly administered to 30 clustered wards' representative farmers. The questionnaire encompassed 30 maize production-related variables from 900 randomly selected maize producers in 30 wards. The model was able to identify important variables from the dataset and predicted maize yield. The prediction evaluation used machine learning regression metrics, Root Mean Squared error-RMSE=0.52199, Mean Squared Error-MSE =0.27248, and Mean Absolute Error-MAE = 0.471722. The model predicted maize yield and indicated the contribution of each variable to the overall prediction.
Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Floral Characteristics and Vase Life of Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) Cv. Saffron
Authors: Sharma Khushboo , Tirkey Tarsius
Published: August 2023

The balanced development of plant is governed by the growth regulators those are being increasingly utilized to manipulate the growth and flowering of ornamental plants. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of growth regulators viz., GA3 (100, 200 and 300 ppm), BAP (50, 100 and 150 ppm) and MH (250, 500 and 750 ppm) on growth and flowering of gladiolus varieties saffron with Randomized Block Design. The results showed that, the minimum days to spike emergence, days to first floret open/bloom, days to 50% floret open, internodal length between floret, diameter of floret, number of florets and vase life was found best in treatment T3 (GA3 @ 200 ppm) followed by treatment T2 (GA3 @ 100 ppm) and T4 (GA3 @ 300 ppm) whereas duration of flowering in days found best in treatment T4 (GA3 @ 300 ppm) followed by T2 (GA3 @ 100 ppm) and T3 (GA3 @ 200 ppm) and number of spike per plant found highest in treatment T7 (BAP @ 150 ppm).
In-vitro Assessment of Native Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacterial Isolates Against Diverse Fungal Phytopathogens
Authors: Pradhan S. , Jena M. K.
Published: August 2023

Although many Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are used commercially, there is a need to explore more biocontrol agents to combat various pathogens and sustain the productivity of crops. PGPRs inhabit the rhizosphere region of plant and are effective in managing various pathogens. In this study, twenty-six PGPR isolates were screened in-vitro against various fungal phytopathogens in the Plant Bacteriological Laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal during 2021-22. All the thirteen native Bacillus isolates, showed antagonistic activity against Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Pestalotiopsis sp., Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii. Among the thirteen fluorescent pseudomonads, all showed antagonistic activity against A. alternata, C. gloeosporioides and Pestalotiopsis sp., eight, CK2LPP, CK2LP8, CK2LP12, GP2, GP8, G11SP37, K11SP4 and S21SP14, against R. solani, two, GP2 and GP8, against S. rolfsii. BRB 42, BRB 56, PR 18, GP2 and GP8 had the highest antagonistic activity against the fungal pathogens under in-vitro condition based on average mycelium inhibition per cent. BRB 56, SM 9 and GP8, showed the maximum inhibition zone against all the phytopathogens.
Antimicrobial Effects of Aqueous Extract of Garcinia Kola Nuts on Salmonella Isolates from Chicken Dropping in Southern Taraba, North East, Nigeria
Authors: Abhadionmhen Abel Onolunosen , Anyiam Vivian Ifeoma , Imarenezor Edobor Peter Kenneth , Amiegbebhor Pius
Published: August 2023

Aim: The onerous threat of antimicrobial resistance to public health highlights the need for continuous research that will discover more potential medicinal plants that possess inhibitory potentials on bacteria especially those with multidrug-resistant qualities. Hence, this study investigated the antibacterial effect of hot and cold aqueous extracts of Garcinia Kola on Salmonella isolates.

Study Design: This is experimental research involving fecal sample of chicken.

Place and Duration of Study: This research was carried out in Wukari metropolis.

Study Design: Sterile universal containers were used to collect one gram each of chicken fecal samples from domestic chicken coops and dissolved in Buffered Peptone Water to recover injured cell. A loop-full of the sample was streaked on prepared Salmonella-Shigella Agar plates. Suspected isolates were confirmed molecularly using PCR to identify the invA virulent gene from the isolate. Hot and cold water served as a menstruum for extracting bioactive contents from Garcinia Kola. Following evaporation of the crude hot and cold-water extracts, 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, and 2.0 mg of the extract were respectively dissolved into 10 ml of distilled water. The Agar-well diffusion method was used in conducting the antimicrobial susceptibility tests.

Results: Significant zone of inhibition (ZIB) of 9 mm, 12 mm and 17 mm was observed for isolates subjected to 0.50 mg-10 ml, 1.00mg-10 ml, and 2.00 mg-10 ml concentrations of cold-water extracts respectively while No zone of Inhibition (NZI) was observed at 0.25 g-10 ml concentrations. For hot water extracts, growth inhibition ranging from 9 mm, 11 mm, 15 mm, and 23 mm was respectively noticed for concentrates of 0.25 mg-10 ml, 0.50 mg-10, 1.00 mg-10 ml, and 2.00 mg-10 ml. Heavy growth persisted for the negative control plate which contained distilled water without extracts. Augmentin 30 µg was used as a positive control (≥31 mm).

Conclusion: This research simply has amplified the medicinal importance of the consumption of Garcinia Kola particularly as it relates to the management of gastroenteritis caused by Zoonotic Non-enteric Salmonella. However, the clinical toxicity and safety of the plant need more understanding.
Maternal Risk of Cardiovascular Disease After Use of Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Authors: Magnus Maria C. , Fraser Abigail , Håberg Siri E. , Rönö Kristiina , Romundstad Liv Bente , Bergh Christina , Spangmose Anne Lærke , Pinborg Anja , Gissler Mika , Wennerholm Ulla-Britt , Åsvold Bjørn Olav , Lawlor Deborah A. , Opdahl Signe
Published: August 2023

Importance

The use of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) is steadily increasing worldwide. The outcomes associated with treatment for an individual’s long-term health, including risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), remain largely unknown, due to the small number of studies and their limited follow-up time.

Objective

To study whether the risk of CVD is increased among individuals who have given birth after ART compared with those who have given birth without ART.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A registry-based cohort study was conducted using nationwide data from Denmark (1994-2014), Finland (1990-2014), Norway (1984-2015), and Sweden (1985-2015). Data analysis was conducted from January to August 2022. A total of 2 496 441 individuals with a registered delivery in the national birth registries during the study period were included, and 97 474 (4%) of these gave birth after ART.

Exposures

Data on ART conception were available from ART quality registries and/or medical birth registries.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Information on CVD was available from patient and cause of death registries. The risk of CVD was estimated with Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusting for age, calendar year of start of follow-up, parity, diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome, diabetes, chronic hypertension, and country.

Results

Median follow-up was 11 (IQR, 5-18) years. The mean (SD) age of women with no use of ART was 29.1 (4.9) years, and the age of those who used ART was 33.8 (4.7) years. The rate of any CVD was 153 per 100 000 person-years. Individuals who gave birth after using ART had no increased risk of CVD (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 0.97; 95% CI, 0.91-1.02), with evidence of heterogeneity between the countries (I2 = 76%; P = .01 for heterogeneity). No significant differences in the risk of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, stroke, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, pulmonary embolism, or deep vein thrombosis were noted with use of ART. However, there was a tendency for a modest reduction in the risk of myocardial infarction (AHR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.65-0.99), with no notable heterogeneity between countries.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this study suggest that women who gave birth after ART were not at increased risk of CVD over a median follow-up of 11 years compared with those who conceived without ART. Longer-term studies are needed to further examine whether ART is associated with higher risk of CVD.
Gender Diversity of Mohs Micrographic Surgery Fellows and Program Directors in the US
Authors: Gart Sophie , Siller Alfredo , Wysong Ashley
Published: August 2023

This cross-sectional study examines trends in the percentage of females comprising Mohs micrographic surgery fellows and program directors for the past 2 decades in the US.
Association of the 2021 Child Tax Credit Advance Payments With Low Birth Weight in the US
Authors: Margerison Claire E. , Zamani-Hank Yasamean , Catalano Ralph , Hettinger Katlyn , Michling Timothy R. , Bruckner Tim A.
Published: August 2023

Importance

Infants and pregnant people in the US fare worse on almost all health measures compared with those in peer nations. Families in the US are more likely to live in poverty and have a less generous social safety net, which has generated debate over the contribution of economic conditions to this disparity.

Objective

To assess the association between temporary increases in income during pregnancy through the 2021 expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) and birth outcomes.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study applied a comparison-population, interrupted time series design to data from US birth certificates (January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2021) to test whether the log odds of low birth weight (LBW) among monthly cohorts of births exposed to the CTC would coincide with a decreased incidence of LBW. All singleton live births to US residents aged 15 to 49 years with available data were included.

Exposure

Monthly birth cohorts exposed to the CTC were defined as those born to parous people during the CTC advance payment period from July through December 2021.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was the natural logarithm of the odds of LBW (<2500 g) among monthly birth cohorts.

Results

Among included births (n = 28 866 466), 61.2% were to parous people, the majority were to people aged 20 to 39 years (91.7%), and 6.5% were born LBW. The odds of LBW increased above expected values in 5 of the 6 months of the CTC payments (range of increases, 3.3%-5.4% across the 5 months). The outlier-adjusted odds of LBW increased, on average, by 4.2% (95% CI, 2.7%-5.7%) among the monthly birth cohorts exposed to the CTC.

Conclusions and Relevance

This study found that the odds of LBW among birth cohorts exposed to the CTC increased above expected values in 5 of the 6 months of the CTC advance payments. Additional research is needed to evaluate rival explanations for this increase in LBW among births exposed to the CTC payments.
Different Gabapentin and Pregabalin Dosages for Perioperative Pain Control in Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery
Authors: Tsai Sung Huang Laurent , Hu Ching-Wei , El Sammak Sally , Durrani Sulaman , Ghaith Abdul Karim , Lin Che Chung Justin , Krzyż Ewa Zuzanna , Bydon Mohamad , Fu Tsai Sheng , Lin Tung Yi
Published: August 2023

IMPORTANCE

Patients undergoing spine surgery often experience severe pain. The optimal dosage of pregabalin and gabapentin for pain control and safety in these patients has not been well established.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the associations of pain, opioid consumption, and adverse events with different dosages of pregabalin and gabapentin in patients undergoing spine surgery.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane library, and Scopus databases were searched for articles until August 7, 2021.

STUDY SELECTION

Randomized clinical trials conducted among patients who received pregabalin or gabapentin while undergoing spine surgery were included.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Two investigators independently performed data extraction following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) reporting guideline. The network meta-analysis was conducted from August 2022 to February 2023 using a random-effects model.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and secondary outcomes included opioid consumption and adverse events.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven randomized clinical trials with 1861 patients (median age, 45.99 years [range, 20.00-70.00 years]; 759 women [40.8%]) were included in the systematic review and network meta-analysis. Compared with placebo, the VAS pain score was lowest with gabapentin 900 mg per day, followed by gabapentin 1200 mg per day, gabapentin 600 mg per day, gabapentin 300 mg per day, pregabalin 300 mg per day, pregabalin 150 mg per day, and pregabalin 75 mg per day. Additionally, gabapentin 900 mg per day was found to be associated with the lowest opioid consumption among all dosages of gabapentin and pregabalin, with a mean difference of −22.07% (95% CI, −33.22% to −10.92%) for the surface under the cumulative ranking curve compared with placebo. There was no statistically significant difference in adverse events (nausea, vomiting, and dizziness) among all treatments. No substantial inconsistency between direct and indirect evidence was detected for all outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

These findings suggest that gabapentin 900 mg per day before spine surgery is associated with the lowest VAS pain score among all dosages. In addition, no differences in adverse events were noted among all treatments.
Patient, Caregiver, and Clinician Perspectives on Core Components of Therapeutic Alliance for Adolescents and Young Adults With Advanced Cancer
Authors: Mastropolo Rosemarie , Altschuler Andrea , Brock Katharine E. , Casperson Mallory , Chao Chun R. , Fisher Lauren , Greenzang Katie A. , Kushi Lawrence H. , Lakin Joshua R. , Lefebvre Anna , Schwartz Corey M. , Shalman Dov M. , Wall Catherine B. , Wiener Lori , Mack Jennifer W.
Published: August 2023

Importance

The patient-clinician therapeutic alliance is an important aspect of high-quality cancer care. However, components of the therapeutic alliance in adolescents and young adults (AYAs, aged 12-39 years) with cancer have not been defined.

Objective

To identify components of and barriers to the therapeutic alliance between AYAs, caregivers, and clinicians from the perspective of all key stakeholders.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this qualitative study, semistructured in-depth interviews with patients, caregivers, and clinicians were conducted from 2018 to 2021 with no additional follow-up, with content analysis of resulting transcripts. Participants were recruited from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, and an online cancer support community (Cactus Cancer Society). Eligible participants were English- or Spanish-speaking. Eligible patients were aged 12 to 39 years with stage IV or recurrent cancer. Eligible caregivers cared for an AYA living with advanced cancer or one who had died within 5 years. Eligible clinicians routinely provided care for AYAs with cancer.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Perspectives on therapeutic alliance.

Results

Interviews were conducted with 80 participants: 23 were patients (48% were female; 78% were White), 28 were caregivers (82% were female; 50% were White), and 29 were clinicians (69% were female; 45% were White). The mean (SD) age of patients was 29 (7.3) years. Interviews identified 6 components of therapeutic alliance: (1) compassion; (2) sense of connection; (3) clinician presence; (4) information sharing; (5) shared goals; and (6) individualization of care. While some domains were represented in prior models of therapeutic alliance, a unique domain was identified related to the need for individualization of the approach to care for AYA patients and their caregivers. Interviews also identified potential barriers to building the therapeutic alliance specific to the AYA population, including managing discordant needs between patients and caregivers and communication challenges at the end of life.

Conclusions and Relevance

This study identified core components and barriers to building therapeutic alliance in the AYA advanced cancer population from the perspective of all the key stakeholders in the relationship. A novel component highlighting the need for individualization was identified. This model enables a deeper understanding of how to build therapeutic alliance in the AYA advanced cancer population, which may guide clinician training and facilitate improved care for this vulnerable population.
High-Deductible Health Plans’ Impact on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatments—Balancing Cost and Care
Authors: Eisenberg Matthew D. , Barry Colleen L.
Published: August 2023

This Viewpoint examines the effects of high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) on individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, which is crucial for informing policy and regulatory decisions.
Hydrozirconation of Alkynes
Authors: Milligan John A. , Hammill Courtney V. , Crocker Desirae L. , Wipf Peter
Published: August 2023

Since the first preparation of organozirconocenes from alkenes and alkynes in 1972, hydrozirconation has become one of the most commonly used stoichiometric methods to convert readily available starting materials into reactive but stable organometallic intermediates. A broad range of subsequent transformations may be employed to convert organozirconocenes in situ into high‐value functionalized products, often with the strategic formation of one (or several) new carbon–carbon bonds.

This chapter focuses on the hydrozirconation of terminal and internal alkynes, and the subsequent synthetic transformations of the resulting alkenylzirconocenes. Zirconocene hydrochloride, Cp
2
Zr(H)Cl, is most frequently employed for the hydrozirconation step and can be used as a reagent or prepared in situ. Subsequent reactions of alkenylzirconocenes include additions to inorganic electrophiles such as halogens, as well as in situ ligand transfers to other metals, such as palladium and zinc, that further expand the range of accessible bond formations. The initial discussion focuses on the mechanism and stereochemical considerations, and on the steric and electronic factors that determine the regiochemistry of the either kinetically or thermodynamically controlled hydrozirconation. The “Scope and Limitations” section presents information on functional group compatibilities and is organized by the type of synthetic transformation of alkenylzirconocenes. Representative applications of the hydrozirconation of alkynes are showcased in syntheses of natural products, comparisons to alternative methods for the hydrometallation of alkynes.

The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate the significance of hydrozirconation in organic synthesis, including the utility of the stoichiometric zirconium organometallics obtained from alkyne substrates, and to provide inspiration for the future development of new synthetic methods and strategies.
Parvimonas micra can translocate from the subgingival sulcus of the human oral cavity to colorectal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Conde‐Pérez Kelly , Buetas Elena , Aja‐Macaya Pablo , Martin‐De Arribas Elsa , Iglesias‐Corrás Iago , Trigo‐Tasende Noelia , Nasser‐Ali Mohammed , Estévez Lara S. , Rumbo‐Feal Soraya , Otero‐Alén Begoña , Noguera Jose F. , Concha Ángel , Pardiñas‐López Simón , Carda‐Diéguez Miguel , Gómez‐Randulfe Igor , Martínez‐Lago Nieves , Ladra Susana , Aparicio Luis A. , Bou Germán , Mira Alex , Vallejo Juan A. , Poza Margarita
Published: August 2023

Oral and intestinal samples from a cohort of 93 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and 30 healthy controls (non‐CRC) were collected for microbiome analysis. Saliva (28 non‐CRC and 94 CRC), feces (30 non‐CRC and 97 CRC), subgingival fluid (20 CRC), and tumor tissue samples (20 CRC) were used for 16S metabarcoding and/or RNA sequencing (RNAseq) approaches. A differential analysis of the abundance, performed with the ANCOM‐BC package, adjusting the P‐values by the Holm‐Bonferroni method, revealed that Parvimonas was significantly over‐represented in feces from CRC patients (P‐value < 0.001) compared to healthy controls. A total of 11 Parvimonas micra isolates were obtained from the oral cavity and adenocarcinoma of CRC patients. Genome analysis identified a pair of isolates from the same patient that shared 99.2% identity, demonstrating that P. micra can translocate from the subgingival cavity to the gut. The data suggest that P. micra could migrate in a synergistic consortium with other periodontal bacteria. Metatranscriptomics confirmed that oral bacteria were more active in tumor than in non‐neoplastic tissues. We suggest that P. micra could be considered as a CRC biomarker detected in non‐invasive samples such as feces.
High diagnostic performance of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid beta‐synuclein for sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease
Authors: Abu‐Rumeileh Samir , Halbgebauer Steffen , Bentivenga Giuseppe Mario , Barba Lorenzo , Baiardi Simone , Mastrangelo Andrea , Oeckl Patrick , Steinacker Petra , Mammana Angela , Capellari Sabina , Otto Markus , Parchi Piero
Published: August 2023

Beta‐synuclein is a promising cerebrospinal fluid and blood biomarker of synaptic damage. Here we analysed its accuracy in the discrimination between sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (n = 150) and non‐prion rapidly progressive dementias (n = 106). In cerebrospinal fluid, beta‐synuclein performed better than protein 14‐3‐3 (AUC 0.95 vs. 0.89) and, to a lesser extent, than total tau (AUC 0.92). Further, the diagnostic value of plasma beta‐synuclein (AUC 0.91) outperformed that of plasma tau (AUC 0.79) and neurofilament light chain protein (AUC 0.65) and was comparable to that of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. Beta‐synuclein might represent the first highly accurate blood biomarker for the diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.
Guselkumab Modulates Differentially Expressed Genes in Blood of Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis: Results from Two Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Trials
Authors: Siebert Stefan , Sweet Kristen M. , Ritchlin Christopher T. , Hsia Elizabeth C. , Kollmeier Alexa P. , Xu Xie L. , Seridi Loqmane , Song Qingxuan , Gao Sheng , Chen Warner , Miron Michelle
Published: August 2023

Objective

To evaluate gene expression in blood of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) versus healthy controls and identify changes associated with guselkumab treatment.

Methods

Whole blood transcriptome profiling via paired‐end RNA sequencing was conducted using samples from DISCOVER‐1 and DISCOVER‐2 at baseline (n = 673) and at weeks 4 and 24 from a representative subgroup that received placebo or guselkumab (n = 227 [longitudinal PsA cohort]). Baseline samples were compared with demographically matched healthy controls (n = 21). Guselkumab‐mediated changes in gene expression were assessed in participants from the longitudinal PsA cohort who did versus did not achieve at least 20% improvement in American College of Rheumatology response criteria (ACR20) or at least 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI75). Differential gene expression was analyzed using edgeR.

Results

At baseline, 355 upregulated and 314 downregulated genes (PsA‐associated genes) were identified in patients with PsA versus healthy controls. Upregulated genes were related to neutrophil, mononuclear cell, and CD11b+ gene sets. No cell type–specific gene sets were identified among downregulated genes. Most PsA‐associated genes were modulated by guselkumab treatment. At week 24, genes downregulated by guselkumab were enriched with neutrophil, monocyte, eosinophil, and macrophage gene sets; genes upregulated by guselkumab were enriched with B cell, T cell, and natural killer cell gene sets. Reductions in expression of upregulated PsA‐associated gene sets were more pronounced in ACR20 and PASI75 responders than in nonresponders.

Conclusion

These findings suggest a dysregulation of immune cell profiles in blood from patients in the baseline PsA cohort that approached levels in healthy controls after guselkumab treatment.
Elucidating the Role of Chalcogenide‐Based Interface Passivators in Enhancing the Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Sadhu Anupam , Guo Yuanyuan , Salim Teddy , Sun Qingde , Mhaisalkar Subodh G. , Sum Tze Chien , Wong Lydia H.
Published: August 2023

Chalcogenide‐based Lewis bases are widely used in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) due to their effectiveness in passivating Pb2+ and Pb0‐related defects. However, the underlying principles governing their defect passivation and the relative efficacy of different chalcogen elements remain poorly understood. This study evaluates the effectiveness of oxygen, sulfur, and selenium‐based interface passivator molecules in enhancing the stability and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cell devices. The hard and soft acid and base (HSAB) principle has been utilized here to gain insights into the defect passivation behavior of chalcogenide‐based molecules. The photoluminescence, ideality factor, and trap density measurements reveal that the sulfide and selenide‐passivated devices exhibit superior defect passivation compared to the oxide‐passivated control device. In terms of stability, the average T75 lifetime (time at which 75% of the initial PCE is retained) of the oxide, sulfide, and selenide passivated samples is 6%, 30%, and 50% higher compared to their un‐passivated counterparts. This enhanced stability with the sulfide and selenide‐based passivators can be attributed to their soft Lewis base nature, which resulted in stronger interaction with the Pb‐related defects, as evidenced by the density‐functional theory calculations and X‐Ray photoelectron spectroscopy study.
Hot‐Casting Strategy Empowers High‐Boiling Solvent‐Processed Organic Solar Cells with Over 18.5% Efficiency
Authors: Yang Chucheng , Jiang Mengyun , Wang Shanshan , Zhang Bao , Mao Peng , Woo Han Young , Zhang Fujun , Wang Jin‐liang , An Qiaoshi
Published: August 2023

Most top‐rank organic solar cells (OSCs) are manufactured by the halogenated solvent chloroform, which possesses a narrow processing window due to its low‐boiling point. Herein, based on two high‐boiling solvents, halogenated solvent chlorobenzene (CB) and non‐halogenated green solvent ortho‐xylene (OX), preparing active layers with the hot solution is put forward to enhance the performance of the OSCs. In situ test and morphological characterization clarify that the hot‐casting strategy assists in the fast and synchronous molecular assembly of both donor and acceptor in the active layer, contributing to preferable donor/acceptor ratio, vertical phase separation, and molecular stacking, which is beneficial to charge generation and extraction. Based on the PM6:BO‐4Cl, the hot‐casting OSCs with a wide processing window achieve efficiencies of 18.03% in CB and 18.12% in OX, which are much higher than the devices processed with room temperature solution. Moreover, the hot‐casting devices with PM6:BTP‐eC9 deliver a remarkable fill factor of 80.31% and efficiency of 18.52% in OX, representing the record value among binary devices with green solvent. This work demonstrates a facile strategy to manipulate the molecular distribution and arrangement for boosting the efficiency of OSCs with high‐boiling solvents.
Room‐Temperature Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Nitroarene Over Atomic Metal–Nonmetal Catalytic Pair
Authors: Ding Jie , Li Fuhua , Zhang Jincheng , Qi Haifeng , Wei Zhiming , Su Chenliang , Yang Hong Bin , Zhai Yueming , Liu Bin
Published: August 2023

Constructing atomic catalytic pair emerges as an attractive strategy to achieve better catalytic performance. Herein, an atomic Ir1─P1/NPG catalyst with asymmetric Ir─N2P1 sites that delivers superb activity and selectivity for hydrogenation of various functionalized nitrostyrene is reported. In the hydrogenation reaction of 3‐nitrostyrene, Ir1─P1/NPG (NPG refers to N, P‐codoped graphene) shows a turnover frequency of 1197 h−1, while the reaction cannot occur over Ir1/NG (NG refers to N‐doped graphene). Compared to Ir1/NG, the charge density of the Ir site in Ir1─P1/NPG is greatly elevated, which is conducive to H2 dissociation. Moreover, as revealed by density functional theory calculations and poisoning experiments, the P site in Ir1─P1/NPG is found able to bind nitrostyrene, while the neighboring Ir site provides H to reduce the nitro group in chemoselective hydrogenation of nitrostyrene. This work offers a successful example of establishing atomic catalytic pair for driving important chemical reactions, paving the way for the development of more advanced catalysts to further improve the catalytic performance.
Lepr‐Expressing PDLSCs Contribute to Periodontal Homeostasis and Respond to Mechanical Force by Piezo1
Authors: Zhang Danting , Lin Weimin , Jiang Shuang , Deng Peng , Liu Linfeng , Wang Qian , Sheng Rui , Shu Hui Sophie , Wang Lijun , Zou Weiguo , Zhou Bo O. , Jing Junjun , Ye Ling , Yu Bo , Zhang Shiwen , Yuan Quan
Published: August 2023

Periodontium supports teeth in a mechanically stimulated tissue environment, where heterogenous stem/progenitor populations contribute to periodontal homeostasis. In this study, Leptin receptor+ (Lepr+) cells are identified as a distinct periodontal ligament stem cell (PDLSC) population by single‐cell RNA sequencing and lineage tracing. These Lepr+ PDLSCs are located in the peri‐vascular niche, possessing multilineage potential and contributing to tissue repair in response to injury. Ablation of Lepr+ PDLSCs disrupts periodontal homeostasis. Hyper‐loading and unloading of occlusal forces modulate Lepr+ PDLSCs activation. Piezo1 is demonstrated that mediates the mechanosensing of Lepr+ PDLSCs by conditional Piezo1‐deficient mice. Meanwhile, Yoda1, a selective activator of Piezo1, significantly accelerates periodontal tissue growth via the induction of Lepr+ cells. In summary, Lepr marks a unique multipotent PDLSC population in vivo, to contribute toward periodontal homeostasis via Piezo1‐mediated mechanosensing.
Quasi‐Copper‐Mers Enable High‐Performance Catalysis for CO2 Reduction
Authors: Yang Jing , Liu Ximeng , Li Zhao , Xi Shibo , Sun Jianguo , Yuan Hao , Liu Weihao , Wang Tuo , Gao Yulin , Wang Haimei , Wang Junjie , Chen Jun Song , Wu Rui , Zhang Yong‐Wei , Wang John
Published: August 2023

As the atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) level keeps hitting the new record, humanity is facing an ever‐daunting challenge to efficiently mitigate CO2 from the atmosphere. Though electrochemical CO2 reduction presents a promising pathway to convert CO2 to valuable fuels and chemicals, the general lack of suitable electrocatalysts with high activity and selectivity severely constrains this approach. Herein, a novel class of electrocatalysts is investigated, the quasi‐copper‐mers, in which the CuN4 rather than Cu atom itself serve as the basic building block. The respective quasi‐copper‐monomers, ‐dimers, and ‐trimers hosted in a graphene‐like substrate are first synthesized and then performed both experimental characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to examine their atomic structures, evaluate their electrocatalytical performance and understand their underlying mechanisms. The experimental results show that the quasi‐copper‐trimers not only outperform the quasi‐copper‐dimer and quasi‐copper‐monomer when catalyzing CO2 to CO, it also shows a superior selectivity against the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The DFT calculations not only support the experimental observations, but also reveal the volcano curve and the physical origin for the qausi‐copper‐trimer superiority. The present work thus presents a new strategy in the design of high‐performance electrocatalysts with high activity and selectivity.
Enhancing the Catalytic Kinetics and Stability of Ru Sites for Acidic Water Oxidation by Forming Brønsted Acid Sites in Tungsten Oxide Matrix
Authors: Wang Xuefeng , Jang Haeseong , Liu Shangguo , Li Zijian , Zhao Xuhao , Chen Yunfei , Kim Min Gyu , Qin Qing , Liu Xien
Published: August 2023

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) suffers from sluggish kinetics even on the benchmark RuO2 catalyst, due to the complex four sequential proton‐coupled electron transfer steps. Severe electrochemical oxidation and dissolution issues also make RuO2 fail as an alternative to highly expensive iridium‐based OER catalysts applied in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis. Herein, an acid‐stable W18O49‐δ matrix‐confined Ru solid solution oxide is developed with considerably reduced Ru loadings beyond commercial RuO2, to enhance the acidic OER kinetics and extend the long‐term durability simultaneously by incorporating Brønsted acid sites. The representative Ru0.6W17.4O49‐δ with 3D urchin‐like morphology achieves an excellent catalytic stability with ultra‐slow degradation rate and a high mass activity of 27 110 A g−1Ru @ 1.53 V versus RHE in 0.1 m HClO4 electrolyte, which is ≈10.8 times higher than that of commercial RuO2. The enhanced electron transfer from W to Ru during the OER process prevents the over‐oxidation of surface Ru sites extending the long‐term stability, while the incorporated Ru‐Obri‐W Brønsted acid sites accelerate the deprotonation step by promoting the mobility of proton from the oxo‐intermediate to the neighboring Obri sites, thus boosting the acidic OER kinetics.
A Noonan‐like pediatric patient with a de novo CBL pathogenic variant and an RNF213 polymorphism p.R4810K presenting with cardiopulmonary arrest due to left main coronary artery ostial atresia
Authors: Chida‐Nagai Ayako , Tonoki Hidefumi , Makita Naomasa , Ishiyama Hiroyuki , Ihara Masafumi , Maruo Yuji , Tsujioka Takao , Sasaki Daisuke , Izumi Gaku , Yamazawa Hirokuni , Kato Nobuyasu , Ito Masaki , Fujimura Miki , Sasaki Osamu , Takeda Atsuhito
Published: August 2023

Left main coronary artery ostial atresia (LMCAOA) is an extremely rare condition. Here, we report the case of a 14‐year‐old boy with Noonan syndrome‐like disorder in whom LMCAOA was detected following cardiopulmonary arrest. The patient had been diagnosed with Noonan syndrome‐like disorder with a pathogenic splice site variant of CBL c.1228‐2 A > G. He suddenly collapsed when he was running. After administering two electric shocks using an automated external defibrillator, the patient's heartbeat resumed. Cardiac catheterization confirmed the diagnosis of LMCAOA. Left main coronary artery angioplasty was performed. The patient was discharged without neurological sequelae. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed asymptomatic Moyamoya disease. In addition, RNF213 c.14429 G > A p.R4810K was identified. There are no reports on congenital coronary malformations of compound variations of RNF213 and CBL. In contrast, the RNF213 p.R4810K polymorphism has been established as a risk factor for angina pectoris and myocardial infarction in adults, and several congenital coronary malformations due to genetic abnormalities within the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway have been reported. This report aims to highlight the risk of sudden death in patients with RASopathy and RNF213 p.R4810K polymorphism and emphasize the significance of actively searching for coronary artery morphological abnormalities in these patients.
Does air pollutant exposure impact disease severity or outcomes in chronic rhinosinusitis?
Authors: Hagedorn Robert , Tullis Benton , Nguyen Cassidy , Stockard Ryan , Mace Jess C , Ramakrishnan Vijay R , Beswick Daniel M , Soler Zachary M , Smith Timothy L , Alt Jeremiah A , Gill Amarbir S
Published: August 2023

Background

Poor air quality increases the risk of developing chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and other airway diseases. However, there are limited data on air pollutants and CRS‐specific disease severity. We assessed the impact of air pollutants on sinonasal‐specific and general quality‐of‐life (QOL) measures in a multi‐institutional cohort of patients with CRS.

Methods

Participants with CRS were prospectively enrolled in a cross‐sectional study and self‐selected continued appropriate medical therapy or endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The 22‐item SinoNasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22) and Medical Outcomes Study Questionnaire Short‐Form 6‐D (SF‐6D) health utility value scores were recorded. Patient exposure to air pollutants was determined using residence zip codes. Unadjusted group differences were compared, and correlation coefficients were evaluated to identify the magnitude of bivariate association.

Results

A total of 486 patients were enrolled and followed for a mean of 6.9 (standard deviation [SD] ± 2.3) months. Pollutant exposure did not significantly correlate with baseline SNOT‐22 or SF‐6D scores. Revision ESS was associated with higher median fine particulate matter (PM2.5; Δ = 0.12, [95% confidence interval {CI}: 0.003, 0.234]; p = 0.006) compared with primary surgery. PM2.5, PM10, and nitrogen dioxide concentrations (μg/m3) did not correlate with change in total SNOT‐22 or SF‐6D scores after treatment. Nevertheless, sulfur dioxide (SNOT‐22: ρ = –0.121 [95% CI: –0.210, –0.030]; p = 0.007; SF‐6D: ρ = 0.095 [95% CI: 0.002, 0.186]; p = 0.04) and carbon monoxide (SNOT‐22: ρ = ‐0.141 [95% CI: –0.230, 0.050]; p = 0.002) exposure did correlate with these outcome measures.

Conclusion

Air pollutants may contribute, at least in part, to disease severity in CRS; future investigation is needed to further elucidate the nature of this relationship.
Synthetic Heparanase Inhibitors Can Prevent Herpes Simplex Viral Spread
Authors: Chopra Pradeep , Yadavalli Tejabhiram , Palmieri Francesco , Jongkees Seino A. K. , Unione Luca , Shukla Deepak , Boons Geert‐Jan
Published: August 2023

Herpes simplex virus (HSV‐1) employs heparan sulfate (HS) as receptor for cell attachment and entry. During late‐stage infection, the virus induces the upregulation of human heparanase (Hpse) to remove cell surface HS allowing viral spread. We hypothesized that inhibition of Hpse will prevent viral release thereby representing a new therapeutic strategy for HSV‐1. A range of HS‐oligosaccharides was prepared to examine the importance of chain length and 2‐O‐sulfation of iduronic moieties for Hpse inhibition. It was found that hexa‐ and octasaccharides potently inhibited the enzyme and that 2‐O‐sulfation of iduronic acid is tolerated. Computational studies provided a rationale for the observed structure–activity relationship. Treatment of human corneal epithelial cells (HCEs) infected with HSV‐1 with the hexa‐ and octasaccharide blocked viral induced shedding of HS which significantly reduced spread of virions. The compounds also inhibited migration and proliferation of immortalized HCEs thereby providing additional therapeutic properties.
Photoactivatable Carbo‐ and Silicon‐Rhodamines and Their Application in MINFLUX Nanoscopy
Authors: Aktalay Ayse , Khan Taukeer A. , Bossi Mariano L. , Belov Vladimir N. , Hell Stefan W.
Published: August 2023

New photoactivatable fluorescent dyes (rhodamine, carbo‐ and silicon‐rhodamines [SiR]) with emission ranging from green to far red have been prepared, and their photophysical properties studied. The photocleavable 2‐nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl unit with an alpha‐carboxyl group as a branching point and additional functionality was attached to a polycyclic and lipophilic fluorescent dye. The photoactivatable probes having the HaloTagTM amine (O2) ligand bound with a dye core were obtained and applied for live‐cell staining in stable cell lines incorporating Vimentin (VIM) or Nuclear Pore Complex Protein NUP96 fused with the HaloTag. The probes were applied in 2D (VIM, NUP96) and 3D (VIM) MINFLUX nanoscopy, as well as in superresolution fluorescence microscopy with single fluorophore activation (VIM, live‐cell labeling). Images of VIM and NUPs labeled with different dyes were acquired and their apparent dimensions and shapes assessed on a lower single‐digit nanometer scale. Applicability and performance of the photoactivatable dye derivatives were evaluated in terms of photoactivation rate, labeling and detection efficiency, number of detected photons per molecule and other parameters related to MINFLUX nanoscopy.
Preparation of bimetallic metal–organic frameworks for adsorbing doxycycline hydrochloride from wastewater
Authors: Wei Fuhua , Nie Meng , Ren Qinhui , Yu Xiang , Li Hua , Chen Hongliang , He Mengting , Liang Zhao , Wang Siyuan , Han Dongxue
Published: August 2023

This work studies the use of Cu/Co‐MOFs for the removal of doxycycline hydrochloride (DOC) in wastewater. Cu/Co‐MOFs were prepared using a solvothermal method and characterized by XRD, SEM, and TG. According to the experimental results, the maximum DOC adsorption capacity of Cu/Co‐MOFs within 5 h was 268.5 mg/g. The pseudo‐second‐order (PSO) kinetic model shows that theR2are all greater than 0.99, which proves that the theory DOC adsorption by Cu/Co‐MOFs is consistent with practice. According to the Freundlich isotherm model, the adsorption of DOC by Cu/Co‐MOFs is a multilayer adsorption. Thus, the results show that Cu/Co‐MOFs have practical application value in removing DOC.
Synthesis, characterization, and computational study of N‐protected amino acid inhibitors as well as assessment of corrosion resistance properties on mild steel in .5 M H2SO4 solution
Authors: Sharma Shikha , Paridwal Yogesh Kumar , Sharma Shobhana , Sharma Ankit , Sharma Sushil Kumar
Published: August 2023

The present article investigates the corrosion inhibition properties of N‐protected amino acids in .5 M H2SO4 solution on mild steel by gravimetric studies, potentiodynamic polarization method, and impedance spectroscopic techniques at different temperatures. This article evaluates synthetic methodology, characterization, and theoretical studies of N‐protected amino acid inhibitors with their anticorrosive property. Theoretical studies were conducted in the gaseous phase through a 6‐31 G (d, p) basis set from the B3LYP method. Potentiodynamic polarization studies revealed that both N‐protected amino acids behave as mixed‐type inhibitors. Impedance spectroscopic data confirmed the adsorption of the inhibitor on the metallic surface. Adsorption isotherm was employed to calculate the Gibbs free energy change. Langmuir adsorption isotherm is more acceptable for adsorption phenomena exhibited by the inhibitors. Thermodynamics and kinetic parameters of this adsorption phenomenon indicate that L2H was more efficient (94.13 ± .01% at .004 mol/L) than L1H (93.62 ± .02% at .004 mol/L) at 303 K. Surface morphology analysis of uninhibited and inhibited mild steel samples confirms that N‐protected amino acid inhibitors efficiently inhibit corrosion.
Preparation and properties of branch‐leaf‐like polyimide composite films with high thermal conductivity and low dielectric loss
Authors: Song Qianyu , Wang Mengqiu , Lai Yiming , Wang Qihong , Yin Xiangyu , Hou Linxi
Published: August 2023

Polyimide (PI) is widely used in the communication field benefited from its low dielectric properties and good electrical insulating properties, however, its low thermal conductivity simultaneously limits its application in electronic packaging. Delayed heat dissipation can exacerbate the thermal stress generated by device operation to damage electronic structures, thereby affecting work efficiency. As a result, it is necessary to improve the thermal conductivity of polyimide and maintain excellent dielectric performance. Here, we demonstrate the polyimide (BPDA‐ODA) composites with ordered structure are prepared by filling commercial polyimides with aramid nanofibers connection nitrides greatly improve thermal conductivity and maintain the low dielectric loss. When the filling amount of SBN@CN is 30 wt%, the thermal conductivity increases to 1.162 W/mK, which is 8 times higher than that of pure PI (0.0147 W/mK). Moreover, thermal stability and mechanical properties are maintained, realizing that the dielectric constant is about 3.81 and the dielectric loss is as low as 0.0034 at 100 MHz, which endows a new insight for the application of polyimide in electronic packaging.