bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Nano CdZnS/SnS2/SnO2 Heterojunction for Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B
Authors: Li Lei , Du Yan , Sun Houxiang , Zhang Huabing , Zhong Zicong
Published: January 2023

The accumulation of organic dyes in water and their consequent detrimental effect to ecological environment have attracted worldwide extensive attention. It is urgent to develop rapid and efficient method to degrade organic dyes. In this paper, an efficient CdZnS/SnS2/SnO2 heterojunction is successfully prepared by sequential template approach and hydrothermal method. Comparison with CdZnS and SnS2/SnO2, the heterogeneous structure of CdZnS/SnS2/SnO2 greatly enhances the photocatalytic degradation ability of Rhodamine B (RhB). The apparent reaction rate of CdZnS/SnS2/SnO2 heterostructure is around 12.71 and 16.69 times higher than those of SnS2/SnO2 and CdZnS, respectively, reaching 0.0267 min−1. After CdZnS/SnS2/SnO2 photocatalysis of RhB solution, the BOD/COD ratio increases from 0.168 to 0.725, indicating that the biodegradability is greatly improved. It has been proved that ⋅OH, ⋅O2−, h+ and e− are the main active species involved in the degradation process. In addition, the CdZnS/SnS2/SnO2 exhibits good stability and reusability, with little change in the photocatalytic activity after five cycles. Its superior removal activity is mainly due to the formation of heterojunction improved light harvesting and enhanced separation efficiency. This work provides a new insight for photocatalytic degradation of organic dye wastewater by solar light.
Ammonia Decomposition in Electric Field over Ce‐based Materials
Authors: Maslova Valeriia , Fourré Elodie , Veryasov Gleb , Nesterenko Nikolai , Grishin André , Louste Christophe , Nassar Michelle , Guignard Nadia , Arrii Sandrine , Batiot‐Dupeyrat Catherine
Published: January 2023

Electric field‐induced decomposition of ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen was investigated over CeO2, Fe‐, Ru‐ deposited CeO2, CePO4 and Sr‐doped CePO4, and CeZrO4 in a packed bed down‐flow reactor. The effect of applied current, concentration of ammonia in a feed, and residence time was examined using CeO2 alone. The conversion of ammonia was also studied with respect to a reduction temperature, loading and a type of the deposited metal. The activity results have been analyzed in terms of surface, morphological and electrical characterization of the catalysts. Among metal‐deposited catalysts, ammonia decomposition result at 4 mA was the best for 1 wt % Fe/CeO2 reduced at 550 °C, showing 22 % of conversion with 0.18 mmol of converted ammonia per kJ of energy consumed. The activity of studied Ce‐based catalysts normalized per mass of loaded catalyst showed an accordance in activity‐porosity relation.
The Aldol‐Tishchenko Reaction of Butanone, Cyclobutanone and a 3‐Pentanone Derived Sulfinylimine and DFT Calculations of the Stereo‐determining Step
Authors: Alcock Emma , Mackey Pamela , Turlik Aneta , Bhatt Khushi , Light Mark E. , Houk Kendall N. , McGlacken Gerard P.
Published: January 2023

Herein, we present a highly diastereoselective method to furnish acyclic 3‐amino‐1,5‐diol derivatives using a tandem double‐aldol‐Tishchenko protocol (dr up to >99 : 1) using a butanone derived sulfinylimine. In most cases only 1 diastereomer predominates, from a possible 16. The reaction is also regioselective. In addition, the highly challenging cyclobutanone and 3‐pentanone derivatives are also amenable to a double‐aldol‐Tishchenko reaction, although the dr values are modest. Despite that, clean single diastereomers can be isolated, which should prove very useful in medicinal chemistry and other areas. Detailed DFT calculations support the observed stereoselectivities in all cases, providing a rationale for the excellent dr values in the butanone series and the moderate values for the 3‐pentanone class.
Piezoelectric Metal‐Organic Frameworks Mediated Mechanoredox Borylation and Arylation Reactions by Ball Milling
Authors: Ding Rundong , Liu Qing , Zheng Lifei
Published: January 2023

Herein, metal‐organic frameworks UiO‐66 and UiO‐66‐NH2were synthesized, and their piezoelectric properties were characterized by piezoresponse force microscopy. Under mechanical agitation, the highly polarized UiO‐66 and UiO‐66‐NH2can act as electron donors to reduce aryl diazonium salts, forming the aryl radical species, which further react with bis(pinacolato)diborane or heteroarenes to generate the desired products with broad substrate scope. For all substrates, it was found that the reactions mediated by UiO‐66‐NH2, which exhibited better piezoelectric property, were more efficient than those promoted by UiO‐66. Moreover, it was shown that the convenient regeneration of spent catalysts can be reused for promoting mechanoredox reactions without loss of activities by taking advantage of the unmatched repairability of metal‐organic frameworks. Mechanistic studies revealed that a radical pathway was involved in these transformations.
Substituent‐Dependent Photoexcitation Processes of π‐Stacked Ion Pairs
Authors: Tanaka Hiroki , Okayasu Yoshinori , Kobayashi Yoichi , Maeda Hiromitsu
Published: January 2023

Porphyrin ion pairs, the charge of which is delocalized in core units, form tightly associated structures through iπ–iπ interactions. 5,10,15‐Triphenyl‐substituted porphyrin–AuIII complex, which is favorable for forming stacked structures in the form of a stable ion, has been synthesized. Ion‐pair metathesis based on the hard and soft acids and bases theory enabled combination with porphyrin anions possessing electronic states controlled by electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing groups. Transient absorption spectroscopy suggested that the lifetimes of the radical pairs generated by photoinduced electron transfer of the ion pairs could be controlled by a judicious combination of the anions and cations.
Supramolecular Structure and Photo‐Thermo‐Electric Property of Hydrogen‐Bonded Liquid Crystalline Polymer Containing Poly(4‐vinylpridine) and Cyanostilbene Side Chains
Authors: Lv Xu‐Chen , Lu Lin , Zuo Xin‐Xiao , Achalkumar Ammathnadu S. , Zhao Ai‐Juan , Bermeshev Maxim V. , Wang Fu‐Min , Ngeontae Wittaya , Ren Xiang‐Kui
Published: January 2023

A series of side‐chain liquid crystalline polymers P4VP(CN‐DBE)x, where x is the molar ratio of cyanostilbene (CN‐DBE) to poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (P4VP) repeating unit, was synthesized based on the intermolecular hydrogen bonding between P4VP and CN‐DBE. Their luminescent property, liquid crystalline structure and photo‐thermo‐electric property were elucidated using photoluminescence spectra, X‐ray diffraction, thermal imaging and thermoelectric experiments. With the increase of x, the supramolecular system can be changed from lamellar structure to hexagonal columnar structure. Moreover, the P4VP(CN‐DBE)x polymer with columnar structure exhibits more efficient photothermal effect. The temperature of P4VP(CN‐DBE)0.6 can rise to 130 °C within 10 s under the irradiation of ultraviolet lamp. In addition, the supramolecular system possesses unique photo‐thermo‐electric conversion ability, and 25 mA current can be detected in the circuit coupled with the thermoelectric module. This work broadens the potential applications of hydrogen‐bonded polymer, and provides a simple and facile strategy to prepare liquid crystalline polymers with photo‐thermo‐electric property.
In‐silico vinyl chloride suspension polymerization: Kinetic modelling, thermal runaway prediction, and prevention
Authors: Han Jian‐Peng , Yang Ya‐Nan , Zhao Chang‐Sen , Qian Ying‐Hui , Niu Qiang , Luo Zheng‐Hong , Zhou Yin‐Ning
Published: January 2023

In the present study, a combined kinetic and heat transfer model was developed to study the kinetics and predict thermal runaway of vinyl chloride (VC) suspension polymerization. Reactor temperature, monomer conversion, mole of initiator, radical concentrations in the two phases (i.e., VC‐rich phase and PVC‐rich phase), and average molecular properties were mapped during non‐isothermal processes. Meanwhile, the risk of thermal runaway was evaluated using S–Z (divergence) and H–J criteria. Simulation results show that a lower jacket temperature Tj and a larger heat transfer coefficient U are able to postpone or even avoid the risk of thermal runaway. Both of the criteria serve well for the prediction of thermal runaway during non‐isothermal processes. To prevent the occurrence of thermal runaway to the greatest extent, model‐based design of strategies for an isothermal polymerization process was done. Specifically, either jacket temperature Tj or heat transfer coefficient U can be fine‐tuned to maintain a 50°C isothermal process.
Sparse estimation within Pearson's system, with an application to financial market risk
Authors: Carey Michelle , Genest Christian , Ramsay James O.
Published: January 2023

Pearson's system is a rich class of models that includes many classical univariate distributions. It comprises all continuous densities whose logarithmic derivative can be expressed as a ratio of quadratic polynomials governed by a vector of coefficients. The estimation of a Pearson density is challenging, as small variations in can induce wild changes in the shape of the corresponding density . The authors show how to estimate and effectively through a penalized likelihood procedure involving differential regularization. The approach combines a penalized regression method and a profiled estimation technique. Simulations and an illustration with S&P 500 data suggest that the proposed method can improve market risk assessment substantially through value‐at‐risk and expected shortfall estimates that outperform those currently used by financial institutions and regulators.
Hydrazone‐Tethered 5‐(Pyridin‐4‐yl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thiol Hybrids: Synthesis, Characterisation, in silico ADME Studies, and in vitro Antimycobacterial Evaluation and Cytotoxicity
Authors: Oderinlo Ogunyemi O. , Jordaan Audrey , Seldon Ronnett , Isaacs Michelle , Hoppe Heinrich C. , Warner Digby F. , Tukulula Matshawandile , Khanye Setshaba D.
Published: January 2023

Compounds containing arylpyrrole‐, 1,2,4‐triazole‐ and hydrazone structural frameworks have been widely studied and demonstrated to exhibit a wide range of pharmacological properties. Herein, an exploratory series of new 1,2,4‐triazole derivatives designed by amalgamation of arylpyrrole and 1,2,4‐triazole structural units via a hydrazone linkage is reported. The synthesised compounds were tested in vitro for their potential activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) H37Rv strain. The most promising compound 13 – the derivative without the benzene ring appended to the pyrrole unit displayed acceptable activity (MIC90=3.99 μM) against MTB H37Rv, while other compounds from the series exhibited modest to weak antimycobacterial activity with MIC90 values in the range between 7.0 and >125 μM. Furthermore, in silico results, predicated using the SwissADME web tool, show that the prepared compounds display desirable ADME profile with parameters within acceptable range.
2‐Hydroxy‐4‐benzyloxylimine Resveratrol Derivatives as Potential Multifunctional Agents for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Cao Zhongcheng , Zhang Tianlong , Fu Xianwu , Wang Xingyue , Xia Qian , Zhong Lei , Zhu Jiang
Published: January 2023

A series of 2‐hydroxy‐4‐benzyloxylimine resveratrol derivatives was designed, synthesized and evaluated as multifunctional agents for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The results revealed that most derivatives possessed good multifunctional activities. Among them, representative compound (E)‐5‐[(4‐fluorobenzyl)oxy]‐2‐{[(4‐hydroxyphenyl)imino]methyl}phenol (7 h) exhibited excellent MAO‐B inhibition (IC50=8.43×10−3 μM) and high antioxidant activity (ORAC=3.45 Trolox equivalent). Additionally, 7 h displayed good metal chelating ability, appropriate blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability, significant neuroprotective effect, and great anti‐neuroinflammatory activity. Furthermore, 7 h can also ameliorate 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)‐induced Parkinson's disease symptoms in mice. Therefore, compound 7 h was found to be a promising candidate for further development against PD.
Associations of breast cancer related exposures and gene expression profiles in normal breast tissue—The Norwegian Women and Cancer normal breast tissue study
Authors: Krum‐Hansen Sanda , Standahl Olsen Karina , Anderssen Endre , Frantzen Jan Ole , Lund Eiliv , Paulssen Ruth H.
Published: January 2023

Background

Normal breast tissue is utilized in tissue‐based studies of breast carcinogenesis. While gene expression in breast tumor tissue is well explored, our knowledge of transcriptomic signatures in normal breast tissue is still incomplete. The aim of this study was to investigate variability of gene expression in a large sample of normal breast tissue biopsies, according to breast cancer related exposures (obesity, smoking, alcohol, hormone therapy, and parity).

Methods

We analyzed gene expression profiles from 311 normal breast tissue biopsies from cancer‐free, post‐menopausal women, using Illumina bead chip arrays. Principal component analysis andK‐means clustering was used for initial analysis of the dataset. The association of exposures and covariates with gene expression was determined using linear models for microarrays.

Results

Heterogeneity of the breast tissue and cell composition had the strongest influence on gene expression profiles. After adjusting for cell composition, obesity, smoking, and alcohol showed the highest numbers of associated genes and pathways, whereas hormone therapy and parity were associated with negligible gene expression differences.

Conclusion

Our results provide insight into associations between major exposures and gene expression profiles and provide an informative baseline for improved understanding of exposure‐related molecular events in normal breast tissue of cancer‐free, post‐menopausal women.
Quantitative Descriptions of Dewar‐Chatt‐Duncanson Bonding Model: A Case Study of Zeise and Its Family Ions
Authors: Yang Tao , Li Zhaoyang , Wang Xue‐Bin , Hou Gao‐Lei
Published: January 2023

Historically, Dewar‐Chatt‐Duncanson (DCD) model is a heuristic device to advance the development of organometallic chemistry and deepen our understanding of the metal‐ligand bonding nature. Zeise's ion, the first man‐made organometallic compound and a quintessential transition metal‐olefin complex, was qualitatively explained using the DCD bonding scheme in 1950s. In this work, we quantified the explicit contributions of the σ donation and π back‐donation to the metal‐ligand bonding in Zeise and its family ions, [PtX3L]− (X=F, Cl, Br, I, and At; L=C2H4, CO, and N2), using state‐of‐the‐art quantum chemical calculations and energy decomposition analysis. The relative importance of the σ donation and π back‐donation depends on both X and L, with [PtCl3(C2H4)]− being a critical case in which the σ donation is marginally weaker than the π back‐donation. The changes along this series are controlled by the energy levels of the correlated molecular orbitals of PtX3− and ligand L. This study deepens our understanding of the bonding properties for transition metal complexes beyond the qualitative description of the DCD model.
A Theoretical Account of the Coupling between Metal‐ and Ligand‐centred Spins
Authors: Roy Sriparna , Paul Satadal , Misra Anirban
Published: January 2023

This study addresses the magnetic interaction between paramagnetic metal ions and the radical ligands taking the [CuII(hfac)2(imVDZ)] and [MII(hfac)2(pyDTDA)] (imVDZ=1,5‐dimethyl‐3‐(1‐methyl‐2‐imidazolyl)‐6‐oxoverdazyl; hfac=(1,1,1,5,5,5)hexafluroacetylacetonate; pyDTDA=4‐(2′‐pyridyl)‐1,2,3,5‐dithiadiazolyl), (M=Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn) compounds as reference systems. The coupling between the metal and ligand spins is quantified in terms of the exchange coupling constant (J) in the platform of density functional theory (DFT) and the wave function‐based complete active space self‐consistent field (CASSCF) method. Application of DFT and broken symmetry (BS) formalism results ferromagnetic coupling for all the transition metal complexes except the Mn(II) complex. This DFT‐BS prediction of magnetic nature matches with the experimental finding for all the complexes other than the Fe(II)‐pyDTDA complex, for which an antiferromagnetic coupling between high spin iron and the thiazyl ligand has been reported. However, evaluation of spin state energetics through the multiconfigurational wave function‐based method produces the S=3/2 ground spin state for the iron‐thiazyl in parity with experiment. Electronic structure analyses find the overlap between the metal‐ and ligand‐based singly occupied molecular orbitals (SOMOs) to be one of the major reasons attributing to different extent of exchange coupling in the systems under investigation.
Design, prototype validation, and reliability analysis of a multi‐input DC/DC converter for grid‐independent hybrid electric vehicles
Authors: Bairabathina Saikumar , Subramani Balamurugan
Published: January 2023

Significantly, the performance of a grid‐independent hybrid electric vehicle (GIHEV) is decided by a multi‐input converter in it. This paper discusses the detailed mathematical modeling, design, prototype validation, and analysis of a multi‐input DC‐DC converter (MIC). This converter actively accommodates fuel cell and solar photovoltaic (PV) panel as sources and utilizes the concept of multiple switching frequencies to get wide regulation of output voltage and power flow. The average large‐signal modeling, small‐signal modeling, and steady‐state modeling are demonstrated to achieve accurate design and analysis. The reliability analysis of the proposed converter along with the respective mathematical background is discussed. The proposed system design is validated with the help of an experimental setup and tested effectively. The proposed converter promises higher gain and 95.58% efficiency with fewer switches, low voltage stress, and fewer circuit components.
A design of predictive manufacturing system in IoT‐assisted Industry 4.0 using heuristic‐derived deep learning
Authors: Murugiah Premkumar , Muthuramalingam Akila , Anandamurugan S.
Published: January 2023

The predictive maintenance function is ensured with the earlier detection of errors and faults in the machinery before reaching its critical stages. On the other hand, the challenges faced by Internet of things (IoT) devices are the security problem because they can be easily attacked by comparing the other devices such as computers or portable devices. It cannot solve the high‐dimensional issues and imbalanced data. The computation cost is very expensive when using the modern sampling method. In addition, the conventional methods for predictive maintenance are incorporated with a single method. So, the maintenance and prognostic tasks are very hard to address simultaneously. Thus, a new predictive manufacturing system in Industry 4.0 for examining the machines is proposed. In the initial stage, the data are collected from IoT industry sensors. Considerably, the data cleaning is carried out, and deep features are extracted through the “Multi‐Scale Dilation Attention Convolutional Neural Network (MSDA‐CNN).” Further, the deep, weighted features are extracted, where the weight is optimized using the hybrid algorithm named Probabilistic Beetle Swarm‐Butterfly Optimization (PBS‐BO). In the end, the weighted features are given to the Optimized Hybrid Fault Detection (OHFD) that is performed by the “Deep Neural Network (DNN) and Deep Belief Network (DBN).” Finally, if any faults in machines are predicted, then the system sends alerts to the industrialists for suitable decision‐making. The efficiency of the suggested model is evaluated on a set of real measurements in Industry 4.0.
Progress of small molecules for targeted protein degradation: PROTACs and other technologies
Authors: Zhao Hong‐Yi , Xin Minhang , Zhang San‐Qi
Published: January 2023

Recent years have witnessed the rapid development of targeted protein degradation (TPD), especially proteolysis targeting chimeras. These degraders have manifested many advantages over small molecule inhibitors. To date, a huge number of degraders have been excavated against over 70 disease‐related targets. In particular, degraders against estrogen receptor and androgen receptor have crowded into phase II clinical trial. TPD technologies largely expand the scope of druggable targets, and provide powerful tools for addressing intractable problems that can not be tackled by traditional small molecule inhibitors. In this review, we mainly focus on the structures and biological activities of small molecule degraders as well as the elucidation of mechanisms of emerging TPD technologies. We also propose the challenges that exist in the TPD field at present.
Dysregulation of Grainyhead‐like 3 expression causes widespread developmental defects
Authors: Deng Zihao , Butt Tariq , Arhatari Benedicta D. , Darido Charbel , Auden Alana , Swaroop Dijina , Partridge Darren D. , Haigh Katharina , Nguyen Thao , Haigh Jody J. , Carpinelli Marina R. , Jane Stephen M.
Published: January 2023

Background

The gene encoding the transcription factor, Grainyhead‐like 3 (Grhl3), plays critical roles in mammalian development and homeostasis. Grhl3‐null embryos exhibit thoraco‐lumbo‐sacral spina bifida and soft‐tissue syndactyly. Additional studies reveal that these embryos also exhibit an epidermal proliferation/differentiation imbalance. This manifests as skin barrier defects resulting in peri‐natal lethality and defective wound repair. Despite these extensive analyses of Grhl3 loss‐of‐function models, the consequences of gain‐of‐function of this gene have been difficult to achieve.

Results

In this study, we generated a novel mouse model that expresses Grhl3 from a transgene integrated in the Rosa26 locus on an endogenous Grhl3‐null background. Expression of the transgene rescues both the neurulation and skin barrier defects of the knockout mice, allowing survival into adulthood. Despite this, the mice are not normal, exhibiting a range of phenotypes attributable to dysregulated Grhl3 expression. In mice homozygous for the transgene, we observe a severe Shaker‐Waltzer phenotype associated with hearing impairment. Micro‐CT scanning of the inner ear revealed profound structural alterations underlying these phenotypes. In addition, these mice exhibit other developmental anomalies including hair loss, digit defects, and epidermal dysmorphogenesis.

Conclusion

Taken together, these findings indicate that diverse developmental processes display low tolerance to dysregulation of Grhl3.
Portable motorized telescope system for wind turbine blades damage detection
Authors: Carnero Alejandro , Martín Cristian , Díaz Manuel
Published: January 2023

Wind turbines are among the fastest‐growing sources of energy production and the maintenance operations include regular inspection of their blades, causing considerable downtime and cost. In addition, the manual inspection process involves a great risk. To address this challenge, in this article a preventive maintenance system for wind turbines based on deep computational learning techniques is presented. This open‐source project aims to detect and classify possible surface damages on wind turbine blades to facilitate and improve the inspection of such infrastructures. The system consists of a stand‐alone Android application that makes use of convolutional neural networks for image processing, a portable telescope to take precise photographs of the turbine blades, and a motorized mount that allows the movement of the telescope. The application tries to carry out a complete sweep of the surface of the wind turbine blades in an autonomous way based on the predictions of neural network models and finally presents the defects found to the user. Thanks to this, maintenance time would be reduced and the risk of manual intervention would be avoided. Accuracies of around 97% for label predictions and 90% for bounding box coordinate predictions have been achieved on the validation dataset. The proposed low‐cost inspection system for detecting surface damages on blades has been experimentally validated in a real wind farm.
Triclosan and Methyl Triclosan in Prey Fish in a Wastewater-Influenced Estuary
Authors: Lin Diana , Hamilton Coreen , Hobbs James , Miller Ezra , Sutton Rebecca
Published: January 2023

While the antimicrobial ingredient triclosan has been widely monitored in the environment, much less is known about the occurrence and toxicity of its major transformation product, methyl triclosan. An improved method was developed and validated to effectively extract and quantify both contaminants in fish tissue and used to characterize concentrations in small prey fish in areas of San Francisco Bay where exposure to triclosan via municipal wastewater discharges was expected to be highest. Concentrations of triclosan (0.44–57 ng/g wet wt, median 1.9 ng/g wet wt) and methyl triclosan (1.1–200 ng/g wet wt, median 36 ng/g wet wt) in fish tissue decreased linearly with concentrations of nitrate in site water, used as indicators of wastewater influence. The total concentrations of triclosan and methyl triclosan measured in prey fish were below available toxicity thresholds for triclosan, but there are few ecotoxicological studies to evaluate impacts of methyl triclosan. Methyl triclosan represented up to 96% of the total concentrations observed. These results emphasize the importance of monitoring contaminant transformation products, which can be present at higher levels than the parent compound. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:620–627. © 2023 SETAC
An alternative source of probiotics: Water kefir
Authors: Cufaoglu Gizem , Erdinc Ayse Nur
Published: January 2023

The aim of this review was to compile the origin and distribution of water kefir, its production, microbial diversity, fermentation dynamics, health effects, and its place in national/international food legislation. Water kefir is a traditional, slightly carbonated fermented beverage with a lactic acid content of up to 2%. It is obtained by fermenting sugar by kefir grains, which are white or yellowish in color and translucent in appearance. The types of microorganisms in the water kefir differ depending on the sugar, carbon sources, and fermentation conditions. It has a complex microbiota mainly consisting of lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria, and yeasts. In addition, fermented water kefir contains various metabolites, including sugar, fruit‐derived components, lactic acid, acetic acid, ethanol, carbon dioxide, mannitol, vitamins, and amino acids such as arginine. As a non‐dairy fermented beverage, water kefir emerges as an alternative source of probiotics for individuals with lactose intolerance, people with dairy allergic reactions, and vegan consumers. However, although consumer demands have driven the food industry to increase the production of water kefir, the most common production still relies on the traditional method due to some difficulties in the industrial‐scale production process. On the other hand, more in vitro and in vivo studies should be carried out to reveal the health benefits of water kefir.
Association of genetic variants of CircCHST15 with oral squamous cell carcinoma in the Chinese Han population
Authors: Wang Tianxiao , Zhang Yehao , Wu Jia , Feng Hongjie , Wang Ruixia , Yuan Hua
Published: January 2023

Background

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common cancer in the oral cavity. The relationship between the genetic susceptibility of circCHST15 and OSCC remains unclear.

Methods

Genetic variants of circCHST15 were screened using a genotyping analysis from 1044 patients with OSCC and 3199 healthy participants. The circCHST15 expression was detected in 32 pairs of OSCC tissues. The circular RNA quantitative trait locus analysis and the reporter gene assay were performed for verification.

Results

The circCHST15 expression was upregulated in OSCC (Wilcoxon p < 1e−3). The genotyping analysis screened out 61 loci in circCHST15 associated with the risk of OSCC. After adjustment and annotation, rs28707473 (A > C, odds ratio = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.076–1.361, p = 1.453e−3) was selected. This genetic variation could elevate the circCHST15 expression level possibly by altering the structure of circular RNAs and affecting transcription factor binding.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggested that genetic variants of circCHST15 may contribute to OSCC susceptibility.
Androgenic‐anabolic steroid abuse trend and management: A prospective, cross‐sectional, questionnaire‐based survey
Authors: Al Hashimi Manaf , Farahat Yasser , Kandil Hussein , Al Khalidi Ismail
Published: January 2023

Background and Aims

Androgenic‐anabolic steroid (AAS) abuse is a global health concern, studies revealing an increasing trend of abuse and deleterious effects on reproductive health. Unfortunately, there is no consensus about management pathways due to the lack of specific guidelines.

Methods

A prospective study, multicentre, online survey, composed of 30 questions, was conducted to investigate the current trend of AAS abuse and the management followed by practitioners from different specialities dealing with this condition.

Results

A total of 151 respondents were included. The majority were general urologists (68.21%), andrologists (22.51%), and endocrinologists (9.28%). An increasing trend of AAS abuse was noticed by 90.73% of participants mostly in young age populations. Most of AAS abusers were presented with infertility (64.24%) and erectile dysfunction (59.60%), and their investigations showed abnormal semen analysis (77.48%), abnormal hormones (follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and estradiol) (94.70%), and reduction in testicular size (50.33%). Most of respondents expected: the need of long duration for spontaneous recovery (6–12 months), relapse of AAS abuse in one‐third of patients, less knowledge about the adverse effects (39.74%), and risk of drug dependence (54.30%). Immediate treatment was the most offered plan of management (44.37%) followed by a waiting spontaneous recovery (32.45%), while the remaining would refer the patients to an either endocrinologist or andrologist. The treating physicians did not follow specific guidelines and most of participants (44.44%) reverted to their personal experience in the management.

Conclusions

Our study revealed an increasing trend of AAS abuse, deleterious effects of AAS use on reproductive health, and lack of consensuses among the treating physicians regarding the management of related adverse effects. Our study could be considered a call to the scientific bodies to have more studies, establish guidelines for management, and to have better awareness of this serious public health concern.
Fetal glycated albumin levels in offspring of obese women
Authors: Omokhodion Ofure Victoria , Kuti Modupe A. , Odukogbe Akin‐Tunde A. , Omokhodion Folashade Olufunke
Published: January 2023

Objective

To determine the association between maternal obesity and fetal glycated albumin (GA) levels among pregnant women.

Methods

A comparative, cross‐sectional study of 59 consenting, normoglycemic, pregnant women, who met the criteria for maternal obesity, attending the antenatal clinic of the University College Hospital, Nigeria, from June 2019 to December 2019. They were recruited at 36 weeks of gestation, followed up until delivery, and compared with 58 nonobese, normoglycemic pregnant controls. At delivery, blood samples were taken from the mothers and from the umbilical cords of their newborns for serum GA assay. Maternal and newborn variables were recorded, and comparisons were made using χ2 tests, independent t tests, odds ratios, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlates. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results

The odds of elevated newborn GA were 3.21 times higher in obese women compared with nonobese women (P = 0.005) and 5‐min APGAR scores were higher in the newborns of nonobese women (P = 0.039). There was a significant correlation between maternal and neonatal GA for all participants (r = 0.346, P = 0.000).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that maternal obesity is associated with elevated fetal GA and low APGAR scores at 5 min in normoglycemic women.
A holistic understanding of information and communication technology for development through context, resilience, and sustainability: Evidence from a local agriculture extension information service in Ethiopia
Authors: Atinaf Muluneh , Anteneh Salehu , Kifle Mesfin
Published: January 2023

There exists isolated work that focuses on context, resilience, and sustainability of information and communication technology for development (ICT4D). However, research on how the three concepts inform and influence one another to better meet the development goals and priorities is limited. More research is required to enhance our holistic understanding of ICT4D interventions in terms of the approaches applied to investigate context, resilience, and sustainability from socio‐technical perspectives. This research explores the link among the triple concepts to fill the above void, drawing from qualitative data collected from multiple but networked stakeholders at a local agriculture extension information service. Data is processed in a way to understand: the context of the local development practices and stakeholders, the gaps in the design of information systems applied to support local development practices, and how local communities remain resilient in their information exchange practices. Building on the existing knowledge of context, resilience, and sustainability in ICT4D the research shows how the context of the local development practices inform resilience and in turn how resilience enables the continued operation of the local development practices (context), and how context and resilience lead to sustainable ICT4D interventions. The research contributes to theory by showing how the social and technical resources distributed in the social system and the stakeholders' networks can be unlocked to conceptualize the links between the triple concepts. It informs practitioners on how they can develop a holistic understanding of the socio‐technical contexts of local developments and the socio‐technical factors to design resilient ICT4D that will lead to sustainable digital interventions.
Evaluation of perceived stress and resilience among postgraduate academic‐affiliated pharmaceutical industry fellows
Authors: Strong Delaney M. , Amin Sana , Caputo Joseph , Heck Sheehan Amy , Seyss Carolyn , Mistry Amee , Miller Monica L.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

It has been determined that pharmacy residents experience high levels of perceived stress; however, the extent of stress perceived by pharmaceutical industry fellows has not been quantified. This study examined the level of perceived stress academic‐affiliated postgraduate pharmaceutical industry fellows experience, along with identification of what types of stressors they experience, possible factors associated with higher levels of perceived stress, and the state of resilience skills in this population.

Methods

A multi‐item survey instrument was created to collect information about fellow demographics, perceived stress using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS‐10), major stressors, and resilience skills using the brief Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale (CD‐RISC‐10). Postgraduate year one (PGY1) and postgraduate year two (PGY2) industry‐affiliated pharmaceutical fellows at programs with academic collaborations through Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), and Purdue University College of Pharmacy were invited to complete the anonymous survey instrument from March to May 2022.

Results

A total of 83 complete responses were received, for a response rate of 21.4%. The mean PSS‐10 score for fellows was 14.8 (SD, 5.7). For resilience, the mean CD‐RISC‐10 score was 29.0 (SD, 5.2). No relationships were found between fellow demographics, perceived stress, and resilience skills. Fellows reported experiencing stress caused by work role/responsibilities (72.3%), personal/physical stressors (68.7%), work environment (37.3%), and home environment (28.9%) in the past month. The top reported coping strategies were exercising/sports (65.1%), spending time with family/friends (48.2%), and watching television (33.7%).

Conclusion

Academic‐affiliated pharmaceutical industry fellows reported a moderate level of perceived stress and lower resilience levels than the general population. Results from this research will be used to develop a customized wellness initiative to support pharmaceutical industry fellows.
Microlesion healing dynamics in in vivo porcine skin after treatment with 1064 nm picosecond‐domain Nd:YAG laser
Authors: Baleisis Justinas , Rudys Romualdas
Published: January 2023

The fractionated picosecond laser produces microscopic lesions in the epidermis and dermis due to laser‐induced optical breakdown (LIOB). There have been multiple histological reports, but the present literature lacks detailed in vivo studies after treatment with high‐power laser systems. Our study aimed to characterize the healing patterns of microlesions induced with 150 ps duration 1064 nm MLA‐type picosecond laser. The induced picosecond laser‐tissue reactions with pulse energy of 50–250 mJ and different treatment modes were observed in in vivo porcine skin model over 10 days after the laser procedure. A macroscopic evaluation was combined with microscopic histological analysis to observe the healing dynamics of laser‐induced microlesions. Superficial, intraepidermal cavitation bubbles were induced using microbeam fluence of 4–20 J/cm2. Skin irritation scores positively correlated with pulse energy and dose. Our findings demonstrate that dose and pulse energy had a direct impact on epidermal thickness and lesions healing dynamics.
Density functional theory study on sensing properties of g‐C3N4 sheet to atmospheric gasses: Role of zigzag and armchair edges
Authors: Nachimuthu Santhanamoorthi , Kuo Yi‐Hui , Khanh Dang Hoai , Zhu Zhan‐Jun , Jiang Jyh‐Chiang
Published: January 2023

The ability of the polymer‐based graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) as a gas sensor toward NO, NO2, CO, CO2, SO2, SO3, and O2 gasses is assessed using density functional theory (DFT) calculations in terms of energetic and electronic transport characteristics. In particular, this study is aimed to explore the role of zigzag and armchair edges of the g‐C3N4 sheet on sensing performances. The electronic properties of adsorption systems, such as Bader charge analysis, band gaps, work function, and density of states (DOS), are used to understand the interaction between the adsorbed gas molecules and the g‐C3N4 sheet. Our calculated results indicate that SOx (SO3 and SO2) gasses have higher adsorption energies on the g‐C3N4 sheet than other gasses. Furthermore, the transport properties, such as current–voltage (I‐V) and resistance‐voltage (R‐V) curves along the zigzag and armchair directions are calculated using the non‐equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) method to understand the performance of the g‐C3N4 sheet as a prominent conductive/resistive sensor. The I‐V/R‐V results indicate that the zigzag g‐C3N4 sheet has excellent sensing ability toward SOx gasses at low applied voltages. However, the presence of H2O degrades the sensing performance of the armchair g‐C3N4 sheet. Theoretical recovery time has also been calculated to evaluate the reusability of g‐C3N4 sheet‐based gas sensors. Our results reveal that the zigzag g‐C3N4 sheet‐based sensing device has a remarkably high sensitivity (>300%) and selectivity toward SOx gasses and has the potential to work in a complex environment.
The maximum number of columns in E(s2) $\,E({s}^{2})$‐optimal supersaturated designs with 16 rows and smax=4 ${s}_{{\rm{\max }}}=4$ is 60
Authors: Morales Luis B.
Published: January 2023

We show that the maximum number of columns in ‐optimal supersaturated designs (SSDs) with 16 rows and is 60 by showing that there exists no resolvable 2‐(16, 8, 35) design such that any two blocks from different parallel classes intersect in 3, 5, or 4 points. This is accomplished by an exhaustive computer search that uses the parallel class intersection pattern method to reduce the search space. We also classify all nonisomorphic ‐optimal 5‐circulant SSDs with 16 rows and .
Measurement invariance and psychometric properties of the CCAPS‐62 and ‐34 for international student clients
Authors: Bartholomew Theodore T. , Keum Brian T. , Lockard Allison J. , Pérez‐Rojas Andres E. , Robbins Krista A. , Zhao Fanghui
Published: January 2023

Objectives

International students attending universities in the United States may encounter psychological distress related to their adjustment and experiences studying in a new context and seek services from university counseling centers. Many centers use the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms (CCAPS) to measure psychological distress in college counseling centers. However, this scale has not been tested for measurement invariance with international students. Our purpose was to explore the measurement invariance of the CCAPS‐62 and ‐34 for international students.

Methods

We tested measurement invariance for both versions of the scale using data from over 107,000 university students in psychotherapy at university counseling centers. We also examined construct validity and internal consistency.

Results

Invariance testing indicated the measurement models of the CCAPS‐62 and ‐34 are equivalent between both groups.

Conclusion

These findings are discussed in light of utilizing this widely‐used scale in United States university/college counseling centers with international student clients.
Supplemental calcium increases hatch rate but not hatchling mass of chick embryos in shell‐less culture
Authors: Dunn Bruce E.
Published: January 2023

A method is described for culturing 64–70 h‐old chicken embryos and egg contents outside of the eggshell through to hatching. Cultured egg contents were suspended in polymethylpentene kitchen wrap (F.O.R. wrap; Riken Fabro) supported in polyvinyl chloride tripods. Tripods were incubated in Plexiglas environmental chambers which were rocked automatically through an angle of ±20°. The concentration of CO2 was maintained at 2% throughout incubation, while that of O2 was increased from ambient to 50%, and relative humidity was decreased from 90%–92% to 83%–84% at incubation Day 9. Cultured embryos not supplemented with calcium did not hatch. The Hatch rate increased when supplemental calcium L‐lactate hydrate was increased between 250 and 350 mg. A maximal hatch rate of 54.8% was achieved when cultures were supplemented with 350 mg of calcium L‐lactate hydrate and 3.5 ml of sterile water. Adding 400 or 450 mg of calcium L‐lactate hydrate did not increase the hatch rate further. The mass of cultured hatchlings (including the retracted yolk) and yolk‐free carcass wet and dry mass and length of the right third toe were significantly less than the corresponding parameters observed in hatchlings in ovo. No statistically significant differences in hatchling mass, yolk‐free carcass wet or dry mass, or length of the right third toe were noted among cultured hatchlings supplemented with 250–450 mg of calcium L‐lactate hydrate. Failure to completely absorb albumen was the most common abnormality observed in cultures which failed to hatch. The present technique allows a unique approach to study the physiology of the developing chicken embryo.
Transcriptomic exploration of the Coleopteran wings reveals insight into the evolution of novel structures associated with the beetle elytron
Authors: Linz David M. , Hara Yuichiro , Deem Kevin D. , Kuraku Shigehiro , Hayashi Shigeo , Tomoyasu Yoshinori
Published: January 2023

The acquisition of novel traits is central to organismal evolution, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying this process are elusive. The beetle forewings (elytra) are evolutionarily modified to serve as a protective shield, providing a unique opportunity to study these mechanisms. In the past, the orthologs of genes within the wing gene network from Drosophila studies served as the starting point when studying the evolution of elytra (candidate genes). Although effective, candidate gene lists are finite and only explore genes conserved across species. To go beyond candidate genes, we used RNA sequencing and explored the wing transcriptomes of two Coleopteran species, the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) and the Japanese stag beetle (Dorcus hopei). Our analysis revealed sets of genes enriched in Tribolium elytra (57 genes) and genes unique to the hindwings, which possess more “typical” insect wing morphologies (29 genes). Over a third of the hindwing‐enriched genes were “candidate genes” whose functions were previously analyzed in Tribolium, demonstrating the robustness of our sequencing. Although the overlap was limited, transcriptomic comparison between the beetle species found a common set of genes, including key wing genes, enriched in either elytra or hindwings. Our RNA interference analysis for elytron‐enriched genes in Tribolium uncovered novel genes with roles in forming various aspects of morphology that are unique to elytra, such as pigmentation, hardening, sensory development, and vein formation. Our analyses deepen our understanding of how gene network evolution facilitated the emergence of the elytron, a unique structure critical to the evolutionary success of beetles.
An exploration of knowledge, risk perceptions, and communication in a family with multiple genetic risks for Parkinson's disease
Authors: Daykin Emily C. , Poffenberger Chelsie N. , Do Jenny , Ryan Emory , Tayebi Nahid , Sidransky Ellen , Lopez Grisel , Hadley Donald W.
Published: January 2023

Genomic testing increasingly challenges health care providers and patients to understand, share, and use information. The provision of polygenic risks is anticipated to complicate comprehension, communication, and risk perception further. This manuscript aims to illuminate the challenges confronting families with multiple genetic risks for Parkinson's disease. Identifying and planning for such issues may prove valuable to family members now and in the future, should neuroprotective or genotype‐specific therapies become available. We present qualitative data from interviews with a multi‐generational family carrying pathogenic variants in the glucocerebrosidase (GBA1) and leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) genes which are associated with an increased risk for developing Parkinson's disease (PD). The family includes two brothers (heterozygous for LRRK2 p.G2019S and homozygous for GBA1 p.N409S) and their four descendants. The brothers were concordant for GD and discordant for PD. Genetic counseling and testing were provided to four of the six participants. Two years later, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with the initial participants (n = 4) and two additional first‐degree relatives. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed, providing the basis for this report. Illuminated topics include the perceived risk of developing PD, recall of genetic information, and family communication. With the expanding use of exome and genome sequencing, we anticipate that genetic counselors will increasingly face the challenges demonstrated by this case involving multiple genetic risks for PD, limited data to clarify risk, and the inherent variability of family communication, genetic knowledge, and risk perception. This clinical case report provides a compelling narrative demonstrating the need for additional research exploring these multifaceted topics relevant to both families facing these challenges and providers striving to assist, support and guide their journey.