bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemic development and management of common leaf rust (Puccinia sorghi Schwein) and turcicum leaf blight [Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.)] of maize (Zea mays L.) in eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Mohammed Asmea , Bekeko Zelalem , Tesso Bulti
Published: December 2023

Maize production and productivity are affected by biotic and abiotic factors. Among the biotic factors, fungal diseases incited by common leaf rust (CLR) and turciccum leaf blight (TLB) are the most important foliar diseases of the crop in Ethiopia. A field experiment was conducted at Haramaya University, research station “Raare,” during the 2019/2020 main cropping season. The objectives of the study were to investigate the effect of host resistance and fungicide application on the epidemic development of CLR and TLB, yield and yield components of maize, and the management of these foliar diseases. Four maize varieties (Afranqalloo, Bate, Gibee‐3, and Raare‐1) and Mancozeb at four different rates (0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 kg ha−1) were evaluated under field conditions against the diseases. The treatments were laid out in a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications. All disease and agronomic data were collected during the experimental season. The results from analysis of variance showed that the combination of the variety Bate with Mancozeb at a rate of 4.5 kg ha−1 proved to be the best treatment combination for managing both diseases. Similarly, Mancozeb at a rate of 4.5 kg ha−1 resulted in the lowest CLR and TLB disease incidence and severity (60.4% and 21.0%; 63.7% and 41.78%), respectively. Likewise, the highest grain yield (8392 kg ha−1) and thousand kernel weights of 529 g and the lowest epidemic development were recorded from the variety Bate treated with 4.5 kg ha−1 Mancozeb. The result also revealed that the integration of host resistance (the variety Bate) with 4.5 kg ha−1 Mancozeb was the most effective treatment in reducing CLR and TLB epidemic development and in increasing the grain yield of maize. The economic analysis also showed the presence of the highest marginal rate of return from the Bate variety treated with 4.5 kg ha−1 Mancozeb compared to other treatment combinations. Thus, it is concluded that the variety Bate treated with 4.5 kg ha−1 Mancozeb can be used to improve maize production and productivity in the study area and elsewhere with similar agroecologies.
“Blind men and an elephant”: The need for animals in research, drug safety studies, and understanding civilizational diseases
Authors: Anbalagan Savani
Published: December 2023

Animal‐based research and drug safety studies are essential to understanding the mysteries of nature and the long‐term survival of humans. Due to the rapid increase in the global human population, conflict‐ and economically driven human migration, tourism‐related activities, densely populated metropolitan areas, and local policies, humans will be affected by a multitude of novel disease‐causing microorganisms and civilizational diseases. Despite disparities among countries, recent and planned changes in regulations concerning animal research and drug safety studies could have detrimental effects on both the animal research community and nations lacking sufficient social support systems. Based on existing scientific literature, I argue that we need animal research encompassing aspects such as animal development, behavior, drug safety studies, and for the understanding of future civilizational diseases. Depending on the nature of the research questions and local challenges, a suitable animal model organism should be made mandatory.
A Homopolymer of Xanthenoxanthene‐Based Polycyclic Heteroaromatic for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Cai Yaohang , Zhang Yuyan , Zhang Jing , Pan Xun , Andersson Mats R. , Wang Peng
Published: December 2023

Highly efficient perovskite solar cells typically rely on spiro‐OMeTAD as a hole transporter, achieving a 25.7 % efficiency record. However, these cells are susceptible to harsh 85 °C conditions. Here, we present a peri‐xanthenoxanthene‐based semiconducting homopolymer (p‐TNI2) with matched energy levels and a high molecular weight, synthesized nearly quantitatively through facile oxidative polymerization. Compared to established materials, p‐TNI2 excels in hole mobility, morphology, modulus, and waterproofing. Implementing p‐TNI2 as the hole transport layer results in n‐i‐p perovskite solar cells with an initial average efficiency of 24.6 %, rivaling 24.4 % for the spiro‐OMeTAD control cells under identical conditions. Furthermore, the p‐TNI2‐based cells exhibit enhanced thermostability at 85 °C and operational robustness.
Iodonium Initiators: Paving the Air‐free Oxidation of Spiro‐OMeTAD for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Yang Heyi , Xu Tingting , Chen Weijie , Wu Yeyong , Guo Xianming , Shen Yunxiu , Ding Chengqiang , Chen Xining , Chen Haiyang , Ding Junyuan , Wu Xiaoxiao , Zeng Guixiang , Zhang Zhengbiao , Li Yaowen , Li Yongfang
Published: December 2023

To date, perovskite solar cells (pero‐SCs) with doped 2,2′,7,7′‐tetrakis(N,N‐di‐p‐methoxyphenylamine)‐9,9′‐spirobifluorene (Spiro‐OMeTAD) hole transporting layers (HTLs) have shown the highest recorded power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). However, their commercialization is still impeded by poor device stability owing to the hygroscopic lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and volatile 4‐tert‐butylpyridine dopants as well as time‐consuming oxidation in air. In this study, we explored a series of single‐component iodonium initiators with strong oxidability and different electron delocalization properties to precisely manipulate the oxidation states of Spiro‐OMeTAD without air assistance, and the oxidation mechanism was clearly understood. Iodine (III) in the diphenyliodonium cation (IP+) can accept a single electron from Spiro‐OMeTAD and forms Spiro‐OMeTAD⋅+ owing to its strong oxidability. Moreover, because of the coordination of the strongly delocalized TFSI− with Spiro‐OMeTAD⋅+ in a stable radical complex, the resulting hole mobility was 30 times higher than that of pristine Spiro‐OMeTAD. In addition, the IP‐TFSI initiator facilitated the growth of a homogeneous and pinhole‐free Spiro‐OMeTAD film. The pero‐SCs based on this oxidizing HTL showed excellent efficiencies of 25.16 % (certified: 24.85 % for 0.062‐cm2) and 20.71 % for a 15.03‐cm2 module as well as remarkable overall stability.
Synthesis and properties of self‐healing hydrogel plugging agent
Authors: Bai Xiaodong , Wang Moubo , Chen Yu , Wu Lianci , Yu Jingya , Luo Yumei
Published: December 2023

The P(AM‐co‐AMPS)/SA DN hydrogel was synthesized through aqueous polymerization in this study. It formed a crosslinking network with hydrophobic associations between acrylamide (AM) and lauryl methacrylate (LMA), as well as an ionic bond network involving sodium alginate and Ca2+. To enhance its high‐temperature resistance, 2‐acrylamide‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) was incorporated into the hydrogel formulation. The structure of the hydrogel was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Results demonstrated that the hydrogel exhibited excellent temperature resistance and possessed a porous structure. Mechanical testing revealed a high tensile strength of 110 kPa, elongation at break of 995.31%, along with good fatigue resistance and self‐recovery performance during multiple cyclic stretching. Healing experiments indicated that the healing strength of the hydrogel was influenced by temperature variations. Furthermore, pressure plugging tests were conducted on steel models with crack widths of 0.5 and 1 mm, respectively; it was found that the 0.8%P(AM‐co‐AMPS)/SA DN hydrogel could withstand pressures up to 4.5 MPa at a temperature of 70°C. This novel hydrogel material exhibits remarkable mechanical properties along with certain self‐healing capabilities, making it suitable for leak control applications.
First impressions: A prospective evaluation of patient–physician concordance and satisfaction following the initial medical oncology consultation
Authors: Bach Yvonne , Panov Elan , Espin‐Garcia Osvaldo , Chen Eric , Krzyzanowska Monika , O'Kane Grainne , Moore Malcolm , Prince Rebecca M. , Knox Jennifer , Grant Robert , Ma Lucy X. , Allen Michael J. , Eng Lawson , Kosyachkova Ekaterina , Megid Thais Baccili Cury , Barron Carly , Wang Xin , Saltiel Marie‐Philippe , Farooq Abdul Rehman Rehman , Jang Raymond W. , Elimova Elena
Published: December 2023

Background

An especially significant event in the patient–oncologist relationship is the initial consultation, where many complex topics—diagnosis, treatment intent, and often, prognosis—are discussed in a relatively short period of time. This study aimed to measure patients' understanding of the information discussed during their first medical oncology visit and their satisfaction with the communication from medical oncologists.

Methods

Between January and August 2021, patients without prior systemic treatment of their gastrointestinal malignancy (GI) attending the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PMCC) were approached within 24 h of their initial consultation to complete a paper‐based questionnaire assessing understanding of their disease (diagnosis, treatment plan/intent, and prognosis) and satisfaction with the consultation. Medical oncology physicians simultaneously completed a similar questionnaire about the information discussed at the initial visit. Matched patient–physician responses were compared to assess the degree of concordance.

Results

A total of 184 matched patient–physician surveys were completed. The concordance rates for understanding of diagnosis, treatment plan, treatment intent, and prognosis were 92.9%, 59.2%, 66.8%, and 59.8%, respectively. After adjusting for patient and physician variables, patients who reported treatment intent to be unclear at the time of the consultation were independently associated with lower satisfaction scores (global p = 0.014). There was no statistically significant association between patient satisfaction and whether prognosis was disclosed (p = 0.08).

Conclusion

An in‐depth conversation as to what treatment intent and prognosis means is reasonable during the initial medical oncology consultation to ensure patients and caregivers have a better understanding about their cancer.
Radiolabelled 177Lu‐Bispidine‐Trastuzumab for Targeting Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Positive Cancers
Authors: Cieslik Patrick A. , Klingler Simon , Nolff Mirja , Holland Jason P.
Published: December 2023

Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is a promising alternative to conventional treatment options. Here, we present experimental work on the synthesis, radiochemistry, and in vivo performance of a lanthanoid‐selective nonadentate bispidine ligand suitable for 177Lu3+ ion complexation. The ligand (bisp,1) was derivatised with a photoactivatable aryl azide (ArN3) group as a bioconjugation handle for light‐induced labelling of proteins. Quantitative radiosynthesis of [177Lu]Lu‐1+ was accomplished in 10 minutes at 40 °C. Subsequent incubation of [177Lu]Lu‐1+ with trastuzumab, followed by irradiation with light at 365 nm for 15 min, at room temperature and pH 8.0–8.3, gave the radiolabelled mAb, [177Lu]Lu‐1‐azepin‐trastuzumab ([177Lu]Lu‐1‐mAb) in a decay‐corrected radiochemical yield of 14 %, and radiochemical purity (RCP)>90 %. Stability studies and cellular binding assays in vitro using the SK‐OV‐3 human ovarian cancer cells confirmed that [177Lu]Lu‐1‐mAb remained biological active and displayed specific binding to HER2/neu. Experiments in immunocompromised female athymic nude mice bearing subcutaneous xenograft models of SK‐OV‐3 tumours revealed significantly higher tumour uptake in the normal group compared with the control block group (29.8±11.4 %ID g−1 vs. 14.8±6.1 %ID g−1, respectively; P‐value=0.037). The data indicate that bispidine‐based ligand systems are suitable starting points for constructing novel, high‐denticity chelators for specific complexation of larger radiotheranostic metal ion nuclides.
Creating Efficient Red Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Materials with Cyano‐Substituted 11,12‐Diphenyldipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine Acceptors
Authors: Bai Zhentao , Wang Jianghui , Zou Peng , Jiang Ruming , Yang Dezhi , Ma Dongge , Tang Ben Zhong , Zhao Zujin
Published: December 2023

Red luminescent materials are essential components for full color display and white lightening based on organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) technology, but the extension of emission color towards red or deep red region generally leads to decreased photoluminescence and electroluminescence efficiencies. Herein, we wish to report two new luminescent molecules (2CNDPBPPr‐TPA and 4CNDPBPPr‐TPA) consisting of cyano‐substituted 11,12‐diphenyldipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine acceptors and triphenylamine donors. As the increase of cyano substituents, the emission wavelength is greatly red‐shifted and the reverse intersystem crossing process is promoted, resulting in strong red delayed fluorescence. Meanwhile, due to the formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds, the molecular structures become rigidified and planarized, which brings about large horizontal dipole ratios. As a result, 2CNDPBPPr‐TPA and 4CNDPBPPr‐TPA can perform as emitters efficiently in OLEDs, furnishing excellent external quantum efficiencies of 28.8 % at 616 nm and 20.2 % at 648 nm, which are significantly improved in comparison with that of the control molecule without cyano substituents. The findings in this work demonstrate that the introduction of cyano substituents to the acceptors of delayed fluorescence molecules could be a facile and effective approach to explore high‐efficiency red or deep red delayed fluorescence materials.
Safety‐Lösungen für die Prozesstechnik
Authors: Gregorius Carsten , Ungermann Manuel
Published: December 2023

Wenn es um die Einsatz‐ und Umgebungsbedingungen geht, sind bei der Umsetzung sicherheitsgerichteter Automatisierungslösungen in der Prozess‐ oder Verfahrenstechnik die Herausforderungen anspruchsvoller. Mit der Produktfamilie PSRmodular XC und den Profisafe‐Modulen der Baureihe AXL F XC lassen sich die Aufgabenstellungen an die funktionale Sicherheit zuverlässig lösen.
Additiv gefertigte Halbzeuge im Kommen
Authors: Kuhn Gunther , Graf Gregor
Published: December 2023

Der 3D‐Druck ergänzt die Lieferkette und erleichtert die Ersatzteilbevorratung ‐ erfordert allerdings auch langjähriges Expertenwissen. Rosswag Engineering hat jetzt als erster Dienstleister Deutschlands auch ein TüV SüD‐Zertifikat für die additive Fertigung von Halbzeugen erhalten. Das bringt Rechtssicherheit für Betreiber durch die Konformität mit der Druckgeräterichtlinie.
Sarcocinerenoids A—J, Eight Rare Capnosane‐Type and Two New Cage‐Type Cembranoids with Promoting Angiogenesis Activity from the South China Sea Soft Coral Sarcophyton cinereum
Authors: Mi Yue , Yang Yanan , Tang Xuli , Han Xiao , Li Guoqiang
Published: December 2023

Comprehensive Summary

Eight rare capnosane‐type cembranoids, sarcocinerenoids A—H (1—8) and two new cage‐type cembranoids sarcocinerenoids I—J (9—10) were isolated from the soft coral Sarcophyton cinereum. The 5/11 bicyclic carbon skeleton is the same in Sarcocinerenoids A—H (1—8), and they collocate distinctive oxygen rings. Sarcocinerenoids I—J (9—10) with a cage‐type structure have been discovered to have an oxygen bridge and an uncommon seven‐membered ring. Extensive spectroscopic investigation, X‐ray diffraction analysis, estimated ECD, and DP4+ probability assessments were used to ascertain the structures of the two types of diterpenoids. Moreover, compounds 1, 4 showed promoting angiogenesis activity in zebrafish assays.
Low‐Cost Spectrophotometry with the BrickPhotometer – Possibilities and Limitations of the Smartphone as a Detector
Authors: Edelsbacher Philipp , Monkowius Uwe
Published: December 2023

Der Artikel stellt ein günstiges Spektralphotometer (BrickPhotometer) vor, das für den Einsatz im Chemieunterricht der Sekundarstufe konzipiert ist. Es besteht aus einem Gehäuse aus Klemmbausteinen, einem Transmissionsgitter und als Detektor fungiert ein Smartphone. Gemessen wird, indem Digitalbilder von Spektren sichtbaren Lichts aufgenommen und Grau‐Werte als Größe für die Lichtintensität ausgelesen werden. Dadurch können Absorptionsspektren erstellt und Farbstofflösungen durch Absorptions‐ und Fluoreszenzmessungen quantifiziert werden. Limitationen ergeben sich aus der Berechnung der Grau‐Werte. Deren Wert ist abhängig von der Farbe und ohne zusätzliche Kalibrierung ungeeignet für die Bestimmung absoluter Lichtintensitäten. Dennoch können die Spektren qualitativ und quantitativ ausgewertet werden, wodurch komplexe Messmethoden veranschaulicht werden.
Cucurbit[6]uril Hyperpolarized Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Pulse Sequence Parameter Optimization and Detectability Limit Assessment at 3.0T
Authors: Grynko Vira , Shepelytskyi Yurii , Batarchuk Viktoriia , Aalto Hannah , Li Tao , Ruset Iulian C. , DeBoef Brenton , Albert Mitchell S.
Published: December 2023

The front cover artwork is provided by Prof. Mitchell S. Albert's group at Lakehead University. The image shows the hyperpolarized chemical exchange saturation transfer (HyperCEST) effect in cucurbit[6]uril molecular biosensors within a blood vessel. Read the full text of the Research Article at 10.1002/cphc.202300346.
Theoretical Insights into Bifurcated Intramolecular Dihydrogen Bonds
Authors: Gholami Samira , Aarabi Mohammad , Grabowski Sławomir J.
Published: December 2023

Two‐ring intramolecular π‐electron delocalization assisted dihydrogen bonds existing in (1Z,4Z)‐1,4‐dipentene‐3‐bora‐1,5‐diol and its symmetrically substituted derivatives have been analysed here since the MP2/6‐311++G(d,p) calculations on these systems were performed. The influence of the coexistence of two intramolecular dihydrogen bonded rings in these molecular structures on properties of intramolecular dihydrogen bonds as well as on the π‐electron delocalization within these rings was investigated. The comparison with corresponding structures of typical two‐ring, so‐called resonance‐assisted, RAHB, systems was performed. The results of calculations show that such rings′ coexistence leads to the weakening of dihydrogen bonds, similarly as for the typical two‐ring RAHB systems. The Quantum Theory of ‘‘Atoms in Molecules’’ (QTAIM) was also applied here to get more details about the nature of dihydrogen bonds. Correlations between dihydrogen bond strength measures and other energetic, geometrical and topological parameters were also analysed. It was found that characteristics of bond critical points as well as of ring critical points are useful to estimate the strength of intramolecular dihydrogen bonds in two‐ring dihydrogen bonded systems discussed here. The Natural Bond Orbital, NBO, approach parameters are also discussed as useful ones to describe properties of dihydrogen bonded systems.
Nature and Redox Properties of Iron Sites in Zeolites Revealed by Mössbauer Spectroscopy
Authors: Kornas Agnieszka , Mlekodaj Kinga , Tabor Edyta
Published: December 2023

Iron‐containing zeolite‐based catalysts play a pivotal role in environmental processes aimed at mitigating the release of harmful greenhouse gases, such as nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4). Despite the rich iron chemistry in zeolites, only a fraction of iron species that exhibit an open coordination sphere and possess the ability for electron transfer are responsible for activating reagents. In addition, the splitting of molecular oxygen is facilitated by bare iron cations embedded in zeolitic matrices. Mössbauer spectroscopy is the ideal tool for investigating the valency and geometry of iron species in zeolites because it leaves no iron forms silent and provides insights into in‐situ processes. This review is dedicated to the utilization of Mössbauer spectroscopy to elucidate the nature of the extra‐framework iron centers in ferrierite (FER), beta‐structured (*BEA), and ZSM‐5 zeolite (MFI) zeolites, which are active in N2O decomposition and CH4 oxidation through using the active oxygen derived from N2O and O2. In this work, a structured summary of the Mössbauer parameters established over the last two decades is presented, characterizing the specific iron active centers and intermediates formed upon iron's interaction with N2O/O2 and CH4. Additionally, the impact of preparation methods, iron loading, and the long‐term stability on iron speciation and its redox behavior under reaction conditions is discussed.
Dynamic and static predictive modelling of psychotherapy outcome—Comparison of two statistical approaches
Authors: Cardace Fabio , Wester Robin , Lutz Wolfgang , Rubel Julian A.
Published: December 2023

Objective

Improving prediction abilities in the therapy process can increase therapeutic success for a variety of reasons, such as more personalised treatment or resource optimisation. The increasingly applied methods of dynamic prediction seem to be very promising for this purpose. Prediction models are usually based on static approaches of frequentist statistics. However, the application of this statistical approach has been widely criticised in this research area. Bayesian statistics has been proposed in the literature as an alternative, especially for the task of dynamic modelling. In this study, we compare the performance of predicting therapy outcome over the course of therapy between both statistical approaches.

Method

Based on a sample of 341 patients, a logistic regression analysis was performed using both statistical approaches. Therapy success was conceptualised as reliable pre–post improvement in brief symptom inventory (BSI) scores. As predictors, we used the subscales of the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ‐30) and the Helping Alliance Questionnaire (HAQ) measured every fifth session, as well as baseline BSI scores.

Results

The influence of the predictors during therapy differs between the frequentist and the Bayesian approach. In contrast, predictive validity is comparable with a mean area under the curve (AUC) of 0.76 in both model types.

Conclusion

Bayesian statistic provides an innovative and useful alternative to the frequentist approach in predicting therapy outcome. The theoretical foundation is particularly well suited for dynamic prediction. Nevertheless, no differences in predictive validity were found in this study. More complex methodology as well as further research seems necessary to exploit the potential of Bayesian statistics in this area.
Photo‐Induced Radicals in Carbon Nitride and their Magnetic Signature
Authors: Actis Arianna , Fornasiero Paolo , Chiesa Mario , Salvadori Enrico
Published: December 2023

As a metal‐free semiconductor, carbon nitride is a promising material for sustainable photocatalysis. From the large number of studies, it seems apparent that the photocatalytic activity is related to the number and type of defects present in the structure. Many defects are paramagnetic and photoresponsive and, for these reasons, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is a powerful method to derive fundamental information on the structure – local, extended and electronic – of such defects which in turn impact the optical, magnetic and chemical properties of a material. This review aims at critically discussing the interpretation of EPR data of native and photoinduced radical defects in carbon nitride research highlighting strengths and limitations of this spectroscopic technique.
Effective Light‐Induced Fluorescent H‐Aggregation of Fluorinated Pyridyl‐Azo Dye via Photoisomerization
Authors: Modi Jitendra , Patel Samridhi , Mahato Gopal Kumar , Mahto Birkishore , Chandra Girish
Published: December 2023

Here we present the synthesis of a new fluorinated pyridyl‐azo dye and demonstrate an effective way to convert monomer fluorinated pyridyl‐azo dye to H‐aggregated form through UV‐light induced trans‐cis‐trans photoisomerization. And upto a 12 : 88 ratio between monomer : aggregation was achieved through a small pulse of UV irradiation. The H‐aggregation shows a unique high extinction co‐efficient in UV‐visible absorbance and unexpected fluorescence emission with a remarkably large Stokes shift. The solvent DMF and fluorine substituent were found to have a critical role in aggregation. 1H, 19F NMR, and 19F‐DOSY NMR experiments were used to confirm the aggregation and also confirm the absence of π‐π stacking.
European Society of Cardiology Core Curriculum for cardio‐oncology
Authors: López‐Fernández Teresa , Farmakis Dimitrios , Ameri Pietro , Asteggiano Riccardo , de Azambuja Evandro , Aznar Marianne , Barac Ana , Bayes‐Genis Antoni , Bax Jeroen J. , Bergler‐Klein Jutta , Boriani Giuseppe , Celutkiene Jelena , Coats Andrew , Cohen‐Solal Alain , Córdoba Raúl , Cosyns Bernard , Filippatos Gerasimos , Fox Kevin , Gulati Geeta , Inciardi Riccardo M. , Lee Geraldine , Mamas Mamas A. , Novo Giuseppina , Plummer Chris , Psyrri Amanda , Rakisheva Amina , Suter Thomas , Tini Giacomo , Tocchetti Carlo Gabriele , Toutouzas Konstantinos , Wilhelm Matthias , Metra Marco , Lyon Alexander R. , Rosano Giuseppe M.C.
Published: December 2023

Cardio‐oncology is a rapidly growing field of cardiovascular (CV) medicine that has resulted from the continuously increasing clinical demand for specialized CV evaluation, prevention and management of patients suffering or surviving from malignant diseases. Dealing with CV disease in patients with cancer requires special knowledge beyond that included in the general core curriculum for cardiology. Therefore, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has developed a special core curriculum for cardio‐oncology, a consensus document that defines the level of experience and knowledge required for cardiologists in this particular field. It is structured into 8 chapters, including (i) principles of cancer biology and therapy; (ii) forms and definitions of cancer therapy‐related cardiovascular toxicity (CTR‐CVT); (iii) risk stratification, prevention and monitoring protocols for CTR‐CVT; (iv) diagnosis and management of CV disease in patients with cancer; (v) long‐term survivorship programmes and cardio‐oncology rehabilitation; (vi) multidisciplinary team management of special populations; (vii) organization of cardio‐oncology services; (viii) research in cardio‐oncology. The core curriculum aims at promoting standardization and harmonization of training and evaluation in cardio‐oncology, while it further provides the ground for an ESC certification programme designed to recognize the competencies of certified specialists.
Biatrial myopathy in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Omote Kazunori , Sorimachi Hidemi , Obokata Masaru , Verbrugge Frederik H. , Omar Massar , Popovic Dejana , Reddy Yogesh N.V. , Pislaru Sorin V. , Pellikka Patricia A. , Borlaug Barry A.
Published: December 2023

Aim

Left atrial (LA) myopathy is increasingly recognized as an important phenotypic trait in heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Right atrial (RA) remodelling and dysfunction also develop in HFpEF, but little data are available regarding the clinical characteristics and pathophysiology among patients with isolated LA, RA, or biatrial myopathy.

Methods and results

Patients with HFpEF underwent invasive haemodynamic exercise testing, comprehensive imaging including speckle tracking strain echocardiography, and clinical follow‐up at Mayo Clinic between 2006 and 2018. LA myopathy was defined as LA volume index >34 ml/m2 and/or LA reservoir strain ≤24% and RA myopathy by RA volume index >39 ml/m2 in men and >33 ml/m2 in women and/or RA reservoir strain ≤19.8%. Of 476 consecutively evaluated patients with HFpEF defined by invasive exercise testing with evaluable atrial structure/function, 125 (26%) had no atrial myopathy, 147 (31%) had isolated LA myopathy, 184 (39%) had biatrial myopathy, and 20 (4%) had isolated RA myopathy. Patients with HFpEF and biatrial myopathy had more atrial fibrillation, poorer left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, more severe pulmonary vascular disease, tricuspid regurgitation, ventricular interdependence and right ventricular dysfunction, and poorer cardiac output reserve with exercise. There were 94 patients with events over a median follow‐up of 2.9 (interquartile range 1.4–4.6) years. Individuals with biatrial myopathy had an 84% higher risk of HF hospitalization or death as compared to those with isolated LA myopathy (hazard ratio 1.84; 95% confidence interval 1.16–2.92, p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Biatrial myopathy identifies patients with more advanced HFpEF characterized by more severe pulmonary vascular disease, right HF, poorer cardiac reserve, and a greater risk for adverse outcomes. Further study is required to define optimal strategies to treat and prevent biatrial myopathy in HFpEF.
Sociodemographic disparities and potential biases in persistent pain estimates: Findings from 5 waves of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)
Authors: Ryan E. , Hannigan A. , Grol‐Prokopczyk H. , May P. , Purtill H.
Published: December 2023

Background

Pain is a prevalent, debilitating condition among older adults. Much evidence on this topic comes from cohort studies, which may be affected by attrition and measurement bias. Little is known about the impact of these biases on pain estimates for European older adults. Additionally, there is a lack of longitudinal research on pain and sociodemographic disparities in Irish older adults.

Methods

We analysed data from 8171 participants (aged ≥50 at baseline) across five waves of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing. Longitudinal pain severity and sociodemographic disparities in pain were explored visually and using a latent growth curve model. Using multivariate logistic regression, we examined bias due to attrition at later waves associated with reported pain at Wave 1. Measurement biases due to reporting heterogeneity were assessed by investigating associations between sociodemographic factors and pain‐related disability for given pain levels.

Results

Wave 1 severe pain was associated with increased odds of attrition due to death by Wave 5 (AOR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.19). Not having private health insurance was associated with increased odds of pain‐related disability at Wave 1, controlling for pain severity (AOR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.64). These results suggested mortality bias and reporting heterogeneity measurement bias, respectively. Sex, education level, and private health insurance status disparities in pain were observed longitudinally.

Conclusions

Mortality bias and reporting heterogeneity measurement bias must be accounted for to improve older adult pain estimates. There is a need for policymakers to address sociodemographic disparities in older adult pain levels.

Significance

This study highlights a need to address bias in the estimation of pain in observational studies of older adults. Understanding the sources and extent of these biases is important so that health practices and policies to address pain disparities can be guided by accurate estimates. Women, those with lower educational attainment, and those without private health insurance were found to have the highest pain burden longitudinally, suggesting a need for targeted interventions for these groups in Ireland and internationally.
Effect of addition of pullulan on the properties of native/waxy corn starch‐based films
Authors: Cheng Hao , Chen Long , Zhang Zipei , Zhang Ruojie , McClements David Julian , Xu Hao , Xu Zhenlin , Meng Man , Jin Zhengyu
Published: December 2023

This article reports on the preparation of native/waxy corn starch (NCS/WCS)‐based films with the addition of pullulan (PUL). Our study investigated the effects of varying amounts of PUL and amylose contents on the structure, mechanical and physicochemical properties of corn starch films. Notably, it was observed that WCS films with low amylose content exhibited superior transparency, while NCS films with high amylose content demonstrated enhanced tensile strength (up to 7.35 ± 0.18 MPa). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated that the addition of PUL did not change the molecular interactions within the corn starch films. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results supported that the WCS films were amorphous, while the NCS film exhibited B‐type and V‐type crystals. Moreover, an increase in PUL content led to a gradual reduction in the crystallinity of both WCS films and NCS films. The addition of PUL improved the mechanical properties and oxygen barrier characteristics of these films but had an adverse impact on their water vapor barrier properties. These findings offer valuable insights for the selection of additives for corn starch film, which can further enhance the practical application potential of corn starch films in food and other industries.
No branch left behind: tracking terrestrial biodiversity from a phylogenetic completeness perspective
Authors: Pinto‐Ledezma Jesús N , Díaz Sandra , Halpern Benjamin S , Khoury Colin , Cavender‐Bares Jeannine
Published: December 2023

Biodiversity is ultimately the outcome of millions of years of evolution; however, due to increasing human domination of the Earth, biodiversity in its multiple dimensions is changing rapidly. Here, we present “phylogenetic completeness” (PC) as a concept and method for safeguarding Earth's evolutionary heritage by maintaining all branches of the tree of life. Using data for five major terrestrial clades, we performed a global evaluation of the PC approach and compared the results to an approach in which species are conserved or lost at random. We demonstrate that under PC, for a given number of species extinctions, it is possible to maximize the protection of evolutionary innovations in every clade. The PC approach is flexible, may be used to conduct a phylogenetic audit of biodiversity under different conservation scenarios, complements existing conservation efforts, and is linked to the post‐2020 UN Convention on Biodiversity targets.
Analysis of roasted peanuts based on GC–MS combined with GC–IMS
Authors: Zhang Liangchen , Shi Puxiang , Sun Jian , Xie Mengxi , Wang Haixin , Shi Taiyuan , Yu Miao
Published: December 2023

The present study used gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC–IMS) to separate and identify the characteristic volatile flavor substances in 30 roasted peanut samples. GC–MS identified 59 volatile compounds, and GC–IMS detected 61 volatile flavor substances. The 30 peanut varieties were then divided into four groups on the basis of their volatile flavor substances using principal component analysis (PCA), and a fingerprint profile of the varieties' volatile characteristics was established from information peaks identified in the spectra. Descriptive sensory analysis (DSA) was performed to distinguish differences in flavor attributes between roasted peanut varieties. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was performed with the volatile flavor content of roasted peanuts as the independent variable and the flavor attribute score as the dependent variable. These findings provide a basis for predicting the appeal of roasted peanuts based on their composition and demonstrate a potential avenue for improving food flavor quality.
Comparing adverse events associated with LigaSure and Harmonic devices in head and neck surgery
Authors: Fritz Christian G. , Monos Stylianos D. , Panara Kush , Rajasekaran Karthik
Published: December 2023

Objective

To characterize adverse events, provide a safety profile, and understand patient outcomes after complications arising from LigaSure and Harmonic use in the head and neck region.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of adverse events from the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) between January 2013 and 2023.

Results

A total of 158 LigaSure and 159 Harmonic events were extracted. There were significantly more reports of Harmonic device overheating (6.9% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.003) and spontaneous self‐activation (4.4% vs. 0%, p = 0.032). Although intra‐operative and post‐operative complications were similar among both groups, there were significantly more intra‐operative bleeding events for LigaSure as compared to Harmonic (8.2% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Understanding technical complications and adverse events attributable to LigaSure and Harmonic devices enables the development of clinically relevant risk mitigation strategies. Surgeons should avoid improper use by remaining vigilant of device functionality and temperature changes.
Concordance between ARISCAT risk score and cardiopulmonary exercise test values in risk prediction of postoperative pulmonary complications of major abdominal surgeries in a tertiary cancer hospital: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Rezaian Somaye , Asadi Gharabaghi Mehrnaz , Rahimi Besharat , Gholamzadeh Marsa
Published: December 2023

Background and Aims

Pulmonary complications are common after surgery. They include vascular thrombosis, pneumonia, respiratory failure (RF), and pain‐related atelectasis. There are a number of models to predict the risk of postoperative respiratory events other than thrombosis. The aim of this study was to explore the correlation of assess respiratory risk in surgical patients in Catalonia (ARISCAT) scoring and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) values in prediction of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs).

Methods

Cancer patients referred to a tertiary hospital for elective major abdominal surgeries were studied. Patients were evaluated by ARISCAT score and then CPET was performed to determine the risk of surgery based on maximal oxygen consumption (VO2) value. Patients were followed for RF occurrence up to 72 h after surgery. Finally, the concordance of ARISCAT score and CPET values was evaluated in risk prediction of PPCs.

Results

The results showed that parameters VO2, ARISCAT score, and anaerobic threshold could predict postoperative RF. Of these parameters, ARISCAT showed the highest sensitivity (100%) and the highest specificity (90.5%) compared with other parameters (Youden's J statistic = 0.905). However, VO2 value showed the highest validity. The percentage of agreement between different subgroups (low, medium, and high) of both criteria (VO2 and ARISCAT) was equal to 81.45% (p < 0.001) and the ϰ coefficient of the given weight was equal to 0.54 (p < 0.001), indicating a good agreement between these two criteria.

Conclusion

ARISCAT scoring showed high sensitivity and specificity to PPCs in cancer patients and good correlation with CPET value for prediction of PPCs. Therefore, it is a reliable and robust risk prediction tool in major abdominal surgeries on cancer patients.
Dynamics of Newtonian fluid through curved domain by considering unsteady effects
Authors: Ullah Basharat , Rafique Duaa , Khan Umar , Wahab Hafiz Abdul
Published: December 2023

Cross‐diffusion gradients, such as the Soret and Dufour effects, play a big role in the formation of binary alloys, the movement of oil and groundwater contaminants, and the separation of gas mixtures. Other applications where cross‐diffusion gradients are useful include: Temperature fluctuations cause matter diffusion, known as Soret effects. Concentration gradients drive heat diffusion, or the Dufour effect. This effect is named after its French discoverer. These findings could be applied to many engineering and industrial contexts and have many intriguing and potentially useful effects. Joule heating unites Soret and Dufour's work. The traditional nonlinear differential approach yields enough permutations. Convergent series can be used to solve temperature, velocity, and concentration problems. These changes can occur in temperature, velocity, or concentration. The drawings clarify all about the system's most important qualities and components. A comprehensive analysis of the Nusselt and Sherwood values is also done. After graphing the Nusselt and Sherwood values, they are analyzed. We are discussing computer science. This study found that Hartman number increases reduce one's perception of radial velocity. As Prandtl and Soret molecules increase, fluid temperature decreases. In this study, we employ numerical methods to solve the micropolar fluid flow problem on a stretched and curved disk. Our methods allow us to model fluid flow in three dimensions. We focus on micropolar fluid flow. Applying the necessary transformations to a set of partial differential equations simplifies it into a set of ordinary differential equations. The equations in both sets are transformed using similarities to convert one set of partial differential equations into another set of ordinary differential equations. The gunshot method and the Runge–Kutta algorithm can solve coupled equations numerically. The nondimensional radius of curvature can quantify and characterize many physical phenomena. Strain, microrotation velocity, and fluid velocity are examples. Due to the variances between curved and flat stretched sheets, the border layer strain cannot be neglected. Due to differences in stretching sheets,
Targeting colony‐stimulating factor 1 receptor: From therapeutic drugs to diagnostic radiotracers
Authors: Zha Xiaochuan , Hui Wenxue , Cheng Dengfeng , Shi Hongcheng , Luo Zonghua
Published: December 2023

Colony‐stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) is highly expressed in mononuclear phagocytes and in the central nervous system. It has emerged as a promising target for tumor therapy and neuroinflammation imaging. Although therapeutic agents targeting CSF1R have shown great success, the development of diagnostic radiotracers for CSF1R has faced numerous challenges. Consequently, there is an urgent need to overcome these obstacles for the development of CSF1R radiotracers, particularly positron emission tomography tracers, not only for diagnostic purposes but also to aid the development of more effective therapeutic drugs. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the development of CSF1R radiotracers, presenting detailed profiles of each tracer's ability to image CSF1R. Additionally, we discuss reported CSF1R small‐molecule inhibitors and antibodies, highlighting their relevance to the further development of CSF1R radiotracers. We aim to shed light on the current state of CSF1R radiotracer research and development, provide an insight into the challenges in this field, and offer guidance for future exploration.
Unraveling antiviral efficacy of multifunctional immunomodulatory triterpenoids against SARS‐COV‐2 targeting main protease and papain‐like protease
Authors: Choudhary Shweta , Nehul Sanketkumar , Singh Ankur , Panda Prasan Kumar , Kumar Pravindra , Sharma Gaurav Kumar , Tomar Shailly
Published: December 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) may be over, but its variants continue to emerge, and patients with mild symptoms having long COVID is still under investigation. SARS‐CoV‐2 infection leading to elevated cytokine levels and suppressed immune responses set off cytokine storm, fatal systemic inflammation, tissue damage, and multi‐organ failure. Thus, drug molecules targeting the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus‐specific proteins or capable of suppressing the host inflammatory responses to viral infection would provide an effective antiviral therapy against emerging variants of concern. Evolutionarily conserved papain‐like protease (PLpro) and main protease (Mpro) play an indispensable role in the virus life cycle and immune evasion. Direct‐acting antivirals targeting both these viral proteases represent an attractive antiviral strategy that is also expected to reduce viral inflammation. The present study has evaluated the antiviral and anti‐inflammatory potential of natural triterpenoids: azadirachtin, withanolide_A, and isoginkgetin. These molecules inhibit the Mpro and PLpro proteolytic activities with half‐maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) values ranging from 1.42 to 32.7 μM. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) analysis validated the binding of these compounds to Mpro and PLpro. As expected, the two compounds, withanolide_A and azadirachtin, exhibit potent anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 activity in cell‐based assays, with half‐maximum effective concentration (EC50) values of 21.73 and 31.19 μM, respectively. The anti‐inflammatory roles of azadirachtin and withanolide_A when assessed using HEK293T cells, were found to significantly reduce the levels of CXCL10, TNFα, IL6, and IL8 cytokines, which are elevated in severe cases of COVID‐19. Interestingly, azadirachtin and withanolide_A were also found to rescue the decreased type‐I interferon response (IFN‐α1). The results of this study clearly highlight the role of triterpenoids as effective antiviral molecules that target SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific enzymes and also host immune pathways involved in virus‐mediated inflammation.
Artificial intelligence and the future of learning and assessment in agricultural and applied economics
Authors: Shear Hannah E. , Britton Logan L. , Aleks Schaefer K. , Thapa Bhawna , Bergtold Jason S.
Published: December 2023

Using a repository of historical student responses to an actual course‐assigned essay prompt and a series of artificial intelligence (AI)‐generated responses to the same prompt, we conduct a single‐blind, randomized experiment to evaluate the performance of AI in agricultural and applied economics education. Further, we assess instructors' ability to detect the use of AI. We find that AI‐generated responses to the essay received statistically significantly higher scores than those of the average student. Instructors who had previous exposure to dialog‐based AI were 13 times more likely to accurately detect AI‐generated essays than instructors without previous exposure to the technology.
Mechanistic study of the Ni‐catalyzed hydroalkylation of 1,3‐dienes: The origins of regio‐ and enantioselectivities and a further rational design
Authors: Bai Yuna , Xian Anmei , Yang Xing , Zhou Ming , Zhao Xuefei , Zhao Lili
Published: December 2023

The development of the catalytic regio‐ and enantioselective hydrofunctionalization of 1,3‐dienes remains a challenge and requires deep insight into the reaction mechanisms. We herein thoroughly studied the reaction mechanism of the Ni‐catalyzed hydroalkylation of 1,3‐dienes with ketones by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It reveals that the reaction is initiated by stepwise oxidative addition of EtO‐H followed by 1,3‐diene migratory insertion to generate the alkylnickel(II) intermediate, rather than the experimentally proposed ligand‐to‐ligand hydrogen transfer (LLHT) mechanism. In addition, we rationalized the role of tBuOK in the subsequent addition of enolate of ketone and transmetalation process. Based on the whole catalysis, the CC reductive elimination step, turns out to be the rate‐ and enantioselectivity‐determining step. Furthermore, we disclosed the origins of the regio‐ and enantioselectivity of the product, and found that the 1,2‐selectivity lies in the combination effects of the ligand‐substrate electrostatic interactions, orbital interactions and Pauli repulsions, while the enantioselectivity mainly arises from substrate‐ligand steric repulsions. Based on mechanistic study, new biaryl bisphosphine ligands affording higher enantioselectivity were designed, which will help to improve current catalytic systems and develop new transition‐metal‐catalyzed hydroalkylations.