bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beoordeling van datamacht in het mededingingstoezicht
Authors: Stil Robert , Meindertsma Douwe , van der Linden Inge
Published: October 2018

Beoordeling van datamacht in het mededingingstoezicht

Het gebruik van data levert belangrijke voordelen voor ondernemingen en consumenten. Het roept echter ook de maatschappelijke vraag op of verzameling en gebruik van data kunnen leiden tot marktmacht (‘datamacht’). Het risico daarop wordt bepaald door: (1) het belang van data als input, (2) de beschikbaarheid en repliceerbaarheid van data, (3) het belang van schaal- en netwerkeffecten en (4) de concurrentiesituatie op de markt waarvoor data een input vormen. Het mededingingstoezicht beschikt over de instrumenten om in specifieke situaties het ontstaan van datamacht als gevolg van concentraties te voorkomen en misbruik van datamacht te beëindigen of te bestraffen. Tot nu toe hebben die situaties zich in de praktijk nog weinig voorgedaan.
THESE ARE INDIGENOUS LANDS
Authors: Hiller Chris , Carlson Elizabeth
Published: October 2018

The recent upsurge of interest regarding environmental social work is unfolding against a backdrop of centuries of continuous struggle on the part of Indigenous peoples to protect their lands and waters. In this article, we consider the ways in which environmental social work frameworks engage the realities and resistances of Indigenous peoples in the context of settler colonialism. We contend that to ethically engage with environmentalism, social workers living and working on Indigenous territories must understand and resist settler colonialism, our implication in upholding its structure and practices, and its contribution to ecological destruction. Drawing upon the work of Indigenous scholars, we briefly describe Indigenous peoples’ conception of their relationships to land and sovereignty and how settler colonialism as a structure is organized with the explicit aim of eliminating these relationships. We then review prominent texts addressing several competing environmental social work frameworks, considering how each takes up (or not) histories of colonialism and Indigenous dispossession and addresses Indigenous identities, relations to land, and assertions of sovereignty. We conclude by offering principles and practices that might foreground the disruption of settler colonialism and respect for Indigenous sovereignty as necessary frameworks for Canadian environmental social work.
SERVICES DE SUPERVISION DES DROITS D’ACCÈS AU QUÉBEC
Authors: St-Amand Annick , Fortin Marie-Christine , Saint-Jacques Marie-Christine , Drapeau Sylvie , Gagné Marie-Hélène
Published: October 2018

Les services de supervision des droits d’accès (SDA) permettent de maintenir le lien parent-enfant dans un contexte neutre et sécuritaire. Les familles qui se retrouvent dans ces services ont généralement un point en commun : elles ont besoin d’être épaulées, écoutées et protégées, notamment par des intervenants formés qui assurent le bon déroulement des contacts supervisés. Peu d’écrits scientifiques ont documenté les pratiques en vigueur dans les services de SDA et qui s’actualisent auprès des familles en provenance de la Cour supérieure ou détenant une entente volontaire ou survenue au terme d’une médiation. Ainsi, à partir de données collectées par le biais d’un questionnaire électronique, cette étude fait état du point de vue de 50 répondants supervisant ou administrant un service de SDA dans lequel s’effectuent des échanges de garde et des visites supervisées. Les répondants se sont exprimés sur la nature du travail effectué dans les ressources de SDA, les forces et difficultés du service, les pistes d’amélioration ainsi que leur perception du système judiciaire. Les résultats ont permis de constater que les répondants sont à l’aise dans leur rôle, qu’ils identifient plusieurs points forts des services, mais que le financement des ressources peut parfois leur poser certaines embûches.
UN ADOLESCENT DANS LA PEAU D’UN AVATAR : ENJEUX DE LA RENCONTRE ENTRE LE PROCESSUS ADOLESCENT ET LES MONDES VIRTUELS
Authors: Vlachopoulou Xanthie , Missonnier Sylvain , Houssier Florian , Marty François
Published: October 2018

Les perspectives inédites qu’inaugurent les réalités virtuelles trouvent chez les adolescents un public « captivé ». Parmi les hypothèses dynamiques que nous mettons au travail dans cet article en prenant appui sur un cas clinique, nous proposons que l’investissement massif de ce média peut avoir pour fonction l’évitement phobique de la pulsionnalité adolescente, évitement qui touche notamment la rencontre avec l’autre sexué. Cette fonction de l’évitement de l’autre interroge le processus adolescent dans son travail de transformation du sexuel infantile visant à trouver un objet sexuel non incestueux, sur fond de travail de subjectivation ouvrant sur le « devenir adulte ».
Les travaux consacrés au destin de la sociologie catholique du catholicisme en France : considérations introductives
Authors: Mercier Charles
Published: October 2018

La sociologie catholique du catholicisme étudie la place du catholicisme dans les sociétés avec des méthodes scientifiques et objectivantes, dans un but partiellement spirituel ou pastoral. Cet article s’intéresse au destin de ce champ disciplinaire dans le cadre français, en le saisissant en lien avec les positions personnelles de ses principaux protagonistes. Impulsée par un universitaire, Gabriel Le Bras, au début des années 1930, la sociologie catholique du catholicisme ne prend son essor qu’après 1945, avec le concours d’hommes d’Église, au premier rang desquels figure Fernand Boulard. Son succès, qui repose sur une coopération entre monde académique et monde ecclésial, est néanmoins fragile. L’auteur s’attache à analyser les raisons de sa délégitimation dans le monde universitaire (au milieu des années 1950) puis dans le monde catholique (au milieu des années 1960) tout en s’interrogeant sur une éventuelle postérité.
The Message of the Carillon: Bells as Instruments of Colonialism in Twentieth-Century Canada
Authors: Nickleson Patrick
Published: October 2018

Bells and carillon have long symbolized the harmonious community in Euro-American political discourse. In this article, I denaturalize this rhetorical position by taking into account the context of bells and carillon in interwar Canada. I do so by reading William Lyon Mackenzie King’s address at the inauguration of the Parliament Hill carillon within the broader context of Canada’s colonial “Old World” nostalgia for the carillon. I then turn to testimony from survivors of the residential school system to argue that the link between bells, harmony, and community had to be forcefully imposed by settlers to banish any potential discord.
A Portrait of Composer Steven Gellman for His Seventieth Birthday
Authors: Prevost Roxane
Published: October 2018

This article begins with a short biography of and an exchange with Canadian composer Steven Gellman, who celebrated his seventieth birthday in 2017. The biography outlines his life trajectory from a young boy interested in composition to his studies with Messiaen to his career in Canada. The exchange with the composer consists of fourteen questions on Gellman’s creative process and his reflections on his career as a composer.
Le crossover en musique classique au Québec : portrait d’une pratique établie chez l’Orchestre symphonique de Québec
Authors: Trottier Laura
Published: October 2018

Dans un contexte où le milieu de la musique classique semble affecté par la baisse de fréquentation d’un public large, certaines institutions musicales classiques développent différentes stratégies afin de conserver et de renouveler leur public. L’une de ces stratégies est le crossover, tel que pratiqué, entre autres, par l’Orchestre symphonique de Québec. Cette pratique, qui est maintenant établie au sein des programmations de concerts depuis plusieurs années, semble être devenue un moyen pour le public de renouer avec les institutions de musique classique. Le crossover chez les institutions symphoniques est-il seulement une stratégie marketing ? ou pourrait-il aussi suggérer une volonté de démocratisation culturelle de la part des institutions de musique classique comme l’Orchestre symphonique de Québec avec la société québécoise ? Actuellement au Québec, aucune recherche ne permet d’appréhender le phénomène au-delà de sa valeur commerciale afin de comprendre les implications socioculturelles de cette pratique. Cet article présente donc une analyse préliminaire de l’ensemble des programmations de concerts de l’Orchestre symphonique de Québec depuis la saison 2005–2006, qui a été effectuée afin de dresser un premier portrait de la situation. À la lumière des résultats suggérant que le crossover est maintenant une pratique établie chez l’Orchestre symphonique de Québec, il s’agit d’extraire les variantes et les constantes de la pratique et d’observer comment celle-ci aurait pu évoluer au fils des ans pour répondre aux goûts d’un public plus omnivore (Peterson, 1992). Cette analyse entre dans le cadre d’un projet de recherche plus vaste dont l’objectif est de mieux comprendre le phénomène du crossover au Québec et d’observer quel impact la diversification de l’offre de concerts a sur la démocratisation de la musique classique au Québec, en rapprochant les orchestres symphoniques et le public. Suite à cette recherche, nous serons en mesure de proposer des facteurs expliquant la présence marquée de concerts crossover en musique classique au Québec.
A Tribe Called Red’s Halluci Nation: Sonifying Embodied Global Allegiances, Decolonization, And Indigenous Activism
Authors: Woloshyn Alexa
Published: October 2018

“We are the tribe that they cannot see. We live on an industrial reservation. We are the Halluci Nation.” These words from Indigenous activist and poet John Trudell (1946–2015) inspired the latest album by Ottawa-based Indigenous DJ collective A Tribe Called Red (ATCR) and frame its pan-Indigenous, transcultural message. Inter-tribal relationships are both common and important to Indigenous communities, especially in urban centres. Powwows are also events that emphasize intertribal and intercultural relationships, even as they hosted by a specific nation. WithHalluci Nation,ATCR seeks to foster far-reaching allegiances across culture, ethnicity, and place to “[understand] oppression and how to collectively dismantle oppression” (DJ NDN of ATCR).

This article argues that ATCR’sHalluci Nationsonifies a process of decolonization that establishes an embodied network of global allies. I trace the development of ATCR’s music from its original focus on the Ottawa Indigenous community and its non-Indigenous allies to a call for nation-to-nation relationships (see Juno Award–winning albumNation II Nation,2013), and then now to a concept album that seeks to manifest a real “Halluci Nation” with members from around the world. Analysis of ATCR’s music, audience, andHalluci Nationalbum is contextualized by studies of community formation and identity politics in intertribal initiatives), such as powwows and friendship centres, and pan-Indigenous activism, such as Idle No More.
Diet quality through adolescence and early adulthood: cross-sectional associations of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet index and component food groups with age
Authors: Winpenny Eleanor M , Greenslade Stephanie , Corder Kirsten , van Sluijs Esther MF
Published: October 2018

Late adolescence to early adulthood is the period of life when prevalence of overweight and obesity rises the fastest, and an important time to understand changes in dietary risk factors. In this study we assess variation in diet quality through analysis of cross-sectional data from 2957 individuals aged 13 to 30 from the National Diet and Nutrition Study (2008-2016). Diet data were self-reported using 4-day food diaries and coded to give diet quality (DASH index, range 0-80) and DASH component food groups (grams/day). Mean DASH index score was low at 34.8 (95% CI 34.3, 35.4). Regression of diet quality score and food groups on age categories revealed no significant change in diet quality score with age category in males, but an improved diet quality score among females aged 19-21 (β=2.04, CI 0.05, 4.03), 25-27 (β=3.77, CI 1.36, 6.19) and 28-30 (β=2.48, CI 0.59, 4.36), compared to age 13-15. Both sexes showed increased vegetable intake with age. Dairy intake was lower in early adult ages among males, while in females there was an increase in the proportion of low-fat dairy consumed with age. Further research should address the determinants of changes in diet in early adulthood, to provide evidence for targeting of public health policy.
Production of exopolysaccharide by strains ofLactobacillus plantarumYO175 and OF101 isolated from traditional fermented cereal beverage
Authors: Adesulu-Dahunsi Adekemi Titilayo , Jeyaram Kumaraswamy , Sanni Abiodun Isiaka , Banwo Kolawole
Published: October 2018

Lactobacillus plantarumYO175 and OF101 isolates from Nigerian traditional fermented cereal gruel ‘ogi’, were investigated on the basis of their capability to produce exopolysaccharide (EPS) on sucrose modified deMan Rogosa Sharpe medium (mMRS). Functional groups analysis of the EPSs produced (EPS-YO175 and EPS-OF101) by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy revealed the presence of –OH, C=O and C–H groups. The chemical composition of EPS-YO175 and EPS-OF101 showed the presence of 87.1% and 80.62% carbohydrates and 1.21% and 1.47% protein. For maximum EPS yield, three significant factors were optimized using central composite design and response surface methodology, the predicted maximum EPS produced was 1.38 g/L and 2.19 g/L, while the experimental values were 1.36 g/L and 2.18 g/L for EPS-YO175 and EPS-OF101. The EPS samples showed strong antioxidant activitiesin-vitro.The scale-up of the production process of the EPS will find its potential application in food industries.
Cross-Sector Support for a Policy Framework to Tackle Social Determinants of Health
Authors: Butler Stuart M.
Published: November 2024

This JAMA Forum discusses 4 focus areas developed by a collaborative of more than 40 organizations and experts in health care, social services, and other sectors designed to find ways to support and address social determinants of health with better program coordination and partnerships and novel financing approaches.
Midpregnancy Placental Growth Factor Screening and Early Preterm Birth
Authors: Gladstone Rachel A. , Ahmed Sumaiya , Huszti Ella , McLaughlin Kelsey , Snelgrove John W. , Taher Jennifer , Hobson Sebastian R. , Windrim Rory C. , Murphy Kellie E. , Kingdom John C.
Published: November 2024

Importance

Early preterm birth (ie, at less than 34 weeks’ gestation) confers a high risk for adverse health outcomes, yet no universal screening strategy exists, preventing targeted delivery of effective interventions.

Objective

To evaluate the ability of midpregnancy placental growth factor (PlGF) screening to identify pregnancies at highest risk for early preterm birth.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prospective cohort study was conducted at an urban, tertiary care center from 2020 to 2023. Participants were unselected, pregnant people with singleton pregnancies, receiving universal-access prenatal care from obstetricians, family physicians, or midwives, who underwent a PlGF test at the time of routine gestational diabetes screening, typically at 24 to 28 weeks’ gestation. Data were analyzed from January to May 2024.

Exposure

PlGF level less than 100 pg/mL at the time of gestational diabetes screen.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was all early preterm birth, defined as less than 34 weeks’ gestation. Secondary outcomes included iatrogenic preterm birth, spontaneous preterm birth, preeclampsia, stillbirth, and small-for-gestational-age birth weight.

Results

Among 9037 unique pregnant individuals, 156 (1.7%) experienced early preterm birth (52 spontaneous births; 104 iatrogenic births). The area under the curve (AUC) for PlGF and early preterm birth was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.75-0.85). Low PlGF level was associated with early preterm birth (positive likelihood ratio [LR], 79.400 [95% CI, 53.434-115.137]; negative LR, 0.606 [95% CI, 0.494-0.742]; specificity, 99.5% [95% CI, 99.3%-99.6%]; negative predictive value, 98.9% [95% CI, 98.8%-99.1%]). Time to birth from PlGF test was significantly reduced among patients with a PlGF level less than 100 pg/mL, among whom more than 50% delivered within 50 days of testing. Individuals with a low PlGF level made up more than 30% of subsequent stillbirths (aRR, 36.78 [95% CI, 18.63-72.60]) and more than half of patients requiring iatrogenic early preterm birth (aRR, 92.11 [95% CI, 64.83-130.87]). The AUC for iatrogenic early preterm birth was 0.90 (95% CI, 0.85-0.94).

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that low PlGF level (<100 pg/mL), identified at the time of routine gestational diabetes screening, may be a powerful clinical tool to identify pregnant people at risk of early preterm birth, especially in iatrogenic births. Strategic redirection of tertiary health care resources to this high-risk group could improve maternal and perinatal outcomes.
Spinal Cord Stimulation vs Medical Management for Chronic Back and Leg Pain
Authors: Huygen Frank J. P. M. , Soulanis Konstantinos , Rtveladze Ketevan , Kamra Sheily , Schlueter Max
Published: November 2024

Importance

Chronic back and lower extremity pain is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) aims to improve symptoms and quality of life.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of SCS therapies compared with conventional medical management (CMM).

Data Sources

MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched from inception to September 2, 2022.

Study Selection

Selected studies were randomized clinical trials comparing SCS therapies with sham (placebo) and/or CMM or standard treatments for adults with chronic back or leg pain who had not previously used SCS.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Evidence synthesis estimated odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences (MDs) and their associated credible intervals (CrI) through bayesian network meta-analysis. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline for network meta-analyses was followed.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcomes were pain-related end points, including pain intensity (measured by visual analog scale) and proportion of patients achieving at least 50% pain relief (responder rate) in the back or leg. Quality of life (measured by EQ-5D index score) and functional disability (measured by the Oswestry Disability Index score) were also considered.

Results

A total of 13 studies of 1561 patients were included in the network meta-analysis comparing conventional and novel SCS therapies with CMM across the 6 outcomes of interest at the 6-month follow-up. Both conventional and novel SCS therapies were associated with superior efficacy compared with CMM in responder rates in back (conventional SCS: OR, 3.00; 95% CrI, 1.49 to 6.72; novel SCS: OR, 8.76; 95% CrI, 3.84 to 22.31), pain intensity in back (conventional SCS: MD, −1.17; 95% CrI, −1.64 to −0.70; novel SCS: MD, −2.34; 95% CrI, −2.96 to −1.73), pain intensity in leg (conventional SCS: MD, −2.89; 95% CrI, −4.03 to −1.81; novel SCS: MD, −4.01; 95% CrI, −5.31 to −2.75), and EQ-5D index score (conventional SCS: MD, 0.15; 95% CrI, 0.09 to 0.21; novel SCS: MD, 0.17; 95% CrI, 0.13 to 0.21). For functional disability, conventional SCS was superior to CMM (MD, −7.10; 95% CrI, −10.91 to −3.36). No statistically significant differences were observed for other comparisons.

Conclusions and Relevance

This systematic review and network meta-analysis found that SCS therapies for treatment of chronic pain in back and/or lower extremities were associated with greater improvements in pain compared with CMM. These findings highlight the potential of SCS therapies as an effective and valuable option in chronic pain management.
Race, Gender, and Faculty Retention in Academic Medicine
Authors: Scheuermann Taneisha S. , Clark Lauren , Sultana Nasrin , Machado Nathalia , Shergina Elena , Polineni Deepika , Shih Grace H. , Simari Robert D. , Wick Jo A. , Richter Kimber P.
Published: November 2024

Importance

Poor retention may be associated with lack of faculty diversity in academic medicine.

Objective

To examine differences in faculty retention by gender, degree type, and race and ethnicity using data from US medical schools.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study analyzed data from 155 medical schools for 1978 to 2021, which were obtained from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Retention rates were calculated by gender, race and ethnicity, and degree type. Time to attrition was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the differences in retention by gender and race. Data were analyzed from March 2021 to November 2022.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The duration of continuous employment in academic medicine and variations in retention based on gender, race, ethnicity, and terminal degree.

Results

Among 390 766 faculty members (232 829 [59.6%] men; 1190 American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander [0.3%]; 72 490 Asian [18.6%]; 14 920 Black [3.8%]; 20 345 Hispanic, Latino, of Spanish origin, or multirace Hispanic [5.2%]; 251 670 non-Hispanic White [64.4%] participants; and 30 151 [7.7%] other race), 259 628 (66.4%) had MD or MD-equivalent terminal degrees. Women left academic medicine a median of 1 year earlier (median retention, 8.33 years; 95% CI, 8.18-8.41 years) than men (median retention, 9.35 years; 95% CI, 9.25-9.42 years). Compared with White faculty (median retention, 9.91 years; 95% CI, 9.83-9.92 years), multiracial and faculty of other races had the lowest retention (median retention, 5.42 years; 95% CI, 5.33-5.55 years), followed by Alaska Native, American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (median retention, 6.00 years; 95% CI, 5.62-6.62 years), Black (median retention, 7.78 years; 95% CI, 7.50-8.00 years), Asian (median retention, 8.00 years; 95% CI, 8.00-8.11 years) and Hispanic faculty (median retention, 9.00 years; 95% CI, 8.75-9.16 years). Women faculty in the 1970s were 20% more likely than men to leave academia, whereas women in the 2010s had no greater risk of leaving, mainly due to a decline in retention of men.

Conclusions and Relevance

Gender differences in faculty retention have decreased in the most recent decade; however, men had lower retention compared with earlier cohorts. In this study, faculty who were underrepresented in medicine left academic medicine a median of 1 to 4 years earlier than White faculty. Greater attrition among men and women for recent cohorts suggests that enhanced retention efforts are imperative to maintain an experienced and diverse faculty.
Electronic Health in the Palliative Care Pathway for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: van den Besselaar Boyd N. , van Hof Kira S. , Sewnaik Aniel , Baatenburg de Jong Robert. J. , Offerman Marinella P. J.
Published: November 2024

Importance

The Expert Center of Palliative Care for head and neck cancer offers structural attention to patients’ complex physical and psychosocial care needs. Patients are offered remote care, including digital monitoring using patient-reported outcome measures, to enable them to stay as long as possible in their trusted home environment. There is limited literature on qualitative feedback and patient-reported experiences with palliative head and neck cancer care, especially for remote care. To provide optimal palliative care, more information on this is needed.

Objective

To provide insight into the experiences of patients with head and neck cancer and their next of kin with a hybrid palliative care pathway.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A mixed-methods quality improvement study was conducted at a tertiary cancer center. The experiences of patients with head and neck cancer in the palliative phase as of June 2022 and next of kin of patients who had died between June 2021 and March 2022 were evaluated using a patient-reported experience measure that included open-ended questions.

Exposures

Hybrid palliative care pathway.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Experiences of patients and next of kin.

Results

Of 105 included participants, 54 (51.4%) were male, and the mean (SD) age was 67.2 (12.7) years. A total of 56 participants were patients and 49 were next of kin. The face-to-face consultations on the day of the palliative diagnosis were positively experienced by most patients and next of kin. A total of 42 of 102 participants (41%) and 24 of 79 participants (30%) missed at least 1 topic during consultations with their physician and oncology nurse, respectively, such as discussing life expectancy. During the remote follow-up, 71 of 92 (77%) felt safe with this care: they were able to sufficiently clarify their problems, and if necessary, timely action was taken. However, 17 of 48 patients (35%) and 21 of 46 next of kin (46%) considered the provided psychosocial support to be insufficient.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this quality improvement study, patients and next of kin were satisfied with most aspects of the hybrid palliative care pathway, and remote care seemed to be a promising means of delivery. Key areas needing attention are discussing life expectancy and providing psychosocial support. These insights represent the initial steps toward gaining a deeper understanding of patients’ needs during specific moments in a hybrid palliative trajectory. They may support health care professionals in optimizing personalized and value-based palliative care delivery.
NaHCO3‐Promoted Formal [4+3] Annulation of Salicylaldehydes with Isoquinolinium Salts Accessing Isoquinoline‐Fused Benzo[f][1,3]oxazepines
Authors: Tang Qiang , Liu Yanan , Wu Mengdi , Kong Yangzilin , Jiang Xiaochun , Ling Shizhang , Shang Yongjia , He Xinwei
Published: November 2024

A concise and practical sustainable strategy for modular access to isoquinoline‐fused benzo[f][1,3]oxazepine derivatives through a formal [4+3] annulation of commercially available salicyaldehydes with isoquinolinium salts has been developed. The reactions proceeded through the formation of two new bonds (C=C and C−O) and a seven‐membered heterocyclic ring in one pot. Remarkably, use of simple NaHCO3 as a mild base, open atmosphere, nonhazardous reagents, nice functional group tolerance, and easily scale up are added characteristics to this approach. A wide range of substrates are compatible with this mild reaction system, thereby proving a facile and reliable protocol for constructing a benzo[f][1,3]oxazepine skeletons.
Quinoline Substituted Anthracene Isomers: A Case Study for Simultaneously Optimizing High Mobility and Strong Luminescence in Herringbone‐Packed Organic Semiconductors
Authors: Wang Pu , Gao Can , Ni Zhenjie , Liu Dan , Zhang Yihan , Liu Zhenling , Liu Yumin , Hu Wenping , Dong Huanli
Published: November 2024

The development of high mobility emissive organic semiconductors is significant for advancing optoelectronic devices with simplified architecture and enhanced performance. The herringbone‐packed structure is regarded as the ideal arrangement for simultaneously achieving high mobility and strong emission in organic semiconductors. However, it remains a great challenge that the relationship between molecular structure and optoelectronic property is still elusive. Herein, four quinoline‐substituted anthracene isomers were designed and synthesized by introducing quinoline groups to anthracene core. Their intermolecular interactions and packing mode in the herringbone‐packed structures were regularly tuning by subtle changing the nitrogen position on quinoline group, resulting in the superior integration of optoelectronic properties. Through a comprehensive analysis of aggregation states and optoelectronic properties, we revealed that in herringbone‐packed aggregates, a centroid distance of approximately 7–7.5 Å along CH‐π direction and 6–6.5 Å along π–π direction is beneficial for simultaneously achieving high mobility and strong emission. These properties are closely related to the molecular twist angles, which are influenced by intramolecular interactions. This structure–property relationship has been further validated in other herringbone‐packed high mobility emissive organic semiconductors, demonstrating its broad applicability and universal potential. This work figures out the practical molecular design principle for high mobility emissive organic semiconductors.
An Analytical Model for Transit Light Curves
Authors: Drignei Dorin
Published: November 2024

Transits and secondary eclipses of an exoplanet orbiting a host star generate dips in the light curve. This article proposes a new class of mathematical functions that provide simple and computationally efficient models for such light curves. The transit and secondary eclipse functions account for ingress/egress, and the transit function incorporates curvilinear limb darkening. Their parameters are estimated using least squares methods. These models can be used to test for the statistical significance of dips, potentially revealing the existence of an exoplanet. In addition, they can be used to estimate features such as duration and depth of a transit or a secondary eclipse, limb darkening curvature and ingress/egress slope, and the orbital period. Examples using publicly available light curve data are presented, demonstrating the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed functions as fast analytical models for transits and/or secondary eclipses.
Design, Synthesis, and Anti‐Mycobacterial Evaluation of Triclosan‐Isoniazid Hybrids
Authors: Gupta Nikita , Chowdhary Shefali , Roquet‐Baneres Francoise , Kremer Laurent , Kumar Vipan
Published: November 2024

A series of Triclosan‐based hybrids and their Schiff base derivatives with isoniazid were designed through in silico modeling and synthesized using copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction. These compounds were then evaluated against both Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab). However, none of the synthesized hybrids exhibited significant growth inhibition, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values consistently exceeding 100 µg/mL. To further investigate these findings, we conducted mechanistic studies including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and UV–vis stability tests. TGA demonstrated thermal stability of the Schiff bases up to 270°C, while UV–vis analysis confirmed their chemical resilience across a wide pH spectrum, showing resistance to hydrolysis under acidic and basic conditions. The lack of observed antimicrobial activity may be attributed to the high lipophilicity of these molecules, as indicated by LogP values exceeding 5, which could limit their bioavailability. These findings suggest that although combining triclosan and isoniazid holds potential, further optimization of this hybrid strategy is necessary to improve efficacy.
Triterpenoids from Potentilla chinensis Inhibit RANKL‐Induced Osteoclastogenesis in Vitro and Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Osteolytic Bone Loss in Vivo
Authors: Tran Trong Trieu , Gal Minju , Ha Manh Tuan , Hyun Seungeun , Kim Okwha , Lee Jeong‐Hyung , Min Byung Sun
Published: November 2024

In this study, a phytochemical investigation on the methanol extract of Potentilla chinensis led to the isolation of eleven triterpenoids including ursolic acid (1), pomolic acid (2), tormentic acid (3), 2‐epi‐corosolic acid (4), 3‐epi‐corosolic acid (ECA, 5), 3β‐hydroxyurs‐11‐en‐13β(28)‐olide (6), euscaphic acid (7), 2‐epi‐tormentic acid (8), corosolic acid (9), uvaol (10), and 3‐O‐acetylpomolic acid (11). Among them, ECA (5) showed potential anti‐osteoclastogenic activity. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first isolation of ECA (5) from P. chinensis as well as the first investigation of its effects on osteoclast formation. Further study revealed that ECA inhibited RANKL‐induced mature osteoclast formation in vitro without compromising cell viability. Mechanistically, ECA attenuated RANKL‐induced mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activation, leading to the inhibition of c‐Fos and nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) activation. Moreover, ECA protected against LPS‐induced inflammatory bone loss and osteoclast formation in a mouse model. However, ECA did not inhibit LPS‐induced inflammatory responses in macrophages. Our findings suggest that ECA mitigates LPS‐induced inflammatory bone loss in mice by inhibiting RANKL‐induced activation of key osteoclastogenic transcription factors, including c‐Fos and NFATc1, and may be a potential natural triterpenoid for preventing or treating osteolytic diseases.
Photoactivatable O‐GlcNAc Transferase Library Enables Covalent Chemical Capture of Solvent‐Exposed TPR Domain Interactions
Authors: Joiner Cassandra M. , Glogowski Tiarra J. , NewRingeisen Erin M. , Huynh Huy V. , Roberts Melanie G. , Rognerud Madison M. , Huebsch Hahns E.
Published: November 2024

O‐linked N‐acetylglucosamine (O‐GlcNAc) transferase (OGT) is an essential, stress‐sensing enzyme responsible for adding the O‐GlcNAc monosaccharide to thousands of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins to regulate cellular homeostasis. OGT substrates are found in almost all intracellular processes, and perturbations in protein O‐GlcNAc levels have been implicated in proteostatic diseases, such as cancers, metabolic disorders, and neurodegeneration. This broad disease activity makes OGT an attractive therapeutic target; however, the substrate diversity makes pan‐inhibition as a therapeutic strategy unfeasible. Rather, a substrate‐specific approach to targeting is more advantageous, but how OGT chooses its substrates remains poorly understood. Substrate specificity is controlled by the interactions between OGT's non‐catalytic tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain, rather than its glycosyltransferase domain. OGT's TPR domain forms a 100 Å superhelical structure, containing a lumenal surface, known as the substrate‐binding surface, and a solvent‐exposed surface. To date, there are no tools to site‐selectively target regions of the domain and differentiate between the two binding surfaces. Here, we developed a library of recombinant OGT constructs containing site‐specifically incorporated photoactivatable unnatural amino acids (UAAs) along the solvent‐exposed surface of the TPR domain to covalently capture and map OGT's interactome.
Diversification of 3′‐Amino Nucleosides via Enzymatic Transglycosylation
Authors: Zhang Li , Xu Haiyan , Wu Xiaofan , Li Yitong , Tao Yuan , Huang Zedu , Chen Fener
Published: November 2024

A systematic study on the enzymatic transglycosylation of 3′‐amino nucleosides has been reported. Using the commercially available 3′‐amino‐3′‐deoxythymidine as the sugar donor, 13 pyrimidine and purine nucleobases were shown as the viable sugar acceptors in the nucleoside phosphorylase EcPPNP‐ and/or nucleoside 2′‐deoxyribosyltransferase LlNDT‐catalyzed reactions, furnishing the corresponding 3′‐amino containing nucleosides in 23%–73% NMR yields at an analytical scale. The synthetic utility of this diversification approach was further showcased by the successful synthesis of 3′‐amino‐2′,3′‐dideoxy‐5‐bromouridine in 29% isolated yield at a preparative scale. The current work demonstrates the transglycosylation activity of EcPPNP for the first time, expands the substrate scope of LlNDT, and provides an efficient, direct access to various 3′‐amino nucleosides of high value.
Harvey's Story
Authors: Reiner Anton
Published: November 2024

Harvey Jules Karten passed away on July 15, 2024. With his passing, the world lost a remarkable and energetic man who had made major contributions to neuroscience, in particular, resetting our understanding of the evolution of the forebrain and the evolution of intelligence. He left behind a legion of loyal colleagues with whom he had collaborated and shared ideas, students he had inspired and trained, and non‐neuroscientist friends he had made in the passionate pursuit of his hobbies—sailing, skiing, and hiking.
Thermosensitive Hydrogels for Periodontal Regeneration: A Systematic Review of the Evidence
Authors: Amiri Mohammad Amin , Amiri Delara , Hamedani Shahram
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Thermosensitive hydrogels are now among the most commonly used biomaterials in tissue engineering. Due to their unique characteristics, this review aimed to evaluate the suitability of thermosensitive hydrogels in periodontal regeneration.

Material and Methods

PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched until March 25, 2024, to retrieve relevant articles. The eligibility criteria for the included studies were determined by the designed PICO elements. Results from each included study were extracted, focusing on the three main areas: thermosensitivity, cellular characteristics, and in vivo characteristics.

Results

Nineteen studies were included in our study. The thermosensitivity assessment of the hydrogels indicated a range of sol–gel transition times from 40 s to 20 min based on the type of polymers and the fabrication process. The cellular characterization was assessed based on three main cellular behaviors: cellular viability/proliferation, differentiation, and migration. The in vivo characterization was performed based on two main approaches: radiographic and histologic evaluation.

Conclusions

The results indicated that the addition of bioactive agents could enhance the in vivo efficacy of thermosensitive hydrogels in periodontal regeneration through three main areas: antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, and regenerative effects.
Ammonia Decomposition via MOF‐Derived Photothermal Catalysts
Authors: Sousa Angel , Rendon Patino Alejandra , Garzon Tovar Luis , Mateo Diego , Gascon Jorge , Bavykina Anastasiya
Published: November 2024

Three cobalt‐based metal‐organic framework (MOF)‐derived catalysts were developed for photothermal hydrogen production via ammonia decomposition. The selected MOFs were from distinct families, featuring carboxylate and imidazole linkers, and diverse in terms of porosity. The resulting catalysts consisted of uniform and homogeneously dispersed cobalt nanoparticles embedded within a carbon matrix. The carboxylate‐based MOF‐74 derived catalyst showed the highest initial activity, but gradually deactivated. ZIF‐67 derived catalyst, however, demonstrated stable performance. The synergy between photo and thermal effects was confirmed. Additionally, this catalyst was found to be also effective in ammonia synthesis, potentially closing the loop for sustainable ammonia utilization.
The Habitat Alteration of Corrigiola Litoralis L. (Strapwort) on the Elbe River Driven by Climate Change
Authors: Havlíček Vojtěch , Heřmanovský Martin , Bureš Luděk , Martínková Marta , Čuda Jan , Hanel Martin
Published: November 2024

This study aims to determine the possible future development of areas suitable for Corrigiola litoralis L. (strapwort) at six research sites on the part of the Elbe River near the border with Germany under considered climate change. We have combined hydrological and hydraulic approaches with outputs from climate models representing future climate patterns to meet these objectives. The hydrological models used in this study were BILAN, GR4J and TUW, while the hydraulic calculations were performed using HEC‐RAS. Climate data were derived from 216 climate models and grouped according to the projected change in mean temperature. Areas suitable for strapwort were identified based on conditions that reflect the ecological requirements of the species. The results show that increasing average temperatures and subsequent water level fluctuations will increase the number of seasons suitable for strapwort and its area of occurrence. These areas will emerge above water level for a longer period, extending the growing season of strapwort and increasing its reproductive capacity. At the same time, winter flooding of the sites will remain, which is likely to suppress perennial species that would competitively exclude strapwort. Regarding hydrological models, GR4J and TUW were consistent in their results. In contrast, due to the different structure, the BILAN model showed a different response to rainfall inputs, and the results were inconsistent with those of the above models. This finding highlights the need to select an appropriate hydrological model. In contrast, the sensitivity of the results to climate model variability was found to be relatively low.
Fabrication of 0.6 eV Bandgap In0.69Ga0.31As Thermophotovoltaic Cells and Its System Demonstration
Authors: Yang Qiaobing , Zhai Han , Lu Hongbo , Zheng Tong , Li Ge , Lei Renbo , Jiang Shuai , Ma Ninghua , Zhang Wei , Li Xinyi
Published: November 2024

Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) is a promising energy conversion technology that can absorb the heat from a thermal radiator and transfer it into power. As the most significant energy converter, TPV cells need a narrower bandgap to realize a wider absorption spectrum range. In this work, the fabrication and characterization of single‐junction In0.69Ga0.31As TPV cells with a bandgap of 0.6 eV are presented. The main structure is grown on an InP substrate through metal‐organic chemical vapor deposition. Step‐graded InAsyP1−y buffer layers are used to mitigate the dislocations by relaxing the stress induced by lattice mismatch completely. Analysis of the composition, strain relaxation, layer tilt, and crystalline quality of each layer is demonstrated using triple‐axis X‐ray reciprocal space mapping and transmission electron microscopy. According to the tested results, each layer is found to be nearly fully relaxed and the InGaAs active layer grown on the buffer displays a high crystal quality. External quantum efficiency achieves 90% at 1100–1500 nm. Additionally, a TPV test platform is constructed to evaluate the cell performance. The maximum efficiency of the lattice‐mismatched TPV cell reaches 21.92% operating at a power density of 267.4 mW cm−2 and an emitter temperature of 1200 °C.
Simple, direct amplification of RNA‐containing paper discs for diagnosing the hepatitis C virus
Authors: Chu Daehyun , Oh Yoon‐Hee , Sung Heungsup , Ko Dae‐Hyun , Oh Heung‐Bum , Hwang Sang‐Hyun
Published: November 2024

Nucleic acid extraction (NAE) is crucial for molecular diagnostics but presents challenges in point‐of‐care testing (POCT) and decentralized settings. We developed a streamlined, paper‐based NAE method for hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA amplification, suitable for integration into POCT and lab‐on‐a‐chip systems. This method uses Fusion 5 paper discs, completing extraction in under 30 min without centrifugation. The nucleic acids on the disc can be directly used or eluted for amplification. We validated this method's compatibility with reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), real‐time quantitative PCR (RQ‐PCR), and loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), demonstrating versatility across amplification platforms. Clinical evaluation (n = 60) showed 100% sensitivity and specificity with a low detection limit of ~101 IU/mL. Results matched those from standard HCV RQ‐PCR, confirming accuracy. Additionally, incorporating polyethylene glycol (PEG) improves extraction efficiency, eliminating the need for ethanol treatment and washing/drying steps. This modification enhances performance and suitability for field applications. Our paper‐based HCV amplification is affordable and user‐friendly, making it valuable for decentralized HCV detection and supporting global health initiatives.
Extremes of Temperature and Precipitation Under CMIP6 Scenarios Projections Over Central Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Zhou Lulu , Peng Shilei , Liao Renjun , Mihara Kunihito , Kuramochi Kanta , Toma Yo , Hatano Ryusuke
Published: November 2024

Climate extreme events are intensifying globally, posing increasing risks across various sectors. Understanding climate extremes' spatiotemporal patterns and responses to climate change is crucial for effective management, especially on a regional scale. This study examines temperature and precipitation extremes, as well as compound dry‐hot events (CDHEs), in the Ishikari River basin (IRB) of Northeastern Japan, an area of significant socioeconomic importance. We focus on spatiotemporal analysis under multiple scenarios of temperature/precipitation extremes and CDHEs based on statistical downscaled datasets from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6. Results indicate that IRB underwent increased trends of extreme hot periods, extreme droughts, and heavy rainfalls during 1985–2014, which are significantly affected by the North Pacific Oscillation and Southern Oscillation Index. Future projections show that warming temperatures and less rainfall shift asymmetrical impacts on temperature and precipitation extremes, expecting increased warm spells and CDHEs but increased wet durations and less heavy rainfalls. Emission scenarios analysis suggests low‐emission scenarios (SSP1‐2.6) could mitigate their exacerbations, especially for CDHEs (decreased by 139%). Moreover, spatial‐pattern analysis reveals regional heterogeneity in temperature and precipitation extremes, with northern mountainous regions more susceptible to thermal extremes and southern plain regions (e.g., Sapporo city) experiencing prolonged drought and CDHEs. This study provides valuable insights into climate risk management and adaptation strategies.
Attenuation of high‐fat diet‐induced weight gain by apolipoprotein A4
Authors: Kuo Hsuan‐Chih N. , LaRussa Zachary , Xu Flora Mengyang , Consitt Leslie A. , Liu Min , Davidson W. Sean , Puri Vishwajeet , Coschigano Karen T. , Shi Haifei , Lo Chunmin C.
Published: November 2024

Objective

Apolipoprotein A4 (APOA4) is synthesized by the small intestine in response to dietary lipids. Chronic exposure to a high‐fat diet (HFD) desensitizes lipid‐induced APOA4 production and attenuates brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis. We hypothesized that exogenous APOA4 could increase BAT thermogenesis and energy expenditure in HFD‐fed mice, resulting in decreased obesity and improved glucose tolerance.

Methods

BAT and inguinal white adipose tissue (IWAT) thermogenesis, body composition, energy intake and expenditure, and locomotor activity were measured using an infrared camera, immunoblots, quantitative magnetic resonance imaging, and a comprehensive lab animal monitoring system. An intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and hepatic lipid accumulation and steatosis were assayed.

Results

Mice receiving continuous infusion of APOA4 for the last 4 weeks of 10 weeks of HFD feeding gained no additional body weight and had reduced fat mass but enhanced BAT and IWAT thermogenesis and energy expenditure, despite unaltered food intake and locomotor activity. Additionally, APOA4 infusion elevated fatty acid β oxidation; decreased lipogenesis, lipid accumulation, and steatosis in liver; and improved glucose tolerance.

Conclusions

Maintenance of plasma APOA4 via exogenous APOA4 protein parallels elevation of BAT and IWAT thermogenesis, hepatic fatty acid β oxidation, and overall energy expenditure, with subsequent prevention of additional weight gain in HFD‐fed obese mice.
A comparison of numerical methods for computing the exact closure for short‐fiber composites
Authors: Mehta Alok , Schneider Matti
Published: November 2024

We present efficient algorithms for computing fourth‐order fiber orientation tensors associated to the exact closure. Based on quadrature using spherical designs, we investigate Newton's method as well as a fixed point scheme. These methods serve as alternatives to the original approach utilizing elliptic integrals. We compare the convergence behavior and the computational performance of both algorithms.