bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Situ Encapsulation of Phase‐Change Thermal‐Storage Material using 3D Polymer‐Aided Cross‐Linked Porous Carbon
Authors: Xiao Tong , Liu Qingyi , Lin Yixuan , Lin Tingyu , Zhao Jiateng , Sun Wenjie , Chen Xiao , Liu Changhui
Published: January 2023

Phase‐change materials are of great interest in solving mismatch between energy supply and demand. However, the vulnerability of solid–liquid phase‐change materials to leakage during the phase‐change process limits their development and application in practice. Herein, the enhancement of the shape stability of phase‐change materials is achieved through an organic–inorganic composite. The mixture of phenolic resin and polyethylene glycol forms a homogeneous solution based on their excellent mutual solubility and is able to be adsorbed into the pores of the expanded graphite by means of a vacuum‐impregnation strategy. The 3D cross‐linked network structure of phenolic resin is formed within the pores of expanded graphite, enabling in situ encapsulation of polyethylene glycol. It is worth noting that the curing reaction of phenolic resin is able to be initiated by heating up without the addition of any curing agent and other auxiliary materials. A thermal conductivity enhancement of 20 times than that of polyethylene glycol is achieved along with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 63.72% and with a latent heat of 134.94 J g−1 without leakage.
Contact Electrification Behaviors of Solid–Liquid Interface: Regulation, Mechanisms, and Applications
Authors: Wang Nannan , Liu Yupeng , Ye Enyi , Li Zibiao , Wang Daoai
Published: January 2023

Liquid–solid contact electrification is a universal physical phenomenon. The electrical energy produced by a drop of water during the solid–liquid triboelectric electrification (TE) process is negligible, usually at the level of nA or uA. However, by adjusting the structure and composition of materials, or by designing devices more rationally, TE of a drop of water can reach voltages in the thousands of volts and currents in the mA level, which is sufficient to power many electronic devices. Therefore, studying solid–liquid triboelectric nanogenerators is of great significance in the field of energy harvesting. To achieve the manipulation of liquid–solid triboelectrification to nurture strengths and bypass weaknesses, a thorough knowledge of the liquid–solid contact electrification process and its influencing elements is required. The concept, influencing variables, mechanisms, and current control tactics of solid–liquid triboelectrification are addressed in this review. Then, using triboelectric generator technology, solid friction layers are designed and fabricated from three perspectives: structure design, surface functionalization modification, and interface wettability control, with discussion of how the three factors interact and contribute to solid–liquid electrification behavior. How solid–liquid triboelectrification can be used to capture energy and create self‐powered sensors is discussed.
Recurrent syncope in long survivors and its association with geriatric syndromes
Authors: Bandhu Kamal , Rao Akshata , Nehra Ashima , Dwivedi Sada Nand , Chakrawarty Avinash , Dey Aparajit Ballav
Published: January 2023

Objective

Syncope is a common clinical condition in the elderly, associated with significant morbidity and risk of recurrence. Recurrent syncope causing a repeated reduction in the cerebral blood flow can predispose to progressive neurodegeneration, a decline in overall health and functionality. Hence, this study was conducted to study the common causes of recurrent syncope and its association with various geriatric syndromes.

Methodology

This case–control study recruited 50 cases of recurrent syncope and 50 controls, aged 75 years and older. A detailed history and sequential evaluation for aetiologies of recurrent syncope were done. Cognition, frailty, activities of daily living, depression, and nutrition were assessed using various scales.

Results

Most (80%, 80/100) of the participants were males and the mean age was 80.04 ± 4.3 years. In the syncope group, 42% (21/50) of patients had arrhythmia, and 30% (15/30) had valvular heart disease. Recurrent syncope was significantly associated with lower scores on Montreal cognitive assessment scale (OR: 6.47 P < 0.001), four or more comorbidities (OR: 6.29 P < 0.001), and hearing impairment (OR: 6.21 P < 0.004) on multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Conclusion

Recurrent syncope is significantly associated with cognitive impairment, the presence of four or more comorbidities, and hearing impairment. Conduction abnormality was the most common etiology of recurrent cardiovascular syncope. Structured evaluation and appropriate management of recurrent syncope might reduce the decline in physical, cognitive, and psychological reserve. A follow‐up longitudinal study is needed to establish this.
Probing a Hydrogen‐π Interaction Involving a Trapped Water Molecule in the Solid State
Authors: Bartalucci Ettore , Malär Alexander A. , Mehnert Anne , Kleine Büning Julius B. , Günzel Lennart , Icker Maik , Börner Martin , Wiebeler Christian , Meier Beat H. , Grimme Stefan , Kersting Berthold , Wiegand Thomas
Published: January 2023

The detection and characterization of trapped water molecules in chemical entities and biomacromolecules remains a challenging task for solid materials. We herein present proton‐detected solid‐state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) experiments at 100 kHz magic‐angle spinning and at high static magnetic‐field strengths (28.2 T) enabling the detection of a single water molecule fixed in the calix[4]arene cavity of a lanthanide complex by a combination of three types of non‐covalent interactions. The water proton resonances are detected at a chemical‐shift value close to zero ppm, which we further confirm by quantum‐chemical calculations. Density Functional Theory calculations pinpoint to the sensitivity of the proton chemical‐shift value for hydrogen‐π interactions. Our study highlights how proton‐detected solid‐state NMR is turning into the method‐of‐choice in probing weak non‐covalent interactions driving a whole branch of molecular‐recognition events in chemistry and biology.
A novel MnTi mixed oxide catalyst engineered by metal–organic framework precursor for enhancing NOx removal performance
Authors: Du Yali , Du Rongting , Wu Xianfeng , Li Xiaodong , Wu Xu
Published: January 2023

In this research, MnTi metal–organic frameworks (MnTi‐MOFs) were successfully prepared, and derived catalysts were innovatively applied to the removal of NOx by selective catalytic reduction with NH3 (NH3‐SCR). The test results show that the one‐step controllable synthesis of MnTi‐MOFs material is achieved through adjusting the Mn/Ti molar ratios and the proportion of metal to organic ligands, in which the ratio of organic ligands is vitally significant for the synthesis of MnTi‐MOFs (MnTi‐MOFs can only be synthesized with the ligand to metal molar ratio in the range of 3–4). Owing to the special heterogeneity of MOFs, the catalyst sample derived from the MnTi‐MOFs precursor prepared with suitable raw material ratio exhibits the best SCR performance. Series of characterization analyses show that the catalysts derived from MOFs precursors with ordered lattice structure exhibit an appropriate surface chemical adsorption oxygen, an increased Mn4+/Mnn+ content, and enhanced acidity of the surface of the sample. This research affords an innovative method to the controllable preparation of dual metal MOFs and expands the development of catalysts in the field of low‐temperature de‐NOx.
Effects of alkali metal catalysts on the melt fluidity of polycarbonates with different degrees of polymerization
Authors: Zheng Mingfu , Chen Mengdi , Zhang Lu , Peng Wenjun , Zhang Xian‐Ming , Chen Wenxing
Published: January 2023

The melt fluidity of polycarbonate (PC) significantly influences the processing, while the melt viscosity depends on the molecular structure. Specifically, the melt viscosity increases sharply with the increase of polymerization degree. However, the influence mechanism of alkali metal catalysts on the fluidity by affecting the molecular structure remains unclear. Herein, high and low concentrations of NaOH catalysts were used to synthesize PC with different polycondensation degrees. The effect of NaOH catalyst content on the molecular structure and thus melt fluidity of PC were systematically characterized and discussed employing NMR spectroscopy, absolute and relative molecular weight, intrinsic viscosity, melt flow index, and thermal analysis. The results show that a random branched structure of the PC molecular chain caused by excess NaOH improves the melt flowability. However, the residual NaOH promotes the degradation of carbonate bonds during thermal processing, resulting in poor PC stability. Based on the above discussion, empirical fitting equations are proposed to describe the relationship between molecular structure and flow properties, which provides a new way to judge PC performance.
A seesaw‐like mechanism for the neutrino in the presence of a minimal length space–time
Authors: Ferreira Thiago Oliveira , Vasconcellos César A. Z. , Hadjimichef Dimiter
Published: January 2023

In the Standard Model, neutrinos appear as left‐handed massless particles, although experimentally they have a tiny, but non‐vanishing, mass. Inspired by quantum gravity, Moayedi, Setare, Moayeri & Poorakbar (2011) used a Lorentz‐covariant algebra for a quantized space–time to derive a modified Dirac equation due to the presence of a minimal length. In this paper, we study this equation in the massless limit in order to describe neutrino states. We show that the minimal length creates a seesaw‐like mechanism that allows us to describe the observed left‐handed neutrinos with vanishing masses while the unobserved right‐handed neutrinos get extremely heavy.
The laser interferometric gravitational wave detector calibrator suspension: First attempt
Authors: do Prado André Rogerio Cardoso , da Silva Bortoli Fabio , Magalhães Nadja Simao , Frajuca Carlos
Published: January 2023

In 2015 the first detection of gravitational waves (GW) was made; such detection was made by kilometer size interferometer detectors. The calibration of such a detector is still a challenge then a calibrator was proposed. This calibrator is a resonant mass gravitational wave detector that operates at frequencies where the GW have been detected. This work shows part of the challenges of making a suspension for this device. The device has its vibration mode simulated in Finite Element Methods, then the parts of the device which have less movement were chosen to connect the suspension. Other simulations were made with the complete system and the results were analyzed.
Einflüsse auf die Messunsicherheit von SHM‐Systemen und deren Kompensation am Beispiel von Laser‐Distanzmessungen
Authors: Bartels Jan‐Hauke , Gebauer Daniel , Marx Steffen
Published: January 2023

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) wird immer wichtiger für die Überwachung von Ingenieur‐ und Infrastrukturbauwerken, da sie kontinuierlich Informationen generieren und eine Zustandsbewertung in Echtzeit ermöglichen. Eine der wesentlichen Herausforderungen bei der Überwachung ist jedoch, dass die Veränderungen des Zustands aufgrund von Deterioration nur geringfügig sind. Zugleich beeinflussen Umwelteinflüsse wie die Temperatur, oder die Messsystemkomponenten selbst, das Messsignal. Es stellt sich die Frage, wie diese Einflüsse minimiert werden können. Um dies zu untersuchen, werden Laser‐Triangulationssensoren (LTS) getestet und die Messunsicherheit aufgrund von Temperatureinflüssen ermittelt. Es zeigt sich, dass die Messunsicherheit des Messsystems nur geringer als typische Zustandsänderungen an Bauwerken ist, solange eine Temperaturkompensation durchgeführt wird. Außerdem kann festgestellt werden, dass der Sensor – im Vergleich zu Kabel und Messverstärker – den größten Einfluss auf die Messunsicherheit des Messsystems hat und die Kabellänge bei LTS mit Stromausgang keinen Einfluss aufweist.
Evaluation of bottom‐up modeling of the blood–brain barrier to improve brain penetration prediction via physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling
Authors: Bowman Christine , Ma Fang , Mao Jialin , Plise Emile , Chen Eugene , Liu Liling , Zhang Shu , Chen Yuan
Published: January 2023

Predicting the brain penetration of drugs has been notoriously difficult; however, recently, permeability‐limited brain models have been constructed. Lead optimization for central nervous system compounds often focuses on compounds that have low transporter efflux, where passive permeability could be a main driver in determining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/brain concentrations. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the translatability of passive permeability data generated from different in vitro systems and its impact on the prediction of human CSF/brain concentrations using physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling. In vitro data were generated using gMDCK and parallel artificial membrane permeability assay‐blood–brain barrier for comparison and predictions using a quantitative structure‐activity relationship model were also evaluated. PBPK modeling was then performed for seven compounds with moderate‐high permeability and a range of efflux in vitro, and the CSF/brain mass concentrations and Kpuu were reasonably predicted. This work provides the first step of a promising approach using bottom‐up PBPK modeling for CSF/brain penetration prediction to support lead optimization and clinical candidate selection.
Safety of prenatal opioid analgesics: Do results differ between public health insurance beneficiary and population‐based cohorts?
Authors: Brogly Susan B. , Bowie Alexa C. , Li Wenbin , Camden Andi , Velez Maria P. , Guttmann Astrid , Werler Martha M.
Published: January 2023

Background

Pregnant patients with particular types of health insurance may have distinct demographic and medical characteristics that have a biologic effect on associations between opioid analgesics and congenital anomalies (CA).

Methods

We followed 199,884 pregnant prescription beneficiaries in Ontario, Canada (1996–2018). Opioid analgesics dispensed in the first trimester and CA were identified from universal‐access administrative health records. We estimated propensity score adjusted risk ratios (RR) between first trimester exposure and CA (any, major, minor, specific). RRs were compared to those published from an Ontario population‐based cohort (N = 599,579, 2013–2018).

Results

15,724 (7.9%) were exposed to first trimester opioid analgesics, mainly codeine (58.1%) or oxycodone (21.3%); CA prevalence in exposed was 3.1%. RRs in the beneficiary cohort appeared higher than the population‐based cohort for any CA with hydromorphone (RR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.65, 3.30) and oxycodone (RR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.46, 2.05) and major CA with hydromorphone (RR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.91, 3.94) and oxycodone (RR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.42, 2.08). Other RRs that appeared higher in the beneficiary cohort included cardiovascular (codeine, oxycodone), gastrointestinal (oxycodone), musculoskeletal (any, hydromorphone, oxycodone), CNS (oxycodone), chromosomal (codeine), and neoplasm and tumor (oxycodone) anomalies. The beneficiary cohort had higher opioid doses, was younger, had lower socioeconomic status, and greater comorbidities.

Conclusions

Increased risks of CA after first trimester opioid analgesics were observed in low‐income prescription beneficiaries, and some estimates were higher than a population‐based cohort from the same setting. Biological differences associated with younger age, lower socioeconomic status and greater comorbidity may affect generalizability of results from pregnant low‐income beneficiaries.
An immune, stroma, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition‐related signature for predicting recurrence and chemotherapy benefit in stage II–III colorectal cancer
Authors: Cai Du , Wang Wei , Zhong Min‐Er , Fan Dejun , Liu Xuanhui , Li Cheng‐Hang , Huang Ze‐Ping , Zhu Qiqi , Lv Min‐Yi , Hu Chuling , Duan Xin , Wu Xiao‐Jian , Gao Feng
Published: January 2023

Background

Debates exist on the treatment decision of the stage II/III colorectal cancer (CRC) due to the insufficiency of the current TNM stage‐based risk stratification system. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor microenvironment (TME) have both been linked to CRC progression in recent studies. We propose to improve the prognosis prediction of CRC by integrating TME and EMT.

Methods

In total, 2382 CRC patients from seven datasets and one in‐house cohort were collected, and 1640 stage II/III CRC patients with complete survival information and gene expression profiles were retained and divided into a training cohort and three independent validation cohorts. Integrated analysis of 398 immune, stroma, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (ISE)‐related genes identified an ISE signature independently associated with the recurrence of CRC. The underlying biological mechanism of the ISE signature and its influence on adjuvant chemotherapy was further explored.

Results

We constructed a 26‐gene signature which was significantly associated with poor outcome in Training cohort (p < 0.001, HR [95%CI] = 4.42 [3.25–6.01]) and three independent validation cohorts (Validation cohort‐1: p < 0.01, HR [95%CI] = 1.70 [1.15–2.51]; Validation cohort‐2: p < 0.001, HR [95% CI] = 2.30 [1.67–3.16]; Validation cohort‐3: p < 0.01, HR [95% CI] = 2.42 [1.25–4.70]). After adjusting for known clinicopathological factors, multivariate cox analysis confirmed the ISE signature's independent prognostic value. Subgroup analysis found that stage III patients with low ISE score might benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy (p < 0.001, HR [95%CI] = 0.15 [0.04–0.55]). Hypergeometric test and enrichment analysis revealed that low‐risk group was enriched in thr immune pathway while high‐risk group was associated with the EMT pathway and CMS4 subtype.

Conclusion

We proposed an ISE signature for robustly predicting the recurrence of stage II/III CRC and help treatment decision by identifying patients who will not benefit from current standard treatment.
The maximum tumor growth rate predicts clinical outcomes of patients with small‐cell lung cancer undergoing first‐line chemotherapy plus immune‐checkpoint inhibitor therapy
Authors: Chen Xiang , Chen Xueyuan , Liu Tingting , Zhou Ting , Chen Gang , Zhou Huaqiang , Huang Yan , Fang Wenfeng , Yang Yunpeng , Zhou Ningning , Chen Likun , Mo Silang , Zhang Li , Zhao Yuanyuan
Published: January 2023

Background

Currently, no biomarkers can accurately predict survival outcomes in patients with SCLC undergoing treatment. Tumor growth rate (TGR; percent size change per month [%/m]) is suggested as an imaging predictor of response to anti‐cancer treatment. We aimed to evaluate the predictive role of the maximum TGR (TGRmax) for outcomes of small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients undergoing first‐line chemotherapy plus immune‐checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment.

Methods

Patients with SCLC receiving first‐line chemotherapy plus immunotherapy were analyzed within this retrospective study. The X‐tile program was used to identify the cut‐off value of TGRmax based on maximum progression‐free survival (PFS) stratification. The Kaplan–Meier methods and Cox regression models were used to evaluate the effect of the presence of TGRmax on PFS and overall survival (OS).

Results

In total, 104 patients were evaluated. Median (range) TGRmax was −33.9 (−65.2 to 21.6) %/m and the optimal cut‐off value of TGRmax was −34.3%/m. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that patients with TGRmax > −34.3%/m was associated with shorter PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 2.81; 95% CI, 1.71–4.63; p < 0.001) and OS (HR, 3.17; 95% CI, 1.41–7.08; p = 0.005). In patients who received partial response (PR), Kaplan–Meier survival analyses showed that superior PFS and OS (p = 0.005 and p = 0.009, respectively) benefit was observed when TGRmax ≤−34.3%/m.

Conclusions

SCLC patients with TGRmax > −34.3%/m had worse PFS and OS in first‐line ICI plus platin‐based chemotherapy. TGRmax could independently serve as an early biomarker to predict the benefit from chemoimmunotherapy.
A Comprehensive Review of the Phytochemical and Pharmacological Potential of an Evergreen Plant Garcinia cowa
Authors: Chouni Anirban , Paul Santanu
Published: January 2023

Garcinia cowa of the Clusiaceae family, native to South‐East Asia used in traditional medicine. It has antipyretic, antimicrobial, and many other biological activities. In this review, a thorough study of this plant's chemical constituents and pharmacological and therapeutic effects was conducted from the research articles from PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Scopus from 1977 to 2022. Reported secondary metabolites are enriched with xanthones, phloroglucinols, depsidones, steroids, etc. α‐mangostin, β‐mangostin, cowaxanthone, rubraxanthone, cowanin, norcowanin, etc. represent the major xanthones. This article discusses the relationship between the different functional groups in xanthone compounds and their bioactivity against cancer, diabetes, bacteria, leishmania, malaria, and inflammation. This review is a comprehensive compendium of major bioactive molecules and its implication for human disease.
Investigation of the effect of functionalized carbon nanotube and graphene oxide in guar gum‐based mixed matrix membrane for gas separation application
Authors: Pal Neha , Agarwal Madhu
Published: January 2023

The present study deals with preparing mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), a new polysaccharide‐based natural polymer used as a matrix with functionalized carbon nanotubes (FCNTs) and graphene oxide (GO) used as an inorganic filler. This work identified the effect of the inorganic fillers (FCNTs or GO) with naturally occurring polymer for gas separation. The incorporation of fillers improves the gas separation performance of MMMs. In GG/FCNTs MMMs, the selectivities of CO2/N2 and CO2/H2 were enhanced by 55.24% and 57.89%, respectively. Moreover, in GG/GO MMMs, the selectivities of CO2/N2 and CO2/H2 were improved by 99.50% and 50%, respectively. The membrane was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The SEM analysis of GG/GO MMMs reveals layered structure, and GG/FCNTs MMMs create passages to transport gases. The Universal testing machine (UTM) is used to analyze the mechanical properties of pristine and modified membranes.
Ion‐change promoting Co nanoparticles@N‐doped carbon framework on Co2SiO4/rGO support forming “double‐triple‐biscuit” structure boosts oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Pei Xiaoyu , Mu Yang , Dong Xueying , Ding Chongtao , Xu Lisha , Cui Miao , Meng Changgong , Zhang Yifu
Published: January 2023

Exploring economic and high‐performance electrocatalysts to decrease the overpotential of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and facilitate its reaction kinetics is a frontier subject in line with green energy. Herein, metal‐organic framework (MOF)‐derived Co nanoparticles@N‐doped carbon (Co NPs@N,C) is rationally designed on sandwich‐like cobalt silicate/reduced graphene oxide (Co2SiO4/rGO) support to acquire Co NPs@N,C/Co2SiO4/rGO “double‐triple‐biscuit”‐like structure as enhanced OER electrocatalysts. Co NPs@N,C on Co2SiO4/rGO support optimizes its geometric architecture and introduces new active sites. The “double‐triple‐biscuit”‐like Co NPs@N,C/Co2SiO4/rGO structure achieves excellent OER ability compared with the existing materials based on transition metal silicates (TMSs). The overpotential of 278 mV is achieved at the current density of 10 mA cm−2, and it is prominently higher than Co2SiO4/rGO support (390 mV). This excellent OER activity is rooted in its structural peculiarity, enabling efficient ion and electron transport. Co NPs@N,C are highly dispersed on the Co2SiO4/rGO support, increasing the active sites and avoiding self‐aggregation of Co NPs in the OER process. This work combines the advantages of Co2SiO4/rGO support with the triple biscuits' structure and MOF to implement the preparation of boosted Co NPs@N,C/Co2SiO4/rGO, and it opens a new avenue for designing novel architectures to promote the OER activity of TMSs.
AFMC: An alignment framework for multiple computing services and providers
Authors: de Carvalho Leonardo Reboucas , Melo Alba Cristina Alves , Araujo Aleteia
Published: January 2023

The Hirschberg algorithm is commonly used for protein sequence alignment, which is a very important task in bioinformatics. This article presents the AFMC framework for using the Hirschberg method to perform sequence alignment in multiple cloud computing services of different models, such as Infrastructure‐as‐a‐Service and Function‐as‐a‐Service (FaaS). Experiments were carried out in which several instances of AWS EC2, Azure VMs and Google Compute Engine as well as varied configurations of AWS Lambda, Azure Function, and Google Cloud Function were used to pairwise align COVID‐19 spike proteins. The services were submitted to different levels of simultaneity to align the genetic sequences. The findings reveal that there is a tradeoff between predicted execution time and cost for this application, for example, FaaS‐oriented cloud service models generally took less time to process the workloads. On the other hand, it was observed that, as the level of concurrence increased, there was a marked augmentation in cost. In this context, a framework that provides multi cloud solutions for bioinformatics such as AFMC is essential.
Environmental regulation and corporate sustainability: Evidence from green innovation
Authors: Zhuo Weijia
Published: January 2023

Using a difference‐in‐differences (DID) design, this study investigates the effect of environmental regulation on corporate sustainability. The results show that China's low‐carbon city pilot policy has had a positive impact on green innovation. Furthermore, this positive association was especially pronounced for privately owned firms and those in high‐pollution industries. Additional analyses showed that the low‐carbon city pilot policy improved both corporate and environmental performance. This paper thus contributes to the literature on environmental regulation and corporate sustainability and has implications of interest to regulators and managers as well as researchers.
c‐Myc–IMPDH1/2 axis promotes tumourigenesis by regulating GTP metabolic reprogramming
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Cui Kaisa , Yang Xiaoya , He Qilang , Yu Jing , Yang Li , Yao Gang , Guo Weiwei , Luo Zhanhao , Liu Yugeng , Chen Yuan , He Zhen , Lan Ping
Published: January 2023

Background

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer. Metabolic rate‐limiting enzymes and oncogenic c‐Myc (Myc) play critical roles in metabolic reprogramming to affect tumourigenesis. However, a systematic assessment of metabolic rate‐limiting enzymes and their relationship with Myc in human cancers is lacking.

Methods

Multiple Pan‐cancer datasets were used to develop the transcriptome, genomic alterations, clinical outcomes and Myc correlation landscapes of 168 metabolic rate‐limiting enzymes across 20 cancers. Real‐time quantitative PCR and immunoblotting were, respectively, used to examine the mRNA and protein of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase 1 (IMPDH1) in human colorectal cancer (CRC), azoxymethane/dextran sulphate sodium‐induced mouse CRC and spontaneous intestinal tumours from APCMin/+ mice. Clone formation, CCK‐8 and subcutaneous xenograft model were applied to investigate the possible mechanisms connecting IMPDH1 to CRC growth. Co‐immunoprecipitation and protein half‐life assay were used to explore the mechanisms underlying the regulation of IMPDH1.

Results

We explored the global expression patterns, dysregulation profiles, genomic alterations and clinical relevance of 168 metabolic rate‐limiting enzymes across human cancers. Importantly, a series of enzymes were associated with Myc, especially top three upregulated enzymes (TK1, RRM2 and IMPDH1) were positively correlated with Myc in multiple cancers. As a proof‐of‐concept exemplification, we demonstrated that IMPDH1, a rate‐limiting enzyme in GTP biosynthesis, is highly upregulated in CRC and promotes CRC growth in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, IMPDH2 stabilizes IMPDH1 by decreasing the polyubiquitination levels of IMPDH1, and Myc promotes the de novo GTP biosynthesis by the transcriptional activation of IMPDH1/2. Finally, we confirmed that the Myc–IMPDH1/2 axis is dysregulated across human cancers.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the essential roles of metabolic rate‐limiting enzymes in tumourigenesis and their crosstalk with Myc, and the Myc–IMPDH1/2 axis promotes tumourigenesis by altering GTP metabolic reprogramming. Our results propose the inhibition of IMPDH1 as a viable option for cancer treatment.
Wind‐energy development alters pronghorn migration at multiple scales
Authors: Milligan Megan C. , Johnston Aaron N. , Beck Jeffrey L. , Taylor Kaitlyn L. , Hall Embere , Knox Lee , Cufaude Teal , Wallace Cody , Chong Geneva , Kauffman Matthew J.
Published: January 2023

Migration is a critical behavioral strategy necessary for population persistence and ecosystem functioning, but migration routes have been increasingly disrupted by anthropogenic activities, including energy development. Wind energy is the world's fastest growing source of electricity and represents an important alternative to hydrocarbon extraction, but its effects on migratory species beyond birds and bats are not well understood. We evaluated the effects of wind‐energy development on pronghorn migration, including behavior and habitat selection, to assess potential effects on connectivity and other functional benefits including stopovers. We monitored GPS‐collared female pronghorn from 2010 to 2012 and 2018 to 2020 in south‐central Wyoming, USA, an area with multiple wind‐energy facilities in various stages of development and operation. Across all time periods, we collected 286 migration sequences from 117 individuals, including 121 spring migrations, 123 fall migrations, and 42 facultative winter migrations. While individuals continued to migrate through wind‐energy facilities, pronghorn made important behavioral adjustments relative to turbines during migration. These included avoiding turbines when selecting stopover sites in spring and winter, selecting areas farther from turbines at a small scale in spring and winter, moving more quickly near turbines in spring (although pronghorn moved more slowly near turbines in the fall), and reducing fidelity to migration routes relative to wind turbines under construction in both spring and fall. For example, an increase in distance to turbine from 0 to 1 km translated to a 33% and 300% increase in the relative probability of selection for stopover sites in spring and winter, respectively. The behavioral adjustments pronghorn made relative to wind turbines could reduce the functional benefits of their migration, such as foraging success or the availability of specific routes, over the long term.
Density‐habitat relationships of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Finland
Authors: Poutanen Jenni , Fuller Angela K. , Pusenius Jyrki , Royle J. Andrew , Wikström Mikael , Brommer Jon E.
Published: January 2023

In heterogeneous landscapes, resource selection constitutes a crucial link between landscape and population‐level processes such as density. We conducted a non‐invasive genetic study of white‐tailed deer in southern Finland in 2016 and 2017 using fecal DNA samples to understand factors influencing white‐tailed deer density and space use in late summer prior to the hunting season. We estimated deer density as a function of landcover types using a spatial capture‐recapture (SCR) model with individual identities established using microsatellite markers. The study revealed second‐order habitat selection with highest deer densities in fields and mixed forest, and third‐order habitat selection (detection probability) for transitional woodlands (clear‐cuts) and closeness to fields. Including landscape heterogeneity improved model fit and increased inferred total density compared with models assuming a homogenous landscape. Our findings underline the importance of including habitat covariates when estimating density and exemplifies that resource selection can be studied using non‐invasive methods.
Diabetic microvascular complications predicts non‐heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Tochiya Mayu , Makino Hisashi , Tamanaha Tamiko , Omura‐Ohata Yoko , Matsubara Masaki , Koezuka Ryo , Noguchi Michio , Tomita Tsutomu , Asaumi Yasuhide , Miyamoto Yoshihiro , Yasuda Satoshi , Hosoda Kiminori
Published: January 2023

Aims

The relationship between diabetic microvascular complications and the incidence of two types of heart failure—heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] < 40%) and non‐HFrEF (LVEF ≥ 40%)—in patients without prior heart failure has not been clarified. We herein examined the association between diabetic microvascular complications and HFrEF or non‐HFrEF in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) without prior heart failure.

Methods and results

In this retrospective cohort study, we assessed the relationship between the presence of diabetic microvascular complications or severity of diabetic retinopathy (no apparent, non‐proliferative and proliferative retinopathy) and nephropathy (normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, and macroalbuminuria) at baseline, with the primary outcome of first heart failure hospitalization classified as HFrEF or non‐HFrEF in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without prior heart failure. Among 568 patients (69.2% males, mean age 66.2 ± 9.6 years), 70 experienced heart failure hospitalization (HFrEF: 24 and non‐HFrEF: 46). Non‐HFrEF hospitalization but not HFrEF hospitalization was significantly associated with the presence of diabetic microvascular complications. The incidence of non‐HFrEF hospitalization was significantly higher in the proliferative retinopathy group than that in the no apparent retinopathy group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–6.83, P = 0.035) and in those with macroalbuminuria than in those with normoalbuminuria (adjusted HR 4.23, 95% CI: 2.24–7.85, P < 0.001) even after adjustment for age and sex. When non‐HFrEF was classified into heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) (40% ≤ LVEF < 50%) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (50% ≤ LVEF), HFmrEF and HFpEF hospitalizations were also found to be associated with the progression of retinopathy and nephropathy.

Conclusions

In patients with T2DM without prior heart failure, non‐HFrEF hospitalization was more closely associated with the progression of diabetic microangiopathy than HFrEF. The development of non‐HFrEF may be mediated through a mechanism similar to that of microvascular complications in these patients.
Tuning the electrochemical capacitance of carbon nanosheets by optimizing its thickness through controlling the carbon precursor in salt‐template
Authors: Ramesh Achayalingam , Basu Sourabh , Ganesan Vellaichamy , Soni Pawan Kumar , Manivannan Shanmugam , Kandasamy Jeyakumar , Leo Hudson Michael Sterlin , Shaz Mohammad Abu
Published: January 2023

Herein, two‐dimensional (2D) carbon nanosheets derived from biomass precursor is successfully synthesized via a cost‐effective salt‐templated process. Microstructural characterization and Raman spectral analysis of the sample derived from the salt template method reveals the formation of carbon nanosheets. The nanosheet thickness and its capacitance have been altered by varying the carbon precursor to salt‐template ratio. From the AFM data, the thickness of the as‐prepared thin carbon sheet was measured as ~5.16 nm, and the other thicker carbon sheet thickness was determined to be between 24 and 38 nm. The Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) analysis shows that the thinner nanosheets possess a high specific surface area (SSA) of 485 m2 g−1, with slit‐pore geometry having a total pore volume of 0.29 cm3 g−1. Hence, compared to thicker carbon nanosheets (63.6 F g−1), the thinner carbon nanosheets exhibit superior electrochemical capacitance of 146 F g−1 in an aqueous 6 M KOH electrolyte, without employing any chemical activation. The electrochemical series resistance of as‐prepared carbon nanosheet samples was found to be <1 Ω with charge transfer resistances in the range of 0.29 Ω (thicker sheets) to 0.18 Ω (thinner sheets). The specific capacitance and electrochemical properties vary significantly when the nanosheet thickness has been tuned from thicker to thinner by altering the starch ratio in NaCl. The two‐electrode cell assembled using thinner carbon nanosheets exhibited the capacitance of 70.1 F g−1 with energy and power densities as 9.7 Wh kg−1 and 20 kW kg−1 respectively.
Mixed fermentation and electrospray drying for the development of a novel stabilized wheat germ powder containing highly viable probiotic cultures
Authors: Khosroshahi Ehsan Divan , Razavi Seyed Hadi , Kiani Hossein , Aghakhani Ali
Published: January 2023

Nondairy fermented probiotic powder was developed based on stabilized wheat germ through mixed fermentation (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus plantarum) and electrospraying process. In the first step, the effect of mixed fermentation on lipase and lipoxygenase activity of wheat germ was investigated. The results showed a significant reduction in the activity of both enzymes (82.72% for lipase and 72% for lipoxygenase), therefore, mixed fermentation effectively stabilizes the wheat germ. In the next step, after the preparation of the solutions for drying process and investigating the physical properties (surface tension, electrical conductivity, and viscosity) of the solutions, the electrosprayability of the samples was evaluated at different conditions and revealed that 18 kV applying voltage, 0.3 flow rate, and 12 cm distance between tip to collector was the best for electrospraying the 20% solution of fermented wheat germ with morphologically most semi‐uniform particles. Finally, the viability of the probiotics after drying process and during the storage at 25°C was examined. The number of initial cells counted as 14.48 ± 0.2 log cfu/g and the viability studies showed 0.55 log cfu/g decrease in the number of viable bacteria from initial count as a result of the electrospraying process. Furthermore, 7.86 ± 0.03 log cfu/g in freeze‐dried and 9.05 ± 0.45 log cfu/g in electrosprayed samples survived after 70 days of storage.
Guanidinoacetic acid in human nutrition: Beyond creatine synthesis
Authors: Ostojic Sergej M. , Jorga Jagoda
Published: January 2023

Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) is a nutrient that has been used in human nutrition since the early 1950s. Recommended for its role in creatine biosynthesis, GAA demonstrated beneficial energy‐boosting effects in various clinical conditions. Dietary GAA has also been suggested to trigger several creatine‐independent mechanisms. Besides acting as a direct precursor of high‐energy phosphagen creatine, dietary GAA is suggested to reduce blood glucose concentration by acting as an insulinotropic food compound, spare amino acid arginine for other metabolic purposes (including protein synthesis), modulate taste, and perhaps alter methylation and fat deposition in various organs including the liver. GAA as a food component can have several important metabolic roles beyond creatine biosynthesis; future studies are highly warranted to address GAA overall role in human nutrition.
Optimized three‐dimensional ultrashort echo time: Magnetic resonance fingerprinting for myelin tissue fraction mapping
Authors: Zhou Zihan , Li Qing , Liao Congyu , Cao Xiaozhi , Liang Hui , Chen Quan , Pu Run , Ye Huihui , Tong Qiqi , He Hongjian , Zhong Jianhui
Published: January 2023

Quantitative assessment of brain myelination has gained attention for both research and diagnosis of neurological diseases. However, conventional pulse sequences cannot directly acquire the myelin‐proton signals due to its extremely short T2 and T2* values. To obtain the myelin‐proton signals, dedicated short T2 acquisition techniques, such as ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging, have been introduced. However, it remains challenging to isolate the myelin‐proton signals from tissues with longer T2. In this article, we extended our previous two‐dimensional ultrashort echo time magnetic resonance fingerprinting (UTE‐MRF) with dual‐echo acquisition to three dimensional (3D). Given a relatively low proton density (PD) of myelin‐proton, we utilized Cramér–Rao Lower Bound to encode myelin‐proton with the maximal SNR efficiency for optimizing the MR fingerprinting design, in order to improve the sensitivity of the sequence to myelin‐proton. In addition, with a second echo of approximately 3 ms, myelin‐water component can be also captured. A myelin‐tissue (myelin‐proton and myelin‐water) fraction mapping can be thus calculated. The optimized 3D UTE‐MRF with dual‐echo acquisition is tested in simulations, physical phantom and in vivo studies of both healthy subjects and multiple sclerosis patients. The results suggest that the rapidly decayed myelin‐proton and myelin‐water signal can be depicted with UTE signals of our method at clinically relevant resolution (1.8 mm isotropic) in 15 min. With its good sensitivity to myelin loss in multiple sclerosis patients demonstrated, our method for the whole brain myelin‐tissue fraction mapping in clinical friendly scan time has the potential for routine clinical imaging.
How bank‐specific factors affect access to financing for small and medium enterprises: Evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Khan Sadia Noor
Published: January 2023

In this study, hypotheses were tested regarding the impact of bank size, ownership structure, branch location, and distress condition on access to financing for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The empirical analysis was conducted using data obtained from scheduled banks of Bangladesh (banks listed under the Bangladesh Bank Order, 1972) and SMEs operating in Bangladesh. The results suggest that SMEs in Bangladesh have greater access to financing when their application for financing is made to a small bank, a domestic private bank, or a rural branch. Bank distress appears to have a negative impact on the provision of financing to SMEs. SME access to financing is also lower if the application is made to a state‐owned bank or a foreign bank.
In pursuit of impact: Toward a contextualized theory of professional agency of engineering education scholars
Authors: Coso Strong Alexandra , Faber Courtney J. , Lee Walter C. , Bodnar Cheryl A. , Smith‐Orr Courtney , McCave Erin
Published: January 2023

Background

Engineering education scholars (EES) seek to advance innovation, excellence, and access within education systems and the engineering profession. To advance such efforts, the intentional and strategic actions taken by scholars must be better understood.

Purpose/Hypothesis

This study aimed to advance the field's understanding of agency toward impact by (1) closely examining the experiences of early career EES pursuing impact in engineering education and (2) co‐constructing a contextualized theory of agency. We define agency as taking strategic actions or perspectives toward professional goals that matter to oneself and goals that relate to impacting engineering education.

Design/Method

Building on previous work about faculty agency, we leveraged approaches from grounded theory and integrated multiple qualitative approaches to analyze our experiences as six early career EES over the course of a 4‐year longitudinal study.

Results

Seven key insights about the professional agency toward impact in engineering education of early career EES emerged from the analysis. The contextualized theory and resulting visual representation illustrate this agency as a cyclical process with three components: (1) the factors influencing one's agency, (2) the agentic process itself, and (3) the output of the agentic process.

Conclusions

Our co‐constructed contextualized theory extends previous work by incorporating the temporal nature of agency, the generation and assessment of available moves, and the importance of feedback on future agentic practices. Our results have implications on how the engineering education community supports graduate students, early career scholars, and new members in their efforts to impact change.
Tracing temperature and pressure evolutions in shocked TATB‐based PBX by time‐resolved Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Yu Guoyang , Zeng Yangyang , Wu Honglin , Song Yunfei , Zheng Xianxu , Tan Duowang , Wu Qiang , Yang Yanqiang
Published: January 2023

Time‐resolved Raman spectroscopy has been used to simultaneously measure temperature and pressure in the TATB‐based plastic‐bonded explosive (PBX) sample under laser‐driven shock wave. Temperature and pressure have been confirmed according to the ratio of anti‐Stokes to Stokes Raman intensities and the variation of the center wavenumber of the Raman peak under shock loading, respectively. The location of the shock front has been determined according to the ratio of the spectral height of the shifted Raman peak under shock loading to that of the original Raman peak, and the velocity of the shock front has been estimated by linear fit for the locations of the shock front versus delay times. Therefore, the shock propagation in this PBX sample is characterized according to the measured temperature, pressure, and shock velocity. In addition, the correlation between the pressure and the temperature under shock waves is established, and the pressure‐dependence temperature gradient is 10.06 ± 0.67 K/GPa.
Lymph node sampling—what are the numbers?
Authors: Singh Anupama , Jaklitsch Michael T.
Published: January 2023

Lung cancer is a deadly disease. Lymph node staging is the most important prognostic factor, and lymphatic drainage of the lung is complex. Major advances have been made in this field over the last several decades, but there is much left to understand and improve upon. Herein, we review the history of the lymphatic system and the creation of lymph node maps, the evolution of tumor, node, and metastasis lung cancer classification, the importance of lung cancer staging, techniques for lymph node dissection, and our recommendations regarding a minimum number of nodes to sample during pulmonary resection.
The evolving landscape of thoracic surgical oncology
Authors: Kim Anthony W. , Jaklitsch Michael T.
Published: January 2023

The history of Thoracic Surgical Oncology warrants attribution to the strong foundational contributions of the past. Current surgical approaches and techniques along with newer systemic therapies are the product of iterative modifications to prior successes. Progress also fosters traditional thinking to be challenged and other classic topics to be revisited with a contemporary perspective. Cumulatively, past and present clinical and scientific efforts point toward a promising future in the evolving landscape of Thoracic Surgical Oncology.