bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between the duration of progesterone supplementation treatment and premature neonates outcomes: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kazemi Aski Soudabeh , Sharami Seyedeh Hajar , KabodMehri Roya , Rahnemaei Fatemeh Alsadat , Milani Forozan , Sabetghadam Shadi
Published: November 2023

Background and Aims

Preterm birth (PTB) is the leading cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity, progesterone is one of the main hormones to maintain a normal pregnancy. However, there are still conflicting results regarding using progesterone supplementation to prevent PTB and improve neonatal outcomes. The length of treatment with progesterone supplementation is also one of the challenges ahead, so the present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the duration of progesterone supplementation treatment and neonatal outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted on pregnant women at risk of PTB and who have taken progesterone supplementation. They were asked about the length of treatment with progesterone supplements and finally, the neonatal outcomes of these women were measured.

Results

A total of 265 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria were included in this study and the subjects were divided into two groups that received progesterone <12 weeks and received progesterone ≥12. In the group of women receiving progesterone with a treatment duration of ≥12 weeks, the rate of preterm labor, respiratory distress syndrome, low birth weight, and the need for hospitalization were significantly lower than in the group receiving progesterone with a treatment duration of ≥12 weeks.

Conclusion

Progesterone administration for longer than 12 weeks in women at risk of PTB can improve neonatal outcomes.
Sun protection behaviors among children aged 6−18 years old, the role of socioeconomic factors: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Nouri Nikta , Iravani Parisa , Abtahi‐Naeini Bahareh
Published: November 2023

Background and Aims

Evaluation of sun protection behavior and related factors in children aged between 6 and 18 years in Isfahan, Iran.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted at outpatient pediatric clinics affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran during the summer of 2021. A checklist was designed, and the interviewer used that to gather the required information including children's demographic characteristics, families' socioeconomic data, and sun‐protective behaviors in children.

Results

The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of children was 10.54 ± 3.61. Among the study population, 63.7% of children were male. The most common skin phototypes were II and III (33.5% each). 83.8% of children used at least one method of sun protection (94.5% of girls, 77.6% of boys, p < 0.001). Wearing long‐sleeved clothes was the most frequent UV‐protection method (48%), while sunscreen application was the least prevalent method (28.1%). Sun protection behaviors were more frequent among urban children (86.7%, p = 0.009) and children with wealthy families (94%, p = 0.035). Sun protection methods were used by most of the children whose mothers applied sunscreen on a daily basis (90.2%, p = 0.002) and all of the children whose mothers held a master's degree or above (100%, p = 0.004).

Conclusion

Children's sun protection behavior is directly associated with demographic characteristics, families' socioeconomic level and maternal usage of sun protection measures. It is necessary to provide information and education about sun protection methods and the risks of excessive sun exposure to families and children, as well as facilitate their access to these.
Robot‐assisted radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy using the novel surgical robot platform, hinotori: Initial experience with two cases
Authors: Motoyama Daisuke , Matsushita Yuto , Watanabe Hiromitsu , Tamura Keita , Otsuka Atsushi , Fujisawa Masato , Miyake Hideaki
Published: November 2023

Introduction

A newly developed surgical robot system, hinotori, with various unique advantages has been in clinical use in Japan; however, there have not been any studies of robot‐assisted radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy using hinotori.

Case presentation

We describe two male patients aged 67 and 76 years old with right renal cell carcinoma and a level II and I inferior vena cava tumor thrombus, respectively, undergoing robot‐assisted radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy using hinotori. Both operations were successfully completed with a purely robotic procedure without any major perioperative complications, resulting in the following findings: time using robotic system, 158 and 156 min; total operative time, 228 and 214 min; estimated blood loss, 535 and 200 mL, respectively.

Conclusion

Based on our first experience, robot‐assisted radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy using hinotori may be an effective treatment for renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus ≤level II.
Effects of short‐term multicomponent exercise intervention on muscle power in hospitalized older patients: A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Cadore Eduardo L. , Izquierdo Mikel , Teodoro Juliana Lopes , Martínez‐Velilla Nicolás , Zambom‐Ferraresi Fabricio , Moriguchi Emilio Hideyuki , Sáez de Asteasu Mikel L.
Published: November 2023

Background

Bed rest during hospitalization can negatively impact functional independence and clinical status of older individuals. Strategies focused on maintaining and improving muscle function may help reverse these losses. This study investigated the effects of a short‐term multicomponent exercise intervention on maximal strength and muscle power in hospitalized older patients.

Methods

This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial was conducted in an acute care unit in a tertiary public hospital. Ninety (39 women) older patients (mean age 87.7 ± 4.8 years) undergoing acute‐care hospitalization [median (IQR) duration 8 (1.75) and 8 (3) days for intervention and control groups, respectively]) were randomly assigned to an exercise intervention group (n = 44) or a control group (n = 46). The control group received standard care hospital including physical rehabilitation as needed. The multicomponent exercise intervention was performed for 3 consecutive days during the hospitalization, consisting of individualized power training, balance, and walking exercises. Outcomes assessed at baseline and discharge were maximal strength through 1 repetition maximum test (1RM) in the leg press and bench press exercises, and muscle power output at different loads (≤30% of 1RM and between 45% and 55% of 1RM) in the leg press exercise. Mean peak power during 10 repetitions was assessed at loads between 45% and 55% of 1RM.

Results

At discharge, intervention group increased 19.2 kg (Mean Δ% = 40.4%) in leg press 1RM [95% confidence interval (CI): 12.1, 26.2 kg; P < 0.001] and 2.9 kg (Mean Δ% = 19.7%) in bench press 1RM (95% CI: 0.6, 5.2 kg; P < 0.001). The intervention group also increased peak power by 18.8 W (Mean Δ% = 69.2%) (95% CI: 8.4, 29.1 W; P < 0.001) and mean propulsive power by 9.3 (Mean Δ% = 26.8%) W (95% CI: 2.5, 16.1 W; P = 0.002) at loads ≤30% of 1RM. The intervention group also increased peak power by 39.1 W (Mean Δ% = 60.0%) (95% CI: 19.2, 59.0 W; P < 0.001) and mean propulsive power by 22.9 W (Mean Δ% = 64.1%) (95% CI: 11.7, 34.1 W; P < 0.001) at loads between 45% and 55% of 1RM. Mean peak power during the 10 repetitions improved by 20.8 W (Mean Δ% = 36.4%) (95% CI: 3.0, 38.6 W; P = 0.011). No significant changes were observed in the control group for any endpoint.

Conclusions

An individualized multicomponent exercise program including progressive power training performed over 3 days markedly improved muscle strength and power in acutely hospitalized older patients.
Normal values of the fronto‐occipital relationship in fetuses between 18 and 40 weeks at two maternal fetal medicine units: Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Molina‐Giraldo Saulo , Massey‐Naranjo Andrea Yolanda , Ruiz‐Hernández María Cecilia , Rivera‐Casas Ana María , Sterling‐Castaño Diana , Restrepo Héctor Fabio , Sanchez‐Pirajan Angelica , Pinto‐Quiñonez Martha Lucia
Published: November 2023

Objective

To establish nomograms for linear measurements of the frontal and occipital horns of the lateral ventricle and their relationship, in pregnant patients between 18 and 40 weeks of gestation and having attended 2 units of Maternal Fetal Medicine in Bogotá—Colombia.

Methodology

A descriptive cross‐sectional study with an analytical component was carried out on pregnant patients who utilized the ultrasound services at 2 Maternal‐Fetal Medicine units in Bogotá, between 18 and 40 weeks of pregnancy who underwent measurement. From the anterior and posterior horns of the lateral ventricles, the fronto‐occipital ratio was calculated at each gestational week, and nomograms were created for each of these variables.

Results

Nine hundred and seventy‐eight patients were included in the study. The distance of the frontal horns ranged between 6.9 and 51.6 mm with a mean of 19.1 ± 5.8 mm; that of the occipital horns had a measurement between 8.7 and 53 mm with a mean of 28, 1 ± 8.9 mm; on the other hand, the fronto‐occipital ratio (FOR) yielded a mean of 0.365 ± 0.067 (0.136–0.616) without bearing any relation to gestational age. The trend of normal values for the studied population is displayed, plotted in percentile curves and nomograms for each gestational age.

Conclusion

The measurement of the frontal and occipital horns, and the calculation of the fronto‐occipital relationship is technically possible between 18 and 40 weeks, finding that the anterior and posterior horns have a positive linear relationship with gestational age. Contrarily, the FOR does not correlate with the gestational age, it was possible to establish a table of percentiles that allows determining the normal values for these measurements during pregnancy.
A graph polynomial from chromatic symmetric functions
Authors: Chan William , Crew Logan
Published: November 2023

Many graph polynomials may be derived from the coefficients of the chromatic symmetric function of a graph when expressed in different bases. For instance, the chromatic polynomial is obtained by mapping for each in this function, while a polynomial whose coefficients enumerate acyclic orientations is obtained by mapping for each . In this paper, we study a new polynomial we call the tree polynomial arising by mapping , where is the chromatic symmetric function of a path with vertices. In particular, we show that this polynomial has a deletion‐contraction relation and has properties closely related to the chromatic polynomial while having coefficients that enumerate certain spanning trees and edge cutsets.
Medico‐legal cases associated with older physicians’ cognitive ability to practice medicine
Authors: Casey Genevieve , Lemay Karen , Ji Jun , Yang Qian , MacIntyre Anna , Heroux Dianne , Garber Gary
Published: November 2023

Background: Dementia increases as individuals age. Aging physicians represent a growing population. Studies have demonstrated there are physicians with cognitive impairments practicing medicine. The medico‐legal consequences of physicians with cognitive impairments have not been investigated.

Methods: The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) is a national medical association with 108,000 members who advise and assist doctors with medico‐legal matters. They maintain a national repository of legal actions and complaints to regulatory bodies and hospitals. We looked at civil‐legal and regulatory college cases closed over a 10‐year period associated with physicians aged ≥55. A word search of the cases was conducted using “Dementia, Alzheimer, Cognitive impairment, Cognitive decline, Memory loss, Memory issues, Fit for/to practice.”

Results: The CMPA closed 67,566 cases between 2012 and 2021 and 16% (10,599) involved members ≥55. A mixed methodology approach identified 65 cases associated with physician's cognitive ability to practice medicine. Of these 65 cases, the average age of physician was 71.3 (56.1–88.5). The proportion of cases where concern was associated with a physician's cognitive ability to practice medicine increased, from 0.2% of cases in 55–60‐year‐olds, to 7.7% in physicians over 80.

Interpretation: As physicians age, concerns about cognitive impairment are more likely to contribute to medico‐legal matters.
Further exploration of the collision‐induced dissociation of select beta blockers: Acebutolol, atenolol, bisoprolol, carteolol, and labetalol
Authors: Carlo Matthew J. , Patrick Amanda L.
Published: November 2023

Beta blockers are a class of drugs commonly used to treat heart‐related diseases; they are also regulated under the World Anti‐Doping Agency. Tandem mass spectrometry is often used in the pharmaceutical industry, clinical analysis laboratory, and antidoping laboratory for detection and characterization of drugs and their metabolites. A deeper chemical understanding of dissociation pathways may eventually lead to an improved ability to predict tandem mass spectra of compounds based strictly on their chemical structure (or vice versa), which is especially important for characterization of unknowns such as emerging designer drugs or novel metabolites. In addition to providing insights into dissociation pathways, the use of energy‐resolved breakdown curves can produce improved selectivity and lend insights into optimal fragmentation conditions for liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry LC–MS/MS workflows. Here, we perform energy‐resolved collision cell and multistage ion trap collision‐induced dissociation‐mass spectrometry (CID‐MS) experiments, along with complementary density functional theory calculations, on five beta blockers (acebutolol, atenolol, bisoprolol, carteolol, and labetalol), to better understand the details of the pathways giving rise to the observed MS/MS patterns. Results from this work are contextualized within previously reported literature on these compounds. New insights into the formation of the characteristic product ion m/z 116 and the pathway leading to characteristic loss of 77 u are highlighted. We also present comparisons of breakdown curves obtained via qToF, quadrupole ion trap, and in‐source CID, allowing for differences between the data to be noted and providing a step toward allowing for improved selectivity of breakdown curves to be realized on simple instruments such as single quadrupoles or ion traps.
Mitophagy suppression by miquelianin‐rich lotus leaf extract induces ‘beiging’ of white fat via AMPK/DRP1‐PINK1/PARKIN signaling axis
Authors: Wang Zhenyu , Yang Tian , Zeng Maomao , Wang Zhaojun , Chen Qiuming , Chen Jie , Christian Mark , He Zhiyong
Published: November 2023

Background

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) leaf has been described to have anti‐obesity activity, but the role of white fat ‘browning’ or ‘beiging’ in its beneficial metabolic actions remains unclear. Here, 3T3‐L1 cells and high‐fat‐diet (HFD)‐fed mice were used to evaluate the effects of miquelianin‐rich lotus leaf extract (LLE) on white‐to‐beige fat conversion and its regulatory mechanisms.

Results

Treatment with LLE increased mitochondrial abundance, mitochondrial membrane potential and NAD+/NADH ratio in 3T3‐L1 cells, suggesting its potential in promoting mitochondrial activity. qPCR and/or western blotting analysis confirmed that LLE induced the expression of beige fat‐enriched gene signatures (e.g. Sirt1, Cidea, Dio2, Prdm16, Ucp1, Cd40, Cd137, Cited1) and mitochondrial biogenesis‐related markers (e.g. Nrf1, Cox2, Cox7a, Tfam) in 3T3‐L1 cells and inguinal white adipose tissue of HFD‐fed mice. Furthermore, we found that LLE treatment inhibited mitochondrial fission protein DRP1 and blocked mitophagy markers such as PINK1, PARKIN, BECLIN1 and LC‐3B. Chemical inhibition experiments revealed that AMPK/DRP1 signaling was required for LLE‐induced beige fat formation via suppressing PINK1/PARKIN/mitophagy.

Conclusion

Our data reveal a novel mechanism underlying the anti‐obesity effect of LLE, namely the induction of white fat beiging via AMPK/DRP1/mitophagy signaling. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Disparities Between Prenatal Ultrasound and Autopsy Findings in Pregnancies Resulting in Fetal Loss
Authors: Kedar Sade Eliel , Lantsberg Daniel , Tagar Sar‐el Moriel , Gefen Sheizaf , Katorza Eldad
Published: November 2023

Objectives

This retrospective study aimed to assess disparities between prenatal ultrasound and autopsy findings in pregnancies that resulted in fetal loss, and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of prenatal ultrasound using postmortem examinations as a gold standard.

Methods

Our study included 136 autopsy cases following a fetal loss that occurred at our tertiary medical center for 8 years. A comparison between the prenatal ultrasound and autopsy findings was made, and all cases were classified according to the degree of agreement. The diagnostic performance of prenatal ultrasound was calculated at the level of organ system and specific malformations.

Results

The primary sonographic diagnosis was confirmed in 91.9% of the cases (n = 125). General agreement was highest among central nervous system (CNS), cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems (85.7%, n = 36, 18, and 12, respectively) and lowest among facial, multiple anomalies, genitourinary and gastrointestinal systems (50.0%, 74.3%, 78.6%, and 80.0%, n = 2, 26, 11, and 4, respectively). The sensitivity of ultrasound was highest in the CNS (93.2%) and musculoskeletal (87.0%) and lowest in the facial (32.3%) and pulmonary (13.0%) systems. Specifically, low diagnostic rates were noted in detecting ventriculomegaly, valvular anomalies, renal dysplasia, spleen and adrenal anomalies, and digital and facial defects.

Conclusions

Our study observed an overall high agreement between prenatal ultrasound and autopsy while contributing to our comprehensive understanding of its strengths and limitations across various types of organ systems and specific malformations.
A dichotomy for T$T$‐convex fields with a monomial group
Authors: Kaplan Elliot , Kesting Christoph
Published: November 2023

We prove a dichotomy for o‐minimal fields , expanded by a ‐convex valuation ring (where is the theory of ) and a compatible monomial group. We show that if is power bounded, then this expansion of is model complete (assuming that is), it has a distal theory, and the definable sets are geometrically tame. On the other hand, if defines an exponential function, then the natural numbers are externally definable in our expansion, precluding any sort of model‐theoretic tameness.
Quantifying the contributions of tributaries to large-river fish populations through mark-recapture modeling
Authors: Healy Brian D. , Smith Emily Omana
Published: November 2023

Objective

Tributaries may play a vital role in maintaining populations of large river fishes, although the specific contributions of tributaries toward recruitment of river-wide populations are not often understood. Tributaries may experience fewer cumulative anthropogenic impacts relative to main-stem rivers and may offer more natural conditions supportive of native fish populations, which may provide opportunities for fish population restoration. Thus, an improved understanding of tributary–main-stem population dynamics may inform targeted conservation actions for spatially structured populations of large-river fishes. Colorado River tributaries in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA, are a focus of imperiled Humpback Chub Gila cypha conservation, which includes translocations to enhance population redundancy and to expand the overall population. However, the fate of fish dispersed to the main stem has not been thoroughly quantified.

Methods

Using open population mark–recapture models, we quantified the relative contribution of three groups of Humpback Chub, including fish of confirmed tributary origin that were either translocated or produced in situ, and others presumed to be Colorado River main-stem-origin fish, to three main-stem populations. Our specific study objectives were to (1) estimate Colorado River abundances of tributary and main-stem-origin fish over time, (2) compare relative group-specific contributions to three main-stem populations, and (3) compare group-specific survival rates of Humpback Chub in the Colorado River and in a tributary where a recent translocation has occurred.

Result

Tributaries contributed 26% and 43% of the overall abundance in two tributary inflow reach populations and zero in a third, which we attributed to uncharacteristically low tributary survival immediately following translocation. In the main stem, survival of tributary-origin fish was higher compared to main-stem-origin fish, suggesting an advantage of tributary residence.

Conclusion

Our contrasting results from three different tributary inflow populations highlight the potential role for tributaries in sustaining large-river fish populations, which may have important implications for long-term maintenance of river metapopulations.
Uncovering prostate cancer aggressiveness signal in T2‐weighted MRI through a three‐reference tissues normalization technique
Authors: Algohary Ahmad , Zacharaki Evangelia I. , Breto Adrian L. , Alhusseini Mohammad , Wallaengen Veronica , Xu Isaac R. , Gaston Sandra M. , Punnen Sanoj , Castillo Patricia , Pattany Pradip M. , Kryvenko Oleksandr N. , Spieler Benjamin , Abramowitz Matthew C. , Pra Alan Dal , Ford John C. , Pollack Alan , Stoyanova Radka
Published: November 2023

Quantitative T2‐weighted MRI (T2W) interpretation is impeded by the variability of acquisition‐related features, such as field strength, coil type, signal amplification, and pulse sequence parameters. The main purpose of this work is to develop an automated method for prostate T2W intensity normalization. The procedure includes the following: (i) a deep learning‐based network utilizing MASK R‐CNN for automatic segmentation of three reference tissues: gluteus maximus muscle, femur, and bladder; (ii) fitting a spline function between average intensities in these structures and reference values; and (iii) using the function to transform all T2W intensities. The T2W distributions in the prostate cancer regions of interest (ROIs) and normal appearing prostate tissue (NAT) were compared before and after normalization using Student's t‐test. The ROIs' T2W associations with the Gleason Score (GS), Decipher genomic score, and a three‐tier prostate cancer risk were evaluated with Spearman’s correlation coefficient (rS). T2W differences in indolent and aggressive prostate cancer lesions were also assessed. The MASK R‐CNN was trained with manual contours from 32 patients. The normalization procedure was applied to an independent MRI dataset from 83 patients. T2W differences between ROIs and NAT significantly increased after normalization. T2W intensities in 231 biopsy ROIs were significantly negatively correlated with GS (rS = −0.21, p = 0.001), Decipher (rS = −0.193, p = 0.003), and three‐tier risk (rS = −0.235, p < 0.001). The average T2W intensities in the aggressive ROIs were significantly lower than in the indolent ROIs after normalization. In conclusion, the automated triple‐reference tissue normalization method significantly improved the discrimination between prostate cancer and normal prostate tissue. In addition, the normalized T2W intensities of cancer exhibited a significant association with tumor aggressiveness. By improving the quantitative utilization of the T2W in the assessment of prostate cancer on MRI, the new normalization method represents an important advance over clinical protocols that do not include sequences for the measurement of T2 relaxation times.
Promoting culturally conscious students: A course model in maple syrup management and culture
Authors: Bal Tara L.
Published: November 2023

The teaching strategy of blended learning (incorporating both online and experiential education) was used to design a university course covering multiple aspects of maple syrup and sugar history, ecology, management, production, and consumption to attract students. A key aspect of the course is to introduce students with little‐to‐no previous experience of traditional practices, indigenous knowledge, or ways of knowing that are different from Western academia, with the intent of building more cultural literacy and acknowledgments of diverse perspectives. The goal in developing course content was to explore the integrated fields that contribute knowledge related to maple syruping and sugaring activities, making it “something for everyone” to increase applicability for students of all levels and experiences, as well as increasing student enrollment and engagement. Student feedback and assessment from the course indicate increased understanding within core areas covered, as well as a strong partiality for content on cultural significance. Survey results of class outcomes demonstrate a successful approach, in addition to increasing enrollment of students from across campus. The course model may work well for other natural science topics, especially those that may attract students eager to learn and experience local foods or artisanal materials from natural systems. An overview of course content is provided along with examples of how the course could be adapted for other topics or regions of interest to further similar unit goals for developing more culturally literate students.
Suppression of Oxide and Interface Charge Density in Radio Frequency Sputtered Ta2O5 Thin Films
Authors: Sahoo Kiran K. , Pradhan Diana , Gartia Anurag , Ghosh Surya P. , Kar Jyoti P.
Published: November 2023

To replace SiO2 as gate dielectrics in complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor‐compatible microelectronic devices, research on alternative high‐k dielectric materials is deeply focused. Although high‐k dielectrics have high permittivity, it suffers from poor electrical quality due to the presence of charge densities during the deposition process. To suppress these charge densities, there is an urge for a suitable fabrication process. Herein, radio frequency magnetron sputtering is used to deposit Ta2O5 thin films on p‐type Si. During deposition, sputtering pressure and Ar/O2 gas flow ratio are varied systematically. Postdeposition annealing is carried out for an hour at 900 °C in air ambient. The microstructural, morphological, and electrical properties are studied from X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), capacitance–voltage, and current–voltage characteristics. XRD reveals orthorhombic β‐phase structure of the film annealed at 900 °C. The AFM micrographs show that the roughness of the film increases with the increase in both sputtering pressure and Ar/O2 gas flow ratio. The oxide charge density (Qox), interface charge density (Dit), and leakage current are found to be decreased with the increase in both Ar/O2 gas flow ratio and sputtering pressure.
Electronic Properties and Interlayer Interactions in Antimony Oxide Homo‐ and Heterobilayers
Authors: Wolff Stefan , Gillen Roland , Maultzsch Janina
Published: November 2023

Antimony shows promise as a 2D mono‐elemental crystal, referred to as antimonene. When exposed to ambient conditions, antimonene layers react with oxygen, forming new crystal structures, leading to significant changes in electronic properties. These changes are influenced by the degree of oxidation. Utilizing density‐functional theory calculations, stable configurations of bilayer antimony oxide and their corresponding electronic properties are studied. Additionally, different stacking arrangements and their effects on the physical properties of the materials are investigated. Furthermore, the analysis encompasses strain‐free heterobilayers containing both pristine and oxidized antimonene layers, aiming to understand the interplay between these materials and their collective impact on the bilayer properties. In the results, insight is provided into how the properties of antimony‐based bilayer structures can be modified by adjusting stoichiometry and stacking configurations.
Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry‐based metabolomics and fluxomics reveals the metabolic alterations in glioma U87MG multicellular tumor spheroids versus two‐dimensional cell cultures
Authors: Wen Shanjing , Tu Xinyi , Zang Qingce , Zhu Ying , Li Limei , Zhang Ruiping , Abliz Zeper
Published: November 2023

Rationale

Multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs) that reconstitute the metabolic characteristics of in vivo tumor tissue may facilitate the discovery of molecular biomarkers and effective anticancer therapies. However, little is known about how cancer cells adapt their metabolic changes in complex three‐dimensional (3D) microenvironments. Here, using the two‐dimensional (2D) cell model as control, the metabolic phenotypes of glioma U87MG multicellular tumor spheroids were systematically investigated based on static metabolomics and dynamic fluxomics analysis.

Methods

A liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry‐based global metabolomics and lipidomics approach was adopted to survey the cellular samples from 2D and 3D culture systems, revealing marked molecular differences between them. Then, by means of metabolomic pathway analysis, the metabolic pathways altered in glioma MCTSs were found using 13C6‐glucose as a tracer to map the metabolic flux of glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, de novo nucleotide synthesis, and de novo lipid biosynthesis in the MCTS model.

Results

We found nine metabolic pathways as well as glycerolipid, glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism to be predominantly altered in glioma MCTSs. The reduced nucleotide metabolism, amino acid metabolism and glutathione metabolism indicated an overall lower cellular activity in MCTSs. Through dynamic fluxomics analysis in the MCTS model, we found that cells cultured in MCTSs exhibited increased glycolysis activity and de novo lipid biosynthesis activity, and decreased the TCA cycle and de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis activity.

Conclusions

Our study highlights specific, altered biochemical pathways in MCTSs, emphasizing dysregulation of energy metabolism and lipid metabolism, and offering novel insight into metabolic events in glioma MCTSs.
Selective removal of dolomite from rare earth element‐bearing phosphorite by flotation and leaching and the adsorption mechanism of agents on mineral surfaces
Authors: Xie Jun
Published: November 2023

The rare earth elements (REEs)‐bearing phosphorite was a potential REE resource, which contained all REEs except polonium, among them lanthanide, cerium, neodymium, and yttrium were especially enriched. REEs mainly occurred in fluorapatite (Fap) and had a high positive correlation with phosphorus content. By adopting a new green environmental fatty acid collector GJBW and through one roughing and one refining reverse flotation process, all REEs were pre‐enriched. The flotation concentrate was further leached with citric acid (CA), and all REEs were further enriched. The results of X‐ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that dolomite (Dolo) was removed and Fap was enriched in phosphorite, the selective enrichment of phosphorus and REEs was realized. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation revealed the mechanism of deep purification of REEs and phosphorus in phosphorite by CA at the micro‐scale. The results showed that the number and strength of bonding between CA and Dolo (104) surface were greater than that between CA and Fap (001) surface, and CA was more easily adsorbed on Dolo (104) surface. Under the same conditions, Dolo in phosphorite was more easily leached by CA, while Fap was further enriched. This process provided a theoretical basis for the comprehensive recovery of REEs and phosphorus from phosphorite.
Theoretical Study of the Photophysical and Photochemical Properties of 1H‐Benzimidazole and 2‐Ethyl‐7‐nitro‐5‐Substituted 1H‐Benzimidazoles
Authors: Udofia Inemesit A. , Oloba‐Whenu Oluwakemi A. , Ogunbayo Taofeek B. , Isanbor Chukwuemeka
Published: November 2023

Theoretical study of the photophysical/photochemical properties of 1H‐benzimidazole and its derivatives was carried out using APFD, B3LYP, CAM‐B3LYP and PBE0 density functionals with 6‐311+G(2d,p) basis set. The effects of ethanol, 1,4‐dioxane, acetonitrile and water was investigated by means of Integral Equation Formalism of the Polarizable Continuum Model (IEPCM) in the framework of Self‐Consistent Reaction Field (SCRF). The results obtained show that S2 state of the 1H‐benzimidazole molecule is more acidic than the S0 state as the N5−H11 bond length increased to ~ 1.01 Å. At B3LYP/6‐311+G(2d,p) level of theory, the excitation energy of 1H‐bensimidazole molecule in ethanol from S0 to the S2 state was calculated to be 273 nm (4.54 eV). The electronic energy for this transition was calculated to be 0.131 a.u. and observed to occur between π→π* orbitals. Calculations with the PBE0, APFD and B3LYP functionals reproduced the experimental dipole moment in 1,4‐dioxane, with values of 4.09, 4.09 and 4.07 Debye respectively. However, the dipole moments of the 2‐ethyl‐7‐nitro‐5‐substituted‐1H‐benzimidazoles were calculated to be higher for electron donating groups (EDGs) than those bearing electron withdrawing groups (EWGs). In addition, the molecular polarizability was observed to increase with decreasing energy gap. Local excitation (LE) and charge‐transfer (CT) were observed to mediate the mechanisms of electronic excitation in 2‐ethyl‐7‐nitro‐5‐substituted‐1H‐benzimidazoles.
Solar Fuel Generation by 2D Self‐Assembled g‐C3N4/BiVO4 Z‐Scheme
Authors: LaChance Robert , Adeli Babak , Taghipour Fariborz
Published: November 2023

Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐CN) is a promising photocatalyst for solar fuel generation due to its medium band gap and facile synthesis from earth‐abundant materials. However, low charge carrier mobility and high charge recombination have hampered the observed rate of H2 evolution and CO2 reduction. Herein, an electrostatically self‐assembled 2D Z‐scheme heterojunction between g‐CN and bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) is investigated with and without reduced graphene oxide (rGO) acting as an electron transfer mediator to speed charge carrier mobility and hamper charge recombination. Protonation of the g‐CN surface allow for self‐assembly between 2D sheets of g‐CN, rGO, and BiVO4. The mass ratio between g‐CN and BiVO4 is incrementally adjusted to optimize synergistic charge transportation effects versus shadowing effects of multicomponent photocatalysts. Further, a selectivity effect is observed across mass ratios of photocatalyst constituents, allowing tuning of photocatalyst yield.
Research on Frequency‐Domain Electromagnetic Detection Signal Acquisition Technology Based on Multi‐frequencyLCFiltering
Authors: Liu Changsheng , Yu Shuangyu , Tian Tongchuan , Su Yang , Liu Shuxu
Published: November 2023

Frequency‐domain electromagnetic (FDEM) instruments are effective tools for detecting underground electrical abnormal targets. However, due to the influence of various noises in the detection process, would lead to l poor signal‐to‐noise ratio of the system and would ultimately affect the detection accuracy. And FDEM detection systems have a defined measuring range. Excessive noise will lead to saturation of the system acquisition and distortion of the measurement. Because of the above problems, an acquisition technique for the FDEM receiving system is proposed to achieve noise suppression in the detection process. The scheme proposes a multi‐frequency LC filtering circuit to optimize the analog signal acquisition module of the receiver system. The circuit converts the measured voltage signal into a current signal, improving the system's immunity to interference. At the same time, the noise of non‐target frequencies in the measured signal is suppressed, avoiding saturation of the receiving system acquisition, and realizing high signal‐to‐noise acquisition of multiple target frequencies. First, the principle of circuit design is analyzed, and the design flow of circuit parameters is proposed. Further, the validity of the design is verified via simulation results. Finally, the optimization scheme is validated with an actual circuit. The results show that for the measurement environment set in this paper, this optimization scheme can suppress the noise of non‐target frequency in the measured signal, so that the noise amplitude can be reduced by more than 90%, and the signal‐to‐noise ratio of the filtered signal can be improved by 23.35 dB. This study helps to facilitate FDEM instruments to achieve high signal‐to‐noise ratio detection. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Ionic liquids modified MXene as a flame retardant synergist for the unsaturated polyester resin
Authors: Gao Ming , Wang Jiyu , Gao Yilin , Chen Jiawei , Qian Lijun , Qiao Zhichuan
Published: November 2023

I‐MXene with excellent dispersibility was successfully prepared using the chemical grafting method with 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazole hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM]PF6) onto MXene. It was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which was added to unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) as a synergistic agent, combined with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to improve the flame retardancy of composites. Tensile strength of the composites was measured using the electronic universal material testing machine. The results showed that the incorporation of I‐MXene was able to increase the tensile strength and elongation at break of the composites. The flame retardancy and thermal stability of the composites were investigated through limiting oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimeter test (CCT), TG and Fourier‐infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). The experimental data showed that the LOI values of I‐MXene/APP/UPR composites increased to 29.1%, complying with UL‐94V‐0 rating. Its peak heat release rate (pHRR) and total heat release (THR) were 19.35% and 16.35% lower than those of APP/UPR composites, and the total smoke production (TSP) was reduced by 10.78%. When heated to 800°C, the amount of residual carbon increased by 7.71%. The catalytic effect of I‐MXene contributed to the formation of a compact and expanded carbon layer, resulting in further suppression of heat and smoke release.

Highlights

A new type of modified MXene is obtained.

It has good dispersivity and synergistic effects.

It has good flame retardancy and smoke suppression effects.
A review and comparison of arm‐based versus contrast‐based network meta‐analysis for binary outcomes—Understanding their differences and limitations
Authors: Chu Haitao , Lin Lifeng , Wang Zheng , Wang Zilin , Chen Yong , Cappelleri Joseph C.
Published: November 2023

Network meta‐analysis (NMA) is a statistical procedure to simultaneously compare multiple interventions. Despite the added complexity of performing an NMA compared with the traditional pairwise meta‐analysis, under proper assumptions the NMA can lead to more efficient estimates on the comparisons of interventions by combining and contrasting the direct and indirect evidence into a form of evidence that can be used to underpin treatment guidelines. Two broad classes of NMA methods are commonly used in practice: the contrast‐based (CB‐NMA) and the arm‐based (AB‐NMA) models. While CB‐NMA only focuses on the relative effects by assuming fixed intercepts, the AB‐NMA offers greater flexibility on the estimands, including both the absolute and relative effects by assuming random intercepts. A major criticism of the AB‐NMA, on which we aim to elaborate in this paper, is that it does not retain randomization within trials, which may introduce bias in the estimated relative effects in some scenarios. This criticism was drawn under the implicit assumption that a given relative effect is transportable, in which case the data generating mechanism favors the inference based on CB‐NMA, which models the relative effect. In this article, we aim to review, summarize, and elaborate on the underlying assumptions, similarities and differences, and also the advantages and disadvantages, between CB‐NMA and AB‐NMA methods. As indirect treatment comparison is susceptible to risk of bias no matter which approach is taken, it is important to consider both approaches in practice as complementary sensitivity analyses and to provide the totality of evidence from the data.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical Models > Bayesian Models

Statistical Models > Generalized Linear Models

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Bayesian Methods and Theory
Blue Emitting SrBe1−xSi2+xO3−2xN2+2x:Eu2+ (x≈0.1)
Authors: Giftthaler Tobias , Dialer Marwin , Strobel Philipp , Schmidt Peter J. , Schnick Wolfgang
Published: November 2023

In the search for materials for high‐efficiency lighting applications, the color‐point tuning of phosphors for inorganic phosphor converted LEDs (pcLEDs) is of special interest. We expand the recently explored phosphor class of SiBeONs (oxonitridoberyllosilicates) by the synthesis and characterization of SrBe1−xSi2+xO3−2xN2+2x:Eu2+. High temperature synthesis, starting from Sr2N, BeO, SiO2 and Si3N4, yields the target phase as the main product. Upon doping with Eu2+, the pale blue crystals exhibit blue luminescence with emission at 456 nm and a full width at half maximum (fwhm) of 66 nm/3108 cm−1. The structure is an ordered variant of the LaSi3N5 structure type and was elucidated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. The network in SrBe1−xSi2+xO3−2xN2+2x:Eu2+ is highly condensed with a condensation degree of κ=0.6 comprising corner‐sharing [MX4] (M=Be, Si; X=O, N) tetrahedra, with mixed occupancies on both the ligand and central metal sites.
CCICED and Its Uniqueness for Both China and the World
Authors: Zhao Yingmin , Hanson Arthur
Published: November 2023

CCICED’s incubation began with an influential group of senior Chinese governmental officials plus some international development specialists. Mr. Qu Geping, who had attended the 1972 Stockholm Environment Conference and who played a major role in establishing environmental protection within China afterwards, was instrumental in bringing forward the concept.
Transformative Change: An Essential But Lengthy Process
Authors: Zhao Yingmin , Hanson Arthur
Published: November 2023

The PRC’s development from 1949 to the present day has been marked by many more transformative changes than most other nations have experienced over that same time period.
Partnerships, Outreach, and Other Activities
Authors: Zhao Yingmin , Hanson Arthur
Published: November 2023

While the primary audience for CCICED is the State Council at high levels, by no means is it intended to be the only recipient of its advice.
Off-shell divergences in quantum gravity
Authors: Mandric Vlad-Mihai , Morris Tim R. , Stulga Dalius
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We investigate off-shell perturbative renormalisation of pure quantum gravity for both background metric and quantum fluctuations. We show that at each new loop order, the divergences that do not vanish on-shell are constructed from only the total metric, whilst those that vanish on-shell are renormalised by canonical transformations involving the quantum fields. Purely background metric divergences do not separately appear, and the background metric does not get renormalised. We highlight that renormalisation group identities play a crucial rôle ensuring consistency in the renormalisation of BRST transformations beyond one loop order. We verify these assertions by computing leading off- shell divergences to two loops, exploiting off-shell BRST invariance and the renormalisation group equations. Although some divergences can be absorbed by field redefinitions, we explain why this does not lead to finite beta-functions for the corresponding field.
A minimal inverse seesaw model with S4 flavour symmetry
Authors: Thapa Bikash , Barman Sunita , Bora Sompriti , Francis N. K.
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We construct an S4 flavour symmetric minimal inverse seesaw model where the standard model is extended by adding two right-handed and two standard model gauge singlet neutrinos to explain the origin of tiny neutrino masses. The resulting model describes the lepton mass spectra and flavour mixing quite well for the case of the normal hierarchy of neutrino masses. The prediction of the model on the Dirac CP-violating phase is centered around 370.087°. Furthermore, using the allowed region for the model parameters, we have calculated the value of the effective Majorana neutrino mass, |〈mee〉|, which characterizes neutrinoless double beta decay.
Scaling similarities and quasinormal modes of D0 black hole solutions
Authors: Biggs Anna , Maldacena Juan
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We study the gravity solution dual to the D0 brane quantum mechanics, or BFSS matrix model, in the ’t Hooft limit.

The classical physics described by this gravity solution is invariant under a scaling transformation, which changes the action with a specific critical exponent, sometimes called the hyperscaling violating exponent. We present an argument for this critical exponent from the matrix model side, which leads to an explanation for the peculiar temperature dependence of the entropy in this theory, S ∝ T9/5. We also present a similar argument for all other Dp-brane geometries.

We then compute the black hole quasinormal modes. This involves perturbing the finite temperature geometry. These perturbations can be easily obtained by a mathematical trick where we view the solution as the dimensional reduction of an AdS2+9/5× S8 geometry.
Enhancing resonant circular-section haloscopes for dark matter axion detection: approaches and limitations in volume expansion
Authors: García-Barceló J. M. , Díaz-Morcillo A. , Gimeno B.
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Haloscopes, microwave resonant cavities utilized in detecting dark matter axions within powerful static magnetic fields, are pivotal in modern astrophysical research. This paper delves into the realm of cylindrical geometries, investigating techniques to augment volume and enhance compatibility with dipole or solenoid magnets. The study explores volume constraints in two categories of haloscope designs: those reliant on single cavities and those employing multicavities. In both categories, strategies to increase the expanse of elongated structures are elucidated. For multicavities, the optimization of space within magnets is explored through 1D configurations. Three subcavity stacking approaches are investigated, while the foray into 2D and 3D geometries lays the groundwork for future topological developments. The results underscore the efficacy of these methods, revealing substantial room for progress in cylindrical haloscope design. Notably, an elongated single cavity design attains a three-order magnitude increase in volume compared to a WC-109 standard waveguide-based single cavity. Diverse prototypes featuring single cavities, 1D, 2D, and 3D multicavities highlight the feasibility of leveraging these geometries to magnify the volume of tangible haloscope implementations.