bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Homogenous Hyperbranched Networks Enabling Anisotropic Photon Transport and Polarization Filtering
Authors: Liu Kun , Zhao Yang , Huang Han , Zhu Jinlong , Gu Chunling , Liao Qing , Fu Hongbing
Published: July 2023

Integrated hierarchical microstructures composed of organic micro/nanocrystals with defined morphology have received great interest as candidates for advanced photonic circuits. Herein, the synthesis of highly ordered multilevel homogenous hyperbranched networks (HHNs) made of the individual organic compound 2, 3‐dicyanine naphthalene via a facile solution self‐assembly route is reported. The selective growth of branches on the sidewall of the backbone driven by the lattice match mechanism leads to the formation of higher‐level snowflake‐like configuration of the HHNs. These well‐organized HHNs perform excellent abilities of directional asymmetry photon transport and hierarchical polarization filtering. Combined with the doping strategy, the broad emission range of hyperbranched network heterostructures is expanded, and even the white light emission with Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage coordinates at (0.30, 0.33) is realized. This work provides deep insight into the rational creation of complex organic heterostructures for novel photoelectric devices with desired performances.
Atomic Spin Detection Method Based on Spin‐Selective Beam‐Splitting Metasurface
Authors: Xu Yan , Xu Yuting , Sun Jie , Mao Yunkai , Chai Zhen , Li Jianli
Published: July 2023

The current polarization differential detection method used for atomic co‐magnetometers and other atomic sensors usually depends on the beam splitting plane at 45° from the incident light, so the beam splitter needs a certain thickness and a second optical path perpendicular to the original optical axis for detection, which restricts the integration degree of the beam splitter and photodetectors on the probe optical path. To address this issue, a new spin‐selective beam‐splitting metasurface‐based technique for atomic spin detection is proposed in this study, which utilizes a silicon nitride (SiN) metasurface for chiral beam‐splitting detection. The experimental results show that the 2.8 × 2.8 mm fabricated metasurface supports the beam splitting focusing of the left and right circular partial incident light with a distance up to 1.340 mm. It has a remarkable ability to detect optical rotation angles, achieving an angular measurement sensitivity of 3.0526 × 10−5 rad at 70 kHz. Compared with the traditional beam splitter, the probe's optical path volume can be reduced by at least 80%. This method can enhance the integration of atomic sensors and provide a novel approach for the development of atom sensors on chips.
Asymmetric Catalytic Synthesis by Synergistic Chiral Phosphoric Acid Photoredox Catalyzed Reactions
Authors: Cao Yuxue , Liu Guodu
Published: July 2023

Chiral phosphoric acid (CPA) has been established as a cornerstone in chemical synthesis reactions for over five decades, owing to its distinctive molecular structure and remarkable catalytic effect. However, in recent years, a revolutionary approach to asymmetric synthesis has emerged, utilizing photocatalytic excitation of molecules to generate free radicals, effectively surpassing the limitations of classical organic synthesis methodologies.A prominent and significant area of research has been dedicated to the investigation of chiral phosphoric acid synergistic photocatalysis for enantioselective chemical synthesis. This unique catalytic system encompasses a bifunctional hydrogen‐bonding catalyst, enabling simultaneous interactions between radical intermediates and substrates. The review paper focuses on the application and progress of this catalytic system in asymmetric synthesis throughout the past decade.
Made to Measure Squaramide COF Cathode for Zinc Dual‐Ion Battery with Enriched Storage via Redox Electrolyte
Authors: Kushwaha Rinku , Jain Chitvan , Shekhar Pragalbh , Rase Deepak , Illathvalappil Rajith , Mekan Deep , Camellus Augastus , Vinod Chathakudath Prabhakaran , Vaidhyanathan Ramanathan
Published: July 2023

Aqueous rechargeable batteries are promising grid‐scale energy storage devices because of their affordability, operational safety, and environmental benignity. Among these, Zn‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have unfolded new horizons. Designing superior cathodes for ZIBs is crucial. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) can be made redox active with a high storage surface. Here, for the first time, a chelating COF with redox‐active ZnI2 in a ZnSO4(aq) electrolyte is combined. Including iodide harvests an approximately threefold enhancement in capacity from 208 to 690 mAh g−1 at 1.5 A g−1, the highest among all the COF‐derived ZIBs. Remarkably, a charge–discharge curve at 1.3 V exhibits very limited dropout voltage and super‐flat platform, with a remarkable capacity of 600 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1 stable up to 6000 cycles, confirming that the polyiodide generation and storage are sustainable. The COF's dual‐ion storage (Zn2+ and polyidode) delivers a ZIB with the highest energy density. Spectro‐electrochemical measurements coupled with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy unambiguously unveil the existence of multiple polyiodide species, with I3− and IO3− ions as the prominent species. The latter gets reduced at the COF electrode under an applied potential, leaving I3− as the major species stored on the COF. The prospect of COF‐polyiodide(aq) is a windfall for metal‐ion batteries.
Pronounced Strain Effects on Oxygen Dissociation; Pt‐ or Au‐Dispersed Pr2Ni(Cu, Ga)O4 for Active Cathode of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Kim Sun Jae , Watanabe Motonori , Ishihara Tatsumi
Published: July 2023

The correlation between lattice strain induced by metal dispersion into grain and the cathodic overpotential is studied for increasing oxygen‐dissociation activity and improving power density of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) at decreased temperature. Pt or Au dispersion in Pr1.90Ni0.71Cu0.21Ga0.05O4+d (PNCG) is prepared and the 3D tensile strain is successfully induced after sintering by a mismatch in thermal expansion coefficient. Due to higher hardness and melting temperature, Pt dispersion into bulk of PNCG introduces larger tensile strain than that by Au at the same amount. In particular, at 1 mol% Pt dispersion, large tensile strain of 0.67% is induced. Overpotential of 1 mol% Pt‐PNCG cathode is 8 times smaller (35 mV) than that of PNCG (270 mV) at 800 °C and 300 mA cm−2, and it is found that the cathodic overpotential of PNCG is decreased with tensile strain on both Pt and Au dispersion. This cathodic activity enhancement appears to be related with the increased diffusivity of oxide ion in PNCG. In this study, cathodic overpotential is more significantly influenced by the induced tensile strain comparing with the intrinsic catalytic activity of the dispersed metal.
High Mechanical Energy Storage Capacity of Ultranarrow Carbon Nanowires Bundles by Machine Learning Driving Predictions
Authors: Zhao Luneng , Chang Yuan , Qiu Shi , Liu Hongsheng , Zhao Jijun , Gao Junfeng
Published: July 2023

Energy storage and renewable energy sources are critical for addressing the growing global energy demand and reducing the negative environmental impacts of fossil fuels. Carbon nanomaterials are extensively explored as high reliable, reusable, and high‐density mechanical energy storage materials. In this context, machine learning techniques, specifically machine learning potentials (MLPs), are employed to explore the elastic properties of 1D carbon nanowires (CNWs) as a promising candidate for mechanical energy storage applications. The study focuses on the elastic energy storage properties of these CNWs, utilizing MLPs trained with data from first‐principles molecular dynamics simulations. It is found that these materials exhibit an exceptionally high tensile elastic energy storage capacity, with a maximum storage density ranging from 2262 to 2680 kJ kg−1. Furthermore, it is discovered that some CNWs exhibit a superior torsional energy storage capacity compared to their tensile energy storage capacity. Overall, this research demonstrates the effectiveness of machine learning‐based computational approaches in accelerating the exploration and optimization of novel materials. It also highlights the potential of CNWs as promising candidates for future energy storage applications.
Do macronutrient intakes affect obesity indices in Jordanian adults?
Authors: Agraib Lana M. , Al‐Shami Islam , Alkhatib Buthaina , AL‐Dalaeen Anfal M.
Published: July 2023

Objective

To determine whether macronutrient intake is associated with novel obesity indices, including the conicity index (CI), body adiposity index (BAI), abdominal volume index (AVI), body roundness index (BRI), and weight‐adjusted‐waist index (WWI).

Methodology

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted with 491 adults (344 males and 147 females) working at different universities in Jordan (July–December 2019). Daily intake of energy (kcal), carbohydrates (g), protein (g), and fat (g) was obtained using 24‐h recalls collected over 2 days. Additionally, obesity indices were calculated.

Results

Regardless of sex, energy, and carbohydrate intakes had a moderately significant positive association, whereas protein and fat intakes had a weakly significant association with BAI, AVI, and BRI. CI and WWI showed a weakly significant association with all macronutrients in males, a moderate correlation with energy and carbohydrate intake, and a weak association with fat and protein intake in females. Male participants had significant increases in the CI (T1 = 1.29 ± 0.01 vs. T3 = 1.36 ± 0.01, p = .018), AVI (T1 = 17.96 ± 0.52 vs. T3 = 22.81 ± 0.57, p = .011), and WWI (T1 = 10.72 ± 0.11 vs. T3 = 11.29 ± 0.09, p = .047) indices scores through the carbohydrate intake tertiles. Additionally, there was a significant increase in scores of AVI (T1 = 18.60 ± 0.56 vs. T3 = 21.42 ± 0.46, p = .048) and an almost significant increase in CI (T1 = 1.30 ± 0.01vs. T3 = 1.33 ± 0.01, p = .056) through the tertiles of protein intake.

Conclusion

Macronutrients were significantly associated with all indices. The effect of macronutrients on obesity indices is sex‐based. Among men, CI, AVI, and WWI were the indices most affected by carbohydrate and protein intakes. Future studies should further investigate food sources and macronutrient quality.
Bulk and Surface Contributions to Ionisation Potentials of Metal Oxides
Authors: Zhang Xingfan , Liu Taifeng , Zhu Lei , Guan Jingcheng , Lu You , Keal Thomas W. , Buckeridge John , Catlow C. Richard A. , Sokol Alexey A.
Published: July 2023

Determining the absolute band edge positions in solid materials is crucial for optimising their performance in wide‐ranging applications including photocatalysis and electronic devices. However, obtaining absolute energies is challenging, as seen in CeO2, where experimental measurements show substantial discrepancies in the ionisation potential (IP). Here, we have combined several theoretical approaches, from classical electrostatics to quantum mechanics, to elucidate the bulk and surface contributions to the IP of metal oxides. We have determined a theoretical bulk contribution to the IP of stoichiometric CeO2 of only 5.38 eV, while surface orientation results in intrinsic IP variations ranging from 4.2 eV to 8.2 eV. Highly tuneable IPs were also found in TiO2, ZrO2, and HfO2, in which surface polarisation plays a pivotal role in long‐range energy level shifting. Our analysis, in addition to rationalising the observed range of experimental results, provides a firm basis for future interpretations of experimental and computational studies of oxide band structures.
GCMC simulations to study the potential of MOFs as drug delivery vehicles
Authors: Li Li , Zhu Yueming , Qi Zhaorui , Li Xurui , Pan Hao , Liu Bingmi , Liu Yu
Published: July 2023

Porous polymer metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), having the characteristics of large specific surface area, high porosity, and large drug load, are used in the field of medicine. In order to explore the feasibility of MOFs to load drugs, we have made an attempt to analyze the drug loading of MOFs at the molecular level. In order to provide sufficient theoretical support for realistic research, especially in terms of adsorption sites and the adsorption capacity, we selected five MOFs, UiO‐66, UiO‐66‐NH2, UiO‐66‐COOH, UiO‐67, and UiO‐66‐NDC, with bendamustine and 5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU) as model drugs, and applied Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulation to calculate the interaction between carrier MOFs and drug molecules, adsorption sites, isothermal adsorption lines and drug loads, and compared them with real experiments. The results showed all five MOFs to have strong interaction with drug molecules, and MOFs after adsorbing drug molecules were thermally stable. The best adsorption effect on bendamustine was found to be of UiO‐66‐COOH, with a drug loading capacity of 20.94 ± 0.99%. The best adsorption effect on 5‐FU was of UiO‐66‐NDC, with a drug loading capacity of 51.23 ± 1.09%. It has been further proven that MOFs have the potential to participate in oral administration as drug carriers, and have broad prospects in the field of biomedical applications.
The static and frequency‐dependent second‐ and third‐order nonlinear optical properties of Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes of 4‐methoxypyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid: A detailed experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Tamer Ömer , Dege Necmi , Avcı Davut , Atalay Yusuf
Published: July 2023

Novel Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes, [Zn(MeOPic)2(H2O)2] and [Ni(MeOPic)2(H2O)2] (MeOHPic = 4‐methoxypyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid [4meOHPic]), have been prepared and characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) techniques. Crystal structure analysis demonstrated that the 4meOHPic ligand is coordinated as a two‐dentate ligand through N and O atoms to central metal ions, and both of the complexes have distorted octahedral coordination geometry. The DFT‐B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p)/LanL2DZ level was executed to perform DFT calculations for the Zn(II) complex with singlet spin state and the Ni(II) complex with triplet spin state. The UV–Vis electronic absorption spectra and natural bonding orbital (NBO) analyses also demonstrated that ligand–ligand and metal–ligand charge transfer interactions occur in Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes. However, static and frequency‐dependent first‐order hyperpolarizability (β) parameters were found to be low because of the centrosymmetric crystal structures. As for the second‐order hyperpolarizabilities, the quadratic electro‐optical Kerr effect γ (−ω;ω,0,0) and electric field induced second harmonic generation γ (−2ω;ω,ω,0) parameters were calculated as 13.04 × 10−36 and 2258.9 × 10−36 esu for Ni(II) complex. Accordingly, it was demonstrated that Ni(II) complex is a potential candidate for third‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) materials.
Semi‐crystalline semi‐aromatic polyamides with varying length of polymethylene moiety: Synthesis and thermo mechanical property analysis
Authors: Luo Shajie , Dai Junyu , Chen Jialin , Li Wanping , Wang Yuan , Li Dongmei , Chen Yan , Fan Yu
Published: July 2023

In this work, a series of semi‐crystalline semi‐aromatic poly (ether amides) (PAT‐2–PAT‐10) with varying length of polymethylene moiety (2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 methyl groups) and number of ether groups in the main chain were synthesized by the nucleophilic substitution reaction of semi‐aromatic difluorobenzamido alkanes with 1, 4‐benzenediol at about 190–200°C, using K2CO3 as catalyst, N‐methyl pyrrolidione (NMP) as reaction solvent. And their viscosities, thermal, and mechanical properties were investigated. The inherent viscosities, glass transition, melting and degradation temperatures and tensile strength values of the synthesized polymers were in the range 0.141–1.829 dL g−1, 119.1–165.0°C, 272.4–345.4°C, and 371.4–451.1°C, and 61.2–79.2 MPa respectively. Moreover, they were found to have good solubility in concentrated sulfuric acid and trifluoroacetic acid at room temperature. The length of poly methylene group and ether bond in the polymer main chain had significantly influenced their thermo mechanical properties. The polyamides PAT‐6–PAT‐10 had better thermo mechanical property than that of commercial polyamide, PA6T/66.
Anatomical sciences education needs to promote academic excellence of ethnic minority students—Evidence from Pasifika students at the University of Otago
Authors: Time Willie Solomona , Samalia Latika , Wibowo Erik
Published: July 2023

The Department of Anatomy at the University of Otago offers anatomical sciences education for various programs, but currently, little information is available on how the academic performance of anatomy students differ based on ethnicities. Here, we aim to determine if there is an ethnic disparity in academic performance among anatomy students at the University of Otago. We conducted a 5‐year review of academic performance of New Zealand European (NZE) and Pasifika students in 10 undergraduate anatomy courses, including clinical anatomy, neuroscience, reproduction, cell biology, and biological anthropology. NZE students achieved higher marks than Pasifika students in each academic year for four courses and in 3–4 of 5 academic years for the remaining courses. In eight courses, there were higher proportions of Pasifika students than NZE students who repeated the courses (in 4–5 of 5 academic years for two courses, in 1–2 of 5 academic years for six courses). Multiple regression analyses showed that Pasifika students were more likely to achieve lower marks than NZE students in all courses. Other predictors for academic marks included year of study for five courses, age for three courses, international student status for two courses, major specialization for eight courses, home location for one course, and gender for one course. Data from this research provide evidence that ethnic inequity may exist in anatomical sciences education, and can be used by institutions globally to justify evaluating their anatomy programs, with the aim to better support ethnic minority students who may be struggling academically.
Nanomedicines for Alzheimer's disease: Therapies based on pathological mechanisms
Authors: Cheng Guowang , Xie Aihua , Yan Zhao , Zhu Xiaozhen , Song Yafang , Chen Tongkai
Published: July 2023

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. Because of the complex pathogenesis of AD and the unique location of AD lesions, effective clinical treatment strategies for this disease remain elusive. However, the development of nanotechnology has allowed a new era of AD treatment to emerge. AD nanomedicines are products of interdisciplinary research that enable high precision and targeted delivery. Additionally, they can specifically regulate various pathogenic factors. This review focuses on nanomedicines based on the pathological mechanisms of AD that can target AD lesions. We also discuss the precise regulatory effects of nanomedicines (including the nanomaterials themselves) on pathogenic proteins, neuroinflammatory molecules, and other pathogenic factors. We summarize the clinical trials that have examined new AD drugs, highlighting the development of new nanomedicines and the progress in their clinical translation. Nanotechnology‐based AD treatment is a nascent field, and a complete cure is distant at present; therefore, we also elaborate on the shortcomings of current AD nanomedicines. Finally, we discuss the prospects to guide the future development of AD nanomedicines.
Can the construction of a research and development platform encourage innovation in green technology by private enterprises? Evidence from China
Authors: Wu Yujie , Wang Mingyue , Li Yingming , Zhou Junbi , Cao Xiangjie
Published: July 2023

The establishment of a research and development (R&D) platform can be used to effectively accumulate and optimize innovation resources and increase the willingness of enterprises to pursue innovations in green technology. Therefore, we used survey data from more than 1100 private enterprises in China as samples and constructed a multidimensional mediation model to test the relationship between enterprise R&D platforms and green‐technology innovation and, further, to reveal the mechanisms underlying the impact of government subsidies, social financing, and enterprise R&D investment on these relationships. Our findings were as follows. (1) The establishment of a R&D platform can encourage the adoption of green‐technology innovation strategies by enterprises, and the latter are dependent on the types of R&D platform and green‐technology innovation applied. (2) The setting up of R&D platforms can optimize capital by increasing R&D investment, earning government subsidies, improving social financing, and encouraging innovation in green technology. (3) The pathways used to develop R&D platforms to encourage green‐technology innovation can be either direct or indirect, and they are similar. (4) Enterprises' self‐built platforms and cooperative‐sharing platforms can encourage green‐process innovation by increasing R&D investment and earning government subsidies. Moreover, national‐level, provincial‐level, self‐built, and cooperative‐sharing R&D platforms all encourage green‐product innovation by increasing R&D investment and earning government subsidies. However, only provincial‐level R&D platforms can encourage green‐technology innovation, including green‐product innovation and green‐process innovation, by earning social financing.
Literature review of the sharing economy: Socio‐cultural perspective
Authors: Yıldız Murat , Altan Meral
Published: July 2023

This article reviews the literature to explore the role of culture in the sharing economy. During the literature review process, we used the terms collaborative consumption, collaborative economy, gift economy, gift‐giving, mesh, peer‐to‐peer, and commercial sharing systems in addition to the term sharing economy. Thus, we offer a reasonably broad scope in our research. It analyses 89 articles through a systematic literature review to determine the role of society and culture in the sharing economy. In addition, it offers a theoretical and descriptive exploration of the sharing economy and culture. The research shows that cultural dimensions and sharing motives shape the role of culture in the sharing economy. In this context, we determine the dimensions of power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism–collectivism, masculinism, long‐ and short‐term orientation, and indulgence‐restrain. In addition, we determine economic, social, sustainability, materialism, and trust motives. It shows that materialism, economic, sustainability, and trust differ depending on cultural dimensions. This situation shapes the attitudes and intentions of individuals toward the sharing economy. In addition, the study lists the cultures studied and the theoretical approaches used in previous cross‐cultural studies on the sharing economy. The study shows that cross‐cultural studies often focus on the cultures of the United States, China, and India. Finally, we offer suggestions for future research.
Isocyanides as Catalytic Electron Acceptors in the Visible Light Promoted Oxidative Formation of Benzyl and Acyl Radicals
Authors: Russo Camilla , Donati Greta , Giustiniano Francesco , Amato Jussara , Marinelli Luciana , Whitby Richard John , Giustiniano Mariateresa
Published: July 2023

The recent disclosure of the ability of aromatic isocyanides to harvest visible light and act as single electron acceptors when reacting with tertiary aromatic amines has triggered a renewed interest in their application to the development of green photoredox catalytic methodologies. Accordingly, the present work explores their ability to promote the generation of both alkyl and acyl radicals starting from radical precursors such as Hantzsch esters, potassium alkyltrifluoroborates, and α‐oxoacids. Mechanistic studies involving UV‐visible absorption and fluorescence experiments, electrochemical measurements of the ground‐state redox potentials along with computational calculations of both the ground‐ and the excited‐state redox potentials of a set of nine different aromatic isocyanides provide key insights to promote a rationale design of a new generation of isocyanide‐based organic photoredox catalysts. Importantly, the green potential of the investigated chemistry is demonstrated by a direct and easy access to deuterium labeled compounds.
Associations between short‐term exposure to fine particulate matter and acute myocardial infarction: A case‐crossover study
Authors: Tabaghi Shiva , Sheibani Mehdi , Khaheshi Isa , Miri Reza , Haji Aghajani Mohammad , Safi Morteza , Eslami Vahid , Pishgahi Mehdi , Alipour Parsa Saeed , Namazi Mohammad Hassan , Beyranvand Mohammad Reza , Sohrabifar Nasim , Hassanian‐Moghaddam Hossein , Pourmotahari Fatemeh , Khaiat Shahrzad , Akbarzadeh Mohammad Ali
Published: July 2023

Background

Previous studies evaluated the impact of particle matters (PM) on the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) based on local registries.

Hypothesis

This study aimed to evaluate possible short term effect of air pollutants on occurrence of AMI based on a specific case report sheet that was designed for this purpose.

Methods

AMI was documented among 982 patients who referred to the emergency departments in Tehran, Iran, between July 2017 to March 2019. For each patient, case period was defined as 24 hour period preceding the time of emergency admission and referent periods were defined as the corresponding time in 1, 2, and 3 weeks before the admission. The associations of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm (PM10) with AMI were analyzed using conditional logistic regression in a case‐crossover design.

Result

Increase in PM2.5 and PM10 was significantly associated with the occurrence of AMI with and without adjustment for the temperature and humidity. In the adjusted model each 10 μg/m3 increase of PM10 and PM2.5 in case periods was significantly associated with increase myocardial infarction events (95% CI = 1.041−1.099, OR = 1.069 and 95% CI = 1.073−1.196, and OR = 1.133, respectively). Subgroup analysis showed that increase in PM10 did not increase AMI events in diabetic subgroup, but in all other subgroups PM10 and PM2.5 concentration showed positive associations with increased AMI events.

Conclusion

Acute exposure to ambient air pollution was associated with increased risk of AMI irrespective of temperature and humidity.
Increased small extracellular vesicle levels and decreased miR‐126 levels associated with atrial fibrillation and coexisting diabetes mellitus
Authors: Siwaponanan Panjaree , Kaewkumdee Pontawee , Sudcharee Payalak , Udompunturak Suthipol , Chomanee Nusara , Udol Kamol , Pattanapanyasat Kovit , Krittayaphong Rungroj
Published: July 2023

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the risk factors for the development of stroke and thromboembolism in patients with AF. Early identification may reduce the incidence of complications and mortality in AF patients.

Hypothesis

AF patients with DM have different pattern of small extracellular vesicle (sEV) levels and sEV‐derived microRNA (miRNA) expression compared with those without DM.

Methods

We compared sEV levels and sEV‐miRNA expression in plasma from AF patients with and without DM using nanoparticle tracking analysis and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction, respectively.

Results

We observed a significant increase in total sEV levels (p = .004) and a significant decrease in sEV‐miR‐126 level (p = .004) in AF patients with DM. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a positive association between total sEV levels and AF with DM (p = .019), and a negative association between sEV‐miR‐126 level and AF with DM (p = .031). The combination of clinical data, total sEVs, and sEV‐miR‐126 level had an area under the curve of 0.968 (p < .0001) for discriminating AF with DM, which was shown to be significantly better than clinical data analysis alone (p = .0368).

Conclusions

These results suggest that an increased level of total sEV and a decreased sEV‐miR‐126 level may play a potential role in the pathophysiology and complications of AF with DM, especially endothelial dysfunction, and can be considered as an applied biomarker for distinguishing between AF with and without DM.
Rigorous data‐driven computation of spectral properties of Koopman operators for dynamical systems
Authors: Colbrook Matthew J. , Townsend Alex
Published: July 2023

Koopman operators are infinite‐dimensional operators that globally linearize nonlinear dynamical systems, making their spectral information valuable for understanding dynamics. However, Koopman operators can have continuous spectra and infinite‐dimensional invariant subspaces, making computing their spectral information a considerable challenge. This paper describes data‐driven algorithms with rigorous convergence guarantees for computing spectral information of Koopman operators from trajectory data. We introduce residual dynamic mode decomposition (ResDMD), which provides the first scheme for computing the spectra and pseudospectra of general Koopman operators from snapshot data without spectral pollution. Using the resolvent operator and ResDMD, we compute smoothed approximations of spectral measures associated with general measure‐preserving dynamical systems. We prove explicit convergence theorems for our algorithms (including for general systems that are not measure‐preserving), which can achieve high‐order convergence even for chaotic systems when computing the density of the continuous spectrum and the discrete spectrum. Since our algorithms have error control, ResDMD allows aposteri verification of spectral quantities, Koopman mode decompositions, and learned dictionaries. We demonstrate our algorithms on the tent map, circle rotations, Gauss iterated map, nonlinear pendulum, double pendulum, and Lorenz system. Finally, we provide kernelized variants of our algorithms for dynamical systems with a high‐dimensional state space. This allows us to compute the spectral measure associated with the dynamics of a protein molecule with a 20,046‐dimensional state space and compute nonlinear Koopman modes with error bounds for turbulent flow past aerofoils with Reynolds number >105 that has a 295,122‐dimensional state space.
Quantitative Systems Toxicology Identifies Independent Mechanisms for Hepatotoxicity and Bilirubin Elevations Due to AKR1C3 Inhibitor BAY1128688
Authors: Battista Christina , Shoda Lisl K.M. , Watkins Paul B. , Groettrup‐Wolfers Esther , Rottmann Antje , Raschke Marian , Generaux Grant T.
Published: July 2023

BAY1128688 is a selective inhibitor of AKR1C3, investigated recently in a trial that was prematurely terminated due to drug‐induced liver injury. These unexpected observations prompted use of the quantitative systems toxicology model, DILIsym, to determine possible mechanisms of hepatotoxicity. Using mechanistic in vitro toxicity data as well as clinical exposure data, DILIsym predicted the potential for BAY1128688 to cause liver toxicity (elevations in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)) and elevations in serum bilirubin. Initial simulations overpredicted hepatotoxicity and bilirubin elevations, so the BAY1128688 representation within DILIsym underwent optimization. The liver partition coefficient Kp was altered to align simulated bilirubin elevations with those observed clinically. Altering the mode of bile acid canalicular and basolateral efflux inhibition was necessary to accurately predict ALT elevations. Optimization results support that bilirubin elevations observed early during treatment are due to altered bilirubin metabolism and transporter inhibition, which is independent of liver injury. The modeling further supports that on‐treatment ALT elevations result from inhibition of bile acid transporters, particularly the bile salt excretory pump, leading to accumulation of toxic bile acids. The predicted dose‐dependent intrinsic hepatotoxicity may increase patient susceptibility to an adaptive immune response, accounting for ALT elevations observed after completion of treatment. These BAY1128688 simulations provide insight into the mechanisms behind hepatotoxicity and bilirubin elevations and may inform the potential risk posed by future compounds.
Review of recent progress on solid‐state millimeter‐wave and terahertz signal sources
Authors: Shan Yiqian , Liang Yuan , Li Chenyang , Sun Weifeng , Fang Zhongyuan
Published: July 2023

The research and development on solid‐state source generators have been making progress on chip, aiming to generate low noise, high output power, and high DC‐to‐RF energy efficiency in the millimeter‐wave (mmW) and terahertz (THz) domains. In particular, their full integration in silicon technologies, such as advanced complementary‐metal‐oxide‐semiconductor processes, has motivated the design of low cost, high performance, and miniature integrated circuits (ICs). This manuscript focuses on providing a general overview of recent progress on solid‐state signal source operating beyond 60 GHz till the THz region, from the perspective of operating principle, design metrics, state‐of‐the‐art performance, testing results, and their applications in emerging mmW/THz systems. Finally, with the use of fully integrated source generators, several design arts are highlighted to showcase the recent advances of ICs toward millimeter‐wave and THz radiation, imaging, coupled oscillator network (CON), and communication. Potential future research directions enabled by mmW/THz signal sources will be envisioned.
Fuzzy‐based techniques for clustering in wireless sensor networks (WSNs): Recent advances, challenges, and future directions
Authors: Verma Sandeep , Bhatia Sakshi , Zeadally Sherali , Kaur Satnam
Published: July 2023

A wireless sensor network (WSN) is a network of tiny sensors deployed to collect data. These sensors are powered with batteries that have limited power. Recharging and/or replacement of these batteries, however, are not always feasible. Over the past few years, WSN applications are being deployed in diverse fields such as military, manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and so on. With the ever‐increasing applications of WSNs, improving the energy efficiency of the WSNs still remains to be a challenge. Applying fuzzy logic to the problem of clustering exploits the uncertainty associated with the factors that affect the lifetime of these sensors and enables the development of models that would improve their performance in real‐world applications. We present a comprehensive review of various fuzzy‐based techniques for clustering in WSNs whose main goal is to optimize energy usage in WSNs while simultaneously improving their overall performance.
Nest success of ground‐nesting ducks in the wetlands of Great Salt Lake, Utah
Authors: Bell Mark E. , Conover Michael R.
Published: July 2023

The number of ground‐nesting ducks in the wetlands of Great Salt Lake, Utah has drastically decreased in the past few decades. A potential cause for this decline is the increase of predator species and their abundances, which has caused most nests to fail from depredation. Ground‐nesting ducks may be able to reduce the risk of nest depredation by selecting nest sites where local physical structures or vegetation provides olfactory or visual concealment. To test this, we used logistic exposure models to look at the effect of nest‐site characteristics on daily survival rates (DSRs) of nests during 2019, 2020, and 2021 in the wetlands of Great Salt Lake, Utah. We found 825 duck nests including 458 cinnamon teal (Spatula cyanoptera), 166 mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), and 201 gadwalls (Mareca strepera). DSRs were 0.9714 ± 0.0019 in 2019, 0.9282 ± 0.0049 in 2020, and 0.8274 ± 0.0185 in 2021. Survival rates varied among years but not among duck species. Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) were responsible for 85% of depredated nests. Nests located near other duck nests had higher DSRs than more dispersed nests. Neither visual nor olfactory characteristics correlated with increased DSRs based on AICc analysis. Nests located inside a mixed nesting colony of American avocets (Recurvirostra americana), black‐necked stilts (Himantopus mexicanus), and common terns (Sterna hirundo) had higher DSRs than duck nests outside the colony. Increased nesting densities of ducks and other colonial waterbirds had the greatest impact on nesting success. Increased nest density may be encouraged through early spring green‐up.
Canada lynx foraging strategies: Facultative specialists become obligate generalists toward the distribution edge
Authors: Szumski Christa M. , Roth James D. , Murray Dennis L.
Published: July 2023

Spatial and temporal variation in prey availability can affect predator foraging strategies, but it is unclear how large‐scale gradients in prey availability shape predator diets in space and time. The facultative specialist hypothesis predicts that niche expansion by specialist predators is advantageous when preferred prey are limited and alternate prey are available, as might be expected following the collapse of primary prey populations in species‐poor environments or at range margins where species assemblages shift. Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) are broadly distributed and prey predominantly on snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), with other species serving as alternate prey when hares are limited. We used stable isotope analysis of lynx, snowshoe hare, and red squirrel hair during periods of high/low snowshoe hare availability from five regions throughout their distribution, to measure spatiotemporal changes in diet and test the facultative specialist hypothesis. Hares were the primary food item in all lynx diets, irrespective of space and time. Core lynx populations consumed the greatest proportion of hares overall and increased the use of alternate prey when hares were limited. Despite fluctuations in hare availability, lynx toward the southeastern extent of their distribution invariably consumed alternate prey in similar proportions to those exhibited by core populations during hare lows. The temporal consistency of lynx diets in these regions indicates that broader diets are obligate along this distribution edge. Our results provide new evidence for the facultative specialist hypothesis across a broad spatial scale and emphasize that, as specialist–generalist paradigms operate along a continuum, so too can obligate–facultative strategies depending on environmental context.
How myeloid cells shape experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis: At the crossroads of outside‐in immunity
Authors: Diebold Martin , Fehrenbacher Luca , Frosch Maximilian , Prinz Marco
Published: July 2023

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of central nervous system (CNS) autoimmunity. It is most commonly used to mimic aspects of multiple sclerosis (MS), a demyelinating disorder of the human brain and spinal cord. The innate immune response displays one of the core pathophysiological features linked to both the acute and chronic stages of MS. Hence, understanding and targeting the innate immune response is essential. Microglia and other CNS resident MUs, as well as infiltrating myeloid cells, diverge substantially in terms of both their biology and their roles in EAE. Recent advances in the field show that antigen presentation, as well as disease‐propagating and regulatory interactions with lymphocytes, can be attributed to specific myeloid cell types and cell states in EAE lesions, following a distinct temporal pattern during disease initiation, propagation and recovery. Furthermore, single‐cell techniques enable the assessment of characteristic proinflammatory as well as beneficial cell states, and identification of potential treatment targets. Here, we discuss the principles of EAE induction and protocols for varying experimental paradigms, the composition of the myeloid compartment of the CNS during health and disease, and systematically review effects on myeloid cells for therapeutic approaches in EAE.
T‐cell signature cytokines distinguish pulmonary sarcoidosis from pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Jain Rashi , Kumari Rinkee , Chakraborty Sushmita , Mitra Dipendra K. , Mohan Anant , Hadda Vijay , Madan Karan , Guleria Randeep
Published: July 2023

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by tissue infiltration due to mononuclear phagocytes and lymphocytes and associated noncaseating granuloma formation. Pulmonary sarcoidosis (PS) shares a number of clinical, radiological, and histopathological characteristics with that of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Due to this, clinicians face issues in differentiating between PS and PTB in a substantial number of cases. There is a lack of any specific biomarker that can diagnose PS distinctively from PTB. We compared T‐cell‐based signature cytokines in patients with PS and PTB. In this study, we proposed a serum biomarker panel consisting of cytokines from cells: T helper (Th) 1 [interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ); tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α)], Th9 [interleukin (IL)‐9], Th17 [IL‐17], and T regulatory (Treg) [IL‐10; transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β)]. We performed the principal component analysis that demonstrated that our serum cytokine panel has a significant predictive ability to differentiate PS from PTB. Our results could aid clinicians to improve the diagnostic workflow for patients with PS in TB endemic settings where the diagnosis between PS and PTB is often ambiguous.
DBS‐Based Eutectogels: Organized Vessels to Perform the Michael Addition Reaction**
Authors: Rizzo Carla , Marullo Salvatore , Benaglia Maurizio , D'Anna Francesca
Published: July 2023

Supramolecular eutectogels were obtained from the gelation of 1,3 : 2,4‐dibenzylidene‐D‐sorbitol (DBS) in cholinium chloride‐based deep eutectic solvents (DES), differing for the nature of the hydrogen bond donor. Ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, glycerol and urea were tested. Soft materials were fully characterized, determining critical gelation concentration, gel‐sol transition temperatures and mechanical properties. Furthermore, to have information about the organization of the gelator in the tridimensional network, resonance light scattering, circular dichroism and microscopy investigations were performed. Eutectogels were used as organized “vessels” to perform the L‐proline catalyzed Michael addition reaction. The probe reaction was carried out in gel phase and in DES solution. Data collected shed light on the effect that gel microenvironment exerts on the outcome of the reaction. In general, gel phases allowed having comparable or even better results than the ones collected in DES solution, with better results obtained in soft materials with the highest organization, as accounted for by the presence of larger aggregates and the occurrence of stronger intermolecular interactions. In turn, this accounts also for the effect of substrates structure that indicates that better yields could be obtained in the presence of more flexible nucleophile and dienones, having more extended π‐surface.
Educational attainment in eating disorders: What can we learn from visualising data
Authors: Nielsen Søren , Vilmar Janne Walløe
Published: July 2023

Background

Educational attainment is an understudied outcome in eating disorders (ED). We compared the educational attainment of individuals with and without ED.

Methods

This study is a nationwide, register‐based, observational epidemiological study using record linkage. The studied cohorts were (1) all persons treated psychiatrically for ED from 1970 to 2014, and (2) a control population matched for sex, age, and place of residence. The International Standard Classification of Education 2011 was used to classify educational attainment. We employed ineqord, a series of graphical and analytical tools that are appropriate for comparing the distributions of ordinal data (Jenkins, 2020).

Results

Females with ED attained higher educational levels than males with ED. Males with ED had lower average educational levels than controls. On average, female controls attained higher educational levels than patients with ED in the eating disorders not otherwise specified or overeating groups. Females with anorexia nervosa, differed from matched controls: While their median was the same, too many participants were in the lower and higher levels of educational attainment. Females with bulimia nervosa had higher educational levels than matched controls on average.

Conclusions

Educational attainment differs between individuals with and without out ED for all ED diagnoses and in both sexes.
RETRACTED: Joint impact of technological innovation and energy consumption on natural resource management: Evidence from the Asian developing region
Authors: Li Yingzi
Published: July 2023

The region's natural resources have been significantly depleted due to the accelerating speed of technological development and rising energy demand. Investigating the connection between these variables and how they affect natural resource management is vital. The combined effects of energy consumption and technological innovation on the management of natural resources in the growing Asian area are examined in this research. The research uses the panel and ARDL models to analyse the data gathered from emerging Asian nations between 2000 and 2020 to achieve this goal. The panel model enables the analysis of the individual and collective impacts of energy use and technological advancement on managing natural resources. The long‐term link between these factors is investigated using the ARDL model. The findings show that the management of natural resources is significantly impacted by both technical innovation and energy use. The panel model's findings indicate that although energy consumption has a detrimental influence on natural resource management, technological innovation has a favourable impact. Additionally, the outcomes of the ARDL model demonstrate that these factors have a long‐term association. The research also reveals that technological innovation's impact on managing natural resources becomes increasingly apparent with time. The study's main finding is that effective natural resource management requires politicians in the growing Asian area to implement sustainable development methods that encourage technological innovation and cut energy use.