bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Universal crRNA Acylation Strategy for Robust Photo‐Initiated One‐Pot CRISPR–Cas12a Nucleic Acid Diagnostics
Authors: Liu Pengfei , Lin Yating , Zhuo Xiaohua , Zeng Jiayu , Chen Bolin , Zou Zhen , Liu Guhuan , Xiong Erhu , Yang Ronghua
Published: April 2024

Spatiotemporal regulation of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system is attractive for precise gene editing and accurate molecular diagnosis. Although many efforts have been made, versatile and efficient strategies to control CRISPR system are still desirable. Here, we proposed a universal and accessible acylation strategy to regulate the CRISPR–Cas12a system by efficient acylation of 2′‐hydroxyls (2′‐OH) on crRNA strand with photolabile agents (PLGs). The introduction of PLGs confers efficient suppression of crRNA function and rapid restoration of CRISPR–Cas12a reaction upon short light exposure regardless of crRNA sequences. Based on this strategy, we constructed a universal PhotO‐Initiated CRISPR–Cas12a system for Robust One‐pot Testing (POIROT) platform integrated with recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), which showed two orders of magnitude more sensitive than the conventional one‐step assay and comparable to the two‐step assay. For clinical sample testing, POIROT achieved high‐efficiency detection performance comparable to the gold‐standard quantitative PCR (qPCR) in sensitivity and specificity, but faster than the qPCR method. Overall, we believe the proposed strategy will promote the development of many other universal photo‐controlled CRISPR technologies for one‐pot assay, and even expand applications in the fields of controllable CRISPR‐based genomic editing, disease therapy, and cell imaging.
A novel preassigned‐time sliding mode control method for synchronization of T‐S fuzzy stochastic complex networks with time‐varying delay
Authors: Wang Tong , Zhao Feng , Chen Xiangyong , Qiu Jianlong
Published: April 2024

This paper investigates the finite‐time synchronization issue of Takagi‐Sugeno (T‐S) fuzzy stochastic complex networks (TSFSCN) with disturbances and time‐varying delays using the preassigned‐time sliding mode control (SMC) strategy. A novel fuzzy SMC law is designed by introducing a time‐varying function, ensuring that the error system reaches the sliding mode surface (SMS) within any preassigned time and converges to zero along the SMS. The arrival time and sliding time are independent of design parameters and initial values, enhancing the stability and controllability of the system. Additionally, the adoption of a continuous function to replace the sign function reduces the chattering phenomenon in the system. Based on Lyapunov theory and finite‐time SMC strategy, a sufficient condition is derived for the system to achieve arbitrary preassigned‐time synchronization. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control method is verified through two examples.
Expression of filaments of theGeobacterextracellular cytochrome OmcS inShewanella oneidensis
Authors: Lin Tong , Ding Wenqi , Zhang Danni , You Zixuan , Yang Yun , Li Feng , Xu Dake , Lovley Derek R. , Song Hao
Published: March 2024

The physiological role ofGeobacter sulfurreducensextracellular cytochrome filaments is a matter of debate and the development of proposed electronic device applications of cytochrome filaments awaits methods for large‐scale cytochrome nanowire production. Functional studies inG. sulfurreducensare stymied by the broad diversity of redox‐active proteins on the outer cell surface and the redundancy and plasticity of extracellular electron transport routes.G. sulfurreducensis a poor chassis for producing cytochrome nanowires for electronics because of its slow, low‐yield, anaerobic growth. Here we report that filaments of theG. sulfurreducenscytochrome OmcS can be heterologously expressed inShewanella oneidensis. Multiple lines of evidence demonstrated that a strain ofS. oneidensis, expressing theG. sulfurreducensOmcS gene on a plasmid, localized OmcS on the outer cell surface. Atomic force microscopy revealed filaments with the unique morphology of OmcS filaments emanating from cells. Electron transfer to OmcS appeared to require a functional outer‐membrane porin‐cytochrome conduit. The results suggest thatS. oneidensis, which grows rapidly to high culture densities under aerobic conditions, may be suitable for the development of a chassis for producing cytochrome nanowires for electronics applications and may also be a good model microbe for elucidating cytochrome filament function in anaerobic extracellular electron transfer.
The interplay of institutional pressures, digitalization capability, environmental, social, and governance strategy, and triple bottom line performance: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Lee Min‐Jae , Pak Anna , Roh Taewoo
Published: March 2024

This study seeks to elucidate the mediating role of environmental, social, and governance strategy (ESGS) in bridging the nexus between institutional pressures—specifically regulatory and stakeholder influences—and triple bottom line performance (TBLP), which encompasses economic, social, and environmental facets. Concurrently, this study examines the extent to which digitalization capability influences these dynamics. Utilizing a dataset from subsidiaries within China's retail and transportation sectors, we employed structural equation modeling alongside regression analysis to validate our hypotheses. The findings corroborate a partial mediating effect of ESGS on the TBLP in response to institutional pressures while highlighting digitalization capabilities' moderated mediation role in strengthening the relationship between institutional pressures and TBL through ESGS implementation. By weaving together institutional theory and dynamic capability perspectives, this study advances the understanding of strategic avenues that influence TBLP through ESGS and offers managerial insights for effectively leveraging ESG strategies.
Metformin suppresses NFE2L1 pathway activation to inhibit gap junction beta protein expression in NSCLC
Authors: Yu Shuo , Ren Hui , Liu Tingting , Han Xiaoyan , Guo Hui , Ning Qian , Li Yang , Zhou Hong , Chen Mingwei , Hu Tinghua
Published: April 2024

Objective

Non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a deadly form of cancer that exhibits extensive intercellular communication which contributed to chemoradiotherapy resistance. Recent evidence suggests that arrange of key proteins are involved in lung cancer progression, including gap junction proteins (GJPs).

Methods and Results

In this study, we examined the expression patterns of GJPs in NSCLC, uncovering that both gap junction protein, beta 2 (GJB2) and gap junction protein, beta 2 (GJB3) are increased in LUAD and LUSC. We observed a correlation between the upregulation of GJB2, GJB3 in clinical samples and a worse prognosis in patients with NSCLC. By examining the mechanics, we additionally discovered that nuclear factor erythroid‐2‐related factor 1 (NFE2L1) had the capability to enhance the expression of connexin26 and connexin 31 in the NSCLC cell line A549. In addition, the use of metformin was discovered to cause significant downregulation of gap junction protein, betas (GJBs) by limiting the presence of NFE2L1 in the cytoplasm.

Conclusion

This emphasizes the potential of targeting GJBs as a viable treatment approach for NSCLC patients receiving metformin.
Facial emotion recognition with a reduced feature set for video game and metaverse avatars
Authors: Bellenger Darren , Chen Minsi , Xu Zhijie
Published: April 2024

This paper presents a novel real‐time facial feature extraction algorithm, producing a small feature set, suitable for implementing emotion recognition with online game and metaverse avatars. The algorithm aims to reduce data transmission and storage requirements, hurdles in the adoption of emotion recognition in these mediums. The early results presented show a facial emotion recognition accuracy of up to 92% on one benchmark dataset, with an overall accuracy of 77.2% across a wide range of datasets, demonstrating the early promise of the research.
Bilateral synchronous double primary lung cancer: A case report
Authors: Li Jun , Yin Bo , Liu Yong , Huang Hai
Published: April 2024

Key Clinical Message

Bilateral synchronous double primary lung cancer (sDPLC) is a rare disease in clinics. This study analyzed the clinical data of a patient with bilateral sDPLC, aiming to improve medical workers' understanding of the disease and avoid missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis.

A 68‐year‐old male was admitted to the hospital with “intermittent cough and expectoration for two months.” Enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) showed that the upper lobe of the left lung had a mass of high‐density shadow, bronchial opening of the left lobe was thickened, lumen was narrow, and middle lobe of the right lung had a mass of high‐density shadow. Bronchoscopy was performed to observe the microscopic characteristics of the lesions in the upper lobe of the left lung, and abnormal mucosa was biopsied. The pathological and immunohistochemical results confirmed that it was small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in the upper lobe of the left lung. Considering the occupation of the middle lobe of the right lung, CT‐guided lung biopsy was performed, and the pathological and immunohistochemical results confirmed that it was moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the middle lobe of the right lung. Clinicians should strengthen their understanding of sDPLC and focus on the imaging characteristics of chest CT and performance under bronchoscopy. Additionally, it is necessary to perform both CT‐guided lung biopsy and bronchoscopy to obtain histopathological findings for the diagnosis.
RotaWire™ entrapment in distal right coronary artery in dialysis patient
Authors: Watanabe Yoji , Fukamachi Daisuke , Matsumoto Naoya , Okumura Yasuo
Published: April 2024

Key Clinical Message

Rotablation had been performed on a highly calcified lesion, enabling various devices to be brought distally for removal of the Entrapped RotaWire.
Linear dichroism reveals the perpendicular orientation of DNA bases in the RecA and Rad51 recombinase filaments: A possible mechanism for the strand exchange reaction
Authors: Takahashi Masayuki , Ito Kentaro , Iwasaki Hiroshi , Norden Bengt
Published: April 2024

Linear dichroism spectroscopy is used to investigate the structure of RecA family recombinase filaments (RecA and Rad51 proteins) with DNA for clarifying the molecular mechanism of DNA strand exchange promoted by these proteins and its activation. The measurements show that the recombinases promote the perpendicular base orientation of single‐stranded DNA only in the presence of activators, indicating the importance of base orientation in the reaction. We summarize the results and discuss the role of DNA base orientation.
Electrochemically Driven Transformation of Olivine LiFePO4 to Olivine NaFePO4 in Cells with Sodium Anode and Carbonate Electrolyte
Authors: Shmatok Yurii , Globa Nataliya , Sirosh Vitalii , Kirillov Sviatoslav
Published: April 2024

The direct electrochemical transformation of commercial LiFePO4 to NaxFePO4 olivine in a Na||LiFePO4 electrochemical cell with sodium electrolyte has been studied. Electrolytes containing 1 M of NaClO4 in ethylene carbonate (EC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) have been probed, and in the solvents with the ratio of EC:DMC:FEC=0.4:0.5:0.1 by volume, maximal values of the specific capacity (113 mAh g−1) with good cycling stability and maximal discharge currents are achieved upon sodiation. To determine the composition of the cathode material and utilization factor of LiFePO4, the dependence of open circuit voltage on specific capacity has been investigated. The general formula of the sodiation product can be written as Na0.88FePO4. Its theoretic specific capacity may be estimated as 135 mAh g−1. The composition of the products obtained is supported by XRD analysis, which suggests that in discharged cathodes, Coulombic influence of LiFePO4 crystallites on neighboring NaxFePO4 crystallites may enlarge the unit cell of the former and reduce its size of the latter. Probably, shrinkage in the presence of LiFePO4 stabilizes the olivine structure of NaxFePO4 and prevents its transformation from electrochemically active olivine to inactive maricite.
Better Safe Than Sorry. A Scoping Review of Monitoring for Negative Effects in Preregistrations of Psychological Interventions
Authors: Jeckel Jacoba , Thiele Christian , Hirschfeld Gerrit , Teismann Tobias , Schneider Silvia , von Brachel Ruth
Published: April 2024

Although negative effects of psychological interventions are suspected to be common, they are rarely investigated. Experts and international guidelines agree that monitoring for negative effects in clinical studies is needed to make psychological interventions safer and to empower patients before they give their consent to participate. Therefore, monitoring should already be considered during planning and preregistration of a study. The aim of this scoping review was to find out how frequently studies on psychological interventions monitor their negative effects according to preregistrations and to investigate reasons why monitoring is not carried out. Preregistrations of psychological interventions on ClinicalTrials.gov were scrutinized for information on monitoring of negative effects and other study characteristics. In a survey, researchers of studies where no monitoring was reported were asked for reasons for not doing so. Overall, 2231 preregistrations of psychological interventions were found; of these, only 3.4% included explicit information on monitoring for negative effects. In the survey, more researchers reported having conducted monitoring, although the type of monitoring was often inadequate. The type of monitoring varied widely, and specific monitoring measurements were rarely used repeatedly. Monitoring for negative effects was more prevalent in studies investigating treatments versus low‐threshold interventions, in studies conducted in Europe versus other continents and in more recent studies. Researchers reported lack of knowledge as the most frequent reason for not monitoring negative effects. Our results imply a lack of monitoring and inconsistent information on negative effects in preregistrations, with inconsistent use of the term monitoring and measurements, and a lack of knowledge among researchers. Improved knowledge and a standardized approach, starting with an adequate preregistration, would be helpful to routinely examine negative effects in psychological interventions to make them safer and better.
Recruitment of a threatened foundation oyster species varies with large and small spatial scales
Authors: Leong Rick C. , Bugnot Ana B. , Ross Pauline M. , Erickson Katherine R. , Gibbs Mitchell C. , Marzinelli Ezequiel M. , O'Connor Wayne A. , Parker Laura M. , Poore Alistair G. B. , Scanes Elliot , Gribben Paul E.
Published: April 2024

Understanding how habitat attributes (e.g., patch area and sizes, connectivity) control recruitment and how this is modified by processes operating at larger spatial scales is fundamental to understanding population sustainability and developing successful long‐term restoration strategies for marine foundation species—including for globally threatened reef‐forming oysters. In two experiments, we assessed the recruitment and energy reserves of oyster recruits onto remnant reefs of the oyster Saccostrea glomerata in estuaries spanning 550 km of coastline in southeastern Australia. In the first experiment, we determined whether recruitment of oysters to settlement plates in three estuaries was correlated with reef attributes within patches (distances to patch edges and surface elevation), whole‐patch attributes (shape and size of patches), and landscape attributes (connectivity). We also determined whether environmental factors (e.g., sedimentation and water temperature) explained the differences among recruitment plates. We also tested whether differences in energy reserves of recruits could explain the differences between two of the estuaries (one high‐ and one low‐sedimentation estuary). In the second experiment, across six estuaries (three with nominally high and three with nominally low sedimentation rates), we tested the hypothesis that, at the estuary scale, recruitment and survival were negatively correlated to sedimentation. Overall, total oyster recruitment varied mostly at the scale of estuaries rather than with reef attributes and was negatively correlated with sedimentation. Percentage recruit survival was, however, similar among estuaries, although energy reserves and condition of recruits were lower at a high‐ compared to a low‐sediment estuary. Within each estuary, total oyster recruitment increased with patch area and decreased with increasing tidal height. Our results showed that differences among estuaries have the largest influence on oyster recruitment and recruit health and this may be explained by environmental processes operating at the same scale. While survival was high across all estuaries, growth and reproduction of oysters on remnant reefs may be affected by sublethal effects on the health of recruits in high‐sediment estuaries. Thus, restoration programs should consider lethal and sublethal effects of whole‐estuary environmental processes when selecting sites and include environmental mitigation actions to maximize recruitment success.
Using the R package popharvest to assess the sustainability of offtake in birds
Authors: Johnson Fred A. , Eraud Cyril , Francesiaz Charlotte , Zimmerman Guthrie S. , Koneff Mark D.
Published: April 2024

The R package popharvest was designed to help assess the sustainability of offtake in birds when only limited demographic information is available. In this article, we describe some basics of harvest theory and then discuss several considerations when using the different approaches in popharvest to assess whether observed harvests are unsustainable. Throughout, we emphasize the importance of distinguishing between the scientific and policy aspects of managing offtake. The principal product of popharvest is a sustainable harvest index (SHI), which can indicate whether the harvest is unsustainable but not the converse. SHI is estimated based on a simple, scalar model of logistic population growth, whose parameters may be estimated using limited knowledge of demography. Uncertainty in demography leads to a distribution of SHI values and it is the purview of the decision‐maker to determine what amounts to an acceptable risk when failing to reject the null hypothesis of sustainability. The attitude toward risk, in turn, will likely depend on the decision‐maker's objective(s) in managing offtake. The management objective as specified in popharvest is a social construct, informed by biology, but ultimately it is an expression of social values that usually vary among stakeholders. We therefore suggest that any standardization of criteria for management objectives in popharvest will necessarily be subjective and, thus, hard to defend in diverse decision‐making situations. Because of its ease of use, diverse functionalities, and a minimal requirement of demographic information, we expect the use of popharvest to become widespread. Nonetheless, we suggest that while popharvest provides a useful platform for rapid assessments of sustainability, it cannot substitute for sufficient expertise and experience in harvest theory and management.
Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus are at risk of extinction in Benin: A result of poaching for belief‐based use and decreasing food availability
Authors: Daboné Clément , Adjakpa Jacques Boco , Dansi Mathias Fanou , Thompson Lindy J. , Dissou Florent Essin , Weesie Peter D. M.
Published: April 2024

In recent years, Hooded Vulture populations in West Africa have decreased substantially. However, in some areas within this region, the species is still relatively abundant. To find out more about the situation in West Africa, we assessed the status of Hooded Vultures in Benin, one of the countries where their status is not well known. We conducted road counts on paved and unpaved roads and along small trails over a total of 1451 km. We also conducted interviews with local abattoir watchmen, veterinarians, butchers and foresters to examine potential threats to this species. A total of 52 Hooded Vultures were counted mostly in the departments of Atacora (32) but also in Alibori (10) and Borgou (10). The relative abundance was four Hooded Vultures per 100 km, highlighting the near extirpation of this bird from Benin. A total of 49 interviews revealed that poaching for belief‐based use (through shooting and traps) and decreasing food availability remain the most important threats for Hooded Vultures in northern Benin. If these threats are not mitigated, we predict the extirpation of the Hooded Vulture outside protected areas in Benin within the next two decades, possibly even sooner. Conservation measures, including awareness campaigns, and the improvement and enforcement of environmental legislation, must be urgently implemented to improve the protection of this Critically Endangered vulture species.
Host evolution shapes gut microbiome composition in Astyanax mexicanus
Authors: Riddle Misty R. , Nguyen Nguyen K. , Nave Maeve , Peuß Robert , Maldonado Ernesto , Rohner Nicolas , Tabin Clifford J.
Published: April 2024

The ecological and genetic changes that underlie the evolution of host–microbe interactions remain elusive, primarily due to challenges in disentangling the variables that alter microbiome composition. To understand the impact of host habitat, host genetics, and evolutionary history on microbial community structure, we examined gut microbiomes of river‐ and three cave‐adapted morphotypes of the Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus, in their natural environments and under controlled laboratory conditions. Field‐collected samples were dominated by very few taxa and showed considerable interindividual variation. We found that lab‐reared fish exhibited increased microbiome richness and distinct composition compared to their wild counterparts, underscoring the significant influence of habitat. Most notably, however, we found that morphotypes reared on the same diet throughout life developed distinct microbiomes suggesting that genetic loci resulting from cavefish evolution shape microbiome composition. We observed stable differences in Fusobacteriota abundance between morphotypes and demonstrated that this could be used as a trait for quantitative trait loci mapping to uncover the genetic basis of microbial community structure.
Hybridization in an isolated population of blesbok and red hartebeest
Authors: van Wyk Anna M. , Schulze Erika , Labuschagne Kim , Thamae Seeng , Kotzé Antoinette , Dalton Desiré Lee
Published: April 2024

Hybridization in antelope species has been widely reported in South African national parks and provincial reserves as well as on private land due to anthropogenic effects. In a closed management setting, hybridization may occur due to the crossbreeding of closely related species with unequal sex ratios, resulting in either sterile or fertile offspring. In this study, we used molecular techniques to evaluate the risk of anthropogenic hybridization between blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) and red hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus caama) in an isolated group that purposely included the two species with unequal sex ratios (one red hartebeest male and 19 male and female blesbok). Genetic analysis based on microsatellites confirmed the presence of seven hybrid individuals. Mitochondrial analysis verified that hybridization occurred between blesbok females and the red hartebeest male. STRUCTURE and NEWHYBRIDS classified the hybrids as F1. It is suspected that the hybrid individuals were sterile as the males had undeveloped testes and only F1 hybrids were detected. Thus, the risk of hybridization between these two species may be limited in the wild. In captive settings, genetic monitoring should be included in management plans for blesbok and red hartebeest to ensure that the long‐term consequences of wasted reproductive effort are limited.
Interatrial shunt therapy in advanced heart failure: Outcomes from the open‐label cohort of the RELIEVE‐HF trial
Authors: Rodés‐Cabau Josep , Lindenfeld JoAnn , Abraham William T. , Zile Michael R. , Kar Saibal , Bayés‐Genís Antoni , Eigler Neal , Holcomb Richard , Núñez Julio , Lee Elizabeth , Perl Michal Laufer , Moravsky Gil , Pfeiffer Michael , Boehmer John , Gorcsan John , Bax Jeroen J. , Anker Stefan , Stone Gregg W.
Published: April 2024

Aims

Heart failure (HF) outcomes remain poor despite optimal guideline‐directed medical therapy (GDMT). We assessed safety, effectiveness, and transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) outcomes during the 12 months after Ventura shunt implantation in the RELIEVE‐HF open‐label roll‐in cohort.

Methods and results

Eligibility required symptomatic HF despite optimal GDMT with ≥1 HF hospitalization in the prior year or elevated natriuretic peptides. The safety endpoint was device‐related major adverse cardiovascular or neurological events at 30 days, compared to a prespecified performance goal. Effectiveness evaluations included the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and TTE at baseline and 12 months. Overall, 97 patients were enrolled and implanted at 64 sites. Average age was 70 ± 11 years, 97% were in New York Heart Association class III, and half had left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40%. The safety endpoint was achieved (event rate 0%, p < 0.001). KCCQ overall summary score was improved by 12–16 points at all follow‐up timepoints (all p < 0.004), with similar outcomes in patients with reduced and preserved LVEF. At 12 months, left ventricular end‐systolic and end‐diastolic volumes were reduced (p = 0.020 and p = 0.038, respectively), LVEF improved (p = 0.009), right ventricular end‐systolic and end‐diastolic areas were reduced (p = 0.001 and p = 0.030, respectively), and right ventricular fractional area change (p < 0.001) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (p < 0.001) improved.

Conclusion

Interatrial shunting with the Ventura device was safe and resulted in favourable clinical effects in patients with HF, regardless of LVEF. Improvements of left and right ventricular structure and function were consistent with reverse myocardial remodelling. These results would support the potential of this shunt device as a treatment for HF.
TBHP: A Sustainable Alternative For Carbon‐Oxygen Bond Formation
Authors: Jyoti  , Devi Suman , Manisha  , Wadhwa Deepak , Sindhu Jayant , Kumar Vikram
Published: April 2024

Over past few decades, synthetic chemists are working tirelessly for the development of environmentally benign and economically competent carbon‐oxygen bond formation processes. Various oxidizing reagents and catalysts are being used to serve this purpose. Among all, t‐butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP) has emerged as a greener and economically viable oxygen source, radical initiator and precursor of t‐BuO⋅ and t‐BuOO⋅ radicals. It has been extensively utilized as a reagent for the synthesis of epoxides, ketones, secondary alcohols, heterocyclic rings like benzofurans, isoquinoline and many more. The present review will unfold the recent advancements made in the field of TBHP‐promoted C−O bond formation.
Modeling and analysis method for carbon emission flow in integrated energy systems considering energy quality
Authors: Li Jiaxi , Zhou Zhuomin , Wen Bo , Zhang Xinyang , Wen Ming , Huang Hongyi , Yu Zongchao , Liu Yuchong
Published: April 2024

While proposing dual carbon strategy goals, research on carbon reduction in integrated energy systems (IESs) has become a focus of attention. Traditional IES carbon emission flow is mostly based on energy flow, without considering the differences in energy quality. Exergy can be used as a reasonable measure of energy quality. Combining the theory of exergy flow and carbon emission flow, a modeling and analysis method for IES carbon emission flow considering energy quality is proposed. First, exergy flow models for electric and natural gas systems, equivalent exergy flow models for heat systems, and exergy hub models are introduced. Afterward, the exergy branch losses are allocated to the nodes at both ends. A networked modeling method for the carbon emission flow of energy stations is proposed. A unified matrix calculation model for IES carbon emission flow considering energy quality is established. On this basis, an IES carbon emission flow calculation method considering energy quality is proposed. Finally, this method is applied to the test IES, and the results show that the carbon emission flow calculation results reflect the distribution of carbon emissions borne by the effective energy supplied by the source and consumed by the load in the system, taking into account both the quantity and quality of energy. The reasonable allocation of new energy is conducive to synchronously improving the energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, and cleanliness of the system.
Edible bird's nest alleviates pneumonia caused by tobacco smoke inhalation through the TNFR1/NF‐κB/NLRP3 pathway
Authors: Bi Ran , Zhang Dan , Quan Rui , Lin Xiaoxian , Zhang Wen , Li Chuangang , Yuan Man , Fang Bing , Wang Dongliang , Li Yixuan
Published: April 2024

Exposure to cigarette smoke directly damages the lungs and causes lung inflammation. The anti‐inflammatory properties of edible bird's nest (EBN) have been reported. We aimed to determine the effect of EBN on pneumonia in a mouse model exposed to cigarette smoke. Fifty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control, model, positive drug, low‐dose EBN, and high‐dose EBN groups (n = 10 each). Except for the control group, the mice in each group were exposed to four cigarettes once a day for 8 days. In addition, we validated the effects of EBN on A549 cells and investigated the mechanism by which EBN alleviates lung inflammation. Edible bird's nest (EBN) could alleviate the structural damage of lung tissue and the smoke‐induced inflammatory response in mice. The best effect was observed at the high dose of EBN (0.019 g). The mice treated with EBN had a stronger ability than those in the model group to resist cigarette smoke stimulation, as indicated by a decrease in serum and lung inflammatory markers (interleukin 6 [IL‐6], tumor necrosis factor‐α [TNF‐α], and interleukin 8 [IL‐8]), an increase in serum interleukin 10 (IL‐10) levels, and a decrease in the expression of inflammasome NOD‐like receptor pyrin 3 (NLRP3). In addition, our cell experiments showed that EBN attenuated cigarette smoke‐induced pulmonary inflammation mainly by inhibiting the tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1)/nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB)/NLRP3 pathway. These findings provide theoretical evidence for the positive nutritional qualities of EBN for the lung by demonstrating that it inhibits the TNFR1/NF‐κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway, which prevents the development of cigarette smoke‐induced pulmonary inflammation.
Reciprocal cross‐correlation analysis of two‐phase seepage processes and reservoir heterogeneities in CO2 saline aquifer sequestration
Authors: Zhong Yiyan , Li Qi , Xu Liang , Wen Yiping , Li Yukun
Published: April 2024

When CO2 saline aquifer storage is carried out, the heterogeneity of reservoir rock is an important factor affecting CO2 transport, and the reservoir heterogeneity in numerical simulations is mainly manifested as the heterogeneity of the parameter field. Since the parameter distributions across the reservoir are not available with the existing probes, the stochastic finite element method is combined with a two‐phase flow model to establish an unconditional random field of permeability, and computations are performed using the Monte Carlo method. The permeability, CO2 maximum migration distance (Md) and CO2 sweep area (Sa) were analyzed for mutual correlation. The permeability correlation area affecting Md and Sa was obtained, and the changes in the correlation area under the coefficient of variation (Cv) and correlation length (λx) of the permeability field in the different reservoirs were analyzed. The kriging superposition approach (KSA) was subsequently used to estimate both the Md and Sa of the target reservoir by establishing conditional random fields based on the sampling parameters in regions with different correlations, resulting in errors of 0.66% for Md and 0.96% for Sa in the high correlation region and 4.86% and 3.12% for Md and Sa in the low correlation region, which suggested that the sampling results from the high correlation region were less biased in the estimation. Under limited sampling conditions, it is recommended that samples be collected in regions with high correlations to reduce the uncertainty of CO2 transport analysis due to unknown heterogeneity. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring skill distribution tails through stochastic dominance
Authors: Besenhard Petra
Published: April 2024

Location choices of differently skilled workers are analyzed in previous work on labor mobility, which proposes a model that suggests thicker tails in the skill distributions of large cities. This paper replicates the empirical findings of this work by using quantile regression and density plots as employed in the existing study, while also suggesting an alternative testing method for thick tails in the form of an initial stochastic dominance test. The test reveals clear evidence of a thicker lower tail, but the results are less clear for the upper tail, which raises some questions on how to best handle extreme upper tails of skill distributions.
Genuinely nonabelian partial difference sets
Authors: Polhill John , Davis James A. , Smith Ken W. , Swartz Eric
Published: March 2024

Strongly regular graphs (SRGs) provide a fertile area of exploration in algebraic combinatorics, integrating techniques in graph theory, linear algebra, group theory, finite fields, finite geometry, and number theory. Of particular interest are those SRGs with a large automorphism group. If an automorphism group acts regularly (sharply transitively) on the vertices of the graph, then we may identify the graph with a subset of the group, a partial difference set (PDS), which allows us to apply techniques from group theory to examine the graph. Much of the work over the past four decades has concentrated on abelian PDSs using the powerful techniques of character theory. However, little work has been done on nonabelian PDSs. In this paper we point out the existence of genuinely nonabelian PDSs, that is, PDSs for parameter sets where a nonabelian group is the only possible regular automorphism group. We include methods for demonstrating that abelian PDSs are not possible for a particular set of parameters or for a particular SRG. Four infinite families of genuinely nonabelian PDSs are described, two of which—one arising from triangular graphs and one arising from Krein covers of complete graphs constructed by Godsil—are new. We also include a new nonabelian PDS found by computer search and present some possible future directions of research.
Selective extraction of 1,3‐propanediol by phenylboronic acid‐based ternary extraction system
Authors: Huang Lusheng , Zhou Xu , Wu Nasha , Sun Yaqin , Xiu Zhilong
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

Conventional methods for the separation of 1,3‐propanediol (1,3‐PDO) are problematic in many ways. The study of a simple and efficient separation process was the key to solving the bottlenecks that have restricted the large‐scale development of 1,3‐PDO. In order to solve the difficulty of separating 1,3‐PDO from fermentation broths, a ternary selective extraction system was constructed to separate 1,3‐PDO from a simulated solution and fermentation broth.

RESULTS

In this study, quantum chemistry calculation and wave function analysis showed that the reaction between phenylboronic acid and 1,3‐PDO is thermodynamically feasible, stable and covalently reversible. The ternary extraction system was composed of 1‐naphthylboric acid, dichloromethane and Aliquat 336. After optimization of the extraction conditions, a high extraction efficiency of 82.6% could be achieved for 1,3‐PDO. Meanwhile, the stripping recovery of 1,3‐PDO was over 90%, with a high purity (98.6%), from a simulated solution using 0.4 mol L−1 hydrochloric acid as stripping solution. The extraction selectivity of 1,3‐PDO to glycerol, acetic acid and butyric acid in the fermentation broth reached 12.9, 230.6 and 233.7, respectively, implying a high selective performance compared with the aldehyde‐based traditional reactive extraction.

CONCLUSION

The ternary extraction system exhibited good extraction performance, highlighting the potential for selective extraction of diol biochemicals from fermentation broths. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Virus adsorbent systems based on Amazon holocellulose and nanomaterials
Authors: de Souza Carolino Adriano , Freitas Xaiane Martins Silva , Macalia Célio Matias Airone , Soares Juliana Coatrini , Soares Andrey Coatrini , da Costa Pinto Camila , Barbosa Aguyda Rayany Cavalcante , de Araújo Bezerra Jaqueline , Campelo Pedro Henrique , da Silva Paula Marcos Marques , Lalwani Pritesh Jaychand , Inada Natalia Mayumi , Țãlu Ștefan , Malheiro Adriana , Sanches Edgar Aparecido
Published: April 2024

The environment preservation has been an important motivation to find alternative, functional, and biodegradable materials to replace polluting petrochemicals. The production of nonbiodegradable face masks increased the concentration of microplastics in the environment, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives, such as the use of local by‐products to create efficient and eco‐friendly filtering materials. Furthermore, the use of smart materials can reduce the risk of contagion and virus transmission, especially in the face of possible mutations. The development of novel materials is necessary to ensure less risk of contagion and virus transmission, as well as to preserve the environment. Taking these factors into account, 16 systems were developed with different combinations of precursor materials (holocellulose, polyaniline [ES‐PANI], graphene oxide [GO], silver nanoparticles [AgNPs], and activated carbon [AC]). Adsorption tests of the spike protein showed that the systems containing GO and AC were the most efficient in the adsorption process. Similarly, plate tests conducted using the VSV‐IN strain cultured in HepG2 cells showed that the system containing all phases showed the greatest reduction in viral titer method. In agreement, the biocompatibility tests showed that the compounds extracted from the systems showed low cytotoxicity or no significant cytotoxic effect in human fibroblasts. As a result, the adsorption tests of the spike protein, viral titration, and biocompatibility tests showed that systems labeled as I and J were the most efficient. In this context, the present research has significantly contributed to the technological development of antiviral systems, with improved properties and increased adsorption efficiency, reducing the viral titer and contributing efficiently to public health. In this way, these alternative materials could be employed in sensors and devices for filtering and sanitization, thus assisting in mitigating the transmission of viruses and bacteria.

Research Highlights

Sixteen virus adsorbent systems were developed with different combinations of precursor materials (holocellulose, polyaniline (ES‐PANI), graphene oxide (GO), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and activated carbon (AC)).

The system that included all of the nanocomposites holocellulose, PANI, GO, AgNPs, and AC showed the greatest reduction in viral titration.

The biocompatibility tests revealed that all systems caused only mild or moderate cytotoxicity toward human fibroblasts.
Synthesis and anticancer activity of cinnoline sulphonamides and 4‐heteroyclic derivatives: Cross‐coupling approach
Authors: Yerrabelly Jayaprakash Rao , Bommagani Mohan Babu , Yerrabelly Hemasri , Mullaguri Sai Charitha , Kancha Rama Krishna
Published: March 2024

A series of novel cinnoline sulphonamide derivatives and 4‐substuted cinnoline derivatives (13a‐h, 16a‐h and 17–31 total 33 analogues) were designed based on scaffold hopping techniques and evaluated for their antileukemic activity on wild type K562 as well as imatinib resistant cell lines (K562‐IR1 and K562‐IR2). Out of 33 analogues, five compounds (19, 22, 23, 28, and 31) exhibited potent antileukemic activity. An easy and efficient approach to synthesize numerous cinnoline derivatives by the various cross‐coupling reactions of 4‐chlorocinnoline has been developed and also demonstrated that metal‐free cross couplings give high product yield compared with metal catalyzed cross couplings.
Clinical guideline highlight for the hospitalist: Childhood eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders beyond eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Eckenrode Madeline
Published: April 2024

GUIDELINE TITLE: Joint ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN Guidelines on Childhood Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders Beyond Eosinophilic Esophagitis

RELEASE DATE: July 4, 2023 (e‐publication ahead of print)

PRIOR VERSION(S): None

DEVELOPER: European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) and the North American Society for Pediatrics Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN)

FUNDING SOURCE: ESPGHAN and NASPGHAN

TARGET POPULATION: Children with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders beyond eosinophilic esophagitis
Geometric morphometrics casts light on phylogenetic relevance of cephalopod beak morphological
Authors: Wang Chao , Chen Xinjun , Fang Zhou
Published: March 2024

The feeding organ of cephalopod species, the beak, can be used to reveal important ecological information. In this study, geometric morphometric approaches were employed to investigate the phylogenetic relevance and classification effect of beak lateral profile shape. The two‐dimensional beak morphologies of 1164 pairs of 24 species from 13 genera and five families were constructed, and their evolutionary relationships and taxonomic status were confirmed using geometric morphometrics and molecular biology approaches. We also assessed the phylogenetic signals of beak shape. The analysis results show shape variation in the beak mainly in the rostrum, hood, and lateral wall. The overall shape parameters (all PCs) of the upper and lower beak are more useful for species identification. The shapes of the upper and lower beak show a strong phylogenetic signal, and the phenogram based on the beak shape basically reflected the families’ taxonomic positions. We also hypothesized that the shape variation in the beaks of cephalopods may be ascribed to genetic and environmental differences. In summary, beaks are a reliable material for the classification of cephalopod species. Geometric morphometric approaches are a powerful tool to reveal the identification, phylogenetic relevance and phenotypic diversity of beak shape in cephalopods.
A neurocognitive framework of attention and creativity: Maximizing usefulness and novelty via directed and undirected pathways
Authors: Yeo Gillian B. , Celestine Nicole A. , Parker Sharon K. , To March L. , Hirst Giles
Published: April 2024

Coming up with creative ideas is not easy. In this conceptual article, we integrate organizational behavior, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience literatures to propose that different forms of attention may be a key to maximizing creative usefulness and novelty. Specifically, we develop a neurocognitive framework of attentional control to propose differential pathways from creative goal‐directed attention (a narrow and selective focus) to deliberate information processing, and from undirected attention (a wide and unconstrained focus) to spontaneous information processing. These propositions have implications for creative usefulness and novelty, respectively—namely, that creative goal‐directed attention should facilitate the usefulness of creative outputs to a greater extent than their novelty, whereas undirected attention should promote the novelty of creative outputs to a greater extent than their usefulness. Our framework further suggests that time spent experiencing creative goal‐directed attention followed by undirected attention is the optimal sequence for maximizing both the usefulness and novelty of creative outputs. In combination, our framework advances theoretical understanding of attentional pathways to creative outcomes and offers practical implications for maximizing creative potential at work.
Divergent changes of carbon and nitrogen in the density fractions of soil organic matter after revegetation in the Tengger Desert, north China
Authors: Li Xiaojun , Yang Haotian , Yang Rong
Published: April 2024

Revegetation is an effective measure to enhance soil organic carbon (OC) and nitrogen (N) storage in drylands, but the underlying processes remain poorly understood. Based on density fractionation, the free light fraction (fLF), the occluded light fraction (oLF), and a heavy fraction (HF) were extracted from a chronosequence of revegetated sites aged 10, 22, 34, 48, and 65 years. A mobile sand dune (MSD) was used as the reference site (aged 0 years). The OC and N contents of different fractions and the bulk soils were determined to evaluate the impacts of revegetation and clarify post‐revegetation stabilization mechanisms for the OC and N. The results showed that the dry mass of fLF and oLF in established shrublands were 17.16–31.30 and 17.68–44.87 times greater than those in the MSD, respectively, while the amount of HF decreased by 1.09%–2.51% in 65 years. The contents and stocks of OC and N and C:N ratio in each fraction significantly increased over time but decreased with soil depth, and these three variables decreased sequentially from fLF to oLF to HF. The OC and N contents and their ratios in each fraction were positively and linearly correlated with their corresponding values in the bulk soil. The OC and N percentages contained in the fLF and oLF increased significantly, but those in the HF decreased with increasing site age. Despite this, more than 55.08% of OC and 80.59% of N were remained in the HF across all the sites, indicating that the enhancement of OC and N stocks in SOM following revegetation were mainly derived from an increase in OC and N in protected fractions. Biological and physicochemical factors including microbial biomass C and N, the availability of N, P, and K, bulk density, and clay and silt contents, were the key factors regulating the OC and N dynamics in the density fractions. The initial OC and N accumulation after revegetation occurs mainly in the HF, while vegetation development shifts the OC and N from stable to labile pools. The OC and N accumulation in revegetated soils is attributed to the changes in both the LF and HF whereas OC and N in the light fraction become increasingly important over time. Stabilization by forming aggregates and mineral associations may dominate the long‐term OC and N sequestration in restored ecosystems.