bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comprehensive review and shiny application on the matching‐adjusted indirect comparison
Authors: Jiang Ziren , Cappelleri Joseph C. , Gamalo Margaret , Chen Yong , Thomas Neal , Chu Haitao
Published: February 2024

Population‐adjusted indirect comparison (PAIC) is an increasingly used technique for estimating the comparative effectiveness of different treatments for the health technology assessments when head‐to‐head trials are unavailable. Three commonly used PAIC methods include matching‐adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC), simulated treatment comparison (STC), and multilevel network meta‐regression (ML‐NMR). MAIC enables researchers to achieve balanced covariate distribution across two independent trials when individual participant data are only available in one trial. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the MAIC methods, including their theoretical derivation, implicit assumptions, and connection to calibration estimation in survey sampling. We discuss the nuances between anchored and unanchored MAIC, as well as their required assumptions. Furthermore, we implement various MAIC methods in a user‐friendly R Shiny application Shiny‐MAIC. To our knowledge, it is the first Shiny application that implements various MAIC methods. The Shiny‐MAIC application offers choice between anchored or unanchored MAIC, choice among different types of covariates and outcomes, and two variance estimators including bootstrap and robust standard errors. An example with simulated data is provided to demonstrate the utility of the Shiny‐MAIC application, enabling a user‐friendly approach conducting MAIC for healthcare decision‐making. The Shiny‐MAIC is freely available through the link: https://ziren.shinyapps.io/Shiny_MAIC/.
Sustainability implications and relevance of using omics sciences to investigate cheeses with protected designation of origin
Authors: Galli Bruno Domingues
Published: February 2024

Cheese, a fundamental component of the human diet and a cornerstone of the global food economy, has a significance beyond its role as a commodity, playing a crucial part in the cultural identity of various communities. The intricate natural aging process known as maturation involves a series of reactions that induce changes in the cheese's physical, biochemical, microbiological, and particularly sensory characteristics, making it a complex aspect of cheese production. Recently, the adoption of omics sciences (e.g., metagenomics, metabolomics, proteomics) has emerged as a new trend in studies related to protected designation of origin (PDO) cheese. This mini‐summary aims to outline the relationship between omics studies in these food matrices and all the sustainability facets of the production chain in general, and to discuss and recognize that the importance of these studies goes beyond comprehending the cheese biome and extends to fostering and ensuring the sustainability of the production chain. In this context, numerous studies in recent years have linked the identification of intrinsic characteristics of PDO cheeses through omics sciences to crucial sustainability themes such as territoriality, biodiversity, and the preservation of product authenticity. The trajectory suggests that, increasingly, multidisciplinary studies spanning various omics sciences will not only contribute to the characterization of these products but will also address sustainability aspects directly related to the production chain (e.g., authenticity, microbial biodiversity, functionality). This expansion underscores the multidisciplinary nature of these studies, broadening their social impact beyond the academic realm. Consequently, these pivotal studies play a crucial role in advancing discussions on PDO products and sustainability. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Preparation of hyaluronic acid‐loaded liquid‐core hydrogel beads with acceptable mechanical properties and thermal stability
Authors: Li Hang , Zhang Qinyi , Chen Ling , Wang Yongzhi , Ai Zheng , Zhang Tianmeng , Liu Fei , Zhong Fang
Published: February 2024

Background

Hyaluronic acid liquid‐core hydrogel beads (HA‐LHB) is a good way for oral intake of HA. However, HA may affect the reaction–diffusion of sodium alginate (SA) and Ca2+ leading to poor mechanical properties, since HA is a polyanionic electrolyte having electrostatic effect and a certain spatial site‐blocking effect.

Results

The mechanical properties of HA‐LHB were modified from bathing solution, core solution and secondary calcium bath time. The mechanical properties varied with the SA structure and concentration in bathing solution, where SA with high G (guluronic acid) segment compounded with SA with high M (mannuronic acid) segment at a mass ratio of 7:3 with a 11 g kg−1 concentration showed the best mechanical properties. The secondary calcium bath can greatly improve the mechanical properties due to the tight network formed by bidirectional crosslinking, and 15 min reaction reached the plateau if Ca2+ is sufficient. And the mechanical properties were positively correlated with calcium lactate concentration only at <70 g kg−1 in core solution, but the diffusion of Ca2+ was hindered by the tight gel network at higher concentrations. Moreover, the mechanical properties can be maintained during heat treatment, due to the rearrangement of alginate network structure.

Conclusion

Our results suggested that the problem of poor mechanical properties of LHB in the presence of high HA concentration can be avoided by process control, which may broaden the development of HA and popping boba market. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
A Benchtop Round Window Model for Studying Magnetic Nanoparticle Transport to the Inner Ear
Authors: Goyal Mukund M. , Shen Sarek A. , Lehar Mohamed , Martinez Angela , Hiel Hakim , Wang Canhui , Liu Yulin , Wang Chao , Sun Daniel Q.
Published: February 2024

Introduction

The round window membrane (RWM) presents a significant barrier to the local application of therapeutics to the inner ear. We demonstrate a benchtop preclinical RWM model and evaluate superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as vehicles for magnetically assisted drug delivery.

Methods

Guinea pig RWM explants were inset into a 3D‐printed dual chamber benchtop device. Custom‐synthesized 7‐nm iron core nanoparticles were modified with different polyethylene glycol chains to yield two sizes of SPIONs (NP‐PEG600 and NP‐PEG3000) and applied to the benchtop model with and without a magnetic field. Histologic analysis of the RWM was performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confocal microscopy.

Results

Over a 4‐h period, 19.5 ± 1.9% of NP‐PEG3000 and 14.6 ± 1.9% of NP‐PEG600 were transported across the guinea pig RWM. The overall transport increased by 1.45× to 28.4 ± 5.8% and 21.0 ± 2.0%, respectively, when a magnetic field was applied. Paraformaldehyde fixation of the RWM decreased transport significantly (NP‐PEG3000: 7.6 ± 1.5%; NP‐PEG600: 7.0 ± 1.6%). Confocal and electron microscopy analysis demonstrated nanoparticle localization throughout all cellular layers and layer‐specific transport characteristics within RWM.

Conclusion

The guinea pig RWM explant benchtop model allows for targeted and practical investigations of transmembrane transport in the development of nanoparticle drug delivery vehicles. The presence of a magnetic field increases SPION delivery by 45%–50% in a nanoparticle size‐ and cellular layer‐dependent manner.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 134:3355–3362, 2024
Littlewood–Paley and wavelet characterization for mixed Morrey spaces
Authors: Nogayama Toru
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we consider the Littlewood–Paley characterization for mixed Morrey spaces and its predual spaces. The topology to converge the Littlewood–Paley decomposition for the element of mixed Morrey spaces is the weak‐ topology. If we consider the topology of mixed Morrey spaces, we must give other characterization by using the heat semigroup. As an application, we show the wavelet characterization for mixed Morrey spaces. In particular, this characterization can be shown without the Peetre maximal operator.
Mental accounting, heuristics, and the second‐best: Solving the calculator‐jacket puzzle
Authors: Khalil Elias L.
Published: February 2024

This paper conceives mental accounting along Kahneman's “mental economy,” specifically as a heuristic. This mental‐accounting‐as‐heuristic conception allows us to solve the calculator‐jacket puzzle. The opportunity cost of time is not constant but roughly varies with the variation of the item's value. As the value of the item rises, the decision maker (DM) should be more attentive. However, the measurement of the opportunity cost of time at each point of purchase is cognitively costly. To reduce such cost, the DM adopts a heuristic, the item's price itself, as a rough proxy of the varying opportunity cost of time.
Co‐production of agroecological innovations to improve sustainability in South American fruit farms
Authors: Oliveira da Silva Fabiana , Arellano Eduardo C. , Felipe Viana Blandina , Silva‐Ferreira Vinina , Oliveira‐Rebouças Patricia , Rojas‐Arévalo Nadia , Muñoz‐Sáez Andrés , Jimenez Valentina P. , Zielonka Natalia B. , Crowther Liam P. , Dicks Lynn V.
Published: February 2024

Agricultural intensification and expansion are the main drivers of biodiversity loss that continue to increase this century, especially in South America. International markets and global policy provide incentives and frameworks to address this, but these are unlikely to be effective unless farmers on the ground are enabled and motivated to respond to them by developing long‐term solutions that fit their production systems and local contexts.

Here, we use a multi‐actor transdisciplinary approach to co‐design and test agroecological innovations suitable for intensive, exporting South American fruit farms. We focus on highly biodiverse regions experiencing habitat loss in the Mediterranean and dry tropical forest regions of Chile and Brazil, respectively. The innovations were designed to support local biodiversity without compromising productivity or quality.

Fourteen farmers participated throughout the project, covering a total of 4178 ha of intensive table grape, mango and cherry production. All were under pressure from buyers to report action on biodiversity.

Farmers worked with researchers and industry representatives through an iterative process of dialogues and workshops to select, co‐design and implement three agroecological innovations: perches for birds of prey, cover crops and native hedgerows. Farmers became engaged in monitoring their effectiveness and redesigning them to suit local contexts.

We develop an extensive set of resources for ongoing dissemination, including an online sustainability metric to report the practices carried out. Eight farms continued to implement at least one agroecological innovation beyond the end of the project, motivated by its fit to their management system and their ability to report positive actions in their supply chains.

Policy implications. Our model of knowledge co‐production demonstrates how transdisciplinary research in agriculture, fully localised in a particular food‐producing context, can enable farmers in the global South to engage with biodiversity conservation in response to top‐down market signals incentivising sustainability. We argue that many top‐down efforts to enhance the sustainability of food supply chains, whether through market incentives, voluntary codes or trade regulations, require locally based knowledge co‐production, in which multiple stakeholders from agriculture and the food industry can benefit from working with locally based researchers.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Current situation and prospect for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric critical rare diseases in China
Authors: Liu Yingchao , Qian Suyun
Published: February 2024

The onset of critical rare diseases (RDs) in children is rapid and dangerous, accompanied by a high mortality rate, which brings a heavy burden to both families and society. Multiple malformations, neuromuscular diseases, metabolic diseases, and heart diseases are the most common types of RDs in children of China, often manifesting with multiple organ dysfunction. At present, the diagnosis and treatment of critical RDs in children face challenges such as prolonged diagnosis time, a high misdiagnosis rate, limited treatment modalities, and a significant disease burden. However, with the progress in genetic testing technology, the establishment of multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment platforms, and the implementation of relevant RD policies in China, children with critical RDs will received enhanced medical services, experience improved prognoses, and reintegrate into social life.
Seed mucilage in temperate grassland species is unrelated to moisture requirements
Authors: Ladwig Laura M. , Lucas Jessica R.
Published: February 2024

Myxospermy, the release of seed mucilage upon hydration, plays multiple roles in seed biology. Here, we explore whether seed mucilage occurs in a suite of temperate grassland species to test if the prevalence of species producing seed mucilage is associated with habitat type or seed characteristics. Seventy plant species found in wet or dry North American temperate grasslands were tested for the presence of seed mucilage through microscopic examination of seeds imbibed with histochemical stain for mucilage. Mucilage production was compared among species with different moisture requirements and seed mass. In this study, 43 of 70 of species tested produced seed mucilage. Seed mucilage did not differ based on habitat type, species moisture requirements, or seed mass. Most seed mucilage was non‐adherent and did not remain stuck to the seed after extrusion. Seed mucilage was a common trait in the surveyed temperate grassland species and was observed in 61% of evaluated species. Surprisingly, seed mucilage was more common in temperate grasslands than in previous ecological surveys from arid/semiarid systems, which found 10%–31% myxospermous species. Given the high prevalence, seed mucilage may influence seedling ecology in temperate grasslands and requires further investigation.
Enhancing structural replication of microfluidic chips: Parameter optimization and mold insert modification
Authors: Wang Yilei , Weng Can , Fei Zihao , Sun Huijie , Jiang Bingyan
Published: February 2024

The demolding process in micro‐injection molding constitutes a critical phase, exerting a decisive influence on the quality of polymer microstructures. In this study, the demolding forces of PMMA microfluidic chips were measured under different demolding temperatures, packing pressures, and demolding speeds by using pure nickel (Ni) mold insert. The dimensional deviations of the microchannels with different aspect ratios were analyzed. In addition, the effect of mold insert modification on the demolding force was further analyzed. The results showed that the effect of demolding temperature on the demolding force was the most significant, and the peak demolding force decreased with the decrease in temperature. The width of the microchannels increased and the depth decreased after demolding, while the opposite results were observed for the micro‐mixing structures. However, the dimensional deviation of the micro‐mixing structures was larger than that of the microchannels. Using the optimal molding parameters, the peak demolding force could be reduced from 114.0 N at 110°C to 47.0 N, a decrease of 58.8%. It is noteworthy that, when the microchannel was narrower than 100 μm, achieving precise replication of microchannel dimensions became progressively more challenging as the microchannel width decreased. Using the Ni‐WS2 mold insert with low surface energy and low friction coefficient, the demolding force could be further reduced by 38.3%. The effect of the molding quality of microfluidic chip microstructures on the mixing performance of heavy metals was demonstrated by micro‐mixing experiments.

Highlights

Demolding temperature crucially affects microstructure dimensions.

Optimal parameters and modified mold insert reduce demolding force by 38.3%.

Dimensional deviation increases with the increase of microchannel aspect ratio.

Optimized microfluidic chip enhances Co2+ chemiluminescence by 6.42%.
Simultaneous Determination of Young's Modulus and Density of Ultrathin Low‐k Films Using Surface Acoustic Waves
Authors: Zhang Li , Xiao Xia , Zhang Jinsong , Liu Zhuo , Huang Yiting
Published: February 2024

The nondestructive testing (NDT) of mechanical properties in ultrathin low dielectric constant (low‐k) films is a major challenge in integrated circuit manufacturing. Young's modulus and density are closely related parameters for low‐k films. This study presents a method for NDT of Young's modulus and density of porous low‐k black diamond (SiOC:H, BD) films. A linear frequency modulation (LFM) surface acoustic wave (SAW) interdigital transducer (IDT) with a frequency range of 20–250 MHz is designed to generate SAW signals on the samples. The series of SAW waveforms obtained on the samples are processed to obtain experimental SAW dispersion curves across a broad frequency range. By comparing these experimental curves with theoretical dispersion curves, as well as their first‐order derivatives, Young's modulus and density of porous low‐k BD films with thicknesses of 100, 300, 500, and 1000 nm are characterized. To verify Young's modulus measurements from the SAW method, a control experiment using nanoindentation is conducted. The results demonstrate that the SAW method can reduce the impact of the substrate and is independent of the film thickness. This study presents a highly accurate measuring method for simultaneous multiparameter evaluation of ultra‐thin low‐k films.
Pseudo Temperature Independent Paramagnetism in Co2Si5N8 Nitridosilicate
Authors: Braun Cordula , Mereacre Liuda , Stürzer Tobias , Schwarz Björn
Published: February 2024

Herein, the synthesis of Co2Si5N8 nitridosilicate from α‐Ca2Si5N8 by ion exchange is described. The monoclinic structure (space group Cc) is compared with those of the related nitridosilicates Ca2Si5N8 and Fe2Si5N8 its magnetic properties are profoundly investigated. Most interestingly, polycrystalline Co2Si5N8 exhibits a quasi‐temperature‐independent paramagnetic susceptibility of about over a wide temperature range from 100 to 600 K. Two different magnetic models based on a phenomenological Hamiltonian that takes into account magnetic exchange coupling, crystal‐field interactions, and Zeeman effects within the framework of an angular momentum basis set are refined to the experimental susceptibility datasets. The results of the refinements point to the realization of a pseudo temperature independent paramagnetism for Co2Si5N8 that results from a near‐perfect cancellation of temperature‐dependent contributions to the susceptibility depending delicately on the mixing of ion levels in the electronic states, their relative energies, and the magnetic coupling between them. Additionally, performed direct current field scan, alternating current susceptibility, and heat capacity measurements complete the magnetic characterization and facilitate the identification of impurity phase contributions.
Steroid reduction‐resistant pulmonary involvement with Sweet's syndrome suspected of being vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X‐linked, autoinflammatory, somatic syndrome: A case report
Authors: Amakusa Yuki , Suzuki Tatsuro , Takemura Masaya , Oguri Tetsuya
Published: February 2024

In cases of Sweet's syndrome with pulmonary involvement, fever of unknown origin, and macrocytic anaemia, VEXAS syndrome can be considered in the differential diagnosis. A 67‐year‐old man who was taking prednisolone for a fever of unknown origin and Sweet's syndrome was referred to us because of an abnormal chest shadow. Computed tomography revealed a nonfibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis‐like opacity, and blood test results indicated macrocytic anaemia. His pulmonary symptoms spontaneously improved but again exacerbated approximately 1 month later. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy improved his condition, but he had recurring fever flare and pulmonary involvement post‐treatment. A peripheral blood UBA1 gene test planned at a specialized institution was not performed, making the diagnosis difficult. We attempted careful tapering of methylprednisolone, but his macrocytic anaemia led to pancytopenia and he unfortunately died of sepsis due to neutropenia.
Tracheopathia osteochondroplastica—A benign disorder with a daunting appearance
Authors: Hu Chia‐Hao , Su Po‐Lan , Huang Li‐Ting , Lee Chung‐Ta , Huang Tang‐Hsiu
Published: February 2024

Tracheopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a rare and benign condition. It typically manifests as multiple osteocartilaginous nodules in the submucosa of the central airway. TO‐related clinical symptoms and physical signs are nonspecific. The bronchoscopic examination is helpful in establishing the diagnosis. Treatment for TO is mostly conservative and symptom‐oriented. The prognosis of TO is generally good, although cases of associated airway stenosis have been reported. In this case report, we describe the clinical, imaging, and histological features, and videoed bronchoscopic findings, of a middle‐aged male patient with incidentally diagnosed TO.
Social dimension of the circular economy: Impact categories through fuzzy Delphi method
Authors: Galarza‐María Julen , Díaz de Junguitu Alberto , Labaien Irati
Published: February 2024

The scholarly literature highlights the relevance of the social dimension of the circular economy (CE); yet the empirical analysis of this issue has been overlooked. This work sheds light empirically on this gap with a fuzzy Delphi study carried out in a region with strong institutional support for this paradigm. Through the consensus of 25 experts, a set of social impact categories of the CE was scrutinized. The results contribute to widening the current quantitative vision on the employment generated by CE, through the exploration of its qualitative aspects. According to our findings, technological innovation in high‐skilled employment appears to be crucial. Likewise, the results anticipate impacts derived from collaboration among stakeholders in a circular context still at an incipient stage. The expert panel also highlights the relevance of socio‐cultural and behavioral changes. Implications for public policy makers and other stakeholders are also analyzed, namely the development of a monitoring framework of the social dimension of the CE.
Removal of High Concentrations of Arsenite from Aqueous Solutions by the Emulsion Liquid Membrane Technique
Authors: Ghasemi Zeynab , Abdi Sara , Nasiri Masoud
Published: February 2024

As(III) is a dangerous species that contaminates groundwater resources and therefore water purification from this element is necessary. In this study, the removal of As(III) was investigated by the emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) technique due to the high toxicity levels of this species. The effect of various parameters such as hydrochloric acid and arsenic concentration in the feed solution, emulsion to feed ratio, surfactant concentration and type of carrier was evaluated on the arsenic separation efficiency. The results showed that the best type of carrier in terms of emulsion stability and separation efficiency of arsenic ions was di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA), and its optimal concentration was about 5 % (v/v). In addition, paraffin as the organic solvent performed better than the mixture of paraffin and kerosene in the separation of As(III) ions. The optimal conditions were obtained at 8 and 0.1 M HCl concentrations for the feed and the internal phases, respectively. Also, the emulsion to feed ratio of 1 : 4.5, the volume ratio of the internal phase to the membrane phase of 1 : 1 and the surfactant concentration of 5 % (v/v) led to achieving the maximum removal of arsenic ions. This work presents a broad perspective of removing As(III) ions from wastewater by carefully examining the parameters influencing the separation of this hazardous element through the ELM method.
Synthesis and Antiproliferative Properties of Some Spirocyclic Pyrimidine Hydrazones
Authors: Ragab Sherif S. , Sweed Ayman M. , Srour Aladdin
Published: February 2024

A new series of hydrazone derivatives incorporating spirocyclic aminopyrimidine with aryl alkanesulfonates were synthesized. The targeted products were obtained in excellent yields via an acid catalyzed reaction of spirocyclic hydrazinopyrimidine with aryl aldehyde sulfonates. The structures of the synthesized hydrazones were studied by the different spectroscopic tools, in addition to the high resolution mass analysis. The antiproliferative activities of the compounds were tested in vitro against the National Cancer Institute (NCI) 60 cell panel by the Developmental Therapeutics Program. Amongst the tested hydrazone compounds, the methansulfonate derivatives showed the highest activities against lung, brain, kidney, and breast cancers.
A Breathable Fibrous Membrane with Coaxially Heterogeneous Conductive Networks toward Personal Thermal Management and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding
Authors: Wu Jiajia , Zhu Chunhong , Morikawa Hideaki , Zhang Xinxin , Yin Xia , Yu Jianyong , Zhang Shichao , Ding Bin
Published: February 2024

The expeditious growth of wearable electronic devices has boomed the development of versatile smart textiles for personal health‐related applications. In practice, integrated high‐performance systems still face challenges of compromised breathability, high cost, and complicated manufacturing processes. Herein, a breathable fibrous membrane with dual‐driven heating and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance is developed through a facile process of electrospinning followed by targeted conformal deposition. The approach constructs a robust hierarchically coaxial heterostructure consisting of elastic polymers as supportive “core” and dual‐conductive components of polypyrrole and copper sulfide (CuS) nanosheets as continuous “sheath” at the fiber level. The CuS nanosheets with metal‐like electrical conductivity demonstrate the promising potential to substitute the expensive conductive nano‐materials with a complex fabricating process. The as‐prepared fibrous membrane exhibits high electrical conductivity (70.38 S cm−1), exceptional active heating effects, including solar heating (saturation temperature of 69.7 °C at 1 sun) and Joule heating (75.2 °C at 2.9 V), and impressive EMI shielding performance (50.11 dB in the X‐band), coupled with favorable air permeability (161.4 mm s−1 at 200 Pa) and efficient water vapor transmittance (118.9 g m−2 h). This work opens up a new avenue to fabricate versatile wearable devices for personal thermal management and health protection.
An Atomic‐Scale Vector Network Analyzer
Authors: Baumann Susanne , McMurtrie Gregory , Hänze Max , Betz Nicolaj , Arnhold Lukas , Malavolti Luigi , Loth Sebastian
Published: February 2024

Electronic devices have been ever‐shrinking toward atomic dimensions and have reached operation frequencies in the GHz range, thereby outperforming most conventional test equipment, such as vector network analyzers (VNA). Here the capabilities of a VNA on the atomic scale in a scanning tunneling microscope are implemented. Nonlinearities present in the voltage‐current characteristic of atoms and nanostructures for phase‐resolved microwave spectroscopy with unprecedented spatial resolution at GHz frequencies are exploited. The amplitude and phase response up to 9.3 GHz is determined, which permits accurate de‐embedding of the transmission line and application of distortion‐corrected waveforms in the tunnel junction itself. This enables quantitative characterization of the complex‐valued admittance of individual magnetic iron atoms which show a lowpass response with a magnetic‐field‐tunable cutoff frequency.
Short‐Wave Infrared Detection and Imaging Employing Size‐Customized HgTe Nanocrystals
Authors: Wang Binbin , Hu Huicheng , Yuan Mohan , Yang Ji , Liu Jing , Gao Liang , Zhang Jianbing , Tang Jiang , Lan Xinzheng
Published: February 2024

HgTe nanocrystals (NCs) possess advantages including tunable infrared absorption spectra, solution processability, and low fabrication costs, offering new avenues for the advancement of next‐generation infrared detectors. In spite of great synthetic advances, it remains essential to achieve customized synthesis of HgTe NCs in terms of industrial applications. Herein, by taking advantage of a high critical nucleation concentration of HgTe NCs, a continuous‐dropwise (CD) synthetic approach that features the addition of the anion precursors in a feasible drop‐by‐drop fashion is demonstrated. The slow reaction dynamics enable size‐customized synthesis of HgTe NCs with sharp band tails and wide absorption range fully covering the short‐ and mid‐infrared regions. More importantly, the intrinsic advantages of CD process ensure high‐uniformity and scale‐up synthesis from batch to batch without compromising the excitonic features. The resultant HgTe nanocrystal photodetectors show a high room‐temperature detectivity of 8.1 × 1011 Jones at 1.7 µm cutoff absorption edge. This CD approach verifies a robust method for controlled synthesis of HgTe NCs and might have important implications for scale‐up synthesis of other nanocrystal materials.
Selectively nucleotide‐derived RuP on N,P‐codoped carbon with engineered mesopores for energy‐efficient hydrogen production assisted by hydrazine oxidation
Authors: Guan Xiya , Sun Yu , Zhao Simeng , Li Haibo , Zeng Suyuan , Yao Qingxia , Li Rui , Chen Hongyan , Qu Konggang
Published: February 2024

Integrating hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with hydrazine oxidation reaction (HzOR) has an encouraging prospect for the energy‐saving hydrogen production, demanding the high‐performance bifunctional HER/HzOR electrocatalyst. Ruthenium phosphide/doped carbon composites have exhibited superior activity toward multiple electrocatalytic reactions. To explore the decent water‐soluble precursors containing both N and P elements is highly attractive to facilely prepare metal phosphide/doped carbon composites. Herein, as one kind ecofriendly biomolecules, adenine nucleotide was first employed to selectively fabricate the highly pure RuP nanoparticles embedded into porous N,P‐codoped carbons (RuP/PNPC) with a straightforward “mix‐and‐pyrolyze” approach. The newly prepared RuP/PNPC only requires 4.0 and −83.0 mV at 10 mA/cm2 separately in alkaline HER and HzOR, outperforming most of reported electrocatalysts, together with the outstanding neutral bifunctional performance. Furthermore, the two‐electrode alkaline and neutral overall hydrazine splitting both exhibit significant power‐efficiency superiority to the corresponding overall water splitting with the voltage difference of larger than 2 V, which can be also easily driven by the fuel cells and solar cells with considerable H2 generation. Our report innovates the N‐ and P‐bearing adenine nucleotide to effortlessly synthesize the high‐quality RuP/doped carbon composite catalysts, highly potential as a universal platform for metal phosphide‐related functional materials.
Differentiated instruction in an online ESL writing lesson: A single participant case study in Hong Kong
Authors: Liang Weijun
Published: February 2024

Differentiated instruction (DI), an educational philosophy that aims to cater for learner diversity, has been advocated by scholars and teachers over the past two decades. Nevertheless, little is known about how teachers practise DI in online teaching, particularly in the context of English language teaching during the outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic. To fill this gap, this single participant case study aimed to delineate concrete ways of implementing DI during an online English writing lesson for English as a second language (ESL) learners in a Hong Kong primary school. To provide a thick description, multiple sources of data were extracted from a rich data pool of a two‐year longitudinal teacher professional development project which included lesson recordings, post‐lesson debriefing meeting recordings, and student work. The findings suggested that the case teacher employed various DI strategies (i.e., providing chances for all student participation, using multisensory pedagogical designs, using information technology) to cater for learner diversity during online English teaching. It is argued that despite the potential challenges, it could be feasible and manageable to employ some DI strategies to address learner diversity during online English teaching. This study contributes to DI theory and practice by deepening our understanding of implementing DI in the context of online English teaching and providing a valuable reference for educational practitioners. It also advances our knowledge of how technology could be leveraged to support DI implementation.
Prevalence of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia infections in dogs in Iran: A meta‐analysis study
Authors: Abdous Arman , Rahnama Mehdi , Shams Farzane , Jokar Mohammad , Rahmanian Vahid , Farhoodi Mehran , Abbassioun Aryan , Kamjoo Mohammad Sadegh
Published: February 2024

The current study aims to assess the prevalence of different genera of Rickettsiales, intracellular bacteria, in dogs across various regions of Iran. Rickettsiales, as zoonotic pathogens, can have various manifestations in different species, including immunosuppression, anaemia and neuropathy. Due to their close interactions with people and livestock, dogs can serve as reservoirs and transmit these pathogens to humans and other animals. The data from this research can be valuable for managing and controlling related diseases and complications in Iran and possibly neighbouring countries. Pertinent data for this study was gathered without time limitations until 1 March 2022, from different databases. Of all the inspected studies, 26 were eligible based on the inclusion criteria. The Egger test result and asymmetry in the funnel plot revealed significant publication bias; therefore, the meta‐analysis model was corrected with the trim‐and‐fill method. After correction, the prevalence of rickettsial infections among dogs varies by genus – 20.1% for Anaplasma spp. and 10% for Ehrlichia spp. – with an overall prevalence estimated at 18.3% by random‐effects analysis. The highest and lowest estimated pooled prevalences were associated with the southwestern (38.5%) and southern (0.3%) provinces of Iran, respectively. The pooled prevalence of rickettsial infection was higher in female dogs (OR = 1.198; p < 0.978; 95% CI, 0.842–1.705) and in dogs ≤2 years (OR = 1.014; p < 0.312; 95% CI, 0.598–1.72), but the difference was not statistically significant. Ultimately, the pooled prevalence of rickettsial infections among dogs is relatively low compared to other countries like Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which are nearby Iran. Given the significant clinical outcomes of this disease, necessary measures for prevention should be taken.
Investigation of the effects of in ovo taurine injection on hatching characteristics and stress reduction potential
Authors: Baykalir Yasin , Simsek Ulku Gulcihan , Seker İbrahim , Koseman Abdurrahman , Gul Burcu , Eroglu Mehmet , Mutlu Seda Iflazoglu , Kocyigit Sezgin , Karaca Mehmet , Demir Pelin
Published: February 2024

Background

In ovo application is the process of administering some nutrients or components into the egg. The main purpose of this application is to ensure that some nutrients are provided to chicks with a short incubation period. Few studies were conducted with taurine in fertile eggs; especially, no observation of hatchability and chick quality has been found. In addition, taurine has an anti‐stress impact that fights oxidative factors.

Objective

To assess the hatchability and chick quality after in ovo taurine administration. To determine the stress that may occur as a result of in ovo application and whether taurine has a stress‐reducing effect.

Methods

A total of 1200 fertile eggs from a 34‐week‐old broiler breeder (Ross 308) flock were categorized into 4 groups with 75 eggs per replicate: control (uninjected), taurine group (0.30 mL dissolved taurine in distilled water), sham control (sterile distilled water) and perforation (eggs perforated and then waxed). On day 14 of incubation, an in ovo injection was administered to the albumen. Data on hatching parameters and hepatic HSP70 levels were obtained using relevant formulas and western blotting, respectively.

Results

Control chicks exhibited higher hatchability than other groups, with the taurine group showing the lowest hatchability. The HSP70 levels were the highest in the perforation group compared to the control group. An increase of 21.37% in the taurine group and 83.45% in the sham control group was observed compared to the control group.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that in ovo application may induce increased stress, whereas taurine may have positive effects in mitigating the stress caused by in ovo application.
In vitro evaluation of antileishmanial activity of Boswellia serrata essential oil nanoliposome
Authors: Babaei Mohaddeseh , Youssefi Mohammad Reza , Nasrabadi Nadia Taiefi
Published: February 2024

Background

Leishmaniasis poses a significant health risk.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Boswellia serrata (B. serrata) essential oil nanoliposomes on Leishmania tropica (L. tropica) in vitro.

Methods

A mixture of B. serrata essential oil, phosphatidylcholine and Tween 80 were used to prepare B. serrata essential oil nanoliposomes, followed by drying, hydration and size characterisation. The promastigotes of L. tropica were cultured in Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium (RPMI‐1640) containing streptomycin, penicillin and fetal bovine serum. Different concentrations of B. serrata essential and nanoliposomes were tested for their antileishmanial properties by 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium Bromide tests (MTT).

Results

Results of Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) for B. serrata nanoliposomes indicate that they are successful at producing nanoliposomes with dimensions of 74.8 nm. At 1 μg/mL dose, B. serrata essence caused 17 ± 1.73% mortality, while B. serrata nanoliposomes induced 26 ± 1.15% mortality. B. serrata essence achieved a mortality of 55 ± 2.88% at 10 μg/mL, whereas B. serrata nanoliposomes demonstrated a mortality of 63.66±0.88% at 10 μg/mL. Furthermore, there was a significant difference between similar concentrations of B. serrata and B. serrata nanoliposomes. The LC50 of B. serrata essential oil is 7.26 μg/mL in the 95% confidence interval (12.13–5.25). The LC90 value of B. serrata essential oil is 129.37 μg/mL in the 95% confidence interval (50.07–852.58). The LC50 value of B. serrata nanoliposome is 4.20 μg/mL in the 95% confidence interval (6.13–3.10). LC90 value for B. serrata nanoliposome is calculated as 91.89 μg/mL in the 95% confidence interval (37.09–583.29).

Conclusions

In vitro experiments have shown that B. serrata oil and the nanoliposome suppress the proliferation of L. tropica promastigotes, which suggests it may be a promising option for treating leishmaniasis.
Multienvironmental tracers in coastal aquifer (Morocco): A window into groundwater mixing and risk to contamination
Authors: Qurtobi Mohamed , Hssaisoune Mohammed , Kumar Umayadoss Saravana , Bouchaou Lhoussaine
Published: February 2024

In many coastal areas in Morocco, groundwater (GW) constitutes an important water supply for human activities. Intensive pumping makes GW highly susceptible to contamination, affecting its quality and then human health. This work aims to assess and improve the application of environmental isotopes in exploring the connections between GW recharge and discharge, as well as to identify the direction, age, and speed of GW flow, in the coastal aquifer system of the Akermoud plain. A total of 23 boreholes and wells were sampled during two sampling campaigns in 2017 and 2018, including 11 samples from the shallow aquifer and 12 samples from the deep aquifer. A set of chemical and isotopic tracers (δ18O, δ2H, 3H, δ13C, 14C, and 3He) is used to track water and solute from input to output of the investigated system. Stable isotopes distinguish recharge at different altitudes for the shallow and deep aquifers. Both aquifers reveal consistently low values of 3H (between 0.3 and 0.9 tritium units) and from 28% to 64% of modern carbon for six boreholes. According to 14C correction models, GW has ages ranging from 3300 to 11,000 years before present. GW flows from SSE to NNW and discharge along the Atlantic coast of Akermoud plain with a velocity ranging from 0.41 to 1.8 m/year.

Practitioner Points

The use of environmental tracers helps determine the origin of salinity and identify the recharge area.

Investigating the MRT of groundwater resources is essential, especially in arid regions.

Evaluating the efficiency of isotopic tracing is crucial in assessing the risk of groundwater contamination.

The findings provide insights for stakeholders to promote more sustainable groundwater management in coastal areas.
Increasing LGBTQ+ inclusion & competency in wildlife sciences: intersections of sociocultural, structural, and historic barriers to inclusion
Authors: Alexander Nathan B. , Knutson Douglas , Lynch Loren , Spellman Madeleine , Rivera Michael , Morrow Leslie K. , Scherz Maxine , Clarkberg Thea E. , Allen‐Custodio Lucas T. , Fountain Kal , Klimasmith Isaac , Smith Emmett M. , Coon Jaime J.
Published: February 2024

Science has a history of excluding marginalized groups, including people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and other marginalized gender and sexual identities (LGBTQ+), and recent calls urge the wildlife sciences to address disparities. Literature on inclusion in the life sciences generally has focused on personal affirmation and has neglected comprehensive discussion of barriers rooted in historical, structural, and sociocultural context. In our literature review, we construct a narrative highlighting the intersections between historic LGBTQ+ exclusion in society and wildlife science due to current policy trends, pressures of cis‐heteronormativity, and survival barriers on LGBTQ+ people in wildlife sciences in the United States. Wildlife scientists must have competency on LGBTQ+ marginalization topics to advance inclusion in our discipline, and this should include comprehension of historic and current legislation and social perceptions. To bolster inclusion efforts, we recommend thoughtful data collection on experiences of LGBTQ+ people within the wildlife sciences. To address root causes of exclusion, institutions and organizations should address disparities in financial support, housing, and physical and mental health resources as part of LGBTQ+ advocacy, in addition to interpersonal efforts.
On an indentation of a circular cylindrical punch into an elastic half‐space under friction
Authors: Hakobyan Vahram N. , Dashtoyan Lilit L. , Amirjanyan Harutyun A.
Published: February 2024

The paper discusses an axisymmetric contact problem of indentation of a circular cylindrical punch with a flat base into a homogeneous elastic half‐space with friction. It is assumed that the shear contact stresses are related to the normal contact pressure by the law of dry friction, in which the coefficient of friction depends on the radial coordinates of the points of the surfaces in contact and is directly proportional to them. With the help of rotation operators, the solution of the stated problem is reduced to the solution of a singular integral equation of the second kind with variable coefficients, and its closed solution in quadratures is constructed. The numerical calculations display the patterns of change in contact stresses and rigid displacement of the punch depending on the maximum value of the friction coefficient.
The Duty to Promote Digital Minimalism in Others II: Duties of Right
Authors: Aylsworth Timothy , Castro Clinton
Published: February 2024

This chapter begins with a discussion of the distinction between duties of virtue (which cannot be coercively enforced) and duties of right (which can). It explores attention ecology (the duty to promote digital minimalism in others), understood as a duty of right. This takes us into the territory of Kantian political philosophy. The core tenets of Kant’s political philosophy are introduced and applied to the question of regulating the attention economy through legislation. One core tenant is that state interference can be legitimately called upon to protect freedom. Understanding certain harms of the attention economy (e.g., damaging a child’s capacities for setting and pursuing her ends) as threats to freedom opens the door to revisiting some previously discussed cases (e.g., education, employment, and the development of applications) from the point of view of legislation. It is important to note that while regulating the attention economy via legislation is explored, we do not advocate this as the only means by which the attention economy should be checked. In this chapter and others, we emphasize the important role that culture and education can and should play in restructuring our relationship with our devices.
The Duty to Promote Digital Minimalism in Group Agents
Authors: Aylsworth Timothy , Castro Clinton
Published: February 2024

In this chapter, we turn our attention to the effects of the attention economy on our ability to act autonomously as a group. We begin by clarifying which sorts of groups we are concerned with, which are structured groups (groups sufficiently organized that it makes sense to attribute agency to the group itself). Drawing on recent work by Purves and Davis (Public Aff Q 36:136–62, 2022), we describe the essential roles of trust (i.e., depending on groups to fulfill their commitments) and trustworthiness (i.e., the property of a group that makes trusting them fitting) in autonomous group action, with particular emphasis on democratic institutions (which we view as group agents) and democratic legitimacy (which depends on trust and trustworthiness). We then explain how engagement maximization promotes polarization, which is detrimental to trust and trustworthiness and, in turn, democratic legitimacy and democratic institutions. We close by considering what groups might do to protect themselves from the threat posed to them by the attention economy.
Vietnam’s Mixed Reactions to China and the BRI
Authors: Yu Hong
Published: February 2024

Vietnam is China’s largest neighbour in Southeast Asia and has historically been deeply influenced by Chinese culture. Vietnam has been implementing the policy of “innovation and opening up” since 1986, opening up the market, vigorously attracting foreign investment and developing an export-oriented economy.
Riding on the BRI Train: Issues Relating to China’s Strengthening Ties with Cambodia
Authors: Yu Hong
Published: February 2024

The effects of China’s rising economic ascendency and geopolitical clout are being felt throughout the Southeast Asian countries but most prominently in Cambodia. Cambodia is one of the smallest and least developed nations in Southeast Asia. It has a strategic location between Thailand and Vietnam, two powerful rivals in the region, and borders Laos to the north and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest.
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s Role in Regional Infrastructure Financing
Authors: Yu Hong
Published: February 2024

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), proposed by China in 2013 and founded in 2014, is one of the world’s newest multilateral development banks (MDBs).