bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Le greenrush
Authors: Mouhot Jean-François , McKay James , Hilton Matthew
Published: January 2012

Résumé À la fin des années 1980, le mouvement écologiste au Royaume-Uni connut une période exceptionnellement faste : croissance vertigineuse du nombre d’adhérents et des revenus des associations (Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth ou WWF), score exceptionnel du Green Party aux élections européennes, omniprésence des questions environnementales dans les médias ou dans le monde politique. Cette « bulle verte » éclata cependant rapidement et fut suivie d’une période de vaches maigres pour les questions d’environnement. Nous montrons en quoi ce phénomène, contrairement à ce qui a été écrit auparavant, ne fut pas limité au Royaume-Uni, mais toucha l’ensemble de l’Europe (y compris de l’Est) et les États-Unis. Nous analysons les différents facteurs ayant contribué à cette bulle et à son implosion ultérieure, comme l’arrivée de la question du changement climatique sur la scène internationale ou encore la professionnalisation croissante des organisations de défense de l’environnement.
De la nature à la biosphère
Authors: Mahrane Yannick , Fenzi Marianna , Pessis Céline , Bonneuil Christophe
Published: January 2012

Résumé Comment, entre la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale et la conférence de Stockholm sur l’environnement humain en 1972, l’environnement a-t-il accédé au rang de problème global et de catégorie d’action politique internationale ? Cet article analyse le contexte géopolitique et les formes d’alerte et d’expertise scientifique qui façonnèrent l’émergence et les évolutions de la catégorie d’« environnement global ». Tandis que la catégorie de « nature » décline, il retrace, à travers la guerre froide et les décolonisations, l’affirmation des questions de conservation internationale des ressources, des « bases biologiques de la productivité » planétaire, puis des pollutions et de « la biosphère », et analyse leur intégration dans une conception écosystémique de la planète et leur inscription dans l’agenda politique international.
A Minimally Invasive Jet Injector for Intravitreal and Subconjunctival Injection
Authors: Peyman Gholam A. , Hosseini Kamran , Cormier Michel
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate a minimally invasive injector for intravitreal and subconjunctival administration of medications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The device has a microneedle that communicates with an internal formulation chamber. A piercing depth-limiting flange restricts microneedle penetration to a depth of less than 1 mm and defines the location of the pars plana from the limbus. The jet injector creates a force of up to 1,000 psi, forcing the medication through the remaining sclera/choroid thickness. The device was tested in 28 enucleated rabbit eyes and 9 experimental and 4 control rabbit eyes to define jet pressure for subconjunctival and intravitreal injection.

RESULTS:

Injection pressures of 76 to 156 psi were needed for subconjunctival injection and 974 psi for intravitreal injection. Clinical and histologic examinations did not reveal damage to intraocular structures.

CONCLUSION:

The semi-automated jet injector facilitated intravitreal/subconjunctival injection. The microneedle-assisted jet injector minimized the risk of wet injection by anchoring the microneedle in the sclera.
Transscleral Drainage of Subretinal/Suprachoroidal Silicone Oil
Authors: Shanmugam Mahesh P. , Ramanjulu Rajesh , Madhu Kumar R. , Minija C. K.
Published: January 2012

Silicone oil migration into the subretinal space following vitreoretinal surgery may occur in complex cases of retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy. This complication prevents achievement of the primary goal (ie, to attach the retina) and fails to provide the internal tamponade, leading to a permanent decrease in visual acuity. Successful and complete removal of the subretinal oil is a challenge. Internal drainage as described earlier in the literature advocates a large relaxing retinotomy. The authors describe two similar cases, one with retinal detachment secondary to type II iridochoroidal coloboma wherein the oil had passed into the subretinal space and the other with diabetes mellitus and retinal detachment with oil in the suprachoroidal space. In both cases, silicone oil was removed successfully through a transscleral approach. The transscleral approach for removal of subretinal/suprachoroidal oil appears to be relatively safe, less time-consuming, and effective.
Clinical Evaluation of a New Donor Graft Inserter for Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty
Authors: Yokogawa Hideaki , Kobayashi Akira , Sugiyama Kazuhisa
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To present clinical outcomes of Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) using a newly developed donor graft inserter, the Tan EndoGlide (AngioTech, Reading, PA/Network Medical Products, North Yorkshire, UK).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Six eyes of six patients with bullous keratopathy were treated with DSAEK using the Tan EndoGlide. Intraoperative and postoperative complications, postoperative donor endothelial cell densities (ECDs), and best-corrected visual acuity were recorded.

RESULTS:

Five cases had no difficulties during donor graft loading into the Tan EndoGlide; however, the donor graft was folded inside-out into the Tan EndoGlide in one case, resulting in severe endothelial cell loss. All patients achieved a visual acuity of 20/63 or better at 12 months, with four patients reaching better than 20/32. Excluding the case with the graft folded inside-out, postoperative ECDs were 2,041 cells/mm
2
(mean loss: 22.9%) at 6 months and 1,973 cells/mm
2
(mean loss: 24.6%) at 12 months.

CONCLUSION:

In this small preliminary series, the clinical outcome with the Tan EndoGlide was comparable to or better than that achieved with the conventional technique. Additional studies using a larger number of patients are required to fully evaluate the usefulness and potential advantages of this new donor graft inserter.
Neurological disorders and barriers for neurological rehabilitation in rural areas in Utt ar Pradesh: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Kumar Hirdesh , Gupta Nalina
Published: January 2012

Background: In India, the majority of individuals with neurological disorders are rural based and cannot even afford the cost of rehabilitation. At the same time, we do not have barrier free environment in India. Aim: This study attempts to find out the neurological disorders and barriers for neurological rehabilitation in rural areas in Uttar Pradesh, India. Setting: Rural areas in Uttar Pradesh, India. Design: It is a cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: The study was done by means of an interview method using a questionnaire. The rural areas in Uttar Pradesh were visited personally and a data from 201 individuals was collected. Statistical Analysis Used : Data analysis was done by using descriptive statistics. Results: Out of 201 individuals, 76.6% (n=154) individuals were with polio, 12.9% (n=26) were with cerebral palsy, 7.9% (n=16) were with stroke and 2.4% (n=5) were with spinal cord injury. Reasons for not taking the treatment/discontinuation of treatment were financial problem (44%), lack of awareness (43%), family negligence (6%), transportation problem (3.5%) and other environmental barriers (1%). Conclusion: In our study, we found polio to be the most prevalent disorder followed by Cerebral Palsy, Stroke and Spinal Cord Injury. Financial problem was the major barrier for neurological rehabilitation followed by lack of awareness, family negligence and transportation problem.
Buprenorphine vs methadone treatment: A review of evidence in both developed and developing worlds
Authors: Whelan Paul J , Remski Kimberly
Published: January 2012

Heroin dependence is a major health and social problem associated with increased morbidity and mortality that adversely affects social circumstances, productivity, and healthcare and law enforcement costs. In the UK and many other Western countries, both methadone and buprenorphine are recommended by the relevant agencies for detoxification from heroin and for opioid maintenance therapy. However, despite obvious benefits due to its unique pharmacotherapy (eg, greatly reduced risk of overdose), buprenorphine has largely failed to overtake methadone in managing opioid addiction. The experience from the developing world (based on data from India) is similar. In this article we compare the advantages and disadvantages of the use methadone and buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid addiction from both a developed and developing world perspective; and explore some of the reasons why buprenorphine has not fulfilled the expectations predicted by many in the addictions field.
Posterior fossa involvement in a recurrent gliosarcoma
Authors: Balasubramaniam Srikant , Tyagi Devendra K , Sawant Hemant V , Epari Sridhar
Published: January 2012

Gliosarcoma (GSM) is a WHO grade 4 tumor and a variant of glioblastoma multiforme with predilection for the temporal lobe. We record, perhaps the first case in literature, of a temporal lobe GSM with recurrence involving the posterior fossa. A 50-year-old man presented to us with headache, vomiting, and lethargy of relatively recent onset. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-circumscribed lesion in the left temporal lobe for which left temporal craniotomy with radical excision of the tumor was performed. Histopathology was suggestive of GSM. He presented to us within a month of the first surgery with a large recurrence involving the temporal lobe. He underwent a second surgery with radical excision of the tumor. Histopathology was confirmatory of GSM. He was administered concomitant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Within a fortnight of starting adjuvant therapy, the bone flap started bulging and a repeat computed tomography scan revealed a large recurrence extending into the posterior fossa. The patient′s relatives refused consent for third surgery and he finally succumbed on postoperative day 21. GSMs are aggressive tumors that have a temporal lobe predilection, but they may present anywhere in the brain. Detailed studies on larger cohort of cases are needed to understand the true nature of these biphasic tumors.
Frontonasal dysplasia (Median cleft face syndrome)
Authors: Sharma Seema , Sharma Vipin , Bothra Meenakshi
Published: January 2012

This is a report of a rare case of frontonasal dysplasia (FND) in a full-term girl with birth weight of 2.750 kg. The baby had the classical features of FND. There were no other associated anomalies. There was no history of consanguinity and no family history of similar conditions. So inheritance of this case could be considered sporadic. Maxillofacial surgery should be considered for all patients for whom improvement is possible. However, in developing countries where there are considerable limitations in provision of social services, with economic and educational constraints, correction of such major defects remains a challenging task.
Perioperative challenges in patients with giant occipital encephalocele with microcephaly and micrognathia
Authors: Hukum Singh , Singh Daljit , Sharma D.P. , Tandon Monica S , Ganjoo Pragati
Published: January 2012

Meninigo-encepahlocoele (MEC ) is a common neurosurgical operation. The size of MEC may vary which has bearing with its management. The association of MEC with micrognathia and microcephaly is rarely reported. The association poses special problem for intubation and maintenance of anaesthesia. Giant MEC may lead to significant CSF loss resulting in hemodynamic alteration. The prior knowledge and care in handling the patient can avoid minor as well as major complications.
Impact of aerosol composition on cloud condensation nuclei activity
Authors: Zhang Q. , Meng J. , Quan J. , Gao Y. , Zhao D. , Chen P. , He H.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. The impact of aerosol composition on cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity was analyzed in this study based on field experiments carried out at downtown Tianjin, China, in September 2010. In the experiments, the CCN measurements were performed at supersaturation (SS) of 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.4% using a thermal-gradient diffusion chamber (DMT CCNC), whereas the aerosol size distribution and composition were simultaneously measured with a TSI SMPS and an Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS), respectively. The results show that the influence of aerosol composition on CCN activity is notable under low SS (0.1%), and their influence decreased with increasing SS. For example, under SS of 0.1%, the CCN activity increases from 4.5 ± 2.6% to 12.8 ± 6.1% when organics fraction decrease from 30–40% to 10–20%. The rate of increase reaches up to 184%. While under SS of 0.4%, the CCN activity increases only from 35.7 ± 19.0% to 46.5 ± 12.3%, correspondingly. The calculated NCCN based on the size-resolved activation ratio and aerosol number size distribution correlates well with observed NCCN at high SS (0.4%), but this correlation decreases with the falling of SS. The slopes of linear fitted lines between calculated and observed NCCN are 0.708, 0.947, and 0.995 at SS of 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.4%, respectively. Moreover, the standard deviation (SD) of calculated NCCN increases with the decreasing of SS. A case study of CCN closure analyses indicates that the calculated error of NCCN can reach up to 34% at SS of 0.1% if aerosol composition is not included, and the calculated error decreases with the raising of SS. It decreases to 9% at SS of 0.2%, and further decreases to 4% at SS of 0.4%.
Sensitivity of the Single Particle Soot Photometer to different black carbon types
Authors: Laborde M. , Mertes P. , Zieger P. , Dommen J. , Baltensperger U. , Gysel M.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. Black carbon (BC) is nowadays mainly of anthropogenic origin. It is the dominant light absorbing component of atmospheric aerosols, playing an important role in the earth's radiative balance and therefore relevant to climate change studies. In addition, BC is known to be harmful to humans making it relevant to policy makers. Nevertheless, the measurement of BC remains biased by the instrument-based definition of BC. The Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2), allows the measurement of the refractory BC (rBC) mass of individual particle using laser-induced incandescence. However the SP2 needs an empirical calibration to retrieve the rBC mass from the incandescence signal and the sensitivity of the SP2 differs between different BC types. Ideally, for atmospheric studies, the SP2 should be calibrated using ambient particles containing a known mass of ambient rBC. However, such "ambient BC" calibration particles cannot easily be obtained and thus commercially available BC particles are commonly used for SP2 calibration instead. In this study we tested the sensitivity of the SP2 to different BC types in order to characterize the potential error introduced by using non-ambient BC for calibration. The sensitivity of the SP2 was determined for rBC from thermodenuded diesel exhaust, wood burning exhaust and ambient particles as well as for commercially available products: Aquadag® and fullerene soot. Thermodenuded, fresh diesel exhaust has been found to be ideal for SP2 calibration for two reasons. First, the small amount of non-BC matter upon emission reduces the risk of bias due to incomplete removal of non-BC matter and second, it is considered to represent atmospheric rBC as diesel exhaust is the main source of BC in most locations. The SP2 was found to be up to 16% less sensitive to rBC from thermodenuded ambient particles (≤15 fg) than rBC from diesel exhaust, however, at least part of this difference can be explained by incomplete removal of non-refractory components in the thermodenuder. The SP2 sensitivity to rBC from wood burning exhaust agrees with the one of rBC from diesel exhaust within an error of less than 14% (≤40 fg). If, due to experimental restrictions, diesel exhaust cannot be used, untreated fullerene soot was found to give a SP2 calibration curve similar to diesel exhaust and ambient rBC (within ±10% for a rBC mass ≤15 fg) and is therefore recommended although two different batches differed by ~14% between themselves. In addition, the SP2 was found to be up to 40% more sensitive to Aquadag® than to diesel exhaust rBC. Therefore Aquadag® cannot be recommended for atmospheric application. These findings for fullerene soot and Aquadag® confirm results from previous literature.
GIS-based coastal area suitability assessment of geo-environmental factors in Laoshan district, Qingdao
Authors: Ju C. Y. , Jia Y. G. , Shan H. X. , Tang C. W. , Ma W. J.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. With increasing urbanization, particularly in the coastal regions of developing countries, the development of disaster management schemes is needed as the losses from a single event can destroy decades of development and threaten local populations, buildings and infrastructure. Geo-environmental suitability is often evaluated systematically in order to assess the nature of hazards and their potential damage to human life, land, buildings and other property. A suitability assessment will indicate the priorities for geological and environmental hazard management. This paper presents a geological environment suitability assessment that aims to identify grading in a current seaside urban development and develop practices to aid in the identification of hidden geological and environmental hazards. The Laoshan area in the city of Qingdao was used as a case study because it constitutes a good example of a developing city with geological and environmental threats. Also, urban plans have been drawn up here with insufficient or absent information on losses from potential natural hazards.
Tsunami risk assessments in Messina, Sicily – Italy
Authors: Grezio A. , Gasparini P. , Marzocchi W. , Patera A. , Tinti S.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. We present a first detailed tsunami risk assessment for the city of Messina where one of the most destructive tsunami inundations of the last centuries occurred in 1908. In the tsunami hazard evaluation, probabilities are calculated through a new general modular Bayesian tool for Probability Tsunami Hazard Assessment. The estimation of losses of persons and buildings takes into account data collected directly or supplied by: (i) the Italian National Institute of Statistics that provides information on the population, on buildings and on many relevant social aspects; (ii) the Italian National Territory Agency that provides updated economic values of the buildings on the basis of their typology (residential, commercial, industrial) and location (streets); and (iii) the Train and Port Authorities. For human beings, a factor of time exposition is introduced and calculated in terms of hours per day in different places (private and public) and in terms of seasons, considering that some factors like the number of tourists can vary by one order of magnitude from January to August. Since the tsunami risk is a function of the run-up levels along the coast, a variable tsunami risk zone is defined as the area along the Messina coast where tsunami inundations may occur.
A minimal model for reconstructing interannual mass balance variability of glaciers in the European Alps
Authors: Marzeion B. , Hofer M. , Jarosch A. H. , Kaser G. , Mölg T.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. We present a minimal model of the glacier surface mass balance. The model relies solely on monthly precipitation and air temperatures as forcing. We first train the model individually for 15 glaciers with existing mass balance measurements. Based on a cross validation, we present a thorough assessment of the model's performance outside of the training period. The cross validation indicates that our model is robust, and our model's performance compares favorably to that from a less parsimonious model based on seasonal sensitivity characteristics. Then, the model is extended for application on glaciers without existing mass balance measurements. We cross validated the model again by withholding the mass balance information from each of the 15 glaciers above during the model training, in order to measure its performance on glaciers not included in the model training. This cross validation indicates that the model retains considerable skill even when applied on glaciers without mass balance measurements. As an exemplary application, the model is then used to reconstruct time series of interannual mass balance variability, covering the past two hundred years, for all glaciers in the European Alps contained in the extended format of the world glacier inventory. Based on this reconstruction, we present a spatially detailed attribution of the glaciers' mass balance variability to temperature and precipitation variability.
Riboflavin's Time-Dependent Degradation Rate Induced by Ultraviolet a Irradiation
Authors: Diakonis Vasilios F. , Grentzelos Michael A. , Tzatzarakis Manolis N. , Kankaria Vardhaman , Karavitaki Alexandra , Karatapanis Andreas E. , Tsatsakis Aristidis M. , Kymionis George D.
Published: January 2012

Purpose

To evaluate the time-dependent degradation rate of riboflavin after ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation.

Methods

Two solutions of commercially available riboflavin solution (0.1%) were used; one served as control, while the second was irradiated using UVA light at 370 nm wavelength. Four samples of riboflavin solution were retrieved prior to irradiance and at 1, 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes after irradiation (group A); at the same time points samples of riboflavin were retrieved from the control solution in order to assess environmental time-induced degradation of riboflavin (group B). All samples were immediately analyzed using liquid chromatograph mass spectrometry to detect riboflavin and its 2 subproducts, lumiflavin (LF) and lumichrome (LC).

Results

Mean percentage of riboflavin degradation was 0.0, 5.3, 9.1, 15.3, 20.6, and 33.3 at 0, 1, 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes after UVA irradiation, respectively (group A). The time-dependent riboflavin degradation was statistically significant (p<0.05), while for group B there was no change in riboflavin concentration at all time intervals. In group A, mean LC concentration demonstrated a gradual concentration increase, reaching 2.386±1.526 ppm after 60 minutes of UVA exposure.

Conclusions

The time-dependent degradation of riboflavin solution is significant, reaching 20.6% after 30 minutes of UVA exposure. It seems that only a small fraction of the overall riboflavin molecules break down since more than 65% remain intact even after 1 hour of UVA irradiation. Control riboflavin solution seems to be stable, as no degradation is evident even after 60 minutes.
On the Spectrum of Threshold Graphs
Authors: Sciriha Irene , Farrugia Stephanie
Published: January 2012

The antiregular connected graph on r vertices is defined as the connected graph whose vertex degrees take the values of r−1 distinct positive integers. We explore the spectrum of its adjacency matrix and show common properties with those of connected threshold graphs, having an equitable partition with a minimal number r of parts. Structural and combinatorial properties can be deduced for related classes of graphs and in particular for the minimal configurations in the class of singular graphs.
Photoluminescence from SWCNT/Cu Hybrid Nanostructure Synthesized by a Soft Chemical Route
Authors: Paul Rima , Mitra Apurba Krishna
Published: January 2012

We report a simple wet chemical technique to coat single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with Cu nanoparticles. The SWCNT/Cu hybrid nanostructure has been characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) study, and Raman spectroscopy. Characteristic optical properties of the nanohybrid structure have been identified through UV-Vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. When excited by a radiation of 400 nm wavelength, PL emission in the visible range of 480–620 nm was observed due to charge transfer. This property may be exploited in photovoltaic cells, solar energy conversion, and sensor devices.
Presentación y editorial de fundación de adComunica
Authors: Cuesta Cambra Ubaldo , López Lita Rafael , Marzal Felici Javier
Published: January 2012

Editorial fundacional y Presentación de los Contenidos del Número.
Presente y futuro del mercado audiovisual español: una reflexión
Authors: Barberá González Rafael
Published: January 2012

Artículo para la sección Tribuna de adComunica.
Contenidos audiovisuales y televisivos para dispositivos móviles: una aproximación al mercado español
Authors: Adelantado Eulalia , Martí José
Published: January 2012

En el actual contexto mediático de convergencia digital y difusión multipantalla, los dispositivos móviles están adquiriendo un creciente protagonismo como punto de acceso a contenidos audiovisuales y televisivos, en especial aquellos contenidos relacionados con el entretenimiento. Este artículo examina las principales ventajas y limitaciones que presentan los dispositivos móviles como una nueva pantalla para la difusión de este tipo de contenidos. Para ello se ha realizado un análisis exploratorio de los contenidos audiovisuales de entretenimiento que han sido distribuidos en el mercado español desde los primeros formatos nativos del medio, como las moviseries y los realities shows, hasta la oferta actual de contenidos televisivos, así como las nuevas aplicaciones y contenidos surgidos con la consolidación de Internet móvil. La exploración realizada ha permitido identificar las principales tendencias y modelos de negocio surgidos en torno a estos contenidos, en especial aquellos relacionados con el emergente mercado de las aplicaciones para móviles. Del mismo modo ha permitido también señalar los principales factores, tanto tecnológicos como relativos al mercado, que pueden estar impidiendo un mayor uso de la telefonía móvil como plataforma de difusión de contenidos audiovisuales y televisivos.
Rapidly Growing Eyelid Lesion in a 73-Year-Old Man
Authors: Sambhariya Whitney Stuard , Campbell Ashley
Published: June 2024

A man aged 73 years presented with a 5-day history of a fast-growing right eyebrow nodule with raised borders and central ulceration. There was no discomfort, and the patient denied vision changes. The lesion was refractory to treatment with erythromycin, clindamycin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. What would you do next?
Clinical applications of next‐generation sequencing‐based ctDNA analyses in breast cancer: defining treatment targets and dynamic changes during disease progression
Authors: Klocker Eva Valentina , Hasenleithner Samantha , Bartsch Rupert , Gampenrieder Simon P. , Egle Daniel , Singer Christian F. , Rinnerthaler Gabriel , Hubalek Michael , Schmitz Katja , Bago‐Horvath Zsuzsanna , Petzer Andreas , Heibl Sonja , Heitzer Ellen , Balic Marija , Gnant Michael
Published: June 2024

The advancements in the detection and characterization of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) have revolutionized precision medicine and are likely to transform standard clinical practice. The non‐invasive nature of this approach allows for molecular profiling of the entire tumor entity, while also enabling real‐time monitoring of the effectiveness of cancer therapies as well as the identification of resistance mechanisms to guide targeted therapy. Although the field of ctDNA studies offers a wide range of applications, including in early disease, in this review we mainly focus on the role of ctDNA in the dynamic molecular characterization of unresectable locally advanced and metastatic BC (mBC). Here, we provide clinical practice guidance for the rapidly evolving field of molecular profiling of mBC, outlining the current landscape of liquid biopsy applications and how to choose the right ctDNA assay. Additionally, we underline the importance of exploring the clinical relevance of novel molecular alterations that potentially represent therapeutic targets in mBC, along with mutations where targeted therapy is already approved. Finally, we present a potential roadmap for integrating ctDNA analysis into clinical practice.
Lifecycle Management for Sustainable Plastics: Recent Progress from Synthesis, Processing to Upcycling
Authors: Yang Shuangqiao , Li Yijun , Nie Min , Liu Xingang , Wang Qi , Chen Ning , Zhang Chuhong
Published: June 2024

Plastics, renowned for their outstanding properties and extensive applications, assume an indispensable and irreplaceable role in modern society. However, the ubiquitous consumption of plastic items has led to a growing accumulation of plastic waste. Unreasonable practices in the production, utilization, and recycling of plastics have led to substantial energy resource depletion and environmental pollution. Herein, the state‐of‐the‐art advancements in the lifecycle management of plastics are timely reviewed. Unlike typical reviews focused on plastic recycling, this work presents an in‐depth analysis of the entire lifecycle of plastics, covering the whole process from synthesis, processing, to ultimate disposal. The primary emphasis lies on selecting judicious strategies and methodologies at each lifecycle stage to mitigate the adverse environmental impact of waste plastics. Specifically, the article delineates the rationale, methods, and advancements realized in various lifecycle stages through both physical and chemical recycling pathways. The focal point is the attainment of optimal recycling rates for waste plastics, thereby alleviating the ecological burden of plastic pollution. By scrutinizing the entire lifecycle of plastics, the article aims to furnish comprehensive solutions for reducing plastic pollution and fostering sustainability across all facets of plastic production, utilization, and disposal.
Rare‐Earth‐Metal‐Free Solid‐State Fluorescent Carbonized‐Polymer Microspheres for Unclonable Anti‐Counterfeit Whispering‐Gallery Emissions from Red to Near‐Infrared Wavelengths
Authors: Barman Barun Kumar , Yamada Hiroyuki , Watanabe Keisuke , Deguchi Kenzo , Ohki Shinobu , Hashi Kenjiro , Goto Atsushi , Nagao Tadaaki
Published: June 2024

Colloidal carbon dots (CDs) have garnered much attention as metal‐free photoluminescent nanomaterials, yet creation of solid‐state fluorescent (SSF) materials emitting in the deep red (DR) to near‐infrared (NIR) range poses a significant challenge with practical implications. To address this challenge and to engineer photonic functionalities, a micro‐resonator architecture is developed using carbonized polymer microspheres (CPMs), evolved from conventional colloidal nanodots. Gram‐scale production of CPMs utilizes controlled microscopic phase separation facilitated by natural peptide cross‐linking during hydrothermal processing. The resulting microstructure effectively suppresses aggregation‐induced quenching (AIQ), enabling strong solid‐state light emission. Both experimental and theoretical analysis support a role for extended π‐conjugated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) trapped within these microstructures, which exhibit a progressive red shift in light absorption/emission toward the NIR range. Moreover, the highly spherical shape of CPMs endows them with innate photonic functionalities in combination with their intrinsic CD‐based attributes. Harnessing their excitation wavelength‐dependent photoluminescent (PL) property, a single CPM exhibits whispering‐gallery modes (WGMs) that are emission‐tunable from the DR to the NIR. This type of newly developed microresonator can serve as, for example, unclonable anti‐counterfeiting labels. This innovative cross‐cutting approach, combining photonics and chemistry, offers robust, bottom‐up, built‐in photonic functionality with diverse NIR applications.
More efficient nitrogen utilization through wool pellet and soil inoculation
Authors: Kovács Flórián , Papdi Enikő , Veres Andrea , Mohay Piroska , Szegő Anita , Juhos Katalin
Published: June 2024

In recent years, many alternative bio‐waste‐based fertilizers have been proven to have a beneficial effect on plant nutrition. These also include wool pellet, whose comprehensive evaluation of synergistic effects on plant development and soil biological activity is still a limited field of investigation. To address this, we explored the potential of combining soil inoculations and N‐rich wool pellet as ecologically sound alternatives to N fertilizers. In a pot experiment, we investigated the effect of Azotobacter vinelandii, the Trichoderma harzianum T34, and wool pellet, individually and in combination, on the growth and nitrate uptake of the test plants, as well as on the biological activity and permanganate‐oxidizable carbon of the sandy soil with low organic matter content. The combination of T. harzianum + wool pellet showed the highest biological activity and permanganate‐oxidizable carbon content, while the untreated control plants exhibited the lowest values. The treatment combination of wool pellet and A. vinelandii exhibited the highest nitrate uptake by plants. Measuring the concentration of photosynthetic pigments, net photosynthesis, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and total dry biomass, we found that the treatments led to a significant improvement in the photosynthetic intensity of lettuce plants. These results suggest that wool pellet served as a significant source of N and that their biological activity plays a key role in improving plant parameters. Moreover, the combination of microbial inoculants and wool pellet effectively increases N use efficiency in plant growth.
A polymeric copper complex based on a pyrazole derivative: Synthesis, spectroscopic, X‐ray, and biological activity studies
Authors: Amin Mina A. , Diker Halide , Şahin Onur , Varlikli Canan , Soliman Ahmed A.
Published: June 2024

A novel 1D coordination polymeric copper complex based on 4‐(4′‐nitrophenylhydrazono)‐5‐trifluoromethyl‐2,4‐dihydropyrazol‐3‐one was prepared and characterized spectroscopically and thermally and via X‐ray crystallographic investigation. The prepared copper‐based structure was proved to have a 1D coordination polymer. X‐ray studies showed that the polymeric copper complex was of octahedral geometry, the ligand acted as a bidentate ligand, and the nitro group attached to the ligand acted as a bridging group. The cytotoxic activities of the copper polymer were evaluated including against MCF‐7 cells (breast cancer cell line), HepG‐2 cells (hepatocellular carcinoma), and HCT‐116 cells (colon cancer cell line). The morphological alterations of the complex treated cells were investigated using an inverted microscope. The cell cycle and apoptosis were evaluated and reported. The copper polymer exhibited the best antitumor activity against HepG‐2 cells (35.22 ± 4.80 μM) while also causing a decline in the G2/M phase and a remarkable enhancement in the early apoptosis.
The archaeology of sacred womens’ business in Australia: a Holocene history from the Central Queensland Highlands
Authors: Ponomareva Irina A. , Hatte Liz , Kemp Justine , Wallace Marie , McLennan Col
Published: June 2024

This paper provides the initial chronological framework for an Australian Aboriginal women's sacred area, based on the first absolute ages obtained through luminescence dating. The Thirteen Mile Creek site of the Avon Downs women's sacred area provides evidence for various aspects of women's lives, including lithic raw material extraction and lithic artefact production from ∼7000 years to recent times. It is the first dated Aboriginal women's sacred area in Australia. The successful use of single grain luminescence on a colluvial mantle suggests the potential to extend cultural histories in tropical hillslopes to the middle Holocene. Our preliminary study of the site raises awareness of the challenges of protecting women's sacred sites from mining and development and highlights the importance of preserving Aboriginal sacred sites for future generations.
Levamisole Based Co(II) Single‐Ion Magnet
Authors: Biswas Soumava , Havlicek Lubomir , Nemec Ivan , Salitros Ivan , Mandal Leena , Neugebauer Petr , Kuppusamy Senthil Kumar , Ruben Mario
Published: June 2024

A new Co(II) complex, [Co(NCS)2(L)2] (1) has been synthesized based on levamisole (L) as a new ligand. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses confirm that the Co(II) ion is having a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry in the complex. Notably strong intramolecular S⋅⋅⋅S and S⋅⋅⋅N interactions has been confirmed by employing Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM). These intramolecular interactions occur among the sulfur and nitrogen atoms of the levamisole ligands and also the nitrogen atoms of the thiocyanate. Direct current (dc) magnetic analyses reveal presence of zero field splitting (ZFS) and large magnetic anisotropy on Co(II). Detailed ab initio ligand field theory calculations quantitatively predicted the magnitude of ZFS. Prominent field‐induced single‐ion magnet (SIM) behavior was observed for 1 from dynamic magnetization measurements. Slow magnetic relaxation follows an Orbach mechanism with the effective energy barrier Ueff=29.6 (7) K and relaxation time τo=1.4 (4)×10−9 s.
Clinical anatomy of the coronary venous system and relevance to retrograde cardioplegia and cardiac electrophysiological interventions
Authors: Kesieme Emeka Blessius , Buchan Keith Gunn
Published: June 2024

Anomalies of coronary venous system, the valve of the coronary sinus (Thebesian valve) and other cardiac malformations may make interventions through the coronary sinus difficult. These variants may pose a challenge in cannulating the coronary sinus for retrograde cardioplegia and for interventions performed through the coronary sinus by cardiac electrophysiologist/interventional cardiologist. Retrograde cardioplegia is an established method of myocardial protection with advantages, indications, and complications. A good knowledge of the anatomy of the coronary sinus and its variants is important in understanding the difficulties encountered while cannulating the coronary sinus for the delivery of retrograde cardioplegia, cardiac resynchronization therapy, treatment of arrhythmias, and percutaneous mitral valve annuloplasty.
Gain insight into antitrust cases involving NCAA, Power Conferences
Authors: Romano Robert J.
Published: June 2024

A class‐action lawsuit filed last year on behalf of more than 14,500 college student‐athletes alleged that the NCAA and the various Power Five Conferences unlawfully conspired to artificially fix, depress, maintain, and/or stabilize prices paid to the plaintiffs for the use of their name, image, and likeness — actions they claim constitute an unreasonable restraint of trade. Specifically, their assertions are that the NCAA prevented the Conferences from sharing any broadcasting revenue with student‐athletes, denied revenue opportunities for student‐athletes to share in college sports video games, and barred student‐athletes from monetizing their NIL prior to 2021.
Chemical Composition of Achillea millefolium L. and Their Anti‐Inflammatory Activity
Authors: Huang Xinge , Xu Nannan , Liu Zhitao , Li Hongliang , Lu Hui , Li Jun
Published: June 2024

A new monoterpene, (−)‐10‐hydroxydihydroactinidiolide (1), along with two known monoterpenes, loliolide (2) and (+)‐isololiolide (3), three known megastigmanes, 3α‐hydroxy‐5β,6β‐epoxy‐β‐ionone (4), 3α‐hydroxy‐5α,6α‐epoxy‐β‐ionone (5), and (+)‐dehydrovomifoliol (6), a eudesmane‐type sesquiterpene, 4α‐hydroxy‐4β‐methyldihydrocostol (7), a monoterpene, 8‐hydroxycarvotanacetone (8), two flavonoids, chrysoeriol (9) and apigenin (10), and a phenylpropanoid, 3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1‐propanol (11), were isolated from the whole plant of Achillea millefolium. The structure of compound 1 was identified according to spectroscopic data of HRMS and NMR, and its absolute configuration was assigned by 13C NMR calculations with DP4+ probability analyses and ECD calculations. The absolute configuration of compound 6 was determined by ECD calculations. Compounds 3, 6, 9 and 10 could dose‐dependently inhibit the NO release in LPS‐induced RAW264.7 cells.
Electrochemical Non‐Directed Arene C−H Amination
Authors: Stewart Griffin , Rapala Chris , Malapit Christian A.
Published: June 2024

Electrosynthesis represents a dynamic field in organic chemistry for the development of important and selective reactions. Among the most interesting electrosynthetic transformations is the non‐directed arene C−H amination. Despite increasing reports, the quest for a non‐directed electrochemical arene C−H amination capable of accommodating a wide range of arenes and amines with high site‐selectivity remains ongoing. Non‐directed electrochemical C−H amination presents a metal‐free, mild approach for synthesizing complex aminated compounds of interest in pharmaceuticals and natural products. This concept aims to introduce the concept of non‐directed electrochemical C−H amination and provide an overview of the recent advances in the field as well as the current limitations and potential directions.
Revisiting the deformation and migmatization of the Tongbai complex in the Tongbai orogenic belt, central China
Authors: Liu Huan , Zhang Wei , Huo Haidong
Published: June 2024

The Tongbai complex plays an important role in the understanding of the tectonic evolution of the Tongbai‐Dabie orogenic belt. By detailed structural analysis, new zircon U–Pb dating, zircon Lu–Hf analysis and whole‐rock elements for the rocks in the Tongbai complex and the wrapped shear zones, we suggested that the Tongbai complex was derived from the partial melting of the basement of Yangtze Block and experienced a uniform orogen‐parallel extension with a top‐to‐NW shearing at 142–133 Ma. The migmatites yield a migmatization age of 116 ± 2 Ma and are identical to the metamorphic age of 115–111 Ma from the L and LS tectonites in the Tongbai complex. The late Early Cretaceous migmatization may give rise to the severance of the uniform top‐to‐NW shear zone and lead to an antiform folding of the Tongbai complex. The similar deformation and migmatization of the complexes in both the Tongbai and Dabie orogenic belts suggest that the Tongbai‐Dabie orogenic belt is likely to have a similar tectonic transformation from orogen‐parallel to orogen‐perpendicular extension in the Early Cretaceous, namely a uniform orogen‐parallel extension of the ductile lithosphere during the early Early Cretaceous and a widespread migmatization during the late Early Cretaceous.
AIM2 inflammasome regulated by the IFN‐γ/JAK2/STAT1 pathway promotes activation and pyroptosis of monocytes in Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Zhao Yue , Liang Bin , Sheng Shuyang , Wang Chen , Jin Bingyu , Zhang Xiaokang , Cheng Yating , Shen Changxin , Zheng Fang
Published: June 2024

Background

Numerous studies have demonstrated that Absent in Melanoma 2 (AIM2) is upregulated in aortic plaques, especially in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), and is related to inflammasome‐induced inflammation. However, the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon and the role of AIM2 in atherosclerosis remained unclear.

Methods

This study enrolled 133 CAD patients and 123 controls. We isolated Peripheral Blood Leukocytes (PBLs) and the mRNA expression of AIM2 inflammasome and its downstream genes (ASC, Caspase‐1, IL‐1β, and IL‐18) were detected by real‐time quantitative PCR (qPCR). We assessed correlations between AIM2 expressions and clinical characteristics by multiple linear regression and spearman's correlation. The THP‐1 cells cultured in poly(dA:dT), A151, interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), AG490, or JC2‐11. And then the mRNA and protein levels of AIM2, ASC, Caspase‐1, IL‐1β, IL‐18, GSDMD, and STAT1 were analyzed by qPCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. The migration and adhesive capacity of THP‐1 cells was assessed using an inverted microscope and an inverted fluorescence microscope, respectively.

Results

In this study, we found that expressions of components of AIM2 inflammasome and its downstream genes (ASC, Caspase‐1, IL‐1β, and IL‐18), were all increased in PBLs of CAD patients, which indicated the inflammasome activation. AIM2 inflammasome activation further induced pyroptosis, and stimulated migration and adhesion in monocyte cell lines, which was regulated by IFN‐γ probably through JAK2/STAT1 pathway. In addition, AIM2 expressions were positively correlated with systemic inflammatory indicators as an independent risk factor for CAD.

Conclusions

In conclusion, increased AIM2 expression, induced by the IFN‐γ/JAK2/STAT1 signal, orientates monocytes to inflammatory status or even pyroptosis through AIM2 inflammasome activation, which is involved in the development of CAD.
Gold/cobalt ferrite nanocomposite as a potential agent for photothermal therapy
Authors: Motorzhina Anna V. , Pshenichnikov Stanislav E. , Anikin Anton A. , Belyaev Victor K. , Yakunin Alexander N. , Zarkov Sergey V. , Tuchin Valery V. , Jovanović Sonja , Sangregorio Claudio , Rodionova Valeria V. , Panina Larissa V. , Levada Kateryna V.
Published: June 2024

The study encompasses an investigation of optical, photothermal and biocompatibility properties of a composite consisting of golden cores surrounded by superparamagnetic CoFe2O4 nanoparticles. Accompanied with the experiment, the computational modeling reveals that each adjusted magnetic nanoparticle redshifts the plasmon resonance frequency in gold and nonlinearly increases the extinction cross‐section at ~800 nm. The concentration dependent photothermal study demonstrates a temperature increase of 8.2 K and the photothermal conversion efficiency of 51% for the 100 μg/mL aqueous solution of the composite nanoparticles, when subjected to a laser power of 0.5 W at 815 nm. During an in vitro photothermal therapy, a portion of the composite nanoparticles, initially seeded at this concentration, remained associated with the cells after washing. These retained nanoparticles effectively heated the cell culture medium, resulting in a 22% reduction in cell viability after 15 min of the treatment. The composite features a potential in multimodal magneto‐plasmonic therapies.